Patrick J Franz, Age 661849 43Rd Ave, Portland, OR 97215

2009007, Mar 19, 2009

Sep 18, 2007

11/901805

Patrick Joseph Franz - Portland OR, US

B62J 7/06

224420

In accordance with one embodiment, an adjustable accessory mount mechanism uses two arms, a mount, and two attachment connections to the support structure. The arms are pivotably connected at the mount itself and at their attachments to the support structure. This arrangement produces an adjustable triangulated mechanism with the mount at one vertex and the existing support structure as one side of the triangle. The mount can be perpendicular or parallel to the support structure. The arms may be curved or otherwise shaped to avoid other objects. The accessory mount both spreads the load on the support structure and provides an inherently strong triangulated structure for mounting the object or accessory.

5431064, Jul 11, 1995

Sep 18, 1992

7/948143

Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR

Home Row, Inc. - Clackamas OR

G01L 100

7386268

A pressure sensitive transducer array in which a plurality of transducers are connected in series and in parallel with one another. In one embodiment, a resistive layer is formed from carbon or silver ink on a polyester film. A plurality of conductive shunt elements having greater conductivity than the resistive layer is formed on a second polyester film. The films are placed adjacent to one another with the shunt elements contacting the resistive layer. Voltage is applied across the resistive layer and pressure is applied thereto. As the pressure increases, the number of current paths set up through contact points on the shunt elements increase thereby decreasing the resistance across the resistive layer and increasing current flow. In another embodiment a plurality of plate elements are contained in a plane on one side of a dielectric layer. A plurality of plate elements are contained in a plane on the other side of the dielectric layer.

5499041, Mar 12, 1996

Oct 13, 1994

8/322956

Eric L. Brandenburg - Lake Oswego OR
Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR
David H. Straayer - Colton OR

InControl Solutions, Inc. - Lake Oswego OR

G06F 314
H01C 1010
H01H 926

345174

A keyswitch-integrated pointing assembly in which a plurality of substantially planar force sensing elements are disposed on a planar surface adjacent a keyswitch on a keyboard. The keyswitch includes a plunger which extends downwardly from a key cap for actuating a switch at the lower end of vertical key cap travel. The key cap engages an indexing surface when fully depressed which transmits force applied to the key cap to the force sensing elements. The force sensing elements are sandwiched between a pair of opposing plates thereby biasing the elements into a substantially linear operating region when no force is applied to the key cap.

D360412, Jul 18, 1995

Feb 16, 1994

D/018842

Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR

InControl Solutions, Inc. - Clackamas OR

D14115

5578765, Nov 26, 1996

Jun 1, 1995

8/457627

Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR

InControl Solutions, Inc. - Lake Oswego OR

G01L 100

73862043

A pressure sensitive transducer array in which a plurality of transducers are connected in series and in parallel with one another. In one embodiment, a resistive layer is formed from carbon or silver ink on a polyester film. A plurality of conductive shunt elements having greater conductivity than the resistive layer is formed on a second polyester film. The films are placed adjacent to one another with the shunt elements contacting the resistive layer. Voltage is applied across the resistive layer and pressure is applied thereto. As the pressure increases, the number of current paths set up through contact points on the shunt elements increase thereby decreasing the resistance across the resistive layer and increasing current flow. In another embodiment a plurality of plate elements are contained in a plane on one side of a dielectric layer. A plurality of plate elements are contained in a plane on the other side of the dielectric layer.

D358385, May 16, 1995

Oct 26, 1994

D/030317

Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR

D14115

4680577, Jul 14, 1987

Apr 18, 1986

6/854687

David H. Straayer - Colton OR
Patrick J. Franz - Colton OR
Eugene F. Lynch - Portland OR

Tektronix, Inc. - Beaverton OR

H01H 2500

340711

A multipurpose keyswitch for controlling cursor movement on a CRT display and for character entry includes a key cap that moves laterally to provide cursor control and that moves vertically for character entry. Sensors are coupled to the key cap for sensing the lateral movement of the key cap. Forward and backward movement of the key cap selects upward and downward movement of the cursor on the CRT display. Left and right movement of the key cap selects left and right movement of the cursor. Vertical movement of the key cap selects the entry of a character. The multipurpose keyswitch is advantageously positioned as one of the home keys of the keyboard.

5889507, Mar 30, 1999

Jul 24, 1996

8/685486

T. Scott Engle - Tualatin OR
Patrick J. Franz - Portland OR

InControl Solutions, Inc.

G09G 508

345161

A miniature isometric joystick is disclosed for receiving manual user input to effect directional control such as controlling cursor movement on a computer display screen or controlling movement of an apparatus such as a machine or robot. The joystick is arranged to fit between the existing keys in a computer keyboard. The joystick includes a preloading spring for compressing the assembly together, thereby biasing the force sensors so as to neutralize manufacturing variations and control electrical and mechanical null zones. An integrated switch is provided in the joystick for detecting an external force applied by the user's fingertip. The switch unobtrusively detects when a user is pointing, thereby allowing a control system to measure pointing system bias signals while the user is not pointing. This permits the control system to automatically correct for drift, without requiring additional keyboard space for a separate switch to enable the pointing device.