Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Crissler

Thomas F. Crissler 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: 6055147
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing independent over-current protection to a plurality of electrical devices and a transient-voltage suppression system employing the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a non-conductive body having a plurality of bores extending through the body from a first portion to a second portion of the body, a plurality of fusible elements corresponding to and disposed within the plurality of bores, each of the fusible elements having a first terminal proximate to the first portion of the body and a second terminal proximate to the second portion, and a common electrode coupled to the first terminal of each of the plurality of fusible elements. The common electrode is couplable to a source of electrical power and the second terminals of each of the plurality of fusible elements are couplable to an electrical device, such as a metal oxide varistor in a transient-voltage suppression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Current Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Jeffries, Fyodor M. Shterenberg, Asif Y. Jakwani, Qijun Chen, Thomas F. Crissler
  • Patent number: 5971509
    Abstract: A modular power and cable distribution system includes an elongate member having a top flange which is configured to be mounted to a worksurface, a vertical web extending downwardly from the top flange, and a bottom flange which includes a connector configured to detachably support at least one of a trough mounted laterally adjacent to the elongate member, a closure panel which together with the elongate member defines an enclosed powerway, and a modesty panel depending from the elongate member. The disclosed power and cable distribution system includes alignment members for facilitating and maintaining proper alignment of adjacent elongate members mounted on connected worksurfaces, gap trim pieces for covering gaps between adjacent, aligned powerways and/or cableways, and an infeed trim piece for feeding conduits or cables into the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Deimen, Subur Tjandra, Erik Nielsen, Karl J. Mead, Robert L. Stewart, Thomas F. Crissler, Ting-Wen Nieh
  • Patent number: 5971508
    Abstract: A modular wireway which is adapted to be utilized with easily mountable, demountable and remountable attachments includes an elongate member which is mountable to a support surface and at least one connector which is adapted for mating with a connector on a removably attachable cable management trough or a removably attachable modesty panel, or both. The disclosed elongate member has a generally I-shaped transverse cross-section and includes an upper horizontal flange member configured to be mounted on a support bracket secured to a support surface, a web which depends from the upper horizontal flange member, and a lower attachment flange connected to the lower end of the web. The attachment flange includes one or more connectors which allow attachment of one or more removable closures which together with the elongate member define an enclosed raceway, a rigidly connected auxiliary cable management trough, a hingedly connected cable management trough, and/or a modesty panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Deimen, Subur Tjandra, Erik Nielsen, Karl J. Mead, Robert L. Stewart, Thomas F. Crissler, Ting-Wen Nieh