Patents by Inventor Lawrence D. Butts

Lawrence D. 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: 6015302
    Abstract: A Power Distribution Center (PDC) for a motor vehicle distributes power through relays and fuses to connectors for distribution of power throughout the motor vehicle. The PDC includes a housing/connector plate, a printed circuit board, a leadframe assembly, an insulator, a B+ buss bar, an alignment plate and a cover. The PDC utilizes the B+ Buss bar assembly for receiving power into the PDC. The leadframe assembly is utilized to distribute power within the PDC to particular circuits. The printed circuit board is employed to distribute power and signals within the PDC. Terminal clips are used to interconnect between the PDC and associated relays and fuses. The PDC is configured to allow simple addition of electronic modules by providing an interface as part of the PDC, thereby allowing modules to be added to the network without requiring a separate wiring harness for each module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Butts, Charles L. Robinson, Douglas Simpson, Joseph L. Dery
  • Patent number: 4918426
    Abstract: A method and solid-state electronic flowmeter with no moving parts is provided for monitoring instantaneous and/or accumulated fluid flow. A preferred application for the method and flowmeter is the measurement of the total volume of filtered fluid in a fluid treatment system as an indication of end of life for a filter therein. The flowmeter employs a solid-state transducer which senses differential pressure generated by a flow restriction such as a venturi which varies depending on a rate of flow. The transducer output in integrated over time to provide a representation of total fluid flow through the filter. The meter is preferably compact and battery-powered to facilitate ease of installation and use. Battery power is conserved by periodically energizing the transducer during idle periods and by periodically energizing the end of life indicator during and end of life condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Butts, Thomas A. Niezgoda
  • Patent number: 4598939
    Abstract: Exit device has auxiliary bolt which when held in by door strike permits a blocking leg to prevent unauthorized forced retraction of main latch bolt. Normal operation of device by panic bar pivots blocking leg out of the way and then retracts main latch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Krupicka, Lawrence D. Butts, Sidney J. Lampley
  • Patent number: 4488036
    Abstract: Keycard reader has entry slot aimed at an angle to the vertical and a vertical lower portion so that flexible keycard is bent as it is inserted. This provides a convenient entry, precludes the malicious insertion of coins, sticks, and other objects into reader to render it inoperative, blocks light into the reader and makes it unnecessary to make an enlarged opening in the door to receive the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Butts
  • Patent number: 4390197
    Abstract: A latch is provided with a rotary solenoid having an eccentrically mounted drive pin for driving a latch hub dogging means. The solenoid assembly can be easily demounted, rotated 180.degree., and remounted in the latch housing so that the drive pin can be made to drive the dogging blade either in or out of the latch hub dogging slot, depending on its mounted position. By this structure, the electric control may be readily converted from "fail-lock" to "fail-unlock" or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Butts
  • Patent number: 4211443
    Abstract: An electric strike having a pivotally mounted keeper for engagement by a door lock bolt or the like having a solenoid control, pivotally mounted locking lever and a pivotally mounted locking cam associated with the lever for releasably retaining the lever in blocking relationship to an abutment on the keeper for releasably retaining the keeper in position for engagement by the door lock bolt, thereby enabling the electric strike to be remotely controlled and operated. The locking lever and locking cam are provided with arcuately curved engaging surfaces which precludes the possibility of the locking cam surface being "walked" off of the locking lever by exerting pressure on the keeper while tapping or otherwise impacting the adjacent structure. The curved engaging surfaces of the locking cam and locking lever reduces wear. The solenoid is oriented externally of the casing and can be oriented in different relationships to the casing for installation in various types of doorjambs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Folger Adam Co., Division of Telkee, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Butts, Raymond V. Kambic
  • Patent number: 4140357
    Abstract: A hinge for use with a swinging door provided with an electric lock or other electrically operated device or component therein in which the hinge is provided with chases and hollow hinge barrels sheathing a tubular collar which also serves as a hinge pin and provides a continuous passageway through the hinge for electrical conductors in order to maintain a continuous circuit or circuits through the hinge regardless of the position of the door. Each hinge leaf includes a barrel integral therewith with the barrel and leaf being a one-piece casting. The barrels completely enclose the tubular collar which forms a hollow hinge pin and protects the electrical conductors from attack in the event the leaves and barrels are pried apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Folger Adam Co., Division of Telkee, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis T. Wolz, Lawrence D. Butts, Raymond V. Kambic
  • Patent number: D271374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Butts