TREA

Press fit connection for mounting electrical plug-in outlet insulator to a busway aluminum housing

Follow

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 7517235
  • Patent Number
    7,517,235
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, December 28, 2006
    18 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 14, 2009
    15 years ago
Information
Abstract
A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of the base to a housing of the electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of the base.
Description
BACKGROUND

1. Field


The present disclosure generally relates to molded plastic outlet boxes which are attached to an electric busway power distribution system at each location along the system, wherein the outlet boxes comprise press fit connectors for connecting each outlet box to an aluminum housing of the electric busway. Preferably, each outlet box include wings on each side thereof to provide a snap-fit retention against the side walls of the aluminum busway housing.


2. Discussion of the Background Art


Electric busway distribution systems comprise a plurality of rectangular bus bar conductors arranged within a metallic housing for providing electric power to industrial buildings. Every two feet or so, the bus bars are provided with upstanding contact blades to allow for connection with a power take-off assembly. One such power distribution system is described within U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,172 filed Oct. 13, 1987 entitled “Power Distribution Busway System”. This patent application describes contact blades extending from the individual phases of a multi-phase power distribution system that are arranged for electrical connection with a power take-off assembly. In this arrangement, the contact blades are formed from the bus bar conductors themselves. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 203,751 entitled “Insulated Electrical Power Distribution Busway Tabs” describes the use of off-set tabs welded to the individual bus bars to provide the stabs for connecting with power take-off assemblies. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 122,863 filed Nov. 19, 1987 entitled “Thermally Efficient Power Busway Housing” describes a power busway housing design that is used with the molded case outlet box of the instant invention. All of the aforementioned U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein for purposes of reference.


U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,431 entitled “Electrical Distribution System Having an Improved Plug-In Assembly for Current Tap-Off” describes the bus bar conductors that are spaced apart at periodic intervals for the insertion of the receiver stabs. The base portion of the plug-in assembly includes insulating means extending between the individual bus bars for electric isolation.


U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,178, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety discloses a conventional outlet box for use with an electric busway system which affixed to the aluminum housing via four (4) screws. FIG. 1 describes such a conventions electric busway system, wherein the bus conductors 11 of the type consisting of a rectangular bar 12 of aluminum or copper are each provided with an electrically insulating epoxy coating 13 and are arranged within a continuous housing 14 consisting of first and second side frames 15, 16 which support the bus bars as well as provide ground conduction to the busway section. The bus bars are not “bumped” or otherwise separated at each plug-in section as indicated at 7 and 8 herein to facilitate connection with a power take-off assembly (not shown). Instead, welded contact blade tabs such as 20-23 are off-set from each other to accommodate connection with the power take-off assemblies. The contact blade tabs that are welded to the individual bus bars and the epoxy coating is removed from a part of the tabs to provide good electrical connection therewith. The contact blade tabs extend above the cross-piece 18 that joins the upstanding rails 17 on the first and second side frames 15, 16 that make up the busway section 10 through corresponding cross-piece slots 19. The busway sections and bus bars are fastened together by means of thru-bolts 9 provided through the busway section where the plug-in sections 7, 8 are located. In order to electrically isolate the upstanding contact blade tabs 20-23, a molded plastic plug-in enclosure 6 is arranged over the contact blade tabs by means of threaded openings 26 formed on the cross-piece 18 and by means of bolts or screws 24 and thru-holes 25. One such molded plastic plug-in enclosure already attached to the plug-in section 8 is depicted at 6′ to indicate the electrical isolation of the contact blade tabs 20-23 therein. The plug-in enclosure 6 consists of a molded plastic base 27 formed from a phenylene-oxide plastic sold by General Electric Company under the trademark “NORYL” or a polybutylene terepthalate which is sold under the General Electric trademark “Valox”. The base is molded to include a planar bottom, not shown, through which the thru-holes 25 are formed. Also formed within the planar top are opposing channels, not shown, which accommodate a ground lug that is separately attached to the busway section 10 along the cross-piece 18. A molded plastic cover 40, which includes a planar top portion 40A and downwardly depending side portions 40B and 40C, is attached to the base 27 by means of a pivot post 41 integrally formed therein and extending between a pair of tabs 42, 43. The cover is attached to the base by positioning the pivot post 41 under a pair of curvilinear projections 32 extending from the planar top 33.


