Patents by Inventor Robert DiTommaso

Robert DiTommaso 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).

  • Publication number: 20220385002
    Abstract: A trailer tow connector including: at least one set of terminals for coupling to corresponding terminals of a trailer connector; a cover having a closed position for covering the terminals and an open position for providing access to the terminals for connecting corresponding terminals of the trailer connector thereto; a magnet coupled to the cover; and a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor being configured to provide a first output when the cover is in the closed position and a second output different from the first output when the cover is in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Robert O. Southworth, Karanjit Singh Saini, Robert DiTommaso, Austin Waid-Jones
  • Patent number: 11431136
    Abstract: A trailer tow connector including: at least one set of terminals for coupling to corresponding terminals of a trailer connector; a cover having a closed position for covering the terminals and an open position for providing access to the terminals for connecting corresponding terminals of the trailer connector thereto; a magnet coupled to the cover; and a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor being configured to provide a first output when the cover is in the closed position and a second output different from the first output when the cover is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert O. Southworth, Karanjit Singh Saini, Robert DiTommaso, Austin Waid-Jones
  • Publication number: 20200067239
    Abstract: A trailer tow connector including: at least one set of terminals for coupling to corresponding terminals of a trailer connector; a cover having a closed position for covering the terminals and an open position for providing access to the terminals for connecting corresponding terminals of the trailer connector thereto; a magnet coupled to the cover; and a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor being configured to provide a first output when the cover is in the closed position and a second output different from the first output when the cover is in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Robert O. Southworth, Karanjit Singh Saini, Robert DiTommaso, Austin Waid-Jones
  • Patent number: 9394991
    Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
  • Patent number: 9239108
    Abstract: In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Norman Poirier
  • Publication number: 20150143938
    Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
  • Publication number: 20110126657
    Abstract: In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: STONERIDGE CONTROL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Norman Poirier