Patents by Inventor Dennis A. Oddsen

Dennis A. Oddsen 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: 8439692
    Abstract: A triplex electrical receptacle has a flexible, compact arrangement of bus bars and phase, neutral and ground contacts associated with three outlets. Two outlets are nearest two corners of the body that share a common first side, and the third outlet is between them but closer to the opposite side of the body. A common neutral bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the neutral contacts of all three outlets. The phase bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the phase contacts of at least two of the outlets. One embodiment permanently connects the phase contact of the third outlet to the phase bus bar; another embodiment permanently isolates the third outlet, connecting its phase contact to a separate phase terminal; and an additional embodiment incorporates a separate phase terminal for the third outlet and an optionally severable connection between the third outlet and the first phase terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Jian H. Li
  • Publication number: 20130109205
    Abstract: A triplex electrical receptacle has a flexible, compact arrangement of bus bars and phase, neutral and ground contacts associated with three outlets. Two outlets are nearest two corners of the body that share a common first side, and the third outlet is between them but closer to the opposite side of the body. A common neutral bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the neutral contacts of all three outlets. The phase bus bar (with terminal) is connected to the phase contacts of at least two of the outlets. One embodiment permanently connects the phase contact of the third outlet to the phase bus bar; another embodiment permanently isolates the third outlet, connecting its phase contact to a separate phase terminal; and an additional embodiment incorporates a separate phase terminal for the third outlet and an optionally severable connection between the third outlet and the first phase terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Jian H. Li
  • Patent number: 8011937
    Abstract: A unitary body has both a plurality of outlets and protection circuitry integrated therein. An indicator device in the body provides a visual signal to indicate normal operation of the outlets. The protection circuitry may be a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), and/or an integrated circuit breaker. Another indicator device provides an audible signal in accordance with failure of the protection circuit. In a particular embodiment, the body has six outlets and the protection circuitry is a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS). The visual signal is provided by an LED, and an alarm buzzer sounds when the TVSS is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Steve Zacharevitz
  • Patent number: 7824196
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle with a body sized to fit in a NEMA-standard single wall box has a substantially rectangular face with phase blade openings, neutral blade openings and ground prong openings associated with respective first, second and third outlets, each outlet having a centerline passing through its ground prong opening parallel to its phase and neutral blade openings. The centerline of the first outlet is oblique to the edges of the face and oblique to the centerline of at least one other outlet. The centerlines of all of the outlets may be mutually nonparallel, and they may be mutually oblique. The centerline of the second outlet may be parallel to an edge of the face; and if so, the centerline of the third outlet may be either perpendicular to or parallel to the centerline of the second outlet. In a preferred arrangement, the centerlines are mutually nonparallel, and the ground prong openings of two of the outlets are located at corners of the face that share a common longer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Jian H. Li
  • Patent number: 7732710
    Abstract: The instant invention overcomes the difficulties encountered with respect to mounting electrical wiring devices to a common box and then positioning the devices relative to each other prior to attaching a wall plate. Some of the difficulties encountered are positioning the wiring devices to be in alignment with each other, locating the wiring devices to be parallel to each other, adjusting the spacing between the different devices to be equal and uniform and fixing all of the devices to be flat against the wall. The alignment pins, when engaged by the close clearance locating openings, accurately positions the wiring devices to allow a wall plate to be placed around the wiring devices without requiring any initial or subsequent adjustment. Each set of alignment pins on the alignment plate can be located on a vertical axis which accurately defines the center for the wiring device. The opening in the wiring device receives and holds captive a set of alignment pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Leslie Lindenstraus, Anthony Tufano, Steve Zacharevitz
  • Patent number: 7700888
    Abstract: There is disclosed structure which overcomes the deficiencies with respect to prior art devices by providing a wiring device such as a switch having a paddle that pivots about its upper end and is biased to assume the same at rest position when either in its on position or off position. Repeated pressing and releasing the lower portion of the face of the switch paddle alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch to alternately connect and disconnect a load form a source of electricity each time the paddle is pressed. Thus, regardless of whether adjacent switches are on-off switches or 3-way switches, they will always be in alignment. An on-off indicator such as a small light is provided to indicate to a user when the contacts of the switch are opened or closed. The paddle of the switch has a length-width ratio dimension that is proportioned to provide a finger contact surface of increased area to allow a user to more easily and quickly identify and operate a particular switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, Paul Endres, Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7456360
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wall plate for a wiring device. The wall plate has a single opening for receiving one or a gang of two or more wiring devices within the single opening. The wall plate has along its vertical axis, a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, including a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The wall plate, when composed of non-conducting material, has a conductive coating on its front surface, on its back surface or on both its front and back surfaces. When the wiring device is a switch, the surface of the switch face follows that of the wall plate. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the surface along the receptacle face is flat in one plane to allow for the proper seating of an inserted plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Schmieta, Michael Meyer, Dennis A. Oddsen, Anthony Tufano, Leslie Lindenstraus, James J. Sherman, Tim Langfit
  • Patent number: 7452221
    Abstract: A tamper resistant assembly provides tamper resistance to an electrical receptacle. The tamper resistant assembly includes a base member having first and second grooves. Each groove has a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. The first portion is substantially perpendicular to a rear wall of the member and the second portion forms an angle with the first portion. A shutter member is slidably and pivotally connected to the base member for movement between open and closed positions. First and second protrusions extend outwardly from the shutter member and are slidably and pivotally received in the first and second grooves, respectively, in the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Michael J. Marchetti
  • Patent number: 7435903
    Abstract: The instant invention discloses a receptacle having a shape along the width of its face that is flat in one plane and along its length that has a constant radius. The shape of the face of the receptacle allows for the proper seating of an inserted plug. The shape of a wall plate around the receptacle along a section which runs along its vertical axis defines a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. When ganged with a switch, the front surface of the switch follows the shape of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen, Leslie Lindenstraus, Steve Zacharevitz, Paul Endres
  • Patent number: 7294782
    Abstract: The instant invention discloses a receptacle having a shape along the width of its face that is flat in one plane and along its length that has a constant radius. The shape of the face of the receptacle allows for the proper seating of an inserted plug. The shape of a wall plate around the receptacle along a section which runs along its vertical axis defines a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, includes a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. When ganged with a switch, the front surface of the switch follows the shape of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lindenstraus, Steve Zacharevitz, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7285723
    Abstract: The instant invention discloses a receptacle where the surface of the face along its width is flat in one plane and along its length has a constant radius. The shape of the face of the receptacle allows for the proper seating of an inserted plug. The receptacle is adapter to be located in a wall plate having a vertical axis of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane and zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The receptacle can be placed next to a switch, the front face of which follows the shape of the wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lindenstraus, Steve Zacharevitz, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7282642
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wall plate for a wiring device. The wall plate has a single opening for receiving one or a gang of two or more wiring devices within the single opening. The wall plate has along its vertical axis, a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The wall plate, when composed of non-conducting material, has a conductive coating on its front surface, on its back surface or on both its front and back surfaces. When the wiring device is a switch, the surface of the switch face follows that of the wall plate. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the surface along the receptacle face is flat in one plane to allow for the proper seating of an inserted plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Schmieta, Michael Meyer, Dennis A. Oddsen, Anthony Tufano, Leslie Lindenstraus, James J. Sherman, Tim Langfit
  • Patent number: 7279636
    Abstract: The instant invention overcomes the difficulties encountered with respect to mounting electrical wiring devices to a common box and then positioning the devices relative to each other prior to attaching a wall plate. Some of the difficulties encountered are positioning the wiring devices to be in alignment with each other, locating the wiring devices to be parallel to each other, adjusting the spacing between the different devices to be equal and uniform and fixing all of the devices to be flat against the wall. In the prior art, the wiring devices are first loosely attached to a box and then moved back and forth, and up and down to fit within cut outs in a wall plate which is then attached to the wiring devices with screws. A time consuming and tedious job. This invention overcomes these deficiencies by providing wiring devices that have locating openings for engaging alignment pins located on a plate that is subsequently attached to a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Leslie Lindenstraus, Anthony Tufano, Steve Zacharevitz
  • Patent number: 7265308
    Abstract: There is disclosed a paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the paddle pivots in and out about its upper edge. The switch includes semi-rigid spiral wound driver means having a conical end coupled to be driven by the rocker paddle. When the rocker paddle is pushed in, the paddle urges the semi-rigid driver means to rotate a cam means in a first, clock wise direction, or a second, counter clock wise direction. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member having a cam follower back and forth along a linear axis. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with the cam follower to assist in the movement of the slider and determines its rest positions. An indicator such as an LED is used to indicate the state of conduction of the switch. When the rocker paddle is released, it is biased by a spring to pivot back to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Endres, Stephen R. Kurek, Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7250580
    Abstract: There is disclosed structure which overcomes the deficiencies with respect to prior art devices by providing a wiring device such as a switch having a paddle that pivots about its upper end and is biased to assume the same at rest position when either in its on position or off position. Repeated pressing and releasing the lower portion of the face of the switch paddle alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch to alternately connect and disconnect a load form a source of electricity each time the paddle is pressed. Thus, regardless of whether adjacent switches are on-off switches or 3-way switches, they will always be in alignment. An on-off indicator such as a small light is provided to indicate to a user when the contacts of the switch are opened or closed. The paddle of the switch has a length-width ratio dimension that is proportioned to provide a finger contact surface of increased area to allow a user to more easily and quickly identify and operate a particular switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, Paul Endres, Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7247792
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wall plate with a single opening for receiving one or a gang of wiring devices within the single opening. The wall plate has along its vertical axis, a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The wall plate, when composed of non-conducting material, has a conductive coating on its front surface, on its back surface or on both its front and back surfaces. When the wiring device is a switch, the surface of the switch face follows that of the wall plate. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the surface along the receptacle face is flat in one plane to allow for proper seating of an inserted plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen, Leslie Lindenstraus, Steve Zacharevitz, Paul Endres
  • Patent number: D551625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Pieter Loftus, Kenneth J. Brown, Gerd Schmieta, Michael Meyer, Dennis A. Oddsen, Anthony Tufano, Leslie Lindenstraus, James J. Sherman, Tim Langfitt
  • Patent number: D609643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Steve Zacharevitz, Carlos Ramirez, Kenneth J. Brown
  • Patent number: D614572
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Oddsen, Steve Zacharevitz, Carlos Ramirez, Kenneth J. Brown
  • Patent number: RE43156
    Abstract: The instant invention discloses a receptacle where the surface of the face along its width is flat in one plane and along its length has a constant radius. The shape of the face of the receptacle allows for the proper seating of an inserted plug. The receptacle is adapter to be located in a wall plate having a vertical axis of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane and zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The receptacle can be placed next to a switch, the front face of which follows the shape of the wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lindenstraus, Steve Zacharevitz, Dennis A. Oddsen