Patents by Inventor W. Richard Frederick

W. Richard Frederick 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: 7432717
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Ulta-Lit Tree Co.
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Patent number: 7276911
    Abstract: A system for locating a malfunctioning bulb in a decorative light string uses an antenna that produces an output signal corresponding to the strength of the electric field produced by a portion of the light string near the antenna. An amplifier is coupled to the antenna to receive the antenna output signal and produce an amplified output signal representing the strength of the electric field. The amplifier includes a negative feedback circuit to improve the stability of the amplifier. A detector receives the amplifier output signal and activates an alarm device when the amplifier output signal is above or below a predetermined threshold representing a known operational condition of the light string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, Ronald Miles
  • Patent number: 7145343
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Patent number: 7029145
    Abstract: One or more strings of decorative lights are supplied with power by converting a standard residential electrical voltage to a low-voltage, and supplying the low-voltage to at least one pair of parallel conductors having multiple decorative lights connected to the conductors along the lengths thereof, each of the lights, or groups of the lights, being connected in parallel across the conductors. A string of decorative lights comprises a power supply having an input adapted for connection to a standard residential electrical power outlet, the power supply including circuitry for converting the standard residential voltage to a low-voltage output; a pair of conductors connected to the output of the power supply for supplying the low-voltage output to multiple decorative lights; and multiple lights connected to the conductors along the lengths thereof, each of the lights, or groups of the lights, being connected in parallel across the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20060043974
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Patent number: 6984984
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Publication number: 20040130331
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Patent number: 6734678
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: 6710602
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Integrated Power Compenents, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20030198048
    Abstract: One or more strings of decorative lights are supplied with power by converting a standard residential electrical voltage to a low-voltage, and supplying the low-voltage to at least one pair of parallel conductors having multiple decorative lights connected to the conductors along the lengths thereof, each of the lights, or groups of the lights, being connected in parallel across the conductors. A string of decorative lights comprises a power supply having an input adapted for connection to a standard residential electrical power outlet, the power supply including circuitry for converting the standard residential voltage to a low-voltage output; a pair of conductors connected to the output of the power supply for supplying the low-voltage output to multiple decorative lights; and multiple lights connected to the conductors along the lengths thereof, each of the lights, or groups of the lights, being connected in parallel across the conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20030102869
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: 6561673
    Abstract: A string of decorative lights comprises a plurality of elongated electrical conductors having multiple electrical lamps connected thereto at intervals along the lengths of the conductors, a small storage compartment for storing spare components for use in the light string, a movable closure for opening and closing the storage compartment to permit access to the spare components stored therein, and to closing the compartment during storage. The storage compartment is attached to the string of decorative lights so that the spare components stored therein are conveniently accessible when needed to replace a component in the light string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20020168892
    Abstract: A string of decorative lights comprises a plurality of elongated electrical conductors having multiple electrical lamps connected thereto at intervals along the lengths of the conductors, a small storage compartment for storing spare components for use in the light string, a movable closure for opening and closing the storage compartment to permit access to the spare components stored therein, and to closing the compartment during storage. The storage compartment is attached to the string of decorative lights so that the spare components stored therein are conveniently accessible when needed to replace a component in the light string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20020168890
    Abstract: An electrical plug or receptacle with a compartment for storing spare electrical components such as fuses and bulbs. The plug is molded with the walls of the compartment integrally formed with the plug. A cover is adapted to cover the open top. The cover can be latched to securely retain the spare components within the compartment. An opening can be provided in one of the walls to function as a lamp removal tool. In an alternative embodiment the compartment is molded separately from the plug or receptacle and is adapted for mounting to the plug or receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: 6480001
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a piezoelectric pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20020135374
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a piezoelectric pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Publication number: 20020135376
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: 6296068
    Abstract: A planting system with the special planter to dig uniform holes, puck type plant feeders to go in the holes and plastic dual planting trays. These can be used independently or in any combination. Features include a protective shroud, pulverizing the dirt by circulating it in an enclosed area, a tapered spiral ramp to help pile the dirt and pulverize it, a root cutter, ground clearing with spinning shroud, a friction plate to power ground clearing, pointed feet at the bottom of the shroud to stop the spinning when excavation starts, a rock sifter including a ramped face on the internal louvers, a rock catcher ring with flexible fingers, piling the dirt around the perimeter, hole depth measurement rings on the shaft, a slidable ring to select gap between the bottom of the shroud and the ground and an optional locking stop ring to guarantee uniform hole depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: 6271807
    Abstract: A product information display system has electronic display tags for displaying pricing and product information for products in stores or warehouses. The electronic display tags are electromagnetically coupled to a conductor. A control circuit is used to generate an information signal which contains a tag address and related data. A modulator circuit modulates an a-c. power signal with the information signal and applies it to the conductor for transmission to the display tags. Each of the display tags is equipped with a coil that is electromagnetically coupled to the conductor for picking up the signals carried by the conductor. A demodulator is used to demodulate the signal picked up by the coil to obtain the original information signal. Each of the display tags is provided with a manually operated switch for initializing the tags with initial addresses transmitted by the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Display Edge Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Kayser, W. Richard Frederick
  • Patent number: D467150
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Power Components, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Richard Frederick