John J Cummings

US Patent:

49963945, Feb 26, 1991

Filed:

Mar 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/491080

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 926

US Classification:

200 5E

Abstract:

Seven or some other number of individually operable push buttons are provided to carry out control functions of an automotive heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The push buttoms are movable between extended and depressed positions and are biased toward their extended positions by individual return springs. A latching mechanism is provided for latching any selected push button in its depressed position while unlatching the other push buttons. An array of slidable lockout blocks prevents simultaneous depression of more than one push button, by providing only enough clearance space in the array to accept one lockout penetrating member on one push button at a time. The array is lightly spring biased to prevent rattling of the lockout blocks. Two biasing springs are compressed between the endmost pairs of lockout blocks at the opposite ends of the array.

US Patent:

39512002, Apr 20, 1976

Filed:

Mar 6, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/555861

Inventors:

Michael J. Paluchniak - Downers Grove IL
John T. Cummings - Downers Grove IL

Assignee:

Industrial Machinery Engineering Corporation - Highland Park IL

International Classification:

B22D 1700
B22D 2714

US Classification:

164119

Abstract:

Method of and apparatus for die casting metal in which the die parts have a well for receiving the molten metal in a body preliminary to closing the die parts and gating channels lead from the well to the mold chambers. One of the die parts has means for injecting a pre-metered volume of water into the body of metal in the well so that after the die parts are closed together and the injecting means are operated to inject the water the rapid conversion of the water into steam and subsequent expansion produce sufficient force to cause the molten metal in the well to be forced into the mold chambers where it is chilled thereby forming the castings.

US Patent:

49946358, Feb 19, 1991

Filed:

Mar 20, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/326026

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL
Martin R. Cobb - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 906

US Classification:

200 6186

Abstract:

Several individually operable push buttons are provided to initiate an OFF function, defrost, air conditioning and various air directions and other functions of an automotive heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. Each push button has a carriage adapted to be fitted on one side with an optional leaf spring contactor engageable with fixed contact members. The opposite side of the carriage is fixedly fitted with a compressible silicone rubber or other resilient valve member in sealing engagement with a port plate to carry out vacuum valving functions. Each carriage is guided by a tongue-and-slot guiding arrangement, whereby sealing pressure is applied between the valve member and the port plate. Each carriage has a rearwardly projecting tongue, slidably received in a slot formed in flange structure on the port plate. The front portion of each push button is also slidably guided to maintain the sealing pressure.

US Patent:

48017698, Jan 31, 1989

Filed:

Oct 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/114700

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 1350
H01H 1502

US Classification:

200 16C

Abstract:

The disclosed pushbutton operated automotive air control unit incorporates a non-latching pushbutton switch for causing momentary switching of a control circuit, such switch being pre-assembled as a cartridge for easy insertion into the housing of the control unit. The switch comprises a pushbutton member which is telescopically engaged with a body member for sliding movement of the pushbutton member between extended and depressed positions. A return spring is interposed between the pushbutton member and the body member. The pushbutton member has a rearwardly projecting finger affording a switch carriage, slidably received in a guide channel in the body member. An electrically conductive contactor is mounted on the carriage and is selectively engageable with first and second fixed contacts mounted on the body member along such channel. The contacts are connected to first and second terminals which project rearwardly from the body member and are adapted to be inserted into slots formed in the rear wall of the housing for the air control unit. The housing has a front panel with an opening therein for slidably receiving and retaining the pushbutton member.

US Patent:

49260146, May 15, 1990

Filed:

Jan 4, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/293370

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 906

US Classification:

200 6186

Abstract:

Seven or some other number of individually operable push buttons are provided for selection of an OFF function and other control functions of an automotive heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. Each push button has a carriage member fitted on one side with an individual contactor and a contactor biasing spring affording contact pressure between the contactor and fixed contact members. Each carriage member is fitted on the opposite side with an individual silicone rubber or other soft resilient valve member having a slidable sealing engagement with a port member in which ports are provided whereby the valve members are adapted to carry out vacuum or other fluid valving functions. Each valve member is fixedly mounted on the corresponding carriage member. Each contactor spring performs the additional function of producing sealing pressure between the corresponding valve member and the port member.

US Patent:

47587024, Jul 19, 1988

Filed:

Feb 13, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/014930

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 304

US Classification:

200339

Abstract:

The mechanism comprises a blower speed control lever for operating at least one electrical switch, supported by a mounting bracket which has a place for a second switch. The speed control lever has rearwardly facing rocker shaft elements which are pressed against forwardly facing semicircular bearing recesses on the switch mounting bracket. The pressure is developed by flexible flanges which project rearwardly from a mounting panel and are engageable with forwardly facing tapered shaft elements on the speed control switch. The flanges are flexed to produce a spring action. Additional guard flanges project rearwardly from the panel, into adjacent relation with additional shaft elements on the speed control lever.

US Patent:

48166294, Mar 28, 1989

Filed:

Oct 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/116060

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 2100

US Classification:

200438

Abstract:

The disclosed pushbutton operated automotive air control unit incorporates a unique snap-action electrical switch in which the movable contactor has a combination of sliding and rocking movement. The contactor is rockably supported on a fulcrum member which is movably mounted on the slidable carriage. The fulcrum member includes a locating projection, loosely received in a slot formed in the contactor. A coil spring is interposed between the carriage and the fulcrum member for biasing the contactor toward a first fixed contact. There is also a second fixed contact having contactor rocking lugs for slidably engaging the contactor, as the carriage is moved between first and second positions. In the first position, the lugs engage a portion of the contactor which is on the remote side of the fulcrum member from the first fixed contact, whereby the contactor is rocked into electrical engagement with the first fixed contact. The movement of the carriage to its second position causes movement of the contactor relative to the lugs until the fulcrum member passes the lugs whereby the contactor is abruptly rocked out of engagement with the first fixed contact, thus affording a snap action.

US Patent:

50497057, Sep 17, 1991

Filed:

Mar 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/491460

Inventors:

John G. Cummings - Cary IL

Assignee:

Indak Manufacturing Corp. - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

H01H 1500

US Classification:

200 16C

Abstract:

The disclosed control device includes an electrical switch having a switch body in which an electrically insulating switch carriage is manually movable along a predetermined path. Fixed electrical contacts are mounted on the body along such path and are selectively engageable by an electrically conductive contactor mounted on the carriage. The contactor takes the form of an angle-shaped plate consisting of first and second flanges in a rectangular relationship. The first flange has portions, preferably contact points, slidably engageable with the fixed contacts. The carriage has a guide slot for slidably receiving the second flange. A compression spring on the carriage produces contact pressure between the first flange and the fixed contacts. The second flange and the guide slot constitute the sole guide and support for the contactor, which is substantially flat except for the contact points. The flanges extend in a direction parallel to the path and have the same length in such direction.