Patents by Inventor William H. Maddock

William H. Maddock 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: 5595439
    Abstract: A lampholder for decorative strings of lights comprises at least two clips, one of which is radially oriented, the other of which is axially oriented, the axially oriented clip being formed as an extension of the radially oriented clip. Preferably a second axially oriented clip is provided in diametrically and axially opposed relationship to the first axial clip. The clips permit the lampholders to be secured to widely different types of supports that may be adventitiously found in a dwelling structure or that may be easily provided and attached thereto, and in different orientations, thereby facilitating the decoration of the dwelling. Suitably and preferably the clips are integrally molded with the body of the lampholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Maddock, David A. Parshad
  • Patent number: 5355288
    Abstract: A lampholder for use with e.g. a string of outdoor Christmas decorative lamps includes a pair of jaws forming a clip for supporting the lampholder from an elongated support frame to create a decorative display. At least one of the jaws is provided with a recess in medial portions to adapt the clip for gripping the head of a screw from which the lampholder may alternatively be supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Noma, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: 4826448
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes stab portions and a cam for urging a wire cord into contact therewith. The cam mounts in a tubular housing which is telescopically receivable in a sleeve. The cam and housing coact such that the cam head tends to move outwardly from the housing when the cam is moved to a position to release the wire cord, and this is prevented by the sleeve. As a corollary, if the cam is turned away from its wire locking position, the housing cannot be engaged with the sleeve. The sleeve acts as a conduit for the wire cord, whereby the cord tends to anchor the housing in telescoped position in the sleeve, to prevent unauthorized tampering with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: 4789570
    Abstract: An artificial shrub or the like including at least one branch holder; said branch holder including a hub; a plurality of adjacent equispaced, radial walls supported from said hub; each said radial wall having a transverse aperture communicating with each lateral side thereof; a plurality of branches, each said branch having a u shaped hooked end thereto, said hooked ends being captured in said transverse apertures to thereby form hinge elements for said branches whereby said branches can be moved between a generally upstanding, stored position and an outspread position; means interconnected with said hub for supporting said branches in said outspread position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: 4778409
    Abstract: A molded electrical lamp socket includes threaded, insulating portions on the inner wall of the socket to engage the lamp. The side electrode providing electrical contact for the lamp is desirably set deeply within the socket, to reduce the danger of accidental finger contact with an electrically conducting lamp. Where the side electrode is of the edge-on type, the insulating threads center the lamp in the socket and reduce the incidence of shaving and jamming of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: 4678153
    Abstract: A retainer for a trouble lamp having an elongated handle comprises a holder including a pair of spaced apart jaws connected at one axial end thereof by a bight portion. The jaws are configured to provide a first pair of axially aligned bearing surfaces and a second pair of transversely aligned bearing surfaces communicating with the first pair of bearing surfaces for receiving the handle of the trouble lamp therebetween in either an axially aligned or a traversely aligned position. A journal connects the bight of the holder to a clamp member for relative axial rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Maddock, Bert Bobrovniczky
  • Patent number: 4656320
    Abstract: A cord reel for an extension cord comprises a housing and a hub mounted for rotation from the housing. A convenience receptacle is provided in the hub of the reel. The electrode supporting structure of the receptacle is relatively open, whereby water can drain therefrom to permit the reel to be used under moist conditions in relative safety. A circuit breaker connected serially with the cord mounts in the hub so as to be at least in part responsive to thermal build up within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: D305156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Noma Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Maddock
  • Patent number: D379964
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Noma, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Maddock, Samuel K-H. Ng