Patents by Inventor Charles Bindics

Charles Bindics 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: 10601170
    Abstract: A solid dielectric deadfront electrical switch assembly having a switch contact assembly. The switch contact assembly can include an upper insulative diaphragm, a male pin contact having an insulating tip and an isolating sleeve, a primary contact, a lower insulative diaphragm, and a female socket contact. The upper insulative diaphragm, isolating sleeve, and insulating tip can assist in electrically isolating the male contact pin when the electrical switch assembly is in an open condition. Further, the upper insulative diaphragm can be separated from the female socket contact, and/or a female-contact insulating sleeve, by a gap chamber that utilizes air as an insulator. The lower insulative diaphragm can be configured to engage a drive rod that is used to axially displace the male pin contact between open and closed positions in a manner that may prevent arcing between the switch contact assembly and a base plate of a switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gieger, Ian Christopher Waleck, Charles Bindics
  • Publication number: 20190148877
    Abstract: A solid dielectric deadfront electrical switch assembly having a switch contact assembly. The switch contact assembly can include an upper insulative diaphragm, a male pin contact having an insulating tip and an isolating sleeve, a primary contact, a lower insulative diaphragm, and a female socket contact. The upper insulative diaphragm, isolating sleeve, and insulating tip can assist in electrically isolating the male contact pin when the electrical switch assembly is in an open condition. Further, the upper insulative diaphragm can be separated from the female socket contact, and/or a female-contact insulating sleeve, by a gap chamber that utilizes air as an insulator. The lower insulative diaphragm can be configured to engage a drive rod that is used to axially displace the male pin contact between open and closed positions in a manner that may prevent arcing between the switch contact assembly and a base plate of a switchgear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gieger, Ian Christopher Waleck, Charles Bindics
  • Patent number: 10242824
    Abstract: A safety lockout device for switchgear includes a movable member adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position. A switch is adapted to electrically isolate a motor in the switchgear and a blocking arm is coupled to a shaft of the motor. In the first position, the movable member engages the switch to close the electrical motor circuit and the blocking arm is free to rotate with the motor shaft. In the second position, the movable member moves away from the switch so that the switch is in an open circuit state disconnecting power to the motor and a portion of the movable member is moved to a position whereby the blocking arm engages the movable member to prevent rotation of the motor shaft and a change of state of the switchgear. The position of the movable member relative to the switch provides a visual indication of the operating state of the switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gieger, Charles Bindics
  • Patent number: 8973519
    Abstract: A status indicator includes a display disc with a pin located within a central portion if the display disc, a first colored section, and a second colored section. The status indicator also includes a lens unit with an opaque section and a non-opaque section to alternately reveal the first colored section or the second colored section such that either the first or the second colored section is visible from any angle within a hemisphere below the status indicator. The status indicator also includes an indicator cam configured to receive a linear force initiated by an actuator component and to translate the linear force to a rotational force on the pin. The rotational force causes the display disc to rotate from a first position to a second position that aligns the second colored section with the non-opaque section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bindics, William Ayala, III, Geoffrey Reed
  • Publication number: 20140367233
    Abstract: A safety lockout device for switchgear includes a means for electrically disconnecting power to a motor and means for mechanically blocking the motor from operating. The safety lockout further includes a movable member operable by a hotstick to actuate the electrical disconnecting means and the mechanical blocking means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gieger, Charles Bindics
  • Publication number: 20130036965
    Abstract: A status indicator includes a display disc with a pin located within a central portion if the display disc, a first colored section, and a second colored section. The status indicator also includes a lens unit with an opaque section and a non-opaque section to alternately reveal the first colored section or the second colored section such that either the first or the second colored section is visible from any angle within a hemisphere below the status indicator. The status indicator also includes an indicator cam configured to receive a linear force initiated by an actuator component and to translate the linear force to a rotational force on the pin. The rotational force causes the display disc to rotate from a first position to a second position that aligns the second colored section with the non-opaque section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Bindics, William Ayala, III, Geoffrey Reed
  • Patent number: 7754992
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Publication number: 20090289037
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Patent number: 7579572
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Publication number: 20080254660
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Patent number: 7397012
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Publication number: 20060266630
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed