Stephen J Stewart

US Patent:

6671145, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Mar 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812624

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY
Stephen Stewart - Uniondale NY
Roger M. Bradley - North Bellmore NY
David Y. Chan - Bellerose NY
Nichalas L. Disalvo - Levittown NY
William R. Ziegler - East Northport NY

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H02H 316

US Classification:

361 45, 335 24

Abstract:

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.

US Patent:

6734769, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/334182

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY
Stephen Stewart - Berrien Springs MI

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

335 6, 361 42, 200 4302

Abstract:

A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is positioned by the reset button to allow free access of the prongs of a plug into the openings of the receptacle when the reset button is depressed or to block at least one opening of the receptacle to prevent a plug from entering the openings of the receptacle when the reset button projects out beyond the surface of the housing. Thus, when the GFCI is in a conducting state, the reset button is recessed within the GFCI housing and positions the blocking member to the first position to allow the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state, the reset button protrudes outward from the housing of the GFCI to position the blocking member to the second position to block at least one opening of the receptacle to prevent the prongs of a plug from entering the receptacle.

US Patent:

6771152, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/813412

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY
Stephen Stewart - Uniondale NY
Roger M. Bradley - North Bellmore NY
Nicholas L. Disalvo - Levittown NY
William R. Ziegler - East Northport NY

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01H 7300

US Classification:

335 18, 361 42

Abstract:

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices that include a reset lockout mechanism, are provided. The reset lockout comprises a member coupled to swing from a pivot which moves with a reset button to permit the resetting of electrical connections between input and output conductors if the circuit interrupting mechanism used to break the connection is non-operational or if an open condition exists.

US Patent:

6788173, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

May 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/137020

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY
Stephen Stewart - Uniondale NY

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01H 7300

US Classification:

335 18, 361 42

Abstract:

This invention relates to a circuit interrupting device having a trip button for disconnecting a load from a source of electrical power and a reset button for resetting the device after it has tripped. When the device is operating in its reset state, a source of electrical power is connected to a load through a set of contacts located within the device. The contacts are held closed by the spring loaded reset button which holds captive and urges a latch plate to move up to close normally open contacts. In the preferred mechanical trip mechanism, depressing the trip button causes the latch plate to move forward and be released from the reset button. The latch plate, upon being released from the reset button moves down to allow the contacts, which are biased to be normally open, to assume their normally open position. At this time, pressing the reset button initiates an electrical cycle which causes the normally open contacts to close only if the device is operating properly and there is no fault on the line. The device described is mechanically tripped and electrically reset, and it can be tripped without power being supplied to the device.

US Patent:

6828886, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Dec 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/747484

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY
Stephen Stewart - Uniondale NY
Roger M. Bradley - North Bellmore NY
David Y. Chan - Bellerose NY
Nichalas L. Disalvo - Levittown NY
William R. Ziegler - East Northport NY

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01H 7300

US Classification:

335 18, 361 42

Abstract:

Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.

US Patent:

6864769, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/905713

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY, US
Stephen Stewart - Uniondale NY, US
Armando Calixto - Floral Park NY, US
Steve Campolo - Malverne NY, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01F009/00

US Classification:

335172, 335 18

Abstract:

A Residual Current Device is provided with a reset lockout mechanism.

US Patent:

6873231, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

May 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839947

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY, US
Stephen Stewart - Berrien Springs MI, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01H083/00

US Classification:

335 18, 361 42

Abstract:

Located within a GFCI device having a receptacle is a movable contact bearing arm which is held in either a closed or open position with a fixed contact by a latching member that is connected to the spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first or a second position which is determined by the conductive state of the GFCI. When the GFC is in a conducting state, the reset button is substantially fully depressed within the housing of the GFCI. When the GFCI is in a non-conductive state, the reset button projects outward beyond the top surface of the housing of the GCFI. Thus, the movable contact bearing arm, acting through a latching member, determines the position of the reset button. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is positioned by the reset button to allow free access of the prongs of a plug into the openings of the receptacle when the reset button is depressed or to block at least one opening of the receptacle to prevent a plug from entering the openings of the receptacle when the reset button projects out beyond the surface of the housing. Thus, when the GFCI is in a conducting state, the reset button is recessed within the GFCI housing and positions the blocking member to the first position to allow the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings.

US Patent:

6949994, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331280

Inventors:

Frantz Germain - Rosedale NY, US
Stephen Stewart - Berrien Springs MI, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H01H073/00

US Classification:

335 18, 361 42

Abstract:

Located within a GFCI is a movable contact bearing arm which cooperates with at least one fixed contact. When the movable arm is moved up to allow the at least one contact on the arm to close with at least one fixed contact, the GFCI is in a conducting state and current flows from a source of electricity through the closed contacts to a load and to the contacts of a receptacle. When the movable arm is moved down to open the contacts, the GFCI is in a non-conducting state and current cannot flow from the source of electricity to either the load or the receptacle contacts. In this invention, the up and down movement of the movable contact bearing arm is harnessed to move a blocking member located within the housing of the GFCI to a first position to block at least one opening of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved down or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the openings of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved up. The downward movement of the movable contact bearing arm occurs when the GFCI goes into a non-conducting state. Resetting the GFCI by pressing in and then releasing a reset button causes the movable contact bearing arm to move up to make contact with the at least one fixed contact.