Patents by Inventor Brian Carnick
Brian Carnick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11855429Abstract: An electric junction box assembly includes a case, a housing and a cover. A housing is disposed on an outer surface of the case. The housing includes a back wall and a pair of supports disposed on the back wall. The supports are spaced apart from each other and each support includes an upper support member and a lower support member spaced apart from each other so as to define an opening. The upper support member has an arcuate inner surface and the lower support member has an arcuate inner surface each having a radius greater than the opening. The cover includes an axial rod having a thickness smaller than a height of the opening and a width greater than the height of the opening, wherein a rotation of the axial rod prevents the cover from being dislodged from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Martin Magda, Brian Carnick
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Publication number: 20230411942Abstract: An ancillary box is configured to be mounted to a junction box assembly. The ancillary box is configured to provide housing for an electrical component (e.g., switch assembly). The ancillary box includes a first housing having a first top wall, a first back wall, a pair of first side walls, and a first bottom wall. The first top wall, the first back wall, the pair of first side walls, and the first bottom wall are connected to each other to define an open front. The ancillary box further includes an engagement feature that is disposed on a top surface of the first top wall and centered between the pair of first side walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Cody HICKS, Brian Carnick
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Publication number: 20230413444Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board having a pair of slots spaced apart from each other and a terminal opening disposed between the pair of slots; and a tuning fork. The tuning fork includes a pair of terminals; a pair of shoulders, the pair of terminals attached to the pair of shoulders, each of the pair of shoulders extending orthogonal from a bottom of the pair of terminals; and a pair of supports extending upwardly from a corresponding one of the pair of shoulders, the pair of terminals disposed between the pair of support portions, the pair of support portions configured to engage a corresponding one of the pair of slots so as to place the pair of terminals within the terminal opening of the circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Cody Hicks, Brian Carnick
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Patent number: 11646557Abstract: A switch box assembly is configured to house a switch box having a bus bar. The switch box assembly includes a holder, a nut housing and a guide. The holder includes a back wall. The back wall includes a slot for receiving the bus bar. The nut housing is configured to house a nut. The guide is disposed on the nut housing and adjacent the back wall, the guide dimensioned to guide the bus bar over a top surface of the nut. Accordingly, the guide prevents the bus bar from hitting the nut during installation.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Christopher Alexander
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Patent number: 11640881Abstract: A switch assembly is configured to be mounted to a lower cover of the junction box assembly. The switch assembly includes a holder, the holder is configured to removably coupled to the lower cover. The holder includes a pocket. The switch assembly further includes a switch. The hook is configured to engage the lower cover and is dimensioned to be seated within the pocket of the holder. The switch includes a hook. The hook is configured to pull the switch towards the lower cover so as to pinch the holder between the lower cover and the switch. Accordingly, the hook presses the switch against a bottom surface of the lower cover so as to eliminate a rattle when the switch is held in suspension beneath the lower cover of the junction box assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Christopher Alexander
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Publication number: 20230097180Abstract: A switch box assembly is configured to house a switch box having a bus bar. The switch box assembly includes a holder, a nut housing and a guide. The holder includes a back wall. The back wall includes a slot for receiving the bus bar. The nut housing is configured to house a nut. The guide is disposed on the nut housing and adjacent the back wall, the guide dimensioned to guide the bus bar over a top surface of the nut. Accordingly, the guide prevents the bus bar from hitting the nut during installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Christopher Alexander
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Publication number: 20230029457Abstract: An electric junction box assembly includes a case, a housing and a cover. A housing is disposed on an outer surface of the case. The housing includes a back wall and a pair of supports disposed on the back wall. The supports are spaced apart from each other and each support includes an upper support member and a lower support member spaced apart from each other so as to define an opening. The upper support member has an arcuate inner surface and the lower support member has an arcuate inner surface each having a radius greater than the opening. The cover includes an axial rod having a thickness smaller than a height of the opening and a width greater than the height of the opening, wherein a rotation of the axial rod prevents the cover from being dislodged from the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Martin Magda, Brian Carnick
