Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110117774
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to a mating connector includes a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable. A nut is rotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body. An annular post is disposed within the connector body, the annular post having a forward flanged base portion located adjacent a rearward portion of the nut. An annular notch is formed in the forward flanged base portion. A biasing element is retained in the annular notch, and the biasing element extends towards a forward end of the nut in an uncompressed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Allen L. Malloy, Charles Thomas, Mike Dean, Bruce Hauver, SR.
  • Patent number: 7935412
    Abstract: A buoyant cable tie formed from a composition that includes a plastic material and metal particles. The average density of the composition is less than 1.25 g/cm3, preferably less than 1.15 g/cm3, and the cable tie floats. In one embodiment, the plastic material has a first melting point and the plastic carrier material has a second melting point. The first melting point is lower than the second melting point so that the plastic material can be melted without melting the plastic carrier material. The cable tie floats and the metal particles allow the cable ties to be easily detected by metal detection devices. Some embodiments can also be detected by X-ray, sonar, optical or visual detection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Laporte, Robert DeWeez
  • Patent number: 7935898
    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 having an upper opening, the body configured for recessed mounting into a floor; a cover having a cover body and a cover lid, the cover configured to cover the upper opening to define a cord well therein; and at least one cord lid on the cover, the cord lid configured to pivot into the body when a cable is inserted into the body, wherein the body is adapted for accommodating electric fixtures therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Publication number: 20110092088
    Abstract: A deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter assembly may include a deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing having a first end and a second end, and an annular shoulder portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end may include a loadbreak interface for connecting to a loadbreak device and the second end may include a deadbreak interface for connecting to a deadbreak bushing. Bailing means may be provided for securing the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing to a housing in which the deadbreak bushing is installed via a securing force applied to the shoulder portion of the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Alan D. Borgstrom
  • Patent number: 7927119
    Abstract: An electrical connector for a plurality of electrical cables includes an electrically conductive body having a plurality of spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and having at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover is on the electrically conductive body and has a respective cable inlet aligned with each of the cable-receiving passageways. A respective cable end seal is associated with each of the cable inlets and includes a first tear stop member having a planar portion defining a central opening, and at least one coaxial and coplanar rib extending from the planar portion and spaced from the central opening. A second tear stop member is coupled to the first annular tear stop member at the central opening and includes a series of stepped tear stop portions having progressively decreasing diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Matthew D. Cawood, Eric Belknap
  • Publication number: 20110083871
    Abstract: An electrical box may include a top side and a bottom side that are connected to one another by panels. Each of the top side and bottom side may include a front portion with a side edge, a front edge and a back edge, a back portion with a side edge, a front edge and a back edge, and an angled portion connecting the front portion to the back portion, the back portion being offset with respect to the front portion. The angled portion may include a transition edge that joins the back edge of the front portion to the back edge of the back portion. The transition edge may provide for space for maneuvering the electrical box aligned to a wall stud in a wall assembly out of the wall assembly through a hole in a drywall of the wall assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Marc-Antoine Veillette
  • Publication number: 20110073718
    Abstract: A cable hanger is disclosed. The cable hanger may include a first latch configured to suspend the cable hanger from a strut and a second latch configured to suspend the cable hanger from the strut. The cable hanger may also include a cable saddle to hold one or more cables. When the cable hanger is suspended by the first latch and not the second latch, a gap may be formed between the cable saddle and the strut such that the cable saddle is configured to receive the one or more cables through the gap. When the cable hanger is suspended by the second latch, the gap may be closed between the cable saddle and the strut to secure the one or more cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Whipple, Mark R. Drane, Andrew Cole, Joey Magno
  • Publication number: 20110073366
    Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling a first conduit to a second conduit. The connector includes a first hub configured to connect to the first conduit and a second hub configured to connect to the second conduit. A flexible body is configured to sealingly connect to the first hub and the second hub. At least one clamp is provided for securing the flexible body to the first hub or the second hub. The flexible body includes an end having an annular groove therein to form an inner portion of the end and an outer portion of the end, wherein the annular groove is configured to eliminate radial deflection of the inner portion of the end when flexible body undergoes pressure from the at least one clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Andy Ali Jaffari
  • Publication number: 20110076094
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure is provided for supporting a joint of two cable tray sections, wherein each of the two cable tray sections includes a side rail having a planar body member, a bottom edge and a top edge, and wherein the joint is positioned over a structural support member. The reinforcing structure may include a top member; a body member extending substantially perpendicularly from the top member; and a bottom member extending substantially perpendicularly from the body member. The bottom member may be configured for mounting on the structural support member. The bottom member may be configured to receive the bottom edge of the side rail. The top member may include an inside edge configured to support the planar body member of the side rail when the bottom edge of the side rail is received into the bottom member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Cardin
  • Patent number: 7909636
