James F Gruden

6676564, Jan 13, 2004

Jan 18, 2002

10/052615

James M. Gruden - Centerville OH

SAIA-Burgess Inc. - Vandalia OH

B60K 4120

477 96, 335257

A brake-shift interlock unit includes a pair of coils which are disposed in a coaxial relationship. A plunger is movable in a passage which extends through the coils. Upon actuation of a vehicle ignition switch, while a brake switch remains in an unactuated condition, a plunger pull coil is energized to move the plunger from the extended position to the partially retracted position. At this time, the plunger engages a stop member. Upon actuation of the vehicle brake, a stopper hold coil is de-energized to enable a shift lever to move.

6705140, Mar 16, 2004

Mar 9, 2000

09/522158

Steven J. Dimig - Plymouth WI
Alan J. Ritz - Brookfield WI
Kevin G. Clabots - Milwaukee WI
James M. Gruden - Centerville OH
Larry R. Grimmer - Sussex WI

Stratec Security Corporation - Milwaukee WI

E05B 4700

70277, 70218, 292201, 292216, 292DIG 27

A latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more unlatching inputs are capable of unlatching the latch assembly. However, two or more of these inputs are in series rather than in parallel so that the number of paths ending at the element or device holding the latch in its latched state is preferably fewer than the number of unlatching inputs to the latch assembly. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also employs a mechanical actuation assembly that can transmit actuation force from a control element to an engagement element in order to change the engaged state of the engagement element (and thereby to place the control element or another control element in a locked or unlocked state). The present invention also provides a fast-acting two stage actuator employing magnetic force to quickly and directly or indirectly hold an element to be controlled until an armature of the actuator can be engaged therewith.

8106734, Jan 31, 2012

Apr 25, 2008

12/109476

James M. Gruden - Centerville OH, US

Saia-Burgess, Inc. - Vandalia OH

H01F 7/00
H01F 7/08

335229, 335220

A magnetic latching solenoid comprises a housing, a moveable magnetically permeable member, a stationary magnetic assembly, a counter flux generator; and, a spring. A substantially equal extent of the moveable magnetically permeable member and stationary magnetic assembly along results in an air gap interface being essentially mid-way between the opposite axial extremities of the moveable magnetically permeable member and stationary magnetic assembly, thereby enhancing an attracting force of a permanent magnet that comprises the stationary magnetic assembly. In an example embodiment, the stationary magnetic assembly comprises a pole member which is adjustably positionable to minimize air gaps.

20040069028, Apr 15, 2004

Sep 23, 2003

10/668585

Steven Dimig - Plymouth WI, US
Alan Ritz - Brookfield WI, US
Kevin Clabots - Milwaukee WI, US
James Gruden - Centerville OH, US
Larry Grimmer - Sussex WI, US

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

E05B047/06

070/277000

A latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more unlatching inputs are capable of unlatching the latch assembly. However, two or more of these inputs are in series rather than in parallel so that the number of paths ending at the element or device holding the latch in its latched state is preferably fewer than the number of unlatching inputs to the latch assembly. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also employs a mechanical actuation assembly that can transmit actuation force from a control element to an engagement element in order to change the engaged state of the engagement element (and thereby to place the control element or another control element in a locked or unlocked state). The present invention also provides a fast-acting two stage actuator employing magnetic force to quickly and directly or indirectly hold an element to be controlled until an armature of the actuator can be engaged therewith.

20120112860, May 10, 2012

Jan 18, 2012

13/352513

James M. GRUDEN - Centerville OH, US

SAIA-Burgess, Inc. - Vandalia OH

H01F 7/00
H01H 11/00

335229, 29622

A magnetic latching solenoid comprises a housing, a moveable magnetically permeable member, a stationary magnetic assembly, a counter flux generator; and, a spring. A substantially equal extent of the moveable magnetically permeable member and stationary magnetic assembly along results in an air gap interface being essentially mid-way between the opposite axial extremities of the moveable magnetically permeable member and stationary magnetic assembly, thereby enhancing an attracting force of a permanent magnet that comprises the stationary magnetic assembly. In an example embodiment, the stationary magnetic assembly comprises a pole member which is adjustably positionable to minimize air gaps.

61752924, Jan 16, 2001

Sep 16, 1999

9/397985

James M Gruden - Centerville OH

Kelsey-Hayes Company - Livonia MI

H01F 500
H01F 700
H01F 708

335267

An electrical park latch actuator for the automatic transmission selector lever of a road vehicle, the actuator including a support member, first and second electromagnet windings carried by a common electromagnet core of the support member, and first and second plungers moveable relative to the support member, and responsive to energization of the first and second electromagnet windings respectively, said first and second plungers being positioned with their movement axes parallel and part of said second plunger being slidably received within said first plunger.

54413176, Aug 15, 1995

Jun 14, 1993

8/076725

James M. Gruden - Centerville OH
Ned L. Kikly - Vandalia OH

ITT Automotive Electrical Systems Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

E05B 5300

2923363

A superlock assembly includes a motor having a pinion mounted on its output shaft and meshed to an output gear. A blocking arm is secured to the output gear. To engage the superlock assembly when the arm of the locking actuator is extended, the motor is powered to move the blocking arm into the path of the retractable arm. In this position, the arm cannot be retracted either through manual force or electric operation of the actuator, thereby preventing a door latch from being unlocked.

58474749, Dec 8, 1998

Dec 5, 1994

8/349435

James M. Gruden - Centerville OH
Ned L. Kikly - Vandlia OH

ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

H02K 4100

310 14

A linear actuator powered by a Lorentz force. The force is generated by passing an electrical current through an armature spanning a space across a magnetic field established between two permanent magnets. The armature is mounted upon a slider extending between a pair of electrically conductive rails. Reversible linear motion is achieved by switching the polarity of an electrical potential applied across the two rails.