Patents Examined by Harold Broome
  • Patent number: 5367279
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection device 10 has a fixed 26 and a movable 32 contact electrically connected to a pair of terminals 14, 16 and a snap acting bimetallic member 34 which is responsive to a thermally resistive element 28, connected in series with the contacts between the terminals to cause the contacts to move from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The device further includes a current bypass path 24 adapted to be connected in parallel with the thermally resistive element 28 and a second thermally responsive bimetal member 24 b to cause the electrical connection. Additionally, a heater block 18 can be provided between the terminals 14, 16 which has a resistance significantly higher than that of the thermal resistive element 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Akira Sakai
  • Patent number: 5337033
    Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for stably fixing a denture comprising a permanent magnet, a casing made of a corrosion-resistant, magnetic material having a cavity for receiving the permanent magnet, and a seal plate for covering an opening of the casing to prevent the permanent magnet from exposing outside, the seal plate consisting of a seal ring member made of a corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material and a disc plate made of a corrosion-resistant, soft-magnetic material and having substantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the seal ring member, the seal ring member and the disc plate being concentrically arranged in the same plane, the disc plate being welded to the seal ring member in their abutment, and the seal ring member being welded to the casing. Laser welding is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Kinouchi, Minoru Ai, Hiroshi Mizutani, Osamu Okuno, Kiyotaka Yamauchi, Akira Yamataka, Hiroya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5337037
    Abstract: Control device for at least two luminous condition indicating signals (30, 41) mounted on a domestic electrical appliance provided with a quick opening adjustable thermostat (2) which passes over center. An insulating support (13, 14, 15) receives a thermostat arm (11), a blade (16) forming a fixed contact, a movable blade (7) provided with a flexible tongue (20) on which bears an insulating plug (22) controlled by a rotatable screw (10) permitting obtaining a predetermined temperature, and another movable blade (8) fixed to the movable blade (7) and whose free end bears against the fixed contact as well as an insulating partition (9) fixed to the bimetal (6) and controlling the movable blades (7 and 8). The blade forming a fixed contact (16) and the movable blades (7 and 8) are fixed to the insulating support, connected respectively to electrical terminals by electrical connections (3, 4) and supply the two luminous signals (30, 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Moulinex (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Gerard L. H. Guillot, Jean-Paul A. Bouleau
  • Patent number: 5321205
    Abstract: A connector for terminating a metal clad electrical cable is suitable for use in hazardous locations. The connector includes an elongate generally cylindrical body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. An elongate generally cylindrical hub accommodates the body. The hub has a body receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. A cable seal is provided by a sealing bushing and a gland nut which is rotatably coupled to the cable receiving end of the body, sealingly coupling the cable to the body. The body and the hub include cooperative engagement elements for preventing the relative rotation of the hub and the body upon rotatably coupling the gland nut to the body about the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Jaspal S. Bawa, Luis R. Couto, Giacomo J. Mancini
  • Patent number: 5321381
    Abstract: A base (1) provided with movable and mechanically loaded operational parts has a planar, plate-like base body (3), to which are fixed support bodies (5 to 9) located on an assembly side (4) with plate-like connecting parts (17, 18) exclusively by means of adhesive connections (10), such as melted joints, so as to be closely engaging and correctly operationally positioned. This construction is suitable for numerous switching, control and regulating devices and permits simple manufacture, low weight, high strength, good accessibility and high operational reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventor: Willi Essig
  • Patent number: 5319332
    Abstract: A yoke for a cathode ray tube has deflection coils and a plurality of trim magnets mounted thereon. A tubular shield of Mu-metal slides over the coil to suppress an electromagnetic field radiated therefrom. In one embodiment, the trim magnets are inside the shield so that it has to be removed in order to adjust the magnets. In another embodiment, the trim magnets are outside the shield, so that they may be adjusted without necessarily having to remove the shield. The shield greatly reduces outwardly directed electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of the cathode ray tube which allegedly might produce a health hazard to an operator at a video monitor terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Computron Display Systems, a division of Xcel Corporation
    Inventor: Israel Espinosa
  • Patent number: 5319344
    Abstract: An externally mounted blown fuse indicator including a housing, a spring-biased plunger, a tungsten restraining wire, two terminals, and a cover, the plunger having a meltable region that is heated by the restraining wire and melts to release the plunger when the fuse blows, the spring engaging a midsection of the plunger, the housing carrying tabs at its ends for engagement with a switch to be activated by the plunger, the spring-biased plunger having greater than 3 ounces force at an extension of 0.11".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Gould Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Mosesian, Howard J. Parker, Richard J. Perreault, George F. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5315281
    Abstract: A housing (10), (54) defines a well which holds a diaphragm assembly (12). The diaphragm assembly has a stud portion (14) that extends through an aperture in the housing and is biased into the housing by a spring (16). The stud portion defines a channel (18) which is received in a slot between arms of a calibration plate (20). Movement of the calibration plate transverse to the axis of the stud portion engages a cam surface (24) to position the diaphragm, more particularly a dielectric button (34) which engages a switch control member (50). As a fluid in a bulb (32) expands, it causes the diaphragm to expand, moving the control member (50) and one end of control spring portion (48) causing contacts (46, 52) to open. When the temperature of the bulb reaches the temperature set by the calibration plate, the control spring portion flexes opening the contacts. To reset the switch and close the contacts, a reset member (92) is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: TPI Corporation
    Inventor: Mason B. Mount
  • Patent number: 5313182
    Abstract: Two magnetic circuits are separated by an air gap and are made up respectively of a series of permanent magnets which are attached and rigidly held together by flux return yokes. One side of the magnetic circuits is turned towards the air gap. The directions of magnetization of the opposing magnets and of the attached magnets are antiparallel and the length of each magnet is approximately two times larger than the width of the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Claire Blache
  • Patent number: 5313183
    Abstract: A gas-tube arrester includes an arrester body containing an inert gas and having first and second electrodes positioned in spaced, facing relationship to each other and separated by an insulator. An insulating, heat-resistant film is in contact with the first electrode and has an opening and a plurality of small holes. A metal plate layered on the insulating film has an opening communicating with the opening of the insulating film. A low-melting point metal plate layered on the metal plate to cover the openings has a melting point lower than a softening temperature of the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Masataka Kasahara
  • Patent number: 5311164
    Abstract: A MELF (Metal Electrode Face Bonding Device) surge absorbing element which can be connected across a pair of input lines of an electronic device. The surge absorbing element is secured in electrical contact with the input lines by a conductive heat releasable adhering means, e.g., a solder. A spring is positioned in biased relationship against the surge absorbing element. When the surge absorbing element is subjected to overvoltages or overcurrents continuously across the input lines, the surge absorbing element heats up, which, in turn, heats the adhering means. When the temperature reaches a predetermined value, the adhering means releases its securement of the surge absorbing element, e.g., the solder melts, and no longer holds the element. When this occurs, the bias of the spring means positioned against the now unsecured surge absorbing element serves to move the element away from and out of electrical contact with the adhering means and, in turn, the input lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Fujio Ikeda, Kazuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 5311162
    Abstract: A solenoid for a solenoid actuator or solenoid valve is encapsulated within a unitary homogenous plastic body which is molded directly about the solenoid coil and the adjacent portion of the solenoid leads so as to seal the coil and leads against the ambient environment and includes a first body portion enclosing and sealing the coil, and an integral second body portion in the form of an externally threaded stem circumferentially surrounding and sealing the adjacent portion of the leads. The externally threaded stem may be used to couple the solenoid to an electrical cable through which the solenoid is energized or to mount the solenoid on a support, such as a barrier wall between a hostile environment to which the sealed solenoid may be safely exposed, and an environment to which the unencapsulated portions of the solenoid leads may be safely exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Evolutionary Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Sjoquist, John A. Borger
  • Patent number: 5311165
    Abstract: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: Joseph C. Kadlubowski
  • Patent number: 5309625
