Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael R. Swartz
  • Patent number: 5908362
    Abstract: A racquet stringing machine includes a base, a racquet mounting frame attached to the base for mounting and securing a racquet to be strung with string, a string clamping device which holds the clamped end of the string in place relative to the racquet frame while tension is being applied to the tensioning end of the string and a string tensioner having a string tensioner frame mounted to the base in offset relation to the racquet mounting frame, a tension setting mechanism movably mounted to the string tensioner frame for applying a desired amount of tension to the strings and a string gripper mounted to the tension setting mechanism for holding the tensioning end of the string while tension is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Ferrari Importing Company
    Inventor: Ronald H. Carr
  • Patent number: 5904599
    Abstract: An electrical connector pin device includes an elongated body and a wire spring insert. The body has an external surface and defines an axial bore and a radial slot therein. The radial slot extends radially outwardly from the axial bore to the external surface, opening at the external surface. The wire spring insert is disposed within the axial bore and radial slot of the body. The wire spring insert is movable between non-compressed and compressed conditions. In the non-compressed condition, a portion of the wire spring insert extends above the external surface of the body, while in the compressed condition, the wire spring insert is deformed by an annular wall of a sleeve of an external electrical receptacle and pushed below the external surface of the body and thereby generates a spring force creating contact pressure diametrically opposed to the annular wall of the sleeve of the receptacle so as to releasably retain the body within the sleeve of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael W. Miller, Michael J. Schinsky, Douglas A. Hopper
  • Patent number: 5854582
    Abstract: A sectionalizer assembly includes a mounting structure having upper and lower electrical contacts, a sectionalizer tube, an actuating member mounted to the tube and movable from a non-actuated to an actuated position, and a pivotal latching mechanism having a pivot member, latch arm and catch. The pivot member is mounted to the lower electrical contact and to a lower end of the tube for undergoing pivotal movement relative thereto between locking and releasing positions. The latch arm fixedly attached to the pivot member extends outwardly therefrom and undergoes pivotal movement therewith between the locking and releasing positions. The catch is carried on a lower end of the actuating member and undergoes movement therewith. The latch arm has an outer end fittable within a recess in the catch that is open at least at one side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Daren A. Clark, Marc S. Bacon
  • Patent number: 5839908
    Abstract: A multi-contact electrical terminal includes a body member and attachment member made of a substantially resilient flexible electrically conductive material. The body member includes a pair of opposite contact walls defining a central passageway through the body member and providing respective pairs of spaced upper and lower opposed portions along opposite sides of the central passageway, and a pair of opposite support straps provided between and connected with one of the pairs of upper and lower opposed portions of the opposite contact walls. A male prong of an electrical plug is receivable through the central passageway of the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nelson Bonilla, Thomas J. Vigorito
  • Patent number: 5833092
    Abstract: Apparatus for feeding poorly flowable dry particulate materials includes a rotary supply hopper having an interior chamber for receiving and containing a quantity of material and an annular sidewall open at a lower edge, a stationary platform having a circular groove formed in a top surface of the platform encircling an upright central axis and an opening extending through the platform adjacent to the circular groove, spaced from the central axis and defined between the circular groove and central axis, a support structure supporting the hopper above the platform to undergo rotation relative to the platform about the upright central axis with the lower edge of the supply hopper being spaced from and extending downward into the circular groove of the platform such that the platform serves as a stationary bottom for the rotary supply hopper, and an annular discharge spout attached at an open upper end to the platform below and encircling the opening through the platform and having a transfer passage extending f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Summit Machine Builders, Corp.
