Patents by Inventor Ernest A. Kussmaul

Ernest A. Kussmaul 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: 7431601
    Abstract: An automatic power line disconnect apparatus has a sensor pin for signaling the separation of the plug from the disconnect apparatus. The operative movement of the sensor pin is shorter than the length of the male electrical connectors on the apparatus, thereby insuring that the apparatus is disconnected from the power line before the electrical connectors' contact is broken to reduce electrical connector erosion from arcing. A motor driving a rack and pinion gear combination responds to an engine starter signal by driving the rack in a direction that disconnects the power line plug from the automatic disconnect apparatus. Further circuits are provided to lock out low voltage starter signals, photoelectric detectors to control movement of the rack, and timer circuits to limit the duration of the motor operation and to lock out starter signals when the disconnect apparatus is being separated from the power line plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas H. Nugent, Jr., Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Publication number: 20080146058
    Abstract: An automatic power line disconnect apparatus has a sensor pin for signaling the separation of the plug from the disconnect apparatus. The operative movement of the sensor pin is shorter than the length of the male electrical connectors on the apparatus, thereby insuring that the apparatus is disconnected from the power line before the electrical connectors' contact is broken to reduce electrical connector erosion from arcing. A motor driving a rack and pinion gear combination responds to an engine starter signal by driving the rack in a direction that disconnects the power line plug from the automatic disconnect apparatus. Further circuits are provided to lock out low voltage starter signals, photoelectric detectors to control movement of the rack, and timer circuits to limit the duration of the motor operation and to lock out starter signals when the disconnect apparatus is being separated from the power line plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas H. Nugent, Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: 5645439
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector which, in use, is connected to a shore cable. The shore cable provides power to a vehicle. A connection in the apparatus to the vehicle's starting circuit actuates an ejector mechanism when the vehicle's engine is started. The ejector mechanism ejects the shore cable from the apparatus and a switch interrupts the current prior to the completion of the ejection action, thereby preventing arcing at the connector and assuring long contact life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Nugent, Jr., Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: 5311112
    Abstract: This automatic battery charging circuit has two independent channels for charging first and second batteries respectively. Circuit control means in the battery charging circuit enable it to provide charging current in proportion to the state of charge of the two batteries. First and second electronic bar displays are connected to the two channels by wires. The channels provide readings which indicate the state of charge of each battery. The state of charge of each battery is sensed only when no charging current flows to each battery. Computer components in the circuit control means compute the charge level of each battery and this charge level is indicated by the respective bar displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics Company Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Creaco, Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: 4920653
    Abstract: A fabric-marking system employs applicator pads resiliently urged into opposed contact with upper and lower surfaces of a fabric for affixing a defect marker onto one or both surfaces of the fabric. The defect markers are supplied on a tape-type carrier strip. The defect markers include a pressure-sensitive adhesive and the carrier strip includes a release coating to permit the defect markers to be stripped therefrom. A leading defect marker is partly stripped from the carrier strip by being passed over a stripper bar. The partially stripped defect marker is disposed between the fabric and its applicator pad. The applicator pad is urged into contact with the portion of the defect marker that projects between the applicator pad and the fabric. Continued motion of the fabric strips the remainder of the defect marker from the carrier strip and the applicator pad irons it in place as it slides therepast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: 3979248
    Abstract: A decal transfer press for transferring thermally transferable images from paper backings to cloth articles such as T-shirts has an upper platen which is motor driven into pressure engagement with a lower platen when an operator depresses a control lever after initiating a brief start-up interval during which a heater of low thermal mass fastened to the underside of the upper platen attains a preset decal applying temperature. The upper platen is automatically stopped in the down position by deenergizing its drive motor when the pressure the upper platen applies to the lower platen, as manifested by the drive motor armature current, exceeds a preset amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1976
    Assignee: Images De Luxe, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: D308665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics Company Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest A. Kussmaul