Cantilevered Plate Patents (Class 174/661)
  • Patent number: 11949194
    Abstract: A one-piece electrical fitting for connecting an electrical cable to a junction box, the electrical fitting formed from a single, flat blank of metal into a cylindrical connector body. The connector body includes a leading end having an exit bore, a trailing end, a cap, an inner bore, and one or more combination tangs including grounding tangs, locking tangs, and flanges extending radially outward from the connector body. The exit bore in the cap is offset to one side with cable retaining tangs on the fitting configured to push toward the exit bore in order to ease insertion of cables and conductors through the fitting. The one-piece electrical fitting includes a connector body with a D-shaped cross-sectional profile and one or more auxiliary grounding tangs extending outward from the connector body to improve grounding of the fitting with respect to an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 11451032
    Abstract: A water resistant box includes a front cover, a base for accommodating a power outlet receptacle, and a cable passage cover. The base is coupled to the front cover. The cable passage cover is pivotally coupled to the base, configured to pivot to an open position when the water resistant box is in use and pivot to a closed position when the water resistant box is not in use. The water resistant box can protect power outlets against water when used ins outdoor or wet conditions. It also makes the box easier to use and solves the problem of parts being misplaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Chengli Li
  • Patent number: 10714234
    Abstract: Provided is a cable disconnection preventing structure or the like in which a conducting wire is not cut at a connecting portion at which a distal end of a conducting wire is connected to a substrate or the like even when a cable is pulled. The cable disconnection preventing structure (100) comprises a case (30) and a conducting wire fixing member (20) which fixes a conducting wire (2) exposed from a sheath (1) to the sheath (1) at one end portion of the cable (10). The conducting wire (2) is disposed between an inner surface (31) around the cable hole (30a) and the conducting wire fixing member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Ushiro, Naomi Uehara, Motoharu Okuno, Hiroyuki Mizusaki
  • Patent number: 9557021
    Abstract: A solid state, recessed light fixture for residential and commercial lighting applications. The fixture includes a truncated cone-shaped trim having a concave bottom surface and a convex top surface, wherein the trim has a sloped circumferential wall that leads to a flat, annular lip at its periphery. An LED array is mounted to the underside within the concave bottom surface and a LED driver is mounted to the top surface. A cover with an open bottom partially encloses the LED driver and a junction box with cable openings and knock out ports is stacked on top of the cover. The cover is a thermal insulator to contain heat from the LED driver inside while the trim acts as a thermal conductor and radiator for the LED driver. No “can” housing is needed to enclose the fixture, and no finned, heat sink is needed to dissipate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CORDELIA LIGHTING, INC.
    Inventors: James Madden, Seth Chang, Huan C. Nguyen, Joseph Jecen
  • Patent number: 9553415
    Abstract: A duplex fitting including a radius cast on transition for effectively stopping advancement of the armor layer of one or more inserted cables while at the same time enabling easy passage of the conductors to the outbound end. Two inbound bores transition to a single outlet bore within the fitting. The duplex fitting includes a one-piece connector body having a leading end with a nose portion and a trailing end with two bores therein. Tubular cable retainers secured within the inbound bores snap-in connection of electrical cables to the trailing end. A fastening arrangement on the nose portion of the duplex fitting enables snap fit connection to a knockout hole in a panel or an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9247662
    Abstract: A cable connector is provided for coupling to and mounted within the internal cavity of an electrical box for securing an electrical cable passing through an opening in the electrical box. The cable connector includes a body having a first end positioned next to or adjacent the cable opening in the electrical box and a second end spaced from the first end and the cable opening. At least one and typically two retaining members are spring biased from the first end of the body and extend into a cable passage of the body toward the second end. A front wall is provided at the second end of the body with an opening for receiving the wires and forming a stop member to prevent the armor sheathing from passing through the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Krzysztof W. Korcz, Steven J. Johnson, Richard J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8162693
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector body with a locking cam defined on an external surface. In a method of use the locking cam cooperates with a perimeter of a knock-out hole into which the connector is to be inserted. During insertion of the connector body the locking cam engages the knock-out hole and deforms a retainer ring so as to permit further insertion. Once the connector body is fully seated, the locking cam cooperates with a locking tang on the retainer ring to hold the connector assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert L. Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Publication number: 20120024596
    Abstract: A cable clamp for securing a wire or cable in an electrical outlet box having an interior, an exterior and one or more openings therebetween is provided. The cable clamp includes a body and one or more retaining devices that define one or more apertures. The body is adapted to mount in one of the one or more openings in the electrical outlet box and each of the one or more apertures is adapted to provide a passage for a wire or cable between the interior and exterior of the electrical outlet box. The one or more retaining devices are connected to the body and each of the one or more retaining devices is adapted to secure a wire or cable in one of the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mike DiLillo, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 7824213
    Abstract: A cable connector is provided for connecting a cable to an electrical box. The cable connector has a body with an axial passage for receiving the cable where the body has a first end and a second end. The first end of the body is connected to the electrical box by a coupling member. Two spaced apart spring arms extend from the second end of the body and are angled inwardly to engage the cable and couple the cable to the connector. In one embodiment, the spring arms extend from a top portion of the body inwardly toward the axial center of the body. The first end of the connector includes a coupling tab for coupling to the electrical box and attaching the connector to the electrical box. In one embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the front end of the body. In a second embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the forward end of the coupling spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Krzysztof W. Korcz, Mahran H. Ayrton
  • Publication number: 20100089640
    Abstract: A cable clamp for securing a wire or cable in an electrical outlet box having an interior, an exterior and one or more openings therebetween is provided. The cable clamp includes a body and one or more retaining devices that define one or more apertures. The body is adapted to mount in one of the one or more openings in the electrical outlet box and each of the one or more apertures is adapted to provide a passage for a wire or cable between the interior and exterior of the electrical outlet box. The one or more retaining devices are connected to the body and each of the one or more retaining devices is adapted to secure a wire or cable in one of the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mike DiLillo, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 7476817
    Abstract: A connector for affixing cables within an electrical box has a body with an insertion end and an opposing receiving end. The insertion end bears outwardly-sloping legs resembling leaf springs, with each leg bearing a channel, so that an electrical box wall may slide over the insertion end with the legs flexing inwardly until the electrical box wall snaps into the channels. The receiving end bears prongs which slope inwardly into an inner body passage, with the prongs also resembling leaf springs, so that the prongs flex outwardly as a cable is inserted into the passage, but at the same time they resiliently flex inwardly to grasp the cable. The body may be formed of a piece of sheet material cut to define a series of petal-like body sections surrounding the insertion end, with the body sections then being bent about the insertion end to define a generally cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Sami Shemtov
  • Patent number: 7442079
    Abstract: An electrical fitting with an improved arrangement on the trailing end for the quick connection of electrical cables. The fitting includes a connector body with a cavity in the trailing end and a cable retainer secured therein. The tubular cable retainer is constructed of spring steel and includes a flat portion and an arcuate portion. A single cable-retaining tang extends inwardly from the flat portion and includes notched edges at its juncture with the tubular body, thereby enhancing the resiliency of the tang. A wide cable-gripping surface on the cable-retaining tang enables secure gripping of an electrical cable as it is inserted within the trailing end of the fitting. End legs on the cable-retaining tang are at an angle with respect to the edge of the cable retainer thereby orienting the end legs with the grooves on an armored or similar electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7381088
    Abstract: An electrical fitting having an improved arrangement on the trailing end for securing electrical cables thereto. A connector body having a cavity in the trailing end includes a cable retainer secured therein. The cable retainer includes a substantially tubular body and is constructed of spring steel. The tubular body includes a flat portion and an arcuate portion. A single cable retaining tang extends inwardly from the flat portion. Providing the cable retaining tang on the flat portion of the tubular body enables a straight bend line between the cable retaining tang and the tubular body, thereby allowing the tang to flex easily. The cable retaining tang includes a wide cable gripping surface to enable secure gripping of an electrical cable as it is inserted within the trailing end of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz