Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
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Patent number: 9425596Abstract: An improved wire connector is provided that allows for securing one, two, or more cables in an electrical box knockout hole. The wire connector body interior includes a central tab with a hinge for exerting pressure against at least a first/tab cable. The central tab also has a gripping portion for gripping the tab cable without cutting its sheathing. In preferred embodiments, the central tab further includes a multifunction tab member, such as a multifunction knob or multifunction bumpers, which provides inter alia a secondary spring function for applying added pressure on an inserted tab cable, especially when a second/wall cable is inserted. The wire connector body contains ribs on the inner wall facing the central tab gripping portion for gripping a wall cable without cutting its insulation. The wire connector body also contains a longitudinal slot for easy installation or removal from an electrical box.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Inc.Inventors: Alain Laverdiere, Yves Boucher
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Patent number: 9413519Abstract: A gateway may be configured to synchronize transmissions of a plurality of faulted circuit indicators (FCIs). The gateway may determine a time delay from a zero crossing of a power line signal and obtain network information from the at least one FCI from the plurality of FCIs. The gateway may identify a proximate FCI that is closest to a gateway based on at least one link parameter, and assign the determined time delay to the proximate FCI. The gateway may receive confirmations that at least one FCI received the determined time delay, and has synchronized transmissions based on the determined time delay and the zero crossings of the power signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Bahman Khoshnood, William J. Dodds, Camilo Delgado, Eugene Bright, David Ocasio
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Patent number: 9362727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Cardin, Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher
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Patent number: 9335348Abstract: A high voltage sensing unit includes a housing having an internal bore. A resistive voltage divider, including a primary resistor and a secondary resistor configured in series, is included within the housing. A connecting assembly is configured to attach the high voltage sensing unit to a terminal of a high voltage switching device. The connecting assembly provides an electrical connection from the high voltage switching device to the primary resistor and physically supports the high voltage sensing unit. An interface cable provides an electrical connection from the secondary resistor to a receptacle on the high voltage switching device, which can receive a voltage signal and pass the voltage signal to a controller using existing control wiring.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fong, Daniel L. Gardner, William Ayala, III
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Patent number: 9325104Abstract: A connector device includes a device body and a pin assembly. The connector device includes a bushing portion with a conductive bus having a first bore, a conductive housing with a second bore that is axially aligned with the first bore, an internal chamber separating the first bore and the second bore, and a gelatinous silicone material enclosed within the internal chamber. The pin assembly includes a non-conductive tip and a conductive pin secured to the non-conductive tip. 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 conductive bus and the conductive housing and an open position that provides no electrical connection between the conductive bus and the conductive housing. The gelatinous silicone material inhibits voltage arcing across a surface of the non-conductive tip when the pin assembly is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, William K. Longcor, IV
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Patent number: 9263859Abstract: A new connector for attaching conductor wires to a metersocket is disclosed. The design of the connector allows the wires to be laid in along the side of the connector and requires little bending and slack in the wire. Once seated in place, the connector can be secured using a set screw that keeps the conductor wire in place.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Daniel Cardin, Daniel Lalancette
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Patent number: 9254949Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band. The housing comprises a first mass near the first opening and one side of the housing, a stop mass near a second side of the housing, and a second mass between the first mass and the stop mass. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the second mass prevents the first mass from moving a first distance occupied by the second mass, toward the stop mass. When the first end in the housing is being pulled out of the housing, the first mass locks the first end in the housing and prevents the first end from slipping over a second distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Andrew C. Cole, Mark R. Drane
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Patent number: 9194409Abstract: A disconnect assembly includes a head coupler portion and a tool coupler portion. The head coupler portion includes: a threaded portion on a first part of an exterior surface to connect to a wedge frame, a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a set of annular protrusions on a second part of the exterior surface. The tool coupler portion includes: a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach the tool coupler portion to the tool, and a channel to receive a head coupler portion. The channel includes a set of grooves corresponding to the set of annular protrusions on the head coupler portion. When the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, a ram from the hydraulic tool engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Vallette, James L. Zahnen, Matthew D. Cawood
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Patent number: 9190231Abstract: A housing for a high voltage electrical switch includes a tubular body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion and removable shed sleeves. A first shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the top portion, such that an interior surface of the first shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the top portion and the interior surface of the first shed sleeve. A second shed sleeve is removably attached to an outside surface of the bottom portion, such that an interior surface of the second shed sleeve forms a dielectric interface between the outside surface of the bottom portion and the interior surface of the second shed sleeve. The first and second shed sleeves are stretched over their respective portions of the tubular body and secured via an interference fit.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran Higgins
