Patents by Inventor Ronald L. Holden

Ronald L. Holden 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: 5263643
    Abstract: A thermally responsive pressure relief valve using a bimetallic valve disc as a component. The bimetallic valve disc is used as a temperature sensitive valve seal. When temperatures go beyond the set point of the disc, it opens the valve with a snap acting motion permitting pressure to be vented through the valve. The valve disc automatically resets and reseals the valve when temperatures return to the reset point of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Gordon K. Wells, Ronald L. Holden
  • Patent number: 4851807
    Abstract: An electric switch, particularly a thermostatic switch, includes a pair of switches having contacts connected to three terminal members having connector terminals aligned along a common axis. The connector terminals include a pair of outside connector terminals and a central connector terminal. One switch has a fixed contact connected with one of the pair of outside connector terminals and a movable contact connected with the central connector terminal. The other switch has a movable contact connected with the other outside terminal and a fixed contact connected with the central connector terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald L. Holden, Donald E. Place
  • Patent number: 4843364
    Abstract: An electric switch, particularly a thermostatic switch, includes contacts connected to at least three terminal members having connector terminals aligned along a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald E. Place, Ronald L. Holden
  • Patent number: 4827239
    Abstract: A heat collector for thermostatic fire detectors comprises a one-piece circular metal member having a closed central depression that forms the bottom of a bimetal snap disc chamber in a thermostatic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas P. Versaw, Ronald L. Holden
  • Patent number: 4236135
    Abstract: A motor overload protector or the like is disclosed in which a switch chamber is defined by a cup-shaped element and a header adhesively secured to the open mouth of the cup. A plurality of parallel support pins extend through and are adhered to the header to form a tight seal therewith. A flat continuous shoulder is provided within the housing which sharply intersects with the inner walls of the housing. One face of the header engages the shoulder and the edges of the header snugly engage a portion of the walls of the housing between the shoulder and the open mouth to form the switch chamber with the support pins extending into the chamber. A suitable plastic, such as epoxy resin, is provided in the space between the header and the open mouth to provide a tightly sealed switch chamber. A bimetal snap assembly is cantilever mounted by welding adjacent one of the support elements in the chamber and has a movable contact mounted on its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald L. Holden
  • Patent number: 4047141
    Abstract: A motor overload protector or the like is disclosed in which a bimetal snap disc is centrally supported by a stud which is press fitted into a bore within the body. The stud is knurled to provide axially extending teeth having a root diameter at least substantially equal to the diameter of the body stud receiving bore prior to the insertion of the stud so that sufficient friction is provided to maintain the stud in the calibrated position. Additional locking is provided where necessary by forming the stud with annular ribs which interlock with a potting material applied after assembly of the stud within the body. The device is calibrated by maintaining the disc at the desired operating temperature as the stud is pressed into the body stud receiving bore until the disc operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Holden
  • Patent number: 4013988
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed motor protector or the like is disclosed in which a switch chamber is defined by a cylindrical, cup shaped element and a header welded to one end thereof. A pair of insulated pins extend through the header substantially parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the center axis of the device. A switch including a stationary contact mounted on one pin and a movable contact assembly supported by the other pin is arranged so that the line of action of the movable contact is along a diametrical plane inclined with respect to the pins. Such structure facilitates the assembly of the device. The structure is arranged so that the pins supporting the bimetal snap element limits movement of the free end thereof in a direction away from the fixed contact to reduce the tendency for calibration drift and fatigue cracking of the snap element. In one embodiment, a shunt formed of flexible material is connected in parallel to the bimetal snap element to provide greater current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald L. Holden