Patents by Inventor Elbert M. Spencer

Elbert M. Spencer 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: 5531084
    Abstract: A difficult-to-duplicate key for operating a rotatable plug and cylinder lock has an imaginary center axis that extends along the length of the key at a location situated between opposed, relatively narrow edge surfaces, and centered between opposed, relatively wide side surfaces. The edge and side surfaces cooperate to define a key of generally rectangular cross section. First, second and third rows of concave recesses are formed in and extend lengthwise along the side and edge surfaces of the key for receiving rounded inner end regions of pin tumblers of the plug and cylinder lock when the key is inserted to an operating position in a keyway of the lock for positioning the tumblers to permit the plug to be rotated relative to the cylinder. The recesses of the first, second and third rows extend along first, second and third sets of recess axes that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively, that radiate from the imaginary center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Laabs, Michael O. Misner, Richard H. Schulz, Elbert M. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5485735
    Abstract: A key operated rotatable plug and cylinder define pin-receiving holes arranged in first, second and third rows that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively that radiate from a common center axis that extends substantially centrally through a plug-defined keyway. A key of generally rectangular cross-section is insertable into the keyway to bring recesses that are formed in its two relatively flat side surfaces and in one of its narrow edge surfaces into alignment with the pin-receiving holes so that inner ends of tumbler pins that are carried within the holes are received in the key-defined recesses to position the tumbler pins to permit plug rotation relative to the cylinder. The first plane extends from the center axis through the holes of the first row, and parallels the opposed, relatively flat side surfaces of a keyway-inserted key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Laabs, Michael O. Misner, Richard H. Schulz, Elbert M. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4566167
    Abstract: An anti-static switch lock wherein a terminal assembly having the desired configuration of rotor and contacts is secured to one end of a hub. The other end of the hub has an inboard lipped boss forming, in cooperation with the hub end, a circumscribed radial groove. A keylock assembly includes a barrel, one end of which has a chamber to receive the boss of the hub, and a key operated, rotatable plug. The hub, having the terminal assembly attached to one end, is positioned such that the groove is disposed within the chamber of the barrel. A number of stakes are formed in the barrel, the stakes engaging the groove to firmly secure the hub to the barrel. The plug is inserted into the barrel, the end of the plug interlocking with the shaft of the terminal assembly rotor to effectuate switching of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Wolniak, Herbert Kincaid, Elbert M. Spencer, Ronald L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4427852
    Abstract: An anti-static switch lock wherein a terminal assembly having the desired configuration of rotor and contacts is secured to one end of a hub. The other end of the hub has an inboard lipped boss forming, in cooperation with the hub end, a circumscribed radial groove. A keylock assembly includes a barrel, one end of which has a chamber to receive the boss of the hub, and a key operated, rotatable plug. The hub, having the terminal assembly attached to one end, is positioned such that the groove is disposed within the chamber of the barrel. A number of stakes are formed in the barrel, the stakes engaging the groove to firmly secure the hub to the barrel. The plug is inserted into the barrel, the end of the plug interlocking with the shaft of the terminal assembly rotor to effectuate switching of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Wolniak, Herbert Kincaid, Elbert M. Spencer, Ronald L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4405843
    Abstract: An improved anti-static switch lock of the type having a key-operated plug rotatably located within a lock barrel, A nonconductive switch adapting hub connected to the lock barrel and a switch affixed to the hub, actuable upon rotation of the plug. The improvement consisting of a hub and plug design wherein the hub is connected to the lock barrel by resilient legs which engage an annular shoulder within the barrel and the plug extends from the barrel such that it prevents the legs from disengaging the shoulder. A biasing means interconnects the hub and one of the hub legs to bias the rotation of the plug and the switch to a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Wolniak, Elbert M. Spencer, Ronald L. Brown
  • Patent number: D393305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Michael O. Misner, Elbert M. Spencer