Patents Examined by David A. Tone
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Patent number: 5430248Abstract: An enclosure for an electrical terminal block includes a housing having a back wall and projecting side walls which form a bounded chamber. The chamber accommodates an electrical terminal block. A cover is hingedly attached to the housing and may be locked thereto to protect the terminal block housed therein. The cover and the housing are attached in such a manner so that if the cover is not properly locked to the housing, the cover will pop open providing a visual indication to the installer that the cover has not been locked properly to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1992Date of Patent: July 4, 1995Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Sidney Levy
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Patent number: 5422434Abstract: A floor box wiring fitting incorporating a novel carpet flange possessing a self-closing flap cover assembly, whereby the fitting is adapted to be cast into a concrete floor of a building for the conductance of electrical power or telecommunication signals between the work spaces of buildings. The self-closing action of the flap covers which are hingedly connected to the flap cover plate structure, the latter of which consists of a carpet flange, is essentially implemented through an angular operative contacting relationship between the wall surfaces of the openings receiving the hinging portion of the flap covers and the contiguous or adjacent wall surface of the flap cover which, in effect, will inhibit the flap covers from being opened or swing upwardly from a closed horizontal position to an acute opening angle greater than about 85.degree..Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1993Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Emil S. Wuertz, William C. Boteler, Francis M. DeLash
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Patent number: 5420376Abstract: An electrical box assembly for installation in a poured concrete building partition, such as a ceiling, comprises a base ring member including a ring body having a central through opening and radially extending mounting tabs for permitting the base ring member to be joined to a form over which concrete is to be poured during forming of the building partition. The base ring member further includes an upper edge surrounding the through opening with connection portions lying radially outwardly of the upper edge. A box cover member is provided for connection to the base ring and terminates in a lower edge with a laterally extending shoulder receiving the upper edge of the base ring member. The box cover member further includes releasable connectors joined with the connecting portions on the base ring member for maintaining the box cover member in engagement with the base ring member. Selectively removable knockout portions are provided in the cover member for allowing connecting of the conduit therewith.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.Inventors: James A. Rajecki, Daniel J. Wanhainen
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Patent number: 5418328Abstract: An electrical distribution system comprising one or more tracks having current-carrying conductors and ground conductor for mounting on wall surfaces. The tracks are slidingly received in connecting slots of electrical connector housings to connect the tracks to electrical outlets, or to interconnect sections of tracks together. More particularly, with the present invention it is not necessary to strip the ends of the tracks to expose connector ends to interconnect them with terminals in the connector housings. An end portion of the track is merely slid within a connecting slot of the housing. Electrical receptacles are also connected at any desired location along the track. The electrical distribution track can also be incorporated in an extruded baseboard together with a telephone line track to permit connection thereto of electrical receptacles as well as alarm systems, telephone jacks, fire detectors, surge protectors, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1994Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Inventor: Jacques Nadeau
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Patent number: 5410103Abstract: A poke-through wiring device and, more particularly, a self-anchoring poke-through wiring device which is positioned in a floor aperture of a concrete building floor for conducting electrical power and telecommunication signals between the work spaces of multi-storied building.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Emil S. Wuertz
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Patent number: 5408046Abstract: A safety cover for use on electrical outlets includes a cap member which is releasably secured to a cowl member which encircles the electrical outlet. The cap member must be forced toward the electrical outlet and rotated to remove the cap from the cowl. A slot in the cowl wall allows passage of a plug cord while the cap is received on the cowl. Thus, the cap and cowl combination enclose the electrical outlet when a plug is received in the outlet, or when no plug is received in the outlet. Several embodiments of the connection between the cowl and cap are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Inventor: Jerry L. Vandeventer
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Patent number: 5408045Abstract: An electrical box assembly including an electrical box and a mounting bracket rigidly coupled to the box for mounting the box onto a support member, such as a stud or a joist. The mounting bracket includes a base portion and a pair of leg portions resiliently coupled to the base portion to form a substantially U-shaped, three-sided bracket. The mounting bracket has inwardly extending arms for resiliently gripping the support member. The arms of the mounting bracket grip onto either side of a metal or wood support member to secure the electrical box to the support member and prevent relative movement between the electrical box and the support member. In one embodiment, the arms include teeth to improve the grip between the mounting bracket and a wood support member. In another embodiment, the mounting bracket is coupled to the box by clamping tabs.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Robert W. Jorgensen, Thomas E. Lewis, Richard D. Swanson
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Patent number: 5401903Abstract: An electric outlet finishing plate is provided for use with a wall panel having raised portions and comprises a one-piece plastic body with front and rear walls. An internal wall connects the front and rear walls and an external peripheral wall depends from the front wall. The finishing plate is adapted to be inserted in an opening which has been cut in the raised section of the wall panel to provide access to an electrical outlet while giving a finished appearance thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Mid-America Building Products CorporationInventor: Richard Logan
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Patent number: 5399807Abstract: An explosion-proof electrical apparatus comprises two enclosures containing electrical devices. The enclosures are physically interconnected by a one-piece or two-piece hollow sleeve member which is screwed into threaded holes of the enclosures. A fitting assembly mounted in the sleeve member comprises a hollow feedthrough bushing screwed into the sleeve member, a hollow feedthrough seal member screwed into the feedthrough bushing, and a plurality of conductors extending through the feedthrough seal member and electrically connected to the electrical devices. The conductors are embedded in sealing compound which occupies the feedthrough seal member. During assembly of the fitting assembly, the feedthrough seal member is positioned within the sleeve, and the feedthrough bushing is screwed along the feedthrough seal member and is simultaneously screwed into the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Garrett S. Yarbrough, John E. Cower, Kevin L. Browngardt, Susan M. Orzell, Robert P. Haytko, William G. Wright, Nelson L. Lansing
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Patent number: 5396027Abstract: A wiring assembly is provided for mounting on an exposed surface of a wall or wall panel to supply electrical power to the wall or wall panel. The wiring assembly includes a plurality of conductive bus bars and an insulating support having a base and a plurality of generally parallel dividers extending upwardly from the base to define a plurality of slots therebetween. Each slot is configured to receive a conductive bus bar therein. The support is coupled to said exposed surface. The assembly also includes a cover coupled to the support. The cover is situated over the plurality of dividers to shield the plurality of conductive bus bars situated in the plurality of slots. The assembly further includes an electrical outlet coupled to the conductive bus bars for providing an outlet for electrical power from the wiring assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1992Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Dekko Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Russell E. Zemen, Jr.
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Patent number: 5393930Abstract: A self-anchoring flush-type poke-through electrical wiring fitting which is adapted to be positioned in a floor aperture which is formed in a concrete building floor, for enabling the conducting of electrical power and telecommunication signals between the work spaces of multi-storied buildings. A retainer clip is engaged between a floor cup structure and disc-shaped fire barrier inhibiting displacement of the retainer clip. The retainer clip is constructed of a cold-worked stainless steel material, preferably such as type 302 or 304 annealed stainless steel possessing a minimal degree of resilience.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1993Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Emil S. Wuertz
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Patent number: 5391837Abstract: A covered conduit box includes a cover which maintains screws, used to fix the cover to a base member of the box, captive, when the cover is disengaged. The cover includes stepped screw bores therein which allow the screws to cock slightly relative to the cover, to engage in mating channels provided in flanges on the base member, the flanges being angled away from the cover to provide a torque upon the screws, maintaining engagement between the cover and the body. The stepped screw bore maintains the screw captured within the bore unless pressure is applied against the end of the screw to cause a thread thereof to interact with sidewalls of the bore, at which point the screw can be disengaged from capture therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Timothy W. Carey
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Patent number: 5391834Abstract: A protective cover for electrical controls has planar upper & lower portions separated by an offset portion that spaces the lower portion outwardly from the upper portion. An enlarged aperture in the upper portion adjacent the offset portion provides access to a temperature setting adjustment on the control. Latches project rearwardly from the upper portion adjacent the aperture and an apertured tongue projects rearwardly from the top end of the cover for attaching the cover to the control.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1994Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, IncorporatedInventor: Donald E. Place
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Patent number: 5391839Abstract: A device is proposed for the electrically insulated attachment of a metal probe electrode in the opening of a housing, preferably a measuring probe for measuring the filling status in the opening of a probe head housing. The device has a metal rod electrode and a metal guard electrode at which two sealing cones are arranged which are spatially separated from each other which, with the inclusion of insulating layers, electrically insulate and close off in a pressure-sealed manner the rod electrode with respect to the guard electrode and both with respect to the housing in the opening of which they are attached. Both electrodes are connected with an electronic circuit in an electrically insulated manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.Inventors: Hugo Lang, Miroslaw Alznauer
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Patent number: 5389737Abstract: A panel for free access to a signal cable and a power cable is installed on the floor of an office room and forms a network of signal cables in an office. The posts of this panel are mounted on the floor. A floor plate is secured to the upper ends of the posts. A rack plate is arranged between the floor plate and the floor, and the rack plate is secured to the posts. The height of the floor plate and the rack plate is adjusted by adjusting the engaging position by rotating a leg to be engaged with the threaded holes of the posts. The floor plates are composed of a plate made of glass, reinforced cement mixed with foamable styrol or an aluminum honeycomb structure. The rack plate is composed of a transparent polypropylene plate. Further, the surface of the floor plate is covered with a surface material such as a carpet. The signal cables are arranged in the space between the floor plates and the rack plates. The power cables are arranged in the space between the rack plates and the floor.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1991Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroshi Kobayashi, Tsuguhiro Hirose, Hideaki Haruyama, Jiro Kano, Katsunari Kodachi, Yoshio Kojima, Humio Takeda, Toshihiko Muro
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Patent number: 5387761Abstract: A safety electrical receptacle assembly has rectangular electrical box having an open front, a face plate covering the open front of the electrical box, and a cover plate. The face plate has a main body, at least one cut-out in the main body for receiving an receptacle, and a rim projecting upwardly and outwardly from the main body to define a recessed area. The cover plate is dimensioned to fit tightly within the recessed area. The cover plate is hingedly connected to the rim so that it is pivotally moveable between a closed position is which the cover plate covers the receptacles and an open position in which receptacles are exposed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1993Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Inventor: Andrew Simonis
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Patent number: 5382755Abstract: A protective cover for electrical wall outlets wherein a rectangular face plate is detachably mounted to the wall, over an electrical wall plug outlet, for receiving a generally rectangular shaped box-like cover having one open end, in locking engagement, to prevent access to or the touching of exposed electrical plug prongs. An upstanding flange or border is provided on all four sides of the face plate and a flange receiving cavity is formed between the face plate and flange or border at its lower and upper ends for receiving mating flanges on the upper and lower ends of the box-like cover. Flanges are also provided on the exterior of the vertical sides of the box-like cover for sliding over the vertical sides of the upstanding flange of the face plate when the two members are coupled to provide further locking engagement.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: G & G New Idea CorporationInventor: Giuseppe A. Correnti
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Patent number: 5382752Abstract: An electrical junction box for swimming pool light fixtures includes a metallic base plate and a polymer cover member. the base plate includes lower conduit hubs in a circular array, and a dual-function strain-relief and ground wire connecting structure adjacent each electrical wire opening on the upper side of the base plate. The strain relief structure are arranged to centralize the wires brought into the junction box, while the ground wire connecting structure (and a bonding wire features as well) provides unprecedented convenience of termination from the centralized wire connections. The strain relief, ground wire, and bonding wire features (as well as cover member installation on the base plate) allows their use without need to horizonal access to the junction box, access, vertically downward from above is all that is needed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1992Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Thermocraft Industries, Inc.Inventors: Frederick B. Reyhan, Gary H. Kermoian, Richard J. Kesl, Gary K. Weise
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Patent number: 5378854Abstract: An electrical box assembly arranged for the ease of stacking of boxes relative to one another in a gang-type relationship is provided, wherein the box structure includes a box member having a fixed side wall integrally mounted to a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall having a movable side wall arranged for sliding reception within the top wall and bottom wall and lock engagement to the rear wall, wherein the movable side wall may be replaced by a further box member providing ease of ganging of the boxes together.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Inventor: Daniel M. Hoover
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Patent number: 5373106Abstract: A spring steel adaptor that improves the ease of use and reduces the time involved in securing electrical connectors to electrical junction boxes. Several embodiments are disclosed which require the use of a zinc die-cast connector having a smoother central section to accommodate the spring steel adaptor. Some of the embodiments employ a spring steel adaptor that is designed to be used in conjunction with any of the standard size threaded electrical connectors that are presently in use in the electrical industry.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. O'Neil, Thomas J. Gretz, Thomas S. Stark