    Abstract: An adjustable connector for an electrical cable formed from a body, a hub and a coupling nut. The body has a flanged end with a scalloped edge and a face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and a cable connecting end. The hub includes an end with a mating surface that has a dovetail extending around about one half of the outer perimeter and the mating surface is angularly disposed to the central axis. The coupling nut has first and second ends and an opening extending therebetween with internal threads. The dovetail on the mating surface of the hub is adapted to receive the flanged end of the body and the coupling nut is threaded onto the hub to secure the flanged end in the dovetail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Brodeur
  • Patent number: 7906729
    Abstract: A repositionable insulator housing for an angle connector formed from first and second housing sections that are joined together. Each housing section has an exterior surface and a base portion that includes an end wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a back wall. Each of the end walls and pairs of opposing side walls extend from the back walls to form open sides and open ends of the housing sections. When the two housing sections are joined together, the base sections form an enclosure with a pair of apertures in opposing walls. The two housing sections enclose an angle connector so that the open sides correspond and the first open ends form an opening in the housing. The pair of apertures are aligned and adapted to receive an elongated metal rod and the opening in the housing is adapted to receive a conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Robertson, Richard Von Rotz, Michael Pratt
  • Patent number: 7905746
    Abstract: An adjustable connector for armored that includes a body, a hub, a clamp and a coupling nut. The body has a flanged end that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and the hub has a mating flange that is angularly disposed to the central axis. The mating flange has a dovetail for receiving the flanged end and joining the body and hub together. The clamp is placed over the flanged end and mating flange and secured in place by tightening the coupling nut on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Brodeur
  • Patent number: 7902466
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a conduit body assembly. The conduit body assembly has a conduit body with a closed lower end and a side wall surrounding the lower end. The side wall includes a planar perimetrical rim which defines an open upper end. Also, the conduit body assembly has a cover to enclose the open upper end. A deformable flexible flange extends from the at least one cover hole for engagement with a conical portion of a fastener in order to maintain alignment with and effect a seal between the cover and the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Pyron
  • Publication number: 20110049253
    Abstract: A system may include a tube through which hot fluid is transported from one end to another, wherein the tube radiates heat energy and transfers heat energy to surrounding air by convection. The system may also include a reflector that reflects the radiated heat and a hood that captures the heat energy from the surrounding air through convection, wherein the hood radiates the captured heat energy. The reflector may include a bi-involute curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Catteau, Gerald Capaldini
  • Publication number: 20110041292
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert K. Jolly, Joey D. Magno, JR.
  • Patent number: 7893363
    Abstract: A conduit body device for accommodating wire therethrough the device is provided. The conduit body has a body wall including a pair of elongate side walls and a pair of end walls forming a perimetrical side wall, a bottom wall, and an open end defining a body interior. The conduit body further includes a longitudinal axis located generally along the elongate side walls. At least two hub passageways extend from the conduit body in communication with the body interior, each of the hub passageways including a hub wall defining an access channel for passage of wires therethrough. The hub passageways may be generally located in non-axial alignment with said longitudinal axis. In some embodiments the bottom wall has a broad curved shape. In other embodiments, the open end may be angled for ease of access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Pyron
  • Publication number: 20110038689
    Abstract: Consistent with embodiments described herein, a one-piece staple for affixing electrical or communications wires or staples includes a body portion and at least three leg elements extending from the body portion. The first leg element and the second leg element define a first cable receiving area, and the second leg element and the third leg element define a second cable receiving area. The at least three leg elements are configured for secure insertion into a structural support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian MacDonald, Daniel Lalancette, Mike Di Lillo
  • Publication number: 20110023339
    Abstract: A sign-type lighting fixture assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes an illuminating lighting fixture, a canopy, and a canopy lock. The lighting fixture has a housing with a perimetrical wall. The perimetrical wall includes a fixture opening therein. The canopy secures the lighting fixture to the canopy. The canopy has a canopy opening for passage of electrical wires. The canopy further includes a pair of inwardly deflectable fingers for insertion into the fixture opening for resilient securement to the perimetrical wall of the lighting fixture. The canopy lock is configured to be inserted into the canopy opening. The canopy lock is disposed between the pair of deflectable fingers of the canopy to prevent inward deflection of the fingers of the canopy to prevent removal from the lighting fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Kelley McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20110025342
    Abstract: A voltage indicating assembly for medium and high voltage systems includes a semiconductive cap configured for mounting on a test point, the test point including a test point terminal element configured to capacitively receive a voltage associated with a electrical component, where the electrical component is mounted in a first location. The semiconductive cap includes a contact element mounted therein configured to electrically communicate with the test point terminal element when the semiconductive cap is mounted on the test point. A cable is electrically coupled to the contact element. A remote test point assembly is electrically coupled to the cable in a second location remote from the first location, and the remote test point assembly includes a remote test point terminal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20110024153
    Abstract: An integrally formed spacer may include an upper body having a flat surface. The upper body may include a fastening tongue perpendicular to the flat surface and dimensioned to fit into a first fastening hole in a wall of an electrical box. In addition, the integrally formed spacer may include a lower body with at least one leg having a notch to receive the wall of the electrical box via a second fastening hole in the wall. Further, the integrally formed spacer may include a neck portion having two ends in a lengthwise direction of the integrally formed spacer, one end of the neck portion connected to the upper body and another end connected to the lower body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh