Patents Assigned to Arlington Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8212144
    Abstract: A gangable modular electrical box including separate modules that can be combined in various configurations to provide a desired amount of electrical enclosures on a wall. The modules include an end module and an optional inner module that are each molded in one piece of plastic. A rapid alignment and connection arrangement is included on the various modules to facilitate easy assembly of the modules at the job site without the use of sophisticated tools. The modules can be combined to form a two-gang, three-gang, or larger ganged box as desired. In the simplest configuration, two end modules can be combined to create a two-gang electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8158882
    Abstract: A system for the adjustable suspension of electrical outlet, junction boxes or the like including in combination an elongated wire for attachment to an existing fixed overhead member, a wire gripper including a passageway therethrough, and a knockout engagement device that engages an opening in an electrical junction or outlet box and further includes an engagement mechanism for engaging the elongated wire as it passes from a fixed overhead member through the passageway to the engagement member and returns thereto through the passageway where it is secured by an appropriate screw, bolt or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8148634
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for mounting a security camera or electrical fixture on a wall or ceiling. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box and a trim piece. A plurality of rotatable flags, adjustable from the front of the electrical box assembly, are tightened to secure the assembly to the wallboard in a ceiling or wall. Wall preparation for installation of the electrical box assembly requires only a round hole in the wallboard, which can be easily provided by a hole-saw. The flags can be rotated inward to enable easy insertion of the electrical box within the hole in the wallboard. The electrical box assembly includes a mounting bar and adapter plate that adapt the assembly for mounting a wide variety of security cameras and electrical fixtures. The electrical box assembly conforms to the electrical code in those areas that require a metallic box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8148635
    Abstract: A camera mounting assembly including a mounting bar and an adapter plate for mounting a security camera or an electrical fixture to an electrical box installed in a wall or ceiling. An elongated base portion on the mounting bar is adapted to mount to the face of a conventional electrical box and extend beyond the walls of the box. A pair of prongs extends from the base portion of the mounting bar and at least one aperture is provided on the end of the bar. The adapter plate includes an opening with an inner periphery and an inclined surface adapted for twist locking engagement with the prongs of the mounting bar. The camera mounting assembly enables the mounting of a wide range of conventional security camera housings or electrical fixtures to a conventional electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8124891
    Abstract: A duplex electrical fitting including a one-piece connector body that is die-cast of metal. The duplex fitting includes a pair of inbound bores on the inbound end and a single outbound bore on the outbound end. Two cable engaging clips are secured to the connector body, one adjacent each of the inbound bores, for engaging and securing an electrical cable in each of the inbound bores. An end stop with a pair of round openings therein stops the forward travel of the cables just before the outbound bore. The outbound end of the connector body includes a cylindrical nose portion and a split cylindrical snap ring for providing positive engagement of the outbound end of the duplex fitting to an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8124873
    Abstract: A cable routing assembly for providing a portal for routing low voltage cables through a wall. The cable routing assembly includes a protective cable frame, a low voltage mounting bracket, and a cover plate. The low voltage mounting bracket includes two adjustable flags for attachment to a wall. The protective cable frame includes two arms with apertures therein to enable mounting directly to the low voltage mounting bracket. Bores in the arms of the protective cable frame enable receipt of fasteners for mounting the cover plate thereto. An opening in the protective cable frame is capable of receiving low voltage cables for routing through the wall and into an adjacent room. The surface of the cable frame opening includes a rounded surface to provide a gentle bend radius to any cables routed through the cable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8091721
    Abstract: A reconfigurable electrical box hanger assembly for mounting a lighting or fan fixture to the grid supporting structure of a drop ceiling. The hanger assembly includes a one-piece elongated bar, two end pieces with widely spaced support legs, a turnbuckle, and a center bracket supporting an electrical box. The turnbuckle and end pieces are rotatable with respect to the elongated bar, thereby enabling two configurations of the hanger assembly including a compact profile for storage and shipping and an expanded profile for installation on a suspended ceiling. A locking arrangement includes bendable tabs which lock the end pieces with respect to the elongated bar thereby placing the hanger assembly into the expanded profile for installation on a suspended ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8087631
    Abstract: A load bearing assembly for supporting a lighting or fan fixture on a drop ceiling having a grid supporting structure. The assembly includes a single center bar, two end brackets with widely spaced support legs, and an electrical box. The support legs include removable portions that allow rapid modification to accommodate ceiling tiles of uniform thickness or ceiling tiles having a stepped edge. By adjusting the length of the legs, the lower surface of the tiles is leveled with the lower edge of the electrical box for either tiles of uniform thickness or those having stepped edges. A fastening arrangement enables adjustment of the end brackets with respect to the center bar, thereby allowing rapid fitting to adjacent T-rails. A locking arrangement enables easy adjustment of the location of the electrical box along the length of the center bar, thereby allowing the assembly to be rapidly fitted to a desired location on a drop ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8076573
    Abstract: A system for the adjustable suspension of electrical outlet, junction boxes or the like including in combination an elongated wire for attachment to an existing fixed overhead member, a wire gripper including a passageway therethrough, and a knockout engagement device that engages an opening in an electrical junction or outlet box and further includes an engagement mechanism for engaging the elongated wire as it passes from a fixed overhead member through the passageway to the engagement member and returns thereto through the passageway where it is secured by an appropriate screw, bolt or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8076578
    Abstract: An adjustable outlet box assembly for mounting a receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The adjustable box includes an outlet box and a bracket that slides with respect to the box. An adjustment screw, accessible from the front of the assembly, can be rotated to move the box with respect to a stud to which the outlet box is secured thereby allowing adjustment of the outlet box face so that it is flush with the wall surface. The bracket provides a front plate for securing to the front of a stud and a side plate having ears for securing to the side of a stud. The adjustment screw engages straps that are bent outwards from the side plate to enable the bracket to slide with respect to the outlet box as well as a rearwardly located integral flange to which the adjustment screw is introduced upon tightening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8076575
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for mounting a security camera or an electrical fixture on a wall or ceiling. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box with a sidewall and back wall defining an enclosure therein. A flange extends laterally from the rim of the sidewall. A plurality of rotatable flags, adjustable from the front of the electrical box assembly, are tightened to secure the assembly to the wallboard in a ceiling or wall. Wall preparation for installation of the electrical box assembly requires only a round hole in the wallboard, which can be easily provided by a hole-saw. Recessed areas in the sidewalls of the electrical box enable retracting of the flags to enable easy insertion of the sidewalls within the hole in the wallboard. An adapter plate enables the mounting of a security camera to the electrical box assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8067703
    Abstract: A protective cable frame for providing a portal for routing low voltage cables through a wall. The protective cable frame includes a substantially rectangular frame portion with an inner periphery having a rounded surface, two ends, and arms extending from each end. The arms include an outer bore and an inner slot therein. The inner slots enable insertion of fasteners for direct mounting of the cable frame to a low voltage bracket or an electrical box and permit squaring of the cable frame with respect to the wall. The outer bores in the arms of the protective cable frame enable receipt of fasteners for mounting a cover plate thereto. The protective cable frame is capable of receiving low voltage cables for routing them through a wall to an adjacent room. The rounded surface on the inner periphery provides a gentle bend radius to cables routed there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8063302
    Abstract: An electrical mounting device for securing an electrical component or fixture on a wall. The mounting device includes a front plate with an opening therein and a rearward extending portion surrounding the opening. The rearward extending portion may be in the form of a peripheral wall with an open back or a peripheral wall with a rear wall defining an enclosure therein. Bosses with oversize apertures are provided in the plate for accommodating mounting fasteners. Clamp arms are secured rigidly to the ends of the mounting fasteners. The peripheral wall is dimensioned slightly less than the diameter of a standard size hole-saw. The clamp arms can be adjusted to a retracted position for insertion on a wall or to an extended position for securing the electrical mounting device to a wall. The electrical mounting device significantly reduces the time required for mounting an electrical component on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 8044300
    Abstract: A two-gang low voltage bracket that enables rapid mounting of one or two low voltage electrical components to a wall. The two-gang bracket includes a front plate with an opening therein and a circular peripheral wall surrounding the opening and extending from the rear surface of the plate. Mounting fasteners extend through oversize holes in the plate and include clamp arms rigidly secured to their ends. The circular peripheral wall is of a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of a standard size hole-saw. The clamp arms can be rotated to either a retracted or extended position. The peripheral wall is provided with open areas or recesses to fully accommodate the clamp arms when retracted thereby enabling the peripheral wall and clamp arms to pass easily within the wall opening created by the standard size hole-saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7954538
    Abstract: A coring system for producing a flash-free one-piece die-cast body for an electrical connector. The electrical connector of produced by the coring system of the present invention may be used for securing two electrical cables to an electrical panel or electrical box through a single knockout hole. The coring system includes a first core, a second core, and a connecting arrangement for connecting the first and second cores in such a manner that there are no gaps between the joined portions of the two cores. When the cores of the coring system are joined together by the connecting arrangement and placed in a mold, molten metal may be introduced to the mold at the joined area of the two core pieces to form a one-piece flash-free connector body according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7942679
    Abstract: A grounding terminal block assembly that includes a conduit adapter, a grounding bar, and a detachable cover. The conduit adapter enables attachment to a wall and to electrical conduit for grounding the assembly. The conduit adapter includes one or more conduit receiving ports for attachment of electrical conduit. The grounding terminal block includes a plurality of grounding terminals for establishing connection points for grounding multiple electrical systems, including phone, data, and cable TV systems. A channel on one end of the grounding bar includes a channel and fastener for establishing a secure connection to a ground wire. Legs are provided on the grounding bar for providing direct connection to the conduit adapter. The detachable insulating cover is secured to the grounding bar to shield the grounding body and all wiring connections to the grounding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7897870
    Abstract: A cable routing assembly for rapidly providing a portal for routing cables through a wall. The assembly includes a low voltage bracket and a scoop member. Rotatable flags are provided on the low voltage bracket to enable rapid mounting to the wall. The scoop member includes a cover plate and a shield with a cable opening therein projecting from one side of the cover plate. A fastening arrangement is provided to enable rapid securing of the scoop to the low voltage bracket and the wall. The assembly provides several mounting options for providing an attractive cable portal in a wall. The cover plate can be mounted to the low voltage bracket with the shield projecting outward from the wall or inward through the low voltage bracket and can be rotated to position the cable opening upward or downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7882886
    Abstract: A coring system for producing a flash-free one-piece die-cast body for an electrical connector. The electrical connector of produced by the coring system of the present invention may be used for securing two electrical cables to an electrical panel or electrical box through a single knockout hole. The coring system includes a first core, a second core, and a connecting arrangement for connecting the first and second cores in such a manner that there are no gaps between the joined portions of the two cores. When the cores of the coring system are joined together by the connecting arrangement and placed in a mold, molten metal may be introduced to the mold at the joined area of the two core pieces to form a one-piece flash-free connector body according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7854627
    Abstract: An electrical fitting for rapid connection of an electrical cable to a panel or a junction box. The electrical fitting includes 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. A substantial portion of the single tang is split by a notch thereby creating two fingers on the tang. The two-fingered tang enables the fitting to accommodate a wide range of electrical cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: D659644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz