Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. McKerrall

Jeffrey A. McKerrall 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: 20090298412
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. The side walls diverge from the inlet to the outlet such that an air stream flowing through the air passageway oscillates in a sweeping motion as the air stream exits from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall, Douglas Lim Hester
  • Patent number: 7455581
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein through which air flows. A louver assembly is operably coupled with the housing and includes a first set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing, and a second set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing. A joystick is remotely positioned relative to the front wall opening away from the front wall opening. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof. The joystick is connected to the first set of louvers via a shaft and is connected to the second set of louvers via multiple interconnected linkages. The linkages are configured to allow the joystick to move the first set of louvers without moving the second set of louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Franz Josef Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall
  • Patent number: 7278912
    Abstract: An air duct outlet housing has spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls that define an air passageway with an inlet and outlet. First and second air deflection members include elongated first and second panels with respective proximal and distal end portions. A flange extends from each distal end portion of the respective first and second panels. The first and second panel proximal ends are pivotally secured to the housing and are movable between first and second positions. The first and second panels are in face-to-face relationship with the respective first and second side walls when in respective first positions. The first and second panels extend in respective directions that are transverse to the respective first and second side walls when in respective second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall, Douglas Lim Hester
  • Patent number: 7195555
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. A first air return passageway is located adjacent to the first side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the first side wall. A second air return passageway is located adjacent to the second side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the second side wall. The continuous diversion of portions of an air stream flowing through the air passageway by the first and second air return passageways causes an oscillating, sweeping motion of the air stream as it exits from the air passageway outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall, Douglas Lim Hester
  • Publication number: 20060172680
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein through which air flows. A louver assembly is operably coupled with the housing and includes a first set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing, and a second set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing. A joystick is remotely positioned relative to the front wall opening away from the front wall opening. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof. The joystick is connected to the first set of louvers via a shaft and is connected to the second set of louvers via multiple interconnected linkages. The linkages are configured to allow the joystick to move the first set of louvers without moving the second set of louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey McKerrall
  • Publication number: 20050176362
    Abstract: An air duct outlet housing has spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls that define an air passageway with an inlet and outlet. First and second air deflection members include elongated first and second panels with respective proximal and distal end portions. A flange extends from each distal end portion of the respective first and second panels. The first and second panel proximal ends are pivotally secured to the housing and are movable between first and second positions. The first and second panels are in face-to-face relationship with the respective first and second side walls when in respective first positions. The first and second panels extend in respective directions that are transverse to the respective first and second side walls when in respective second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey McKerrall, Douglas Hester
  • Publication number: 20050176363
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls, and spaced-apart first and second side walls extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway having an inlet and outlet. A first air return passageway is located adjacent to the first side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the first side wall. A second air return passageway is located adjacent to the second side wall, and diverts a portion of an air stream flowing through the air passageway as the air stream adheres to the second side wall. The continuous diversion of portions of an air stream flowing through the air passageway by the first and second air return passageways causes an oscillating, sweeping motion of the air stream as it exits from the air passageway outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey McKerrall, Douglas Hester
  • Patent number: 6830511
    Abstract: Air duct outlets having remotely located joystick controls are provided. A first set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship. A second set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship in an upstream location from the first set of louvers. A joystick is remotely positioned and does not interfere with air flowing through the outlet. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall
  • Publication number: 20040142653
    Abstract: Air duct outlets having remotely located joystick controls are provided. A first set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship. A second set of generally parallel louvers are pivotally connected in spaced-apart adjacent relationship in an upstream location from the first set of louvers. A joystick is remotely positioned and does not interfere with air flowing through the outlet. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall