Patents by Inventor Charles A. Tustison

Charles A. Tustison 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).

  • Power line connector apparatus including a rib and resilient retaining ring
    Patent number: 8616911
    Abstract: A power line connector apparatus and a method of coupling a first power line connector to a second power line connector are provided. Embodiments include a first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing; a second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; and a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the recessed space of the groove, the ring compressing against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second connector, the ring uncompressing within the recessed space of the rib as the first connector is fully inserted into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby A. Stark, Charles A. Tustison
  • Power Line Connector Apparatus
    Publication number: 20130157496
    Abstract: A power line connector apparatus and a method of coupling a first power line connector to a second power line connector are provided. Embodiments include a first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing; a second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; and a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the recessed space of the groove, the retaining ring compressing against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first power line connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector, the retaining ring uncompressing within the recessed space of the rib as the first power line connector is fully inserted into the electrical contact housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bobby A. Stark, Charles A. Tustison