Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110240363
    Abstract: A weatherproof electrical box may include a housing having a first enclosure volume and an opening to the first enclosure volume. A cover may be connected with the housing to cover the opening. A cable configuration element may extend from the cover and into the first enclosure volume. The cable configuration element may retain a cable connected with a device mounted in the housing in a downwardly extending surface configuration when the cover covers the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 8022315
    Abstract: An extension tube for an electrical floor box that includes a first section and a second section. Each section has a curved wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top portion, a bottom portion and first and second side edges. The bottom portion is offset radially outwardly from the top portion by a ledge and the side edges have connecting mechanisms which join the two sections together to form the extension tube. The extension tube includes a top portion and a belled bottom portion which are formed so that the top portion of one extension tube can be inserted into the bottom portion of another extension tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 8021007
    Abstract: A concealed emergency lighting system that includes a lamp assembly box and a power source box and a method for installing the emergency lighting system is disclosed. The lamp assembly box has a face plate and a front door pivotably moveable between an open and a closed position and a lamp assembly. The power source box includes a battery and other electrical components that are connected to the lamp assembly. The emergency lighting system can also include a mounting bracket with screws, a flexible support and a flexible armored cable. The method of installing the concealed emergency lighting system includes the steps of: forming an opening in a wall; attaching the mounting bracket to a stud through the opening; connecting the power source; inserting the power source box and the lamp assembly box through the opening; and securing the lamp assembly box to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Radu Cornel Rapeanu, Donald Ermekeil, Chantal Dorval
  • Publication number: 20110217876
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a yoke that includes an outer housing and a central conductor provided within the outer housing. The central conductor may include at least three outwardly extending portions. A first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion maybe operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively. A third outwardly extending portion may include a sacrificial appendage configured to be cut through to confirm that the electrical connector is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Patent number: 8001660
    Abstract: A device for gripping a cable is presented that has a retention member rotatably disposed within a cable guide such that upon entrance of the cable within an entrance port, the cable moves between the retention member and a wall, causing the retention member to simultaneously rotate and move toward the exit port and away from the wall until it abuts the exit wall and rotates in place as the cable is pushed out the exit port. When the cable is pulled toward the entrance port, the retention member simultaneously rotates and moves toward the entrance port and the wall, wedging the cable between the wall and the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc
    Inventors: Xueming Cai, Joey Magno
  • Patent number: 8003889
    Abstract: A conduit sleeve for a concrete pass through includes a tubular member having an inside diameter for receiving a cylindrical conduit at a forward end thereof. A flange is coupled to a rearward end of the tubular member. The flange is for coupling to a concrete form. A flexing structure is coupled to one or more of the tubular member and the flange for allowing the flange to be angled relative to the tubular member when the flange is installed on a concrete form. The tubular member is configured for receiving a conduit and the flexing structure allows the conduit to remain horizontal when there are variations in the angle of the form. Another conduit sleeve includes a coupling part, a flange, and a plurality of tabs that extend outwardly from the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory D. Turcovsky
  • Patent number: 7999419
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a “while-in-use” electrical device cover that shuts the power off to the device when the cover is open. The power is re-activated when the cover is closed using a cam device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Joey D. Magno, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110192941
    Abstract: A multi-purpose universal support is disclosed that can be configured to support multiple pipes, pipe junctions, vertical strut channels, horizontal strut channels, and thread rods. The disclosed support system allows for quicker installation, easy height adjustments, and a fewer supports than previously known supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Alain Michaud, Adrian Paunescu, Dominic England, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20110189887
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a first connector end, and a visible open port. A contact assembly may extend axially within the connector body from the conductor receiving end to the first connector end. A conductive insert may be inserted into the visible open port. At least a portion of the contact assembly is visible through the visible open port prior to insertion of the conductive insert or following removal of the conductive insert. The portion of the contact assembly visible through the visible open port includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion separated by a gap. A portion of the conductive insert is received in the gap between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to allow current to flow from the second contact portion to the first contact portion upon insertion of the conductive insert into the visible open port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, Kieran P. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7989711
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floor box for electrical connectors, having: a body defined by a base and a perimetrical side wall, the body configured for partially recessed mounting into a floor, the body having an upper opening and a portion of the perimetrical side wall that are raised above the floor; and a cover having a cover body and a cover lid, the cover configured to enclose the upper opening and the raised portion of the perimetrical side wall to define a cable well therein, the cover closing over the upper opening and the perimetrical side wall to provide a sloped gradient to a surface of the floor, wherein the body is adapted for accommodating electrical fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Publication number: 20110179606
    Abstract: A clamp includes a first member, a washer, a nut, a threaded bolt, a spring and a torsion spring. The first member may include side portions and have a first opening. The washer may include a second opening and at least one portion protruding in a downward direction from an upper surface of the washer. The nut may have an upper surface, a lower surface and a threaded opening. The threaded bolt may be disposed through the first opening, the second opening and the threaded opening. The spring may be located between a portion of the first member and the washer. The torsion spring may be located between the washer and the nut, where the torsion spring causes the nut to rotate when force is applied to an upper part of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, JR., Robert K. Jolly, Andrew C. Cole, Cong T. Dinh
  • Patent number: 7972155
    Abstract: A hotstick operable electrical connector for use in a power distribution system that includes a housing, a well and first and second frustoconical members extending from a surface of the housing. Each frustoconical member has a distal end and an axial bore that extends from the distal end into the housing. The well includes a wall, a base with an aperture and a tapered cavity that extends into the housing from the surface opposite the frustoconical members. The well is adapted to receive a male end of an insert device, such as a feed-thru insert or bushing insert. The aperture provides communication between the cavity and the axial bore of one of the frustoconical members. An electrical contact assembly extends through the aperture between the cavity and the axial bore. The integrally formed well provides a means for direct connection with an insert device without the use of an adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Siebens
  • Patent number: 7969155
    Abstract: A method for identifying a fault condition associated with a power line conductor of an electrical power distribution network. The method determines if a load current carried by the conductor is above a minimum load current, determines a learned phase angle relationship between the load current and a source signal, determines a load current magnitude, determines a real-time phase angle relationship between the load current and the source signal and indicates a fault condition when the real-time phase angle relationship is within a predetermined number of angular degrees of the learned phase angle relationship and when the load current magnitude exceeds a fault-indicating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehri Varghai, James Francis Domo
  • Patent number: 7954858
    Abstract: A conduit body assembly includes a conduit body having a layer of lubrication material thereon to aid in pulling wires therethrough. The conduit body includes an elongate side wall, an open upper end and a conduit body interior. At least one hub is in communication with said body interior for passage of wires therethrough. A layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction is adhered to at least on portion of the surface of the body interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Pyron
  • Publication number: 20110123284
    Abstract: An improved reamer tool is described that has lower torque requirements, despite having more blades. Because of the lower torque requirements, the reamer can be used with a handheld drill. The reamer uses fewer cutting edges and has blades that do not extend into the material of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Charles H. Riedy
  • Publication number: 20110120582
    Abstract: A conduit body may include a body portion including at least one side and a bottom to form a cavity. The side of the body portion may include an outer surface and a recessed surface forming a set of grooves between the outer surface and the recessed surface. The recessed surface may include an opening into the cavity to receive a cable. The conduit body may further include a hub portion that may include an annular tube forming an opening to receive the cable. The hub portion may include a plurality of edges. The body portion may be configured to receive the edges of the hub portion in the grooves such that movement of the hub portion in a linear direction may move the hub portion through the grooves to couple the hub portion to the body portion. When the hub portion is coupled to the body portion using the grooves, the conduit body may be configured to receive the cable through the annular tube of the hub portion and through the opening in the recessed surface into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Marc-Antoine Veillette
  • Publication number: 20110121153
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first structure and a clamp configured to clamp the first structure to a second structure. The clamp may include a top portion configured to extend through the slot, where the top portion includes a head, a neck portion coupled to the head and a cylindrical body coupled to the neck portion. The clamp may also include a rotatable nut located adjacent the slot, where the rotatable nut has an opening to receive the cylindrical body. The clamp may further include a spring nut configured to receive a portion of the cylindrical body. The rotatable nut is configured to be turned such that when the head of the clamp is aligned with the slot in the first structure, the top portion of the clamp is configured to lower into the opening and clamp the first structure to a second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 7946540
    Abstract: A coupling bracket having a back wall, first and second side walls extending from the back wall to a pair of edges, an open side opposite the back wall, a pair of opposing open ends and a passage extending between the opposing open ends. Each side wall has an open slot extending from the edge to a closed end or base. The bases of the open slots are correspondingly located and aligned and adapted to receive a rod extending through and substantially perpendicular to the side walls. The passage is adapted to receive an elongate rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Robert K. Jolly, Omid Karimnia
  • Publication number: 20110117777
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector may include a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable, a nut rotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body, and an annular post disposed within the connector body, the annular post including an inner chamber extending axially therethrough and a first barb and a second barb. The cable connector may also include a locking sleeve including a chamber extending therethrough, a first end coupled to the connector body, a second end for receiving the cable, and at least one tooth. The locking sleeve may be configured so that when the locking sleeve is moved axially into the connector body, the at least one tooth is configured to compress the cable between the first barb and the second barb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Thomas, Michael Dean, Timothy Noel Tremba
  • Patent number: D639493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Adam Goldy