Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Hickman

Ronald J. Hickman 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: 4626636
    Abstract: A pressure-operated electric switch assembly of the diaphragm type wherein a housing mounted diaphragm actuates a snap action switch adjustable in the housing to vary the switch operating pressure. The pressure setting may be varied externally by the user upon manual rotation of a switch sealing boot and the setting may be visually observed from indicia surrounding the housing that cooperate with a pointer on the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hickman, John M. Gerula
  • Patent number: 4239947
    Abstract: A switch assembly having a single plunger that sequentially actuates electrically independent terminal contacts such as found in a speed control and brake light switch adapted to be actuated by an automobile brake assembly. The switch has a reciprocable plunger with a conductive ferrule on its end that actuates one set of terminal contacts and an intermediate cylindrical cam that operates another set of terminal contacts. A cover is positioned over an opening in the housing and it has a first integral yolk projection that surrounds a reduced shank on the plunger to maintain the plunger within the housing which permits the plunger to be inserted from outside the housing during assembly, and it also has an integral slotted projection that fits over one set of terminals to secure these terminals within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Breitung, Ronald J. Hickman
  • Patent number: 4154991
    Abstract: A rotary switch for high current applications that rapidly actuates a first set of contacts in one direction of rotation of the switch and actuates the first set and a second set of contacts upon rotation of the switch in the other direction. Each set of contacts has a follower roller that is moved by a rotary cam biased axially by a detent assembly that prevents rotation of the cam below a predetermined rotational force. A torsion spring assembly is provided for overcoming the detent assembly force and rapidly rotating the cam by the energy stored in the torsional spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hickman, William R. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4088247
    Abstract: An engine starting aid consisting basically of a housing, a coil assembly and a bail assembly for holding a can to be dispensed to the housing, wherein the housing is formed integrally with an armature guide projecting through the coil assembly. The coil has bobbin flanges that are formed integrally with the armature guide and thus with the housing itself. The coil assembly includes a flux plate defining a portion of the flux path of the coil that serves an additional function of providing projecting flanges that define brackets for mounting the engine starting aid where desired. Also provided is a bail assembly that not only holds the can to be dispensed in position in the housing but also serves the additional function when positioned adjacent the housing of protecting the elements therein while in transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hickman