Patents Assigned to CTS
  • Printed circuit board retainer
    Patent number: 6500018
    Abstract: A printed circuit board retainer for holding a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board retainer includes a plate having opposing surfaces. Several slots extend through the plate. A latch assembly extends from another surface. The latch assembly has the printed circuit board mounted to it. Several terminals are mounted to the printed circuit board and extend through the slots. A lock is mounted to the latch assembly to prevent the latch assembly from releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Markus C. Carrison
  • Testing base for semiconductor devices
    Patent number: 6501291
    Abstract: A testing base for a semiconductor device includes a retaining seat, a base board and a press unit. The retaining seat has a top side formed with a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is adapted to receive the semiconductor device therein. The base board is mounted in a bottom portion of the receiving cavity of the retaining seat. The base board has a contacting side that confronts a contact mounting side of the semiconductor device when the semiconductor device is received in the receiving cavity. The contacting side is provided with a plurality of conductive contact pads adapted to connect electrically and respectively with contact members on the contact mounting side of the semiconductor device. The base board further has a plurality of contact terminals that extend outwardly through the retaining seat and that are connected electrically to the contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Computer Technology System Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Tung Shen
  • Rotary position sensor using a strain gage
    Patent number: 6486767
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the position of an attached object. The sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a helical shaped actuator located in the housing. The actuator is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in contact with the actuator. The actuator applies a strain to the strain gage as the actuator is moved. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Rainey
  • Hardtop vehicle roof
    Patent number: 6481781
    Abstract: In a hard top vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers the interior of a vehicle, and a storage position, in which it is contained in a vehicle storage space, the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part, which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and a front roof part, which is mounted on the rear roof part so as to be movable below and in parallel relationship to the rear roof part for movement therewith into the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: CTS FahrzeugDachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Piezoelectric transformer with dual-phase input drive
    Patent number: 6476542
    Abstract: The present invention provides at least two input driving sections for a piezoelectric transformer. The two input driving sections are configured in a stacked configuration, with either one section on top of the other or the sections interlaced. Each input driving section includes a pair of electrodes. All of the electrodes preferably have a distinct electrode shape. The two input driving sections provide for the application of phase-modulated input signals to control the gain or amplitude of the transformer output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Phillips
  • Electronic accelerator pedal having a kickdown feature
    Patent number: 6474191
    Abstract: An electronic pedal mechanism for a vehicle includes a housing that has a shaft located within and a pedal bar that is attached to the shaft. The shaft rotates when the operator applies a force on the pedal bar. A resistance mechanism is attached to the shaft to provide a resistance against the force applied by the operator on the pedal bar. A kickdown mechanism is attached to the shaft to provide a tactile feedback to the operator that the pedal bar is at a maximum point of depression. A spring mechanism is attached to the shaft to return the pedal bar to an original position after the operator removes the force applied to the pedal bar. A sensor mechanism is attached to the shaft to generate an electrical signal in response to the rotation of the shaft. The electrical signal changes as a function of the position of the pedal bar. The electrical signal is used to control engine speed in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Campbell
  • Strain gage sensor having an unstrained area
    Patent number: 6467361
    Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Rainey, Patrick B. Blakesley, James Newcomer
  • Compact top stack linkage
    Patent number: 6464284
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes right and left linkages for extension and retraction, a plurality of transverse bows and a cover supported by the bows and the right and left linkages. Each linkage includes a rear four bar linkage mounted to the vehicle and connected to a center rail, and a forward four bar linkage supporting a front rail and connected to the center rail. A pushing link interconnects the rear and forward linkages so that the front rail is inverted to a position adjacent the center rail, and the center rail is shifted rearward as the rear four bar linkage contracts. The pushing link is disposed so that it does not exceed the height of the center rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Vehicle roof adjustable between a closed position and a folded position
    Patent number: 6460913
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle roof has an adjustable folding top between a closed position and a folded position with a convertible top rod assembly and a top cover material. At least one rod component of the convertible top rod assembly is lowerable into a stowing compartment in the folded position via an adjustment kinematic. In a space conserving embodiment, this rod component is moved along the path of a pitch circle during transport into the stowing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeng Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Fischer
  • Ablative RF ceramic block filters
    Patent number: 6462629
    Abstract: A method of forming metallization patterns on a block of dielectric material wherein the entire surface area of the dielectric block is encased with a conductive material and unwanted conductive metal is ablatively etched from a designated surface area of the dielectric block to form desired metallized circuit patterns. The invention also comprises a filter and a duplexer formed by the method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond G. Blair, Edward J. Rombach, Randel N. Simons, Wayne D. Pasco
