Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jeffrey J. Howell
  • Patent number: 7056157
    Abstract: An adapter for a data transmission or communication system, has a body with a longitudinal axis. Longitudinal ends of the body define coaxial openings. One plug is receivable in one opening. Another plug is receivable in the other opening in at least two positions angularly offset relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the body. Placement of the other plug in the different positions results in a polarity reversal of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nathaniel L. Herring, John J. Milner, Rudolph A. Montgelas
  • Patent number: 6749449
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle, including a power source and a contact for making an electrical connection between the power source and a prong of an electrical plug. At least one switch is in series between the contact and the power source, and a smooth member covers at least a portion of the at least one switch. The switch is normally in the closed position and moves in a direction from the closed position to the open position due to a force applied to the smooth member covering at least a portion of the at least one switch by the prong of the electrical plug when the prong of the electrical plug is inserted into the electrical receptacle and contacts the resilient, smooth member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Sorin I. Mortun, Thomas J. Vigorito
  • Patent number: 6726373
    Abstract: A strain relief connector, including an optical fiber, a cover enclosing the optical fiber. The cover has an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered portion that extends radially outwardly. A sleeve surrounds the cover and has a first inner volume and a first interior shoulder, a portion of the outer surface of the tapered portion abuts the first interior shoulder. The sleeve and the cover are simultaneously compressed forming a compressed portion. The cover and the sleeve are deformed such that the cover substantially fills the first inner volume of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon A. Lutzen, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Alan C. Miller
  • Patent number: 6644500
    Abstract: A stack of interleaved laminar products comprises a first and a second array of products, each of which has at least one branch interleaved with a corresponding branch of at least one product in the other array. The products are folded into a generally W-shaped profile comprising two outer branches and two inner branches, with the distal edges of the said outer branches projecting at least partially beyond the said inner branches, so that the said distal edges can be used for interleaving with at least one other product in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data Spa
    Inventors: Tonino De Angelis, Davide Sepe, Alessandro D'Andrea
  • Patent number: 6600858
    Abstract: A strain relief connector for a fiber optic cable has an optical fiber enclosed within a cover having an outer diameter. A relatively long sleeve surrounds the cover and has an inner surface at an inner diameter, the inner diameter being substantially larger than the outer diameter of the cover. Portions of the sleeve and the fiber optic cable are compressed by a die, forming compressed portions having widths substantially larger than their heights and causing the inner surface of the sleeve to frictionally engage the outer surface of the cover layer and the inner surface of the cover to fictionally engage the outer surface of the optical fiber enclosed therein. The length of the sleeve and the configuration of the compressed portion allow a relatively high area of frictional resistance between the buffer layer and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon A. Lutzen, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Alan C. Miller
  • Patent number: 6566602
    Abstract: A cover for a wall mounted enclosure having a faceplate with first and second sides and an aperture extending through the plate. A screw retention assembly is coupled to the plate adjacent the aperture by a flexible mechanism that is more flexible than the plate. The flexible mechanism is bendable with respect to three separate axes relative to the faceplate, allowing the screw retention assembly to float with respect to the plate about those axes. This enables the faceplate to fit flush against the wall and the screw retention assembly to fit flush against the enclosure even when the enclosure is misaligned or depressed relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan C. Miller, John J. Miller, Tracy H. Udelson, Randolph R. Ruetsch, Raul Pereira
  • Patent number: 6551130
    Abstract: A poke through fitting extending through an aperture in a floor, comprising a housing having a top surface, a portion of the housing received within the aperture in the floor. At least three electrical outlets are received within the housing, each of the outlets being accessible through at least one access opening in the top surface of the housing. Additionally, at least five telecommunication jacks are coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Nelson Bonilla
  • Patent number: 6524361
    Abstract: A micro porous gas breather/filter assembly can be coupled to a housing of an electrical enclosure. The filter assembly has a two portion housing with the filter disposed between them. An adhesive on the filter attaches the filter to one or both portions of the housing. The filter allows gas to pass from the enclosure through the filter and to the atmosphere, but prohibits liquid from passing into the enclosure device. By filtering gases and liquids in this manner, the filter vents explosive and/or flammable gases from an electrical enclosure, while preventing liquid and other contaminants from entering the enclosure and damaging the electrical device or its wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerry F. Thornton, Stephen M. Stafford, Lewis W. Kenyon
  • Patent number: 6518498
    Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting for use within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle with electrical conductors or wires traveling the length of the fitting. The conductors have thermally activated conductor links. Upon exposure to excessive heat, the links stop the transfer of heat through the conductors. The links can take various forms, including being formed from low melt material or with a spring loading that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/datajacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nelson Bonilla, Jeff Holmes
  • Patent number: 6498293
    Abstract: An enclosure for an electrical device includes a first wall portion. The first wall portion has a first cable through passageway with an edge, a portion of the edge being rolled. A second wall portion is adjacent the first wall portion and has a removable knock-out portion at least partially covering a second cable through passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Valerie A. Marchand, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Cynthia K. Tulacro, Jon A. Lutzen
  • Patent number: 6495753
    Abstract: A fire rated poke-through floor fitting for extending through an aperture in a floor having a conduit with a first surface and a second surface and at least one passageway extending from the first surface to the second surface. Electrical wire passes from a side door of the floor, through a conduit, to a second side of the floor. Intumescent material is located adjacent the at least passageway an expands inwardly through the at least one passageway when it is exposed to a predetermined amount of heat, resisting transfer of heat, smoke, and flame from the second side of the floor of the first side of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Goodsell, Joseph V. DeBartolo, Jr., Nelson Bonilla, Sorin Mortun
