Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Mullard

Bruce A. Mullard 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: 7250578
    Abstract: A multifunction switching arrangement for an electronic transmission control which includes a button on a knob casing which can be moved in opposite circumferential directions and alternatively operates two switches in the assemblage which in turn causes an upshift or downshift of the transmission. When a button is advanced in an axial direction, a third switch is operated to activate or deactivate the transmission overdrive. in one embodiment only a single button is moved to operate all three switches, while in two other embodiments a separate push button in the end of the knob casing is used to control the third switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Mullard, Chad Edward Brott
  • Publication number: 20060219535
    Abstract: A multifunction switching arrangement for an electronic transmission control which includes a button on a knob casing which can be moved in opposite circumferential directions and alternatively operates two switches in the assemblage which in turn causes an upshift or downshift of the transmission. When a button is advanced in an axial direction, a third switch is operated to activate or deactivate the transmission overdrive. in one embodiment only a single button is moved to operate all three switches, while in two other embodiments a separate push button in the end of the knob casing is used to control the third switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Mullard, Chad Brott
  • Patent number: 4679679
    Abstract: A clutch driven plate assembly for use in an automotive vehicle and having anti-backlash damping adapted to dissipate the irregular impulses of the vehicle internal combustion or diesel engine with the transmission in neutral, the clutch engaged and the engine at idle rpm. The assembly includes a clutch plate, a spring retainer plate secured to the clutch plate, and a hub assembly comprising an inner hub in operative engagement with the transmission input shaft and an outer hub having an integral hub flange with spring windows coinciding with the spring windows of the clutch and spring retainer plates. An intermeshing backlash spline loosely connects said inner and outer hubs to allow limited rlative rotation therebetween and means yieldably resisting relative rotation of said hubs includes a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced recesses in one hub and a plurality of plungers and compression springs in the other hub with the plungers biased by the springs into engagement with complementary recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus Lech, Jr., Bruce A. Mullard
  • Patent number: 4620626
    Abstract: A clutch driven plate assembly for use in an automotive vehicle adapted to dissipate the irregular impulses of the vehicle internal combustion or diesel engine with the transmission in neutral, the clutch engaged and the engine at idle rpm. The assembly includes a clutch plate, a spring retainer plate secured to the clutch plate, and a hub assembly including an inner hub in operative engagement with the transmission input shaft and an outer hub having an integral hub flange with damper spring windows axially aligned with spring windows in the clutch and spring retainer plates, and a backlashing splined connection between said hubs to allow limited relative rotation thereof. A cam retainer is mounted on the inner hub to rotate therewith and has a plurality of spaced camming recesses facing the outer hub; the outer hub having axial passages receiving compression springs and plungers biased by the springs into engagement with the complementary recesses formed in the cam retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus Lech, Jr., Bruce A. Mullard