Patents by Inventor Michael P. Morris

Michael P. Morris 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: 7965494
    Abstract: The combined ballast apparatus provides dual function, as both slave ballast and emergency battery ballast, without the expense of a dual installation of ballast onto or into a light fixture. The apparatus is further designed for best efficiency in mounting and in service and removal. The mount holes and quick clips provide for installation to existing fixtures without the need for screwdrivers, for example. The quick connects allow the apparatus to be quickly plugged and unplugged from a light fixture, without having to strip wires and use wire nuts or the like. If equipped with the apparatus and needing a ballast change, the fixture is serviced in a matter of perhaps ΒΌ to ? the time previously required, without the litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael P. Morris, Emily D. Morris
  • Patent number: 5385333
    Abstract: A butterfly valve disc has a circular cross-section bore for receiving the end of a drive shaft which engages with a member non-rotatably located in the bore. The member is polygonal and preferably formed with twelve sides and edges, the edges biting into the internal surface of the bore to prevent rotation. The member preferably is of harder alloy than the disc to resist wearing and is formed with a slot extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc to receive a corresponding tongue formed at the end of the shaft. This arrangement allows a small degree of play so that if the disc is subjected to pressure on one side and therefore bends, the torque required to open the valve is not increased. Alternatively wherein the disc (or another component) is not subject to such pressure the member may be integrally formed with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: BTR plc
    Inventors: Michael P. Morris, Phillip J. Haseley
  • Patent number: 5297778
    Abstract: A butterfly valve disc has a circular cross-section bore for receiving the end of a drive shaft which engages with a member non-rotatably located in the bore. The member is polygonal and preferably formed with twelve sides and edges, the edges biting into the internal surface of the bore to prevent rotation. The member preferably is of harder alloy than the disc to resist wearing and is formed with a slot extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc to receive a corresponding tongue formed at the end of the shaft. This arrangement allows a small degree of play so that if the disc is subjected to pressure on one side and therefore bends, the torque required to open the valve is not increased. Alternatively wherein the disc (or another component) is not subject to such pressure the member may be integrally formed with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: BTR plc
    Inventors: Michael P. Morris, Phillip J. Haseley
  • Patent number: 5226630
    Abstract: A valve disc and drive shaft assembly wherein the end of the drive shaft seats in a blind bore at the periphery of the valve disc. The end of the shaft or the base of the bore is formed with a tang, extending perpendicularly to the plane of the disc, seating in an elongated recess in the base of the bore or end of the shaft respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: BTR plc
    Inventors: Phillip J. Haseley, Michael P. Morris