Patents by Inventor Michael Backham

Michael Backham 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).

  • Thermally-actuated switch assembly
    Patent number: 6286537
    Abstract: A thermally-actuated switch assembly is capable of controlling an associated device in the event of a sensed temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold. A first switch in the form of for example a fuse is used to sense the temperature to which the device is sensitive. The first switch is carried by a housing which also carries a second switch. The second switch is arranged such that it is actuated if the housing is mounted on a support in a predetermined orientation. The first and second switches are connected to an output and arranged such that the output indicates an alarm condition if either the first switch is actuated or the second switch is not actuated. Thus one switch is used to sense the temperature, and the other switch is used to sense whether or not the switch assembly as a whole is correctly positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Ruskin Air Management Limited
    Inventors: Michael Backham, Kevin Munson, Alan Neal, Charles Shillitoe