Patents by Inventor Steven A. DeCook

Steven A. DeCook 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).

  • Non-linear spring for circuit interrupters
    Patent number: 5359161
    Abstract: The invention provides a spring exerting a non-linear force between a contact carrier and a contact blade in a circuit interrupter. The inventive spring includes at least one elongated cantilever. The length of the cantilever has the shape of an arch made with a non-uniform angle and is formed from an elastic material. The cantilever is supported at one end against the carrier with the length of the cantilever positioned parallel to the carrier and the opposite end of the cantilever abutting the contact blade so that the carrier supports more of the length of the cantilever as the displacement between the carrier and the contact blade decreases.The invention also includes a method of operating a circuit interrupter by non-uniformly increasing the force exerted against a movable contact as it engages a stationary contact to complete a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Leach, Steven A. DeCook