Patents by Inventor Thomas Whitaker

Thomas 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).

  • Patent number: 9044895
    Abstract: A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 8568844
    Abstract: A protective jacketing-insulation composite structure and method is provided for inhibiting the corrosion of a pipeline. The method includes forming a porous-insulation into an elongated-arcuate-shape, applying a sodium silicate solution layer to the insulation and at least partially within the pores thereof, permitting the sodium silicate solution layer to set to a threshold amount, adhering an outer facing to the sodium silicate solution layer after the permitting step is accomplished, installing the insulation and facing to the outer surface of a pipeline, and sealing any exposed edges or seams that may exist between multiple installed products. A structure such as made from this method can have a release layer and contact adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Insulation Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 8506735
    Abstract: A protective jacketing-insulation composite structure and method is provided for inhibiting the corrosion of a pipeline. The method includes forming a porous-insulation into an elongated-arcuate-shape, applying a sodium silicate solution layer to the insulation and at least partially within the pores thereof, permitting the sodium silicate solution layer to set to a threshold amount, adhering an outer facing to the sodium silicate solution layer after the permitting step is accomplished, installing the insulation and facing to the outer surface of a pipeline, and sealing any exposed edges or seams that may exist between multiple installed products. A structure such as made from this method can have a release layer and contact adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Insulation Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20120160401
    Abstract: A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Industrial Insulation Group
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 8142879
    Abstract: A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Insulation Group
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20090260751
    Abstract: A protective jacketing-insulation composite structure and method is provided for inhibiting the corrosion of a pipeline. The method includes forming a porous-insulation into an elongated-arcuate-shape, applying a sodium silicate solution layer to the insulation and at least partially within the pores thereof, permitting the sodium silicate solution layer to set to a threshold amount, adhering an outer facing to the sodium silicate solution layer after the permitting step is accomplished, installing the insulation and facing to the outer surface of a pipeline, and sealing any exposed edges or seams that may exist between multiple installed products. A structure such as made from this method can have a release layer and contact adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Insulation Group
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20090130389
    Abstract: A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Insulation Group
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20080206543
    Abstract: A protective jacketing-insulation composite structure and method is provided for inhibiting the corrosion of a pipeline. The method includes forming a porous-insulation into an elongated-arcuate-shape, applying a sodium silicate solution layer to the insulation and at least partially within the pores thereof, permitting the sodium silicate solution layer to set to a threshold amount, adhering an outer facing to the sodium silicate solution layer after the permitting step is accomplished, installing the insulation and facing to the outer surface of a pipeline, and sealing any exposed edges or seams that may exist between multiple installed products. A structure such as made from this method can have a release layer and contact adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Industrial Insulation Group
    Inventors: Thomas Whitaker, Kevin J. MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20060207184
    Abstract: An assembly for coupling a sliding door to a track is disclosed generally comprising a support member, which has a channel in which an upper portion of the panel is disposed, that is connected to an engagement device, such as a wheel, adapted to engage the track. The engagement device is fastened to the support member at a point adjacent to the upper portion of panel in order to minimize the vertical space required. In some embodiments, the panel has a gap in the upper portion, and the engagement device is fastened to the support member via a fastener that extends through the support member and the gap in the panel. In certain embodiments, the support member is a shoe with first and second sidewalls. In some of these embodiments, the fastener extends through the engagement device and into the first sidewall adjacent the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20050258921
    Abstract: A rotating display device displays a value in a variable viewing orientation. The value is received from an electrical apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, having a first port. The rotating display device includes a housing having a first side and a second side, a display disposed on the first side of the housing, a rotating assembly disposed on the second side, and a second port for receiving the value from the first port of the electrical apparatus. The second port communicates with the display and is coupled to the rotating assembly in order to permit the display to rotate. The rotating assembly permits the rotating display device to rotate in the plane of the surface of the circuit breaker on which it is mounted, thereby permitting the display to be quickly and accurately viewed and interpreted regardless of the orientation of the surface to which it is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Puskar, Thomas Whitaker, Harry Carlino, Todd Shaak
  • Publication number: 20050128033
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having first and second openings, with stationary and movable separable contacts disposed therein. An operating mechanism is disposed in the housing, is coupled to the separable contacts and is structured to move those contacts between open and closed positions. A trip mechanism is disposed in the housing and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A slot motor assembly is disposed about the separable contacts and has upper and lower slot motor portions. The upper slot motor portion is disposed above the movable contact and the lower slot motor portion is disposed below the stationary contact. The upper slot motor portion includes a rigid, laminated steel member having a general U-shape, with a bight portion, and first and second legs. The first and second legs engage the housing at the respective first and second openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Thomas Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20050024173
    Abstract: A trip unit includes a housing, a rotary plunger mounted in the housing and a pivotal trip bar also mounted therein. The trip bar latches the plunger in an on position, releases the plunger to a tripped position and re-latches the plunger. A set of springs biases the plunger to the tripped position. A rotary trip lever is pivotally mounted in the housing. A trip solenoid includes a linear plunger, which resets the solenoid when retracted, and which engages and rotates the trip lever when extended, in order to rotate the trip bar and release the rotary plunger. The rotary plunger engages the rotary trip lever when reset and rotates the same in an opposite direction, in order to retract the linear plunger and reset the solenoid. During that reset operation, the rotary plunger also cams the trip bar, in order to re-latch the rotary plunger in the on position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Puskar, Thomas Whitaker, William Randal, Harry Carlino
  • Publication number: 20050024172
    Abstract: A trip unit includes a housing, a rotary plunger, and a pivotally mounted trip bar, which latches the plunger in an on position and releases the plunger to a tripped position. A first plunger portion is biased outside the housing in a tripped position by a spring mechanism. A pivotally mounted rotary trip lever includes an elastic arm. A second plunger portion is inside the housing in a reset position and engages the elastic arm. When a trip solenoid is energized, its linear plunger rotates the rotary trip lever, in order to engage and rotate the trip bar and release the rotary plunger. The rotary trip lever rotates in an opposite direction in response to the rotary plunger reset position and engages the trip solenoid linear plunger, in order to reset the same. The elastic arm flexes after the linear plunger is reset and accommodates overtravel of the rotary plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Puskar, Thomas Whitaker, William Randal
  • Publication number: 20050023120
    Abstract: A circuit breaker trip unit includes a housing and a rotary plunger pivotally mounted within the housing. The rotary plunger has an on position and a tripped position. A portion of the rotary plunger is pivoted outside of the housing in the tripped position. A trip bar is pivotally mounted within the housing and includes a first tab latching the rotary plunger in the first position and releasing the rotary plunger from the first position. The trip bar also includes a second tab. A trip actuator includes a solenoid and a rotary trip lever engaging the second tab of the trip bar, in order to pivot the trip bar and release the rotary plunger from the on position. A spring biases the trip bar, in order that the first tab latches the rotary plunger in the on position. A pair of springs biases the rotary plunger to the tripped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Puskar, Thomas Whitaker, William Randal
  • Publication number: 20050022377
    Abstract: A method attaches a center conductor to one or both of a load end conductor and a line end conductor. The center conductor has two cylindrical projections. The load end conductor and the line end conductor both have a non-circular opening, such as a square opening. One of the cylindrical projections of the center conductor is passed through the non-circular opening of the load end conductor. The cylindrical projection of the center conductor is deformed, in order to attach the center conductor and the load end conductor together. The other of the cylindrical projections of the center conductor is passed through the non-circular opening of the line end conductor. The load and line end conductors are aligned and the other cylindrical projection of the center conductor is deformed, in order to attach the center conductor and the line end conductor together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Puskar, Thomas Whitaker, William Randal, Roger Helms