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Patent number: 9160153Abstract: An electrical box includes a back wall and a front wall, configured to be essentially parallel to a mounting surface when the base is installed to the mounting surface, and a pair of interchangeable top and bottom walls. Each interchangeable top and bottom wall is connected to the back wall and the front wall. The electrical box includes a side wall connected to each of the other walls and an open end opposite the side wall that is configured to receive an electrical device therein. A standoff extends laterally from the back wall. The standoff is configured to provide a mounting structure and to position the electrical box away from the mounting surface. The electrical box is configured to receive a top-mounted hood to cover the open end when the base is installed with the open end positioned to face either of the right side or the left side.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Mark R. Drane, Robert Kevin Jolly
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Patent number: 9103365Abstract: A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Whipple, Roger Pyron
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Patent number: 9099845Abstract: A meter socket for a meter box includes a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter, a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter, and an activator for the bypass conductor member. The activator is configured to be activated by a user through a closed meter box to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher, Marie-Eve Bernard, Michele Di Lillo
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Patent number: 9080695Abstract: An assembly comprising a strut comprising mounting holes to affix one or more attachments and one or more fixtures to the strut, and support holes shaped to receive and couple beaded rods with the strut for suspension of the strut, wherein the strut is coupled to the beaded rods without a threaded coupling.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Joey D. Magno, Jr.
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Patent number: 9061807Abstract: A cable tie comprising a cable tie head that comprises a head portion. The cable tie also comprises a cable tie body. The cable tie body comprises a main body that includes a body passageway; and a strap, wherein the cable tie head is attachable to and detachable from the cable tie body, and wherein the body passageway is formed to receive the legs for coupling the cable tie head with the cable tie body. The cable tie head is made from a different material than the cable head body.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
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Patent number: 9054510Abstract: A system may include a load-side conduit including a plurality of punch-outs for passing utility wires to a building. The system may also include a utility box having an opening to receive the load-side conduit. The utility box receives utility wires from a utility-side conduit. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit may include a plurality of mounting flanges for suspending the load-side conduit from the utility box. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a mounting strap, attached to the load-side conduit, for mounting the load-side conduit onto a building. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a body and a cover. The body may include locking flanges and the cover may include hooks to engage the locking flanges to secure the cover to the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Cardin, Marie-Ève Bernard, Benoît Orban, Patrick Mainville, Daniel Lalancette
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Patent number: 9051950Abstract: A clamp includes a top portion having a mounting hole configured to receive a mounting bolt. The top portion also includes a clamping surface configured to contact a first structure to be clamped to a framing member. The clamping surface includes a number of teeth, wherein at least some of the teeth have different angular profiles.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Andy A. Jaffari
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Patent number: 9048646Abstract: An electrical box extender includes a rectangular tube having a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides. The first pair of opposing sides and the second pair of opposing sides form a perimeter configured to fit within a single-gang electrical box. The electrical box extender also includes a set of flanges extending laterally from a front edge of the first pair of opposing sides. The set of flanges includes a male interlocking flange and a female interlocking flange. The male interlocking flange is configured to attach to another female interlocking flange of a substantially identical electrical box extender.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: David Maccarone
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Patent number: 9029716Abstract: A knockout structure for a wall of an electrical box includes a cutout that penetrates through the thickness of the wall to form a knockout on an interior of the cutout along a substantial perimeter of the knockout. The knockout structure also includes a first bridge section interrupting continuity of the cutout and maintaining a connection between the wall and the knockout. The knockout structure further includes a second bridge section interrupting continuity of the cutout and maintaining a connection between the wall and the knockout, the second bridge section being different than the first bridge section and on a same half of the perimeter of the knockout.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Ioan-Liviu Lupsa, Andre Goyette, Daniel Lalancette, Marc-Antoine Veillette
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Patent number: D736663Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Cardin, Marie-Ève Bernard, Benoît Orban, Patrick Mainville, Daniel Lalancette
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Patent number: D761678Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Cardin, Marie-Ève Bernard, Benoît Orban, Patrick Mainville, Daniel Lalancette