Patents by Inventor Richard A. Pearce

Richard A. Pearce 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: 20070254535
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical earthing nut (1). In the past these have sometimes vibrated loose, with the result that a failsafe safety device has been rendered inoperable. The invention overcomes this problem by providing a nut (1) that has a nut body (2) having an internal thread (4) to receive a threaded shaft and an external perimeter shaped to receive a tensioning device such as a spanner. Body (2) has opposing generally planar faces 5,6. Threaded apertures (7A, 7B, 7C) are provided on the nut body to receive a bolt (8A) to secure an earth connector (8B) to the nut body (2) and grub screws (8C, 8D). Four raised ribs (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D) are provided on planar face (5) to scrape or cut into a surface against which the nut is to abut. Earthing nut (1) may be used with a cable gland.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Pearce
  • Patent number: 7249744
    Abstract: A mounting system (10) for supporting a ceiling fan assembly (11) of the type having a motor, motor housing (46), a plurality of blades (47) and a downrod (29) to a ceiling C. The mounting system includes a mounting plate (14) having a plurality of tab locks (21), a mounting bracket having a plurality of locking tabs (37) configured to mate with the tab locks (21). The mounting bracket also has an opening (40) therein configured to receive a ball joint (31) of the downrod (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Ted Bacon, Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 7150544
    Abstract: A light assembly leveler (10) is disclosed having a threaded central nipple (13) mounted to the ceiling fan switch housing (11), an upper mounting disk (14), a lower mounting disk (15), a bowl-shaped translucent light diffusor (16), a cap (18) and a finial (19). The upper mounting disk (14) has a central passage (23) through which the nipple (13) extends and a concave bottom bearing surface (24). The lower mounting disk has a convex top bearing surface (28) with a central opening (29) therethrough defined. The top bearing surface is configured to mate with or bear against the bottom bearing surface of the upper mounting disk to allow rotary movement of the lower mounting disk relative to the upper mounting disk. The cap has an upper peripheral rim (34) and a centralized concave lower bearing surface (35) with a central opening (36) therethrough. The cap is configured to abut the diffusor. A finial (38) is threaded onto the lower end of the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Pearce, Richard Orion Millaway
  • Publication number: 20060274519
    Abstract: A ceiling fan hanging system (10) in disclosed for use with a conventional ceiling fan (11). The hanging system includes a ceiling mounting plate (17), a canopy mounting plate (18), a canopy (19), and a canopy trim ring (20). A male electrical connector (32) is fixedly mounted to the ceiling mounting plate. The male electrical connector which mates with the female electrical connector (51) is mounted to a slide (46) mounted for reciprocal movement upon the canopy mounting plate. The slide has two arm (47) and a central push plate or tab (48). Each arm is configured to be releasably received within a mounting plate loop (27) extending from the ceiling mounting plate and extending through a loop opening (43). The structural electrical wires are electrically coupled to the male electrical connector while the ceiling fan electrical wires are electrically coupled to the female electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Pearce
  • Publication number: 20060092628
    Abstract: A light assembly leveler (10) is disclosed having a threaded central nipple (13) mounted to the ceiling fan switch housing (11), an upper mounting disk (14), a lower mounting disk (15), a bowl-shaped translucent light diffusor (16), a cap (18) and a finial (19). The upper mounting disk (14) has a central passage (23) through which the nipple (13) extends and a concave bottom bearing surface (24). The lower mounting disk has a convex top bearing surface (28) with a central opening (29) therethrough defined. The top bearing surface is configured to mate with or bear against the bottom bearing surface of the upper mounting disk to allow rotary movement of the lower mounting disk relative to the upper mounting disk. The cap has an upper peripheral rim (34) and a centralized concave lower bearing surface (35) with a central opening (36) therethrough. The cap is configured to abut the diffusor. A finial (38) is threaded onto the lower end of the nipple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Pearce, Richard Millaway
  • Patent number: 6932578
    Abstract: A mounting system (10) for supporting a ceiling fan assembly (11) of the type having a motor, motor housing (46), a plurality of blades (47) and a downrod (29) to a support surface C, which includes a mounting plate (14) coupled to a support surface C, a mounting bar (24) coupled to the mounting plate (14), a suspending hangar (28) coupled to the downrod (29), a canopy (32) journalled to the downrod (29), and screws which couple the canopy (32) to the mounting plate (14). The screws (42) permits adjustable movement of the canopy (29) between a lower position wherein the majority of the weight of the ceiling fan assembly (11) is supported by the mounting bar (24) through the suspending hangar (28) and an upper position wherein the majority of the weight of the ceiling fan assembly (11) is supported by the mounting plate (14) through the canopy (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6902374
