Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Ambrogio

Nicholas J. Ambrogio 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: 9825459
    Abstract: An electrical coupling device, such as a surge protector for a rail or other conductive structure, includes a pair of terminals, and a jumper for selectively electrically coupling and decoupling the terminals. Movement of the jumper may expose part of the jumper or one or both of the terminals, such as for use as a test point. A surge module with one or more surge protection features may fit into a base that includes the terminal and the jumper. The module may have an interface feature, such as a protruding post, that prevents engagement with the base if the base is not properly engaged with the rail or other structure. In one embodiment, a threaded rod may serve as the jumper and in one position electrically couples the terminals and in another position electrically decouples the terminals and one end of the threaded rod becomes exposed for use as a test point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Daniel Watson, Daniel A. Pfaff, Thomas R. Bockstoce
  • Patent number: 9746019
    Abstract: A securement device includes a pair of plungers movable within a housing. The plungers act as quick lock mechanism to engage and secure a threaded rod (or other object) that passes into a hole that runs through the housing. The plungers are spring-biased to position themselves toward so as to provide a radially inward force, for example to engage a threaded rod or device in the through hole in the housing. A spring within the housing presses the plunger pieces toward a portion of the housing where the outer surfaces engage other surfaces to push the plungers inward. The device includes a disengagement feature or mechanism that is used to push the plunger pieces out of engagement with the threaded rod. The disengagement feature may include a disengagement tool, and may include wings, such as on the plungers or on carriers for the plungers, that protrude out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael H.-S Oh, Peter B. Korte, Raymond S. Laughlin, Raymond M. Olle, David Lyons, Ronald A. Jones, Nicholas J. Ambrogio
  • Patent number: 9534709
    Abstract: A plumbing bracket assembly has a plastic main bracket body and a telescoping bracket. The telescoping bracket runs through the main bracket body, and is able to extend to allow the bracket assembly to be secured to structure (such as studs) at both ends, over a range of distances between structure elements. The bracket body is initially able to slide along the telescoping bracket, for desired positioning, but may be locked in place using screws on the main bracket body. Hardware, such a hose clamp and multiple pipe clamps, is initially coupled to the main bracket body. The main bracket body may have a central depression for receiving a relatively large pipe run, and notches or depressions on opposite sides of the central depression, for receiving smaller pipe runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wilson, Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150275956
    Abstract: A securement device includes a pair of plungers movable within a housing. The plungers act as quick lock mechanism to engage and secure a threaded rod (or other object) that passes into a hole that runs through the housing. The plungers are spring-biased to position themselves toward so as to provide a radially inward force, for example to engage a threaded rod or device in the through hole in the housing. A spring within the housing presses the plunger pieces toward a portion of the housing where the outer surfaces engage other surfaces to push the plungers inward. The device includes a disengagement feature or mechanism that is used to push the plunger pieces out of engagement with the threaded rod. The disengagement feature may include a disengagement tool, and may include wings, such as on the plungers or on carriers for the plungers, that protrude out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael H.-S Oh, Peter B. Korte, Raymond S. Laughlin, Raymond M. Olle, David Lyons, Ronald A. Jones, Nicholas J. Ambrogio
  • Publication number: 20150229065
    Abstract: An electrical coupling device, such as a surge protector for a rail or other conductive structure, includes a pair of terminals, and a jumper for selectively electrically coupling and decoupling the terminals. Movement of the jumper may expose part of the jumper or one or both of the terminals, such as for use as a test point. A surge module with one or more surge protection features may fit into a base that includes the terminal and the jumper. The module may have an interface feature, such as a protruding post, that prevents engagement with the base if the base is not properly engaged with the rail or other structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Daniel Watson, Daniel A. Pfaff, Thomas R. Bockstoce
  • Publication number: 20150159781
    Abstract: A plumbing bracket assembly has a plastic main bracket body and a telescoping bracket. The telescoping bracket runs through the main bracket body, and is able to extend to allow the bracket assembly to be secured to structure (such as studs) at both ends, over a range of distances between structure elements. The bracket body is initially able to slide along the telescoping bracket, for desired positioning, but may be locked in place using screws on the main bracket body. Hardware, such a hose clamp and multiple pipe clamps, is initially coupled to the main bracket body. The main bracket body may have a central depression for receiving a relatively large pipe run, and notches or depressions on opposite sides of the central depression, for receiving smaller pipe runs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wilson, Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8727723
    Abstract: A receptor assembly for lightning protection of an object, such as a wind turbine blade, includes a receptor disk configured to be placed on a surface of the object, a receptor block insulator with an integral receptor block, a cover that engages the receptor block insulator, and a cap that engages the cover. The receptor disk and the receptor block may be made of electrically conductive materials, and the cover, and the cap, and the receptor block insulator may define a chamber among them that is lined with an electrically-conductive coating sandwiched between relatively high dielectric media to electrically isolate and shield internal parts of the receptor assembly from receiving a lightning strike directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Flemming, Matthew Caie, Ethan Kay, Nicholas J. Ambrogio
  • Patent number: 8353143
    Abstract: A sway brace fitting clamp is used for lateral bracing of sprinkler or other types of pipe (designated the service pipe) to a structure, to prevent movement of the service pipe perpendicular to the axis of the pipe relative to the structure to which it is attached. The sway brace fitting clamp includes a U-bolt which fits around the service pipe, and a pair of hooks that are coupled to straight ends of the U-bolt, for hooking the sway brace pipe. A pair of nuts engages threaded portions of the U-bolt ends. The nuts may be tightened to pull the sway brace pipe into contact with the service pipe, firmly clamping the sway brace pipe and the service pipe together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul Hart
  • Patent number: 8353486
    Abstract: A sway brace fitting clamp is used for lateral bracing of sprinkler or other types of pipe (designated the service pipe) to a structure, to prevent movement of the service pipe perpendicular to the axis of a sway brace relative to the structure to which it is attached. The sway brace fitting clamp includes a body which fits around the service pipe, and a pair of hooks that are coupled to the body, for hooking the sway brace. The nuts may be tightened to pull the sway brace into contact with the service pipe, or otherwise firmly clamping the sway brace and the service pipe together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul A. Hart, Scott E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8152575
    Abstract: A grounding lug for holding a grounding wire includes a housing defining an opening for receiving a wire and a clamping pad movable relative to the housing. The clamping pad is movable between an unclamped position in which the clamping pad defines a wire-receiving pocket in combination with the opening defined by the housing, and a clamped position in which the clamping pad clamps the wire to the housing. The grounding lug also includes a moving mechanism coupled to the housing and the clamping pad for moving the clamping pad between the unclamped and clamped positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Dale R. Boling, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Matthew Flemming
  • Publication number: 20120020791
    Abstract: A receptor assembly for lightning protection of an object, such as a wind turbine blade, includes a receptor disk configured to be placed on a surface of the object, a receptor block insulator with an integral receptor block, a cover that engages the receptor block insulator, and a cap that engages the cover. The receptor disk and the receptor block may be made of electrically conductive materials, and the cover, and the cap, and the receptor block insulator may define a chamber among them that is lined with an electrically-conductive coating sandwiched between relatively high dielectric media to electrically isolate and shield internal parts of the receptor assembly from receiving a lightning strike directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Flemming, Matthew Caie, Ethan Kay, Nicholas J. Ambrogio
  • Patent number: 8100369
    Abstract: An I-beam clamp, used for engaging the bottom flange of an I-beam or bar joist, includes a pair of threaded rods and a pair of brackets that can be moved relative to each other along the threaded rods. One of the brackets, a clamp bracket, has a set screw configured to engage a top surface of the I-beam flange, to hold the clamp in place once it is installed on the I-beam. The other of the brackets, a nut bracket, has half-threaded portions for selectively engaging the threaded rods, to hold the nut bracket in place relative to the threaded rods, and to disengage from the threaded rods, in order to allow positioning of the nut bracket along the threaded rods. The nut bracket may include a spring clip or other device to provide force to bias into engagement the threaded rods with the half-threaded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul B. Allen
  • Patent number: 7971838
    Abstract: A clamp for engaging a structure flange includes a clamp body having a slot between a pair of body sections, a spring clip on the clamp body that extends into the slot, and a pair of screws threadedly engaged with the clamp body. The spring clip holds a structure flange in place when the clamp is placed on a structure flange, with the flange in the slot. This allows the installer to tighten the screws to engage the flange, without having to simultaneously hold the clamp in place. The screws may bite into the flange, providing a more secure coupling between the clamp and the structure flange. The clamp may be used to mount a variety of objects, such as sway braces for seismic bracing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20110017880
    Abstract: A sway brace fitting clamp is used for lateral bracing of sprinkler or other types of pipe (designated the service pipe) to a structure, to prevent movement of the service pipe perpendicular to the axis of a sway brace relative to the structure to which it is attached. The sway brace fitting clamp includes a body which fits around the service pipe, and a pair of hooks that are coupled to the body, for hooking the sway brace. The nuts may be tightened to pull the sway brace into contact with the service pipe, or otherwise firmly clamping the sway brace and the service pipe together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul A. Hart, Scott E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110014824
    Abstract: A grounding lug for holding a grounding wire includes a housing defining an opening for receiving a wire and a clamping pad movable relative to the housing. The clamping pad is movable between an unclamped position in which the clamping pad defines a wire-receiving pocket in combination with the opening defined by the housing, and a clamped position in which the clamping pad clamps the wire to the housing. The grounding lug also includes a moving mechanism coupled to the housing and the clamping pad for moving the clamping pad between the unclamped and clamped positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dale R. Boling, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Matthew Flemming
  • Publication number: 20090183462
    Abstract: An I-beam clamp, used for engaging the bottom flange of an I-beam or bar joist, includes a pair of threaded rods and a pair of brackets that can be moved relative to each other along the threaded rods. One of the brackets, a clamp bracket, has a set screw configured to engage a top surface of the I-beam flange, to hold the clamp in place once it is installed on the I-beam. The other of the brackets, a nut bracket, has half-threaded portions for selectively engaging the threaded rods, to hold the nut bracket in place relative to the threaded rods, and to disengage from the threaded rods, in order to allow positioning of the nut bracket along the threaded rods. The nut bracket may include a spring clip or other device to provide force to bias into engagement the threaded rods with the half-threaded portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul B. Allen
  • Publication number: 20090184222
    Abstract: A clamp for engaging a structure flange includes a clamp body having a slot between a pair of body sections, a spring clip on the clamp body that extends into the slot, and a pair of screws threadedly engaged with the clamp body. The spring clip holds a structure flange in place when the clamp is placed on a structure flange, with the flange in the slot. This allows the installer to tighten the screws to engage the flange, without having to simultaneously hold the clamp in place. The screws may bite into the flange, providing a more secure coupling between the clamp and the structure flange. The clamp may be used to mount a variety of objects, such as sway braces for seismic bracing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20090183443
    Abstract: A structural attachment fitting for bracing includes a clamp, and a bracket pivotally coupled to the clamp. The structural attachment fitting is part of a sway brace assembly for providing sway bracing for a conduit, pipe, or other system. The clamp is a generally C-shape clamp having a slot for receiving different types of sway braces, such as pipe, angle, or strut. The slot has multiple sections or parts configured to receive different thicknesses of material. A lower leg of the clamp may have a rounded top surface that better engages a pipe used as a sway brace. A set screw of the clamp is tightened to presses the sway brace against a step on the lower leg of the clamp. The set screw is angled toward a closed end of the slot. The pressing of the set screw tip against the sway brace deforms the sway brace material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Eric C. Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Jeffrey K. Jackson, Paul B. Allen
  • Publication number: 20090183463
    Abstract: A sway brace fitting clamp is used for lateral bracing of sprinkler or other types of pipe (designated the service pipe) to a structure, to prevent movement of the service pipe perpendicular to the axis of the pipe relative to the structure to which it is attached. The sway brace fitting clamp includes a U-bolt which fits around the service pipe, and a pair of hooks that are coupled to straight ends of the U-bolt, for hooking the sway brace pipe. A pair of nuts engages threaded portions of the U-bolt ends. The nuts may be tightened to pull the sway brace pipe into contact with the service pipe, firmly clamping the sway brace pipe and the service pipe together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Eric C Osborn, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Eric J. Wilson, Paul Hart