Patents Represented by Attorney L. G. Vande Zande
  • Patent number: 4825338
    Abstract: A flat plastic retainer having a loop at one end rotatably receiving a threaded fastener and a tongue and outboard fingers unidirectionally extending from the loop to engage an essentially upright leg of a terminal of a circuit breaker, has lateral projections on the tongue which are compressed when the tongue is inserted through an opening in the leg of the terminal and expand when the projections pass beyond the opposite side of the terminal to resist pull-out of the retainer from the terminal. The outboard fingers are deflected along the terminal to bias the fastener into engagement with an associated leg of the terminal having an opening through which one portion of a threaded fastener pair projects to engage the other portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Hubbard, Michael R. Larsen, Donald A. Link
  • Patent number: 4820273
    Abstract: A flexible rubber bladder is disposed between a concave surface of a molded plastic base and a mirror image surface of a perforated molded plastic barrier, all enveloped by a molded plastic cover sealed to the base and defining a large volume cavity filled with inert gas under pressure. Injection of medication through a septum in the base fills a reservoir defined by the bladder and concave base surface and compresses the gas as the bladder moves to and against the barrier surface whereby the pressure exerted on the bladder forces medication through a metering outlet in the base and through an attached catheter to the infusion site. The free end of the catheter may be connected to a plastic protective cage for accumulating medication as droplets to dispense medication in bolus quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Reinicke
  • Patent number: 4812605
    Abstract: A switch housing extends to enclose wiring terminals, incorporating holes for insertion of wire conductors and for accessing a clamping screw assembly with a tool to clamp the conductor against the terminal. Individual cavities for each terminal are substantially sealed against ingress of dust, electrically isolating the terminals, and preventing removal of the screw from the respective cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jackson H. Smith
  • Patent number: 4802621
    Abstract: A thermal modulating control valve for providing bleed air for aircraft anti-icing purposes includes a valve chamber with an inlet for high temperature bleed air and an outlet for temperature modulated bleed air for aircraft systems. A modular valve mechanism is mounted in a chamber for regulating the flow of hot bleed air to the outlet in response to the temperature of the supply. The valve includes a first wall section having a plurality of spaced apart flow orifices or openings in one face and fixedly secured adjacent the inlet end of the chamber, and a second confronting wall section having a plurality of spaced apart flow orifices or openings provided to directly confront the orifices in the first wall section. The wall sections are movable relative to one another in response to the temperature of the bleed air at the inlet end so as to displace the respective sets of flow orifices in and out of registry for controlling the flow of bleed air supplied to the outlet of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Helmut Standke
  • Patent number: 4792699
    Abstract: A liquid removing attachment (22,24) for a fiber optic photoelectric sensor (14) that is used in a wet environment such as near a workpiece or tool (20) that is being sprayed or flowed with a liquid coolant. Such coolant produces an ambient mist or splash of liquid at the adjacent end of the fiber optic cable (16,18) which condenses or accumulates as a liquid mass or drops (6) on the exposed end of the optical fiber bundle (7) tending to interfere with light transmission therethrough. The attachment (22,24) provides radial channels (8b-e) adjacent the exposed ends of the optical fibers (7) that through adhesion of the liquid thereto together with the force of gravity cause such liquid mass or drops (6) to flow away thereby to reduce the liquid accumulation in the light transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene F. Duncan
  • Patent number: 4791361
    Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator comprising spaced pole pieces (4,6) and magnetic shunt (8) bridging the pole pieces within an insulating housing (2) which also contains a magnetoresistive transducer (24) and electronic circuitry (26) for sensing magnetic field intensity between the pole pieces and relating that intensity as electric signals provided at wiring terminals (28) at the exterior of the housing. The pole pieces have magnetic terminal portions adjacent openings in the housing for removable attachment thereto of selected ferrous strap configurations (42,50,52,60) determined by the cross-sectional shape of the electrical conductor (46) in which current flow is to be measured, the respective strap configuration and flux concentrator forming a magnetic loop around the conductor for picking up the magnetic flux induced by current flow in the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Beihoff, Jerome K. Hastings, Mark A. Juds, Michael S. Baran
  • Patent number: 4778952
    Abstract: A key switch assembly for direct mounting on a PCB or similar substrate. The key switch has a body with depending mounting pin having retainers thereon to secure the key switch at apertures in the substrate. The key switch body includes a snappable dome moveable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in direct contact with conductive elements in the substrate by manual depression of a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Watkins, Dale E. Brumit, Thomas R. Coey
  • Patent number: 4775117
    Abstract: A thermal modulating control valve adapted for supplying thermal modulated bleed air for an aircraft anti-icing system comprises a valve body having an inlet adapted to be supplied with bleed air from a separate source and an anti-icing outlet for supplying thermal modulated bleed air for operating an aircraft anti-icing system. The thermal modulating valve is mounted in the body in communication with the inlet and outlet for supplying bleed air at a regulated flow rate which is reduced in response to increased temperature of the bleed air supplied to the valve. The thermal modulating valve includes at least one annular seating ring having a central bore and mounted on a support element, and the seating ring includes an annular ring sleeve spaced outwardly of the support element having at least one radial annular face concentrically mounted on the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Helmut Standke
  • Patent number: 4769739
    Abstract: A handle operated door latching mechanism for moving upper and lower latch members into and out of engagement with a latching surface of an enclosure which becomes distorted by internal gas pressure to pull the latch members away from the latching surface, has one latch member formed longer than the other to permit release of the latching surface by the shorter latch member and limited opening of the door for exhausting the internal gas while the longer latch member remains in engagement with the latching surface to maintain the door substantially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Willard H. De Bruin
  • Patent number: 4768967
    Abstract: A lever pivotally mounted on a forward brace of a removable control unit abuts a pin on the cabinet for limiting direct insertion of the unit to a depth insufficient to effect electrical engagement of plug-in connectors of the unit with bus bars in a motor control cabinet, such engagement requiring subsequent pivotal movement of the lever which automatically latches the unit in the cabinet. A compound movement of the lever is required to release the latch and separate the plug-in connectors from the bus bar. A detent structure maintains the lever in a first position for inserting the control unit into the cabinet and padlocking provisions are provided to insure the lever remain in that position when desired, thereby blocking full insertion of the control unit into the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 4767895
    Abstract: An actuator pivotally mounted within a switch housing has cantilevered side members positioned in blocking alignment with projections on interior side surfaces of the housing to prevent movement of the actuator from an OFF position to an ON position. A removable operator has depending key portions which deflect the cantilevered side members inwardly to clear the projections when the operator is assembled to the actuator. The cantilevered side members engage inner surfaces of the projections when the operator is removed with the actuator in the ON position, permitting movement to the OFF position wherein the cantilevered side members return to the blocking position. A compression spring may be disposed between distal ends of the cantilevered side members to provide additional outward bias to the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Parrish
  • Patent number: 4766273
    Abstract: Stationary contact, terminal and arc-runner structure for a high-current double-break electrical contactor that affords longer contact life. Each stationary contact (66,80) and turn-back arc-runner (68,82) is connected to the associated terminal (52,72). Each arc-runner (68,82) is V-shaped and has a slot (68e,82e) at its turn-back or bight portion (68b,82b) through which the associated stationary contact (66,80) extends so that its contact tip (66b,80b) is thereabove for engagement by the bridging contact (36). The stationary contacts (66,80) allow substantially straight-through current flow, no turn-back current loop, when the contacts (66,36,80) are closed under normal current conditions to retain maximum contact pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund M. Butterworth, Daniel A. Wycklendt
  • Patent number: 4760220
    Abstract: A handle (52) is guided for linear sliding movement within a housing (38) mounted to the front of a removable control unit (16) and has a hinged connection (52c,64) with the forward end of a drive lever (60) which is pivotally mounted (62) within the control unit and linked (68,72) to circuit interrupting apparatus (26) mounted in the control unit for reducing the handle throw necessary to operate the apparatus. A slide bar (84) is spring biased (86) to an extended position with the operator in the ON position to engage a fixed structure (92) of the cabinet to prevent withdrawal or insertion of the control unit when the apparatus is in an ON condition. The slide bar is driven to a retracted position by the handle (52d,88) when moved to the OFF position. A handle locking plate (94) is lockable in a position of interference with the handle to prevent movement from OFF to ON positions, and has a breakaway tab (94f) removable to permit locking the handle against movement from ON to OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Fritsch, Francis A. Lubinski
  • Patent number: 4760364
    Abstract: An enclosure for an electromagnetic contactor is provided with upper (2) and lower (4) housings and a cover (6) over the upper housing (2), all comprised of molded insulating material. The upper housing (2) is joined to the lower housing (4) by inserting its lugs (2m,2n) in notches (4e,4f) and rocking it so that a pair of hooks (2o,2p) enter corresponding holes (4g,4h) at one end and a clamp (26) is pressed over a catch (2q) at the other end. A leaf bias spring (30) between the magnet frame (28) and the molded coil (32) applies force to the molded coil (32) which is pressed against the upper housing (2) so that the coil will not move but allows the magnet frame to align with the armature (40) or to move under armature impact, takes up slack between the upper (2) and lower (4) housings, biases the coil (32) rigidly against the upper housing (2) and allows the magnet (38,40) to move relative to the housings (2,4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Marvin E. Ostby
  • Patent number: 4745820
    Abstract: In combination with a plunger operated device such as a standard pushbutton limit switch (2), an auxiliary rotary actuator (4) having an operating arm (36) attached to a rotary cam(40) having a convex conical cam surface (40c) in contact with a complementary concave conical cam surface (42a) of a reciprocating linear motion cam follower (42), with the cone axes (40d, 42c) being in alignment and offset from the axis of rotation (40e) of the cam. A switch plunger (12) abutting shaft (38) is threaded in a bore (42b) in the cam follower (42) and has a smooth round shaft portion (38b) slidingly guided in a smooth bore (40b) in the cam to be adjustable up or down by a screwdriver slot (38c) in its upper end accessible when the actuating arm (36) mounting screw (46) is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Benshoff, Ernest R. Remillard
  • Patent number: 4744003
    Abstract: Plug-on enclosed fusible switches, enclosed lug devices and non-enclosed molded case circuit breakers are attached to a panelboard in a single or side-by-side double row. Spring biased latches retain the devices to the panelboard. Locating notches on the panelboard locate the devices at incremental spacing to provide a variable, compact arrangement for the devices. Filler plates and end structures on the devices cooperate with a cover for the panelboard to provide an integral dead front. The panelboard is particularly adapted for field assmebly, including attachment of a main feed device which effects a plug-on feed in either a single or electrically parallel double panel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Howard E. Koslosky, John E. Swedowski, Robert J. Clarey, Allan E. Grams, Frank Navratil
  • Patent number: 4736081
    Abstract: An alternate or push-push switch mechanism effects movement of a contact actuator (28) from one stable position to another stable position upon a single depression of a pushbutton operator (34,38,40,42,44). Actuator movement causes a spring loaded plunger (28a) to traverse a surface of a normally open contactor (54) to effect momentary contact closure with a stationary contact (46a) during the movement of the actuator and plunger. The duration of contact closure may be controlled or modified by providing a cam on the contactor surface for engagement by the plunger. Two such switches (20a,20b) are employed in series in a control circuit for a manufacturing machine (M) whereby both switches must be operated by a human operator of the machine within the closure duration interval of the contacts of the individual switches to complete the control circuit for the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dwight W. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4724512
    Abstract: A pair of slides (20,22) linearly reciprocally movable in opposite directions by a single operator handle (36) carry pins (24,26) which are received within dog-leg slots (14a,14b; 14a',14b') of levers (14,14') affixed to rotary operating mechanisms (6,6') of repsective ones of a pair of switches (4,4') for operating one switch to an ON condition while maintaining the other switch in its OFF condition in response to handle (36) movement in one direction, and for operating the switches to their reverse conditions in response to handle movement in an opposite direction, both switches being in their OFF condition in a center neutral position of the handle. Fuses (40,42) are connected to load side terminals of the switches and are connected together in common with the load to remove power from the fuses when the switches are OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Bischof, Warren C. Sipe
  • Patent number: 4716496
    Abstract: A molded cover control station having transverse upper and lower grooves spaced apart by a distance less than the vertical dimension of a panel opening has a resilient gasket positioned against a rear flange, the gasket having a resilient protrusion which is received within the lower groove. Insertion of the control station housing from the rear of the panel such that the lower edge of the panel opening engages the resilient protrusion within the lower groove enables the resilient protrusion to be compressed an amount sufficient to enable the upper end of the housing to be swung forwardly through the opening to align the upper groove with an upper edge of the panel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 4715852
    Abstract: An implantable positive pressure medication infusion device is provided which is programmable over a wide dynamic range and yet the maximum flow of medication into the body, in the event the inlet valve of the device leaks or fails in the valve open position, is limited to a safe value which is much lower than the maximum programmable infusion rate of the device. An auxiliary flow restrictor is also provided which bypasses the programmable pumping unit and assures a minimum flow of medication into the body in the event of failure of the programmable pumping unit or its electronic drive. An arrangement is also provided for detecting catheter clogging or failure of the programmable pumping unit in either a positive or negative pressure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Reinicke, Lance M. Yamato