Patents Assigned to Delta Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 8575480Abstract: A connection assembly for securing electrical components used with power equipment comprises a housing and connector cover forming an upper arrangement of the connection assembly. The housing and connector cover form a cavity therebetween for supporting electronics disposed within the cavity. The connection assembly also comprises a lower arrangement used to secure the connection assembly to a surface of a power equipment device and a hinge assembly that forms a rotational connection between the upper arrangement and the lower arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Young
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Patent number: 8434809Abstract: A dash cluster system and a method for securing and/or interconnecting a dash cluster to power equipment. The dash cluster system includes a housing having a connecting assembly including at least one peripheral connector positioned along a peripheral surface of the housing. The dash cluster system further comprises a bezel having a front side and a rear side. The bezel also comprises a connecting arrangement formed from at least one extending connector, extending from the rear side. The dash cluster system also comprises a securing connection formed between the housing and the bezel by the interlocking of the peripheral connector of the connecting assembly with the extending connector of the connecting arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis R. Young, Michael Eric Liedtke, Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman
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Patent number: 8352116Abstract: A tilt or acceleration sensing apparatus and method that allows a tilt or acceleration sensing device of a vehicle to determine: 1) a maximum fall angle of the vehicle, regardless of the orientation of the vehicle and the vehicle's tilt sensor(s) to the incline; or 2) the downward acceleration of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a method of determining a maximum fall angle of a vehicle includes sensing tilt angles of two sensing axes of the vehicle relative to a horizontal reference plane and calculating the maximum fall angle of the vehicle based on the tilt angles. The apparatus and method may also include comparing the maximum fall angle to predetermined values and generating output signals when the maximum fall angle exceeds the predetermined values. In another embodiment, a method of determining when a vehicle is sliding downhill includes sensing the accelerations of three sensing axes.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clifford H. Boylston, Arthur James Harvey, Nicholas Schragal
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Patent number: 8256197Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling reverse mow condition in a tractor comprises a switch assembly having an ignition switch that is rotatable through a plurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located in the housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved by displacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate and distinct positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Kahnert
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Patent number: 8165759Abstract: A tilt sensor arrangement and method that allows a tilt angle sensor of a vehicle to be tested without tilting the vehicle. In one embodiment, a tilt angle sensor of a vehicle is tested when the vehicle is positioned in a generally horizontal position. The tilt angle sensor is rotated from an operating position to a test position while the vehicle remains in the generally horizontal position and the tilt angle sensor is tested.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Clifford H. Boylston, Dennis R. Young, Arthur James Harvey
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Patent number: 8080905Abstract: A control system for an electrical device includes a controller that outputs an AC device enable system when one or more monitored sensors are in a proper state for operation of the electrical device. The control system may also include a sensor signal integrity checking circuit that outputs a validation signal when the sensor is one of a discrete set of acceptable sensor states. The control system may also include a current monitor that monitors the current draw of the electrical device and compares the current draw to a range of acceptable current draw levels and durations and disables operation of the electrical device when the current draw falls outside of the range.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: David A. Straka
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Patent number: 7891448Abstract: Control circuits for a riding lawn mower providing an override condition for selectively allowing the cutting blades of the lawn mower to operate when the vehicle is traveling in reverse. The circuits incorporate a multi-position ignition switch, an override switch, a vehicle reverse switch, a PTO switch and a park brake switch. In one aspect of the invention, the control circuits disable the engine when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. In another aspect of the invention, an electric PTO clutch is disabled when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. The override condition is terminated when the ignition switch is moved away from the override position, or when the operator activates the park brake switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignees: MTD Products Inc, Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Onderko, Michael W. Miller, Scott C. Bly, Theodore G. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7812473Abstract: A controller including a controller input coupled to an engine magneto for monitoring tractor engine operation by monitoring a change in magneto signal thereby determining if the engine is running. A power output circuit coupled to an output from the controller draws current from a tractor battery for powering an auxiliary component when the tractor engine is running and disrupts power to the auxiliary component when the tractor engine is not running to conserve battery life.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott Larsen, Dennis Davis, David A. Straka
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Patent number: 7777639Abstract: An indicator display module includes a display face for informing an operator of a monitored condition and a housing having first and second ends. The display face is attached to the first end. The housing provides support to electrical components located within the housing. A cover is fixedly attached to the housing and engages the second end of the housing. A seal is positioned within the housing, forming a sealed cavity around the electrical components stored within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis R. Young, David A. Straka
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Publication number: 20100044194Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling reverse mow condition in a tractor comprises a switch assembly having an ignition switch that is rotatable through a plurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located in the housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved by displacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate and distinct positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Kahnert
