Patents by Inventor Lowell D. Smith

Lowell D. Smith 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: 5532660
    Abstract: A remotely controllable circuit breaker device for interrupting power in a circuit path between a source and a load includes local and remote monitoring capabilities and a worm-gear mechanism for reliable control of the interruption mechanism. The device includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from the source to the load. At least one of the contacts are movable for interrupting the power provided to the load. The worm gear mechanism includes a motor with a rotatable shaft which responds to open and closed control signals generated from a remote location, and a gear, rotatably responsive to the rotatable shaft, for controlling the movable contact so that the circuit path is interrupted and established, respectively. The worm gear mechanism controls the movable contact using a coupling arrangement, which has a first part coupled to the movable contact and a second part coupled to the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Lowell D. Smith, Robert G. Cook
  • Patent number: 5285180
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circuit breaker comprises the steps of preassembling the movable parts of the circuit breaker between a pair of frame members and providing a housing that is configured for supporting the unitary breaker assembly without attachments. Other circuit breaker components, attached to the unitary breaker assembly, are also supported in the housing without attachments. A cover is secured to the housing to complete the circuit breaker. Another version of the invention preassembles the movable parts of the circuit breaker and the stationary contact mechanism and trip coil, with the line and load terminals attached, between a pair of supporting frame members to form an operable circuit breaker module. The module is in turn supported in a housing without attachments. The circuit breaker module may be tested and adjusted prior to final assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Willard J. Rezac, Thomas A. Edds, Lowell D. Smith, James Early, Martin Donnellan, Dermot Hurst
  • Patent number: 5097589
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circuit breaker comprises the steps of preassembling the movable parts of the circuit breaker between a pair of frame members and providing a housing that is configured for supporting the unitary breaker assembly without attachments. Other circuit breaker components, attached to the unitary breaker assembly, are also supported in the housing without attachments. A cover is secured to the housing to complete the circuit breaker. Another version of the invention preassembles the movable parts of the circuit breaker and the stationary contact mechanism and trip coil, with the line and load terminals attached, between a pair of supporting frame members to form an operable circuit breaker module. The module is in turn supported in a housing without attachments. The circuit breaker module may be tested and adjusted prior to final assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Willard J. Rezac, Thomas A. Edds, Lowell D. Smith, James Early, Martin Donnellan, Dermot Hurst
  • Patent number: 5075657
    Abstract: An assembly frame having first and second frame plates secures the movable parts of a breaker assembly together for ready assembly of the breaker assembly in a housing. A pivot pin supports the trip lever between the frame plates. The movable contact carrying blade has an elongated hole through which the pivot pin passes, the elongate hole forming a floating point for the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Willard J. Rezac, Thomas A. Edds, James Early, Martin Donnellan, Lowell D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4968863
    Abstract: An assembly frame having first and second frame plates secures the movable parts of a breaker assembly together for ready assembly of the breaker assembly in a housing. A pivot pin supports the trip lever between the frame plates. The movable contact carrying blade has an elongated hole through which the pivot pin passes, the elongated hole forming a floating point for the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Willard J. Rezac, Thomas A. Edds, Lowell D. Smith, James Early, Martin Donnellan