Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts Corporation
  • Patent number: 5594209
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 5593318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Edward B. Bilson, Mark T. Wedell, Thomas A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5594207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Fabian, Serge Michaud
  • Patent number: 5589666
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: David J. DeCarlo, Thomas L. Mineur, Ronald S. Stanwick
  • Patent number: 5569041
    Abstract: A connector is provided that can be coupled with a low inserting force and that will not terminate coupling operation while it is in an incomplete coupling state. The connector comprises a pair of housings coupled to each other, a pivotal piece pivotally provide on one of the two housings, a spring interposed between one housing and the pivotal piece, and a latch means for locking the two housings that are coupled to each other. When the two housings are coupled, and after the two housings reach a predetermined intermediate coupling state, the pivotal piece is pivoted by the spring, thereby completing coupling of the two housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Sonobe, Masahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5567185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin G. Henderson, Timothy A. Jones, Jeffrey C. Howland, Robert W. Brush, Jr., Phil B. Parker
  • Patent number: 5564949
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne T. Wellinsky
  • Patent number: 5564940
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Julio F. Rodriques, Paul J. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5559307
    Abstract: A twist-on electrical connector connects plural insulated electrical conductors. The connector may be manually twisted onto the conductors by an installer. The connector includes an outer insulative shell and an expandable spring held within the shell. The shell includes a pair of generally diametrically opposed wings which may be gripped by the installer to facilitate twisting of the connector onto the wires. The wings conform to the fingers of the installer to permit the easy gripping and twisting of the connector onto the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Whitehead, Francis X. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5557069
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Whitehead, Francis X. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5556272
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Blasko, Richard A. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5554055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5548489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Reed, Robert L. Wallgren, Scott T. Davies, George R. Wojtan, Paul Gazzara
  • Patent number: 5538440
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Paul J. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5535109
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde R. Moore, William A. Fredrick, J. D. McIngvale, Mark T. Wedell
  • Patent number: 5535111
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Mark T. Wedell
  • Patent number: 5531606
    Abstract: An electrical connector component assembly terminates discrete conductors of a multiconductor data cable. The component assembly includes an insulative component housing (122, 124) having a mating end for engagement with a mating electrical connection device and a cable receiving end for terminating the multiconductor cable. A plurality of electrical contacts (126, 128) are supported by the component housing. Each of the contacts has a conductor terminating end and a mating connection end. The contacts are supported in the component housing in a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced rows with each contact of one row being aligned with a respective contact of the other row. The contacts of one row are directly electrically shunted (126g) to the aligned contacts of the other row. Electrical shielding (138, 139) is disposed around the contacts and includes a shield extension (168) extending between at least two of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Paul Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5531611
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Reed, Scott T. Davies, Robert L. Wallgren, George R. Wojtan
  • Patent number: 5517728
    Abstract: A cable tie comprises a head and a strap of plastic material. The head has a transverse aperture formed therethrough and contains a separately formed barb. The barb has a head engaging portion and a strap engaging portion extending at least partly across the head aperture. The barb includes a flexure region comprising a pair of opposed cut-out portions each located in a edge of the barb to provide a section of reduced width between the cut-out portions. Each cut-out portion provides a shoulder at the side thereof such that after insertion of the barb into the head the plastic material of the head flows over the shoulders of the cut-out portions to anchor the barb in the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Derek Woods
  • Patent number: 5514007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Julio F. Rodrigues