Patents by Inventor Gary R. Thomas

Gary R. Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20080141798
    Abstract: A stored energy trigger assembly is provided including a mounting substrate and a pawl plate rotationally mounted thereto having a pawl mount end, a pawl trigger end, and a pawl lock protrusion positioned between. The pawl plate rotatable between a pawl lock position and a pawl disengage position to which it is biased. A cam plate is rotationally engaged to the mounting substrate and includes a cam plate upper surface, a cam plate lower surface, a cam lock slot, and a push wire engagement protrusion positioned on a cam plate periphery. It is rotatable between a cam lock position and a cam release position to which it is biased. A pawl trigger element engages the pawl trigger end and is configured to move the pawl plate to the pawl disengage position. A push wire assembly is moved a wire activation distance when the cam plate is moved to the cam release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6460692
    Abstract: A dual lane board handling apparatus includes a first zone including first and second parallel pairs of rails extending in a first direction; a second zone including third and fourth parallel pairs of rails extending in the first direction; first tracks supporting the first and second pairs of rails so that the first and second pairs of rails can move on the first tracks in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a drive for moving the first pair of rails on the first tracks in the second direction such that the first pair of rails can be selectively moved between a first orientation wherein it is in alignment with the fourth pair of rails and a second orientation wherein it is in alignment with the third pair of rails; a drive for moving the second pair of rails in the second direction; and belts on the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rails for conveying boards along the rails in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventors: Peter J. Dionne, Koen Gieskes, Stanley Janisiewicz, Douglas A. Biesecker, Gary R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020079192
    Abstract: A dual lane board handling apparatus includes a first zone including first and second parallel pairs of rails extending in a first direction; a second zone including third and fourth parallel pairs of rails extending in the first direction; first tracks supporting the first and second pairs of rails so that the first and second pairs of rails can move on the first tracks in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a drive for moving the first pair of rails on the first tracks in the second direction such that the first pair of rails can be selectively moved between a first orientation wherein it is in alignment with the fourth pair of rails and a second orientation wherein it is in alignment with the third pair of rails; a drive for moving the second pair of rails in the second direction; and belts on the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rails for conveying boards along the rails in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Peter J. Dionne, Koen Gieskes, Stanley Janisiewicz, Douglas A. Biesecker, Gary R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6161443
    Abstract: A drive and actuation mechanism for a component insertion machine having a lead screw mounted to a housing by a ball nut and a spline nut so as to be movable longitudinally and rotationally. The lead screw has a hollow shaft in which a push rod is disposed. An arm support is mounted to the lead screw so as to move vertically with the lead screw. An actuation arm is connected at a first bearing point to the push rod and connected at a second bearing point to the arm support. The actuation arm is driven by a crank motor, which is connected to the actuation arm at a third bearing point, to move the push rod. The ball nut and spline nut are also driven by motors to move the lead screw vertically and rotationally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Biesecker, Charles G. Speicher, Lee E. Stephens, Gary R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5598917
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical contact assembly wherein a conductive contact member for electrically coupling two conductive surfaces also serves as part of a detent assembly. The electrical contact assembly has a contact member resiliently supported by a carrier, wherein the carrier controllably guides the contact member along a path. A feature of the electrical contact assembly is a detent bump disposed at a location along the contact member's path, wherein upon contact between the contact member and the detent bump, the detent bump provides resistance to relative movement between the carrier and the conductive surfaces, thereby producing "detent feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5016392
    Abstract: A window regulator track has a vertical slot with a lateral turn at the top to form a cam, an elongated follower in the slot which rotates when it reaches the cam, a carrier pivotally attached to the follower and pulled by a vertical reach of a driving cable to move the follower in the slot, and a helical cam arrangement coupled to the window and attached to the follower to generate outward movement of the window during the rotation of the follower in the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Wickes Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Thomas, Mark A. Huebner
  • Patent number: D456337
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Steven J. Wald, Gary R. Thomas