Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Wheeler

Thomas R. Wheeler 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: 5287825
    Abstract: A container for housing mobile work objects having a wall assembly enclosing an area to which the work objects are to be confined; and a panel borne by the wall assembly for resisting movement of the work objects over the wall assembly whereby the work objects can be confined to the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Thomas R. Wheeler, Vicki F. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4906808
    Abstract: A tease-free switch includes a plurality of electrical terminals of planar configuration disposed in spaced apart relationship upon an electrically insulating base as well as a generally planar contact plate including at least two electrical contact regions thereupon. The plate is engaged by a push-button actuated stepping mechanism so as to be alternately rotated between a position where contact between particular of the terminals is alternately established and terminated. The switch is configured so that the contact plate is constantly biased into contact with the terminals and/or the insulating surface upon which they are disposed. In this manner partial activation of the switch will not alter the condition of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Products
    Inventors: James P. Burgess, Thomas R. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4792783
    Abstract: A multifunction control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of switches, each switch adapted to control a plurality of vehicular functions. Each switch has associated therewith a display element for indicating which of the functions that switch is controlling. The system further includes a microprocessor based controller which mediates which designator each display element will exhibit as well as which vehicular function a given switch will control. The system is readily adapted to a menu-driven mode of operation, and the switches may be mounted upon the steering wheel of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Products
    Inventors: James P. Burgess, Thomas R. Wheeler