Patents by Inventor William R. Stephens

William R. Stephens 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: 5527991
    Abstract: A generally rectangular plastic switch housing has locating tabs that position a U-shaped hardened steel grounding strap on the housing so that the strap and housing can be conveniently mounted from the front of a panel in a panel opening that includes relieved and upset portions designed to make electrical contact with serrated segments of the U-shaped strap's legs. The base of the U-shaped strap has an opening with upset edges designed to make electrical contact with the center terminal in the bottom wall of the switch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Carlingswitch, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Sadowski, Richard M. Olson, William R. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5451733
    Abstract: An electrical switch has three terminals, one that is always connected to one side of an LED and in parallel to a resistor. A rocker slides a movable contact to and from an engine OFF or kill position, from and to an engine RUN position. An oil detector circuit uses the engines magneto system to light the LED when the switch is in the RUN position and the engine is rotated. The flashing LED provides a visual indication of low oil in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Carlingswitch, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Olson, William R. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4476826
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine having a stationary casing, and a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis eccentric to the casing forming a crescent shaped compression chamber and a separate crescent shaped expansion chamber. Intake and exhaust ports in the casing respectively communicate with the compression and expansion chambers and first and second vanes angularly spaced apart on the rotor slidably engage the walls of the respective compression and expansion chambers. A rotary transfer valve is provided on the rotor intermediate the first and second vanes to alternately communicate with the compression and expansion chambers. The charge of combustible mixture is ignited while in the transfer valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: William R. and Zella B. Stephens Trust
    Inventor: William R. Stephens