Patents Assigned to ProtectConnect
  • Publication number: 20090020306
    Abstract: A power distribution system has an electrical box configured to attach a power cable, a plaster ring releasably mounted to the box and one or more electrical devices installed into the ring. A pre-wired ground extends from a first end physically and electrically connected to a ground terminal on the electrical device. The plaster ring is movable between a closed position proximate the box and an open position distal the box. The pre-wired ground is configured as a lanyard so as to support the plaster ring as a wiring platform in the open position for connecting wires between the power cable and the electrical device or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Purves, Dennis L. Grudt, John Karns
  • Publication number: 20080235943
    Abstract: An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Publication number: 20080190640
    Abstract: A wiring module that can be installed in an electrical junction box and can receive a removable electrical outlet module, a removable electrical switch module, or other types of electrical functional modules. The wiring module and the removable electrical outlet and switch modules may include connectors having a mechanical portion and an electrical portion. The electrical connector portions may be configured so as not to be exposed to user contact when the mechanical connector portions are at least partially engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7367121
    Abstract: An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael Gorman
  • Publication number: 20080093552
    Abstract: A motion detector comprises a housing having a front side and a back side. Conductors are disposed on the back side so as to electrically connect to a wiring module installed within an electrical box. An infrared (IR) sensor is mounted within the housing and configured to receive IR radiation focused from a lens disposed on the front side. The IR sensor generates a sensor signal in response to motion across the field-of-view of the lens. A controller is responsive to the sensor signal so as to generate a switch signal. A relay is responsive to the switch signal so as to switch an electrical power source connecting to an electrical power load via the conductors and the wiring module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: ProtectConnect
    Inventors: Michael Gorman, Frank Yan
  • Patent number: 7361051
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system has a wiring module and a switch module. The wiring module is configured to mount within an electrical box and has a wiring side, a functional side, terminals accessible from the wiring side and breakaways disposed between pairs of the terminals. The switch module is configured to removable install in the wiring module proximate the functional side. The switch module has contacts that configure the switch module as a type comprising one of a single-pole switch, a three-way switch and a four-way switch. The electrical function of wires routed to the wiring module terminals and the gap or link status of the wiring module breakaways determines the wiring module configuration and a corresponding switch module type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7332683
    Abstract: A dimmer switch module removably connects to a wiring module mounted within an electrical box and connected to a power source. The dimmer switch module is configured to control electrical current flowing from the power source to a power sink, such as a light. The dimmer switch module has a front cover and a back cover housing a circuit board. A dimmer control is accessible on the front cover. Shielded plugs are disposed on the back cover and are configured to mate with corresponding structured sockets of a wiring module so as to electrically connect to a power source routed to the wiring module. A power control element mounted on the circuit board is responsive to the dimmer control so as to vary the amount of electrical current flowing between the shielded plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7321120
    Abstract: A motion detector comprises a housing having a front side and a back side. Conductors are disposed on the back side so as to electrically connect to a wiring module installed within an electrical box. An infrared (IR) sensor is mounted within the housing and configured to receive IR radiation focused from a lens disposed on the front side. The IR sensor generates a sensor signal in response to motion across the field-of-view of the lens. A controller is responsive to the sensor signal so as to generate a switch signal. A relay is responsive to the switch signal so as to switch an electrical power source connecting to an electrical power load via the conductors and the wiring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Gorman, Frank S. Yan
  • Patent number: 7312396
    Abstract: An electrical wiring component including an adjustable mount having a bracket, a junction box and a plaster ring. The junction box is adapted to receive at least one electrical cable in communications with a power source. The plaster ring is removably attached to the junction box. The bracket is adapted to attach to a wall stud, and the junction box is mounted to the bracket. A wiring module adapted to connect to a power source is attached to the plaster ring. The wiring module is configured to accept any one of a variety of functional modules so as to distribute electrical power from the power source via the functional modules. The mount is adjustable so as to provide a variable position for the wiring module within a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7265291
    Abstract: A wiring module is installed within an electrical box, wherein the wiring module is configured to connect to a power cable routed to the electrical box. The wiring module distributes electrical power according to a functional module that is pluggable into the wiring module. A cover is removably mounted to the wiring module so that the cover extends generally flush over an open face of the electrical box. The cover prevents plaster and other material from fouling the wiring module during wall panel installation and is removed after wall panel installation so as to plug the functional module into the wiring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7104836
    Abstract: An electrical wiring system comprises a box mount configured to attach to a wall stud. An electrical box is adapted to receive an electrical cable in communications with a power source, and the electrical box is slidably attached to the box mount so that the electrical box is movable between various positions. An opening defined in the electrical box is configured to accept an electrical device. Position indicators and a corresponding alignment guide visually indicate at which one of the positions the electrical box is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7081009
    Abstract: A functional module comprises a front cover having a front side defining an electrical distribution function and a back cover having a back side defining a plurality of shielded plugs. A contact set is adapted to communicate electrical power via the shielded plugs for the electrical distribution function. The front cover and said back cover are configured to latch together so as to enclose at least a portion of the contact set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7060897
    Abstract: An outlet module has a housing with a functional side and a plug-in side. A covered receptacle is located on the functional side. Conductors are retained at least partially within the housing and extend from the plug-in side. The conductors are adapted to removably insert into a wiring module mounted within an electrical box so as to connect to an electrical power source. The covered receptacle is adapted to accept a corresponding plug so as to transfer power from the electrical power source to an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7052313
    Abstract: A wiring module adapted to mount within an electrical box has a functional side and an opposite wiring side. The functional side has sockets adapted to removably connect with a functional module. A terminal set provides a conductive portion of the sockets and is adapted to terminate a power cable. A shield is disposed proximate the wiring side so as to seal the terminal set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6986674
    Abstract: An electrical outlet comprises an outlet housing having a front side adapted to receive a face plate and a back side. A receptacle has a wall extending from an opening at the front side to a bottom within the outlet housing. A cover is retained within the receptacle and is slidable between a closed position at the opening to an open position at the bottom. The cover has a front face generally flush with the face plate in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6884111
    Abstract: A safety module electrical distribution system comprises a wiring module adapted to mount within an electrical box, the wiring module having a functional side and a wiring side. A terminal set is disposed at least partially within the wiring module and is adapted to terminate a power cable proximate the wiring side. A plurality of structured sockets are disposed on the functional side, the structured sockets incorporate a portion of the terminal set. A functional module having a front side and a back side is adapted to removably install in the wiring module proximate the functional side. A contact set is disposed at least partially within the functional module and is adapted to conduct electrical power to an electrical distribution function accessible from the front side. A plurality of shielded plugs are disposed on the back side. The shielded plugs incorporate a portion of the contact set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P Gorman
  • Patent number: 6863561
    Abstract: An electrical wiring assembly comprises a wiring panel and an electrical module. The wiring panel has a front side and a back side and is installable within an electrical box. The electrical module has a front cover and a back cover, and the front cover provides a user accessible electrical function. Panel fixtures extend generally perpendicularly from the front side of the wiring panel and shield panel contacts. Breakaways are configured to be removable so as to isolate a first portion of the panel contacts from a second portion of the panel contacts. Module fixture extend generally perpendicularly from the back cover of the electrical module and shield module contacts. The module fixtures are configured to engage the panel fixtures so as to electrically connect the module contacts with the panel contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: D561700
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: D568252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: D568253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: ProtectConnect, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman