Patents Assigned to Pontiac Coil, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6924571
    Abstract: A spring-driven permanent magnet generator comprising a bobbin-mounted coil, inner and outer frame members defining diametrically opposite pole pieces and a structure which cages or essentially surrounds the bobbin and coil combination. A rotor comprising the integral combination of disc and shaft portions carries a two-pole permanent magnet and is, in the assembled structure, located such that the shaft portion extends through the frame structure and the caged coil to place a permanent magnet between the pole pieces which are defined by the caging frame structure. A flat wound spring drives the shaft portion relative to the frame structure to induce a short duration voltage in the coil which can be used, by way of example, as an electronic fuse in an explosive device such as a hand grenade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston C. Bye
  • Patent number: 6879480
    Abstract: A Brake Transmission Shift Interlock and Park Lock System having a shift lever, electromagnetic device, and blocking member operating with reverse logic. The system includes disabling means for disabling operation of the electromagnetic device when the shift lever is moved out of the PARK position and overriding means for manually withdrawing the blocking member from a position blocking the movement of the shift lever out of the PARK position. A time delay circuit decreases the speed of blocking member movement from the blocking position to the withdrawn position. A wire harness, including a park detection switch, electrically connects the BTSI to an automotive electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Atul Kalia
  • Patent number: 6794972
    Abstract: A brake-transmission shift interlock device 10 for an automatic transmission system includes a solenoid 14 secured to a support member 12 that positions the solenoid 14 so as to block movement of a transmission member 176 to prevent a transmission shifter from being moved from a park position. The solenoid 14 includes a plunger 50 having first and second portions 76 and 78. The second plunger portion 78 engages the transmission member 176 laterally on a side wall 94 if the brake pedal is not depressed and the shifter is in the park position. To prevent the plunger 50 from binding, the second plunger portion 78 is allowed to axially offset from the first plunger portion 76 thereby reducing the required lineal force to move the plunger 50 from a first to a second position when the solenoid 14 is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Rudisil, Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6707191
    Abstract: A clockspring driven permanent magnet generator comprising a bobbin-mounted coil, inner and outer frame members defining diametrically opposite pole pieces and a structure which cages or essentially surrounds the bobbin and coil combination. A rotor comprising the integral combination of disc and shaft portions carries a two-pole permanent magnet and is, in the assembled structure, located such that the shaft portion extends through the frame structure and the caged coil to place a permanent magnet between the pole pieces which are defined by the caging frame structure. A flat wound clockspring drives the shaft portion relative to the frame structure to induce a short duration voltage in the coil which can be used, by way of example, as an electronic fuse in an explosive device such as a hand grenade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston C. Bye
  • Patent number: 6592492
    Abstract: A Brake Transmission Shift Interlock and Park Lock System having a shift lever, electromagnetic device, and blocking member operating with reverse logic. The system includes disabling means for disabling operation of the electromagnetic device when the shift lever is moved out of the PARK position and overriding means for manually withdrawing the blocking member from a position blocking the movement of the shift lever out of the PARK position. A time delay circuit decreases the speed of blocking member movement from the blocking position to the withdrawn position. A wire harness, including a park detection switch, electrically connects the BTSI to an automotive electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Atul Kalia
  • Patent number: 6175168
    Abstract: An encapsulated stator for use in solenoid-actuated liquid metering device has a bobbin assembly and a plunger guide which are substantially surrounded by a plastic overmold to hold the assembly together and provide a protective housing. Upper and lower ends of the plunger guide are not covered by the overmold, but rather are left exposed so that additional manufacturing and assembly steps may be performed upon the stator. The plunger guide is formed integrally with a support plate and two threaded body for receiving bolts to secure the stator in its operating position. A plastic cap with an integrally molded electrical connector housing for mating engagement with an electrical power supply is secured to the bobbin assembly and retains the core and plunger guide in proper positions relative to the bobbin prior to the assembly being encased in the overmold. A method of manufacturing the encapsulated stator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Budd, Steve R. Hojnacki
  • Patent number: 6142282
    Abstract: A brake-transmission shift interlock device 10 for an automatic transmission system includes a solenoid 14 secured to a support member 12 that positions the solenoid 14 so as to block movement of a transmission member 176 to prevent a transmission shifter from being moved from a park position. The solenoid 14 includes a plunger 50 having first and second portions 76 and 78. The second plunger portion 78 engages the transmission member 176 laterally on a side wall 94 if the brake pedal is not depressed and the shifter is in the park position. To prevent the plunger 50 from binding, the second plunger portion 78 is allowed to axially offset from the first plunger portion 76 thereby reducing the required lineal force to move the plunger 50 from a first to a second position when the solenoid 14 is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Rudisil, Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5938562
