Michael J Johnston

US Patent:

7771191, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Nov 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/561064

Inventors:

Michael R. Johnston - Troutman NC, US
Thomas A. Burdsall - Huntersville NC, US

Assignee:

Irwin Industrial Tool Company - Huntersville NC

International Classification:

F23D 11/36
F23Q 1/04

US Classification:

431153, 431254, 431255, 431344

Abstract:

A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.

US Patent:

7967601, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Dec 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/612746

Inventors:

Michael R Johnston - Troutman NC, US
Thomas A. Burdsall - Huntersville NC, US

Assignee:

Irwin Industrial Tool Company - Huntersville NC

International Classification:

F23Q 2/28
F23D 11/36

US Classification:

431255, 431153, 431254, 200506, 361126, 218 51, 218 91, 218118

Abstract:

A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. In one embodiment a gap is formed in the conductor. An insulator is located in the gap such that is can be selectively moved between an insulating position where the flow of electricity over the gap is prevented such that no spark is created in the burn tube and a non-insulating position where electricity is allowed to flow over the gap such that a spark is created in the burn tube. In another embodiment the piezoelectric igniter forms part of the electrical circuit and is in electrical conductive contact or proximity to an electrical conductor that forms part of the ignition circuit. An insulator may selectively located between the igniter and the conductor.

US Patent:

7985068, Jul 26, 2011

Filed:

May 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/113449

Inventors:

Thomas A. Burdsall - Huntersville NC, US
Michael R. Johnston - Troutman NC, US

Assignee:

Irwin Industrial Tool Company - Huntersville NC

International Classification:

F23D 14/28
F16L 37/088

US Classification:

431344, 285 12, 285308, 285321

Abstract:

A coupling for attaching a canister to an appliance comprises a first connector on the canister comprising screw threads and a groove and a second connector on the appliance that comprises a slip ring. The slip ring retains the canister on the appliance. An appliance comprises a canister having screw threads. A coupling connects the canister to the appliance separate from the screw threads where the coupling locks the appliance to the canister without rotating the appliance relative to the canister. The coupling locks the appliance to the canister when the canister is moved axially relative to the appliance. A canister is provided that has a connector comprising a set of screw threads for attaching the canister to a first type of appliance, and a groove for attaching the canister to a second type of appliance. A method of connecting a canister to an appliance is also provided.

US Patent:

8567614, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Dec 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/969841

Inventors:

James K. Sankey - Charlotte NC, US
Larry T. McKinney - Huntersville NC, US
Michael R. Johnston - Waxhaw NC, US
Gregory C. Schultz - Huntersville NC, US
Mitchell S. Goldstein - Rock Hill SC, US

Assignee:

InVue Security Products Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

A47F 5/04
A47F 7/024
E05B 73/00

US Classification:

211 7, 211 852

Abstract:

A counter display includes a pedestal adapted to be positioned on a support surface and at least one lockable display arm for securely displaying items of merchandise suspended from the display arm. The display arm has an elongate rod for supporting the items of merchandise thereon and a mounting end for mounting the display arm on the pedestal. The rod has a free end opposite the mounting end for loading the items of merchandise on the rod and for removing the items of merchandise from the rod. An end assembly is disposed on the display arm adjacent the free end of the rod and is movable between a locked position for preventing items of merchandise from being removed from the rod and an unlocked position for permitting items of merchandise to be removed from the rod. A lock mechanism releasably locks the end assembly on the display arm. Another lock mechanism releasably locks the display arm on the pedestal.

US Patent:

20080274434, Nov 6, 2008

Filed:

May 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/113447

Inventors:

Thomas A. Burdsall - Huntersville NC, US
Michael R. Johnston - Troutman NC, US

International Classification:

F23D 14/28
F16L 35/00
B65B 7/28
B23P 19/04
F23Q 7/06

US Classification:

431344, 285 80, 215 44, 431128, 29240

Abstract:

A coupling for attaching a fuel canister to an appliance such as a torch is provided that comprises a first connector on the canister. The first connector comprises a first set of screw threads where the first set of screw threads are interrupted to define a shape. A second connector is provided on the appliance or torch where the second connector comprises a locking element. The locking element has a matching shape that matches the shape such that the locking element closely receives the first connector when the first connector is in a first orientation relative to the second connector. A method of using the coupling is also provided where the appliance is rotated relative to the canister less than 360 degrees.

US Patent:

20090092939, Apr 9, 2009

Filed:

Oct 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/866732

Inventors:

Michael R. Johnston - Troutman NC, US

Assignee:

Irwin Industrial Tool Company - Huntersville NC

International Classification:

F23D 14/28
F17C 1/00
F23D 14/38

US Classification:

431344, 220600, 29428

Abstract:

A fuel canister is provided comprising a vessel for containing a fuel. A fitment is located in a wall of the vessel and a gripping portion is located in another wall of the vessel. The gripping portion may include a rib formed by raised and recessed areas. The rib may also reinforce the wall of the canister. A torch is also provided comprising a torch body that is releasably connected to the fuel canister. A method of making a fuel canister is also provided comprising forming a vessel having a top wall and a side wall. The bottom wall is formed having at least one portion defining a flat or nearly flat surface. The bottom wall is welded or brazed to the side wall. External ribs may be formed in the bottom wall.

US Patent:

20100199538, Aug 12, 2010

Filed:

Feb 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/701876

Inventors:

John F. Roberts - Charlotte NC, US
Michael R. Johnston - Waxhaw NC, US
Gregory C. Schultz - Huntersville NC, US

Assignee:

INVUE SECURITY PRODUCTS INC. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

G09F 3/20
E05B 73/00
G09F 3/18

US Classification:

4064201, 211 7

Abstract:

A locking device for a merchandise display hook includes a housing disposed adjacent a free end of the merchandise hook and defining an interior cavity adapted for receiving an end portion of the display hook. A shuttle biased by a biasing spring secures the end portion of the display hook in a locked configuration within the interior cavity. A label holder mount is integrally formed with the housing and disposed adjacent the free end of the merchandise display hook. The label holder mount is adapted for mounting a plurality of different types of label holders on the display hook. In one embodiment, a bayonet at least partially disposed within the interior cavity is movable between an unlocked configuration wherein the end portion of the display hook is removable from the interior cavity and the locked configuration wherein the end portion of the display hook is secured within the interior cavity and the locking device is locked onto the display hook with the bayonet positioned between the end portion and the housing.

US Patent:

20120188082, Jul 26, 2012

Filed:

Jan 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/357959

Inventors:

David N. Berglund - Charlotte NC, US
John F. Roberts - Charlotte NC, US
Michael R. Johnston - Waxhaw NC, US

Assignee:

InVue Security Products Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

G08B 13/12
H05K 5/02
F16L 3/08

US Classification:

3405682, 248 73, 3122231

Abstract:

A merchandise display security device for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise includes a mounting element adapted to be mounted on a support surface with the mounting element defining an opening over a hole formed through the support surface. A base having a cable collection tube is configured to be received within the opening of the mounting element and passed through the hole to a location beneath the support surface. The base is releasably attached to the mounting element so that the base can be detached from the mounting element and the collection tube passed through the hole to provide access to the collection tube above the support surface. The collection tube may be movably disposed on the base so that the cable collection tube can be positioned at any desired angular location beneath the support surface relative to the base.