Patents by Inventor Earl H. Whetstone

Earl H. Whetstone 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).

  • Vehicle signal control module and system
    Patent number: 6884986
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for controlling vehicle headlights, turn signals, and emergency flashers includes a housing mounted on a control stock rigidly mounted to the vehicle steering column. The housing includes depressions for each of the functions, and light source and optical responsive switch on opposite sides of each depression, the light source being aimed at the optical switch whereby a light beam traverses the depression. A controller is responsive to interruption of the beam by the vehicle operator placing a finger in the depression to control the corresponding vehicle function. The mechanism includes an algorithm executable on a microprocessor for controlling the turn signal switching function. The microprocessor receives input signals from switches activated by the vehicle operator and a vehicle speed sensor, and based on the algorithm, the turn signal function is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Dee Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Emil Doczy, Earl H. Whetstone
  • Vehicle signal control module and system
    Publication number: 20020195947
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for controlling vehicle headlights, turn signals, and emergency flashers includes a housing mounted on a control stock rigidly mounted to the vehicle steering column. The housing includes depressions for each of the functions, and light source and optical responsive switch on opposite sides of each depression, the light source being aimed at the optical switch whereby a light beam traverses the depression. A controller is responsive to interruption of the beam by the vehicle operator placing a finger in the depression to control the corresponding vehicle function. The mechanism includes an algorithm executable on a microprocessor for controlling the turn signal switching function. The microprocessor receives input signals from switches activated by the vehicle operator and a vehicle speed sensor, and based on the algorithm, the turn signal function is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Emil Doczy, Earl H. Whetstone
  • Vehicle signal control module and system
    Patent number: 6448548
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for controlling vehicle headlights, turn signals, and emergency flashers includes a housing mounted on a control stock rigidly mounted to the vehicle steering column. The housing includes depressions for each of the functions, and light source and optical responsive switch on opposite sides of each depression, the light source being aimed at the optical switch whereby a light beam traverses the depression. A controller is responsive to interruption of the beam by the vehicle operator placing a finger in the depression to control the corresponding vehicle function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Dee Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Emil Doczy, Earl H. Whetstone