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Publication number: 20220157537Abstract: A switch assembly is configured to be mounted to a lower cover of the junction box assembly. The switch assembly includes a holder, the holder is configured to removably coupled to the lower cover. The holder includes a pocket. The switch assembly further includes a switch. The hook is configured to engage the lower cover and is dimensioned to be seated within the pocket of the holder. The switch includes a hook. The hook is configured to pull the switch towards the lower cover so as to pinch the holder between the lower cover and the switch. Accordingly, the hook presses the switch against a bottom surface of the lower cover so as to eliminate a rattle when the switch is held in suspension beneath the lower cover of the junction box assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Brian Carnick, Christopher Alexander
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Patent number: 11095105Abstract: A power distribution box for housing electrical components configured to retain its shape so as to retain a tight fit and the integrity of a storage space is provided. The power distribution box includes an upper housing assembly. The upper housing assembly is configured to couple with a bottom cover. The bottom cover includes a bottom wall bounding a peripheral edge of a floor so as to define a storage compartment for which electric components are housed. The bottom wall includes an outer wall opposite of an inner wall so as to define an opening there between. A top lateral wall closes off a top of the opening so as to define an open bottom between the inner wall and the outer wall. The top lateral wall provides structural rigidity to the bottom wall so as to prevent the bottom wall from warping.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie Malcom, Martin Magda
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Publication number: 20210006054Abstract: A power distribution box for housing electrical components configured to retain its shape so as to retain a tight fit and the integrity of a storage space is provided. The power distribution box includes an upper housing assembly. The upper housing assembly is configured to couple with a bottom cover. The bottom cover includes a bottom wall bounding a peripheral edge of a floor so as to define a storage compartment for which electric components are housed. The bottom wall includes an outer wall opposite of an inner wall so as to define an opening there between. A top lateral wall closes off a top of the opening so as to define an open bottom between the inner wall and the outer wall. The top lateral wall provides structural rigidity to the bottom wall so as to prevent the bottom wall from warping.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie Malcom, Martin Magda
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Publication number: 20200412030Abstract: A junction box assembly and a terminal assembly configured to prevent a short circuit is provided. In one aspect, the terminal assembly includes a pair of terminals spaced apart from each other and a spacer configured to retain the pair of terminals in a fixed position with respect to each other. In another aspect, the spacer includes a plurality of fuses, and each fuse is electrically connected to a corresponding slot so as to help prevent a power surge through a respective output portion of the terminal. In yet another aspect, the terminal housing has a side wall having a rib extending a height at least as high as the combined height of the output portion and terminal connector when the two are laid on top of each other, preventing the terminal connector from coming into contact with an adjacent terminal connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie J. Malcom
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Publication number: 20200406841Abstract: A power distribution box assembly for a vehicle is provided. The power distribution box assembly includes a housing having a peripheral wall and an inner wall. The inner wall is dimensioned to hold electrical components. A cover is configured to cover the peripheral wall of the housing, and the cover has an interior surface. A first latching mechanism and a second latching mechanism are disposed opposite of the first latching mechanism. The first and second latching mechanisms are selectively operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the cover is closed onto the housing. A rib is disposed on a top surface of the inner wall of the housing. The rib abuts the interior surface of the cover when the first and second latching mechanisms are in the engaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Brian Carnick, Christopher Alexander
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Patent number: 10667413Abstract: A power distribution box assembly is provided. The power distribution box assembly includes an upper housing assembly having a top cover and a lower cover having an upper substrate and an upper terminal housing. The lower cover including a pair of gaps. A bottom cover includes a lower terminal housing and a pair of towers, each of the pair of towers having a terminal support disposed on a top surface of the corresponding pair of towers, wherein each of the terminal support is registered to a corresponding one of the pair of gaps. A bus bar assembly is configured to direct power to the upper housing assembly and the bottom cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie Malcom
