Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Bolen

Patrick A. Bolen 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: 5490793
    Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5487667
    Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5460535
    Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carded within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5429517
    Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Bolen