Patents by Inventor Robert J. Knauff

Robert J. Knauff 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: 6078145
    Abstract: An apparatus for simply retrofitting pre-existing vehicular incandescent hazard flashing lamps or strobe assemblies having high voltage wiring with low voltage, low-cost, two wire synchronized strobe lamp assemblies without requiring the altering of the vehicle's existing structure or wiring. The apparatus utilizes a high voltage d.c. to d.c. converter circuit which may be completely contained within the lamp housing so that no high voltage wiring will be routed through the vehicle. The strobe trigger circuit operates by sensing the ground potential at its input to trigger the strobe assembly's flash tube. This feature allows the synchronization of all circuit lamps, both incandescent and strobe, on a two wire flasher circuit without the need for a third wire to provide the trigger signal to the flash circuit. One embodiment of the invention works autosynchronously in conjunction with a standard electromechanical flasher relay as may be utilized in a typical vehicular warning light system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Weldon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Tillinghast, Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 5736925
    Abstract: A vehicle warning system controller is disclosed which controls and synchronizes all annunciators installed on a vehicle. The vehicle light control system takes a modular approach to vehicle light control. The first module is an operator module that accepts control commands from an operator and provides visual feedback to the operator. The second module is a central module which processes the commands and controls the attached annunciators and accessories. The vehicle light control system of the present invention has the ability to interface with and control several types of annunciators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Weldon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Knauff, Terry Dawson
  • Patent number: 4958143
    Abstract: An intermittent low intensity light source that is switched on by a drive signal is enhanced by a high intensity light source. The high intensity light source is coupled with the low intensity light source so that at least some light from both sources is projected in a desired direction. The high intensity light source has a brightness or intensity that significantly exceeds that of the low intensity light source. A pulse power source is connected to the high intensity light source and made responsive to the drive signal for pulsing the high intensity light source to emit a brief light pulse before the low intensity light source achieves any substantial precentage of its peak intensity, the light pulse occurring in such close time proximity to the peak intensity of the low intensity light source that persistence of vision in the human eye causes the two light sources blend together visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4465949
    Abstract: An electromechanical device comprised of a battery energized motor having widely separated poles and requiring momentum for operation applied by inertia from a lost motion fly-weight accelerated by the motor during commutation which momentarily starts and stops the motor for an extended dwell time and which subsequently restarts the motor for continued operation, there being primary sensory effects as a result of motor operation subject to speed change by the control of extraneous motion, there being a first motor commutated circuit energizing sensory effects, and there being a second cam switched circuit energizing sensory effects adjusted to long and short dwell modes, the motor operation and effects being synchronous at variable angular velocity within 180.degree. and 360.degree. of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4383244
    Abstract: Intensified light emitting diodes intermittently energized while in motion, the light emission thereof being sensed by eyesight retention as dots and bars of light dynamically related and intermixed relative one to the other in an infinite number of geometric patterns dependent upon the simple and compound application of rectilinear, arcuate and rotary motion in combination with the frequency, spacing and duration of pulse application by a flasher circuit modified by adjustment both manually and automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4327518
    Abstract: An inertia device which controls and produces a sensory effect as a function of a differential in the angular velocities between primary and secondary bodies rotating on a common axis with a friction drive therebetween, commutated by differential speeds of rotation, and with the sound effect functional as a result of said differential speeds of rotation, and all of which is operative through rotation of the primary body in either direction of rotation with the transfer of kinetic energy into the secondary body for control and operation of the sensory effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4274225
    Abstract: An electrical circuit module easily assembled by hand and especially adapted for use in a circuit package for a model includes an insulator substrate with an upper surface and a plurality of apertures extending through the substrate from the upper surface. A plurality of circuit components on the upper surface of the insulator substrate have leads extending into the apertures. A conductive eyelet extends into each aperture and is dimensioned to form a friction fit with the leads of the components and any additional connecting wires in each aperture. The circuit module may then be mounted in a base including a control panel for an electrical circuit including the module on the base. Light, sound and similar effects are generated by the circuit for a model mounted on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Revell, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Knauff, David R. Fisher, Kenneth D. Johnson, Darrell B. Zipp, Frederick W. John
  • Patent number: 4271378
    Abstract: A simplified reversible drive especially adapted for models and toys, utilizing two parallel and spaced apart drive discs with opposing faces rotating together in tandem, a third reversibly driven disc disposed between and perpendicular to the pair of discs, and means to selectively bias the third disc against either one of the said opposing disc faces to produce selected rotation in one direction, and against the other opposing face to produce selected rotation in the other direction, all of which is easily assembled by a hobbyist, without the use of special tools, and incorporating in a light and/or sound effect producing circuit including a motor for rotating the drive discs, a background sound effect and lighting effect producing circuit element connected in series with the armature of the motor, and a normally open magnetically operated switch which is periodically closed by a magnet mounted on one of the discs to produce punctual sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4260939
    Abstract: These circuits produce light, sound and similar effects in models or toys by taking advantage of current modulation produced in a commutator circuit of a two-pole motor which may be used to provide motion for at least a part of the model or toy incorporating one of the circuits. At least one additional effect-producing circuit element in addition to the motor is electrically connected to the commutator circuit. A battery or other means for applying sufficient electromotive force to the commutator for operation of the motor is electrically connected to the commutator circuit. When the additional effect-producing element is parallel to the commutator circuit, the battery supplies an insufficient amount of electromotive force to allow both the motor and the additional effect-producing circuit element to operate in their maximum current-drawing condition at the same time. A sufficient amount of electromotive force is supplied to allow either alone to operate in its maximum current-drawing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: 4238755
    Abstract: This potentiometer has a pair of insulating standoffs integrally formed with the body of a model or toy incorporating the potentiometer. An insulated trough extends between the standoffs. A resistive element wound around an insulating core is disposed in the trough. A resilient contact element is slidably mounted engagement with the resistive element. Means extends through the body of the model or toy for sliding the resilient contact element along the resistive element. This potentiometer has major portions of its assembly formed in a molding operation used to form the body of the model or toy, and can be assembled by hand without the use of special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff
  • Patent number: RE31667
    Abstract: These circuits produce light, sound and similar effects in models or toys by taking advantage of current modulation produced in a commutator circuit of a two-pole motor which may be used to provide motion for at least a part of the model or toy incorporating one of the circuits. At least one additional effect-producing circuit element in addition to the motor is electrically connected to the commutator circuit. A battery or other means for applying sufficient electromotive force to the commutator for operation of the motor is electrically connected to the commutator circuit. When the additional effect-producing element is parallel to the commutator circuit, the battery supplies an insufficient amount of electromotive force to allow both the motor and the additional effect-producing circuit element to operate in their maximum current-drawing condition at the same time. A sufficient amount of electromotive force is supplied to allow either alone to operate in its maximum current-drawing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Inventor: Robert J. Knauff