Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
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Publication number: 20100015834Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Larry Norman Siebens
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Patent number: 7648376Abstract: A loadbreak connector formed by a power cable elbow and a bushing insert with increased flashover distance is disclosed. The power cable elbow includes a conductive member having an energized portion and a non-energized portion, a cable receiving end, a loadbreak bushing insert receiving end with an elbow cuff that extends beyond the energized portion. The bushing insert includes an insulative outer housing and an insulative interface sleeve. The insulative outer housing has an axial bore with a conductive socket, a first, second end mid-section, and a transition shoulder portion between the second end section and the mid-section. The insulative interface sleeve extends over the outer housing from the mid-section to the second end section. When the power cable elbow is installed on the second end section, the flashover distance from the top of the second end section to the bottom of the elbow cuff is increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Alan D. Borgstrom
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Publication number: 20100006170Abstract: The conduit body assembly includes a metallic conduit body having an open upper end and a metallic cover removably positionable over the upper end. A metallic threaded fastener secures the cover to the body. The metallic fastener includes a threaded post and a nut removably attached to one end of the post. The nut and the post are formed of similar non-corrosive materials so as to resist corrosion therebetween. The nut is removable from the post in an environment where corrosion between the metallic fastener and the conduit body and cover prevents removal of the threaded fastener therefrom. Removal of the nut from the threaded post permits removal of the cover from the conduit body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Roger Pyron
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Patent number: 7644494Abstract: A tool for effecting attachment of an electrical terminal terminated on a wire with respect to a mating electrical contact is provided including an elongate tubular body having a first opened end, a second opened end and a continuous slot from the first to the second opened end. The continuous slot defines a pair of inwardly deflectable opposed sidewalls, wherein the wire may be loosely received between the opposed sidewalls. A first recessed stop toward the first opened end of the tubular body is adapted to seat at least the terminal at the first opened end. The opposed sidewalls are inwardly deflectable so as to grip the wire to effect attachment to the mating electrical contact.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
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Patent number: 7644957Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion-deflection coupling which allows for higher angular deflection, as well as greater axial expansion and compression with increased parallel offset movements. The coupling includes a pair of identical hubs adapted to accommodate conduits within, and a flexible hollow cylinder extending between the hubs. At least one mid-coupling is located within the cylinder, and at least two plastic funneled tubes, each of which extends securely within the cylinder between the mid-coupling and one of the hubs. One of the hubs is secured to a union coupling.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Ken Gibbon
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Patent number: 7645936Abstract: This invention pertains to an adjustable cover for an electrical outlet box. The cover is configured having a generally planar mounting plate with a collar surrounding an opening through this mounting plate. An extension sleeve moves within this opening and adjacent the collar. At least one fastener is located adjacent the opening and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The fastener operates a locking device that engages a wedge against the extension sleeve when the fastener is in the locked position and disengages a wedge against the extension sleeve when the fastener is in the unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Joey D. Magno, Jr.
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Patent number: 7638948Abstract: An apparatus and method adapted to detect a failure in at least one lamphead of an emergency lighting system includes a signal generator and a failure sensor. The lamphead receives power from a power connection. The signal generator generates a monitoring signal having a voltage, which is operatively coupled to the power connection. The failure sensor detects a failure in the lamphead and modifies the voltage of the monitoring signal. The emergency lighting system may also include a plurality of lampheads. In this case, the failure sensor may detect a failure in at least one of the lampheads, and identify which of the plurality of lampheads has failed. The failure sensor may also be adapted to reduce the voltage of the monitoring signal in response to detection of the failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Camille Descarries, Christian Briere
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Patent number: 7638713Abstract: In an aspect of the subject invention, a conduit body assembly is provided. The conduit body assembly has a conduit body having a closed lower end, a side wall surrounding the lower end, the side wall including a planar perimetrical rim defining an open upper end. A cover is positionable over the perimetrical rim of the side wall for enclosing the open upper end. A sealing member is formed onto the cover for engagement against the planar rim of the side wall for effecting a seal therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Roger Pyron
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Publication number: 20090311920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: George Braxton Robertson
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Patent number: 7628286Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical outlet box assembly for adjustable positioning with respect to a wall stud. An electrical outlet box includes plural side walls defining a box interior having an open front face. A box locator is adjustably positioned on one of the side walls so as to adjust the location of the front face with respect to the stud to which the box locator is mounted. A support bracket is adjustably attached to another of the side walls for supporting the adjustably positioned box with respect to the back wall board.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
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Patent number: 7621775Abstract: A meter socket base assembly including a mounting block, one or more connectors, one or more meter jaws and, optionally, one or more support blocks. The mounting block has first and second ends, first and second sides, a top, a bottom and a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and includes a base, first and second walls defining a channel and, optionally, first and second coupling mechanisms. Recessed portions and indentations on the top of the side walls receive connectors at different orientations. Coupling mechanisms can be formed on the exterior sides of the mounting block for attaching support blocks. The meter jaws are attached to the top of the side walls and configured to receive the blade contacts of watthour meters.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Alain Michaud, Yves Boucheri, Michelle DiLillo, Steve Levesque
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Patent number: 7622676Abstract: A face plate assembly for an electrical outlet box having an open side and an electrical fixture contained therein generally includes a face plate member and an adapter plate. The adapter plate is defined by an outer periphery and has an opening therein sized and shaped to receive a portion of the electrical fixture therein. The adaptor plate further includes a projection extending from a back face thereof, which has a size adapted to be received in an aperture of the electrical fixture for aligning the adapter plate thereto. The face plate member has an opening having an inner periphery edge surface smaller than the outer periphery of the adapter plate so that the face plate member is adapted to sandwich the adapter plate against the electrical fixture when mounted to the outlet box, wherein the adapter plate is not attached to the face plate member or the electrical fixture.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh
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Patent number: 7619162Abstract: A recessed electrical outlet box which includes a body that is selectably connected to a cover by either a first or a second hinge assembly. The body includes a back wall, a face plate, a side wall and an interior, wherein the side wall extends between the back wall and face plate and the face plate has an opening for accessing the interior. The interior includes a recessed pair of bosses and a pair of mounting holes, which can be used for mounting electrical devices in the interior. The first and second hinge assemblies have a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis, respectively, and are attached to the face plate and cover so that the first hinge axis is substantially perpendicular to the second hinge axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Robert Kevin Jolly
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Patent number: 7618299Abstract: A connector is attachable to an extending transformer stud. The connector includes a single hole or bore within the body of a connector to accept threaded transformer studs of different thread sizes. The connector can accommodate different size studs while still providing a compact design. The connector provides increased physical contact with the stud. The connector can be easily installed and removed from a stud without undue effort on the part of the installer. The stud connector includes an elongated passageway with three bore centers, wherein the thread center is slightly offset from the elongated passageway center and the elongated passageway having a diameter just slightly larger than the stud to be received. The elongated passageway includes more than one thread size milled or tapped into the bore circumference.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Michael Ferretti
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Patent number: 7618279Abstract: An electrical contact terminal for an electrical connector generally includes a main contact body, a cantilevered portion extending upwardly from one end of the body and a stiffener extending the entire length of the main contact body for providing rigidity to the main contact body.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Hill Osborn, Jr., Andrew Christopher Cole, James Michael Baker
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Publication number: 20090280655Abstract: A ground strap assembly couples two conductive components of a utility structure. The ground strap assembly includes an elongate electrically conductive ground strap having opposed ends. A pair of attachment members are mechanically and electrically coupled to each end of the strap. Each attachment member has a magnetic surface so that the ends of the strap may be placed in removable magnetic attachment to the two components to establish ground continuity across the components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Thomas & Betts International., Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Gall
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Patent number: 7615714Abstract: This invention pertains to a cord connector that both seals and provides strain relief automatically upon wire insertion. The cord connector comprises a wire passageway through a pliable shell which seals around both the wire inserted through the passageway as well as the knock-out or wall opening into which the connector is secured. A more rigid skeleton supports this shell and is provided with appendages which permit the wire to pass through the passageway but which block or resist any removal of the wire from the passageway. Preferably the shell is over-molded over the skeleton for ease of manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Roger Pyron, Craig Yoss, Andrew C. Cole
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Patent number: 7611392Abstract: A terminal and a method for making a terminal that includes a connector end and a terminal barrel, preferably formed from a sheet of metal. The terminal barrel includes a cylindrical wall having a first section corresponding to a first end and a second section corresponding to a second end. The thickness of the first section is reduced so that it is less than the thickness of the second section and the first section is flared to increase the diameter. The first end is flared after a nylon or plastic insulator is fitted over the terminal barrel. The first end is adapted for receiving an electrical conductor and the second end connects to the connector end.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Osborn, Jr., Michael L. Pratt
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Patent number: D605135Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Allen L. Malloy
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Patent number: D605595Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventor: Charles Thomas