Patents by Inventor Thomas Alan Whitaker
Thomas Alan Whitaker 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).
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Patent number: 10000956Abstract: A hinge assembly includes first and second portions. One of the first and second portions includes first and second receptacles and the other one of the first and second portions includes first and second cylindrical members extending in opposite directions along a hinge axis and a thickened portion having a contoured outer surface disposed adjacent the cylindrical members. The second portion is moveable from: a first state wherein the first and second cylindrical members are disposed in the first and second receptacles such that the second portion is coupled to the first portion and generally free to rotate about the hinge axis through at least a predetermined degree range, and a second state in which the second portion is decoupled from the first portion responsive to the second portion being rotated beyond the predetermined degree range and the contoured outer surface interacting with a portion of the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Jason Eric Basta, Doel Jafeth Collazo, Paul Richard Rakus
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Publication number: 20170234047Abstract: A hinge assembly includes first and second portions. One of the first and second portions includes first and second receptacles and the other one of the first and second portions includes first and second cylindrical members extending in opposite directions along a hinge axis and a thickened portion having a contoured outer surface disposed adjacent the cylindrical members. The second portion is moveable from: a first state wherein the first and second cylindrical members are disposed in the first and second receptacles such that the second portion is coupled to the first portion and generally free to rotate about the hinge axis through at least a predetermined degree range, and a second state in which the second portion is decoupled from the first portion responsive to the second portion being rotated beyond the predetermined degree range and the contoured outer surface interacting with a portion of the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: THOMAS ALAN WHITAKER, JASON ERIC BASTA, DOEL JAFETH COLLAZO, PAUL RICHARD RAKUS
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Patent number: 9679732Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first portion having first and second receptacles and a second portion having first and second cylindrical members extending in opposite directions along a hinge axis and a thickened portion having a contoured outer surface disposed adjacent the cylindrical members. The second portion is moveable from: a first state wherein the first and second cylindrical members are disposed in the first and second receptacles such that the second portion is coupled to the first portion and generally free to rotate about the hinge axis through at least a predetermined degree range, and a second state in which the second portion is decoupled from the first portion responsive to the second portion being rotated beyond the predetermined degree range and the contoured outer surface interacting with a portion of the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Jason Eric Basta, Doel Jafeth Collazo, Paul Richard Rakus
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Patent number: 9443686Abstract: A circuit breaker is described herein. The circuit breaker comprising: a first plurality of electrical wires to the circuit breaker; a strain relief connecting the plurality of electrical wires to the circuit breaker; a securing mechanism attaching the strain relief to the circuit breaker; and a plurality of tethers attached to the circuit breaker positioned over the strain relief.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Erik Russell Bogdon, Robert Stephen Estok
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Publication number: 20160181048Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first portion having first and second receptacles and a second portion having first and second cylindrical members extending in opposite directions along a hinge axis and a thickened portion having a contoured outer surface disposed adjacent the cylindrical members. The second portion is moveable from: a first state wherein the first and second cylindrical members are disposed in the first and second receptacles such that the second portion is coupled to the first portion and generally free to rotate about the hinge axis through at least a predetermined degree range, and a second state in which the second portion is decoupled from the first portion responsive to the second portion being rotated beyond the predetermined degree range and the contoured outer surface interacting with a portion of the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: THOMAS ALAN WHITAKER, JASON ERIC BASTA, DOEL JAFETH COLLAZO, PAUL RICHARD RAKUS
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Publication number: 20150279604Abstract: A circuit breaker is described herein. The circuit breaker comprising: a first plurality of electrical wires to the circuit breaker; a strain relief connecting the plurality of electrical wires to the circuit breaker; a securing mechanism attaching the strain relief to the circuit breaker; and a plurality of tethers attached to the circuit breaker positioned over the strain relief.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Erik Russell Bogdon, Robert Stephen Estok
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Patent number: 9093230Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: James Patrick Sisley, Richard Paul Malingowski, Kelly Julia McCarthy, Lance Gula, Craig Allen Rodgers, Keith Edward Thomas, Thomas Alan Whitaker
