Patents by Inventor Knight Ko

Knight Ko 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: 8191442
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Knight Ko, Eric Tsui, Brian Ganter, William Farmer
  • Patent number: 8006526
    Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Fort, Knight Ko
  • Patent number: 7476173
    Abstract: A park inhibit solenoid system and system incorporating the same. The solenoid may include a bracket at least a portion of which may be generally u-shaped with a downwardly oriented opening. A generally u-shaped follower is at least partially disposed in the bracket and extendable therefrom. A solenoid may force a roller into a notch formed in the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Knight Ko
  • Patent number: 7464627
    Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Knight Ko, Brian Ganter, Thomas P Schregardus, Eric Beishline, William H. Fort
  • Publication number: 20080028806
    Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William Fort, Knight Ko
  • Publication number: 20070152455
    Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Knight Ko, Brian Ganter, Thomas Schregardus, Eric Beishline, William Fort
  • Publication number: 20060217226
    Abstract: A park inhibit solenoid system and system incorporating the same. The solenoid may include a bracket and a follower at least partially disposed in the bracket and extendable therefrom. A solenoid may force a roller into a notch formed in the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Knight Ko
  • Publication number: 20050050976
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Knight Ko, Eric Tsui, Brian Ganter, William Farmer
  • Publication number: 20050044979
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for locking a detent bracket in an out of park position is provided. The actuator includes a latching lever that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the latching lever is in the first position and the solenoid is in an extended position the plunger of the solenoid is positioned between a bearing surface of the latching lever and a bearing surface on a base plate, thereby preventing the latching lever from pivoting to the second position. A park pawl actuator including a rack coupled to park pawl and a motor for driving the rack is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: William Fort, Knight Ko, William Farmer