    Inventors: Scott E. Godfrey, Leonard L. Hierath, Mark E. Hillam, Michael R. Schmehl, Charles F. Watson
  • Patent number: 5826957
    Abstract: A motion detection system housing includes a base having a back portion attachable to a wall, a cover having a front portion for mounting operative components of the detection system, a primary living hinge integrally connecting lower portions of the base and cover to one another such that the cover can undergo pivotal movement toward and away from the base between opened and closed conditions, and a latch releasably securing upper portions of the base and cover to one another. The cover and base have configurations that permit telescoping of the cover at least partially over the base into the closed condition. The latch can secure the cover to the base at different fixed telescoped positions with the front portion of the cover correspondingly disposed at different fixed declination adjustment positions relative to a reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph V. DeBartolo, Jr., John R. Baldwin, Thomas J. Vigorito
  • Patent number: 5826395
    Abstract: A building construction block includes a body made of a rigid material and having a substantially rectangular-shaped main portion, a wedge-shaped offset portion formed integral with the main portion, a pair of opposite side surfaces, a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface and a rear surface. The top surface and opposite side surfaces are defined on both the main and offset portions. The rear and bottom surfaces are defined on the main portion. The front surface is defined on the offset portion and extends in a generally inclined direction from the bottom surface to the top surface and away from the rear surface. A first part of the top surface on the main portion receives and supports a first building component over the main portion, while a second part of the top surface on the offset portion receives and supports a second building component over the offset portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Elvin W. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5811979
    Abstract: A protective grounding jumper cable tester is provided which includes a housing; a pair of jumper attachment terminals on the housing for attachment of a jumper cable therebetween; a dc voltage applying circuit disposed in the housing and connected to the pair of jumper attachment terminals for applying a direct current through a jumper cable attached between the jumper attachment terminals; and electronic means in the form of a PC board and microprocessor disposed in the housing and interconnected to the dc voltage circuit for applying a predetermined mathematical relationship to measure a resistance value of at least a portion of the jumper cable attached between the jumper attachment terminals. The electronic means in applying the predetermined mathematical relationship to measure the resistance value includes means for taking different voltage readings in accordance with Kelvin's measurement procedure and calculating the resistance value from the voltage readings in accordance with Kirchoff's current law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Patent number: 5731543
    Abstract: A conduit connector assembly for attachment of a conduit carrying electrical wires to an electrical junction box includes a fitting body, an end stop grommet, and a spring clip. The fitting body has open first and second opposite ends and an interior bore for receiving therein an end portion of a conduit. The end stop grommet includes a grommet body having an interior cavity with open first and second end portions, the grommet body being inserted within the interior bore of the fitting body. The conduit is received and held within the interior bore of the fitting body and within the interior cavity of the grommet body. The fitting body is inserted through an opening in the junction box and is connected thereto. The grommet body is secured within the interior bore of the fitting body and has an outer flange making contact with the fitting body for preventing the grommet body from being inserted into the fitting body beyond a predetermined position therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5728973
    Abstract: A knockout arrangement for an electrical junction box includes a housing having at least one side wall being substantially planar, a pair of spaced apart first knockout structures on the side wall with the first knockout structures defining a first circular knockout and a second annular knockout surrounding and containing the first circular knockout, the first and second knockouts having centers spaced apart such that the second knockout is defined in eccentric relation to the first knockout and the first and second knockouts of each knockout structure are adapted to be selectively removed to create a trade size opening for passage of a conduit of either of two sizes through the side wall, and a second knockout structure disposed on the side wall between and spaced apart from the first knockout structures and containing only the first knockout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5684408
    Abstract: A protective grounding jumper cable tester basically includes a housing, a direct current power supply, a pair of jumper attachment terminals, a pair of test probe terminals, a current applying circuit connected between the direct current power supply and the pair of jumper attachment terminals for applying a direct current through a jumper cable attached between the jumper attachment terminals, and a resistance sensing circuit connected to the test probe terminals for sensing resistance to the flow of the direct current through the jumper cable by using a pair of test probes connected to the test probe terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Clayton C. King
  • Patent number: 5634553
    Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a circuit breaker includes an elongated shaft mounted through a hole in a cover of an enclosure containing a circuit breaker having an actuator lever movable between a plurality of different positions. The shaft is mounted to the cover to undergo rotational movement about, but not translational movement along, a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The outer end portion of the shaft extends outwardly from an exterior side of the cover, while an inner end portion of the shaft extends inwardly from an interior side of the cover into the enclosure, terminating at a location spaced from the actuator lever of the circuit breaker in the enclosure. The handle assembly also includes a handle attached to the outer end portion of the shaft so as to undergo rotation with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hopper, Michael W. Miller
  • Patent number: 5632872
    Abstract: A composite electrode for supporting an anodic or cathodic electrochemical reaction such as occurs during a metal electrowinning process has a composition which includes between 90 and 95 weight percent of an electrically conductive metal compound and between 5 and 10 weight percent of a polymeric binder material blended with the conductive metal compound. The composite electrode is formed under a maximum pressure of 2.5 metric tons per square centimeter and at a temperature between ambient and 140 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Marion Dattilo
    Inventor: Marion Dattilo
  • Patent number: 5631570
    Abstract: A protective grounding jumper cable tester basically includes a housing, a direct current power supply, a pair of jumper attachment terminals, a pair of test probe terminals, a current applying circuit connected between the direct current power supply and the pair of jumper attachment terminals for applying a direct current through a jumper cable attached between the jumper attachment terminals, and a resistance sensing circuit connected to the test probe terminals for sensing resistance to the flow of the direct current through the jumper cable by using a pair of test probes connected to the test probe terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Clayton C. King
  • Patent number: 5620111
    Abstract: A generator support base and storage tank assembly includes an outer support frame structure and an inner arcuate-shaped structure. The outer support frame structure is formed by a pair of substantially vertical flat end plates and a substantially horizontal flat top plate fixedly connected at opposite ends to upper ends of the vertical end plates. The inner arcuate-shaped structure underlies and is fixedly connected at its opposite upper longitudinal edges to the underside of the horizontal top plate. The inner arcuate-shaped structure also extends between and is fixedly connected at its opposite end edges to the inside of the vertical end plates. These connections of the inner arcuate-shaped structure to the outer support frame structure provides sufficient structural reinforcement and strengthening of the outer support frame structure to support the electrical generator on the horizontal flat top plate thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: MGS, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland P. Gehman
  • Patent number: 5612661
    Abstract: A resettable internal actuating mechanism, used in an electronic sectionalizer having a tube assembly movable between a closed position and an open position, includes a latching element of an electro-mechanical component mounted in the tube assembly and biased to move to an extended position and movable to a retracted position in response to receipt of an electrical signal, an actuating member spaced from the latching element and mounted in the tube assembly and being biased to move from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, and a linking lever mounted in the tube assembly between the latching element and the actuating member and biased to pivotably move from a latched position to an unlatched position. The linking lever has opposite ends latched respectively to the latching element and actuating member when the linking lever is at the latched position and the latching element is at the extended position to thereby hold the actuating member at the non-actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Byron T. Twenter, Daren A. Clark
  • Patent number: 5601762
    Abstract: The invention relates to strings for stringed musical instruments, fishing equipment, and sports racquets which are exposed to a suitable solvent or suitable elasticizer compatible with the materials contained in the fibers, bonding resins, or coating resins in the strings, such that partial dissolution of the material in the suitable solvent occurs or absorption of the suitable elasticizer occurs so as to increase the elasticity, increase the flexibility, increase the ductility, or increase the resiliency of the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ferrari Importing Company
    Inventors: Harry M. Ferrari, Ronald H. Carr
  • Patent number: 5594206
    Abstract: A switch cover plate assembly includes label covers each having an elongated main portion and a pair of opposite ends and a switch faceplate for mounting the label covers. The faceplate has a flat main panel, switch holes therethrough adapted to receive switch actuators, mounting holes therethrough adapted to receive therethrough fasteners to mount the faceplate to a switch box, and label cover mounting recesses and a pair of slots defined at opposite ends of each of the mounting recesses. Each mounting recess and pair of mounting slots are adapted to receive and mount one of the label covers. Each label cover is adapted to seat within one mounting recess and to be slidably insertable into and removable from the mounting slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel E. Klas, John M. Gentry, Regina L. Tipton, Richard H. Dwyer
  • Patent number: D400930
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Gary E. Smith
  • Patent number: D403771
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: S. Rand Werrin