Patents by Inventor Roger J. Briggs

Roger J. Briggs 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: 7687733
    Abstract: The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan J. Weister, Paul R. Rakus, Roger J. Briggs, Perry R. Gibson, Robert M. Slepian, Douglas C. Marks, Yuri C. Spitsberg
  • Publication number: 20080302640
    Abstract: The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: NATHAN J. WEISTER, Paul R. Rakus, Roger J. Briggs, Perry R. Gibson, Robert M. Slepian, Douglas C. Marks, Yuri C. Spitsberg
  • Patent number: 7449653
    Abstract: A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Perry R. Gibson, Paul R. Rakus, Douglas C. Marks, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert M. Slepian, Roger J. Briggs
  • Publication number: 20080237016
    Abstract: A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Perry R. Gibson, Paul R. Rakus, Douglas C. Marks, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert M. Slepian, Roger J. Briggs
  • Publication number: 20080087531
    Abstract: A flexible conductive element is provided for the conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The conductor assembly includes a load conductor, a movable contact assembly including a number of movable contact arms, movable electrical contacts mounted on the movable contact arms, and a plurality of flexible conductive elements. Each flexible conductive element includes a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly, and a plurality of bends between the first end and the second end. A first one of the bends is in a first direction and at least a second one of the bends is in a second direction which is generally opposite the first direction, in order that the flexible element is generally S-shaped. A conductor assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: PAUL R. RAKUS, Nathan J. Weister, Roger J. Briggs, James R. Schachner, Wilbert E. Lindsay, Michael C. Watts
  • Patent number: 7351927
    Abstract: A flexible conductive element is provided for the conductor assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The conductor assembly includes a load conductor, a movable contact assembly including a number of movable contact arms, movable electrical contacts mounted on the movable contact arms, and a plurality of flexible conductive elements. Each flexible conductive element includes a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly, and a plurality of bends between the first end and the second end. A first one of the bends is in a first direction and at least a second one of the bends is in a second direction which is generally opposite the first direction, in order that the flexible element is generally S-shaped. A conductor assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Rakus, Nathan J. Weister, Roger J. Briggs, James R. Schachner, Wilbert E. Lindsay, Michael C. Watts
  • Patent number: 7319203
    Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for a circuit interrupter, such as a battery disconnect apparatus, including a housing and a number of stationary electrical contacts enclosed by the housing. The operating mechanism includes a cam member having a profile with first and second portions. A movable contact assembly includes at least one movable electrical contact, and is cooperable with the cam member to move the movable electrical contact into and out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts. An actuating assembly pivots the cam member between a first position corresponding to the first portion of the profile maintaining the movable electrical contact in electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts, and a second position corresponding to the second portion of the profile releasing the movable contact assembly in order that the movable electrical contact is movable out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Briggs, Paul J. Rollmann
  • Patent number: 6194709
    Abstract: A rotor disk or color wheel received on a shaft to be sensed has an annular band of dual color (red/green) filter material having opposite circumferential gradient. A printed circuit board on one axial side of the rotor disk has the dual color LED, emitting light to a reflector on the opposite axial side of the rotor disk. Some reflected light from the LED passes through the filter which transmits, according to the amount of single color filter material present at the particular rotor station to a photodetector on the circuit board. Other rays of the emitted light are reflected directly to a second detector for ambient compensation. The amount of light transmitted by the filter causes the detector current to vary the charge rate of a capacitor charged to a reference level, and when reached the LED is switched to the other of the dual color emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Briggs, Lawrence J. Ryczek, Jean-Paul Corbier
  • Patent number: 5900930
    Abstract: An angle sensor for detecting the angular position of a rotating body. The angle sensor includes a plurality of digital patterns positioned on a surface that rotates with a rotating body. A source of light illuminates the patterns, and a multi-pixel optical device receives light from the patterns and converts the light into electrical signals. A processing circuit receives the electrical signals and identifies the illuminated patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Marc R. Simon, CheeGreg Chen, Zeyad M. Almajed, Roger J. Briggs
  • Patent number: 4891621
    Abstract: A one piece member rests against a cam surface at a first end and against an adjustable pivot at a second end, biased thereagainst by an integral cantilever spring of said member, the distal end of which is interlocked in a deflected position to a hook formed in a housing. One end of a bimetal strip is riveted to the second end of the one piece member, the position of the other end of the bimetal strip being determined by manual adjustment of the pivot and the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Heckenkamp, Roger J. Briggs