Patents by Inventor Alan Ritz

Alan Ritz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9108585
    Abstract: An ignition lock steering column lock includes a locking unit including a lockbolt selectively engageable with a steering member to prevent its rotation. A driver is operable to rotate about an axis in response to rotation of a key cylinder via a matched key. A solenoid assembly selectively prevents rotation of the driver. An armature of the solenoid assembly is movable toward a core when electric current is conducted through a coiled wire. The armature has a shape generally defining a plane and includes an axial end face configured to selectively interfere with an abutment of the driver such that force on the armature from the abutment in response to attempted rotation of the driver is directed generally along the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Paul C. Waller, Gregory J. Organek, Alan Ritz
  • Publication number: 20150107315
    Abstract: An ignition lock steering column lock includes a locking unit including a lockbolt selectively engageable with a steering member to prevent its rotation. A driver is operable to rotate about an axis in response to rotation of a key cylinder via a matched key. A solenoid assembly selectively prevents rotation of the driver. An armature of the solenoid assembly is movable toward a core when electric current is conducted through a coiled wire. The armature has a shape generally defining a plane and includes an axial end face configured to selectively interfere with an abutment of the driver such that force on the armature from the abutment in response to attempted rotation of the driver is directed generally along the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Paul C. Waller, Gregory J. Organek, Alan Ritz
  • Patent number: 8943863
    Abstract: An ignition lock steering column lock includes a locking unit of the type having a lockbolt, a lockbolt carrier, and a spring-biased carrier pin engageable by a post slidably provided on a rotatable driver. The carrier pin is positioned on a steering column side of the driver. The operational positions of the lock are provided by detents formed on the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Paul C. Waller, Gregory J. Organek, Alan Ritz
  • Publication number: 20140150504
    Abstract: An ignition lock steering column lock includes a locking unit of the type having a lockbolt, a lockbolt carrier, and a spring-biased carrier pin engageable by a post slidably provided on a rotatable driver. The carrier pin is positioned on a steering column side of the driver. The operational positions of the lock are provided by detents formed on the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: STRATTEC Security Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Town, Paul C. Waller, Gregory J. Organek, Alan Ritz
  • Publication number: 20070241862
    Abstract: A transponder authorization system and method. The transponder authorization system can include an operator device having a transponder and an antenna coupled to a powersports vehicle. The antenna can generate a field. The transponder authorization system can also include an authorization system electrically connected to the antenna and an ignition switch. The transponder authorization system can also include a button coupled to the ignition switch. The button can be pushed by an operator to actuate the ignition switch. The transponder can receive and transmit a signal when in the presence of the field. The authorization system can verify the signal in order to start the powersports vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Dimig, Michael Feucht, Abdel Salah, Erik Esser, Alan Ritz
  • Publication number: 20050012593
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a modular vehicle ignition system is disclosed that is capable of housing various components, such as a lock cylinder, a remote keyless entry (RKE) transceiver, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver, an operator identification system, a steering column lock, an ignition switch, and the like. In some embodiments, one or more of these components is coupled to a circuit board that is coupled to the housing. Furthermore, one or more of these components can be networked to other electronic and electromagnetic systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Harrod, Steven Dimig, Alan Ritz, William Schuster, Erik Esser