Patents by Inventor Bruce Bier

Bruce Bier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10598206
    Abstract: A safety shear bolt includes a main bolt portion and a torque head portion connected to the main bolt portion. The torque head portion includes an extended head portion, a stem portion rigidly connecting the main bolt portion to the torque head portion, and a coupling mechanism rotatably connecting the extended head portion to the main bolt portion. The stem portion is configured to shear when a predetermined torque is applied to the extended head portion, while the coupling mechanism prevents the extended head portion from dropping after shearing off from the main bolt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 10593503
    Abstract: A network protector fuse is disclosed. A fuse is coupled to a fuse cover of the network protector fuse utilizing fasteners. Further, at least one captive fastener is inserted into the fuse cover and configured to couple the network protector fuse to a network protector. The at least one captive fastener is restricted from dislodging from the fuse cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, LP
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Christopher Juillet, Mantas Jarasunas, Jeffrey Madden
  • Patent number: 10574041
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting mains cables used for underground secondary low-voltage AC network systems utilizing an improved crab joint connector arranged to maximize the number of interconnections in a compact design wherein the plurality of legs are arranged in a rectangle configuration and a single bus leg is positioned at an end of an insulated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, LP
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Jeffrey L. Madden
  • Patent number: 10211611
    Abstract: A support core includes a tube body for holding a device in an expanded state, a low-friction film disposed over an outer surface of the tube body, and a fixing device for holding the film in place, the fixing device comprising a loop of tape wrapped longitudinally over the film and through the tube body, or a tab on the film that is affixed to the tube body. To remove the tube body, the tape and/or film are cut so that the film can slide towards the front end of the tube body, and the tube body is then pulled out of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Christopher A. Juillet, Jeff Madden
  • Publication number: 20180306231
    Abstract: A safety shear bolt includes a main bolt portion and a torque head portion connected to the main bolt portion. The torque head portion includes an extended head portion, a stem portion rigidly connecting the main bolt portion to the torque head portion, and a coupling mechanism rotatably connecting the extended head portion to the main bolt portion. The stem portion is configured to shear when a predetermined torque is applied to the extended head portion, while the coupling mechanism prevents the extended head portion from dropping after shearing off from the main bolt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Publication number: 20180295738
    Abstract: A split door submersible housing for an electrical distribution system includes a cabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept a component of the electrical distribution system, and a first door and a second door positioned side by side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body. The cabinet body includes at least one opening configured to accept an electrode sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and extending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between a corresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distribution network. A gasket system is provided, which comprises a first gasket configured to fit on the first door and a second gasket configured to fit on the second door. The gasket system seals the first door and the second door against each other and against a corresponding surface on the cabinet body, when the first and second doors are closed and locked, so that the housing is water tight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 10006480
    Abstract: A safety shear bolt includes a main bolt portion and a torque head portion connected to the main bolt portion. The torque head portion includes an extended head portion, a stem portion rigidly connecting the main bolt portion to the torque head portion, and a coupling mechanism rotatably connecting the extended head portion to the main bolt portion. The stem portion is configured to shear when a predetermined torque is applied to the extended head portion, while the coupling mechanism prevents the extended head portion from dropping after shearing off from the main bolt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 10004155
    Abstract: A split door submersible housing for an electrical distribution system includes a cabinet body defining an interior region configured to accept a component of the electrical distribution system, and a first door and a second door positioned side by side to cover an open front portion of the cabinet body. The cabinet body includes at least one opening configured to accept an electrode sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and extending through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between a corresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distribution network. A gasket system is provided, which comprises a first one piece continuous gasket configured to fit on the first door and a second one piece continuous gasket configured to fit on the second door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Publication number: 20180166869
    Abstract: A support core includes a tube body for holding a device in an expanded state, a low-friction film disposed over an outer surface of the tube body, and a fixing device for holding the film in place, the fixing device comprising a loop of tape wrapped longitudinally over the film and through the tube body, or a tab on the film that is affixed to the tube body. To remove the tube body, the tape and/or film are cut so that the film can slide towards the front end of the tube body, and the tube body is then pulled out of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Christopher A. Juillet, Jeff Madden
  • Publication number: 20170276164
    Abstract: A safety shear bolt includes a main bolt portion and a torque head portion connected to the main bolt portion. The torque head portion includes an extended head portion, a stem portion rigidly connecting the main bolt portion to the torque head portion, and a coupling mechanism rotatably connecting the extended head portion to the main bolt portion. The stem portion is configured to shear when a predetermined torque is applied to the extended head portion, while the coupling mechanism prevents the extended head portion from dropping after shearing off from the main bolt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Publication number: 20170125986
    Abstract: A cable accessory removal tool is disclosed. The tool comprises a first handle, a guard member, and a cutting member. The cutting member includes a second handle and a blade that rotates about a pivot point. In a first position, a portion of the blade is positioned within a groove of the guard member. The cutting member is rotated to a second position using the second handle. Various methods of removing a cable accessory without damaging the cable covered by the cable accessory are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: RICHARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY SALES, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Christopher Juillet
  • Patent number: 9379526
    Abstract: An enclosure for a network protector in an electrical distribution network includes a cabinet body that defines an interior region that accepts the network protector. The cabinet body three electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and each other, which extend through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between corresponding terminals of the network protector and the electrical distribution network. First and second doors are pivotably connected to opposing sides of the cabinet body and have respective contact surfaces to seal against the cabinet body. A first gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the first door, and a second gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the second door. At least a portion of the first gasket and the second gasket have conformal shapes that sealingly mate with each other when the first and second doors are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Mantas Jarasunas, Joseph Bier
  • Publication number: 20150340850
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting mains cables used for underground secondary low-voltage AC network systems utilizing an improved crab joint connector arranged to maximize the number of interconnections in a compact design wherein the plurality of legs are arranged in a rectangle configuration and a single bus leg is positioned at an end of an insulated housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: RICHARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY SALES, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Jeffrey L. Madden
  • Publication number: 20150282363
    Abstract: An enclosure for a network protector in an electrical distribution network includes a cabinet body that defines an interior region that accepts the network protector. The cabinet body three electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and each other, which extend through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between corresponding terminals of the network protector and the electrical distribution network. First and second doors are pivotably connected to opposing sides of the cabinet body and have respective contact surfaces to seal against the cabinet body. A first gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the first door, and a second gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the second door. At least a portion of the first gasket and the second gasket have conformal shapes that sealingly mate with each other when the first and second doors are in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Mantas Jarasunas, Joseph Bier
  • Patent number: 9048638
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting mains cables used for underground secondary low-voltage AC network systems utilizing an improved crab joint connector arranged to maximize the number of interconnections in a compact design wherein the plurality of legs are arranged in a rectangle configuration and a single bus leg is positioned at an end of an insulated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Madden, Bruce Bier
  • Publication number: 20140197958
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting mains cables used for underground secondary low-voltage AC network systems utilizing an improved crab joint connector arranged to maximize the number of interconnections in a compact design wherein the plurality of legs are arranged in a rectangle configuration and a single bus leg is positioned at an end of an insulated housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Madden, Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 8129618
    Abstract: A cable joint assembly may include a base and a plurality of removable legs connected to the base, each leg preferably including a limiter. A securing assembly preferably maintains the leg connected to the base. The securing assembly preferably includes an indicator for providing a visual indication whether or not the corresponding limiter is blown. The base is preferably constructed and arranged such that the indicator is visible and accessible to facilitate removal of the blown limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Publication number: 20090065250
    Abstract: A cable joint assembly may include a base and a plurality of removable legs connected to the base, each leg preferably including a limiter. A securing assembly preferably maintains the leg connected to the base. The securing assembly preferably includes an indicator for providing a visual indication whether or not the corresponding limiter is blown. The base is preferably constructed and arranged such that the indicator is visible and accessible to facilitate removal of the blown limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 6359765
    Abstract: A fused terminal for use with a network protector, the disconnect terminal including an integral fuse and being located outside of the network protector housing and not substantially increasing the overall height of the network protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: RE47096
    Abstract: An enclosure for a network protector in an electrical distribution network includes a cabinet body that defines an interior region that accepts the network protector. The cabinet body three electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body and each other, which extend through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between corresponding terminals of the network protector and the electrical distribution network. First and second doors are pivotably connected to opposing sides of the cabinet body and have respective contact surfaces to seal against the cabinet body. A first gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the first door, and a second gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the second door. At least a portion of the first gasket and the second gasket have conformal shapes that sealingly mate with each other when the first and second doors are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, a New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bruce Bier, Mantas Jarasunas, Joseph Bier