Patents by Inventor John T. Hancock

John T. Hancock 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: 5870817
    Abstract: A fluid pressure responsive electric switch (10) is shown having an elongated base (12) in which first and second terminals (34, 48) are mounted by dropping them into respective slots (26, 28). The terminals are provided with tabs (38, 52) to engage with a platform (30) of the base to limit motion in one direction and are in turn engaged by a guide member (62) to prevent motion in an opposite direction. The guide member (62) has a cylindrical force transfer portion (86) aligned with the weld portion (104) of a sensor assembly (92) to transfer force without adversely affecting the calibration of the sensor assembly. Electrical leads (118, 120) have connectors (126, 128) attached to an end thereof along with cylindrical gaskets (134) which form an interference fit in bores (22, 20) of the base to provide an environmental seal at the same time electrical connection is made to the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott B. Sehlhorst, James R. Thayer, John T. Hancock
  • Patent number: 5808255
    Abstract: A fluid pressure responsive electric switch (10) is shown having an elongated base (12) in which first and second terminals (34, 48) are mounted by dropping them into respective slots (26, 28). The terminals are provided with tabs (38, 52) to engage with a platform (30) of the base to limit motion in one direction and are in turn engaged by a guide member (62) to prevent motion in an opposite direction. The guide member (62) has a cylindrical force transfer portion (86) aligned with the weld portion (104) of a sensor assembly (92) to transfer force without adversely affecting the calibration of the sensor assembly. Electrical leads (118, 120) have connectors (126, 128) attached to an end thereof along with cylindrical gaskets (134) which form an interference fit in bores (22, 20) of the base to provide an environmental seal at the same time electrical connection is made to the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott B. Sehlhorst, James R. Thayer, John T. Hancock
  • Patent number: 5121094
    Abstract: An electric switch is shown which is responsive separately to two different conditions, i.e. temperature and pressure. The switch includes a temperature sensing disc and a pressure sensing disc both coupled through several alternate motion transfer arrangements to the movable electrical contact of the switch. Several structures are shown for mounting a switch on a surface so that the pressure sensing disc is exposed to fluid pressure and the temperature sensing disc is thermally coupled to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Youn H. Ting, Werner Strasser, Richard T. Gordon, John T. Hancock, Bryan C. Jansen, John A. Haug
  • Patent number: 3949344
    Abstract: Thermostatic control apparatus comprising a switch, a switch body housing the switch, and an actuator arm extending from the switch body with the arm being movable between the first and second positions for opening and closing the switch. A thermostatic bimetal strip is spaced from the switch body, with one end of the strip being mechanically linked to the actuator arm. A support extends from the body for supporting the other end of the strip. A selectively operable adjustment cam engages the strip between its ends on the face of the strip adjacent the body, this cam being operable for adjusting the thermostatic strip to open and close the switch at various preselected temperatures. A spring biases the strip into engagement with the cam whereby changes in temperature of the strip cause the arm to move between its first and second positions thereby causing the switch to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John T. Hancock, James B. Allen, Glen C. Shepherd, Joe W. Crawford