Patents by Inventor Keith E. Thomas

Keith E. Thomas 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: 8671640
    Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7800466
    Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The magnetic trip mechanism includes a magnetic member, an armature having opposing first and second ends and first and second sides, an armature restraint and a biasing element. The armature moves among first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being tripped open and closeable, respectively. The armature restraint includes first and second portions. In the first position, the first side of the armature engages the magnetic member. In the second position, the second side of the armature engages the second portion of the armature restraint. The armature restraint and the biasing element comprise a sub-assembly, which is removably coupled to the magnetic member. After being removably coupled to the magnetic member, the biasing element is chargeable to bias the armature away from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig J. Puhalla, Kelly J. McCarthy, Brian J. Schaltenbrand, Keith E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090295516
    Abstract: A magnetic trip mechanism is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The magnetic trip mechanism includes a magnetic member, an armature having opposing first and second ends and first and second sides, an armature restraint and a biasing element. The armature moves among first and second positions corresponding to separable contacts of the electrical switching apparatus being tripped open and closeable, respectively. The armature restraint includes first and second portions. In the first position, the first side of the armature engages the magnetic member. In the second position, the second side of the armature engages the second portion of the armature restraint. The armature restraint and the biasing element comprise a sub-assembly, which is removably coupled to the magnetic member. After being removably coupled to the magnetic member, the biasing element is chargeable to bias the armature away from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Craig J. Puhalla, Kelly J. McCarthy, Brian J. Schaltenbrand, Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7358455
    Abstract: A cradle stop assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism includes a pivotable movable contact arm and a cradle member which is movable between a latched position corresponding to separable contacts of the circuit breaker being closeable and an unlatched position corresponding to the separable contacts being tripped open. The cradle stop assembly includes a first member coupled to a portion of the operating mechanism, a second member disposed opposite the first member, and a generally planar stop plate extending between the first and second members. A first stop portion of the stop plate resists movement of the cradle member beyond a first predetermined position to avoid the cradle member undesirably interfering with the pivotable movable contact arm. A second stop portion resists the pivotable movable contact arm from undesirably pivoting beyond a second predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Schaltenbrand, Robert W. Mueller, Mark A. Janusek, William G. Eberts, Keith E. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080047812
    Abstract: A cradle stop assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism includes a pivotable movable contact arm and a cradle member which is movable between a latched position corresponding to separable contacts of the circuit breaker being closeable and an unlatched position corresponding to the separable contacts being tripped open. The cradle stop assembly includes a first member coupled to a portion of the operating mechanism, a second member disposed opposite the first member, and a generally planar stop plate extending between the first and second members. A first stop portion of the stop plate resists movement of the cradle member beyond a first predetermined position to avoid the cradle member undesirably interfering with the pivotable movable contact arm. A second stop portion resists the pivotable movable contact arm from undesirably pivoting beyond a second predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: BRIAN J. SCHALTENBRAND, Robert W. Mueller, Mark A. Janusek, William G. Eberts, Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7019240
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus interface assembly provides remote actuation of the operating handle of a circuit breaker. The interface assembly includes the circuit breaker, a second switching apparatus, such as an actuating handle disposed in a remote location from the circuit breaker, a connector and an operating handle attachment including a handle-engaging segment for securely engaging the circuit breaker operating handle and an interfacing segment for receiving the connector. The actuating handle is operable between ON and OFF positions corresponding to ON and OFF positions, respectively, of the circuit breaker operating handle. The connector interfaces or links the circuit breaker to the actuating handle. In this manner, when the actuating handle is moved from the ON or OFF position, the connector moves the circuit breaker operating handle in a likewise manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Eberts, Richard P. Malingowski, Roger W. Helms, Mark A. Janusek, Keith E. Thomas, David C. Turner, Ralph M. Ennis
  • Publication number: 20020001277
    Abstract: A method for encoding and recording non-audio data on a compact disc medium. The non-audio data is encoded as a non-audio data track having an audio format compatible with a standard format which calls for digital audio encoding utilizing a predefined number of bits per sample. The non-audio data is encoded using less than the predefined number of bits per sample, and preferably no more than one-half the predefined number of bits per sample. The non-audio data is preferably encoded such that the audio signal resulting from the non-audio data track is substantially equally distributed across an audible spectrum and is an approximation of white noise. The non-audio data track, once encoded, is recorded along with a plurality of audio tracks on the compact disc. Additional non-audio data may be encoded as a watermark within the non-audio data track. A compact disc recorded thusly is compatible with existing CD players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5000071
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a musical instrument to a waist belt that is attached relative to a performer's waist. The apparatus includes a first anchor for being attached to the waist belt; a second anchor for being attached to the musical instrument; and securing structure for removably securing the first anchor to the second anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4679108
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to playback systems for monitoring the performance of cassette tape duplicating recorders and is specifically directed to a performance monitoring playback system including precision equalization circuitry and an active tape tensioning mechanism which together produce stable high frequency system response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Capitol Records, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas