Patents by Inventor Robert M. Schmidt

Robert M. Schmidt 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: 7326186
    Abstract: An injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, a fluid path set disposed between the source of injection fluid and the pump device, and a fluid control device operatively associated with the fluid path set. The fluid control device is adapted to permit purging of air from the fluid path set and to stop flow of the injection fluid to a patient at substantially any pressure or flow rate generated by the pump device for delivering a sharp bolus of the injection fluid to the patient. The fluid control device is preferably part of the fluid path set between the source of injection fluid and the pump device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Trombley, III, Robert M. Schmidt, David M. Reilly, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Gerald W. Callan, Luis A. Pedraza, Jennie Kwo, Christopher T. Zirps, Roderick H. Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 7268305
    Abstract: A vehicle control switch assembly for use with a printed circuit board that includes a switch having an elastomeric pad portion and a first insert interface attached to the pad. The assembly also includes first and second electrical contacts, each contact being selectively operable to actuate a vehicle function. The switch assembly also includes a pivotable beam member bridging a span between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. Movement of the switch in a first direction causes the first insert interface to depress the beam member thereby engaging the first electrical contact with the printed circuit board to actuate the first electrical contact. Further movement of the switch in the first direction causes the first insert interface to slide along the beam member in a second direction to further depress the first beam member thereby actuating the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Mark G. Feldman, James B. Wright
  • Patent number: 7255466
    Abstract: A vehicular control device includes a trim member having a plurality of graphics for identifying a plurality of manual activation regions and a printed circuit board having a plurality of proximity sensors. Each of the plurality of proximity sensors generates a respective electromagnetic field within a respective manual activation region and is responsive to an object disposed in the respective manual activation region. The printed circuit board is semi-translucent and includes a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating light away from the printed circuit board. A back cover member is adaptable to the trim member for encasing the printed circuit board therebetween. A sealing member is disposed between the trim member and the back cover member. The illuminating light from the plurality of illumination elements is reflected toward the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, David A. Hein, Roberto Tomassi
  • Patent number: 7192072
    Abstract: A movable panel assembly for a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted within the interior of a vehicle. A panel is pivotably mounted to the housing about an axis. The panel is pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position through a vertical position. A spring member is operatively connected to the panel and biases the panel to move from the closed position to the vertical position. A damper is operatively connected to the panel for selectively retarding movement of the panel toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, James B. Wright
  • Patent number: 7173204
    Abstract: A control panel assembly including at least one moveable button defining an outer surface. The control panel assembly also includes an electroluminescent film operatively supported on the outer surface of the button such that the electroluminescent film is adapted for selectively emitting light from the outer surface of the button. A method for making the control panel assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Leonard E. Pagano, James B. Wright
  • Patent number: 7168749
    Abstract: A movable panel assembly for a vehicle includes a console mounted within the interior of a vehicle. A panel is movably mounted relative to the console. The panel has at least one electrical component mounted thereon. A flexible cable electrically connects the at least one component to a system of the vehicle. A retractor is movably mounted on the assembly. Movement of the retractor is induced by movement of the panel relative to the console, such that the flexible cable is guided by the retractor as the panel moves, so that the position of the flexible cable is controlled within the movable panel assembly in relation to the position of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, John Stack
  • Patent number: 7159916
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a console provided in a center stacking area receiving one or more vehicle components including a media player. A trim bezel configured for use with the one or more vehicle components is secured to the console. An alignment mechanism cooperates with the media player and an opening in the trim bezel to load and unload removable media. The alignment mechanism includes a load funnel securable adjacent an opening in the media player and an eject funnel cooperating with an opening in the trim bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John Stack, Robert M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7138727
    Abstract: An apparatus in an instrument panel of a vehicle includes a first accessory control unit disposed in the instrument panel and a second accessory control unit disposed in the instrument panel. The second accessory control unit is juxtaposed with the first accessory control unit. A moveable switch panel is deployable in a first position covering at least a portion of the first accessory control unit and is deployable in a second position covering at least a portion of the second accessory control unit. The movable switch panel includes a plurality of manually actuable switch elements adaptable in response to being deployed in the first or second position to provide a first set of switch functions while in the second position and a second set of switch functions while in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Hein, Robert M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7094216
    Abstract: An injector system includes a powered injector, a pressurizing chamber in operative connection with the powered injector, a fluid path in fluid connection with the pressurizing chamber, and a manual control in fluid connection with the fluid path. The manual control includes at least one actuator for controlling the injector through application of force by an operator. The actuator provides tactile feedback of pressure in the fluid path to the operator via a fluid connection with the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Trombley, III, Robert M. Schmidt, David M. Reilly, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Gerald W. Callan, Luis A. Pedraza, Jennie Kwo, Christopher T. Zirps, Roderick H. Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 7084360
    Abstract: A vehicle control switch assembly for use with a printed circuit board is disclosed. The switch assembly includes an elastomeric pad and a support member. The elastomeric pad has a contact pad for selective engagement with an electrical contact of the printed circuit board. The support member is molded together with the elastomeric pad. A vehicle control switch assembly including a printed circuit board having an electrical contact, an elastomeric pad having a contact pad for selective engagement with the electrical contact of the printed circuit board, and a support member is also disclosed. The support member is positioned between the elastomeric pad and the printed circuit board to provide support for the elastomeric pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Mark G. Feldman, Robert Amundson
  • Patent number: 7021691
