Patents by Inventor Jim Zimnicki

Jim Zimnicki 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: 5216919
    Abstract: A fuel level sender (10) utilized a float (14) pivotally connected to a resistive rheostat (20) for varying a measurement signal in response to pivotal movement of the float (14) and therefore level of liquid in a container (12). The rheostat (20) includes an arcuate card helically wound by a conductive wire (70) wherein a ball bearing (80) biased by a spring (83) is pivotally connected to the float (14) such that the ball bearing (80) rolls along the arcuate card to change the resistance provided by the wire (70). The rheostat (20) is supported within the channel (25) of a threesided U-channel extrusion (24). A mounting boss (45) providing a four sided internal cavity receives an end of the extrusion (24) therein. The boss (45) and extrusion (24) may be separated to incrementally vary the orientation therebetween. The mounting boss (45) is integrally connected to a flange plate (28) having molded-in terminals for receiving electrical wires from the rheostat (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve D. Nelson, Jim S. Leonard, Jim Zimnicki