    Abstract: A ceiling fan comprising an annular array of blade irons (14) adapted to be rotatably driven by a motor, said blade irons having opposite sides (15) formed with at least one notch (18), a plurality of fan blades (25) with each blade bearing a bracket (28) having opposite side walls (32), each formed with at least one indentation (33) sized and positioned to be passed through said blade iron side notches, whereby the blades may be mounted to the blade irons by passing the blade bracket indentations through the blade iron notches and then sliding the brackets to a position with the bracket indentations unaligned with the blade iron notches thereby interlocking the blade brackets with the blade irons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20050112755
    Abstract: The present invention is an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut off (NMWCO) of from about 0.5 KD to about 10 KD wherein the membrane surfaces have a charge that is either positive or negative. The present invention is also a method of using the charged UF membrane to purify and concentrate synthetic biological molecules by using the charged surface either to repel the synthetic biomolecules retaining them in the retentate or to attract the synthetic biomolecules preferentially for filtration through the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Pearce
  • Publication number: 20050077446
    Abstract: A mounting system (10) for supporting a ceiling fan assembly (11) of the type having a motor, motor housing (46), a plurality of blades (47) and a downrod (29) to a ceiling C. The mounting system includes a mounting plate (14) having a plurality of tab locks (21), a mounting bracket having a plurality of locking tabs (37) configured to mate with the tab locks (21). The mounting bracket also has an opening (40) therein configured to receive a ball joint (31) of the downrod (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Ted Bacon, Richard Pearce
  • Patent number: 6872054
    Abstract: A ceiling fan mounting system for mounting a fan to a canted ceiling with its fan blades rotated in a horizontal plane. The system has an elongated hanger bar (118) suspended from a ceiling mounting plate (170). The fan downrod is attached to a multi-lope ball (160) that is seated in a canopy seat (182). The canopy can be mounted to the ceiling plane in only one position, a position that orients the hanger bar parallel to the canted ceiling, parallel to the mounting plate and parallel to the fan blades horizontal plane of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6863499
    Abstract: A ceiling fan quick connect blade iron system (10) is disclosed which is coupled to a conventional ceiling fan electric motor (11) having a lower portion (12). The motor lower portion has an annular array of threaded mounting holes (13) therein. A post (16) having a stem (17) and a head (18) is mounted within each mounting hole (13) and extends through a S-shaped spring (19). The blade iron system also includes a blade iron (27) having a motor mounting flange (28) and a blade mounting portion (29). The motor mounting portion has a vertical portion (31) extending to a horizontal portion (32). The motor mounting portion has a pair of slots (34) which have an enlarged, peripheral portion (35) that extends through the vertical portion (31) to a narrow, inboard portion (36) that extends through the horizontal portion (32). The horizontal portion (32) also includes a recess (37) about each narrow portion (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6857854
    Abstract: A ceiling fan quick connect blade system (10) is disclosed which is coupled to a conventional ceiling fan electric motor (11) having a lower portion (12). The motor lower portion has an annular array of threaded mounting holes (13) therein. A post (16) having a stem (17) and a head (18) is mounted within each mounting hole (13) and extends through a S-shaped spring (19). The blade system also includes a blade iron (27) having a motor mounting flange (28) and a blade mounting portion (29). The blade mounting portion (29) has a pair of guide pins (41) extending above a peripheral, top edge 42, a rubber dampening plate (43) having protrusions (44) configured to nest upon the guide pins (41), and a securing plate (45) mounted for pivotal movement through a mounting bolt (46). The securing plate has a pair of oppositely facing catches (48) and an elongated tab (49) sized and shaped to be received within a notch (51). Each catch has an upright portion (53) and an overhanging portion (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040247414
    Abstract: A river body (40) is formed with cutting teeth (68) in a forward edge (66) of the rivet body. A mandrel (96) is formed at a forward end with an enlarged head (104) having a drill point (60) thereon. A plurality of the rivet bodies (40) are stacked on the mandrel (96), with the drill point (60). The rivet body (40a) is rotated and, through rotative coupling, the mandrel (96) is also rotated. The rotating drill point (60) forms pilot holes I workpieces (186) and (188), and the rotating cutting teeth (68) enlarge the pilot holes to form holes (192) and (194), respectively, for receipt of a cylindrical portion (42) of the lead rivet body (40a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Richard A. Pearce, Daniel R Smith, Robert M Stanko
  • Patent number: 6819631
    Abstract: A structure and method for constructing a non-oil-filled towed array providing a single cable entry point for each channel regardless of the number of hydrophones used to make up a hydrophone group or array is described. The method and apparatus enables uniform buoyancy of the hydrophone array and the primary cable around which the hydrophone array is wound. Uniform buoyancy is achieved through the addition of hollow micro-spheres into a Reaction Injection Molded (RIM) polyurethane material used to mold the hydrophones. Additional buoyancy may be desired adjacent heavier cable sections where connectors and telemetry modules are located. An embodiment enables precise adjustment of hydrophone cable buoyancy by providing precise adjustment of the concentration of hollow glass micro-spheres in areas where more or less buoyancy is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Input/Output, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040208747
    Abstract: A ceiling fan comprising an annular array of blade irons (14) adapted to be rotatably driven by a motor, said blade irons having opposite sides (15) formed with at least one notch (18), a plurality of fan blades (25) with each blade bearing a bracket (28) having opposite side walls (32), each formed with at least one indentation (33) sized and positioned to be passed through said blade iron side notches, whereby the blades may be mounted to the blade irons by passing the blade bracket indentations through the blade iron notches and then sliding the brackets to a position with the bracket indentations unaligned with the blade iron notches thereby interlocking the blade brackets with the blade irons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040115061
    Abstract: A mounting system (10) for supporting a ceiling fan assembly (11) of the type having a motor, motor housing (46), a plurality of blades (47) and a downrod (29) to a support surface C, which includes a mounting plate (14) coupled to a support surface C, a mounting bar (24) coupled to the mounting plate (14), a suspending hangar (28) coupled to the downrod (29), a canopy (32) journalled to the downrod (29), and screws which couple the canopy (32) to the mounting plate (14). The screws (42) permits adjustable movement of the canopy (29) between a lower position wherein the majority of the weight of the ceiling fan assembly (11) is supported by the mounting bar (24) through the suspending hangar (28) and an upper position wherein the majority of the weight of the ceiling fan assembly (11) is supported by the mounting plate (14) through the canopy (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040115062
    Abstract: A ceiling fan mounting system for mounting a fan to a canted ceiling with its fan blades rotated in a horizontal plane. The system has an elongated hanger bar (118) suspended from a ceiling mounting plate (170). The fan downrod is attached to a multi-lope ball (160) that is seated in a canopy seat (182). The canopy can be mounted to the ceiling plane in only one position, a position that orients the hanger bar parallel to the canted ceiling, parallel to the mounting plate and parallel to the fan blades horizontal plane of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040013527
    Abstract: A ceiling fan quick connect blade system (10) is disclosed which is coupled to a conventional ceiling fan electric motor (11) having a lower portion (12). The motor lower portion has an annular array of threaded mounting holes (13) therein. A post (16) having a stem (17) and a head (18) is mounted within each mounting hole (13) and extends through a S-shaped spring (19). The blade system also includes a blade iron (27) having a motor mounting flange (28) and a blade mounting portion (29). The blade mounting portion (29) has a pair of guide pins (41) extending above a peripheral, top edge 42, a rubber dampening plate (43) having protrusions (44) configured to nest upon the guide pins (41, and a securing plate (45) mounted for pivotal movement through a mounting bolt (46). The securing plate has a pair of oppositely facing catches (48) and an elongated tab (49) sized and shaped to be received within a notch (51). Each catch has an upright portion (53) and an overhanging portion (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Publication number: 20040009068
    Abstract: A ceiling fan quick connect blade iron system (10) is disclosed which is coupled to a conventional ceiling fan electric motor (11) having a lower portion (12). The motor lower portion has an annular array of threaded mounting holes (13) therein. A post (16) having a stem (17) and a head (18) is mounted within each mounting hole (13) and extends through a S-shaped spring (19). The blade iron system also includes a blade iron (27) having a motor mounting flange (28) and a blade mounting portion (29). The motor mounting portion has a vertical portion (31) extending to a horizontal portion (32). The motor mounting portion has a pair of slots (34) which have an enlarged, peripheral portion (35) that extends through the vertical portion (31) to a narrow, inboard portion (36) that extends through the horizontal portion (32). The horizontal portion (32) also includes a recess (37) about each narrow portion (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6648488
    Abstract: A ceiling fan having a set of fan blades rotatably coupled with an electric motor housed within a motor housing, a switch housing mounted below said set of fan blades, a plurality of spring clips of an electric socket in an array about a threaded mounting channel, a light kit having an electric plug with a plurality of terminal blades sized and arranged about a central plug passageway to be plugged into said switch housing socket spring clips, and a bolt sized to be passed through said light kit electric plug passageway and threaded into said switch housing threaded channel in mounting the light kit beneath the switch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Pearce