Patents Represented by Attorney Robert M. Rodrick
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Patent number: 5376021Abstract: A shielded electrical data connector terminates a shielded multiconductor cable. The data connector includes an insulative housing having a conductive housing shield therein. A contact holding member is accommodated in the connector housing and supports a row of plural spaced electrical contacts thereon. A contact shield is supported by the contact holding member. The contact shield has a shield extension extending between at least two of the contacts so as to reduce cross-talk as between the two contacts. The contact shield is electrically commoned with the housing shield to maintain continuous electrical shielding.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Richard Podgalsky, Richard Marowsky
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Patent number: 5362922Abstract: A plastic divider for providing a tunnel in the bottom portion of an electrical floor box having a box central portion with box cells extending outwardly therefrom. The divider is positioned in the box central portion and has sidewall frangible sections that are selectively removable to connect one or more cells with the space in the central portion of the box beneath the divider. The space in the central portion of the box beneath the divider is closed off from adjacent cells by sidewalls that have their frangible sections intact. A separate partition member is selectively attachable to the side of the divider having the sidewalls thereon for modifying the manner in which the cells communicate with one another and with the space beneath the divider.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1992Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: James H. Whitehead
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Patent number: 5334047Abstract: An electrical connector includes mounting posts for insertion into through-holes of a printed circuit board. The connector includes a connector housing having an upper connection surface and an lower board mounting surface. A pair of mounting posts extend from the lower mounting surface adjacent each end of the connector. Each of the mounting posts is insertable into a through-hole in the printed circuit for frictional engagement with the walls of the through-hole. The mounting posts include curved portions for engagement with the walls of the through-holes. The curved portions of the mounting posts have a radius of curvature which is substantially less than the radius of curvature of the through-holes to compensate for variations in tolerances as between the mounting post and the through-holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Arthur A. Lutsky
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Patent number: 5321205Abstract: A connector for terminating a metal clad electrical cable is suitable for use in hazardous locations. The connector includes an elongate generally cylindrical body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. An elongate generally cylindrical hub accommodates the body. The hub has a body receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. A cable seal is provided by a sealing bushing and a gland nut which is rotatably coupled to the cable receiving end of the body, sealingly coupling the cable to the body. The body and the hub include cooperative engagement elements for preventing the relative rotation of the hub and the body upon rotatably coupling the gland nut to the body about the cable.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Jaspal S. Bawa, Luis R. Couto, Giacomo J. Mancini
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Patent number: 5317787Abstract: A bundling tie for looping about plural articles includes a head, a tail and elongate strap body therebetween. The head and the strap body include cooperative locking means for securing the strap in the head of the bundling tie. The tail of the bundling tie includes outwardly projecting tactile elements for enhancing the gripability of the tail to facilitate pulling the strap body through the head of the bundling tie. The head and the tail also permit the removable holding of the tail in the head of the bundling tie prior to locking engagement of the strap body with the head.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corp.Inventor: William A. Fortsch
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Patent number: 5317664Abstract: A crimp sleeve, for connection of the back shell of a fiber optic cable connector with a fiber optic cable of a type including a buffered optic fiber having an encircling jacket inclusive of fibrous matter, includes a crimpable body member having first and second open ends and defining a passage between the first and second open ends, the crimpable member having first and second interior surfaces bounding the passage successively lengthwise of the body member. The first interior surface extends from the first open end interiorly of the body member and has a first radius relative to a central axis of the body member and the second interior surface has a second radius relative to the central axis of the body member of measure less than the first radius.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Alan R. Grabiec, William G. Frey, Scott T. Davies
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Patent number: 5308263Abstract: A hold-down bracket secures an electrical terminal block to an enclosure surface. The terminal block includes a base having a plurality of circular terminal modules extending upwardly therefrom. The connector modules are arranged in plural staggered rows. Adjacent modules define a longitudinal passage therebetween. The bracket includes an elongate body having a securement element at one end for mechanical securement to the enclosure surface and an elongate terminal block holding member at the other end for positioning within the passage defined between adjacent terminal modules. The terminal block holding member has outwardly diverging opposed curved sidewalls preventing lateral withdrawal of the holding member through the passage. The mounting bracket may be supported at various locations along the terminal block to facilitate mounting to the enclosure surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Peter Noorily, Sidney Levy
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Patent number: 5295851Abstract: An electrical connector is secured to a wall of an electrical enclosure. The connector permits passage of electrical cable and conduits into the enclosure. The connector includes a hub having a cable receiving end, a cable egressing end and a central passage therethrough. A hub nut is attachable to the cable egressing end to secure the hub to the enclosure wall. The hub further includes an annular shoulder having a groove therein which accommodates a sealing ring for providing sealed engagement of the hub to the enclosure wall. The sealing ring has a body of noncircular cross-sectional shape having a dimension which is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the groove to provide a seal against the wall of the enclosure upon attachment of the hub. The sealing ring further includes a radially extending skirt for retaining the sealing ring within the groove.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Jaspal S. Bawa, Giacomo Mancini, Luis R. Couto
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Patent number: 5295871Abstract: A high density electrical connector is provided for supporting a plurality of contact assemblies in a geometric array, each contact assembly comprising a conductive contact portion, a retention portion, a vertical offset portion and a conductive connection portion. The contact portions are disposed in side by side positions along n rows across the connector. An insulative housing is provided having a rear wall, a forward wall and a plurality of contact assembly support cavities extending between the rear and forward walls. Each support cavity has a contact retention rib which engages the retention portion of the contact assembly. Each support cavity also has an elongate contact entry opening in the rear wall, the entry openings being disposed along n pairs of rows in a staggered array, with adjacent cavities in each pair of rows being alternately upright and inverted. The entry openings for upright cavities in a pair of rows lie along a first center line.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Scott J. Lapraik, Eric D. Juntwait
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Patent number: 5254808Abstract: An enclosure for an electrical terminal block includes a housing having a back wall and projecting side walls extending thereabout to form a bounded chamber. One side wall includes an opening formed therethrough for permitting passage of an electrical cable into the bounded chamber. A barrier member is supported by the side wall adjacent the opening. The barrier member includes a barrier wall at least partially surrounding the opening about a periphery thereof. The barrier member includes a pair of elongate oppositely directed deflectable fingers projecting inwardly from the barrier wall. Distal ends of the fingers include slitted portions thereat for engaging and deforming around the electrical cable upon passage thereof through an opening in the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1991Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Adam Fischer, Jr.
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Patent number: 5251373Abstract: A method for protectively enclosing electrical cables, wherein a portion of at least one cable is sealably disposed in the interior of a housing, includes the steps of placing a pressure-relief valve in communication with the housing interior, the pressure-relief valve being selected to pass an encapsulant therethrough on exposure to a predetermined pressure in said housing interior, and introducing an encapsulant under pressure into the housing interior until the encapsulant passes through the pressure-relief valve. The encapsulant introduction step is practiced by providing a pump having an inlet and an outlet, placing the pump inlet in communication with the housing interior and supplying encapsulant to the pump inlet directly from a bulk encapsulant container.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: David J. DeCarlo, Thomas L. Mineur, Ronald S. Stanwick
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Patent number: 5252097Abstract: A connector of the unitary type with dual-beam contacts is adapted to be inserted in the body of a receiving female connection part and includes a holding beam forming a guiding means for the connector in the body of said connection part and a pair of resilient flexible beams. The two oppositely located beams are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the holding beam, each flexible beam having a contact area, the three connection beams defining together a free entry opening. The connector also includes a bight on which are supported the three connector beams, the bight carrying the output lead of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1992Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Sven E. Lindeberg, Claude Casses
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Patent number: 5245133Abstract: A protective enclosure for use with one or more electric cables, comprises first and second elongate casings juxtaposed along respective end surfaces thereof to define a housing with an open interior, at least one electrical cable disposed in the housing interior in an encapsulant, the encapsulant filling the housing interior. At least one end closure is disposed in the housing and defines a cable passage therethrough, the cable being resident in part in the cable passage. Seal-effecting structure for providing sealed relations between the first and second casings, between the end closure and the first and second casings and between the end closure and the cable part, is inclusive of a cover plate disposed in confronting relation to the end closure and movable relative thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: David J. DeCarlo, Thomas L. Mineur, Ronald S. Stanwick
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Patent number: 5236098Abstract: A connector assembly for electrically connecting an electronic apparatus to a printed circuit board includes a matable socket connector and header connector. The socket connector includes a lower housing which supports the electronic apparatus and which is capable of containing an insulative curable potting compound. A plurality of electrical contacts is supported by the lower housing in electrical engagement with the electronic apparatus. A cover is supportable over the lower housing for enclosing the housing. The electronic apparatus is supported within the socket connector in position so that the curable potting compound may completely surround the electronic apparatus providing an environmental seal. The socket connector is insertable into the header connector supported on the printed circuit to establish electrical connection therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Amir-Akbar Sadigh-Behzadi
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Patent number: 5208427Abstract: A kit of parts is adapted for terminating electrical cable assemblies of the type having plural insulated conductors extending within an insulative jacket. The kit of parts is capable of terminating the cable alone or when enclosed in an outer cable conduit. The kit includes a body or gland, a hollow insert extending within the gland, a gland nut for screw cooperation with the gland and sealing means disposed between the gland nut and the body for providing a cable assembly seal within the insert. The sealing means further comprises cable sealing components and separate conduit sealing components which are used alternatively for sealing either the cable alone or the cable contained within the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1992Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Luis R. Couto, Jaspal S. Bawa, Giacomo F. Mancini, Marc Brodeur
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Patent number: 5193251Abstract: A bundling tie for use in looping about a plurality of cables includes a locking head and elongate strap. A pair of locking barbs are movably supported in the head, each barb having an engagement portion for locking engagement with a strap end upon insertion of the strap ends into the head. Each barb includes a knife-like element for biting insertion into the strap and a blunt stop wall adjacent the knife-like element for limiting the depth of insertion of the knife-like element into the strap.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: William Fortsch
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Patent number: 5191280Abstract: A test probe device is attachable to alligator clips of test equipment for establishing electrical engagement between an electrical contact supported within an insulative housing, which is accessible through an opening therein and the test equipment. The alligator clip includes a pair of actuatable jaws defining a connection region therebetween. The test probe device includes an elongate probe member insertable into the housing through the opening for electrical engagement with the contact. An attachment member is electrically coupled to the probe member. The attachment member is attachable to the alligator clip at a location remote from the connection region thereof, permitting the alligator clip to be used without removing the test probe device.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Sidney Levy
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Patent number: 5191171Abstract: A circular inner knockout and a non-circular outer knockout formed in a wall are individually connected to the wall by frangible webs located opposite from one another. The frangible web connecting the inner knockout to the wall is stronger than the frangible web connecting the outer knockout to the wall. The periphery of the outer knockout includes by a plurality of interconnected discrete circular curved portions, and does not completely surround the inner knockout.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Mark A. Bordwell
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Patent number: 5186638Abstract: For the purposes of connecting and joining conductive traces on printed circuit boards, the stripped ends of a flexible multi-conductor flat cable are inserted into metallized openings in the printed circuit boards. The cables are cut to length and their ends are stripped of insulation and supported in an injection molded bar member. Those ends are desirably not to be bent in storage and transportation. In order to protect them, a U-shaped device is pushed onto the bar member over the cable ends. The bottom plate portion of the device has holes of a conical configuration. In a transportation position the ends are disposed within the walls of those holes and are held therein. The device latches in the transportation position. For the ends to be inserted into the holes in the printed circuit board the device is pushed further onto the cable ends in an operative position. As such, the ends pass in a guided fashion through the holes in the bottom plate portion and into the holes in the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 16, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Reinhard Pusch
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Patent number: 5178561Abstract: A connector comprises a plug of electrically insulating material and a housing box for accommodating electric contacts therein. The plug is selectively insertable in the box and comprises at least one first element insertable in a bore of the box formed for accommodating the contacts, and a second element for insertion in a corresponding opening of a printed circuit board. The plug selectively includes a bore for receipt of a complementary electric contact or a lug closing the box bore for preventing receipt of a complementary electric contact.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1991Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Sven E. Lindeberg, Claude Casses