Patents by Inventor Richard J. Frigon

Richard J. Frigon 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: 5637927
    Abstract: A control device for switching control of vehicular accessories between separate vehicle control stations. The device has an output connector connected to the vehicle's accessories, input controls including a control switch located at each control station, and a gating means connected between the input controls and the output connector. When one of the control switches is activated, the gating means connects the control inputs of the corresponding control station to the output connector and disconnects all other control stations. When a control switch is continuously activated for a predetermined duration of time, control is transferred to the corresponding control station and a discrete vehicle accessory driven by the control switch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Sprague Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Stronczek, Richard J. Frigon
  • Patent number: 5551232
    Abstract: A windshield washer control system for a vehicle having an air pressure source includes an electrically actuated control valve for controlling communication between the air pressure source and a bladder pump which squirts windshield washer fluid up to the windshield of the vehicle. A fluid restricting orifice is opened and closed by a solenoid actuator such that the pressure communicated to the bladder pump is limited to be below that of the air pressure reservoir. A second orifice controls communication from the pump to ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Sprague Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Frigon, Steven J. Stronczek
  • Patent number: 5427012
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston fluid powered motor which has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. Reciprocation of the piston is controlled by a reciprocable valve spool which communicates with the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. The valve spool cooperates with a valve slide which is shiftable on said valve spool to control spool reciprocation. Fluid flow through the fluid inlet and outlet is controlled by electrically actuated solenoid valves connected in flow communication to the fluid inlet and a park port. An electric pulse width modulating switch is connected to each solenoid valve and has a plurality of positions to enable the piston to reciprocate at continuous low and high speed as well as in an intermittent mode. The switch may also be connected to an air powered washer fluid pump to deliver cleaning fluid on command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Sprague Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Frigon, Allan E. McIntyre, Steven J. Stronczek, Dennis L. Berndt
  • Patent number: 4708053
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston fluid powered motor having fluid inlet and outlet, wherein reciprocation is controlled by a reciprocable valve spool communicating with said fluid inlet and outlet and cooperating with a valve slide shiftable on said valve spool to control reciprocation of said valve spool. A needle valve assembly controls the exhaust rate proportionally to the operative speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Sprague Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan K. Forsythe, Richard J. Frigon