Patents by Inventor Jere D. Whorton

Jere D. Whorton 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: 7017866
    Abstract: A tube support device particularly well suited for neon tubing comprises a channel shaped portion and a cap portion. The channel shaped portion has at least one bottom leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against movement toward the bottom wall, at least one first side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward the first sidewall, and at least one second side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward second sidewall. The cap portion, when in the latched position, has at least one upper leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube away from the cap portion. The device is preferably unitary thermoplastic construction for low cost and to provide cushioned and electrically insulated support for the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Jere D. Whorton
  • Patent number: 6126473
    Abstract: An electrical connector for joining conductors is formed by a male plug half and a female receptacle half. Bus strips are positioned on the end of the plug and/or in the bottom of the female receptacle. Stripped wires are inserted into each end of the connector and pass through the bus strips and into the opposite half. Rotation of the male plug along a "quick connect" path bends the conductors tightly against the bus strips and clamps the wires between the bus strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Jere D. Whorton
  • Patent number: 5621598
    Abstract: A protection circuit for monitoring the power from a luminous tube transformer to a luminous tube including sensor connected to a secondary of the transformer, a window comparator circuit connected to the sensor and providing a fault signal when the sensor output exceeds the window limits, and a driver switching off power to the transformer primary when the driver receives a fault signal. A temperature compensation circuit monitors the ambient air temperature for providing a time delay before disconnecting the power supply until the luminous tube stabilizes, and also turns off the power supply when the ambient temperature exceeds upper and lower limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Tekneon Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Pitre, Jr., Jere D. Whorton
  • Patent number: 4913661
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical connector for quickly connecting a stripped back electrical conductor with a neon electrode by plug-in means including a tubular glass insulated enclosure, a metal liner in the glass enclosure, and a metal connector telescopically positioned inside of the liner. The connector includes a longitudinal opening inside and a longitudinal channel on the outside, both for receiving a bent back stripped electrical conductor. The liner includes an inwardly biased electrical contact engaging the conductor in the longitudinal channel. Rotational alignment between the connector and the liner align the biased electrical contact with the longitudinal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Signeon Corporation
    Inventors: Carl O. Gellenthin, Jr., Jere D. Whorton
  • Patent number: 4902252
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical connector for quickly connecting two stripped back electrical conductors including a plastic enclosure, a tubular glass insulator in the enclosure, a metal liner in the glass insulator, and first and second metal connectors telescopically positioned inside of the liner. Each of the connectors includes a longitudinal opening in the middle, and a longitudinal channel on the outside for receiving a bent back stripped electrical conductor. The liner includes first and second inwardly biased electrical contacts engaging the conductors in the longitudinal channels. Rotational alignment between the connectors and the liner align the biased electrical contacts with the longitudinal channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Signeon Corporation
    Inventors: Jere D. Whorton, Carl O. Gellenthin, Jr.