Patents by Inventor David R. Sommer

David R. Sommer 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).

  • Publication number: 20130267130
    Abstract: A neutral bar includes a plurality of neutral bar fasteners, each of the neutral bar fasteners has a first end, a rounded second end with a hemispherical surface opposite the first end, and a threaded shaft therebetween. An elongated, generally rectangular member includes a plurality of tapped openings and a plurality of cylindrical openings. Each of the cylindrical openings is normal to a corresponding one of the tapped openings. The threaded shaft of each of the neutral bar fasteners is threaded into a corresponding one of the tapped openings of the elongated, generally rectangular member. Each of the cylindrical openings is structured to receive a stranded conductor having a plurality of individual solid conductors. The hemispherical surface of each of the neutral bar fasteners is structured to engage the stranded conductor within a corresponding one of the cylindrical openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: DAVID R. SOMMER, TONY R. BENSON
  • Patent number: 7883382
    Abstract: A grounding system includes a mounting surface, a first ground conductor including first and second ends, a plurality of second ground conductors, and a grounding apparatus. The grounding apparatus includes an elongated conductive member having a first end including an open jaw lug structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage a portion of the first ground conductor extending transverse to the elongated conductive member, an opposite second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the opposite second end. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of lugs. Each of the plurality of lugs is structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage an end portion of a corresponding one of the second ground conductors. The intermediate portion further includes a plurality of mounting apertures. Each of a plurality of fasteners mounts the intermediate portion to the mounting surface at a corresponding one of the mounting apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Hal D. Howard, Philip R. Sluder, David R. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20100203775
    Abstract: A grounding system includes a mounting surface, a first ground conductor including first and second ends, a plurality of second ground conductors, and a grounding apparatus. The grounding apparatus includes an elongated conductive member having a first end including an open jaw lug structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage a portion of the first ground conductor extending transverse to the elongated conductive member, an opposite second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the opposite second end. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of lugs. Each of the plurality of lugs is structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage an end portion of a corresponding one of the second ground conductors. The intermediate portion further includes a plurality of mounting apertures. Each of a plurality of fasteners mounts the intermediate portion to the mounting surface at a corresponding one of the mounting apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Hal D. Howard, Philip R. Sluder, David R. Sommer
  • Patent number: 5774930
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a sound muffler which, according to one aspect of the invention, may be combined with an accessory selector valve. The vacuum cleaner includes a height adjustment mechanism which eliminates positioning detents along the cam adjustment surface. The vacuum cleaner also includes a vacuum bag mounting arrangement which insures that the bag will not project above a handle parting plane, thus reducing the size of the shipping carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Sommer, Leonard D. Hampton, William R. Reimer, John A. Huebsch, George V. Hibbs
  • Patent number: 5774932
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a separable handle for compact shipping is disclosed. The separable handle includes a lower handle portion pivotally attached to a floor engaging unit and is joined to an upper handle portion at a parting plane. A dust bag cover is mounted to the lower handle portion by a mounting device. The mounting device comprises a baseplate comprises a mounting plate mounted on an exhaust duct of the cleaner extending from the lower handle portion and a dust bag cover support frame attached to the baseplate. All portions of the frame are located below the frame for shipping purposes. According to one aspect of the invention the support frame extends at right angles to the base plate and, according to another aspect of the invention, the frame is extendable above the parting plane to a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Mallory, Arnold L. Sepke, David R. Sommer