    Abstract: A panel assembly includes a housing defining first and second troughs. Each trough has an arcuate surface. A panel is pivotally attached to the housing. The panel is moveable between first and second positions. The panel includes first and second protrusions. The first protrusion extends in the first trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the first trough. The second protrusion extends in the second trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the second trough. Movement of the panel between the first and second positions moves the first protrusion over the arcuate surface of the first trough, and moves the second protrusion over the arcuate surface of the second trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, James B. Wright
  • Patent number: 7009504
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory control panel is provided for controlling at least two vehicle accessory systems. A plurality of switches is reconfigurable for providing at least two sets of switch functions. A plurality of graphics is provided for identifying the switch functions. A plurality of illumination elements is provided for illuminating the plurality of graphics. The respective set of illumination elements is activated for illuminating a respective set of graphics identifiable with a selected set of accessory switch functions. A first set of graphics identifies a first set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the first set of accessory switch functions. A second set of graphics identifies a second set of accessory switch functions in response to enabling the second set of accessory switch functions. A wakeup protocol includes a sequential illumination learning mode scheme for visually identifying each respective set of accessory switch functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Banter, Robert M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6998546
    Abstract: A switch assembly for providing control signals to an electrical motor in a vehicle includes a printed circuit board having traces for communicating the control signals to a the electrical motor. A contactor module includes a set of depressible plungers and a set of contactor members. The contactor module is slideable with respect to the printed circuit board between an actuated position where the set of contactor members contact the traces and a deactivated position where the set of contactor members do not contact the traces. A housing for encasing the printed circuit board and the contactor module. The housing includes a set of detents for variably depressing the set of depressible plungers as the contactor module slides with respect to the printed circuit board. A tactile feedback is generated in response to the detents depressing the depressible plungers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Jim Wright
  • Patent number: 6967298
    Abstract: A motor switch cell is provided comprising a switch cell actuator slidably engaged to a switch cell base. The switch cell actuator is slidable between a neutral actuator position and a first active actuator position. A first contactor element generates electrical communication between a first neutral contact element and a first active contact element when in the active first contactor position. A first contactor ramp profile is formed on the upper first contactor edge A first contactor pivot is positioned between a first contactor neutral center point and a first active contact. A first roller cam follower assembly rotates the first contactor element to the active first contactor position as the first roller cam follower assembly moves from the first contactor neutral center point towards the first contactor active outer edge in response to the switch cell actuator moving to the first active actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Mark G. Feldman
  • Patent number: 6927348
    Abstract: A switch apparatus for a vehicle includes a circuit board including at least one circuit having a first contact and a second contact. A knob is rotatably mounted relative to the circuit board. The knob has at least one cam extending therefrom. At least one switch corresponds respectively to the at least one circuit and has a switch contact. The switch contact is linearly movable to an engaged position in which the switch contact contacts the first contact and the second contact of the respective at least one circuit, such that the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected. The knob is rotatably movable such that the at least one cam moves the at least one switch contact into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Mark G. Feldman, Charles Bruce Banter
  • Publication number: 20040242996
    Abstract: An injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, a fluid path set disposed between the source of injection fluid and the pump device, and a fluid control device operatively associated with the fluid path set. The fluid control device is adapted to permit purging of air from the fluid path set and to stop flow of the injection fluid to a patient at substantially any pressure or flow rate generated by the pump device for delivering a sharp bolus of the injection fluid to the patient. The fluid control device is preferably part of the fluid path set between the source of injection fluid and the pump device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Frederick W. Trombley, Robert M. Schmidt, David M. Reilly, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Gerald W. Callan, Luis A. Pedraza, Jennie Kwo, Christopher T. Zirps, Roderick H. Beaulieu
  • Publication number: 20040143212
    Abstract: An injector system includes a powered injector, a pressurizing chamber in operative connection with the powered injector, a fluid path in fluid connection with the pressurizing chamber, and a manual control in fluid connection with the fluid path. The manual control includes at least one actuator for controlling the injector through application of force by an operator. The actuator provides tactile feedback of pressure in the fluid path to the operator via a fluid connection with the fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Frederick W. Trombley, Robert M. Schmidt, David M. Reilly, Alan D. Hirschman, David M. Griffiths, Gerald W. Callan, Luis A. Pedraza, Jennie Kwo, Christopher T. Zirps, Roderick H. Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 6743997
    Abstract: A rocker switch for operating a direct current motor includes a base, an actuator, a contactor, and a plurality of contact points. The contact points are made of formed wires extending into the base and having outer walls that form the contact points. The plurality of contact points includes a first contact and a second contact that are connected by the contactor when the contactor is moved to an actuated position by moving the actuator to an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Charles Bruce Banter, Mark G. Feldman
  • Publication number: 20040026223
    Abstract: A rocker switch for operating a direct current motor includes a base, an actuator, a contactor, and a plurality of contact points. The contact points are made of formed wires extending into the base and having outer walls that form the contact points. The plurality of contact points includes a first contact and a second contact that are connected by the contactor when the contactor is moved to an actuated position by moving the actuator to an actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Charles Bruce Banter, Mark G. Feldman
  • Patent number: 6536825
    Abstract: A control panel for a vehicle includes a housing defining a recess formed therein. A panel is movably attached to the housing and has at least one control mechanism mounted thereon. The panel is movable between a first position wherein the panel generally covers a portion of the recess, and a second position wherein the panel generally exposes the recess. Preferably, the housing defines a first surface within the recess, and a second control mechanism is mounted on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Tim McAndrew, Robert M. Schmidt, Paul C. Babcock, Richard Williams