Patents by Inventor Todd A. Hester

Todd A. Hester 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: 6723928
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a flat flexible dielectric substrate less than 0.050 inch thick and having a generally round hole of a given diameter. A substantially square or polygonal terminal pin is inserted into the round hole in the substrate. The pin has a given cross-dimension between opposite diametral corners thereof greater than the diameter of the round hole. The difference between the cross-dimension of the pin and the diameter of the round hole is on the order of 7% to 67% of the diameter of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Christopher Berg, Harry N. Etters, Robert M. Fuerst, Todd A. Hester, Fred Love Krehbiel
  • Patent number: 6086384
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an improved electronic device, along with the product of that method is disclosed. A flat flexible substrate is provided with a generally round hole of a given diameter and with a conductive film on the substrate in an area at least about the hole. A generally round terminal pin is provided with a given diameter greater than that of the hole. The difference between the diameter of the pin and the diameter of the hole is on the order of 5% to 50% of the diameter of the hole. A non-conductive adhesive is applied to a portion of the pin or the substrate surrounding the hole. The pin is inserted into the hole in the substrate such that the non-conductive adhesive is scraped longitudinally from or along the pin to an area about the hole and the pin, leaving the pin in contact with the conductive film. An improved interface is established between the pin and the conductive film of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Fuerst, Todd A. Hester, Fred Love Krehbiel
  • Patent number: 5791459
    Abstract: A normally closed electrical switch includes a first circuit board having a first switch contact thereon and an aperture therethrough near the first switch contact. A second, flexible circuit board has a second switch contact aligned with the first switch contact of the first circuit board. A spacer sheet separates the first and second circuit boards and has an aperture in registry with the aperture in the first circuit board. The switch contacts extend toward each other through the aperture in the spacer sheet such that they are in normally closed condition. A movable cover is provided on the first circuit board at least over the aperture therein. An actuator is operatively associated with the cover and extends through the aperture in the first circuit board, through the aperture in the spacer sheet and engageable with the second, flexible circuit board for flexing the second circuit board and opening the switch contacts in response to movement of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Todd A. Hester, Daniel T. Kreger
  • Patent number: 5412169
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is disclosed to include a housing mounting a pair of spaced switches. A rocker actuator is rockably mounted for movement relative to the housing about a rotational axis between the spaced switches, and with wing portions of the actuator on opposite sides of the rotational axis provided for alternatingly actuating the pair of switches. The rocker actuator is a one-piece component and includes a relatively stiff rocker arm rockable about the rotational axis, a connecting flange projecting outwardly from the periphery of the rocker arm, and an integral flexible intermediate wall joining the rocker arm and the connecting flange. The flexible intermediate wall supports the rocker arm in a neutral position. However, the rocker arm flexes the intermediate wall when the rocker arm is rotated about the axis in either opposite direction from the neutral position to alternate actuating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph D. Comerci, Robert DeRoss, Robert M. Fuerst, Todd A. Hester, Edward S. Sommer
  • Patent number: 4970624
    Abstract: An electronic device which includes a circuit sheet having a conductive path thereon. An adhesive is deposited on the conductive path, the adhesive including a nonconductive base incorporating randomly spaced conductive particles. A circuit component is forced through the adhesive, the conductive path and the circuit sheet carrying a portion of the adhesive therewith between the circuit component and the conductive path. The carried portion of the adhesive is compressed for establishing contact between the conductive particles and thereby conductivity between the circuit component and the conductive path leaving the adhesive other than that portion in a nonconductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Don A. Arneson, Todd A. Hester