    Abstract: A control device for a brake/transmission/ignition interlock for a motor vehicle. The control device includes an electromagnetic device conditioned in response to application of the brake, a release mechanism operative in response to the condition of the electromagnetic device to allow movement of the shift lever out of the park position to an operating position, and a control switch operative in response to movement of the shift lever out of the park position to place the ignition switch in the lock condition. The control device includes a lead frame formed of a flat conductive metal stock and stamped and configured to define the control switch and a plurality of leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Withey
  • Patent number: 5902209
    Abstract: An automotive shifter interlock in which a slidable shift lever release member is mechanically locked in a shift-release-inhibit position by the combination of an electromagnet bolt and an ignition switch bolt. The ignition switch bolt mechanically locks the electromagnet bolt in a position locking the shift lever release member even though no power is supplied to the electromagnet. After the ignition switch is closed and the ignition switch bolt withdrawn, the electromagnet continues to provide an electromagnetic lock until the brake pedal is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Moody
  • Patent number: 5729187
    Abstract: A holding device and a transmission shift interlock mechanism employing the holding device. The holding device is intended to immobilize a cable and includes a generally cylindrical electromagnet with a central passageway extending therethrough and a holding assembly comprised of a ferromagnetic body joined to a tubular non-magnetic stem. The ferromagnetic body and stem have a passageway therethrough and the stem passes through the central passageway of the electromagnet. The cable passes slidably through the stem and a stop collar is secured to the cable immediately forwardly of the stem for abutting coaction with the forward end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Moody, Steve R. Hojnacki
  • Patent number: 5673013
    Abstract: A bobbin assembly provides means for mounting two coils in concentric relationship with one another for use in electrical devices such as solenoids, relays, and transformers. The bobbin assembly comprises inner and outer hollow, cylindrical spools each having a coil of wire wound thereon prior to being assembled with one another by moving the inner spool into the hollow interior of the outer spool. Alignment members extending axially from the inner and outer spools engage one another to maintain the spools in their concentric relationship and also provide wire guide means routing the ends of the coil wires away from the spools and terminating them in a manner facilitating connection of the coils to associated electric circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Moody, Charles Withey
  • Patent number: 5647818
    Abstract: An automotive shifter interlock in which a slidable shift lever release member is mechanically locked in a shift-release-inhibit position by the combination of an electromagnet bolt and an ignition switch bolt. The ignition switch bolt mechanically locks the electromagnet bolt in a position locking the shift lever release member even though no power is supplied to the electromagnet. After the ignition switch is closed and the ignition switch bolt withdrawn, the electromagnet continues to provide an electromagnetic lock until the brake pedal is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Moody
  • Patent number: 5489246
    Abstract: An electronic transmission shifter interlock system in which an electronic module is mounted directly on a shift lever for pivotal movement therewith. The module contains two electromagnetic devices which operate on the spring-biased, shift lever core rod to control the PARK lock release so as to inhibit and/or enable operation of the shift lever according to the status of the ignition lock and the position of the brake pedal. The interlock module is electrically coupled with the ignition lock to prevent the ignition key from being removed while the shift lever is other than the PARK position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Moody, C. Robert Brandt, Lawrence A. Wiltfang, Steve Hojnacki
  • Patent number: 5176231
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic interlock of the type in which a pin engages a notched or perforated member, preload releasability is provided by configuring the contacting surfaces of the pin and notch to provide an angle of contact which is always positive. The pin and/or the notch each includes a nonvertical contact surface. In one version of the device, the notch includes an S-shaped contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Moody, Robert Brandt, Lawrence A. Wiltfang
  • Patent number: 5076114
    Abstract: A holding device for immobilizing a cable includes a generally cylindrical electromagnet with a central passageway extending therethrough and a holding assembly comprised of a ferromagnetic body joined to a tubular stem. The ferromagnetic body and stem have a passageway therethrough and are disposed so that the stem passes through the central passageway of the electromagnet. A cable which passes through the passageway of the stem and affixed thereto is immobilized when the electromagnet is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Moody