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Patent number: 7629543Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling reverse mow condition in a tractor comprises a switch assembly having an ignition switch that is rotatable through a plurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located in the housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved by displacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate and distinct positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Kahnert
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Publication number: 20090153314Abstract: An indicator display module includes a display face for informing an operator of a monitored condition and a housing having first and second ends. The display face is attached to the first end. The housing provides support to electrical components located within the housing. A cover is fixedly attached to the housing and engages the second end of the housing. A seal is positioned within the housing, forming a sealed cavity around the electrical components stored within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis R. Young, David A. Straka
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Publication number: 20090121545Abstract: A controller including a controller input coupled to an engine magneto for monitoring tractor engine operation by monitoring a change in magneto signal thereby determining if the engine is running. A power output circuit coupled to an output from the controller draws current from a tractor battery for powering an auxiliary component when the tractor engine is running and disrupts power to the auxiliary component when the tractor engine is not running to conserve battery life.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott Larsen, Dennis Davis, David A. Straka
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Patent number: 7520264Abstract: An ignition circuit causes a magneto to continue to provide spark to an engine for a delay period after the ignition switch is switched off. After the delay period, the ignition circuit routes energy from the magneto to actuate a magneto disable switch to provide a path to ground for the magneto.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: David A. Straka
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Patent number: 7513322Abstract: A control circuit for a lawn tractor having an engine and a power take off driven implement. The control circuit includes an inhibit circuit component for preventing operation of a power take off driven implement with the tractor in reverse. Two versions of the inhibit circuit are disclosed, one grounds an engine magneto and a second disables an electric clutch for coupling the power take off to the driven element. The circuit includes first and second override switches and an override circuit component that allows operation of a power take off driven implement while the lawn tractor is in reverse after the first and second override switches are activated in a proper order by a tractor operator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Straka, Arthur James Harvey, Ted Wetzel
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Patent number: 7488914Abstract: A switch is disclosed having a switch housing defining a housing interior and an access opening that extends through a wall of the housing to the housing exterior. An actuator assembly including a shaft constrained by said housing moves along a path from a normal position to an actuated position as well as a momentary position. The shaft has an actuating portion which extends outwardly from the housing interior through the access opening. A shaft body inside the housing including a generally planar contact support that supports a number of switch contacts. A housing base positions a number of terminals having conductive surfaces for biased engagement with selected switch contacts to form an electrical path between terminals when the actuator assembly is in one of either the normal, actuated or momentary positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Kahnert, Muni Polavaram
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Publication number: 20080257631Abstract: Control circuits for a riding lawn mower providing an override condition for selectively allowing the cutting blades of the lawn mower to operate when the vehicle is traveling in reverse. The circuits incorporate a multi-position ignition switch, an override switch, a vehicle reverse switch, a PTO switch and a park brake switch. In one aspect of the invention, the control circuits disable the engine when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. In another aspect of the invention, an electric PTO clutch is disabled when the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO engaged and without the override condition having been established. The override condition is terminated when the ignition switch is moved away from the override position, or when the operator activates the park brake switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicants: MTD Products Inc, Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Onderko, Michael W. Miller, Scott C. Bly, Theodore G. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7422078Abstract: A control circuit for a lawn tractor having an engine and a power take off driven implement. The control circuit includes an inhibit circuit component for preventing operation of a power take off driven implement with the tractor in reverse. Two versions of the inhibit circuit are disclosed, one grounds an engine magneto and a second disables an electric clutch for coupling the power take off to the driven element. The circuit includes first and second override switches and an override circuit component that allows operation of a power take off driven implement while the lawn tractor is in reverse after the first and second override switches are activated in a proper order by a tractor operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Straka, Arthur James Harvey, Ted Wetzel
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Publication number: 20080143193Abstract: A control circuit for a lawn tractor having an engine and a power take off driven implement. The control circuit includes an inhibit circuit component for preventing operation of a power take off driven implement with the tractor in reverse. Two versions of the inhibit circuit are disclosed, one grounds an engine magneto and a second disables an electric clutch for coupling the power take off to the driven element. The circuit includes first and second override switches and an override circuit component that allows operation of a power take off driven implement while the lawn tractor is in reverse after the first and second override switches are activated in a proper order by a tractor operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Straka, Arthur James Harvey, Ted Wetzel
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Patent number: D597962Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventor: Mark R. Albrecht