Patents by Inventor Eric R. Rinderer
Eric R. Rinderer 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).
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Patent number: 5848770Abstract: A clevis hanger for supporting conduit comprising a lower U-shaped member having a pair of generally parallel arms, each arm having an upper end, and an upper hanger member having a pair of spaced-apart arms depending generally downward therefrom. Each arm of the upper hanger member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portions of are horizontally spaced apart such that the lower portions are located adjacent the arms of the lower hanger member. Each of the arms of the lower hanger member and each of the lower portions of the arms of the upper hanger member has an opening therein. The openings are in generally horizontal alignment with one another when the upper and lower hanger members are connected. An elongate fastener is adapted to be inserted through the aligned openings to connect the upper and lower hanger members.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich Co.Inventors: Robert D. Oliver, Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5819956Abstract: A rack for electrical equipment is constructed for resistance to failure in earthquake conditions. The rack has a base and two legs extending upwardly from the base. A cross member spans between and interconnects the legs near their tops. A reinforcing strut on either the front or back flange of each leg forms, in combination with the flange a box beam element which greatly strengthens the flange of the leg. A brace attached to the underside of the cross member passes through an opening in the web of the leg and is rigidly attached to the reinforcing strut. The arrangement of the brace facilitates the mounting of EMI shielding on the rack. The rack also has a one-piece cover for closing the base of the rack.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich CompanyInventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5816542Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a rail section supported generally horizontally, a splice for connecting the rail section and another structure, and a fastener for securing the splice to the rail section. Each rail section has a hollow box beam portion having a top wall, opposite side walls and a bottom wall. Each splice has a central part and first and second end parts, the first end part being receivable in an open end of the box beam portion of the rail section and the second end part being connectable to the structure. The central part of the splice has an outside width immediately adjacent the first end part of the splice essentially the same as the outside width of the rail section immediately adjacent its open end thereby to provide smooth junctures between the central part of the splice and the rail section at opposite sides of the rail section when the first end part of the splice is received in the rail section.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich CompanyInventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5792993Abstract: The disclosure describes a sealing device for sealing two adjacent wireway sections positioned in an end-to-end relation. Each wireway section has a lower channel portion for receiving cable and a cover movable between an open position for placing cable in the wireway section and a closed position for covering the cable. The sealing device includes a sealing plate, a seal on a lower surface of the sealing plate, and a connector for connecting the sealing plate to the lower channel portion of at least one of the two wireway sections for pivotal movement of the sealing plate between an open position in which the covers of the wireway sections can be lifted, and a closed position in which the sealing plate extends transversely across the wireway sections over the covers with the seal in engagement with the covers. The sealing device also includes a quick-operating fastening device for releasably connecting the sealing plate to the lower channel portion of at least one of the two adjacent wireway sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich CompanyInventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5782439Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like includes a plurality of rail sections and a hub having a horizontal peripheral rim. A plurality of vertical holes are spaced at intervals around the rim for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1995Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich CompanyInventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5730400Abstract: A cable tray system comprising a cable tray for carrying cable, a support fastened to the cable tray, and at least one cover panel operatively associated with the support for covering cable carried by the cable tray. The cover panel is engageable with the support for pivoting about an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable tray between an open position in which the cover panel is swung up and away from the cable tray to permit access to cables in the tray and a closed position in which the cover panel is swung down to cover cables in the cable tray. The cover panel is removable from the support without removing the support from the cable tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1995Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Sigma-AldrichInventors: Eric R. Rinderer, Martin L. Witherbee
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Patent number: 5720567Abstract: A splice system having two rails to be connected end to end and splice member having a center part and a pair of end parts sized for insertion in open ends of the two rails. The rails to be connected end to end having first and second opposing walls and a hole in the first walls. The end parts of the splice members having threaded openings adapted to register with holes in the rails. The splice member is connected to the rails with bolts, the arrangement being such that, when the bolts are tightened, heads of the bolts outside the rails are drawn toward first walls of respective rails and end parts of the splice member inside the rails are pulled away from second walls of the rails and tight against the first walls of respective rails thereby to splice the rails together.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich CompanyInventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5651518Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a rail section adapted to be supported generally horizontally. Each rail section has a hollow box beam portion comprising a top wall, opposite side walls and a bottom wall and splices for connecting the rail sections to another structure. Each splice has a central part and a first and second end parts, the first end part being receivable in an open end of the box beam portion of the rail section and the second part being connectable to the structure. Snap fasteners on the first end part of the splice are receivable in an opening in the box beam portion of the rail section for connecting the splice to the rail section.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5634614Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, including an elongate support structure adapted to be supported generally horizontally. The support structure comprises a vertical wall extending lengthwise of the structure, and a plurality of tray members extending laterally outwardly from the wall at different elevations with respect to the wall. The tray members and the wall combine to form a plurality of elongate horizontal trays extending lengthwise of the structure at different elevations with respect to the structure for supporting in the trays a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like at said different elevations.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5628481Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a plurality of rail sections, a hub supported at a fixed elevation, and a plurality of rail connectors for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5628580Abstract: A splice system having two rails to be connected end to end and splice member having a center part and a pair of end parts sized for insertion in open ends of the two rails. The rails to be connected end to end having first and second opposing walls and a hole in the first wall. The end parts of the splice members having threaded openings adapted to register with holes in the rails. The splice member is connected to the rails with bolts, the arrangement being such that, when the bolts are tightened, heads of the bolts outside the rails are drawn toward first walls of respective rails and end parts of the splice member inside the rails are pulled away from second walls of the rails and tight against the first walls of respective rails thereby to splice the rails together.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5618014Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, comprising a plurality of first rail sections and a series of supports extending down from one or more of the first rail sections. Each support comprises a generally vertical column and a series of arms extending laterally outwardly from the column. The arms of each support cooperate with the arms of the other supports for supporting a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like. The system also includes a plurality of second rail sections, a series of rungs projecting laterally from one or more of the second rail sections for supporting runs of data transmission lines and the like, and splices for connecting the first and/or second rail sections end to end. The splices and the first and second rail sections are so dimensioned and configured that splices of identical construction can be used interchangeably with said first and second rail sections.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5595362Abstract: A bracket for mounting an electrical box on a wall stud including a sheet metal plate having front and rear faces and a large central opening therein. A pair of screw opening formations is provided in the plate generally adjacent diagonally opposite corners of the central opening in the plate. Each formation includes a relatively narrow screw shank clearance slot which receives the shank of a respective box mounting screw. The plate is so configured that an electrical box may be moved to a first position in which the front of the box is closely adjacent the rear face of the plate, and then to a second position in which the shanks of the mounting screws are received in the screw shank clearance slots of respective screw opening formations and in which the front opening of the box is generally in register with the central opening in the plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1992Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric R. Rinderer, Martin L. Witherbee
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Patent number: 5587555Abstract: A device to be mounted on a support member for holding a conductor in a substantially fixed position extending generally parallel to the support member. The device includes a bracket having an arm with at least one opening therein and a clamp having a head and at least one leg projecting from the head adapted for reception in the opening in the arm. The leg of the clamp is movable in the opening in a first axial direction with respect to the leg so that the head of the clamp can be pushed closer to the arm to move the clamp to a clamping position in which the head of the clamp is in clamping engagement with a conductor disposed between the head and the arm. The device further includes a retainer for retaining the clamp in its clamping position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5580014Abstract: A cable tray of the present invention comprises a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart metal side rails and metal rungs extending between the rails at intervals spaced along the rails. Each metal rung has opposite ends generally abutting respective side rails and a pair of preformed openings extending inwardly from the opposite ends of the rung lengthwise of the rung. A pair of metal mechanical fasteners extend through the side rails and into respective preformed openings in the rung to fasten the rung to the side rails. Each of the openings is defined by a rung structure which, as viewed in a cross section taken transversely with respect to the rung, extends completely around the perimeter of the opening so that the perimeter of the opening is totally enclosed by the rung structure. Each of the fasteners is engageable with the rung structure defining a respective opening for securely holding the rung in fixed position with respect to its respective side rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5564658Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like, including a rail formed as a plurality of separate sections, and splices for connecting the rail sections end to end. In one embodiment a plurality of supports extend down from one or more rail sections at intervals spaced along the sections. Each support has a generally vertical column and a series of arms extending laterally outwardly from the column along the length of the column at different elevations. The arms of each support cooperate with the arms of the other supports for supporting a series of horizontal runs of data transmission lines and the like at the different elevations. Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1993Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5372341Abstract: A hold-down device for holding a cable tray on a support includes a rigid member having opposite side edges, opposite side margins adjacent respective side edges, and opposite end portions. The member may be placed on the support in a position in which the opposite side margins of the member bear on edges of the support with the member overlying the slot adjacent a flange of the cable tray. The member is constructed and arranged such that it is selectively securable to the support by a threaded fastener either in a clamping position in which one end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray and may clamp the flange of the cable tray thereby to hold the rail in fixed position with respect to the support, or in a non-clamping position in which the opposite end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray but cannot clamp the flange thereby to permit lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the rail while still holding the rail on the support.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1993Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Witherbee, Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: 5284254Abstract: A rack for electrical equipment includes a base having a bottom wall, and a back wall extending up from the bottom wall at the back of the rack. The bottom wall has a plurality of fastener openings therein through which fasteners may be driven into a surface supporting the rack for securing the rack to the surface. A pair of legs extend up from the bottom wall of the base at opposite sides of the base adjacent the back wall of the base. A cover may be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure for electrical wiring and the like. Removal of the cover from the base provides ready access to the electrical wiring and the like and also the fastener openings in the bottom wall of the base for facilitating securement of the rack to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1992Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: D361982Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
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Patent number: RE35479Abstract: A hold-down device for holding a cable tray on a support includes a rigid member having opposite side edges, opposite side margins adjacent respective side edges, and opposite end portions. The member may be placed on the support in a position in which the opposite side margins of the member bear on edges of the support with the member overlying the slot adjacent a flange of the cable tray. The member is constructed and arranged such that it is selectively securable to the support by a threaded fastener either in a clamping position in which one end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray and may clamp the flange of the cable tray thereby to hold the rail in fixed position with respect to the support, or in a non-clamping position in which the opposite end portion of the member overlies the flange of the cable tray but cannot clamp the flange thereby to permit lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the rail while still holding the rail on the support.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Witherbee, Eric R. Rinderer