Patents by Inventor Thomas J. DeCosta

Thomas J. DeCosta 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: 9263863
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for locating a pre-wired electrically isolated power source. The invention includes a plurality of embodiments of encased receptacles combined with recessed electrical enclosures for mounting the receptacles. The recessed electrical enclosures allow for the input and output receptacles to be mounted externally to the enclosure, to create space internal to the enclosure, and for visual isolation of receptacle outlets and associated plugs/connectors that may also be present in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: 8350153
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for joining sections to enable plates to be separated, then reconnected and securely interlocked. A variety of plate configurations may be utilized with the locking mechanism in applications such as cable pass-through, electrical wiring, or any application in which the engagement of structures is desired. The locking mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention includes outwardly extending finger detents adjacent to the cantilever tabs of each plate that slideably engage the bottom surface of an opposing plate section and create resistive forces between the interlocked cantilever tabs. The addition of the finger detents increases the inter-mating strength of the locked plate by providing a resistive moment arm to resist outward forces acting to separate the plate sections. The cantilever tabs further include a locking lip that engages a locking means of an opposing plate section to resist lateral forces acting to separate the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Publication number: 20120256496
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for locating a pre-wired electrically isolated power source. The invention includes a plurality of embodiments of encased receptacles combined with recessed electrical enclosures for mounting the receptacles. The recessed electrical enclosures allow for the input and output receptacles to be mounted externally to the enclosure, to create space internal to the enclosure, for visual isolation of receptacle outlets and associated plugs/connectors that may also be present in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Publication number: 20110259883
    Abstract: A wall plates for electrical wiring, and more specifically, to a flush mounted Split Plate including a removable hood structure that can be mounted into the split plate in a plurality of configurations for the passage of cables and the like is disclosed. The wall plate includes a first plate section and second plate section that are mateable for easy separation and attachment. Both first and second plate sections include cantilever tab-like elements that extend from the ends of each plate section to join the plates. Both first and second plate sections further include openings disposed between the tab-like elements, the periphery of the openings slideably engaging channels at the base of the hood structure to secure the hood structure therein and to form an access opening when the first and second plates are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: 7692094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wall plates for electrical wiring, and more specifically, to a plate including an opening for securing a connector or plurality of connectors therein. The plate includes a dual use opening at its center including cutouts that allow for a connector to be rotated at increments of 45 degrees up to 360 degree rotation at an angle in line to the angle of its receiving connector. Such angular mating requirements may originate from audio, video, and telecommunications applications where equipment is positioned at different elevations and distances away from an installed connector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: 7554036
    Abstract: A wall plate for electrical wiring, and more specifically, to a flush mounted plate including an inward extended opening for the passage of cables and the like. The plate is capable of being separated, then reconnected and securely interlocked at its mating end to allow for oversized connectors and fittings to be passed therethrough. The wall plate includes a first plate section and a second plate section having cantilever tab-like elements that extend from the ends of each plate section to join the complete plate. Both first and second plate sections further include indentations disposed between the tab-like elements, the indentations coming together to form an access opening when the first and second plates are joined. The first plate section also includes an inward extending cable support passage having an internal sloped wall that projects from the first plate section cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D603342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D632545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D647488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D678840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D684935
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D701842
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D719096
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta
  • Patent number: D740647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeCosta