Patents by Inventor Jerry R. Hoffman

Jerry R. Hoffman 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: 8822859
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device, a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from the electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, a rocker pivotally attached to the frame, a switch disposed within the electrical device, and a subrocker arranged to enable the rocker to actuate the switch. In another embodiment, an interchange kit includes a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from an electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, and a rocker pivotally attached to the frame. The rocker may be adapted to engage a subrocker on the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8795006
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle terminal includes a contact portion having a plurality of tabs, a clamp having a notch on one end and an aperture on a second end, and a fastener that engages the clamp aperture. The notch on the clamp is configured to receive any one of the plurality of tabs on the contact portion, so that the contact portion is substantially perpendicular to the clamp. The configuration of the terminal varies depending on which one of the plurality of tabs of the contact portion is engaged with the notch on the clamp. The positioning of the clamp in relation to the contact portion, and the ability to configure a terminal in a different orientation with the same component parts, allows for substantially identical terminal components to be used in one or more receptacle terminals as well as substantially identical terminal components across different types of receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry R. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140106627
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle terminal includes a contact portion having a plurality of tabs, a clamp having a notch on one end and an aperture on a second end, and a fastener that engages the clamp aperture. The notch on the clamp is configured to receive any one of the plurality of tabs on the contact portion, so that the contact portion is substantially perpendicular to the clamp. The configuration of the terminal varies depending on which one of the plurality of tabs of the contact portion is engaged with the notch on the clamp. The positioning of the clamp in relation to the contact portion, and the ability to configure a terminal in a different orientation with the same component parts, allows for substantially identical terminal components to be used in one or more receptacle terminals as well as substantially identical terminal components across different types of receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Jerry R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8592681
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device and a removable cover, where the electrical device and the removable cover are adapted to enable the removable cover to pivot into an installed position on the electrical device. In another embodiment, a system includes an electrical device having a pushbutton, and a cover adapted to be removably attached to the electrical device, where the cover includes an opening for accessing the pushbutton, and where the pushbutton includes a sub button and a cosmetic cap adapted to be removably attached to the sub button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. David Alderson, Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams, Ronald H. Jansen, Adam Kevelos, Nehal P. Shah, Kang Pin Tee
  • Publication number: 20110259721
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device, a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from the electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, a rocker pivotally attached to the frame, a switch disposed within the electrical device, and a subrocker arranged to enable the rocker to actuate the switch. In another embodiment, an interchange kit includes a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from an electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, and a rocker pivotally attached to the frame. The rocker may be adapted to engage a subrocker on the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110261511
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device and a removable cover, where the electrical device and the removable cover are adapted to enable the removable cover to pivot into an installed position on the electrical device. In another embodiment, a system includes an electrical device having a pushbutton, and a cover adapted to be removably attached to the electrical device, where the cover includes an opening for accessing the pushbutton, and where the pushbutton includes a sub button and a cosmetic cap adapted to be removably attached to the sub button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: R. David Alderson, Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams, Ronald H. Jansen, Adam Kevelos, Nehal P. Shah, Kang Pin Tee
  • Patent number: D644914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Selin Tansi-Glickman, Kent D. Pilcher, Joel Van Faasen, Gordon Stannis, Kenneth J. Orr
  • Patent number: D657320
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Selin Tansi-Glickman, Kent D. Pilcher, Joel Van Faasen, Gordon Stannis, Kenneth J. Orr
  • Patent number: D662885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Hoffman, Michael D. Williams, Selin Tansi-Glickman, Kent D. Pilcher, Joel Van Faasen, Gordon Stannis, Ronald H. Jansen, Adam Kevelos, Nehal P. Shah, Kenneth J. Orr