Patents by Inventor Matthew P. McDonald
Matthew P. McDonald 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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Publication number: 20240072711Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Publication number: 20240047157Abstract: A remote control device my comprise a control unit and a mounting structure (e.g., a smart mounting structure) to which the control unit is configured to be mounted. The control unit may be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes. The control unit may transmit a first message for controlling a first electrical load when the control unit is operating in a first operating mode and a second message for controlling a second electrical load when the control unit is operating in a second operating mode. When the control unit is mounted to the mounting unit, the mounting unit may transmit a third message to the first control circuit of the control unit in response to receiving a user input received via an input circuit of the control unit. The control unit may change between the plurality of operating modes in response to receiving the third message.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew P. McDonald, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11855565Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Publication number: 20230345607Abstract: A veneer may be configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device. A plate portion of the veneer may have one or more indicia machined therethrough. The indicia may define an open portion, a floating portion, and one or more ribs that suspend the floating portion. The one or more ribs may be configured to create an optical illusion that conceals the ribs from view relative to a user of the control device. The rib may define an upper surface that is recessed relative to a front surface of the veneer, and may define opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface. The sides may be tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base. The sides and the upper surface of the rib may be unfinished.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Kevin J. Heimann, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew P. McDonald
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Publication number: 20230314688Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
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Patent number: 11776772Abstract: A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load may illuminate an area around a button of the control device, such as a gap formed between the button and an opening of a faceplate of the control device. The control device may illuminate the gap to provide a nightlight feature, to provide feedback (e.g., a status of the electrical load), and/or to indicate a selected preset. The button may have a cap portion that may be actuated by a user and a diffuser portion that may contact a rear surface of the cap portion and may conduct light emitted by an internal light source to illuminate the gap around the button.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Publication number: 20230290585Abstract: A wall box may provide adjustable support for a control device, such as a keypad, to allow for level alignment of the control device when mounted to the wall box. The wall box may have an adjustable support frame to which the control device may be mounted. When the control device is mounted to the support frame of the wall box, the support frame may be rotated to adjust the alignment of the control device. In addition, the wall box may comprise one or more projections configured to be received in respective detents in notched surfaces of the control device to allow for adjustment of the alignment of the control device. Further, the wall box may have a modular assembly and may be constructed from a central portion and two side portions at the time of installation of the wall box.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Publication number: 20230274897Abstract: A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load includes a faceplate subassembly and a main control module. The faceplate subassembly includes a faceplate, a button, a circuit board, and a back cover. The faceplate includes a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an opening extending therebetween with the button disposed in the opening in the faceplate. The back cover is positioned adjacent to the circuit board and defines a plurality of holes. A shaft of a post extending from the faceplate is disposed in one of the holes in the back cover and an end of the post is enlarged such that the back cover is captured between the end of the post and the rear surface of the faceplate. The main control module is configured to cause power delivered to the electrical load to be adjusted in response to depression of the button.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, George M. Drizos, Matthew P. McDonald
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Patent number: 11729892Abstract: A control device includes a plurality of buttons having a backlight or indicia indicating a function of the buttons. Each button has a button body that is translucent and configured to be backlit by a lighting element. A front surface of the button body is opaque outside of the area of the indicia. The button body has a post that extends from a rear surface of the button body and is aligned with an actuator. Selection of a button by a user, such as by pressing the button, results in the selected button displaying a greater illumination intensity than the other buttons.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Kevin J. Heimann, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew P. McDonald
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Patent number: 11703624Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
