Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
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Patent number: 7802984Abstract: A system and method for providing a gas-fired heating system with improved thermal efficiency includes modulating a quantity of combustion air flow to a combustion mixture in response to a measured change in fuel-gas pressure using a DC (e.g., brushless) motor to drive a combustion air blower. A pressure transducer in a manifold transporting fuel-gas into the combustion mixture outputs a signal proportional to the measured pressure to the motor. The motor speed and thus the resultant quantity of combustion air flow are modulated in proportion to the quantity of fuel-gas to the mixture. Accordingly, a constant fuel-gas to combustion air ratio is maintained. The system and method may further provide for adjusting the output signal to accommodate measured intake air temperature, and/or measured atmospheric pressure in order to maintain a constant, good thermal efficiency (preferably ?80%) regardless of air temperature and altitude at the system's installation location.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Werner Specht
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Patent number: 7798458Abstract: A double-mounted electrical box mounting bracket for mounting to a wall stud that includes: a substantially flat center section having a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of opposing sides and one or more center mounting holes for securing the bracket to a structure; a pair of substantially flat base plates, each having a first end and a second end, an opening having a periphery for receiving an electrical box, and a bendable member extending into the opening from the periphery; a pair of offsets connecting the opposing sides of the center section and the first ends of the base plates; and a pair of substantially flat flanged ends connected to the second sides of the base plates by a pair of flange necks, wherein the base plates are offset and recessed from the center section and flanged ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Ian Rubin de la Borbolla, Joey D. Magno, Jr.
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Patent number: 7798829Abstract: A basic insulating plug (BIP) provides connection to a deadbreak connector. The basic insulating plug includes a first conductive insert and a second conductive insert. An insulative coupling supports the inserts in spaced apart position. An insulative body is molded substantially about the first and second conductive inserts. One of the conductive inserts and the insulative coupling define a flow path to permit flow of insulative material entering one of the conductive inserts to flow through the coupling so as to surround the coupling and substantially surround the first and second inserts.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Robert Fong
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Patent number: 7799993Abstract: A water-resistant cover for an electrical outlet box generally includes a base and a lid hingedly coupled to the base. The base has a ridge surrounding a substantial periphery of the base, wherein the ridge includes a top wall, an outer side wall extending downwardly from the top wall and an inner side wall extending downwardly from the top wall. The inner side wall defines a recessed portion of the base and an opening in the recessed portion. The lid is received in the recessed portion in a closed position to cover the opening, wherein the ridge prevents water from entering the opening whether the cover is oriented horizontally or vertically.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Joey Magno, Jr.
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Patent number: 7794275Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a rearward cable receiving end, a locking sleeve movably coupled to the rearward cable receiving end of the connector body and a sleeve ring movably disposed within a rearward sleeve ring receiving end of the locking sleeve. The sleeve ring has a forward end for retaining a cable within the connector upon forward insertion of the sleeve ring within the locking sleeve. The connector further preferably includes an annular post disposed within the connector body, wherein the forward end of the sleeve ring urges the cable against the post upon forward insertion of the sleeve ring within the locking sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Julio Filipe Rodrigues
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Patent number: 7780488Abstract: The present invention relates generally to connectors for terminating and connecting electrical wires and cables. More particularly, the connector of the present invention permits ease of connection at any angle, with regard to the electrical wire or cable equal to that of heavy gauge. Termination of an electrical wire is provided in the present invention using a connector assembly including a barrel connector, a terminal lug connector, and a flexible cable. The terminal lug connector and the barrel connector mechanically and electrically engage the electrical wire. The flexible cable mechanically and electrically connects the barrel connector to the terminal lug connector and permits angular movement between the barrel connector and the terminal lug connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: George Braxton Robertson
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Publication number: 20100206603Abstract: An electrical box cover includes a frame securable to an electrical box. The frame defines an opening to permit access to the electrical box. A lid is pivotally mounted to the frame and movable between an open and closed position. A lid biasing device is disposed between the lid and the frame, the lid biasing device urging the lid away from the closed position. A latch is disposed on the frame and movable between a latched and unlatched position. The latch, when in the latched position, engages the lid and retaining the lid in the closed position. When the latch is in the unlatched position, the lid biasing device lifts at least a portion of the lid at least partially above the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Mark R. Drane
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Patent number: 7770851Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a retaining element for securing at least one elongate member to an installation surface in conjunction with a fastener. The retaining element includes a first portion and at least one second portion. The first portion secures the retaining element to the installation surface. The at least one second portion engages the elongate member. Also, the second portion defines a single continuous arch formed by a plurality of engagement surfaces disposed on a bottom side of the second portion. The engagement surfaces define a portion of the perimeter of at least two substantially overlapping shapes, such as ellipses, having different dimensions. In this way, upon installation the elongate member directly engages and is secured to both the installation surface and at least one of the engagement surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Alain Michaud
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Patent number: 7770875Abstract: An aspect of the invention is provides a clamping shell for placement about an elongate pipe for accommodating a chain vise thereover, the clamping shell having: a pair of elongate generally arcuate half-shells, each half shell having an internal portion for engagement with the pipe, the internal portion including a non-uniform surface for frictional engagement with the pipe; and at least one of the half-shells of the pair including a pocket formed on an external surface thereof for supporting the chain vise therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Roger Pyron
