Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dawn C. Wolff
-
Conductor apparatus, system, and method of displaying whether a number of conductors conduct current
Patent number: 8280654Abstract: An apparatus is for a conductor capable of conducting a current. The apparatus includes a global positioning system device structured to determine location of the global positioning system device, a coupling device structured to couple the global positioning system device to the conductor, and a power supply structured to power the global positioning system device responsive to a current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device is further structured to wirelessly communicate the determined location when powered by the power supply responsive to the current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device does not wirelessly communicate when current is not conducted by the conductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Rodney L. Spottsville -
Patent number: 8247715Abstract: A circuit breaker, comprising a locking device, a secondary cover and a tripbar operatively associated with the locking device. The locking device comprises a lock assembly and a piston assembly operatively coupled with the lock assembly. A through hole for the lock assembly is provided in the secondary cover. The lock assembly has a locked position and an unlocked position, and the piston assembly has a work position and a rest position respectively corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions. The piston assembly is configured to prevent the tripbar from moving to a relatch position when it is in the work position, such that the circuit breaker cannot be turned on. The locking device is configured to be installed on the circuit breaker through the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Yu Yu
-
Patent number: 8247726Abstract: An arc chute assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and separable contacts enclosed by the housing. An arc is generated in response to the separable contacts being separated. The housing includes a number of arc chambers each having a first side and a second side disposed opposite and spaced apart from the first side. The arc chute assembly includes a plurality of first arc plates extending outwardly from the first side of a corresponding one of the arc chambers toward the second side of the corresponding one of the arc chambers, and a plurality of second arc plates extending outwardly from the second side of the corresponding one of the arc chambers toward the first side of the arc chamber. None of the arc plates engages the opposing side of the arc chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Richard D. Prohaska, Jeffrey B. Ensley
-
Patent number: 8248761Abstract: A subunit is provided for a motor control center including an enclosure, a number of compartments, a plurality of power lines, and a number of covers for covering the compartments. The subunit includes a housing removably disposed within a corresponding one of the compartments, a plurality of electrical contacts movably coupled to the housing, and an actuating assembly for moving the electrical contacts into and out of electrical contact with the power lines. The subunit further includes at least one of a locking assembly, a panel assembly, and a secondary disconnect assembly. The locking assembly locks the position of the electrical contacts and restricts access to the actuating assembly. The panel assembly is pivotable and translatable with respect to the subunit housing. The secondary disconnect assembly is independent from the actuating assembly in order that movement of the electrical contacts does not move the secondary disconnect assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Daniel Jason Leeman, Edgar Yee, Robert Allan Morris, Marsha Jean Harris
-
Patent number: 8247716Abstract: A position indicator assembly is provided for a levering assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The levering assembly includes a drive shaft and a racking member movably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. The drive shaft cooperates with the racking member to facilitate racking the circuit breaker into and out of a cassette. The position indicator assembly includes a number of indicator gears cooperating with the drive shaft, an indication rack cooperating with the indicator gears, and an indicator cooperating with the indication rack to provide a visual indication indicative of the position of the circuit breaker with respect to the cassette. When the circuit breaker is moved with respect to the cassette, the drive shaft pivots. In response, the indicator gears move, thereby moving the indication rack and the indicator in order to provide the visual indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Nathan J. Weister, Erik R. Bogdon, Craig A. Rodgers
-
Patent number: 8248739Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus is for another apparatus including a number of insulators, a number of temperature sensors operatively associated with the number of insulators, and a number of conductors operatively associated with the number of insulators. The electrical switching apparatus includes a number of separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a number of sensors structured to sense a number of currents flowing through the separable contacts and through the conductors, a processor structured to input the sensed currents from the sensors, and an output. The processor calculates at least one of: (a) a thermal age of the other apparatus from a number of sensed temperatures from the temperature sensors, and (b) the thermal age of the other apparatus from the sensed currents. The output includes the thermal age of the other apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Lawrence B. Farr
-
Patent number: 8243422Abstract: A subunit is provided for a motor control center including an enclosure, a number of compartments, a plurality of power lines, and a number of covers for covering the compartments. The subunit includes a housing removably disposed within a corresponding one of the compartments, a plurality of electrical contacts movably coupled to the housing, and an actuating assembly for moving the electrical contacts into and out of electrical contact with the power lines. The subunit further includes at least one of a locking assembly, a panel assembly, and a secondary disconnect assembly. The locking assembly locks the position of the electrical contacts and restricts access to the actuating assembly. The panel assembly is pivotable and translatable with respect to the subunit housing. The secondary disconnect assembly is independent from the actuating assembly in order that movement of the electrical contacts does not move the secondary disconnect assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Daniel Jason Leeman, Edgar Yee, Robert Allan Morris, Marsha Jean Harris
-
Patent number: 8217290Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul R. Rakus, Valerie F. Odom, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Craig A. Rodgers, Nathan J. Weister, Erik R. Bogdon
-
Patent number: 8217291Abstract: A status indicating assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism comprises a stored energy mechanism and a primary latch. The primary latch is pivotable between a latched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being chargeable, and an unlatched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being discharged. The status indicating assembly includes a first indicator for indicating whether the separable contacts are open or closed, a second indicator for indicating whether the stored energy mechanism is charged or discharged, and a third indicator for indicating whether or not the circuit breaker is ready to close the separable contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
-
Patent number: 8203088Abstract: A close latch interlock assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which includes a stored energy mechanism, such as a closing spring. The close latch interlock assembly includes a close D-shaft pivotable between a latched and unlatched positions corresponding to the closing spring being chargeable and discharged, respectively. An actuator is movable between an unactuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being disposed in the latched position, and an actuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being movable toward the unlatched position. A release member cooperates with the actuator and is pivotably coupled to the first end of a transfer link. The second end of the transfer link extends toward the close D-shaft. When the actuator is moved toward the actuated position, it moves the release member, thereby moving the transfer link and pivoting the close D-shaft toward the unlatched position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Perry R. Gibson, Robert M. Slepian
-
Patent number: 6817127Abstract: A movable advertising system and method that can be produced inexpensively in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes and easily installed in consumer purchasing locations. The movable advertising system is designed to attract the attention of the purchasing public and enhance the sales of advertised product. The unique feature of the system is a self-contained support mechanism that reinforces the system and provides sufficient support to enable the advertising system to carry a tear-pad for sweepstakes, coupons, and/or other consumer offers.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Gottlieb, Gregory Litwicki
-
Patent number: 6748835Abstract: An improved apparatus for trimming an irregular open end of a container body is disclosed. The improved trimmer cartridge includes a sealed gear housing, for retention of interior lubricant and to reduce contamination. An adjustment mechanism, accessible from the exterior of the housing, is provided to adjust a gap between two blades of the trimmer cartridge. The adjustment mechanism provides improved control over the gap width, which is between 8-25% of the can metal thickness. Additionally, a tang that is removably connected to a shaft for a first blade provides rotational power for the trimmer. The tang is replaceable without requiring the housing to be opened or requiring replacement of the blade shaft. Another blade shaft is provided for a second blade, with the two blade shafts having substantially equal mass. The trimmer also includes spur gears, which do not have the thrust load associated with prior art helical gears.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Metal Container Corporation, Inc.Inventor: Thomas C. Dickey
-
Patent number: 6739411Abstract: A hollow auger head assembly for penetrating geological formations that utilizes drill bit assemblies to which both blades and finger bits are attached. The method of securing the individual drill bit assemblies to the auger head reduces incidents of the drill bit assembly becoming detached from the auger head during drilling operations. Additionally, a rust-resistant attachment mechanism is used attach the drill bit assemblies to the auger head, which makes the drill bit assemblies easier to remove and replace. The configuration and arrangement of the bits improves cutting efficiency, increases wear life and reduces the likelihood of the bits breaking during operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Burns, Anthony James Regna
-
Patent number: 6702142Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
-
Patent number: 6663006Abstract: A financial transaction system that does not require the need for cash, checks or credit cards to carry out financial transactions. In return for prepayment of specified sum, a bar coded wristband is issued to a customer. On issuance of the wristband, a data base record is created that is cross-referenced with the bar code number, as well as an account number, an issue date and a present balance of the account. When the user wishes to purchase goods or services, the bar code of the wristband is scanned, and the amount of the transaction is then placed into the system. The corresponding account is debited. The wristband is constructed so as to be waterproof, and includes an adhesive strip with small tear strips for fastening around the user's wrist. An attempted removal of the wristband is effective to substantially destroy it and render it unusable to other persons.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Busch Entertainment CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Mullins, Donald W. Mills, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6648601Abstract: Attaching a labyrinth seal composed of wear-resistant material to the surfaces of rotating equipment subject to wear can increase the life of the rotating equipment and reduce downtime for equipment maintenance and repairs.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.Inventor: Edward Williams
-
Patent number: 6561004Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, James Reed
-
Patent number: 6499622Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Metal Container Corporation, Inc.Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner