Mark C Pickhard

US Patent:

7564330, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Apr 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/736612

Inventors:

Mark Pickhard - Lake Mills WI, US
John Wineke - Lake Mills WI, US
David Lea - Johnson Creek WI, US
Andrew Petraszak - Lake Mills WI, US
Steve Topel - Lake Mills WI, US
Tom Lenz - Fort Atkinson WI, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

H01H 1/66
H01H 1/02

US Classification:

335151, 335196, 200269, 200270

Abstract:

A reed switch has a contact surface composed of three layers of metal applied to the contacts of the reed switch. The three layers comprise first a layer of titanium of approximately 15 to 150 micro inches, second a layer of molybdenum of 15 to 150 micro inches, and finally a contact layer of 5 to 20 micro inches of ruthenium, or other platinum group metal or alloy. The layers may be applied by any suitable methods, for example by sputtering.

US Patent:

20060186636, Aug 24, 2006

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/350542

Inventors:

Randy Schutt - Holland MI, US
Mark Pickhard - Lake Mills WI, US

International Classification:

B60D 1/36

US Classification:

280477000, 340431000

Abstract:

An electronic system that monitors a trailer hitch assembly having a plate hitch with a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer and a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin within the throat. The electronic system determines whether the trailer hitch assemblies is properly coupled to the trailer, and comprises a first magnet creating a first magnetic flux, and a first Hall-effect sensor for sensing the position of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate by measuring the first magnetic flux. The system further comprises a control circuit operably coupled with the first Hall-effect sensor in determining whether the first magnetic flux indicates a proper location of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate. The electronic system discriminates between the kingpin and foreign materials, thereby assuring proper locking of the locking mechanism.

US Patent:

20130300403, Nov 14, 2013

Filed:

Jul 18, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/945510

Inventors:

William L. Cousins - Ortonville MI, US
Bradford W. Bur - Clarkston MI, US
Kevin O'Connor - Lake Mills WI, US
Mark Pickhard - Lake Mills WI, US
Steven R. Stuve - Lake Mills WI, US

International Classification:

G01B 7/00

US Classification:

3242072, 32420713

Abstract:

The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises at least one Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation.

US Patent:

20160307719, Oct 20, 2016

Filed:

Jun 27, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/193151

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Mark PICKHARD - Lake Mills WI, US

Assignee:

Littelfuse, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 49/00

Abstract:

A reed for a reed switch and a reed switch are provided. The reed may include a first portion having a first thickness and a first length, a second portion having a second thickness and a second length, and a hinged portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the hinged portion having a third thickness and a third length, wherein the third length is less than 150% of the first thickness and the third thickness is less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness. The reed switch may include the reed disposed in an insulating housing with a reed deformer to deform the reed.

US Patent:

20150270082, Sep 24, 2015

Filed:

Mar 18, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/218247

Inventors:

Mark PICKHARD - Lake Mills WI, US

Assignee:

LITTELFUSE, INC. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 51/28
H01H 50/14
H01H 49/00
H01H 50/02

Abstract:

A reed for a reed switch and a reed switch are provided. The reed may include a first portion having a first thickness and a first length, a second portion having a second thickness and a second length, and a hinged portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the hinged portion having a third thickness and a third length, wherein the third length is less than 150% of the first thickness and the third thickness is less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness. The reed switch may include the reed disposed in an insulating housing with a reed deformer to deform the reed.