Patents by Inventor Scott Heflin

Scott Heflin 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: 7520241
    Abstract: An indicating instrument such as a speedometer has a numerical scale, a belt and a pointer attached to the belt to indicate different scale positions. A display, such as an LCD, may lie within the inner confines of the perimeter of the dial, which may be formed in a variety of shapes. A motor-driven pulley drives the belt to move the pointer around the LCD and to various scale positions. A light source within the pointer may illuminate the pointer, while a separate pointer support structure about the numerical scale may support the pointer from underneath. The belt may be a continuous loop about one spool or a separate, spring-loaded bobbin may be used with the spool to coil and uncoil the belt. An electrically conductive, tensioning post may supply electricity to the belt and the lighted pointer. Teeth on the spool may coincide with perforations in the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin
  • Publication number: 20080178792
    Abstract: An indicating instrument such as a speedometer has a numerical scale, a belt and a pointer attached to the belt to indicate different scale positions. A display, such as an LCD, may lie within the inner confines of the perimeter of the dial, which may be formed in a variety of shapes. A motor-driven pulley drives the belt to move the pointer around the LCD and to various scale positions. A light source within the pointer may illuminate the pointer, while a separate pointer support structure about the numerical scale may support the pointer from underneath. The belt may be a continuous loop about one spool or a separate, spring-loaded bobbin may be used with the spool to coil and uncoil the belt. An electrically conductive, tensioning post may supply electricity to the belt and the lighted pointer. Teeth on the spool may coincide with perforations in the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin
  • Patent number: 6891129
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Patent number: 6891135
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Publication number: 20040182851
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Publication number: 20040112889
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms