Patents by Inventor Michael J. Konn

Michael J. Konn 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: 8079286
    Abstract: A two-piece motion-transmitting cable assembly includes first and second cables, each having a core wire surrounded by a conduit; a male housing connected to the first cable and having a ridged length adjustment section; a spring retainer slideably interconnected with the exterior of the male housing and having a female retaining clip at a first end; a female housing connected to the second cable and having a male retaining clip engaging with the female retaining clip when the male and female housings are mated; an adjustment clip engaging with the ridged length adjustment section to lock the male housing in a position relative to the female housing; and a spring contained between the exterior of the male housing and the interior of the spring retainer and interacting with the spring retainer, in conjunction with the retainer clip, to bias the first cable in a direction toward the second cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 7188545
    Abstract: A two-piece motion-transmitting cable assembly includes first and second cables, each having a core wire surrounded by a conduit; a male housing connected to the first cable and having a ridged length adjustment section; a spring retainer slideably interconnected with the exterior of the male housing and having a female retaining clip at a first end; a female housing connected to the second cable and having a male retaining clip engaging with the female retaining clip when the male and female housings are mated; an adjustment clip engaging with the ridged length adjustment section to lock the male housing in a position relative to the female housing; and a spring contained between the exterior of the male housing and the interior of the spring retainer and interacting with the spring retainer, in conjunction with the retainer clip, to bias the first cable in a direction toward the second cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn
  • Publication number: 20040187624
    Abstract: A two-piece motion-transmitting cable assembly includes first and second cables, each having a core wire surrounded by a conduit; a male housing connected to the first cable and having a ridged length adjustment section; a spring retainer slideably interconnected with the exterior of the male housing and having a female retaining clip at a first end; a female housing connected to the second cable and having a male retaining clip engaging with the female retaining clip when the male and female housings are mated; an adjustment clip engaging with the ridged length adjustment section to lock the male housing in a position relative to the female housing; and a spring contained between the exterior of the male housing and the interior of the spring retainer and interacting with the spring retainer, in conjunction with the retainer clip, to bias the first cable in a direction toward the second cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6349611
    Abstract: The inventive cable operated actuator assembly includes an actuator element, a reaction element, a conduit defining a lumen therethrough, a cable longer than the conduit slideably disposed through the lumen of the conduit, and at least one pivoting ferrule defining a bore therethrough. One of the ends of the conduit is secured to the actuator element and the other end of the conduit is secured to the pivoting ferrule. The reaction element is pivotally secured to the other end of the pivoting ferrule. While the cable is slideably disposed within the bore, the second end of the cable extends out of the second end of the pivoting ferrule. At least one of the pivoting ferrule and the reaction element may pivot substantially about the axis created by the cable as it exits the second end of the pivoting ferrule. A specific application of the inventive assembly includes a steering column tilt actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: John M. Nagle, David A. Van Zanten, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6301991
    Abstract: A push button actuator including a plunger movable between return and actuating positions, a conduit with an axial bore therethrough and a core slideably disposed within the bore. The first end of the conduit is operatively connected to the plunger and moves substantially with the plunger. The second end of the conduit and the first end of the core are fixed with respect to the movement of the plunger between its return and activating positions. Movement of the plunger from its return position to its actuating position pushes the first end of the conduit away from the first end of the core, causing the second end of the core to be drawn towards the second end of the conduit. The movement of the second end of the core may be used to activate a reaction mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Eugene J. Ficyk, David Van Zanten, Michael J. Konn
  • Publication number: 20010009115
    Abstract: The present invention is a push button actuator including a plunger movable between return and actuating positions, a flexible conduit with an axial bore therethrough and a flexible core slideably disposed within the bore. The first end of the conduit is operatively connected to the plunger and moves substantially with the plunger. The second end of the conduit and the first end of the core are fixed with respect to the movement of the plunger between its return and activating positions. Movement of the plunger from its return position to its actuating position pushes the first end of the conduit away from the first end of the core, flexing the conduit and causing the second end of the core to be drawn towards the second end of the conduit. The movement of the second end of the core may be used to activate a reaction mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Eugene J. Ficyk, David Van Zanten, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6223622
    Abstract: A push button actuator including a plunger movable between return and actuating positions, a flexible conduit with an axial bore therethrough and a flexible core slideably disposed within the bore. The first end of the conduit is operatively connected to the plunger and moves substantially with the plunger. The second end of the conduit and the first end of the core are fixed with respect to the movement of the plunger between its return and activating positions. Movement of the plunger from its return position to its actuating position pushes the first end of the conduit away from the first end of the core, flexing the conduit and causing the second end of the core to be drawn towards the second end of the conduit. The movement of the second end of the core may be used to activate a reaction mechanism operatively connected to the second end of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Eugene J. Ficyk, David Van Zanten, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6164152
    Abstract: A column tilt actuator assembly for use on an automotive vehicle. The column tilt actuator assembly including a bracket member connected to a steering column. The column tilt actuator assembly further including a swing arm housing having a swing arm rotatably connected thereto. The swing arm housing and the swing arm are connected to the bracket with integrated fasteners. The swing arm also includes a swing arm knob for use in activating a tilt steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nagle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Van Zanten, J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6098489
    Abstract: A cable strand end-fitting having a housing which defines a longitudinal bore with internal threads to receive a screw member with external threads, the threads cooperate to allow axial movement of the screw member relative to the housing. A longitudinal passageway through the screw member receives a cable strand extending therethrough, one end of the cable strand is a terminal end bulb which abuts the screw member so the axial movement of the screw member adjusts the cable strand. The housing includes a mounting portion having a cylindrical opening generally perpendicular to the longitudinal bore, the cylindrical opening is adapted to be disposed over a mounting post along the longitudinal axis of the mounting post. A retainer clip secures the end-fitting to the mounting post with opposed locking teeth which are adapted to be positioned through diametrically opposed slots in the mounting portion of the housing thereby engaging the mounting post for securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Nagle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Van Zanten, J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn