James Van Pelt

US Patent:

7848114, Dec 7, 2010

Filed:

Nov 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/605926

Inventors:

James Van Pelt - Schaumburg IL, US
David McCarty - Madison AL, US
J. C. Kelley - Owens Crossroads AL, US

Assignee:

Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. - Madison AL

International Classification:

H05K 9/00

US Classification:

361753, 361799, 361800, 361816, 361818, 174350, 174377

Abstract:

An electronic ballast and ballast housing having an integral ground for a circuit board positioned within the housing. A ‘snap in’ capture means holds circuit board under flexion so as to press a circuit grounding means in electrical contact with an integral grounding device attached to the ballast housing and providing electrical continuity between the circuit grounding means and the ballast housing. The coupler includes a grounding tab with a fulcrum extension extending from the housing and holding a ground plane surface of the circuit board by means of serrated teeth. An alignment tab disposed on a housing wall receives an alignment slot disposed in the circuit board so as to provide proper alignment of the electrical contacts. The coupler includes an overhead extension that engages a jumper wire in the circuit of the circuit board.

US Patent:

7786391, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Jul 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/481143

Inventors:

James Van Pelt - Schaumburg IL, US
JC Kelley - Owens Crossroads AL, US

Assignee:

Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. - Madison AL

International Classification:

H02G 3/18

US Classification:

174659, 174650, 174655, 174 50, 439535, 277606, 16 21

Abstract:

A ballast housing having a rolled edge lead wire exit for providing protection and strain relief to lead wires extending out from the housing. Grommets are not required in order to provide protection and strain relief to lead wires exiting the housing. The housing includes a lead wire opening having rolled upper and lower edges. The housing includes a lid including the rolled upper edge and a can including the rolled lower edge. The rolled upper edge is vertically aligned with the rolled lower edge but horizontally misaligned with the rolled lower edge. As a result, the rolled upper edge is positioned away from the rolled lower edge a distance that is horizontally shorter than the diameter of the lead wire. Additionally, the lead wire opening has a vertical diameter that is shorter than the diameter of the lead wire.