Patents by Inventor James M. Butts

James M. Butts 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: 5794759
    Abstract: A protective cover for use on a device having a switch. The protective cover prevents inadvertent or accidental operation of the switch, while allowing deliberate or intentional operation of the switch with the protective cover in place. The protective cover includes a plate and a pair of access apertures defined by the plate. One of the pair of access apertures is positioned to enable operation of the switch from a first position to a second position, and the other of the pair of access apertures is positioned to enable operation of the switch from the second position to the first position. The area of each access aperture is of suitable size to prevent inadvertent operation of the switch. The plate is attached to the device using attaching means that allows the plate to be attached to the device in only one orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Butts