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Publication number: 20150041290Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus housing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus assembly is provided. The electrical switching apparatus housing assembly including a body assembly and a movable door member. The body assembly includes a number of outer sidewalls. The outer sidewalls define an enclosed space. The outer sidewalls include a top sidewall. The top sidewall includes a limited opening to the enclosed space. The movable door member is movably coupled to the top sidewall. The door member is movable between an open, first position, wherein the door member is not disposed in the limited opening, and a closed, second position, wherein the door member is disposed in the limited opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES PATRICK SISLEY, RICHARD PAUL MALINGOWSKI, KELLY JULIA MCCARTHY, LANCE GULA, CRAIG ALLEN RODGERS, KEITH EDWARD THOMAS, THOMAS ALAN WHITAKER
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Patent number: 8519283Abstract: An improved cover assembly for use with an electrical switching apparatus can be said to comprise a retention device that is structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus and a cover that comprises an engagement element and that is disposed on the retention device. The cover is translatable between a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured such that a locking element will resist movement of the cover toward the second configuration. In the first configuration, the engagement element and the retention device confront one another to resist movement of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus. However, in the second configuration, the engagement element and the retention device are clear of one another and enable the cover to be pivoted away from the electrical switching apparatus to provide access to the control elements of the switching apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Yuri C. Spitsberg
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Patent number: 8183483Abstract: A shaft assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing and a pivotal shaft. The shaft assembly includes a paddle assembly comprising an elongated body including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end. A number of paddles extend radially outwardly from the elongated body. A support bracket is coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the pivotal shaft, and the second end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the support bracket. The support bracket is preferably an accessory mounting bracket. The paddle assembly preferably further includes a separate molded member. When the separate molded member moves, the elongated body moves. However, the elongated body is pivotable independently from the separate molded member.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian, Thomas Alan Whitaker
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Publication number: 20110174599Abstract: An improved cover assembly for use with an electrical switching apparatus can be said to comprise a retention device that is structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus and a cover that comprises an engagement element and that is disposed on the retention device. The cover is translatable between a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured such that a locking element will resist movement of the cover toward the second configuration. In the first configuration, the engagement element and the retention device confront one another to resist movement of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus. However, in the second configuration, the engagement element and the retention device are clear of one another and enable the cover to be pivoted away from the electrical switching apparatus to provide access to the control elements of the switching apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Thomas Alan Whitaker, Yuri C. Spitsberg
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Publication number: 20110073451Abstract: A shaft assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing and a pivotal shaft. The shaft assembly includes a paddle assembly comprising an elongated body including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end. A number of paddles extend radially outwardly from the elongated body. A support bracket is coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the pivotal shaft, and the second end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the support bracket. The support bracket is preferably an accessory mounting bracket. The paddle assembly preferably further includes a separate molded member. When the separate molded member moves, the elongated body moves. However, the elongated body is pivotable independently from the separate molded member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: ANDREW L. GOTTSCHALK, ROBERT MICHAEL SLEPIAN, THOMAS ALAN WHITAKER
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Patent number: 7544063Abstract: A rotating display device enables a user to view, in a variety of viewing orientations, a value of an electrical apparatus to which the rotating display device is electrically and mechanically connected. The rotating display device includes a housing having a first half and a second half, a display for displaying the value, a rotating member disposed within the second half, a retention member slideably received into the rotating member, and a wiring harness secured to the rotating member by the retention member.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Michael Paul Puskar, William Michael Randal, Thomas Alan Whitaker
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Publication number: 20080047179Abstract: A rotating display device enables a user to view, in a variety of viewing orientations, a value of an electrical apparatus to which the rotating display device is electrically and mechanically connected. The rotating display device includes a housing having a first half and a second half, a display for displaying the value, a rotating member disposed within the second half, a retention member slideably received into the rotating member, and a wiring harness secured to the rotating member by the retention member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Michael Paul Puskar, William Michael Randal, Thomas Alan Whitaker