John W Stuhlmacher

US Patent:

56602707, Aug 26, 1997

Filed:

Mar 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618930

Inventors:

Elmer W. Martin - Valparaiso IN
Peter J. Banks - Valparaiso IN
David R. Ganser - El Paso TX
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200315

Abstract:

An electrical switch having an internal lighting circuit which does not interfere with the movements of the internal components of the switch. The lighting circuit of the electrical switch employs a circuit board for connecting one or more lamps to electrical contacts disposed on a wall of the switch housing thereby avoiding the manufacturing problems and expenses associated with employing the extended lead wires found in prior art switches.

US Patent:

55668194, Oct 22, 1996

Filed:

Apr 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/430301

Inventors:

James R. Lustgarten - Chesterton IN
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN
Jon Kretzmann - Valparaiso IN
Elmer Martin - Valparaiso IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

H01H 518

US Classification:

200407

Abstract:

A resilient bridge of a snap-action switch is normally held in an unactuated position by virtue of one end portion of the bridge bearing against a lobe formed integrally with a manually actuatable and linearly movable plunger. When the plunger is manually depressed toward an actuated position against the bias of a return spring, the lobe moves away from the end portion of the bridge. As an incident thereto, the bridge changes the state of the switch by automatically snapping over center along a path extending transversely of the path followed by the plunger.

US Patent:

49470094, Aug 7, 1990

Filed:

Sep 1, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/401944

Inventors:

Thomas F. Osika - Valparaiso IN
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

H01H 320

US Classification:

200 4316

Abstract:

A three-position electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted within a housing in opposite directions from a neutral position to first and second actuated positions in order to close first and second sets of switch contacts. The actuator carries a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted from its neutral position to either of its switch-closed positions. By manually sliding the latch and then pivoting the actuator, the actuator may be moved to either of its switch-closed positions; the two-step operation requiring a conscious effort and protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The actuator is frictionally maintained in both of its switch-closed positions but may be returned to its neutral or switch-open position by a simple single motion thereby enabling rapid and easy opening of the switch.

US Patent:

50417061, Aug 20, 1991

Filed:

Apr 26, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/514858

Inventors:

Thomas F. Osika - Valparaiso IN
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valpariaso IN

International Classification:

H01H 320
H01H 2700

US Classification:

200296

Abstract:

An electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions within a housing in order to close and open switch contacts. The actuator slidably supports a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted to its switch-closed position. By pulling on the latch and then lifting on the actuator, the actuator may be pivoted to its switch-closed position; the two-step operation protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The switch housing is mounted with a snap fit in an opening iun a panel. A lug on the housing engages the underside of the panel to prevent the switch from being pulled out of the opening in the event a heavy lifting force is applied to the actuator without first releasing the latch. One switch contact is adapted to pivot and slide on a fulcrum which is laterally offset from the pivot axis of the actuator in order to delay opening of the switch relative to the position of the actuator.

US Patent:

D3177769, Jun 25, 1991

Filed:

Oct 13, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/421389

Inventors:

John Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valparaiso IN

US Classification:

D13174

US Patent:

52094200, May 11, 1993

Filed:

Dec 23, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/814324

Inventors:

Louis P. Simmons - Valparaiso IN
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

F16M 1300

US Classification:

242106

Abstract:

A universal mounting mechanism for selectively suspending a power take-up reel from horizontally and vertically disposed supporting surfaces, the mechanism including a fitting having a shank portion and a head portion and a reversible mounting bracket having a cavity with an aperture located therein. The aperture is adapted to receive the fitting and to retain the head portion thereof within the cavity when the bracket is mounted on a horizontally disposed supporting surface. A double clevis having first and second sets of jaws is provided, the first set of jaws being adapted to receive the reel, while the second set of jaws is adapted to capture the shank portion of the fitting when the bracket is mounted on a horizontally disposed supporting surface, the cavity being adapted to receive and retain the second set of jaws when the bracket is mounted on a vertically disposed supporting surface.

US Patent:

51010828, Mar 31, 1992

Filed:

Jul 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/552235

Inventors:

Louis P. Simmons - Valparasio IN
John A. Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

H02G 1102

US Classification:

191 122R

Abstract:

An electric power cord take-up reel having an external housing, a shaft mounted in the housing, and a spool journalled on the shaft for storing a length of electric power cord and spring-biased to rewind a length of cord previously withdrawn from the reel, and supplied with electric current from an external source through stator contacts in the housing and rotor contact rings on the spool. The reel includes an electric switch and a camming ratchet ring for interrupting the flow of current to the stator contacts while the cord is being withdrawn or retracted or is in its stored position on the spool. The camming ratchet ring is engageable with a latch pawl for locking the reel in a stationary position when a desired length of cord is withdrawn at which time the ring also activates the switch to energize the cord for use.

US Patent:

48702307, Sep 26, 1989

Filed:

Oct 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/114129

Inventors:

Thomas F. Osika - Valparaiso IN
John Stuhlmacher - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

McGill Manufacturing - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

H01H 2700

US Classification:

200 6R

Abstract:

An electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions within a housing in order to close and open switch contacts. The actuator carries a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted to its switch-closed position. By pulling on the latch and then lifting on the actuator, the actuator may be pivoted to its switch-closed position; the two-step operation protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The actuator may be returned to its switch-open position by a simple single motion thereby enabling rapid opening of the switch under emergency conditions. In one embodiment, the latch cannot be moved to an unlatched position and the switch cannot be actuated unless an authorized person with a key connects the key detachably to the latch.