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Publication number: 20100193237Abstract: A convertible electrical floor box assembly for installation in a poured concrete floor that includes a non-metallic floor box and a metallic outer box. The non-metallic floor box includes a base plate, a perimetrical side wall with one or more openings for accessing the interior, an open top, a mating structure and an internal support structure for receiving a voltage divider. The metallic outer box includes a base plate, a perimetrical side wall with one or more apertures for accessing the interior, an open top and a mating structure. The non-metallic floor box is adapted for installation in a concrete floor or it can be used together with the metallic outer box as an assembly that is adapted for installation in a concrete floor by inserting the non-metallic floor box in the metallic outer box so that the openings and apertures are aligned.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Mark R. Drane
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Publication number: 20100181091Abstract: The present invention provides a weatherproof while-in-use electrical box cover. The box cover includes a base having a back wall including an opening therein for accessing an electrical outlet and permetrical base side walls extending thereabout defining an open front face. The box cover further includes a hood having a front wall for covering the open front face of the base and permetrical hood side walls extending therefrom. The hood is matable with the base and including a cooperative mating assembly on respective side walls for defining a pivot location for pivotally attaching the hood to the base. A hinge pin is insertably connected to the cooperative mating assemblies for hingedly attaching the hood to the base and the hinge pin is configured to non-releaseably engage with the cooperative mating assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: MARK R. DRANE
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Patent number: 7758367Abstract: A seating indicator for loadbreak connectors and deadbreak connectors that includes a substantially round, elastic O-ring having a body and an opening, wherein the O-ring is installed on the transition shoulder portion of a loadbreak bushing insert, and wherein the O-ring extends radially and outwardly from the bushing insert when an elbow connector is properly installed thereon. The O-ring can be hollow so that it will more easily deform and can be made from an elastomeric material in easily viewable colors.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Larry Norman Siebens, Anthony Reed, Roger Provencal
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Patent number: 7757875Abstract: An electrical outlet box extension comprising a perimetrical side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface having an open front face and an open rear face and defining an interior space, and having at least one outwardly protruding resilient tab located on the side wall outer surface. The box extension is designed for adjustable insertable receipt within an electrical outlet box for increasing the depth of the box.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Ioan Liviu Lupsa
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Patent number: 7753552Abstract: An assembly and a method for attaching a sign-type lighting fixture to an electrical box. The assembly includes a lighting fixture having a mounting plate affixed to the electrical box, an illuminating sign, and a canopy affixed to the lighting fixture, allowing the canopy and the mounting plate to attach quickly. The method first includes affixing a mounting plate to an electrical box and affixing a canopy to a sign-type lighting fixture. Next, the canopy is secured to the mounting plate by inserting at least one wing tab from the canopy through at least one holding tab on the mounting plate. Then, the electrical wiring is connected. After that the wing tab and holding tab are separated. Finally, the wing tab is inserted into at least one offset on the mounting plate, and the canopy is secured to the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Patrick Martineau
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Patent number: 7752731Abstract: An extender and a method for making an extender for an electrical box is provided. The extender includes: a side wall having a length with first and second ends and a width with first and second edges, wherein the side wall is configured so that the first and second ends are in contact with each other. The extender also includes: a first member extending from the first end; a first embossed area on the first end; a second member extending from the second end; and a second embossed area on the second end. The first member is bent so that it contacts the second embossed area and the second member is bent so that it contacts the first embossed area to connect the first and second ends. The extender can have a pair of tabs extending from the first edge on opposing wall sections and each tab can have a mounting screw aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
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Patent number: 7754992Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
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Publication number: 20100170090Abstract: A tool for installing an end of a cable into a connector generally includes a front jaw assembly adapted to retain the cable connector and a back jaw assembly movably coupled to the front jaw assembly. The cable connector includes a connector body and a compression sleeve and the back jaw assembly is adapted to insert an end of the cable into the cable connector upon movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly and subsequently press the compression sleeve into the connector body upon further movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Julio Rodrigues
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Patent number: 7749021Abstract: The invention provides a connector for terminating an electrical cable, including: a connector body having a receiving and an egressing end, axially bored therethrough; a compression nut attachable to the cable egressing end; and an annular segmented gland chuck for engagement with the cable for securing the cable within the body; the segmented chuck including an annular base and a plurality of circumferentially spaced chuck segments extending from the base, each the chuck segment being axially deflectable about a base hinge perpendicular to the axis and circumferentially deflectable towards the axis about a segmented hinge parallel to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Marc Brodeur
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Patent number: RE41661Abstract: An electrical box assembly including a box having a base wall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component. The sidewall having an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from the upper portion. An electrical component attachment point is disposed adjacent the sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to the box. The flange is perimetrically bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom. A securement device disposed on the box for securing the box to a support structure is provided. A frame is further provided which is in telescopic engagement with the collar and movable relative thereto. The frame has an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface. An adjustment device is provided for moving the frame relative to the box and urges the abutment surface against the facing surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
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Patent number: D624023Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Julio Rodrigues, Harold Watkins, Dan Fitzwater, Tom Young