Patents by Inventor Donald G. Gibbons

Donald G. Gibbons 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: 9423818
    Abstract: An over-center handle mechanism is provided to operate electrical equipment, such as a switch or breaker, housed in an electrical enclosure. The over-center handle mechanism includes an adaptor knob, a rotary actuator and a spring. The adaptor knob interfaces with the electrical equipment. The rotary actuator is connected to the adaptor knob, and includes a cam. A through-door handle is used to operate the rotary actuator, which in turn operates the electrical equipment via the adaptor knob. To optimize an angular torque feeling at the through-door handle, the over-center handle mechanism further includes the spring to provide an opposing force against movement of the cam of the rotary actuator, and thus, the through-door handle. A solid lubricant of PTFE may also be provided as an interface between the cam and the spring to reduce friction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jr., Tony R. Robbins, Stanley H. Edwards, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150221463
    Abstract: An over-center handle mechanism is provided to operate electrical equipment, such as a switch or breaker, housed in an electrical enclosure. The over-center handle mechanism includes an adaptor knob, a rotary actuator and a spring. The adaptor knob interfaces with the electrical equipment. The rotary actuator is connected to the adaptor knob, and includes a cam. A through-door handle is used to operate the rotary actuator, which in turn operates the electrical equipment via the adaptor knob. To optimize an angular torque feeling at the through-door handle, the over-center handle mechanism further includes the spring to provide an opposing force against movement of the cam of the rotary actuator, and thus, the through-door handle. A solid lubricant of PTFE may also be provided as an interface between the cam and the spring to reduce friction therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Donald G. GIBBONS, JR., Tony R. ROBBINS, Stanley H. Edwards, JR.
  • Patent number: 7232965
    Abstract: An linear motion compensator for translating a particular amount of linear movement produced by an input device into a particular amount of linear movement required to properly operate an output device, without causing damage to either the input device or the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jon H. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6824470
    Abstract: A bi-directional torque-limiting interface for rotary operating devices is shown and described. The interface includes a first section receiving torque from a source, a second section delivering the received torque to a rotary operating device and a coupler operably connecting the first and second sections. The coupler is preloaded to a predetermined value and maintains a particular angular relationship between the first and second sections under normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jr., Jackie C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20040077410
    Abstract: A bi-directional torque-limiting interface for rotary operating devices is shown and described. The interface includes a first section receiving torque from a source, a second section delivering the received torque to a rotary operating device and a coupler operably connecting the first and second sections. The coupler is preloaded to a predetermined value and maintains a particular angular relationship between the first and second sections under normal operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Square D Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jackie C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6294733
    Abstract: An indexing ring providing automatic continuity between metallic parts of an operator interface device and a support panel in which the operator interface device is mounted. Continuity between the operator interface device and support panel is automatically provided by a continuity rib integrally formed from the indexing feature of an indexing ring. The indexing ring is installed between the operator interface device and the support panel to ensure the relative position of the operator interface device with the support panel. As the indexing feature of the indexing ring is slidably received within the indexing features of the support panel and operator interface device a generally sharp distal edge of the continuity rib will cut through any corrosion protection, such as paint, which might be covering the support panel. Thus, a metal-to-metal connection providing electrical continuity is automatically established and maintained between the operator interface device, indexing ring and the support panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jackie C. Sullivan