Patents by Inventor Raymond S. Laughlin

Raymond S. Laughlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20190072121
    Abstract: A locking retainer can include a strap that at least partly bounds an internal area and includes a locking arm with a locking pin that extends into the internal area and a release tab extending opposite the locking arm and away from the internal area. The strap can have a locking configuration in which, with a slidable support within the internal area, the locking pin extends into two locking apertures to lock the slidable support at a fixed length. The locking tab can be moved towards the internal area to move the strap into an unlocking configuration in which the locking pin is removed from the internal area to release the locking pin from the two locking apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Eric J. Wilson, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 10125801
    Abstract: A locking retainer can be used with a slidable support that includes a two support member with respective sets of locking apertures, with the two support members slidably engaging each other to define a support profile. A strap can at least partly bound an internal area and can support a locking pin that extends into the internal area. The strap can have a locking configuration in which, with the slidable support disposed within the internal area, the locking pin extends into two of the locking apertures to lock the slidable support at a fixed length. A locking retainer can be installed by disposing the slidable support within the internal area, aligning two locking apertures of the slidable support, and applying lateral pressure to a side arm of the locking retainer to seat a locking pin in the aligned locking apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric J. Wilson, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • 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: 9627868
    Abstract: A backless electrical box is formed out of a single piece of material, with a front and sides of the box being parts of the same single piece of material. The front of the box has an integrally-formed mud ring that extends forward from a front base of the front. The sides are made out of material bent back from two opposite edges of the front base, bent around to form the four sides. Some or all of the sides may have seams in them, which may be secured by portions of material overlapping along some or all of the height of the sides, riveted or otherwise attached together. Mounting flanges may extend from the other two opposite edges of the front base. Tabs bent downward from the mounting flanges may be used to cover holes in the sides that extend rearward from these two other opposite edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel S. Mominee, Peter B. Korte, Edward J. Lynch, Jr., Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric J. Wilson, Raymond M. Olle
  • Publication number: 20160363149
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a locking retainer for a slidable support that includes a two support member with respective sets of locking apertures, with the two support members slidably engaging each other to define a support profile. A strap can at least partly bound an internal area and can include a locking pin that extends into the internal area. The strap can have a locking configuration in which, with the slidable support disposed within the internal area, the locking pin extends into two of the locking apertures to lock the slidable support at a fixed length. A locking retainer can be installed by disposing the slidable support within the internal area, aligning two locking apertures of the slidable support, and applying lateral pressure to a side arm of the locking retainer to seat a locking pin in the aligned locking apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Eric J. Wilson, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 9188193
    Abstract: A device is used for gripping and securing cable for the purpose of suspending objects or loads. The device may be a two-barrel device that allows the user to create a loop of cable to secure to a hanging load, or to a structural member. The user of the locking device feeds the cable through one barrel, around an object to be suspended, and through the other barrel. The device has carriers installed in sockets in a housing, with wedge-shape jaws in openings in the carriers able to engage the cable and hold the cable within the device. Pushing or pulling of the carrier is used to release the spring force pressing the jaws inward, allowing the cable to be removed from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J Wilson, Raymond S Laughlin, Edward J Lynch, Matthew Bennett
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8840071
    Abstract: A J-hook cable support includes a semicircular saddle, a stem at one side of the saddle, and a tip at the other side of the saddle. The stem includes protruding tabs able to engage snap-on brackets in order to engage structural parts, or to couple multiple cable supports together. The stem may have two pairs of tabs at different heights along the stem away from the saddle. The tabs may be bent pieces of the metal of the stem, bent toward the back of the stem, away from the cable-receiving area defined by the saddle. The snap-on brackets may include one or more pairs of notches for engaging the tabs of one or more of the cable supports. A wire retainer may be used to close off the cable-receiving area, with the wire coupled to both the tip and the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 8598454
    Abstract: An electrical box has four sides that define a rectangular space. The box has flanges extending outward from opposite sides, for mounting the box to a stud or other structure. One of the flanges has one or more tabs, outward protrusion(s) that fit into one or more openings in the flange on the opposite side. The fitting of the one or more tabs into the one or more openings allows two such electrical boxes to be conveniently located at the same height, on opposite sides of the stud. The tab(s) and opening(s) automatically align the boxes with each other. The result is an easier and accurate installation, with less time and effort expended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 8573543
    Abstract: A clamp includes first and second parts, each of the parts having a circular central section and a pair of straight extensions extending away from the circular central section in opposite directions. In the first part the holes are closed holes, while in the second part the holes are open holes, connected by slots to an upper edge of the part. Bolts may be pre-located through the closed holes, with nuts threaded onto the bolts, but not tightened. The pre-placed bolts may be received through the slots and into the open holes of the second part. The nuts may then be tightened against the second part to clamp the circular central sections on opposite sides of a circular object, such as a vertical pipe run, between the parts. According to a variant, the bolts are permanently secured to the first part so as to prevent rotation of the bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel S. Mominee, Raymond M. Olle, Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130175263
    Abstract: A backless electrical box is formed out of a single piece of material, with a front and sides of the box being parts of the same single piece of material. The front of the box has an integrally-formed mud ring that extends forward from a front base of the front. The sides are made out of material bent back from two opposite edges of the front base, bent around to form the four sides. Some or all of the sides may have seams in them, which may be secured by portions of material overlapping along some or all of the height of the sides, riveted or otherwise attached together. Mounting flanges may extend from the other two opposite edges of the front base. Tabs bent downward from the mounting flanges may be used to cover holes in the sides that extend rearward from these two other opposite edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel S Mominee, Peter B. Korte, Edward J. Lynch, JR., Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric J. Wilson, Raymond M. Olle
  • Publication number: 20130153256
    Abstract: An electrical box has four sides that define a rectangular space. The box has flanges extending outward from opposite sides, for mounting the box to a stud or other structure. One of the flanges has one or more tabs, outward protrusion(s) that fit into one or more openings in the flange on the opposite side. The fitting of the one or more tabs into the one or more openings allows two such electrical boxes to be conveniently located at the same height, on opposite sides of the stud. The tab(s) and opening(s) automatically align the boxes with each other. The result is an easier and accurate installation, with less time and effort expended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 8356778
    Abstract: An extruded or molded elastomeric (e.g., rubber) or polymeric multi-piece (e.g., two-piece) modular pipe support system utilizes a wide base with protrusions and/or recesses, and a separate top with recesses and/or protrusions that engage the protrusions and/or recesses of the top. The tops are configured to securely capture a pipe/conduit without any additional parts, straps, etc. The top may have one or more pipe-receiving recesses for receiving the pipes (conduits).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Mary E. Birli, Scott E. Anderson, Edward J. Lynch, Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric C. Osborn, Raymond M. Olle
  • Patent number: 8276854
    Abstract: A clamp includes first and second parts, each of the parts having a circular central section and a pair of straight extensions extending away from the circular central section in opposite directions. In the first part the holes are closed holes, while in the second part the holes are open holes, connected by slots to an upper edge of the part. Bolts may be pre-located through the closed holes, with nuts threaded onto the bolts, but not tightened. The pre-placed bolts may be received through the slots and into the open holes of the second part. The nuts may then be tightened against the second part to clamp the circular central sections on opposite sides of a circular object, such as a vertical pipe run, between the parts. According to a variant, the bolts are permanently secured to the first part so as to prevent rotation of the bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel S. Mominee, Raymond M. Olle, Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100155545
    Abstract: An extruded or molded elastomeric (e.g., rubber) or polymeric multi-piece (e.g., two-piece) modular pipe support system utilizes a wide base with protrusions and/or recesses, and a separate top with recesses and/or protrusions that engage the protrusions and/or recesses of the top. The tops are configured to securely capture a pipe/conduit without any additional parts, straps, etc. The top may have one or more pipe-receiving recesses for receiving the pipes (conduits).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Mary E. Birli, Scott E. Anderson, Edward J. Lynch, Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric C. Osborn, Raymond M. Olle
  • Patent number: 7735270
    Abstract: A rooftop equipment support includes a polymer material block and a metal fastener support attached to an upper portion of the block. The fastener support has a fastener portion that is configured to receive one or more fasteners for securing piping or other equipment. According to one embodiment, folded-down lips of the metal fastener portion form a channel configured to accept one or more fasteners, such as pipe clamps. In another embodiment, the metal fastener portion is a plate having one or more threaded inserts. The threaded inserts may be located between a sheet metal part of the fastener portion and a top surface of the polymer material block. The polymer material block may be made of a polyurethane foam material. The metal fastener portion may cover at least part of the edges of a top surface of the polymer material block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond M. Olle, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20090266944
    Abstract: A clamp includes first and second parts, each of the parts having a circular central section and a pair of straight extensions extending away from the circular central section in opposite directions. In the first part the holes are closed holes, while in the second part the holes are open holes, connected by slots to an upper edge of the part. Bolts may be pre-located through the closed holes, with nuts threaded onto the bolts, but not tightened. The pre-placed bolts may be received through the slots and into the open holes of the second part. The nuts may then be tightened against the second part to clamp the circular central sections on opposite sides of a circular object, such as a vertical pipe run, between the parts. According to a variant, the bolts are permanently secured to the first part so as to prevent rotation of the bolts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel S. Mominee, Raymond M. Olle, Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin, Eric J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090057498
    Abstract: A J-hook cable support includes a semicircular saddle, a stem at one side of the saddle, and a tip at the other side of the saddle. The stem includes protruding tabs able to engage snap-on brackets in order to engage structural parts, or to couple multiple cable supports together. The stem may have two pairs of tabs at different heights along the stem away from the saddle. The tabs may be bent pieces of the metal of the stem, bent toward the back of the stem, away from the cable-receiving area defined by the saddle. The snap-on brackets may include one or more pairs of notches for engaging the tabs of one or more of the cable supports. A wire retainer may be used to close off the cable-receiving area, with the wire coupled to both the tip and the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20080277536
    Abstract: A structural clamp or connector has a retaining mechanism for engaging at least one threaded rod or threaded rod end by pressing the threads of the threads of the rod or rod end into a threadform of a clamp body or connector body. The clamp may include one or more retaining clips for pushing the threaded rod into engagement with threads on one side of one or more threaded holes through a clamp body of the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond M. Olle, Eric J. Wilson, Daniel S. Mominee, Raymond S. Laughlin, Charles T. Scholl, Eric C. Osborn
  • Publication number: 20080093510
    Abstract: A cable support has a saddle, and a hinged part that can be engaged with a slot in the cable support to close an opening for placing cables into the saddle. The saddle has a curved inner surface, bulging at middle of the surface and curving away toward the longitudinal edges. The hinged part has a resilient finger tab that releasably fits into slot in the support to close the opening. An insert may be placed in a cable-receiving area of the support to divide the area into plural cable-receiving pockets. The insert may include hooks that engage an insert guide rail of the cable support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin