Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Nichols

Joseph M. Nichols 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).

  • Publication number: 20240039261
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20230361546
    Abstract: A control system may include a control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Publication number: 20230314688
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 11735898
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Patent number: 11721961
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11703624
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20210367414
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11088518
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210184442
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Publication number: 20210103088
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 10916925
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Patent number: 10782471
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20190109443
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Publication number: 20190109445
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20180246273
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 9958602
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20150362668
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 8710763
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to be converted from being configured as an electronic switch to being configured as a dimmer switch after installation. The load control device comprises a dimmer bezel having a control actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator and a detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel. The detachable switch bezel has an opening through which the control actuator may be actuated, and is adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel. The load control device is operable to change from a switch mode of operation to a dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Joseph M. Nichols, Jr., Michael W. Pessina
  • Publication number: 20110140548
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to be converted from being configured as an electronic switch to being configured as a dimmer switch after installation. The load control device comprises a dimmer bezel having a control actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator and a detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel. The detachable switch bezel has an opening through which the control actuator may be actuated, and is adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel. The load control device is operable to change from a switch mode of operation to a dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Joseph M. Nichols, JR., Michael W. Pessina
  • Patent number: 7240716
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for a multiple-tube roller shade includes a support assembly for rotatably supporting and connecting adjacently located tube-end portions and a clutch mechanism providing relative rotation therebetween. The support assembly includes a tube-end fitting and a torque-transferring drive transfer member contacting the tube. The clutch mechanism includes first and second clutch members respectively engaged and separated in closed and opened positions. A pull bar is translatable within one of the shafts and is moved by a draw pin received in aligned openings of the second clutch member, the shaft and the pull bar. The shaft openings are elongated for movement of the second clutch member between the closed and opened positions. An adjustment member threadedly engages the tube-end fitting for vertical adjustment of the fitting with respect to a support panel. The tube-end fitting is secured to a bracket having elongated openings for horizontal adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Nichols, Jr., Mark A. Walker