  • Temperature compensated crystal oscillator assembled on crystal base
    Patent number: 6456168
    Abstract: A dual-cavity temperature compensated crystal oscillator (100) provides a three-layer ceramic package (110), with a crystal (170) sealed in a well or cavity (148). Oscillator components (180-184) such as a compensation circuit and an oscillator are attached through screened solder onto the back side of the ceramic package (110) and are encapsulated within potting compound or encapsulant. Electrical connection is provided between the oscillator and compensation circuitry and the piezoelectric element (170) to produce a frequency-controlled oscillator. After frequency tuning, a hermetic seal is provided between a cover (160) and ledge (140) to hermetically seal the cavity (148).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Marlin Luff
  • Multi-part cover for vehicles
    Patent number: 6454343
    Abstract: In a multi-part cover for a vehicle top storage compartment of a convertible vehicle with removable top, which cover includes a center part and adjacent side parts which, for opening the storage compartment are movable out of the positions adjacent the center part into an overlapping position with the center part while undergoing a height displacement, the side parts are elastic resiliently connected to the center parts. Stops are provided on the vehicle body, by which the side parts are engaged when the cover is closed so that the side parts are biased against the elastic support into a reference plane defined by the center part for flush alignment with the center part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Wagner, Jörg Brettmann
  • Seat belt tension sensor
    Patent number: 6450534
    Abstract: A seat belt sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor has a substrate with a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of slots therethrough. The seat belt passes through the slots. The substrate has a pair of apertures. An actuator bar is located adjacent the top surface and has a first and second end that pass through the apertures. The seat belt passes over the actuator bar. A load beam is attached to the substrate and has a first and second end. The ends of the actuator bar contact the ends of the load beam. Strain sensitive resistors are located on the load beam. The seat belt, when placed in tension, causes the actuator bar ends to flex the ends of the load beam placing stress on the strain sensitive resistor. The strain sensitive resistor generates an electrical in response to being placed under stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Blakesley, Robert Rainey
  • Octagonal electrode for crystals
    Patent number: 6448699
    Abstract: A crystal electrode that reduces coupled mode noise. A crystal blank has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first electrode is located on the top surface. The first electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. A second electrode is located on the bottom surface. The second electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. The polygonal portions of the first and second electrodes are arranged such that they oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Dragan Scepanovic, Leon J. Miernicki
  • Piezoelectric device having increased mechanical compliance
    Patent number: 6448697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of mounting a piezoelectric device having a plurality of mounting pads directly to a printed circuit board comprising the steps of providing a piezoelectric device, miniature conductive springs and a printed circuit board, attaching the springs to mounting pads of the piezoelectric transformer, and attaching the springs to the printed circuit board. Also disclosed is an apparatus made according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Vaughn
  • Vehicle roof with an adjustable convertible top
    Patent number: 6443517
    Abstract: A vehicle roof has a convertible top which can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position. The top spans the vehicle interior in the closed position and is deposited in a convertible top depositing device in the open position. Furthermore, a rollover bar is coupled with the convertible top depositing device. For a facilitated assembly and function testing, the rollover bar forms a cohesive, firmly connected unit with the convertible top depositing device and the convertible top. The unit can be integrated in the vehicle as a preassembled module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeng Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Just, Matthias Aydt
  • Keyboard with integrated pointing stick cable
    Patent number: 6445382
    Abstract: A computer keyboard assembly has flexible membrane that is located adjacent a housing. The flexible membrane has circuit lines and an integral pointing stick cable. The circuit lines extend onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane. Keys are electrically connected to the circuit lines. A backing plate structurally supports the flexible membrane. The membrane is located between the backing plate and the housing. A pointing module is attached to the backing plate. The pointing module is electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. The pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Poole, Robert M. Vandenboom
  • Convertible vehicle top
    Patent number: 6435598
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle top which is movable between a closed position in which it covers an interior vehicle space and an open position in which it is contained in a storage compartment, the vehicle includes rear side windows which are pivotally connected to the vehicle top and the edges of the rear side window remote from the vehicle top are held in sealing engagement with the vehicle body when the top is closed but are pivoted inwardly during movement of the top from the closed to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Strain gage having an attached unstrained area for the mounting of signal conditioning components
    Patent number: 6431013
    Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, Patrick B. Blakesley, James M. Newcomer
  • FOLDING TOP REAR QUARTER WINDOW STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20020105206
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand