Patents by Inventor Richard L. Shank

Richard L. Shank 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).

  • Torque limited screw for electrical connector
    Patent number: 9929477
    Abstract: A torque limited screw is used to secure a conductor to an electrical connector. The screw has a torque limiting feature between a head and a body of the screw which must be overcome by force to break the head free from the screw body. The screw assembly includes a threaded body configured to be releasably coupled to a coupling portion of the connector. A head of the screw assembly is joined to the body via a neck portion which under a specified torque applied to the head fractures to break the head away from the body seated in the connector and securing the conductor. In one embodiment, the screw includes a plate spaced from and coupled to the threaded body for contacting the conductor. The plate is rotatable relative to the threaded body when the threaded body is coupled to the coupling portion of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ilsco Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Beiler, Eric D. Besterman, Stephen M. Jackson, Alan Merritt, Philip G. Reed, Richard L. Shank, Thomas M. Sweeney, Carl J. Taylor
  • TORQUE LIMITED SCREW FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20160322715
    Abstract: A torque limited screw is used to secure a conductor to an electrical connector. The screw has a torque limiting feature between a head and a body of the screw which must be overcome by force to break the head free from the screw body. The screw assembly includes a threaded body configured to be releasably coupled to a coupling portion of the connector. A head of the screw assembly is joined to the body via a neck portion which under a specified torque applied to the head fractures to break the head away from the body seated in the connector and securing the conductor. In one embodiment, the screw includes a plate spaced from and coupled to the threaded body for contacting the conductor. The plate is rotatable relative to the threaded body when the threaded body is coupled to the coupling portion of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Ilsco Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Beiler, Eric D. Besterman, Stephen M. Jackson, Alan Merritt, Philip G. Reed, Richard L. Shank, Thomas M. Sweeney, Carl J. Taylor