Patents by Inventor Mark L. Melni
Mark L. Melni 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: 20230049943Abstract: A connector for elongated members such as wires or cables receives the members into holes in opposite ends of the connector, so that the members are offset radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the connector on opposite sides of the axis. Portions of the connector housing may be twisted/rotated relative to each other on the axis to connect the members mechanically, and electrically if the members are conductive. The twisting/rotation of the housing portions moves the portions of the elongated members that are inside a hollow interior space of the connector to be against, and then to wrap around, a central, axial element that is on or near the central longitudinal axis of the connector. This causes each member to wrap around or adjacent to coils of the other member, forming a purposely tight and/or tangled knot of coils of both elongated members around the central element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: MARK L. MELNI, CAMERON TROY WILLIAMS, MIKE J. WILMINK
-
Publication number: 20220255243Abstract: A connector, and associated methods, connect conductors or conduits by twisting/wrapping multiple lines around the conductors/conduits after they are inserted into the connector. Flexible/bendable lines extend between relatively rotatable housing portions and through the interior of the connector, parallel to but distanced from the longitudinal axis of the connector. After inserting the conductors/conduits into the connector at/near the longitudinal axis, between the lines, the housing portions are rotated relative to each other, automatically twisting/wrapping the lines around the outer surfaces of the conductors/conduits. This way, the conductors are secured together in electrical contact, or the conduits are secured and fluid-sealed to a hollow tubular insert on which the conduits ends are placed and which connects the interior fluid passageways of the conduits.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: MARK L. MELNI, CAMERON TROY WILLIAMS
-
Patent number: 11306855Abstract: A connector includes one or more spirals securing a fluid conduit to the connector for fluid communication with another hollow object such as another fluid conduit. The spiral(s) press/compress and seal the conduit around an outer circumference of an end of rigid, hollow insert of the connector. Another portion of the connector may include spiral(s) that press/compress and seal a second conduit around a second end of the insert, or may include a hose-coupler that connects to a second conduit. Thus, two fluid conduits may be fluid-sealed to an inner-passageway of the insert, by tightened spiral(s) or by tightened spiral(s) and coupler combination, so the conduits are in fluid communication with each other. The spiral(s) may be retained in, and released from, the tightened condition, by a ratchet-based latching and unlatching system.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Inventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20200224807Abstract: A connector comprises one or more spirals securing a fluid conduit to the connector for fluid communication with another hollow object such as another fluid conduit. The spiral(s) press/compress and seal the conduit around an outer circumference of an end of rigid, hollow insert of the connector. Another portion of the connector may comprise spiral(s) that press/compress and seal a second conduit around a second end of the insert, or may comprise a hose-coupler that connects to a second conduit. Thus, two fluid conduits may be fluid-sealed to an inner-passageway of the insert, by tightened spiral(s) or by tightened spiral(s) and coupler combination, so the conduits are in fluid communication with each other. The spiral(s) may be retained in, and released from, the tightened condition, by a ratchet mechanism and an unlatching mechanism, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 9614304Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. Various housing portions may be provided for connection to different portions of the spiral, to facilitate the tightening of the spiral and to cooperate with a latch/lock system to retain the spiral in tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector and/or in spiral ports extending transversely from a main spiral(s). Terminal ends or additional spiral units/ports may be connected to a given spiral, either permanently, semi-permanently, or detachably, for producing a wide variety of configurations and modular connection devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: MELNI, LLCInventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Patent number: 9608346Abstract: A mechanical and/or electrical connector grips onto one or more members inside a hollow passageway of a spiral connector by means of the spiral, or a portion of the spiral being pulled axially to elongate the spiral/spiral-portion, which consequently reduces the diameter of the passageway. The reduction in the diameter of the passageway causes the spiral/spiral-portion to tighten/squeeze/grip on or around the member(s) inside the passageway, to retain the member(s) inside the passageway. Thus, the spiral/spiral-portion mechanically connects the inserted member(s) to each other and/or to another object to which the spiral/spiral-portion is mechanically connected. For example, members inserted into opposite ends of the passageway, or multiple members inserted together into one end of the passageway, will be mechanically connected.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: MELNI, LLCInventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20150200471Abstract: A mechanical and/or electrical connector grips onto one or more members inside a hollow passageway of a spiral connector by means of the spiral, or a portion of the spiral being pulled axially to elongate the spiral/spiral-portion, which consequently reduces the diameter of the passageway. The reduction in the diameter of the passageway causes the spiral/spiral-portion to tighten/squeeze/grip on or around the member(s) inside the passageway, to retain the member(s) inside the passageway. Thus, the spiral/spiral-portion mechanically connects the inserted member(s) to each other and/or to another object to which the spiral/spiral-portion is mechanically connected. For example, members inserted into opposite ends of the passageway, or multiple members inserted together into one end of the passageway, will be mechanically connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: MELNI, LLCInventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Publication number: 20150079852Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. Various housing portions may be provided for connection to different portions of the spiral, to facilitate the tightening of the spiral and to cooperate with a latch/lock system to retain the spiral in tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector and/or in spiral ports extending transversely from a main spiral(s). Terminal ends or additional spiral units/ports may be connected to a given spiral, either permanently, semi-permanently, or detachably, for producing a wide variety of configurations and modular connection devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: MELNI, LLCInventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 8771000Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. Various housing portions may be provided for connection to different portions of the spiral, to facilitate the tightening of the spiral and to cooperate with a latch/lock system to retain the spiral in tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector and/or in spiral ports extending transversely from a main spiral(s). Terminal ends or additional spiral units/ports may be connected to a given spiral, either permanently, semi-permanently, or detachably, for producing a wide variety of configurations and modular connection devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Melni, LLCInventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20130217250Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. Various housing portions may be provided for connection to different portions of the spiral, to facilitate the tightening of the spiral and to cooperate with a latch/lock system to retain the spiral in tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector and/or in spiral ports extending transversely from a main spiral(s). Terminal ends or additional spiral units/ports may be connected to a given spiral, either permanently, semi-permanently, or detachably, for producing a wide variety of configurations and modular connection devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 8246370Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire(s). The spiral coils around the wire(s) multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retained from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral is rotated and latched to retain the spiral in the tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector. Modular connectors that include spiral(s) may be assembled in multiple combinations.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Inventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20120135622Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire(s). The spiral coils around the wire(s) multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retained from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral is rotated and latched to retain the spiral in the tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector. Modular connectors that include spiral(s) may be assembled in multiple combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 8066525Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retainer from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Inventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20110097948Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retainer from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 7901233Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20100323561Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that \the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventor: MARK L. MELNI
-
Patent number: 7794255Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that/the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Inventor: Mark L. Melni
-
Publication number: 20100048051Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventor: MARK L. MELNI