The above busway plug-in outlet insulator utilizes four screws or bolts 24 to mount the outlet to aluminum housing or busway 10. Such mechanical mounting of the outlet to the housing or busway via screws or bolts is very disadvantageous and requires a substantial increase in manufacturing labor and materials. The present disclosure overcomes these disadvantages by providing a easy mounting devices to allow for rapid and cost effective mounting of the outlet to the housing or busway, without the need for extensive labor required by conventional systems to screw mount the outlet via four (4) bolts.


The present disclosure also provides many additional advantages, which shall become apparent as described below.


SUMMARY

A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of said base to a housing of said electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of said base. Preferably, the press-fit tabs are integrally molded together with said outlet box. The press-fit tabs are typically disposed about the four corners of said base.


The press-fit tabs are disposed perpendicular to said base towards said housing, and wherein said housing includes thru-holes for securably receiving said press-fit tabs. Preferably, the press-fit tab comprising a post and an end tab for securably affixing said outlet box to said housing.


Optionally, the base of the outlet box comprises a plurality of press-fit wings disposed on opposite sides of said base so that they are positioned adjacent to oppositely disposed sidewalls of said housing.


Furthermore, the base comprises a planar surface at a top surface thereof, said planar surface having a plurality of slots extending therethrough coextensive with associated bus bar contact blades extending from said busway system, said base further including a pair of side members extending downwardly from said planar surface.


The base preferably includes a molded plastic cover hingably and removably attached to one end of said top surface thereof by a hinge pin; and a pair of first arcuate projections integrally formed on said top surface at said one end, said hinge pin being trapped under said first arcuate projections in press-fit relation therewith for holding said cover in an open position on said one end of said top surface.


It is also an embodiment according to the present invention, wherein a gasket is disposed between said base of said outlet box and an adjacent surface of said housing to provide drip-proofing and/or splash-proofing for required applications.


Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is an exploded right side perspective view of a conventional outlet box mounted on an electric busway according to the prior art;



FIG. 2 is top right side perspective view of an outlet box according to the present disclosure depicting the side mounted press-fit wings;



FIG. 3 is a end view of the busway housing with outlet attached showing engagement between housing and outlet;



FIG. 4 is a bottom left side perspective view of the outlet box of FIG. 2 with insulation disposed thereabout;



FIG. 5 is a bottom left side perspective view of the outlet box of FIG. 2 without insulation depicting both the side mounted press-fit wings and four press-fit tabs disposed about the four corners thereof, together with a portion view of the left side tabs; and



FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view of an outlet box according to the present disclosure mounted within a busway aluminum housing with a top door affixed thereto.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present disclosure can best be describe by reference to the figures, wherein FIGS. 2-6 include plug-in outlet box 50 as depicted in FIG. 2 includes a molded plastic base 27 formed from a phenylene-oxide plastic sold by General Electric Company under the trademark “NORYL” or a polybutylene terepthalate which is sold under the General Electric trademark “Valox”. The base is molded to include a planar bottom 28 to which press-fit tabs 52 are preferable molded perpendicular thereto for securing to outlet box 50 to a busway aluminum housing, not shown. A planar top portion 33 defines a plurality of rectangular slots 34-37 that are off-set from each other to accommodate the upstanding contact blade tabs, not shown. Also formed within the planar top 33 are opposing channels 38, 39 which accommodate a ground lug that is separately attached to the busway section along the cross-piece 18 described earlier with reference to FIG. 1. A molded plastic cover 40, which includes a planar top portion 40A and downwardly depending side portions 40B and 40C, is attached to the base 27 by means of a pivot post 41 integrally formed therein and extending between a pair of tabs 42, 43, as shown in FIG. 1. The cover is attached to the base by positioning the pivot post 41 under a pair of curvilinear projections 32 extending from the planar top 33. A clearance slot 44 is defined between the pivot post 41 and the planar surface 40A of the cover to allow for the insertion of the curvilinear projections.


Preferably plug-in outlet box 50 includes side mounted press-fit wings 54 which allow for box 50 to be press-fit within the busway aluminum housing. Press-fit wings 54 may be formed from any material, but preferably is a plastic material which allows it to single form molded together with outlet box 50 and allows for flexible mounting to the busway aluminum housing. Similarly, press-fit tabs 52 can be the same or different material as outlet box 50 and/or press-fit wings 54. Tabs 52 are preferably formed perpendicular to planar top 33 of outlet box 50 having a rectangularly shaped post 55 with a securing means or locking tab 56 disposed about the end of post 55 opposite to planar top 33, as best show in the cut-out of FIG. 5. Press-fit wings 54 are disposed along planar bottom 28 of outlet box 50 upwards at an angle adequate to secure to aluminum housing (14), with bent 58 portion at the outer edge thereof.


Optionally, an insulating gasket 60 as show in FIG. 4, can be disposed on the bottom portion of outlet box 50 to interface with the busway housing for splash proof and drip-proof applications. For indoor applications no gasket 60 is typically required.



FIG. 3 depicts wings 54 engage aluminum housing 14 to provide downward pressure. Outlet tabs 52 provide lateral and longitudinal positioning and locking of outlet 50 to aluminum housing 14.


While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with our invention, it is to be clearly understood that the same may be susceptible to numerous changes apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described but intend to show all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of said base to a housing of said electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of said base; anda plurality of press-fit wings disposed on opposite sides of said base so that they are positioned adjacent to oppositely disposed sidewalls of said housing, said plurality of press-fit wings being configured to apply downward pressure to said molded plastic base when engaged with said electric busway system, wherein said press-fit tabs are disposed perpendicular to said base towards said housing, and wherein said housing includes thru-holes for securably receiving said press-fit tabs.
  • 2. The molded plastic outlet box of claim 1, wherein said press-fit tabs are integrally molded together with said outlet box.
  • 3. The molded plastic outlet box of claim 1, wherein said press-fit tabs are disposed about the four corners of said base.
  • 4. The molded plastic outlet box of claim 1, wherein said press-fit tab comprises a post and an end tab for securably affixing said outlet box to said housing.
  • 5. The molded plastic outlet box of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed between said base of said outlet box and an adjacent surface of said housing.
  • 6. A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of said base to a housing of said electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of said base; anda plurality of press-fit wings disposed on opposite sides of said base so that they are positioned adjacent to oppositely disposed sidewalls of said housing, said plurality of press-fit wings being configured to apply downward pressure to said molded plastic base when engaged with said electric busway system, wherein said base comprises a planar surface at a top surface thereof, said planar surface having a plurality of slots extending therethrough coextensive with associated bus bar contact blades extending from said busway system, said base further including a pair of side members extending downwardly from said planar surface.
  • 7. A molded plastic outlet box for electric busway systems comprising: a molded plastic base comprising a plurality of press-fit tabs for attachment of said base to a housing of said electric busway system disposed about a bottom surface of said base; anda plurality of press-fit wings disposed on opposite sides of said base so that they are positioned adjacent to oppositely disposed sidewalls of said housing, said plurality of press-fit wings being configured to apply downward pressure to said molded plastic base when engaged with said electric busway system, wherein said base further comprises a molded plastic cover hingably and removably attached to one end of said top surface thereof by a hinge pin; and a pair of first arcuate projections integrally formed on said top surface at said one end, said hinge pin being trapped under said first arcuate projections in press-fit relation therewith for holding said cover in an open position on said one end of said top surface.
US Referenced Citations (285)
Number Name Date Kind
3571771 Stephanson Mar 1971 A
3575684 McIntyre Apr 1971 A
3632953 Baker Jan 1972 A
3676624 Mauthe Jul 1972 A
3710302 Shannon et al. Jan 1973 A
3725849 Becke Apr 1973 A
3732523 Fouse et al. May 1973 A
3775729 Casper Nov 1973 A
3777177 Norkum et al. Dec 1973 A
3787789 Harris Jan 1974 A
3882265 Johnston et al. May 1975 A
3902028 Tremain Aug 1975 A
3904926 Brown Sep 1975 A
3908235 Telliard et al. Sep 1975 A
3910672 Frantz Oct 1975 A
3912357 Zahaykevich Oct 1975 A
3916130 Cade Oct 1975 A
3922053 Hafer Nov 1975 A
3980370 Gonzalez-Hernandez Sep 1976 A
4047787 Gumb et al. Sep 1977 A
4050768 Gumb Sep 1977 A
4061411 Gumb et al. Dec 1977 A
4063110 Glick Dec 1977 A
4085988 Gamble Apr 1978 A
4097103 Krause Jun 1978 A
4179180 Hanna Dec 1979 A
4202593 Abernathy et al. May 1980 A
4224592 Urani et al. Sep 1980 A
4241974 Hardesty Dec 1980 A
4245873 Markowitz Jan 1981 A
4260973 Berthel et al. Apr 1981 A
4295702 Snyder Oct 1981 A
4296398 McGalliard Oct 1981 A
4300073 Skwirut et al. Nov 1981 A
4320369 Bukala Mar 1982 A
4342977 McGalliard Aug 1982 A
4376927 McGalliard Mar 1983 A
4394639 McGalliard Jul 1983 A
4457633 Andrews Jul 1984 A
4460847 Englehardt Jul 1984 A
4463228 Osika Jul 1984 A
4463235 Gentric et al. Jul 1984 A
4465331 Masuda et al. Aug 1984 A
4476412 Nishida et al. Oct 1984 A
4479688 Jennings Oct 1984 A
4480212 Monahan et al. Oct 1984 A
4480887 Morelli Nov 1984 A
4482618 Orsino et al. Nov 1984 A
4482789 McVey Nov 1984 A
4485282 Lee Nov 1984 A
4487466 Petit et al. Dec 1984 A
4488764 Pfenning et al. Dec 1984 A
4491378 Crawford Jan 1985 A
4494815 Brzostek et al. Jan 1985 A
4495443 Cummings Jan 1985 A
4497532 Bezusko et al. Feb 1985 A
4500158 Dola Feb 1985 A
4500160 Bertsch Feb 1985 A
4500862 Shedd Feb 1985 A
4509107 Malinowski Apr 1985 A
4514713 van Dam Apr 1985 A
4519784 Pollner May 1985 A
4522455 Johnson Jun 1985 A
4530562 Reynolds, Jr. Jul 1985 A
4531794 Heverly Jul 1985 A
4531800 Avener Jul 1985 A
4536050 Hung Aug 1985 A
4538871 Li Sep 1985 A
4540910 Kondo et al. Sep 1985 A
4545631 Zampini Oct 1985 A
4545637 Bosshard et al. Oct 1985 A
4547030 Tanner et al. Oct 1985 A
4549114 Herden Oct 1985 A
4549778 Price et al. Oct 1985 A
4553798 Murphy Nov 1985 A
4563049 Thibeault Jan 1986 A
4565417 Duessel et al. Jan 1986 A
4566744 v. Engelenburg et al. Jan 1986 A
4577920 Coldren et al. Mar 1986 A
4578593 Davidov Mar 1986 A
4586765 Ban May 1986 A
4588901 Maclay et al. May 1986 A
4615113 Fennel Oct 1986 A
4627680 Weimer et al. Dec 1986 A
4652069 Smith Mar 1987 A
4653834 Norden Mar 1987 A
4662701 Lane May 1987 A
4679126 Van Sickler Jul 1987 A
4693531 Raphal et al. Sep 1987 A
4731599 Pressinger Mar 1988 A
4735576 Tanaka et al. Apr 1988 A
4759729 Kemppainen et al. Jul 1988 A
4768965 Chang Sep 1988 A
4820177 Slicer Apr 1989 A
4820178 Anderson et al. Apr 1989 A
4856999 Flohr Aug 1989 A
4864156 Tigges et al. Sep 1989 A
4867694 Short Sep 1989 A
4871317 Jones Oct 1989 A
4872847 Fennell et al. Oct 1989 A
4895227 Grenier et al. Jan 1990 A
4915639 Cohn et al. Apr 1990 A
4934962 Luu et al. Jun 1990 A
4952164 French et al. Aug 1990 A
4952168 Schieferly et al. Aug 1990 A
4957447 Hibbert et al. Sep 1990 A
4990821 Blaisdell et al. Feb 1991 A
5019829 Heckman et al. May 1991 A
5035641 Van-Santbrink et al. Jul 1991 A
5108311 Nakazawa Apr 1992 A
5112245 Shimirak et al. May 1992 A
5122072 Arn et al. Jun 1992 A
5144188 Kagawa et al. Sep 1992 A
5145393 Schoon Sep 1992 A
5153552 Krasser Oct 1992 A
5154508 Ahroni Oct 1992 A
5159232 Sato et al. Oct 1992 A
5159233 Sponseller et al. Oct 1992 A
5160280 Chuang Nov 1992 A
5160879 Tortola et al. Nov 1992 A
5163838 Tura, Jr. et al. Nov 1992 A
5165042 Klinger Nov 1992 A
5167514 Suzuki et al. Dec 1992 A
5249976 Brock Oct 1993 A
5256087 Hendel Oct 1993 A
5256873 Turner et al. Oct 1993 A
RE34532 Luu et al. Feb 1994 E
5349146 Radabaugh Sep 1994 A
5354215 Viracola Oct 1994 A
5358883 Burger et al. Oct 1994 A
5378162 Waible Jan 1995 A
5382170 Imanishi Jan 1995 A
5383799 Fladung Jan 1995 A
5385478 Niekawa Jan 1995 A
5385859 Enomoto Jan 1995 A
5389803 Mohammad Feb 1995 A
5394315 Ahroni Feb 1995 A
5401906 Bryant Mar 1995 A
5409388 Phillips, Jr. et al. Apr 1995 A
5415557 Chapman et al. May 1995 A
5420052 Morris et al. May 1995 A
5429958 Matlock Jul 1995 A
5434741 Mulkins et al. Jul 1995 A
5451819 Koyama Sep 1995 A
5459643 Sieman et al. Oct 1995 A
5466165 Boesel et al. Nov 1995 A
5503565 McCoy Apr 1996 A
5505630 Petrisko et al. Apr 1996 A
5508582 Sugimoto et al. Apr 1996 A
5509818 Lai Apr 1996 A
5515023 Marach et al. May 1996 A
5518948 Walker May 1996 A
5521566 Krubsack et al. May 1996 A
5521932 Marshall May 1996 A
5525068 Graham et al. Jun 1996 A
5525888 Toya Jun 1996 A
5535089 Ford et al. Jul 1996 A
5547893 Sung Aug 1996 A
5612658 Hendel et al. Mar 1997 A
5637017 Hsu Jun 1997 A
5647755 Hida et al. Jul 1997 A
5654216 Adrian Aug 1997 A
5707251 Sakai et al. Jan 1998 A
5716881 Liang et al. Feb 1998 A
5716883 Tseng Feb 1998 A
5719363 Haendler Feb 1998 A
5771151 Hotea et al. Jun 1998 A
5799633 Miller Sep 1998 A
5807786 Chang Sep 1998 A
5808533 Buecher et al. Sep 1998 A
5821681 Wynn Oct 1998 A
5842892 Heimueller et al. Dec 1998 A
5885103 Ernolf et al. Mar 1999 A
5895279 Petrisko et al. Apr 1999 A
5895985 Fischer Apr 1999 A
5989052 Fields et al. Nov 1999 A
6010942 Chien et al. Jan 2000 A
6015733 Lee et al. Jan 2000 A
6039594 Zuppa Mar 2000 A
6059614 Shelby et al. May 2000 A
6060386 Givens May 2000 A
6068526 Nottrott et al. May 2000 A
6080664 Huang et al. Jun 2000 A
6083014 Bogden et al. Jul 2000 A
6100137 Chen et al. Aug 2000 A
6143617 Shue et al. Nov 2000 A
6155855 Weil et al. Dec 2000 A
6168984 Yoo et al. Jan 2001 B1
6183264 Harsanyi Feb 2001 B1
6231377 Fernsebner May 2001 B1
6244888 Cappe Jun 2001 B1
6244894 Miyashita Jun 2001 B1
6254408 Hattori et al. Jul 2001 B1
6273750 Malkowski, Jr. Aug 2001 B1
6277517 Thomas et al. Aug 2001 B1
6280203 Smirra Aug 2001 B1
6280215 Rice Aug 2001 B1
6303952 Aoki et al. Oct 2001 B1
6325646 Uemura et al. Dec 2001 B1
6350135 Acklin et al. Feb 2002 B1
6361340 Robbins et al. Mar 2002 B1
6364682 Cappe Apr 2002 B1
6368161 Lin Apr 2002 B1
6375490 Yao Apr 2002 B1
6376895 Farrar et al. Apr 2002 B2
6377156 Farrar et al. Apr 2002 B2
6413104 Bernardini Jul 2002 B1
6448519 Rane et al. Sep 2002 B1
6461959 Chien et al. Oct 2002 B1
6492888 Dahl et al. Dec 2002 B2
6509209 Shroff et al. Jan 2003 B1
6514105 Lin Feb 2003 B2
6518120 Park Feb 2003 B2
6527570 Hartman et al. Mar 2003 B1
6533598 Bentley et al. Mar 2003 B1
6565389 Igarashi May 2003 B1
6566241 Chun May 2003 B2
6575782 Berberich et al. Jun 2003 B2
6580144 Anthony Jun 2003 B2
6586314 Siah et al. Jul 2003 B1
6590252 Kutsunai et al. Jul 2003 B2
6614145 Fleetwood et al. Sep 2003 B2
6616472 Lee Sep 2003 B2
6619981 Neiser Sep 2003 B2
6620685 Oh Sep 2003 B2
6623296 Okamoto Sep 2003 B2
6634896 Potega Oct 2003 B1
6635838 Kornelson Oct 2003 B1
6636051 Pade Oct 2003 B2
6638083 Rhude Oct 2003 B2
6642450 Hsiao Nov 2003 B1
6649508 Park et al. Nov 2003 B1
6664477 Fortin Dec 2003 B2
6667209 Won et al. Dec 2003 B2
6667226 Pinto et al. Dec 2003 B2
6667568 Bugaets Dec 2003 B1
6669491 Yoji Dec 2003 B2
6670238 Deboer et al. Dec 2003 B2
6670740 Landon, Jr. Dec 2003 B2
6677220 Van Brocklin et al. Jan 2004 B2
6692284 Koh Feb 2004 B1
6705880 Rhude Mar 2004 B2
6750566 Goers et al. Jun 2004 B2
6767228 Katz Jul 2004 B2
6770557 Nakata Aug 2004 B2
6776648 Hernando Aug 2004 B1
6780031 Valls Aug 2004 B1
6784778 Stitz et al. Aug 2004 B2
6814611 Torres Nov 2004 B1
6815339 Choi Nov 2004 B2
6832926 Rudolph et al. Dec 2004 B2
6835104 West et al. Dec 2004 B2
6848919 Stitz et al. Feb 2005 B2
6851965 Czabanski et al. Feb 2005 B1
6863538 Mattern et al. Mar 2005 B2
6863566 Scheuerer Mar 2005 B2
6867373 West et al. Mar 2005 B2
20010016409 Farrar et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010024153 Farrar et al. Sep 2001 A1
20010025773 Rane et al. Oct 2001 A1
20020009927 Berberich et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020011790 Holzer Jan 2002 A1
20020039861 Lin Apr 2002 A1
20020053963 Dahl et al. May 2002 A1
20020063048 Rane et al. May 2002 A1
20020076973 Smirra et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020137391 Berberich et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020182907 Katz Dec 2002 A1
20030008498 Nakata Jan 2003 A1
20030092297 Reindle et al. May 2003 A1
20030148636 Henry et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030173592 Brocklin et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030186564 Rhude Oct 2003 A1
20030232532 West et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040002212 Choi Jan 2004 A1
20040009700 Patel Jan 2004 A1
20040027825 Wunsch Feb 2004 A1
20040082226 Schulte et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040102101 Scheuerer May 2004 A1
20040104795 Stitz et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040183650 Stitz et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040195586 Suzuki Oct 2004 A1
20040235334 Kim Nov 2004 A1
20050037590 Inoue et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050057926 McCoy Mar 2005 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (71)
Number Date Country
19700514 Jul 1998 DE
19856691 Jun 2000 DE
10019760 Mar 2001 DE
10052619 Mar 2002 DE
0126316 Nov 1984 EP
0251035 Jan 1985 EP
0158845 Oct 1985 EP
0333988 Sep 1989 EP
0337332 Oct 1989 EP
0385202 Sep 1990 EP
0390006 Oct 1990 EP
0394804 Oct 1990 EP
0413241 Feb 1991 EP
0432286 Jun 1991 EP
0477663 Apr 1992 EP
0477664 Apr 1992 EP
0477856 Apr 1992 EP
0487360 May 1992 EP
0496977 Aug 1992 EP
0528735 Feb 1993 EP
0545015 Jun 1993 EP
0549083 Jun 1993 EP
0554045 Aug 1993 EP
0599730 May 1994 EP
0660444 Jun 1995 EP
0713233 May 1996 EP
0841726 May 1998 EP
0859431 Aug 1998 EP
0865049 Sep 1998 EP
0880204 Nov 1998 EP
0896407 Feb 1999 EP
0913886 May 1999 EP
0921604 Jun 1999 EP
0921605 Jun 1999 EP
0923172 Jun 1999 EP
0987795 Mar 2000 EP
WO0016447 Mar 2000 EP
1009081 Jun 2000 EP
1011144 Jun 2000 EP
1014510 Jun 2000 EP
1017119 Jul 2000 EP
1028465 Aug 2000 EP
1030361 Aug 2000 EP
1032087 Aug 2000 EP
1022829 Sep 2000 EP
1033758 Sep 2000 EP
1120865 Aug 2001 EP
1208618 May 2002 EP
1261025 Nov 2002 EP
1271724 Jan 2003 EP
1271725 Jan 2003 EP
1298727 Apr 2003 EP
1298729 Apr 2003 EP
1304783 Apr 2003 EP
1385237 Jan 2004 EP
1441427 Jul 2004 EP
1453145 Sep 2004 EP
0618647 Oct 2004 EP
0619628 Oct 2004 EP
1507275 Feb 2005 EP
WO8809058 Nov 1988 WO
WO9326030 Dec 1993 WO
WO9418689 Aug 1994 WO
WO9506342 Mar 1995 WO
WO9530995 Nov 1995 WO
WO9632762 Oct 1996 WO
WO9715962 May 1997 WO
WO9749145 Dec 1997 WO
WO9800887 Jan 1998 WO
WO9811597 Mar 1998 WO
WO9916153 Apr 1999 WO
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20080160812 A1 Jul 2008 US