Thomas R Whitaker

US Patent:

7544063, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

May 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/430456

Inventors:

Michael Paul Puskar - Carnegie Borough PA, US
William Michael Randal - Baldwin Township PA, US
Thomas Alan Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01R 39/00

US Classification:

439 13, 439164

Abstract:

A rotating display device enables a user to view, in a variety of viewing orientations, a value of an electrical apparatus to which the rotating display device is electrically and mechanically connected. The rotating display device includes a housing having a first half and a second half, a display for displaying the value, a rotating member disposed within the second half, a retention member slideably received into the rotating member, and a wiring harness secured to the rotating member by the retention member.

US Patent:

7557681, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Apr 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/697947

Inventors:

Thomas A. Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA, US
Erik R. Bogdon - Carnegie PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 75/00
H01H 77/00
H01H 83/00
H01H 9/00
H01F 7/08

US Classification:

335 14, 335179, 335220

Abstract:

An electrical switching apparatus accessory sub-assembly is for an electromagnetic coil including a movable stem. The electrical switching apparatus accessory sub-assembly includes a coil frame having a first end and an opposite second end. A housing includes a plurality of interior surfaces, a first end and an opposite second end. The second end of the housing has an opening structured to receive the movable stem of the electromagnetic coil. A number of the interior surfaces of the housing are structured to selectively hold the coil frame in either one of a first position in which the coil frame first end faces the housing first end and the coil frame second end faces the housing second end, and a second position in which the coil frame first end faces the housing second end and the coil frame second end faces the housing first end.

US Patent:

8053694, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Apr 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/424055

Inventors:

Yuri C. Spitsberg - Export PA, US
Thomas A. Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 9/00

US Classification:

200308, 200401

Abstract:

A circuit interrupter mechanism includes a first member movable in a first longitudinal direction and an opposite second longitudinal direction, and a second member pivotal in a first pivotal direction and an opposite second pivotal direction. A first tab is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second members, and a second tab is pivotally coupled to the other of the members. The first tab engages and disengages from the second tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction and in the second longitudinal direction. The second tab pivots with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction. The second tab does not pivot with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the second longitudinal direction.

US Patent:

8519283, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Jan 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/005824

Inventors:

Thomas Alan Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA, US
Yuri C. Spitsberg - Export PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 9/28

US Classification:

200 4322

Abstract:

An improved cover assembly for use with an electrical switching apparatus can be said to comprise a retention device that is structured to be disposed on the electrical switching apparatus and a cover that comprises an engagement element and that is disposed on the retention device. The cover is translatable between a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured such that a locking element will resist movement of the cover toward the second configuration. In the first configuration, the engagement element and the retention device confront one another to resist movement of the cover away from the electrical switching apparatus. However, in the second configuration, the engagement element and the retention device are clear of one another and enable the cover to be pivoted away from the electrical switching apparatus to provide access to the control elements of the switching apparatus.

US Patent:

54930847, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

Aug 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/286057

Inventors:

Thomas A. Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA
Roger W. Helms - Beaver Falls PA
David C. Turner - Imperial PA
Thomas T. Kuzniarski - Coraopolis PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 920

US Classification:

200 50A

Abstract:

An operating mechanism for an enclosure-mounted circuit breaker includes a slider for engaging the circuit breaker handle; a shaft-driven pivot for moving the slider between the handle on, off and reset positions; a holder for holding the slider in its reset position; a base plate for supporting the pivot and the slider; and a door-mounted rotary handle for rotating the shaft and operating the pivot. The rotary handle may engage the shaft in the on and off positions, and may be detached from the shaft in the reset position. The pivot may include a first pivot arm having a first cam surface for holding the slider in its reset position. A second cam surface on a second pivot arm may engage a first slider surface from off to on; a second slider surface from on to off, from off toward reset, and to resist reset to off; and an oblique slider surface when adjacent reset. The second cam surface may disengage the oblique surface at reset. Alternatively, the slider may include a notch and the base plate may include a latch for engaging the notch.

US Patent:

61373850, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Aug 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/376815

Inventors:

Christopher J. Conway - Allison Park PA
Robert W. Mueller - Aliquippa PA
Thomas A. Whitaker - North Huntingdon PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01M 1304

US Classification:

335202

Abstract:

This concerns a molded case circuit breaker having separable main contacts and an operating mechanism utilized to cause the separable main contacts to open and close. A trip unit is provided to actuate the operating mechanism in desirable circumstances. Disposed within the circuit breaker casing is a region for the installation of an auxiliary device, such as a bell alarm device, shunt trip device etc. The case of the auxiliary device has an opening disposed therein through which a movable auxiliary device lever protrude. The opening of the circuit breaker case has a region for interfacing with the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. A separate lever is disposed between the operating mechanism and the auxiliary device lever member. This separate lever member is driven by the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker and actuates the lever of the auxiliary device. It is pivoted about a protrusion on the auxiliary device.

US Patent:

20080237007, Oct 2, 2008

Filed:

Mar 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/692517

Inventors:

Thomas A. Whitaker - N. Huntingdon PA, US
Erik R. Bogdon - Carnegie PA, US
Glen C. Sisson - Monaca PA, US
Ronald W. Brand - Beaver Falls PA, US
James M. Smeltzer - Salem OH, US
Robert S. Estok - Moon Township PA, US
Craig A. Rodgers - Butler PA, US

International Classification:

H01H 9/02

US Classification:

200293

Abstract:

An auxiliary switch tray is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of auxiliary switches. The housing has a mounting mechanism. The auxiliary switch tray includes a module having first and second sides, and a plurality of mounts disposed on the first side. At least a plurality of the mounts is structured to receive a corresponding one of the auxiliary switches. A base is disposed on the second side of the module and is coupled to the mounting mechanism in order to install the auxiliary switches in a predetermined position with respect to the actuating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The module, the mounts, and the base comprise one single-piece molded member. At least a plurality of the mounts are molded compartments of the single-piece molded member.

US Patent:

20080237192, Oct 2, 2008

Filed:

Mar 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/692500

Inventors:

Thomas A. Whitaker - N. Huntingdon PA, US
Erik R. Bogdon - Carnegie PA, US
Ronald W. Brand - Beaver Falls PA, US
Robert S. Estok - Moon Township PA, US
James M. Smeltzer - Salem OH, US

International Classification:

H01H 33/08

US Classification:

218146, 200293

Abstract:

An accessory tray is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, including a housing, an operating mechanism, and a number of accessories. The housing has a cavity with a first end and the second end, and is disposed beneath the operating mechanism. The accessory tray includes an elongated member including first and second ends and is structured to receive the circuit breaker accessories. A guide mechanism guides the elongated member into and out of the cavity, in order to install the circuit breaker accessories beneath the operating mechanism. When the elongated member is disposed within the cavity, the first end is disposed at or about the cavity first end and the second end is disposed at or about the cavity second end. The accessory tray may be a single-piece molded member having a plurality of mounting portions for removably securing a plurality of circuit breaker accessories.