Patents by Inventor Christopher Howard Matthews

Christopher Howard Matthews 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).

  • Patent number: 8297669
    Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower portion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: BallCollectors, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Publication number: 20100193379
    Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower potion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 7311549
    Abstract: The configurable adapter uses a relatively few components which allow it to be configured to have different heights to fit different switchboard cases. It includes a bracket designed to hold a particular type of meter or power monitor, with different brackets available to be assembled as a component of the configurable adapter. A new class of electricity revenue meters called a narrow base socket meter is described, and shown. The narrow base socket meter is adapted from a conventional socket meter which has a sufficiently narrow body by trimming its sides, top, and/or bottom, as necessary, to fit within the switchboard adapter, using a bracket which places the meter within the switchboard adapter so that its face can be flush with (or barely stick out from) the face of the switchboard. The adapter can also be used with standard socket base meters, which will stick out of the front of the switchboard panel, as well as with power monitoring devices by using suitable brackets, as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 7059896
    Abstract: The configurable adapter uses a relatively few components which allow it to be configured to have different heights to fit different switchboard cases. It includes a bracket designed to hold a particular type of meter or power monitor, with different brackets available to be assembled as a component of the configurable adapter. A new class of electricity revenue meters called a narrow base socket meter is described, and shown. The narrow base socket meter is adapted from a conventional socket meter which has a sufficiently narrow body by trimming its sides, top, and/or bottom, as necessary, to fit within the switchboard adapter, using a bracket which places the meter within the switchboard adapter so that its face can be flush with (or barely stick out from) the face of the switchboard. The adapter can also be used with standard socket base meters, which will stick out of the front of the switchboard panel, as well as with power monitoring devices by using suitable brackets, as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 6498717
    Abstract: A surface mounted panel adapter for a socket mounted electricity meter allows a socket mounted electricity meter to be installed on a switchboard. The surface mounted panel adapter is designed to attach to the back of a switchboard, and to expose a meter socket which is mounted on the front wall of the surface mounted panel adapter and which is exposed through the front wall of the switchboard. A standard socket mounted electricity meter can be mounted in the meter socket through the opening in the switchboard. Electrical connections to the meter socket are made using at least one terminal strip mounted on the rear wall of the panel adapter, and readily accessible to an installer who is behind the switchboard panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 6421230
    Abstract: An adapter for converting a switchboard case for use with a socket mounted electricity meter uses a switchboard cradle which fits into a switchboard case, along with a meter socket which has been adapted so that it will fit into the front opening in the switchboard cradle, and which is mounted to a depth which permits the terminals of a socket meter to be fully engaged therein while the base of the socket meter overlies the front opening in the switchboard case and switchboard cradle. Electrical connections to the meter socket are made to the connection strips on the switchboard cradle, whereby no rewiring of the switchboard case will be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Publication number: 20020041480
    Abstract: An adapter for converting a switchboard case for use with a socket mounted electricity meter uses a switchboard cradle which fits into a switchboard case, along with a meter socket which has been adapted so that it will fit into the front opening in the switchboard cradle, and which is mounted to a depth which permits the terminals of a socket meter to be fully engaged therein while the base of the socket meter overlies the front opening in the switchboard case and switchboard cradle. Electrical connections to the meter socket are made to the connection strips on the switchboard cradle, whereby no rewiring of the switchboard case will be required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Publication number: 20020030964
    Abstract: A surface mounted panel adapter for a socket mounted electricity meter allows a socket mounted electricity meter to be installed on a switchboard. The surface mounted panel adapter is designed to attach to the back of a switchboard, and to expose a meter socket which is mounted on the front wall of the surface mounted panel adapter and which is exposed through the front wall of the switchboard. A standard socket mounted electricity meter can be mounted in the meter socket through the opening in the switchboard. Electrical connections to the meter socket are made using at least one terminal strip mounted on the rear wall of the panel adapter, and readily accessible to an installer who is behind the switchboard panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 6259596
    Abstract: A surface mounted panel adapter for a socket mounted electricity meter allows a socket mounted electricity meter to be installed on a switchboard. The surface mounted panel adapter is designed to attach to the back of a switchboard, and to expose a meter socket which is mounted on the rear wall of the surface mounted panel adapter through the front wall of the switchboard. A standard socket mounted electricity meter can be mounted in the meter socket through the opening in the switchboard. Electrical connections to the meter socket can be either on the rear of the panel adapter, or on the bottom of the panel adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 6104601
    Abstract: A panel adapter for a socket meter allows a socket mounted electricity meter to be installed in a switchboard. The adapter is designed to attach to the back of the front of a switchboard, and it is substantially in the shape of a rectangular cube having a front wall and a rear wall. A meter socket is mounted to its rear wall, and the front wall has an opening which may have a diameter which is substantially the same as the front of the meter, or, alternatively, which is larger so as to enable a meter to be mounted in its socket through the opening. If the opening is larger than the meter, the adapter may, optionally, include a removable face plate to fill the space left by the larger opening. Embodiments of the panel adapter include data connectors on the rear wall, and adjustable length legs to allow for the installation of meters having differing lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews