Patents by Inventor Rick Dawson

Rick Dawson 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: 9829028
    Abstract: The present application relates to connectors that use canted coil springs to retain a pin to a housing. The connectors have increased disconnect to connect force ratios. Dual concentric spring configuration allows for an initial locking configuration that can be overcome with higher force and deflection of the second spring. Dual springs in series in a constrained groove can require a high force for connector disconnect, since force vectors may be in a direction relatively close to being along the spring major axis. A curved groove wall can offer resistance to a spring that is required to slide first into the groove in order to allow disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rick Dawson, Jim Sittler
  • Patent number: 9482255
    Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible when a restriction feature is overcome. As described, opposing magnetic forces, pneumatic pressure, spring force, and a crushable force may be incorporated so that further movement in the second direction must overcome the restriction feature. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rob Sjostedt, Hugh Cook, Rick Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140130329
    Abstract: The present application relates to connectors that uses canted coil springs to retain a pin to a housing. The connectors have increased disconnect to connect force ratios. Dual concentric spring configuration allows for an initial locking configuration that can be overcome with higher force and deflection of the second spring. Dual springs in series in a constrained groove can require a high force for connector disconnect, since force vectors may be in a direction relatively close to being along the spring major axis. A curved groove wall can offer resistance to a spring that is required to slide first into the groove in order to allow disconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rick Dawson, Jim Sittler
  • Patent number: 7315258
    Abstract: A system for programming a code for a wireless short range RF transmitter, for example, an emergency call transmitter or keyless entry, has a RF transmitter that transmits an RF signal containing a code. A code receiver receives a signal containing a code and a processor is operative with the code receiver and RF transmitter. A programming fixture receives the wireless transmitter within a receptacle, and the code receiver within the wireless transmitter and the code transmitter are operative with each other for transmitting a signal containing a new code from the programming fixture to the wireless transmitter. A processor is operative with the code transmitter for modulating the signal and imparting a data stream from the code transmitter to the code receiver and processor and programming a new code. The code receiver and transmitter could be coils to form a transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: N. Rick Dawson
  • Patent number: 7307522
    Abstract: A system and method determines the location of a resident during an emergency within a monitored area having a plurality of residences such as when a wireless emergency call transmitter is activated. In accordance with one aspect, a wireless emergency call transmitter is positioned within the area and includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter that is resident activated during an emergency for transmitting an RF signal containing a transmitter code indicating the identity of the emergency call transmitter. The emergency call transmitter includes a receiver section that receives an infrared or acoustic signal containing a location code identifying a room or other location. This signal is received from a location monitor that had received the RF signal from the emergency call transmitter. In response to receiving the infrared or acoustic signal, the emergency call transmitter transmits an RF signal containing the location code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: N. Rick Dawson
  • Patent number: 4481502
    Abstract: A central smoke detection system for a building having multiple rooms utilizes low cost commercial smoke detectors in each room. Each detector includes a steady high current alarm mode, a low current idle mode and a high pulse current test mode. A central power source supplies power to the detectors via one common lead and a separate power lead to each detector. A resistor in each power lead at the central location provides for monitoring of the mode of each smoke detector. A central monitor operates a visual smoke alarm responsive to the steady high current mode which indicates the room in which a detector is in the alarm mode and a visual fault alarm responsive to the absence of the high test pulse current indicating the room in which a detector is inoperative. A common central smoke and fault alarm, both audible and visual is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: N. Rick Dawson
  • Patent number: 4284126
    Abstract: The environmental control system of the present invention is used in a multiple room structure which includes independently actuatable heating and cooling devices in each room. This system operates by monitoring the ambient air temperature in each room and by controlling the operation of each heating and cooling device to achieve a desired ambient air temperature in each room. The structure of the present invention includes a room status indicator which indicates the occupied or vacant status of each room. A centrally located control panel permits an operator to assign heating mode and cooling mode temperature limits to each room. A temperature sensing and control unit is positioned in each room and is coupled to the heating and cooling device in each room. The temperature sensing and control unit measures the ambient room air temperature, determines the operating mode of the heating and cooling device and controls the operating mode of the heating and cooling device in response to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Inventor: N. Rick Dawson