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).
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Patent number: 6352439Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 6044868Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 1996Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
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Patent number: 6028268Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 6005190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 5939680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark, Martin Frederick Delmore
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Patent number: 5773760Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 5596177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Arlington Industries, IncInventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 5579623Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Plastic Components, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 5543582Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz, Daniel J. O'Neil
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Patent number: 5373106Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
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Patent number: 5266050Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
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Patent number: 5171164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 1991Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark
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Patent number: D438175Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Stark, Thomas J. Gretz