Patents Assigned to Thoma & Betts International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9018524
    Abstract: An electrical box includes one or more sides joined to form a front opening to receive an electrical device. The electrical box also includes a flange extending laterally from the one or more sides. The flange includes a blade edge configured to have an initial engagement with a surface of a wallboard when the electrical box is installed in an opening of the wallboard. When the electrical box is installed in the opening of the wallboard, the blade edge forms a vapor-tight barrier between the electrical box and the surface of the wallboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 9015906
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band of one material and a pawl of a different material. The pawl has a stem region and a securing region, wherein the securing region includes at least one barb and a stabilizing surface opposite the at least one barb. The band includes a head section and a tail section that may be inserted through the head section to secure a load. The head section includes a base section into which at least a portion of the stem region of the pawl is inserted, and an insertion channel to receive the tail section, wherein at least a portion of the pawl extends into the insertion channel. When a load is exerted to remove the tail section from the insertion channel, the barb engages the tail section and the stabilizing surface contacts a wall of the insertion channel to prevent bending of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul John Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 9008992
    Abstract: A method includes outputting a test initiation command over a power supply cable to a first load device, receiving, at the first load device, the test initiation command and testing the first load device. The method also includes generating first test data for the first load device, inserting the first test data into a data packet and forwarding the data packet to another load device. The method further includes repeating the inserting and forwarding for each of the load devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund Siegfried Nabrotzky
  • Patent number: 8998154
    Abstract: A field installable support bracket assembly for an electrical box, wherein the electrical box is to be secured to a side surface of a first structural stud. The field installable support bracket assembly includes a stud bracket and an adjustable back bracket. The stud bracket includes a stud bracket member configured to be secured to a front surface of a second structural stud, and a stud bracket guiding rib. The adjustable back bracket includes a mounting panel configured to be secured to a back of the electrical box, and a back bracket guiding rib. The back bracket guiding rib and the stud bracket are configured to join the stud bracket to the adjustable back bracket. The field installable support bracket assembly is configured to provide support for the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ioan-Liviu Lupsa, Michele Di Lillo, Daniel Lalancette, Brian MacDonald, Marc-Antoine Veillette
  • Patent number: 8993891
    Abstract: A grommet assembly includes a liner, a grommet body, and a lid. The liner is configured to be secured within a hole in a deck surface. The grommet body is configured to move longitudinally within the liner between an extended position and a withdrawn position. The lid is attached to the grommet body in a pivoting configuration and is configured to secure a plug of an outdoor electrical cord fed through the liner from under the deck surface. The lid pivots between a closed position and an open position that permits access to the plug from above the deck surface when the grommet body is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Bobby N. Norwood
  • Patent number: 8986034
    Abstract: A connector includes a first member having a first bore, a second member having a second bore configured to align with the first bore, and a fastener for securing the first member to the second member through the first and second bores. The connector includes a tubular extension affixed to the first member and configured to encircle at least a portion of the first member and the second member. The tubular extension includes an access hole to permit insertion of the fastener through the first and second bores and an exit hole to permit extension of the fastener through the first bore or the second bore. The connector further includes a receptacle configured to slide over the tubular extension to form a weather-resistant barrier for the connector. The tubular extension is configured to support the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Patent number: 8979557
    Abstract: A fitting for terminating a conduit includes a substantially tubular fitting body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a rearward end opposing the forward end. The fitting body includes a first liquid-proof coating that includes a rearward sealing rim. A gland nut is rotatably coupled to the rearward end of the fitting body. The gland nut includes a second liquid-proof coating that includes a forward sealing rim. A grounding ring is positioned between the gland nut and the fitting body and contacts the fitting body. Upon axial movement of the gland nut, the grounding ring engages the rearward sealing rim of the first liquid-proof coating on the fitting body and the forward sealing rim of the second liquid-proof coating on the gland nut to form a sealed relationship therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 8975519