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Patent number: 11694863Abstract: A wall box may provide adjustable support for a control device, such as a keypad, to allow for level alignment of the control device when mounted to the wall box. The wall box may have an adjustable support frame to which the control device may be mounted. When the control device is mounted to the support frame of the wall box, the support frame may be rotated to adjust the alignment of the control device. In addition, the wall box may comprise one or more projections configured to be received in respective detents in notched surfaces of the control device to allow for adjustment of the alignment of the control device. Further, the wall box may have a modular assembly and may be constructed from a central portion and two side portions at the time of installation of the wall box.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Patent number: 11670468Abstract: A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load includes a faceplate subassembly and a main control module. The faceplate subassembly includes a faceplate, a button, a circuit board, and a back cover. The faceplate includes a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an opening extending therebetween with the button disposed in the opening in the faceplate. The back cover is positioned adjacent to the circuit board and defines a plurality of holes. A shaft of a post extending from the faceplate is disposed in one of the holes in the back cover and an end of the post is enlarged such that the back cover is captured between the end of the post and the rear surface of the faceplate. The main control module is configured to cause power delivered to the electrical load to be adjusted in response to depression of the button.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, George M. Drizos, Matthew P. McDonald
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Publication number: 20230102459Abstract: A wall box may provide adjustable support for a control device, such as a keypad, to allow for level alignment of the control device when mounted to the wall box. The wall box may have an adjustable support frame to which the control device may be mounted. When the control device is mounted to the support frame of the wall box, the support frame may be rotated to adjust the alignment of the control device. In addition, the wall box may comprise one or more projections configured to be received in respective detents in notched surfaces of the control device to allow for adjustment of the alignment of the control device. Further, the wall box may have a modular assembly and may be constructed from a central portion and two side portions at the time of installation of the wall box.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Publication number: 20230031870Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Patent number: 11515827Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company, LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Nikhil V. Bhate, Rebecca Michalski
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Patent number: 11456130Abstract: A wall box may provide adjustable support for a control device, such as a keypad, to allow for level alignment of the control device when mounted to the wall box. The wall box may have an adjustable support frame to which the control device may be mounted. When the control device is mounted to the support frame of the wall box, the support frame may be rotated to adjust the alignment of the control device. In addition, the wall box may comprise one or more projections configured to be received in respective detents in notched surfaces of the control device to allow for adjustment of the alignment of the control device. Further, the wall box may have a modular assembly and may be constructed from a central portion and two side portions at the time of installation of the wall box.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Publication number: 20220279665Abstract: A mounting bracket for coupling a control device to a wall box is disclosed. The mounting bracket may include a body having an inner perimeter defining an opening. A plurality of flanges may extend into the opening. Each flange of the plurality of flanges may be configured to be engaged by an arm of a faceplate for coupling the faceplate to the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventor: Matthew P. MCDONALD
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Publication number: 20220208483Abstract: A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load includes a faceplate subassembly and a main control module. The faceplate subassembly includes a faceplate, a button, a circuit board, and a back cover. The faceplate includes a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an opening extending therebetween with the button disposed in the opening in the faceplate. The back cover is positioned adjacent to the circuit board and defines a plurality of holes. A shaft of a post extending from the faceplate is disposed in one of the holes in the back cover and an end of the post is enlarged such that the back cover is captured between the end of the post and the rear surface of the faceplate. The main control module is configured to cause power delivered to the electrical load to be adjusted in response to depression of the button.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Samuel F. Chambers, George M. Drizos, Matthew P. McDonald
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Publication number: 20220165515Abstract: A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load may illuminate an area around a button of the control device, such as a gap formed between the button and an opening of a faceplate of the control device. The control device may illuminate the gap to provide a nightlight feature, to provide feedback (e.g., a status of the electrical load), and/or to indicate a selected preset. The button may have a cap portion that may be actuated by a user and a diffuser portion that may contact a rear surface of the cap portion and may conduct light emitted by an internal light source to illuminate the gap around the button.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Sean Tucker
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Publication number: 20220117066Abstract: A veneer may be configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device. A plate portion of the veneer may have one or more indicia machined therethrough. The indicia may define an open portion, a floating portion, and one or more ribs that suspend the floating portion. The one or more ribs may be configured to create an optical illusion that conceals the ribs from view relative to a user of the control device. The rib may define an upper surface that is recessed relative to a front surface of the veneer, and may define opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface. The sides may be tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base. The sides and the upper surface of the rib may be unfinished.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Kevin J. Heimann, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew P. McDonald