Patents by Inventor Joe McArdle

Joe McArdle 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: 5351161
    Abstract: A switch assembly that can vary at least two controllable parameters and can vary the upper, lower and any intermediary limits of the switch assembly. The switch assembly has a pair of nested coaxial rotary knobs each attached by shafts to sensors that determine the radial position of a reference point on each knob. The knobs rotate with respect to each other and are constructed to allow rotation of the knobs with one hand. The sensors are attached to the controls of the parameters, such that rotation of the knobs varies the output of the parameters. The sensors are coupled to a magnetic clutch that engages and prevents rotation of one of the knobs, when the knob is rotated into a predetermined radial position. A computer can be connected to the magnetic clutch and sensors. The computer receives input signals from the sensors and produces an output signal to the clutch, to engage the clutch and prevent rotation of the knob in accordance with a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. MacKay, Robert Duffy, Lee A. Cotterill, William Herz, Joe McArdle
  • Patent number: 5187630
    Abstract: A switch that can vary at least two controllable parameters and can vary the upper, lower and any intermediary limits of the switch. The switch has a pair of nested coaxial rotary knobs each attached by shafts to sensors that determine the radial position of a reference point on each knob. The knobs rotate with respect to each other and are constructed to allow rotation of the knobs with one hand. The sensors are attached to the controls of the parameters, such that rotation of the knobs varies the output of the parameters. The sensors are coupled to a magnetic clutch that engages and prevents rotation of one of the knobs, when the knob is rotated into a predetermined radial position. A computer can be connected to the magnetic clutch and sensors. The computer receives input signals from the sensors and produces an output signal to the clutch, to engage the clutch and prevent rotation of the knob in accordance with a computer program within the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Corporation of America
    Inventors: Michael T. MacKay, Robert Duffy, Lee A. Cotterill, William Herz, Joe McArdle
  • Patent number: D295518
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: General Instrument Corp.
    Inventors: Leslie King, Stephen Albert, Joe Munsch, Joe McArdle, Marland Chow
  • Patent number: D360198
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gioscia, Joe McArdle