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly includes an electrical box and a primary bracket. The primary bracket includes a first end panel for securing to a first surface of a stud; a second end panel for securing to a second surface of the stud and in a substantially parallel orientation to the first end panel; and mounting panel, joined to a first surface of the electrical box and located between the first end panel and the second end panel, the mounting panel having a length corresponding to a first stud depth. The primary bracket also includes an adaptation panel, between the mounting panel and the rear panel, having a length corresponding to a difference between the first stud depth and a second larger stud depth. The adaptation panel is selectively manipulated to position the front panel and the rear panel to accommodate either the first stud depth or the second stud depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Marc-Antoine Veillette, Yves Boucher
  • Patent number: 8973519
    Abstract: A status indicator includes a display disc with a pin located within a central portion if the display disc, a first colored section, and a second colored section. The status indicator also includes a lens unit with an opaque section and a non-opaque section to alternately reveal the first colored section or the second colored section such that either the first or the second colored section is visible from any angle within a hemisphere below the status indicator. The status indicator also includes an indicator cam configured to receive a linear force initiated by an actuator component and to translate the linear force to a rotational force on the pin. The rotational force causes the display disc to rotate from a first position to a second position that aligns the second colored section with the non-opaque section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bindics, William Ayala, III, Geoffrey Reed
  • Patent number: 8952274
    Abstract: A sleeve is provided for protecting wire or cable which is run through an aperture in a stud. The sleeve includes a slit which runs longitudinally along the length of the sleeve for receiving a wire or cable and an opening at each end to allow for entrance and exit of the wire or cable. Extended portions of the sleeve on each end further protect the enclosed wire or cable. A weakened bend line which runs longitudinally along the length of the sleeve and opposite the slit in the sleeve allows the sleeve to be easily bent by hand compression along the bend line so that the sleeve can be easily installed around the wire or cable without the use of any hand tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
  • Patent number: 8944388
    Abstract: A clamp comprises a fastener, a clamp body, and a clamp leg. The clamp body comprises a housing including a cavity and a housing cavity; and a curved arm extending from the housing. The clamp leg comprises a leg body including a leg cavity, and a foot member. The clamp body and the clamp leg are attachable to and detachable from each other, and a portion of the leg body can be inserted into or removed from the housing cavity, and when the portion of the leg body is inserted into the housing cavity, the cavity and the leg cavity form a passageway for the fastener so that threads of the fastener are not externally exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joey D. Magno, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150027986
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a tubular housing having a conductor receiving end and an operating end opposite the conductor receiving end. The tubular housing also includes a conductive interface positioned intermediate the conductor receiving end and the operating end. An operating rod extends through the operating end toward the conductor receiving end. The operating rod is moveable between a first position to engage the electrical switch and a second position to disengage the electrical switch. A gelatinous dielectric material is provided within a portion of the tubular housing, and around the operating rod, in the operating end to prevent voltage from the conductive interface from arcing to the operating end. The gelatinous dielectric material is configured to deform to maintain contact with the operating rod in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Patent number: 8932088
    Abstract: A conductive member for mounting a meter socket line connector includes an aperture configured to receive a fastener for the line connector and a protrusion in a different plane than that of the aperture. The protrusion includes a first notch configured to receive a first-size line connector that is secured to the conductive member by the fastener through the aperture and a second notch configured to receive a second-size line connector that is secured to the conductive member by the fastener through the aperture. The protrusion is configured to receive a corner of either the first-size line connector or the second-size line connector without changes to the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher
  • Patent number: 8932087
    Abstract: A stirrup connector includes a cable connecting device, a clamp, and a control section. The cable connecting device is configured to secure a tap line to the stirrup connector. The clamp secures the stirrup connector to a stirrup. The clamp includes a set of jaws forming an opening that is smaller than a diameter of the stirrup and is configured to snap onto the stirrup when the set of jaws is forced against the stirrup at the opening. The control section is configured to be releasably engaged with a hot stick and to translate a connecting force from the hotstick to the clamp to secure the clamp to the stirrup. The stirrup connector provides an electrical connection between the stirrup and the tap line when the clamp is secured to the stirrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
  • Patent number: 8929042
    Abstract: A surge protective device is disclosed that may include a comparator to determine when a line voltage of a line is above a threshold. The device may include a switch to couple a clamping device to the line voltage when the comparator determines the line voltage is above a threshold, wherein the clamping device shunts current from the line. The switch may include a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) or a thyristor and the clamping device may include a selenium surge suppression device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Erik Pfitzer, Martin William Guy
  • Patent number: 8921695
    Abstract: An electrical floor box cover includes a frame having a lower surface disposable on a flooring surface and a beveled upper surface. The frame defines an access opening to permit access to an electrical box. A lid is securable to the frame and movable between a fully open position in which the access opening is substantially uncovered and a closed position. A lid lifting device is disposed between the lid and the frame, the lid lifting device urging the lid away from the closed position. A latch is disposed on the frame and includes an actuating member movable by a user between a latched and unlatched position without the use of a tool. When the actuating member is moved to the unlatched position, the lid lifting device lifts at least a portion of the lid above the frame to an initial open position wherein the lid substantially covers the access opening. Movement of the lid by the user from the initial open position to the fully open position is unassisted by the lid lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 8910980
    Abstract: A liquid-tight fitting comprising a ground element including a ferrule and a tube that extends from the ferrule to receive a conduit, wherein the tube includes one or more protruding elements that each protrudes from the tube and provides grounding to the conduit, and wherein the ferrule includes a lip portion; a threading element including a first shaft having a circumference sufficient to receive the ferrule portion, wherein the first shaft includes threads; a sealing ring including an opening defined by a tapered portion to seat against the lip portion; and a nut including threads to be received by the first shaft, wherein as the nut is threaded with the first shaft, the sealing ring is compressed onto an outer surface of the wall of the conduit based on a pulling of the nut against the sealing ring toward the lip portion of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Neal, Cong Thanh Dinh, Mark Drane, Bobby Norwood
  • Patent number: 8899432
    Abstract: A while-in-use electrical box cover includes a base and a hood. The base has a box-like structure and an open front face and includes a base hinge mount. The hood has a front wall for covering the open front face of the base and includes a hood hinge mount. A hinge pin joins the base hinge mount and the hood hinge mount in a pivoting configuration. An accepting member including a first contact surface extends from the base hinge mount. A load dispersing member included on the hood has a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface when the hood pivots to a fully open position. Engagement of the first contact surface and the second contact surface creates a stress in the hood, and the load dispersing member disperses the stress away from the hood hinge mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Publication number: 20140346289
    Abstract: A cable tray structure includes a first section that includes a first number of sidewall members connected to each other, a second section that includes a second number of sidewall members connected to each other and one or more members coupled to the first section and the second section to provide support for cables or conduits. The first section is configured to connect with a first side rail of a third cable tray section that is to be installed in a first position, and connect with a first side rail of a fourth cable tray section that is to be installed in a second position that is angularly offset with respect to the first position. The second section is configured to connect with a second side rail of the third cable tray section, and connect with a second side rail of the fourth cable tray section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Cardin, Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher
  • Publication number: 20140346023
    Abstract: A grounding device for switchgear includes a connector and a body. The body includes (1) a male interface portion including an electrically conductive bus with a first bore and a spade connector; (2) a conductive housing including a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, and a grounding terminal to receive a grounding wire; (3) a pin assembly including a non-conductive tip, and a conductive pin, wherein the pin assembly is configured to move axially within the first and second bores between a closed position that provides an electrical connection between the bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection; (4) a communications receptacle to receive signals from a controller outside the device body; and (5) a motor configured to selectively drive the pin assembly between the open position and the closed position, based on a signal from the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens