Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Stark

Thomas S. Stark 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: 6352439
    Abstract: The disclosure shows an electrical connector with both a snap ring and threaded end for fastening the connector to an access hole in an electrical junction box. The snap ring has snap lock tangs to hold the connector in the box and resist pull out forces. The snap ring also has grounding tangs for grounding the connector. Also, the connector has locking tabs that are designed to be seated in apertures located in the leading end of the connector. The connector has a threaded leading end having a standard pitch, which has been truncated to a smaller diameter. As the snap ring is very thin, it can be easily stamped from thin spring steel or its equivalent and mass-produced at a low unit cost. The snap locking tangs are deflected inward as they are pushed into a typical access hole in an outlet box or electrical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 6044868
    Abstract: An improved connector for attaching flexible non-metallic liquid tight conduit to electrical devices. The connector is attached to the conduit by a simple twisting action. The invention simplifies the connection task, is easily manufactured in a one piece molding operation, is cheaper to produce than other connectors on the market, creates a water tight fit, resists pull out forces, and does not require the use of a gasket to create a water tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
  • Patent number: 6028268
    Abstract: This invention consists of a water resistant electrical box that may be provided in four basic configurations, 1/2" vertical, 3/4" vertical, 1/2" horizontal and 3/4" horizontal. The box is designed with a special picture frame that is designed to accommodate all standard electrical outlet, switch, timer, thermostat, or other plates that are commonly used in outdoor electrical service applications. Neither special plates nor gaskets are required with the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 6005190
    Abstract: A cover and bracket are provided for covering ceiling junction box openings in which there are no visible connecting devices on the face or outer surface of the cover. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. A peg, which can be notched is connected to the inner surface of the cover. The bracket is connected to the junction box with connectors such as bolts or screws, and has a central engagement opening which is sized and shaped to selectively receive and frictionally engage the peg such that the cover holds fast to the junction box and covers the junction box opening. In a preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening contains spring engagement tabs which provide frictional holding of the peg. According to a further preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening is elongated to permit inversion of the bracket for installation over junction boxes that are recessed into the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 5939680
    Abstract: A cable support device includes an arcuate mold having a cable channel with two ends for receiving an electrical cable and guiding the electrical cable around a ninety degree curve, the arcuate mold having an inner surface extending the full length of the arcuate mold and a partial outer surface located at each of the two ends of the arcuate mold. Retention clips having protrusions located opposite each other on the inner surface and the outer surface are positioned in the cable channel for holding the electrical cable in place. Inner and outer intermediate fastener guides having stepped members on either side of the arcuate mold are positioned on the arcuate mold to permit stacking of a plurality of arcuate molds. Fastener guides are provided at both ends of the arcuate mold to permit vertical to horizontal transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark, Martin Frederick Delmore
  • Patent number: 5773760
    Abstract: A rain tight universal electrical box cover that will attach to most pre-existing, standard sized, flush or surface mounted electrical boxes and convert it into a rain tight outdoor electrical enclosure. The box cover accepts pre-existing standard electrical devices such as receptacles, switches, timers, and other similar devices and their pre-existing cover plates thereby eliminating the need to provide special provisions or numerous designs to accommodate the variety of electrical devices as is required with many of the popular electrical box covers that are commonly used in the industry today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 5596177
    Abstract: A self-backing cable bushing for offsetting an electrical conduit passing through a knock out or opening in a structural member. The bushing has face and backing flanges connected by a living hinge. An annular tubular projection with peripheral ramp lugs extends from the face flange. The cable bushing may be installed by locating the face and backing flanges on opposite sides of the knock out and inserting the ramp lugs into the circular hole in the backing. This face retains backing flange in parallel, closely-spaced relation with the surface of offset between them. The bushing may thus be used to protect an electrical conduit from contacting the edges of a variety of knock out shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 5579623
    Abstract: A prefabricated joint assembly molded of a single piece of plastic and used for connecting decorative channels or reveals on the exteriors of buildings. Reveals are typically used to form an aesthetically pleasing effect on the exterior surface of a building that will be covered with stucco, mortar, cement, plaster, drywall, or the like. This invention provides a relatively inexpensive joint that vastly simplifies the job of joining reveals at the construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Plastic Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 5543582
    Abstract: A cord grip in which two screw fittings provide a variable volume chamber for compressing a flexible soft durometer grommet held within a flexible annular cord gripping member. The cord gripping member is of a harder durometer than the grommet and has a plurality of fingers for gripping the cord. The combination of the hard durometer cord gripping member and the soft durometer grommet provides positive gripping action and a liquid tight seal on the cord when the variable volume chamber within the fittings is in the compressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz, Daniel J. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 5373106
    Abstract: A spring steel adaptor that improves the ease of use and reduces the time involved in securing electrical connectors to electrical junction boxes. Several embodiments are disclosed which require the use of a zinc die-cast connector having a smoother central section to accommodate the spring steel adaptor. Some of the embodiments employ a spring steel adaptor that is designed to be used in conjunction with any of the standard size threaded electrical connectors that are presently in use in the electrical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
  • Patent number: 5266050
    Abstract: A spring steel adaptor (20) that improves the ease of use and reduces the time involved in securing electrical connectors to electrical junction boxes (34). Several embodiments are disclosed which require the use of a zinc die-cast connector (26) having a smooth central section (32) to accommodate the spring steel adaptor (20). A separate embodiment employs a spring steel adaptor (20) that is designed to be used in conjunction with any of the standard size threaded electrical connectors that are presently in use in the electrical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
  • Patent number: 5171164
    Abstract: A spring steel adaptor (20) that improves the ease of use and reduces the time involved in securing electrical connectors to electrical junction boxes (34). Several embodiments are disclosed which require the use of a zinc die-cast connector (26) having a smooth central section (32) to accommodate the spring steel adaptor (20). A separate embodiment employs a spring steel adaptor (20) that is designed to be used in conjunction with any of the standard size threaded electrical connectors that are presently in use in the electrical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
  • Patent number: D438175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz