Patents Represented by Attorney Salvatore J. Abbruzzese
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Patent number: 5603632Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA (connection positive assurance) component, a second housing matable with the first housing by movement along a connection axis and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with the array of first contacts, a CPA member having a first portion movable in the first housing passage and a having a second portion, and first and second latch members respectively with the first and second housings and engageable in the course of mating thereof, the first latch means being disposed in a path of movement of the CPA member second portion. The first and second latch members effect a first measure of securement of the first and second housings, and the CPA is engageable with the first latch member for effecting a second, cumulative measure of securement of the first and second housings.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Richard A. Johannes, Kevin G. Henderson
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Patent number: 5595453Abstract: Metal construction members or studs have a generally U-shaped profile, and can be provided with openings for cables, plumbing conduits and the like. Walls are constructed by attaching wallboard to vertically asserted studs. To protect cables etc. against accidental penetration by nails and screws, a protector plate unit has first and second protector plates for mounting adjacent outer faces of the metal stud. A mounting web extends between the protector plates. Securing means, for example a collar and tabs on the mounting web, engages the opening in the steel stud, to secure the protector plate unit in position, and to provide an internally smooth bushing.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: William Nattel, Serge Michaud
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Patent number: 5593311Abstract: An electrical connector component assembly (10) provides for shielding as between components of the connector. An electrically conductive outer housing (12) includes a plurality of discrete bounded compartments (30). A plurality of electrically insulative terminal support elements (14, 16) are supported individually in the bounded compartments. Plural electrical contacts are supported in at least one of the support elements. The electrical contacts supported in the one support element are electrically shielded from the components of the other support element by the bounded compartments. The electrical connector component assembly (10) may be interconnected to an identical connector in hermaphroditic fashion such that mating contact surfaces (74) engage one another locking the contact to the like contact.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1993Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Brent B. Lybrand
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Patent number: 5593318Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly for attachment to a luminaire housing comprises a housing defining a plurality of contact seating channels extending therethrough along axes parallel to a contact member insertion axis, electrical contact members being seated in the housing channels individually along the axes parallel to the contact member insertion axis. A clamp member is joined to the housing by a threaded fastener. The housing defines an anti-rotation member resident in the clamp member which prevents the clamp member from rotational movement relative to the housing upon tightening the threaded fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Edward B. Bilson, Mark T. Wedell, Thomas A. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 5594209Abstract: A cable connector clamp for an insulated electrical cable is preferably integrally moulded from a resilient plastic material. It has a cylindrical housing defining a passage for the cable, and a slot to permit its insertion into a knock out or opening of an enclosure wall. Within the housing, there is a clamping element extending across the passage and resiliently deflectable, to permit insertion of a cable. The clamping element includes a clamping lip that is resiliently pressed against the cable to prevent its withdrawal from the connective clamp. To assist in clamping the cable, one or both of a clamping lip of reduced thickness at the free end of the clamping element, and additional projections on the inner wall of the housing are provided. The additional projections have abutment faces, perpendicular to the axis of the housing and facing the second end of it.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
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Patent number: 5594207Abstract: A self-locking divider plate made of flat sheet metal is provided in an electrical box to form separate compartments. The electrical box has several upper and lower front ledges which form aligned slots which in turn, cooperate to receive the divider plate. The side edges of the divider plate has a biased sheared tab which locks the plate in place between the slots upon installation of the plate into the box. These sheared tabs extend outwardly from one of the planar surfaces of the plate. When the plate is inserted into two aligned front slots, the tabs are pushed inwardly toward the planar surface of the plate, and spring back to their normal position when the plate is in its proper position in the box. The tabs engage an inside surface of the ledges when the plate is moved outwardly from the box to prevent its accidental removal.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Mark E. Fabian, Serge Michaud
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Patent number: 5589666Abstract: A buried service splice enclosure for sealing a splice of telecommunication cables comprises a closure defining an interior space for accommodating the cable splice and defining an opening for receipt of the splice therethrough. A closure seal sealably closes the closure opening and has apertures for receipt therethrough of the cables. Means are provided for sealing the closure seal to the closure and for sealing the cables to the closure seal at the apertures. An inlet fitting, such as a check valve, communicates with the closure interior space and is adapted to receive and pass an encapsulant under pressure into the interior space. An outlet fitting, such as a pressure relief valve, also communicates with the interior space, the pressure relief valve adapted to pass the encapsulant therethrough when the encapsulant is exposed to a predetermined pressure in the closure interior space.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1993Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: David J. DeCarlo, Thomas L. Mineur, Ronald S. Stanwick
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Patent number: 5567185Abstract: A method for making an electrical connector comprises the steps of configuring a housing and contact members such that the contact members may assume positions in the housing which are variable for each contact member and of assembling the contact members in the housing such that they assume positions therein giving rise to contact member coplanarity. An electrical connector so made comprises a housing defining contact member receiving channels and contact members resident in the channels, the contact members defining contact portions and contact member retaining means, the housing being configured to permit variable positioning of said contact member retaining means therein, whereby contact member contact portions may be coplanarly positioned irrespective of warp present in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Kevin G. Henderson, Timothy A. Jones, Jeffrey C. Howland, Robert W. Brush, Jr., Phil B. Parker
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Patent number: 5564949Abstract: A shielded electrical connector provides continuous ground shielding about the connector. The connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts having contact tails. An insulative body insertably supports the contacts. A conductive housing having an open end is positioned over the insulative body, the contact tails extend outwardly of the conductive housing. An end shield is positioned adjacent the open end of the conductive housing. The end shield surrounds the contact tails providing shielding therebetween and is in interlocking engagement with the conductive housing thereby establishing electrical ground path continuity between the conductive housing and the end shield.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Wayne T. Wellinsky
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Patent number: 5564940Abstract: An electrical connector provides for the termination of discrete insulated conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes an insulative connector housing supporting plural electrical contacts having insulation displacing contact portions. A conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing with respect to the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block includes contact slots for receipt of the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block further includes passages in communication with the contact slots for receipt of the conductors. Deflectable fingers extend into the passages to provide for support of the conductors and for the accurate alignment of the conductors over the insulation displacing contact portions upon movement of the conductor holding block with respect to the electrical housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Julio F. Rodriques, Paul J. Bartholomew
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Patent number: 5557069Abstract: A twist-on electrical connector connects plural conductors, preferably stripped ends of insulated conductors. The connector includes an outer insulative shell having a cavity open at one end. The cavity supports an expandable generally conical spring which accommodates the conductors. The shell includes plural ribs extending into the cavity for engagement with the spring upon radial expansion thereof. The ribs have tapered extents so that the ribs deform in both the radial and transverse direction upon expansion of the spring to control the rate of spring expansion.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: James H. Whitehead, Francis X. Lynch
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Patent number: 5556272Abstract: A modular ignition assembly for use in a direct fired make-up heater, includes a hot surface igniter disposed adjacent the discharge ports of a pilot tube for providing a pilot flame. The hot surface igniter is surrounded by a tubular shroud for minimizing the effects of cold air and high humidity on the performance of the ignition assembly. A flame sensor is provided for detecting and a sensing the existence of pilot flame and for controlling the gas flow to the burners accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Richard G. Blasko, Richard A. Mortimer
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Patent number: 5554055Abstract: An electrical connector assembly securely locks electrical contacts within a connector housing. The connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical contacts each having first and second longitudinally spaced locking elements. A connector housing includes an interconnection end and a contact insertion end. The connector housing also includes an initial contact support member positioned adjacent the insertion end of the housing. The initial contact support member includes a plurality of apertures permitting insertable passage of the contacts therethrough. Engagement elements on the initial contact support member engage the first locking element of the contacts preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the contacts from the housing. A final contact support member is movably positioned adjacent the interconnection end of the housing. The final contact support member includes contact passage apertures therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Steven D. Miller
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Patent number: 5548489Abstract: A wiring patch panel cabinet accommodates plural termination devices. A cabinet support structure includes spaced apart top and bottom walls and opposed sidewalls. The cabinet support structure secures a plurality of individual patch panels. Each patch panel accommodates termination devices of a given type. The termination devices of one patch panel may be different from the termination devices of another patch panel supported by the cabinet structure. The patch panels are supported by the cabinet in side-by-side vertical orientation to facilitate removal and repair of an individual patch panel without disturbing adjacent patch panels.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Steven J. Reed, Robert L. Wallgren, Scott T. Davies, George R. Wojtan, Paul Gazzara
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Patent number: 5535109Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Clyde R. Moore, William A. Fredrick, J. D. McIngvale, Mark T. Wedell
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Patent number: 5535111Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Mark T. Wedell
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Patent number: 5531611Abstract: A connector module for use in a local area network having a plurality of workstations in connection with a hub, wherein each workstation is hard wired to a printed circuit board mounted in the module. The module further includes a wiring assembly connected to the board and a cable leading from the hub. The face of the panel includes a plurality of jacks mounted therein, which are also electrically connected to the printed circuit board. Initially, workstations are electrically connected to the hub through the wiring assembly, which is preferably a twisted pair flat cable. Alternately, the wiring assembly may be disconnected from the board, and an upgraded hub interconnected with the workstations through the jacks in the face of the module with minimal re-wiring required.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Steven J. Reed, Scott T. Davies, Robert L. Wallgren, George R. Wojtan
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Patent number: 5514007Abstract: An electrical data connector includes cable strain relief for accommodating a cable of at least two differing diameters. A cable strain relief assembly frictionally secures either of the cables therein. The strain relief assembly includes a strain relief body including first and second cable channels for permitting accommodation alternatively of one of the at least two cables. A channel filler block is insertable into the first channel to render the first channel cable inaccessible and render exclusively the second channel accessible to cable passage. A strain relief plug works in cooperation with said strain relief body to secure the cable supported either in the first or second channel in strain relief fashion.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Julio F. Rodrigues
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Patent number: 5513421Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a cable tie head. The head of the cable tie includes an aperture therethrough for insertably accommodating the strap. A locking device is supported by the head and extends into the aperture. The locking device permits movement of the strap in an insertion direction and prevents substantial movement of the strap in a withdrawal direction. The locking device includes a hingedly mounted support member extending into the aperture and a barb supported adjacent the support member. The barb and the support member are movable into locking engagement with the strap to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the head aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Peter M. Wells
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Patent number: 5509824Abstract: 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: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Richard Podgalsky, Richard Marowsky