Patents by Inventor James T. Roberts
James T. Roberts 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: 11176808Abstract: An interface actuator device, an interface actuator system, and a system and method for remotely controlling an interface of a control panel are disclosed. The interface actuator device includes an actuator for controlling the interface of the control panel and an attachment mechanism for mounting the interface actuator device to the control panel. The system can further include a camera for capturing images of the interface and a mobile device for controlling the actuator and viewing the images from the camera.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LPInventors: John Bradley Stowell, James T. Roberts, Joseph Piccolo, III, Jean Claude Dore
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Publication number: 20210108970Abstract: A thermistor housing assembly for simplifying manual installation of a thermistor into a heat or smoke/hear detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: John B. STOWELL, James T. ROBERTS
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Patent number: 10077575Abstract: A door lock extender and method of using the door lock extender in connection with a control panel box. The door lock extender includes an extender base having a lock slot for accepting a tang latch of a lock and an extender latch that is configured to engage a catch member of a control panel box. In use, the tang latch of the lock is inserted into the lock slot of the extender base. The extender latch engages the catch member on a housing of the control panel box locking a door to the housing while providing sufficient clearance for passage of a cable between the door and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: Steven T. Varieur, James T. Roberts
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Patent number: 10044178Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure is disclosed that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a cover thereof. The enclosure may include a housing having at least one retaining catch extending from a first side thereof and at least one pivot catch extending from a second side thereof. The enclosure may further include a cover adapted to fit over the housing, the cover having at least one retaining catch recess and at least one pivot catch recess formed therein and adapted to receive the retaining catch and the pivot catch, respectively, to secure the cover against movement away from the housing when the cover and the housing are connected to one another. The cover may further include a catch release pocket adapted to receive the tip of a tool or implement for allowing the retaining catch and the retaining catch recess to be forcibly moved out of engagement with one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GmbHInventor: James T. Roberts
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Patent number: 9830794Abstract: A sensor guard and method of using the sensor guard to protect a sensor element of a fire sensor. The sensor guard includes one or more legs that extend in a direction that is oblique to a central axis of the fire sensor. The fire sensor includes a housing and the sensor element, extending from the housing, for detecting an indication of fire. The sensor guard is mounted on the housing for protecting the sensor element.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: John Bradley Stowell, James T. Roberts, Donald D. Brighenti, Alexander S. Andrews
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Publication number: 20170193811Abstract: An interface actuator device, an interface actuator system, and a system and method for remotely controlling an interface of a control panel are disclosed. The interface actuator device includes an actuator for controlling the interface of the control panel and an attachment mechanism for mounting the interface actuator device to the control panel. The system can further include a camera for capturing images of the interface and a mobile device for controlling the actuator and viewing the images from the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: John Bradley Stowell, James T. Roberts, Joseph Piccolo, III, Jean Claude Dore
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Patent number: 9673596Abstract: A weatherproof back box for receiving a fire alarm notification or other fire alarm device includes a back wall and sidewalls that project from the back wall and define a mouth. The sidewalls further include recessed portions that extend from the back wall toward the mouth, and end prior to the mouth. The back box further includes mounting posts, which are preferably less than 50% of the depth of the back box, that project from the recessed portions into the mouth. Additionally, these mounting posts receive fasteners for securing the fire alarm notification device in the mouth of the back box.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: James T. Roberts, Alexander Andrews
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Publication number: 20170142854Abstract: A door lock extender and method of using the door lock extender in connection with a control panel box. The door lock extender includes an extender base having a lock slot for accepting a tang latch of a lock and an extender latch that is configured to engage a catch member of a control panel box. In use, the tang latch of the lock is inserted into the lock slot of the extender base. The extender latch engages the catch member on a housing of the control panel box locking a door to the housing while providing sufficient clearance for passage of a cable between the door and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Steven T. Varieur, James T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20160240059Abstract: A sensor guard and method of using the sensor guard to protect a sensor element of a fire sensor. The sensor guard includes one or more legs that extend in a direction that is oblique to a central axis of the fire sensor. The fire sensor includes a housing and the sensor element, extending from the housing, for detecting an indication of fire. The sensor guard is mounted on the housing for protecting the sensor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: John Bradley Stowell, James T. Roberts, Donald D. Brighenti, Alexander S. Andrews
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Patent number: 9366348Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) includes a housing (12) that has a side wall (18) that defines an air flow passage (24). A valve element (14) has a closed condition that prevents air flow through the air flow passage (24) and an open condition that permits air flow through the air flow passage (24). A first insert (120) is connected to the valve element (14). A second insert (130) is connected to the side wall (18). The first insert (120) and the second insert (130) cooperate using magnetic forces to urge the valve element (14) to the closed condition. At least one of the first insert (120) and the second insert (130) is positioned within the air flow passage (24).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: TRW Automotive US LLCInventors: John Kiezulas, James T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20150380913Abstract: A weatherproof back box for receiving a fire alarm notification or other fire alarm device includes a back wall and sidewalls that project from the back wall and define a mouth. The sidewalls further include recessed portions that extend from the back wall toward the mouth, and end prior to the mouth. The back box further includes mounting posts, which are preferably less than 50% of the depth of the back box, that project from the recessed portions into the mouth. Additionally, these mounting posts receive fasteners for securing the fire alarm notification device in the mouth of the back box.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: James T. Roberts, Alexander Andrews
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Publication number: 20140332525Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure is disclosed that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a cover thereof The enclosure may include a housing having at least one retaining catch extending from a first side thereof and at least one pivot catch extending from a second side thereof. The enclosure may further include a cover adapted to fit over the housing, the cover having at least one retaining catch recess and at least one pivot catch recess formed therein and adapted to receive the retaining catch and the pivot catch, respectively, to secure the cover against movement away from the housing when the cover and the housing are connected to one another. The cover may further include a catch release pocket adapted to receive the tip of a tool or implement for allowing the retaining catch and the retaining catch recess to be forcibly moved out of engagement with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: SimplexGrinnell LPInventor: James T. Roberts
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Patent number: 8797724Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a housing. The enclosure may include a mounting plate having a catch lip and a retaining wedge projecting from a surface thereof. The catch lip and the retaining wedge may be spaced apart to define a retaining pocket therebetween, and the catch lip may have a latch release aperture formed therethrough. A housing may fit over the mounting plate and may have a latch tongue extending from a surface thereof fits within the retaining pocket. A release latch may extend from a surface of latch tongue and may fit within the latch release aperture. The engagement between the release latch and the latch release aperture prevents the housing from being pulled away from the mounting plate. The retaining wedge resists movement of the latch tongue and thereby resists disengagement of the release latch from the latch release aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: Alexander S. Andrews, Erick Russell, James T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20140070678Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a housing. The enclosure may include a mounting plate having a catch lip and a retaining wedge projecting from a surface thereof. The catch lip and the retaining wedge may be spaced apart to define a retaining pocket therebetween, and the catch lip may have a latch release aperture formed therethrough. A housing may fit over the mounting plate and may have a latch tongue extending from a surface thereof fits within the retaining pocket. A release latch may extend from a surface of latch tongue and may fit within the latch release aperture. The engagement between the release latch and the latch release aperture prevents the housing from being pulled away from the mounting plate. The retaining wedge resists movement of the latch tongue and thereby resists disengagement of the release latch from the latch release aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: SimplexGrinnell LPInventors: Alexander S. Andrews, Erick Russell, James T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20110175000Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) includes a housing (12) that has a side wall (18) that defines an air flow passage (24). A valve element (14) has a closed condition that prevents air flow through the air flow passage (24) and an open condition that permits air flow through the air flow passage (24). A first insert (120) is connected to the valve element (14). A second insert (130) is connected to the side wall (18). The first insert (120) and the second insert (130) cooperate using magnetic forces to urge the valve element (14) to the closed condition. At least one of the first insert (120) and the second insert (130) is positioned within the air flow passage (24).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: John Kiezulas, James T. Robert
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Patent number: 6842888Abstract: A method and apparatus for hierarchically restructuring at least a portion of a hierarchical database based on selected attributes. In one embodiment, a virtual cell (140) may use a virtual cell mapping function (130) to create a hierarchical netlist. Some embodiments may programmatically create a corresponding generated template to include in the netlist for each virtual cell. Some embodiments may generate multiple templates from the same cell. Some embodiments may generate multiple instances of different templates from the same instance in the database. One application of the present invention is for use in circuit simulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: James T. Roberts
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Patent number: 6769937Abstract: A modular jack assembly includes a dielectric housing means having a mating face. At least one conductive terminal has a body portion mounted in the housing and a contact arm cantilevered from the mating face. The contact arm has a contact portion near a distal end thereof for engaging a contact of a modular jack plug to flex the arm in a direction generally parallel to the mating face. The contact arm has an engaging portion located between the contact portion and the body portion. The housing has a first wall for engaging the engaging portion of the terminal and a second wall for engaging the contact portion of the terminal to prevent overflexing of the contact arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventor: James T. Roberts
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Publication number: 20030200522Abstract: A method and apparatus for hierarchically restructuring at least a portion of a hierarchical database based on selected attributes. In one embodiment, a virtual cell (140) may use a virtual cell mapping function (130) to create a hierarchical netlist. Some embodiments may programmatically create a corresponding generated template to include in the netlist for each virtual cell. Some embodiments may generate multiple templates from the same cell. Some embodiments may generate multiple instances of different templates from the same instance in the database. One application of the present invention is for use in circuit simulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventor: James T. Roberts
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Patent number: 6296528Abstract: A modular jack includes a substantially rectangular dielectric receptacle housing having a front face, a bottom board mounting wall, and a top, rear and a pair of side walls substantially surrounding a plug-receiving cavity. The cavity extends rearwardly from the front face for receiving a mating plug connector. In order to limit insertion of an undersized plug into a full-sized plug-receiving cavity in the receptacle housing, a stop surface is incorporated into a flexible stop member projecting from the housing and extending into the plug-receiving cavity. The stop surface is located within the cavity so as to ensure contact with a leading edge of an undersized plug upon insertion of the undersized plug into the cavity. A sliding surface is also incorporated into the flexible member. The sliding surface is located within the cavity so as to ensure contact with a leading edge of a plug upon insertion into the cavity of a mating plug having a width appropriate for mating with the jack.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: James T. Roberts, Yan Margulis
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Patent number: 6283786Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing having a plurality of receptacles, including a top receptacle, for receiving a plurality of mating plugs. A light guide is operatively associated with each receptacle and its respective mating plug to signal a circuit condition thereof. All of the light guides have front ends viewable at the front of the housing above the top receptacle. Each front end has an indicator to visually indicate the receptacle with which the respective light guide is operatively associated.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Yan Margulis, James T. Roberts