Patents by Inventor James M. Kudla

James M. Kudla 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: 6106305
    Abstract: An elastomeric connector having fine pitched contacts is provided in addition to a method for connecting components using such a connector and a method of manufacturing the same. The connector includes a body formed from an elastomeric material with contacts arranged to extend through the body and exposed at each side of the body. The contacts are bent to form a contact surface that is oriented at an angle with respect to the sides of the body. The contacts may include a radiused section that is formed in the elastomeric material. Grooves may be formed in the body of the connector separating adjacent contacts and providing additional flexibility of the connector. The contacts may provide for a wiping action of between 0.003 and 0.015 inches and the connector may provide for a spring force of greater than between 15 and 90 grams per contact after 10,000 cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Kozel, James M. Kudla, Mark Stack
  • Patent number: 5904580
    Abstract: An elastomeric connector having fine pitched contacts is provided in addition to a method for connecting components using such a connector and a method of manufacturing the same. The connector includes a body formed from an elastomeric material with contacts arranged to extend through the body and exposed at each side of the body. The contacts are bent to form a contact surface that is oriented at an angle with respect to the sides of the body. The contacts may include a radiused section that is formed in the elastomeric material. Grooves may be formed in the body of the connector separating adjacent contacts and providing additional flexibility of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Kozel, James M. Kudla, Mark Stack
  • Patent number: 5896037
    Abstract: A Test Adapter for actively testing chip package such as a ball grid array in operation with a printed circuit board are disclosed. The test adapter provides accessible test points for monitoring input and output signals of an operating chip package. The adapter includes an interface adapter board having a plurality of contact pads disposed on its surface, in a pattern corresponding to the footprint of the chip package. A plurality of contact terminals protrude from the bottom of the interface adapter board and are connected to the contact pads on the upper surface, and are configured to engage a receiving socket mounted to a printed circuit board. A plurality of test pins are also connected to the contact pins such that test probes can be connected to the test pins and the input/output signals associated with the chip package can be monitored by the probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Kudla, Luke Chang
  • Patent number: 5433929
    Abstract: A sterilization and storage cassette formed of heat-resistant plastic and having two identical tray halves. In one embodiment, at least one tray half includes a rotatable retaining member for retaining dental instruments within the tray. In a second embodiment, a clamping member is inserted in one tray and at least one and preferably a plurality of instrument supports is inserted into the other tray. When the trays are closed together, the clamping member presses down upon and retains dental instruments placed on the supports. The trays are detachably connected through a hinge mechanism. Each tray has separate, distinct hinge members on one of its sides, and a set of separate, distinct latch members on another of its sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Riihimaki, James M. Kudla
  • Patent number: 5294413
    Abstract: A sterilization and storage cassette formed of heat-resistant plastic and having two identical tray halves. In one embodiment, at least one tray half includes a rotatable retaining member for retaining dental instruments within the tray. In a second embodiment, a clamping member is inserted in one tray and at least one and preferably a plurality of instrument supports is inserted into the other tray. When the trays are closed together, the clamping member presses down upon and retains dental instruments placed on the supports. The trays are detachably connected through a hinge mechanism. Each tray has separate, distinct hinge members on one of its sides, and a set of separate, distinct latch members on another of its sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Riihimaki, James M. Kudla
  • Patent number: 5284632
    Abstract: A sterilizable instrument cassette for use in storage and sterilization of medical and dental instruments includes two individual storage trays with base plates carrying silicone instrument-locating rails, and rotatable clamping members provided with silicone compression rails. The two trays may be separated or assembled and latched together, while the rotatable clamping member may be latched in its closed position. Multiple functions are performed by unitary structures simply and economically formed from single sheets of metal by stamping and bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Kudla, Roy E. Riihimaki
  • Patent number: 5256064
    Abstract: An instrument employing multiple adhesives for manipulating and placing dental prosthetics includes an autoclavable handpiece and a removable, disposable foam double-stick pad with pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on opposite sides and protected by release paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Riihimaki, James M. Kudla, Jacqueline Dzierzak
  • Patent number: 5215726
    Abstract: A sterilizable instrument cassette for use in storage and sterilization of medical and dental instruments includes two individual storage trays with base plates carrying silicone instrument-locating rails, and rotatable clamping members provided with silicone compression rails. The two trays may be separated or assembled and latched together, while the rotatable clamping member may be latched in its closed position. Multiple functions are performed by unitary structures simply and economically formed from single sheets of metal by stamping and bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Kudla, Roy E. Riihimaki
  • Patent number: D360697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Riihimaki, James M. Kudla