US5475592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical plug-in memory pack for positioning control
Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-21
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Granted: 1995-12-12
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Expires: 2014-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A universal control board is disclosed that allows the easy connection of an optional memory function for a vehicle component positioning control. The universal control board includes a well that receives a plug-in memory pack to provide the memory function. In this way, the assembler need only have tools and assembly steps required for assembly of the universal control board. The assembler may easily plug in the memory option where appropriate.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Wnuk
- 👤 Lawrence T. Wargo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/0226; B60N2/0228; B60N2/0229; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/12; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23344; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2637
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A vehicle component positioning control comprising: a. a motor control for positioning a vehicle component; b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A vehicle component positioning control comprising: a. a motor control for positioning a vehicle component; b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory pack comprises a plurality of pins which are interference fit into terminals in a circuit board associated with said control board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 2, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory pack is received in a well adjacent to said manual switch, such that said control board requires a minimum of space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 4, wherein an optional switch cover is utilized in combination with said control board when said memory option is not elected, and said optional switch cover covers said well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 5, wherein said motor control is a control for a seat position, said manual switch being shaped like a seat, with a generally L-shape, and the majority of said memory pack well being received within an area is defined by lines extending perpendicular from the opposed ends of said L-shaped manual switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A universal control board for a vehicle component positioning control comprising: a. a universal circuit board; b. a manual switch, said manual switch associated with electrical connections on said universal circuit board to communicate with a positioning control; c. a well including openings associated with terminals on said universal control board, said terminals associated with electrical connections on said universal control board to communicate with said positioning control; and d. an optional memory pack, said memory pack comprising pin connections to be selectively inserted into said well and through said openings, and to mate with said terminals in said circuit board, said memory pack further comprising memory buttons to provide a memory function to said universal control board, and said memory switches communicating to said positioning control through said circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A universal control board for a vehicle component positioning control comprising: a. a universal circuit board; b. a manual switch, said manual switch associated with electrical connections on said universal circuit board to communicate with a positioning control; c. a well including openings associated with terminals on said universal control board, said terminals associated with electrical connections on said universal control board to communicate with said positioning control; and d. an optional memory pack, said memory pack comprising pin connections to be selectively inserted into said well and through said openings, and to mate with said terminals in said circuit board, said memory pack further comprising memory buttons to provide a memory function to said universal control board, and said memory switches communicating to said positioning control through said circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 7, wherein said connections on said memory pack are interference fit into terminals in said circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 8, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 7, wherein said well is formed adjacent to said manual switch, such that said control board occupies a minimum of space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 10, wherein an optional switch cover is utilized in combination with said control board when a memory option is not elected, with said optional switch cover covering said well.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 11, wherein said circuit board is part of a control for a vehicle seat position, said manual switch being shaped like a seat, with a generally L-shape, and said memory pack well being received within the opening of said L-shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A universal control board as recited in claim 12, wherein an area is defined by lines extending perpendicular from the opposed ends of said L-shaped manual switch, and the majority of said well being received within said area.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of providing positioning control to a vehicle component comprising the steps of: a. providing a universal control board comprising a manual control for sending control signals to a positioning motor control for a vehicle component; b. providing an optional memory pack which can be optionally plugged into said universal control board; c. determining whether a particular vehicle is to include a memory option; d. plugging said optional memory pack into a well on said control board when said memory option is to be utilized with a particular vehicle; and e. covering said well which receives said memory pack when said memory option is not elected.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of providing positioning control to a vehicle component comprising the steps of: a. providing a universal control board comprising a manual control for sending control signals to a positioning motor control for a vehicle component; b. providing an optional memory pack which can be optionally plugged into said universal control board; c. determining whether a particular vehicle is to include a memory option; d. plugging said optional memory pack into a well on said control board when said memory option is to be utilized with a particular vehicle; and e. covering said well which receives said memory pack when said memory option is not elected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein distinct wiring harnesses are provided, depending upon whether said memory is elected or not, and connecting the appropriate wiring harness to said universal control board dependant upon whether said memory option is elected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
A component positioning control comprising: a. a motor control for positioning a component; b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
A component positioning control comprising: a. a motor control for positioning a component; b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A component positioning control as recited in claim 16, wherein said memory pack comprises a plurality of pins which are interference fit into terminals in a circuit board associated with said control board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A component positioning control as recited in claim 17, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A component position control as recited in claim 16, wherein said component is a seat.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A component positioning control as recited in claim 16, wherein said component is mounted on a vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |