William T Shivell

US Patent:

20130229269, Sep 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/785732

Inventors:

William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US

Assignee:

LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

G08B 6/00

US Classification:

340 1254

Abstract:

A remote control includes a plurality of actuators and plurality of similarly-shaped icons for indicating the function of actuators. At least one of the actuators includes a locator bump that is positioned inside the icon on the actuator and extends above the surface of the actuator to provide tactile feedback to assist a user's finger in locating the actuator (for example, to turn on a lighting load when the control device is being operated in the dark space). The icon that has the locator bump inside of it is bigger than the second icon, such that the icons appear to be the same size to the human eye. In addition, the line weight of the first icon may be smaller than the line weight of the second icon, and there may be a gap between the first icon and the locator bump. For example, the first and second icons may be triangularly shaped or circularly shaped.

US Patent:

20120312576, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/491843

Inventors:

William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US
James P. Steiner - Royersford PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H02G 3/14

US Classification:

174 55

Abstract:

A mounting plate for a control device is adapted to be coupled to an electrical wallbox and is made of a non-conductive material. The mounting plate comprises at least one faceplate screw opening for receiving a faceplate screw such that a faceplate may be coupled to the mounting plate during installation. The mounting plate further comprises a ground wire. The ground wire is adapted to be coupled to earth ground and is also positioned to overlap a portion of the faceplate screw opening. During the installation of the faceplate, as the faceplate screw is inserted into the faceplate screw opening of the yoke, the faceplate screw contacts the ground wire as well as the faceplate. In the event that the faceplate is made of metal, the faceplate will be coupled to the ground wire, and thus, safely grounded.

US Patent:

20220353979, Nov 3, 2022

Filed:

Jul 19, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/868357

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H05B 47/19
G08C 17/02
H02G 3/14
H01H 3/02
G05G 1/10

Abstract:

Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a wallbox. The remote control device may include a control unit and a faceplate assembly. The faceplate assembly may include a mounting frame, an adapter plate, and a faceplate. The mounting frame may be configured to abut a bezel of the mechanical switch such that that the faceplate is spaced away from the bezel of the mechanical switch to enable the mounting ring to extend through respective openings in the adapter plate and the faceplate.

US Patent:

20220199307, Jun 23, 2022

Filed:

Mar 10, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/691185

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Alexander Wade Gage - Villanova PA, US
William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H01F 7/02
H02K 11/215
H03K 17/97
G01R 33/07

Abstract:

A control device includes a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields, and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may comprise alternating positive and negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element may be any shape, such as circular, linear, etc. The magnetic sensing circuit may be radially offset from the magnetic element, and the magnetic flux pipe structure may be configured to conduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magnetic sensing circuit. The magnetic element may generate the magnetic field in a first plane, and the magnetic sensing may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction that is angularly offset from the first plane. The magnetic flux pipe structure may redirect the magnetic field towards the magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.

US Patent:

20230131496, Apr 27, 2023

Filed:

Dec 22, 2022

Appl. No.:

18/086866

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H01F 7/02
H02K 11/215
H03K 17/97
G01R 33/07

Abstract:

A control device includes a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields, and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may comprise alternating positive and negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element may be any shape, such as circular, linear, etc. The magnetic sensing circuit may be radially offset from the magnetic element, and the magnetic flux pipe structure may be configured to conduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magnetic sensing circuit. The magnetic element may generate the magnetic field in a first plane, and the magnetic sensing may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction that is angularly offset from the first plane. The magnetic flux pipe structure may redirect the magnetic field towards the magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.

US Patent:

20230036482, Feb 2, 2023

Filed:

Jul 30, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/877895

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Edward J. Blair - Teleford PA, US
Chris Dimberg - Easton PA, US
Matthew V. Harte - Stewartsville NJ, US
Jaime L. Ingram - Coopersburg PA, US
Jason C. Killo - Emmaus PA, US
Matthew K. Olsen - Allentown PA, US
Adam Rosenberg - Wellington FL, US
William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US
Matthew J. Swatsky - Allentown PA, US
Daniel L. Twaddell - Bethlehem PA, US
Aaron J. Wilz - Emmaus PA, US
Noah Zinn - Boynton Beach FL, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H05B 45/10
H01H 15/10
H05B 45/20
H05B 47/19

Abstract:

A control device for controlling an electrical load may include a slider knob, a plurality of light sources, a diffuser, and a control circuit. The slider knob may be configured to move in a vertical direction along an elongated slot located in a bezel of the control device. The diffuser may be located along the elongated slot and be configured to be illuminated by the plurality of light sources to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response movement of the slider knob along the elongated slot, and to illuminate at least a portion of the diffuser to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. In response to receiving a message to control the electrical load by a remote device, the control circuit may be configured to illuminate the diffuser to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load such that the illuminated portion of the diffuser does not align with the location of the slider knob.

US Patent:

20210327662, Oct 21, 2021

Filed:

Jun 30, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/363052

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
William Taylor Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

H01H 23/04
H05B 47/19
H01H 3/12
H01H 23/14

Abstract:

A remote control device may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be configured to be mounted over an installed mechanical switch having a paddle actuator and may include a base and a control unit that is configured to be removably attached to the base. The base may include a frame, a clamp arm, a screw, and/or a sleeve. The clamp arm may be configured to secure the base to a protruding portion of the paddle actuator. The clamp arm may be attached to the frame at a pivot joint. The clamp arm may be configured to pivot about the pivot joint. The pivot joint may be located proximate to an endpoint or a midpoint of the frame.

US Patent:

20210150883, May 20, 2021

Filed:

Jan 25, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/157618

Inventors:

- Coopersburg PA, US
Donald R. Mosebrook - Coopersburg PA, US
William T. Shivell - Breinigsville PA, US
Amy E. Yanek - Coopersburg PA, US

Assignee:

Lutron Technology Company LLC - Coopersburg PA

International Classification:

G08C 17/02
H01Q 1/24
H01Q 1/44
H01Q 13/10
H05B 45/10
H05B 47/10
H05B 47/19
G05B 15/02
H04L 12/28

Abstract:

A wireless control device may include a housing, a yoke, an antenna, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The yoke may be electrically conductive and be configured to mount the wireless control device to an electrical wallbox. The antenna may be configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The antenna may be a slot antenna. The communication circuit may be configured to transmit and receive the radio-frequency signals via the antenna, and the control circuit may be responsive to the communication circuit (e.g., the signals received via the communication circuit). The control device may also include a conductive component that is attached to a front surface of the housing. For example, the conductive component may be electrically connected to the yoke via a single electrical connection (e.g., a screw). Further, the conductive component may be parallel with the antenna and configured to be capacitively coupled to the antenna.