Patents by Inventor Steve Dumbovic

Steve Dumbovic 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: 6223595
    Abstract: An electrically resistive fluid level sensor and system for sensing fluid levels in a container, for example washing machine basins, and for closing a supply of fluid to the container when the fluid level in the container reaches a specified level. The system includes generally fluid level resistive element portions disposed in the container and electrically connectable by fluid therein, and an input signal source, electrically coupled to the fluid level resistive element portions, whereby an output signal across the fluid level resistive element portions is proportional to the fluid level. Temperature resistive element portions are preferably disposed in the container and connected in series between the input signal source and the fluid level resistive element portions to substantially cancel any thermal effects on fluid level sensing and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Steve Dumbovic, Richard C. Francke
  • Patent number: 5459478
    Abstract: A switch circuit for selectively driving a LED display at either a dim or bright intensity in response to varying input voltages is provided. The switch circuit includes a current regulator device which is responsive to a reference voltage and is coupled to a LED display device for supplying a first level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a dim intensity and for supplying a second level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a bright intensity. A controllable switching device is responsive to input voltages of a wide varying range for being selectively turned on and off and for generating the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Bolger, Steve Dumbovic
  • Patent number: 5138186
    Abstract: A solid state switch is provided which has the capability of retaining its last state memory in the event of a power failure or interruption. The solid state switch includes an output driver formed of at least one N-channel MOS field-effect transistor, a holding capacitor, a charging resistor, a transistor-connected diode interconnected between a power supply voltage source and the charging resistor for preventing leakage of the holding capacitor. The field-effect transistor has its drain connected to a first output terminal and it source connected to a second output terminal. One end of the holding capacitor is connected to the gate of the field-effect transistor and its other end is connected to a ground potential. The holding capacitor retains the last state between the first and second output terminals in the event of a loss of the power supply voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Dumbovic
  • Patent number: 4707782
    Abstract: A method for effecting full duplex communications through a plurality of ports of a processing apparatus having one timer. Each output and input signal is expressed as a plurality of bit time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Dumbovic, Mark A. Dempsky
  • Patent number: 4263582
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard is disclosed in which the keyboard matrix is scanned by an integrated circuit scanner which incorporates a programmable repeat rate and repeat delay rate counter. The repeat interval of a key is achieved by setting the repeat counter to a predetermined count value so that this repeat interval is obtained when a repeatable key has been depressed. The repeat delay rate interval is delayed by a count value that is set in the counter so that the repeat delay interval may be shortened when a repeatable key is held down for continued repeating of the code signal. In the keyboard an eight bit counter is utilized in which all eight bits can be used for the delay rate, but in all cases the four least significant bits are used for the repeat rate. Both the repeat rate and the delay rate are externally programmable during the same programming period, under the control of external processing equipment to which the keyboard is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Dumbovic