Patents Assigned to Burton Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 7066632
    Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 7052164
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly including a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of the headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing with or without an adjuster housing. The gear screw has an O-ring in radial compression so as to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 7052303
    Abstract: A connector has a female receptacle and/or a male plug, or combination thereof. The female receptacle has a sleeve for holding prongs plugged into the receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the sleeve such that actuation of the collar causes the socket to clamp to the prong. The male plug has a prong for insertion into a socket or other receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the prong to clamp the prong within the socket or other receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E Burton
  • Patent number: 6979109
    Abstract: A sliding adjuster includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing includes mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing includes channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which is engaged in a reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6974231
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 6948963
    Abstract: The connector is capable of securing a cord to an outlet, of securing extension cords, and/or of securing an extension cord to the cord of a power tool. The device may have a female receptacle and a male plug, only a female receptacle, or only a male plug. The female receptacle may have a screw-style plunger, a sleeve-style plunger, or other means for applying pressure against the sleeves holding the prongs that are plugged into the receptacle. The male plug can use a sleeve-style plunger or other means to apply pressure against at least one of the prongs, causing the plug to be clamped into a receptacle. The female receptacle and male plug of the device can be separated by a cord to create an extension cord. The female receptacle or male plug could also be placed on the cords of a tool or appliance. A plurality of female receptacles could be used in a single unit to create a power strip having locking receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E Burton
  • Patent number: 6913374
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster for adjusting the position of a reflector includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing has mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing also has channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which engages the reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.” A marked-up version showing the changes is enclosed herewith in accordance with 37 CFR §1.121 (b)(iii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6896537
    Abstract: A connector has a female receptacle and/or a male plug, or combination thereof. The female receptacle has a sleeve for holding prongs plugged into the receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the sleeve such that actuation of the collar causes the socket to clamp to the prong. The male plug has a prong for insertion into a socket or other receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the prong to clamp the prong within the socket or other receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E Burton
  • Patent number: 6773153
    Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6758622
    Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket includes arms that form a socket cup for retaining the ball stud. The arms allow relatively easy insertion of the stud head, yet greatly resist accidental pull-out. The ball socket may be used in connection with disengageable or conventional ball studs. The ball socket may be an in-line design, peanut-style, or some other design. One known effective application of the present invention is in automotive lamp assemblies. The in-line socket may include a centrally located mounting hole and an undercut which forms a chamber for trapping the head of a mounting screw to facilitate assembly to the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6676428
    Abstract: A connector capable of securing a cord to an outlet, of securing extension cords, and/or of securing an extension cord to the cord of a power tool. The device may have a female receptacle and a male plug, only a female receptacle, or only a male plug. The female receptacle may have a screw-style plunger, a sleeve-style plunger, or other means for applying pressure against the sleeves holding the prongs that are plugged into the receptacle. The male plug can use a sleeve-style plunger or other means to apply pressure against at least one of the prongs, causing the plug to be clamped into a receptacle. The female receptacle and male plug of the device can be separated by a cord to create an extension cord. The female receptacle or male plug could also be placed on the cords of a tool or appliance. A plurality of female receptacles could be used in a single unit to create a power strip having locking receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton