Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Griffiths

Thomas W. Griffiths 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: 6050778
    Abstract: A semi-articulated stiff-in-plane (SASTIP) rotor hub is provided. The hub includes a cylindrical composite shell (12). A plurality of flexure mount assemblies (16) are positioned around the periphery of the hub shell. Each flexure mount assembly includes both an upper and a lower flexure (64), (66). The outboard ends of the upper and lower flexures attach to an outboard bearing support (34). The inboard end of each flexure is maintained within first and second clamp plates (76), (78) that are mounted within hub flexure openings (38), (40). The flexure clamp plates (76), (78) additionally attach circumferentially to annular CF rings (24), (26), (28), (30) positioned within the hub shell. A blade shaft (14) extends through the outboard bearing (72) and connects to a spindle. The spindle is supported by a spherical bearing that is mounted within the hub shell (12) at a circular spindle hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Francis H. McArdle, Thomas W. Griffith, Sr., George H. Thompson, John H. Peck, Helene G. McArdle
  • Patent number: 4723117
    Abstract: A fuse assembly includes a housing having a base, side and end walls and a removable cover. Studs extend through the base and a current limiting fuse is connected between the studs. The cover, which has an edge gasket, is held against the side and end walls by fasteners which extend through the cover and threadedly engage the studs, the fasteners having enlarged heads to press against the outer surface of the cover and hold it firmly in place, forming a sealed interior chamber for the fuse. A locking filament inhibits unscrewing the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas W. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 4634817
    Abstract: A trolley pole is supported on a vertical shaft so as to be rotatable from side to side while in its elevated, operating position. The shaft is supported on a support structure which is tiltably mounted on a base plate on a vehicle. The base plate can be tilted by extending the arm of a linear actuator. When the base plate is tilted, the pole is lowered and centered and a gravity operated latch structure comes into effect to maintain the pole centered whenever it is not in its operating position. A control circuit coupled to the actuator extends and retracts the actuator arm to pivot the support structure between an upright and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Harvey Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas W. Griffiths, Vladimir Suris
  • Patent number: 4567335
    Abstract: A high speed trolley harp assembly includes a rotatable portion at the upper end of a trolley pole with a shoe assembly held on a support structure which is pivotally connected to a lower body at the upper end of the pole. Elastomeric, resilient support cushions are held in the lower body protruding therefrom and contact the support structure to provide a cushioning effect to absorb shock, vibration and noise occurring at high speeds when the shoe assembly rides along an overhead conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Harvey Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas W. Griffiths