Steven M O'Brien

US Patent:

D3148335, Feb 19, 1991

Filed:

Jul 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/383968

Inventors:

Robert W. Beachy - Saint Paul MN
Steven T. O'Brien - Champlin MN
Jay J. Kakuk - Plymouth MN
Anthony N. Pink - Shakopee MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

US Classification:

D26 68

US Patent:

D3899365, Jan 27, 1998

Filed:

Apr 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

D/069396

Inventors:

Steven T. O'Brien - Brooklyn Park MN
Anthony N. Pink - Shorewood MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

2605

US Classification:

D26 68

US Patent:

D3105776, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Mar 10, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/166843

Inventors:

Jay J. Kakuk - Plymouth MN
Joseph J. Walto - Carver MN
Steven T. O'Brien - Champlin MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

US Classification:

D26 67

US Patent:

48149616, Mar 21, 1989

Filed:

Dec 21, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/116997

Inventors:

Steven T. O'Brien - Champlin MN
Jay J. Kakuk - Plymouth MN
Robert W. Beachy - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F21V 1702

US Classification:

362319

Abstract:

A light fixture (10) including a bulb/lens assembly (12), a hollow post (14) and a ground stake (16). An assembly ring (18) having inner and outer "fingers" (104 and 106, respectively) securely connects the bulb/lens assembly (12) to the post (14). Bulb/lens assembly (12) includes a lens (28) which carries a plurality of louvers (40, 42 and 44). Some of the louvers include legs (46, 50) and slots (60, 62) so that the distance between the louvers can be adjusted to vary the appearance of light fixture (10) and the amount of light produced thereby.

US Patent:

60041544, Dec 21, 1999

Filed:

Oct 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/164805

Inventors:

Steven T. O'Brien - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MO

International Classification:

H01R 424

US Classification:

439419

Abstract:

A light fixture includes a lamp contact supported by the fixture and a lamp electrically connected to the lamp contact. The light fixture also includes an electrical supply cable for delivering electrical power to the lamp contacts and lamp. The light fixture also includes a breakaway cable connector connected to the light fixture by a tab and a cable connector receiver formed in the fixture for receiving and mechanically restraining the cable connector. The lamp contacts are electrically connected to the cable when the cable is positioned on the light fixture and the cable connector is broken off of the light fixture and snapped into the cable connector receiver.

US Patent:

D3899373, Jan 27, 1998

Filed:

Apr 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

D/069397

Inventors:

Steven T. O'Brien - Brooklyn Park MN
Anthony N. Pink - Shorewood MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

2605

US Classification:

D26 68

US Patent:

60930519, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/872493

Inventors:

Steven T. O'Brien - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

H01R 424

US Classification:

439419

Abstract:

A conductive element for a low voltage outdoor light fixture including a body having first and second ends; a wire piercing element proximate the first end of the body, the wire piercing element extending out of the wire support surface; a light bulb mount proximate the second end of the body; at least one ear protruding from the body, wherein each of the ears forms an aperture with the body, the aperture opening towards the second end of the body. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a low voltage outdoor light fixture including providing a head unit defining an interior volume and a first wire support surface, the head unit including two openings extending between the interior volume of the cone and the first wire support surface, each of the openings including a shoulder formed within the opening; providing two conductive members, each of the conductive members including a body having first and second ends, a wire piercing element proximate the first end of the body, a light bulb mount proximate the second end of the body; and at least one ear forming an aperture opening towards the second end of the body; and inserting one of the conductive members into each of the openings in the head unit by moving the wire piercing element through the opening to a position in which the wire piercing element extends out of the first wire support surface, wherein the ear on the body of the conductive member interlocks with the shoulder in the opening, whereby movement of the wire piercing elements of the conductive members towards the interior volume of the head unit is prevented.

US Patent:

50016113, Mar 19, 1991

Filed:

Aug 11, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/392671

Inventors:

Robert W. Beachy - Saint Paul MN
Jay J. Kakuk - Plymouth MN
Steven T. O'Brien - Champlin MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F21S 102

US Classification:

362145

Abstract:

A deck light (20) including a post (22), cap (24) and lamp/lens assembly (26). Lamp/lens assembly (26) independently attaches to post (22) and cap (24) so that lamp/lens assembly (26) can be removed and separately attached to a deck member; or, alternatively, either post (22) or cap (24), or both, can be attached to lamp/lens assembly (26) and the combination can be attached in a variety of ways to the deck. Preferably, lamp/lens assembly (26) is about 31/2 inches wide and about 11/2 inches deep so that it (either alone or in combination with post (22) and/or cap (24) can be flush mounted to various deck members in a variety of ways. In a preferred embodiment, a stake (100) can be attached to the bottom of post (22) so that fixture (20) can even be used as a stake light.