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Publication number: 20170358418Abstract: A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having more than one battery, such as in a start-stop vehicle that automatically shuts off an engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically restarts the engine when a driver starts driving again. The fuse array includes first and second discrete circuits, where the discrete circuits include their own internal bus bars and are electrically isolated from one another, even though they are part of the same fuse array. This enables the fuse array to independently provide battery power to different downstream electrical components, such as a power distribution device and various high amperage components, while still utilizing a single compact assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Patent number: 9842718Abstract: A fuse array for use in a vehicle electrical system having more than one battery, such as in a start-stop vehicle that automatically shuts off an engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically restarts the engine when a driver starts driving again. The fuse array includes first and second discrete circuits, where the discrete circuits include their own internal bus bars and are electrically isolated from one another, even though they are part of the same fuse array. This enables the fuse array to independently provide battery power to different downstream electrical components, such as a power distribution device and various high amperage components, while still utilizing a single compact assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Patent number: 9837735Abstract: A cover for a vehicle electrical system component, such as a pre-fuse assembly, that includes an integrated hinge and locking mechanism. The integrated hinge allows a pivoting cover portion to easily be rotated out of the way in order to give access to an underlying component (e.g., a jump post), while the integrated locking mechanism allows that same cover to be securely locked onto itself when no access is needed. The cover is not limited to a pre-fuse assembly and may be used with other vehicle electrical system components, such as a power distribution device (e.g., a power distribution box, an electrical connection box, a junction box assembly, etc.), a wire harness protector, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Publication number: 20170232911Abstract: A cover for a vehicle electrical system component, such as a pre-fuse assembly, that includes an integrated hinge and locking mechanism. The integrated hinge allows a pivoting cover portion to easily be rotated out of the way in order to give access to an underlying component (e.g., a jump post), while the integrated locking mechanism allows that same cover to be securely locked onto itself when no access is needed. The cover is not limited to a pre-fuse assembly and may be used with other vehicle electrical system components, such as a power distribution device (e.g., a power distribution box, an electrical connection box, a junction box assembly, etc.), a wire harness protector, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Patent number: 9728363Abstract: A pre-fuse assembly designed to protect certain components within a vehicle electrical system against short circuits and to provide a user with easy access to a jump post for jump starting a dead battery. The pre-fuse assembly is a current-limiting electrical device that is mounted on top of the vehicle battery and includes fuses for limiting the current from the vehicle battery to a power distribution device and includes a horizontal jump post for providing easy access when jump starting a dead battery without increasing the overall height of the device. In one embodiment, the pre-fuse assembly includes a lower housing, an upper housing, a battery post connector, a master fuse, a fastener, a horizontal jump post and any number of other components.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Publication number: 20170148600Abstract: A pre-fuse assembly designed to protect certain components within a vehicle electrical system against short circuits and to provide a user with easy access to a jump post for jump starting a dead battery. The pre-fuse assembly is a current-limiting electrical device that is mounted on top of the vehicle battery and includes fuses for limiting the current from the vehicle battery to a power distribution device and includes a horizontal jump post for providing easy access when jump starting a dead battery without increasing the overall height of the device. In one embodiment, the pre-fuse assembly includes a lower housing, an upper housing, a battery post connector, a master fuse, a fastener, a horizontal jump post and any number of other components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Brian Carnick, Bennie James Malcom
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Patent number: 8913371Abstract: A fuse and relay block assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a lower cover (12) and an upper cover (60) mounted in substantially opposed relationship to one another. A relay block (70) is mounted between the lower cover (12) and the upper cover (60) and can receive electrical devices (R, F) mounted along a mounting direction (MD). A relay module assembly (80) is mounted between the lower cover (12) and the upper cover (60) and can receive electrical devices (R, F) mounted along a transverse direction (TD) substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction (MD). Thus, a greater density of electrical devices (R, F) can be mounted within a smaller footprint.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Charles Depp, Akihiro Max Matsumura, Brian Carnick, Nathan Zukowski