    Abstract: A card type fuse aimed at reducing production costs and improving a forming precision of an exothermic fusing portion 2a. The card type fuse comprises an insulation substratum 1, fuse circuits 2 arranged on the insulation substratum 1 and having a narrow exothermic fusing portion 2a, and a cover layer 3 covering fuse circuits 2. The cover layer 3 is made of a heat resisting film. The fuse circuits 2 are printed on the heat resisting film by means of a conductive paste. The insulation substratum 1 is made of a heat resisting thermoplastic resin suitable for an SMT. The insulation substratum 1 is integrally formed on the side having the fuse circuits on the heat resisting film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Onishi
  • Patent number: 5309131
    Abstract: An easily and preferably fully automatically manufacturable thermal switch having a minimum number of parts is disclosed. The thermal switch has two connecting parts fixed to a support part. One connecting part carries a fixed contact and the other connecting part is connected through a high resistance to a movable contact switchable by a bimetallic element. The support part is a ceramic part forming the high resistance from a PTC material and the connecting parts are almost completely frictionally engage support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignees: Ulrika Hofsass, Marcel P. Hofsass, Denis P. Hofsass, Henrik P. Hofsass, Carola R. Hofsass, Benjamin M. Hofsass
    Inventors: Peter Hofsass, deceased, by Henrik P. Hofsass, heir, by Carola R. Hofsass, heir, by Benjamin M. Hofsass, heir, Jens Radbruch, Guenter Kruck
  • Patent number: 5304974
    Abstract: A thermal cut-off resistor that has an elongated thermal cut-off fuse; a wire-shaped resistor that is tightly coiled around the fuse, said resistor being physically connected to the fuse so that the fuse and the resistor are in an electrical series arrangement; and an electrically-insulated heat-resistant casing that contains the fuse and resistor therein and enables the fuse and the resistor to be secured and electrically connected to respective electrical contacts formed on a printed circuit board, the profile of the casing being approximately the width of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Stromberg-Carlson
    Inventor: Monte Denton
  • Patent number: 5304973
    Abstract: A coil for electromagnetically actuating a switching device. The coil includes terminal connections retained in a coil flange for the coil where there are recesses in the flange to accommodate electrical components. The terminal connections are developed as a joint bar, and the joint bar serves as a mechanical holding device for one of the sides of two diodes of a rectifier bridge configured on opposite sides of the joint bar. The one side of the two diodes is soldered to the joint bar. These elements are inserted as a unit into the recesses of the coil flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmuth Baldauf, Gert Fischer, Franz Mende, Norbert Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5303012
    Abstract: An actuator is provided with a position sensing system which comprises a permanent magnet, a saddle plate, a sole plate and the magnetically sensitive component. The magnet and the magnetically sensitive component are disposed between the saddle plate and the sole plate which are spaced apart for these purposes. A moveable plunger is arranged to move along an axis relative to a stationary stop member. A first magnetic circuit is provide which comprises the permanent magnet, the saddle plate, the sole plate, the stop member and the moveable plunger. A second magnetic circuit is provided which comprises the magnet, the saddle plate, the sole plate and a magnetically sensitive component such as a Hall effect element. In addition, an adjustment means can be provided within the second magnetic circuit to change the reluctance of that circuit for adjustment purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm H. Horlacher, Harry S. Kuhlman, III
  • Patent number: 5302930
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve has a housing, a coil having a coil body and arranged in the housing, a pole element, a flux conducting element, a magnet armature cooperating with the coil body through the pole element and the flux conducting element. The flux conducting element is bracket shaped and arranged for position-accurate fixing and mounting of the coil, the coil body, and the pole element in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Brehm, Kurt Gensheimer, Bernd Groll, Erwin Krimmer
  • Patent number: 5300912
    Abstract: An electrical cutout with a modular product design is provided with a constructional configuration for the insulator wherein the insulator is light in weight, has sufficient mechanical strength, can be readily injection molded, and wherein the creep distance is statistically maximized. The electrical cutout has an insulator, an upper and lower line terminal assembly, and a fuse assembly. The insulator has an elongated central stem portion defining a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart skirts mounted to the stem portion and so as to lie in respective transverse planes which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The elongated central stem portion of the insulator has a non-solid cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Utility Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Tillery, Eugene H. Wood, Ronny D. Jergenson, Charles E. Rand, Michael G. Nolte, Kevin F. Bulson