Dennis M Fitzpatrick

US Patent:

6384351, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/534429

Inventors:

Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI
David Glowczewski - Washington MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6154, 200 6127

Abstract:

A switch apparatus for controlling multiple electrical circuits includes a pivot shaft carried in a housing mountable on a vehicle steering column. A carrier is pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft for rotation of about axis. A lever is pivotally mounted to the carrier for rotation about a first axis to the axis of the shaft. A rotatable end cap is mounted on the lever. A shaft is fixed to the end cap at one end and extends through a lever to a second end on which a gear is mounted. A radial rack is mounted in the housing and engaged by the gear for rotation about the pivot shaft. Electrical traces are formed in the housing and engaged by contacts carried on the radial rack to control operating circuits. An actuator is rotatably and translatingly mounted on the pivot shaft and has an arm extending from a center. The arm engages one leaf contact in the housing upon rotation of the actuator to control a circuit.

US Patent:

6396011, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/533716

Inventors:

David Glowczewski - Washington MI
Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 316

US Classification:

200 6154, 200 6127

Abstract:

A multi-function switch lever apparatus mountable on a vehicle steering column includes at least one actuator and one contactor. A shaft extends through a lever pivotally mounted to a housing containing the contactor. A first end of the shaft is fixed to the first actuator. The second end of the shaft rotates a drive gear which engages and moves a linear toothed rack mounted in the housing between electrical circuit positions. Cancel members in a turn signal mechanism are biasingly mounted allowing disengagement of either cancel member from a cancel pawl when the turn signal lever is held in a turn position during rotation of the steering wheel when completing a turn. A beam change carrier is mounted in the housing and carries a pivotal contact which switches positions upon engagement with a paddle during pivotal movement of the stalk switch lever about one axis.

US Patent:

6403899, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/533718

Inventors:

Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI
Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
David Glowczewski - Washington MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6154, 200 6127

Abstract:

A circuit interlock switch mountable in a stalk switch apparatus includes an actuator mounted on a lever movably mounted in a housing attachable to a vehicle steering column. The actuator is moveable relative to the lever. In a first movement state, the actuator is coupled through a shaft extending through the lever to a contactor and moves the contactor between operative states upon rotation of the actuator to open and close vehicle circuits coupled through conductive traces in a substrate engaged by contacts on the contactor. A cam and cam follower are formed on the lever and the actuator to permit axial translation of the actuator relative to the lever only in certain rotated positions of the actuator.

US Patent:

6444929, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/533681

Inventors:

Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
Peter S. Zhou - Sterling Heights MI
Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6154

Abstract:

A vehicle steering column stalk switch includes a multifunction switch lever having a rotatable actuator which drives a first rotatable gear. Gear teeth on the first gear engage gear teeth on a second gear mounted within a housing with zero backlash. The second gear is biased into compliant engagement with the first gear. The biasing is effected by means of at least one leaf contact resiliently cantilevered from conductive elements carried in the housing into engagement with the second gear.

US Patent:

6534733, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Sep 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952659

Inventors:

Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI
David Glowczewski - Washington MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - DE

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6154, 200 6127, 200 4

Abstract:

A switch apparatus for controlling multiple electrical circuits includes housing mountable on a vehicle steering column. A carrier is pivotally mounted to the housing for rotation with a lever. The lever pivots about at least one axis between a center position and at least one other position. A detent surface formed in one of the housing and the carrier has at least one detent, each detent associated with a respective other position. A component for latching the carrier and the lever one of the other positions is mountable on the carrier and engageable with the detent surface. A cancel pawl extends from the housing and is engageable with a rotatable member on the steering column. The carrier is returned to the center position from engagement in the other position by a biasing component, which permits sliding movement between the cancel pawl and biasing component when the lever holds the carrier in the position.

US Patent:

57420149, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Sep 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/714925

Inventors:

Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Berkley MI

Assignee:

ITT Automotive, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 316
H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6127

Abstract:

A steering column stalk switch includes a lever gimballed for rotation relative to a housing in two different paths of movement. First and second electrical contactors are mounted on a support for engagement with conductive traces on a circuit board stationarily mounted in the housing. An actuator on the lever engages the support upon movement of the lever in one path of movement to laterally move the support to switch the position of one of the first and second contactors relative to the conductive traces on the circuit board. Movement of the lever in a different direction rotates the support to switch the other contactor relative to the conductive traces on the circuit board.