Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • ULTRA SHALLOW FLOOR BOX
    Publication number: 20100163300
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Kevin Jolly
  • PIVOTING OR RETRACTABLE CORD LID WITH CORD EXIT FOR FLOOR BOX
    Publication number: 20100163301
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kevin Jolly
  • System and method for improving the thermal efficiency of a heating system
    Patent number: 7744366
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a heating system with good thermal efficiency by adjusting combustion air flow in response to fuel-input rate changes over a wide range. An AC motor operates in a slip mode whereby as the fuel-input rate changes, the combustion air density is affected. In response, changes in the load and thus the speed of the motor occur. Consequently, the quantity of combustion air flow increases in response to a fuel-input rate increase. The motor switches to a synchronous speed in response to the fuel-input rate reaching a set value, e.g., 70 percent of maximum rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Specht
  • CABLE AND BOX SUPPORT PLATE
    Publication number: 20100155105
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cable and box support plate which is a rectangular, flat plate with integral cable/conduit support member formed therewith. The cable/conduit support members are made from the same material as the remaining plate and formed by punching or stamping out the support members therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • PIVOTING WHILE-IN-USE ELECTRICAL BOX AND COVER
    Publication number: 20100147547
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a “while-in-use” electrical box device including an electrical box housing and pivotable cover which function as an integral unit and rotate on a fixed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Joey D. Magno, JR., Robert Kevin Jolly
  • Hard-Line Coaxial Cable Connector with Slotted Shaft
    Publication number: 20100151728
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector which includes a back nut housing having a rearward cable receiving end and a forward end opposite the rearward end, a front nut assembly coupled to the forward end of the back nut housing, a tubular insert shaft supported within the back nut housing, a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the insert shaft and a tubular holder sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of the gripping ferrule. The axial movement of the holder sleeve causes the gripping ferrule to radially compress around the insert shaft. The insert shaft has a rearward end and an axial slot extending from the rearward end in a forward direction, wherein the slot permits the rearward end of the insert shaft to radially compress upon the radial compression of the gripping ferrule to make removal of a cable from the connector easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Chabalowski, Allen L. Malloy
  • Locking pin
    Patent number: 7726998
    Abstract: A high voltage electrical connector that includes a male interconnect, a female interconnect and a locking pin assembly. The male interconnect includes a contact pin with a locking groove and the female interconnect includes a socket with an axial bore, a transverse passage and an opening connecting the bore to the passage. The locking pin assembly is installed in the passage and has a recessed section and a cylindrical section. The locking pin assembly is movable between a first position, wherein the bore is unobstructed and the contact pin can be freely inserted and removed, and a second position, wherein the cylindrical section of the locking pin extends into the bore. After the contact pin is inserted in the bore and the locking groove aligned with the opening, the locking pin assembly is moved from the first position to the second position and secures the contact pin in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Norman Siebens
  • Burner port shield
    Patent number: 7726386
    Abstract: A shield for placement around burner ports in a hot air furnace for reducing turbulence in the flow of secondary combustion air entering a heat exchanger. The shield also provides for intercepting moisture that condenses along the walls of the vertically oriented heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a furnace. The drip shield includes a plate having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of through-openings placed in the plate along and/or parallel to its longitudinal axis. The through-openings are spaced apart so as to be positioned between and aligned with burner ports and respective heat exchanger tube inlets of the heat exchanger. The plate is preferably profiled to have a peak to encourage condensate run-off with the plurality of through-openings being placed along or generally parallel to the peak of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner O. Specht
  • Universal water-resistant cover assembly for an electrical outlet box
    Patent number: 7728226
    Abstract: A water-resistant cover assembly for an electrical outlet box includes a gasket sized to substantially cover the open side of the electrical outlet box, an adapter plate and a cover adapted to engage the mounting screw of the electrical fixture for mounting the cover to the outlet box. The adapter plate has an opening sized and shaped to receive a portion of the electrical fixture therein, and further includes a projection extending from a back face thereof. The projection pierces through the gasket to be frictionally held thereto and has a size adapted to be received in the aperture of the electrical fixture for aligning the adapter plate and the gasket thereto. The cover has an opening for providing access to the electrical fixture and is adapted to sandwich the adapter plate and the gasket against the electrical fixture when mounted to the outlet box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Joey Magno, Jr.
  • HAND TIGHTENABLE COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20100130061
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable and a nut rotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body. The nut includes a flanged head portion at its forward end and a tubular body portion extending rearwardly from the head portion over the connector body and terminating adjacent the rearward cable receiving end of the connector body. The flanged head portion is radially enlarged, having an outer diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter of the tubular body portion, and the tubular body portion preferably surrounds more than half the length of the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan S. Snyder, Brian Derenthal, Roger Phillips, JR., Julio Rodrigues
  • Fuse providing circuit isolation and visual interruption indication
    Patent number: 7724122
    Abstract: A fuse including a fuse housing having first and second electrical terminals, a movable partition made from an electrically conductive material movably disposed within the fuse housing, a fusible structure connected between the first electrical terminal and the movable partition, a conductor connected between the movable partition and the second electrical terminal, a biasing element acting on the movable partition to maintain the fusible structure in tension and for moving the movable partition upon melting of the fusible structure and an indicator connected between the movable partition and the second electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Leach
  • Angled Slots for Installation of Outdoor Metallic Boxes
    Publication number: 20100122826
    Abstract: An outdoor metallic electrical outlet box that includes a back wall having a perimetrical edge and an interior portion; a side wall extending from the back wall to an open front to define a box interior; and one or more niches. Each niche has a base integrally formed in the back wall that extends inwardly from the perimetrical edge to the interior portion of the back wall to a recessed side wall and does not extend beyond the perimetrical edge of the back wall. The recessed side wall extends from the base to a point on the side wall of the box intermediate the base and the open front. The recessed side wall tapers towards the side wall of the box as it extends from the base and has a curved shape. Each base has a mounting screw aperture for attaching the electrical outlet box to a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Ian Rubin de la Borbolla
  • Rail heater clip
    Patent number: 7717387
    Abstract: A rail clip for securing a strip heater to a rail that resists removal when subjected to intense vibration, such as when rail cars are passing overhead. The rail clip is configured with a U-shaped rail flange receiving area wherein the opposite sides of this receiving area are configured with at least one tooth each for securing the rail therebetween. For greater securement, multiple teeth on each side of this U-shaped receiving area would be employed and with at least one tooth on each side thereof being in alignment with the other. Furthermore, the teeth on at least one side of this receiving area would include multiple teeth, both pointed and elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Sajid Naheem
  • Electrical connector including viewing window assembly and associated methods
    Patent number: 7717740
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Kenneth C. Elliott, III
  • Intumescent Cover For A Poke-Through Assembly
    Publication number: 20100116544
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly for installation in a hole in a floor structure. The floor structure defines a floor in a first working environment and a ceiling in a second working environment. The poke-through assembly includes at least one intumescent member, a base plate and an intumescent enclosure. The intumescent member is disposed at least partially between the floor of the first working environment and the ceiling of the second working environment. The base plate supports and is disposed below the intumescent member for limiting the expansion of the intumescent member toward or into the second working environment. The intumescent cover supports the intumescent member and circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the intumescent member, wherein expansion of the intumescent member is impeded by the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Robert K. Jolly
  • Switch box extender grounding strap
    Patent number: 7700875
    Abstract: An electrical box extender with a grounding strap which includes an extender having a perimeter wall section and an integral bendable grounding strap connected to the wall section, wherein the grounding strap extends from the wall section and has a remote end that includes a spade or lug connector for attaching to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
  • PLASTIC CABLE CLAMPS DESIGNS IN STEEL OUTLET BOXES
    Publication number: 20100089640
    Abstract: A cable clamp for securing a wire or cable in an electrical outlet box having an interior, an exterior and one or more openings therebetween is provided. The cable clamp includes a body and one or more retaining devices that define one or more apertures. The body is adapted to mount in one of the one or more openings in the electrical outlet box and each of the one or more apertures is adapted to provide a passage for a wire or cable between the interior and exterior of the electrical outlet box. The one or more retaining devices are connected to the body and each of the one or more retaining devices is adapted to secure a wire or cable in one of the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mike DiLillo, Alain Michaud
  • Pedestal connector mounting holes
    Patent number: D614142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Fong
  • Grounding clip
    Patent number: D615497
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Woodward, Rodolfo Elizondo
  • Grounding bracket
    Patent number: D615498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Lalancette