  • Patent number: 6483028
    Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph V. DeBartolo, Jr., Peter A. Czerner, Nelson Bonilla, Alfred N. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6479823
    Abstract: A vernier ratchet-type lens adjuster for use with a lens array allows for fine adjustment of the coverage pattern of a sensor. The lens array can have notches, or teeth, that interact with a single tooth, or pawl, of a lens adjuster unit to maintain the position of the lens array. A user can make fine adjustments to the coverage pattern of the sensor by moving the lens array small increments. Alternatively, a rack and pinion type vernier adjuster can be used. One edge of the lens array has notches, forming the teeth of a rack portion. A pinion, or gear, has compatible teeth for mating with the rack portion. The pinion has a knob or screw accessible from a port in the sensor housing. When assembled, the rack, pinion and lens array are mated. A user can adjust the coverage pattern of the lens array by rotating the pinion, which in turn moves the rack, or the lens array, along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Ward E. Strang, Carol A. Howard
  • Patent number: 6472596
    Abstract: A raceway fitting, including a first housing portion having a bottom surface, a first wall and a second wall, and a first coupling member adjacent said first wall. The first coupling member has a tapered surface with first and second ends, the tapered surface extending from an obtuse angle from the first wall. The adapter assembly further has a second housing portion with a first side portion and a second side portion. A second coupling member is located on the first side portion, the second coupling member having a first edge and a second edge. When coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion, the first edge of the second coupling member engages the tapered surface of the first coupling member, adjacent the first edge and traverses the tapered surface in the direction of the second end, to facilitate the coupling thereof. This allows the two housing portions to be easily assembled and also allows the assembly to withstand an impact to the housing without the housing portions uncoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph V. DeBartolo, Sorin I. Mortun
  • Patent number: 6454444
    Abstract: A lighting fixture frame with two diecast hinges. One part of each hinge has a split trough molded-in with the body of the mounting member. One side of the split trough has a molded ball rib. The second part of each hinge has two pins molded-in with the lens frame. The pins extend parallel to the edge of the frame. One pin from the hinge has a ball groove located around its base. The ball rib and ball groove slide together for centering and allowing ample clearance between the body and the frame. A lock can releasably cover one pin of each hinge, to retain pins in the troughs, while allowing the hinges to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: James P. Wang
  • Patent number: 6442409
    Abstract: A system for testing for the existence of a biomedical condition of an animal test subject having first and second devices for projecting radiant energy. The first device for projecting radiant energy projects a beam of radiant energy into and through the tissue of a portion of the animal test subject. The second device for projecting radiant energy is implanted in the body of the animal test subject and projects a second beam of radiant energy out of the body in response to the projected radiation of the first radiant energy source. The second device for projecting radiant energy can be a mirror that reflects the first beam of radiant energy or it can be a source of radiant energy, such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, that emits a specific wavelength of light when activated by the first device for projecting radiant energy. A detector positioned outside the body and relative to the second device for projecting radiant energy detects the second beam of radiant energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Gholam A. Peyman
  • Patent number: 6398594
    Abstract: A ground fault receptacle housing for an electrical device having a backing portion with a base and a wall extending from the base. The wall has a hoop portion that forms an exterior channel extending therethrough. A cover portion is adapted to couple to the backing portion and has a front face with apertures therein for access to the electrical device. A wall extends from the front face and has a substantially inflexible post extending from the wall. The post has a body portion and a tapered protrusion thereon, the protrusion having a largest perimeter that is greater than at least a perimeter in portion of the exterior channel. When the protrusion passes through the channel, at least a portion of the hoop portion stretches, while the wall extending from the base of the backing portion remains substantially stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nelson Bonilla, Joseph V. DeBartolo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6390847
    Abstract: An electrical device such as a plug or a connector has a housing with electrical contacts coupled thereto. The housing also has a nameplate permanently affixed thereto by adhesive and mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners are attached to the housing, which is constructed of a plastic material, in such a manner that the plastic material of the housing completely conceals the metal fasteners of screws. In the preferred embodiment, the nameplate as a curved label section with adhesive on one side such that the nameplate can be secured to a frustoconical section of the housing. A pair of mounting tabs with mounting holes extend from one of the curved edges such that they may be bent or folded and then fastened to a hidden wall of the electrical connector housing. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical housing has a center section, with a shroud section coupled to one end and a cord clamping section coupled to another end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Rajiv Dinesh Katwala
  • Patent number: 6390688
    Abstract: A strain relief connector for a fiber optic cable has an optical fiber enclosed within a cover having an outer diameter. A relatively long sleeve surrounds the cover and has an inner surface at an inner diameter, the inner diameter being substantially larger than the outer diameter of the cover. Portions of the sleeve and the fiber optic cable are compressed by a die, forming compressed portions having widths substantially larger than their heights and causing the inner surface of the sleeve to frictionally engage the outer surface of the cover layer and the inner surface of the cover to fictionally engage the outer surface of the optical fiber enclosed therein. The length of the sleeve and the configuration of the compressed portion allow a relatively high area of frictional resistance between the buffer layer and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon A. Lutzen, Rudolph A. Montgelas, Alan C. Miller
  • Patent number: 6388197
    Abstract: A high voltage insulator has a fiberglass reinforced core surrounded by a polymer weathershed housing with a plurality of fins. Metal fittings are located at both ends of the insulator and are connected to the weathershed housing by shielding collars. A corona protection device of semiconductive elastomeric material is attached or bonded to the exterior of the shielding collar or the metal fitting. The interface between the corona protection device and the shielding collar or metal fitting may include a sealant or other compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Tiebin Zhao, Jeffrey Kester, John A. Krause