Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Collom

Thomas L. Collom 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: 9098823
    Abstract: A shelf lighting system, which includes a shelf power system, is herein disclosed. The shelf power system has a power track and a connecting plug. The connecting plug has an attachment mechanism to attach to a shelf bracket, and is configured to electrically connect to the power track. One embodiment of the connecting plug has prongs that electrically contact conductors in the power track. The shelf lighting system further includes a driver with a power supply and a power terminal block that connects to the power track. A lighting fixture can be powered by the power supply via the power terminal block, the power track and the connecting plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Powerwall, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom
  • Publication number: 20040228122
    Abstract: A modular furniture system is provided having vertical members with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical members are of differing electrical polarity. Support members for use in the modular furniture system are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when engaged in a vertical member. An electrical device, such as a light fixture, may be coupled between a pair of brackets engaged in vertical members of opposite polarity, energizing the electrical device. Embodiments are provided for use in merchandising displays and office partition systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom, Frank Neidhardt
  • Patent number: 6527406
    Abstract: A modular furniture system is provided having vertical members with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical members are of differing electrical polarity. Support members for use in the modular furniture system are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when engaged in a vertical member. An electrical device, such as a light fixture, may be coupled between a pair of brackets engaged in vertical members of opposite polarity, energizing the electrical device. Embodiments are provided for use in merchandising displays and office partition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Powerwall, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom, Frank Neidhardt
  • Publication number: 20020085373
    Abstract: A modular furniture system is provided having vertical members with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical members are of differing electrical polarity. Support members for use in the modular furniture system are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when engaged in a vertical member. An electrical device, such as a light fixture, may be coupled between a pair of brackets engaged in vertical members of opposite polarity, energizing the electrical device. Embodiments are provided for use in merchandising displays and office partition systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Powerwall, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom, Frank Neidhardt
  • Patent number: 6231205
    Abstract: A display case is provided having vertical members with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical members are of differing electrical polarity. Shelf supports are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when engaged in a vertical member. A light fixture, disposed on the underside of a shelf is electrically coupled to the shelf supports thereby completing an electrical circuit for energizing the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Powerwall, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom
  • Patent number: 5695261
    Abstract: A modular furniture system is provided having vertical standards with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical standards are of differing electrical polarity. Brackets for use in the modular furniture system are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when a bracket is engaged in a vertical standard. An electrical device, such as a light fixture, is coupled between a pair of brackets engaged with adjacent vertical standards, thus, energizing the electrical device. Alternative embodiments are provided for use in merchandising displays and office partition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventors: Bruce M. Slesinger, Thomas L. Collom, Frank Neidhardt