John Calvin Erickson

US Patent:

8366492, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/974669

Inventors:

John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL, US
James A. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL, US
John Walter Erickson - Crystal Lake IL, US

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

H01R 9/22

US Classification:

439709, 200 5109, 200237, 361823

Abstract:

A terminal reversing block mounts to a standard electrical disconnect device such as a circuit breaker or a pullout switch. The disconnect device has a housing which defines a cavity that faces in one direction for receiving a cable. Front and rear contacts are in the housing, one of which extends into the cavity for engagement with a cable. A terminal reversing block has a housing with at least one pocket which faces in a direction other than the opposite of the direction in which the disconnect device's cavity faces. A terminal collar disposed in the terminal reversing block pocket is engageable with a cable inserted into the pocket. A terminal in the reversing block has a mating portion and a connecting portion. The connecting portion engages the terminal collar. The mating portion engages one of the front and rear contacts of the electrical disconnect device.

US Patent:

41031334, Jul 25, 1978

Filed:

Jul 14, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/815543

Inventors:

John Walter Erickson - Crystal Lake IL
John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

B65D 344

US Classification:

200153N

Abstract:

A dual switch actuator mechanism for coordinated actuation of two high-current switches, each of which includes a switch operator mechanism for opening and closing the switch in response to rotation of a switch operator shaft. The switches are mounted adjacent to each other with their switch operator shafts in aligned paraxial spaced relation. The dual switch actuator mechanism includes a rotatable main shaft positioned between and in aligned paraxial relation to the switch operator shafts. A Geneva drive plate having an arcuate bearing surface is affixed to the main shaft; two drive pins are mounted on the drive plate. Two modified Geneva follower plates are provided, each affixed to one of the switch operator shafts. Each follower plate has a drive slot for receiving one of the drive pins and an arcuate bearing surface which is complementary to the drive plate bearing surface. For a given neutral position of the main shaft, each drive pin is positioned in the entrance of a follower plate drive slot and the bearing surfaces of both follower plates engage the drive plate bearing surface.

US Patent:

51722593, Dec 15, 1992

Filed:

Feb 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/661762

Inventors:

Thomas J. Cloonan - Downers Grove IL
John R. Erickson - Grover MO
Anthony L. Lentine - St. Charles IL
Frederick B. McCormick - Lisle IL
Gaylord W. Richards - Lisle IL

Assignee:

AT&T Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04J 1408

US Classification:

359139

Abstract:

A network comprising a plurality of successively interconnected node stages where each node has an associated data connection state and includes a control element, significantly implemented as part of the node itself, for controlling the data connection state of at least one node of the following stage. The network is well suited for optical implementation and is controlled by shifting bits into the network for storage by the control elements rather than relying on spatial light modulators.

US Patent:

40204324, Apr 26, 1977

Filed:

Aug 25, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/607352

Inventors:

John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL
James A. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

H01H 326
H01H 328

US Classification:

335 76

Abstract:

A motor assembly for the switch operator mechanism of a high-current low-voltage bolted-pressure load-break switch; the switch operator mechanism includes spring drive means for rapidly driving the movable contact of the switch to its closed and opened positions, a main drive shaft, a drive linkage between the main drive shaft and the spring drive means, and trip means for actuating the spring drive means to open the switch. The motor assembly includes an electric motor, an operating shaft and a first transmission means including a mutilated ratchet element drivingly connecting the motor to the operating shaft. A second transmission means couples the operating shaft to the main drive shaft of the switch-operating mechanism for closing the switch. An electrical circuit is provided for automatically de-energizing the motor during switch closure.

US Patent:

41105842, Aug 29, 1978

Filed:

Feb 14, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/768167

Inventors:

John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL
James A. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

H01H 902
H01H 1304
H01H 1904
H01H 2104

US Classification:

200304

Abstract:

A high current, low voltage, load-break switch of the type which is installed in a housing having an access door. The switch comprises a fixed contact, a movable contact which is movable between a closed position in bolted pressure contact with the fixed contact and an open position which is displaced from the fixed contact. A mechanism is provided for rapidly opening and closing the switch by driving the movable contact to its closed position and also to its open position. A transparent shield is supported across the front of the switch contacts to visually expose the switch contacts when the access door to the housing is open while providing protection in the event of electrical arcing and mechanical failure of the switch contacts.

US Patent:

43630634, Dec 7, 1982

Filed:

Aug 5, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/290370

Inventors:

John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

H02H 328

US Classification:

361 48

Abstract:

A plural phase high current low voltage load break switch with built-in ground fault sensing comprises an insulator base and a plurality of individual phase circuits mounted on and extending across the base in parallel spaced relation to each other, each phase circuit including, in series, an input connector, a fixed switch contact, a movable switch contact, a fuse, and an output conductor; a neutral conductor is mounted on and extends across the base in parallel spaced relation to the phase circuits. A switch operator mechanism mounted on the base is connected to all of the movable switch contacts for opening and closing these contacts simultaneously; that mechanism includes an electrically operated trip actuator for actuating the operator mechanism to open the switch contacts. A zero sequence ground fault sensor coil is disposed in encompassing relation to all of the phase circuits and the neutal conductor; the sensor coil is aligned with the movable switch contacts. A control relay is electrically connected to the ground fault sensor coil and to the trip actuator for energizing the trip actuator in response to the sensing of a ground fault condition by the sensor coil.

US Patent:

41374339, Jan 30, 1979

Filed:

Jun 10, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/805597

Inventors:

James A. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL
John W. Erickson - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Boltswitch, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

H01H 920
H01H 300

US Classification:

200 50A

Abstract:

An operating mechanism for opening and closing the movable contacts of a load break pressure contact switch which is operable from a side of a switch enclosure and has an optional door safety interlock. The operating mechanism comprises a main shaft with a handle attached thereto for rotating the shaft in opposite directions between switch-open and switch-closed positions. An operating lever which is connected to the movable switch contacts is driven by an overcenter toggle spring means which is operated by the main shaft through a lost motion connection mechanism. An optional interlock is provided for the switch enclosure access door and includes a latch to hold the access door closed when the switch contacts are in their closed position and a mechanism to prevent movement of the switch contacts to their closed position when the access door is open. The interlock is operatively actuatable through cam surfaces and stop surfaces on the lost motion connection mechanism. An override for the door latch allows the access door to be opened while the switch contacts remain closed.

US Patent:

51537575, Oct 6, 1992

Filed:

Feb 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/661790

Inventors:

Thomas J. Cloonan - Downers Grove IL
John R. Erickson - Grover MO
Anthony L. Lentine - St. Charles IL
Frederick B. McCormick - Lisle IL
Gaylord W. Richards - Lisle IL

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04J 1400

US Classification:

359117

Abstract:

A network arrangement and control method where, before any transmission of data occurs for a particular communication, a network controller determines an unused path to provide a connection, advantageously all the way through the network from a given inlet to a given outlet. Once the identity of the unused path is known, the controller determines control information for use in activating that path and transmits that control information into the network, significantly via the network inlets. The network responds by activating the determined path and communication is enabled via the activated path, but only for the single connection and no buffering of information is required within the network. The network is particularly well suited for optical implementation and control is effected without the use of spatial light modulators but rather by means of control elements embedded within the network itself.