Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • ANTI-SLIP CABLE TIE
    Publication number: 20130333164
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band. The housing comprises a first mass near the first opening and one side of the housing, a stop mass near a second side of the housing, and a second mass between the first mass and the stop mass. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the second mass prevents the first mass from moving a first distance occupied by the second mass, toward the stop mass. When the first end in the housing is being pulled out of the housing, the first mass locks the first end in the housing and prevents the first end from slipping over a second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Andrew C. Cole, Mark R. Drane
  • NON-METALLIC EXPANSION/DEFLECTION COUPLING MODULES
    Publication number: 20130334812
    Abstract: An improved device for coupling rigid non-metallic conduits is disclosed. The claimed device is capable of allowing movement in an axial direction due to expansion and contraction and can also compensate for angular or parallel deflection of the conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Andy Ali Jaffari
  • Electrical connector having alignment mechanism
    Patent number: 8602800
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end and first and second connector ends formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conductor receiving end. The connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the first and second connector ends, respectively. The electrical connector assembly may include a conductor spade assembly received in the first axial bore, wherein the conductor spade assembly includes a spade portion extending between the second axial bore and the third axial bore. A removeable contact may be received within the second axial bore to conductively engage the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Borgstrom, James Cole, Larry N. Siebens
  • Device having an electrical connector and a sacrificial cap
    Patent number: 8597040
    Abstract: A device includes a sacrificial cap configured for mounting on a direct access port of an electrical connector. The sacrificial cap includes an insulated body and a sacrificial probe conductor projecting from the insulated body. The sacrificial probe conductor is configured to conductively couple with a conductor in the electrical connector via the direct access port when the sacrificial cap is installed on the direct access port. The sacrificial cap includes a portion configured to be physically severed to confirm that the electrical connector is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Dan Gardner, Geoffrey Reed, Jeffrey Gieger, Stanley Szyszko
  • CLAMP FOR A SUPPORT BRACKET
    Publication number: 20130313374
    Abstract: A clamp comprises a fastener, a clamp body, and a clamp leg. The clamp body comprises a housing including a cavity and a housing cavity; and a curved arm extending from the housing. The clamp leg comprises a leg body including a leg cavity, and a foot member. The clamp body and the clamp leg are attachable to and detachable from each other, and a portion of the leg body can be inserted into or removed from the housing cavity, and when the portion of the leg body is inserted into the housing cavity, the cavity and the leg cavity form a passageway for the fastener so that threads of the fastener are not externally exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Joey D. Magno, JR.
  • SIDE-OPEN WET-LOCATION ELECTRICAL BOX AND COVER
    Publication number: 20130306343
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a back wall and a front wall, configured to be essentially parallel to a mounting surface when the base is installed to the mounting surface, and a pair of interchangeable top and bottom walls. Each interchangeable top and bottom wall is connected to the back wall and the front wall. The electrical box includes a side wall connected to each of the other walls and an open end opposite the side wall that is configured to receive an electrical device therein. A standoff extends laterally from the back wall. The standoff is configured to provide a mounting structure and to position the electrical box away from the mounting surface. The electrical box is configured to receive a top-mounted hood to cover the open end when the base is installed with the open end positioned to face either of the right side or the left side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, JR., Mark R. Drane, Robert Kevin Jolly
  • DRAIN ADAPTOR
    Publication number: 20130298509
    Abstract: A drain adaptor comprising a stem and drain body. The stem comprises a breather opening defined by a surface of the stem and a drain opening defined by a surface of the stem. The drain body comprises another breather opening defined by a surface of the drain body and another drain opening defined by a surface of the drain body, wherein the stem extends from the drain body, and wherein a breather passageway extends from the breather opening of the stem to the other breather opening of the drain body, and wherein a drain passageway extends from the drain opening of the stem to the other drain opening of the drain body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Joey D. Magno, JR.
  • HOT LINE STIRRUP CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20130303035
    Abstract: A stirrup connector includes a cable connecting device, a clamp, and a control section. The cable connecting device is configured to secure a tap line to the stirrup connector. The clamp secures the stirrup connector to a stirrup. The clamp includes a set of jaws forming an opening that is smaller than a diameter of the stirrup and is configured to snap onto the stirrup when the set of jaws is forced against the stirrup at the opening. The control section is configured to be releasably engaged with a hot stick and to translate a connecting force from the hotstick to the clamp to secure the clamp to the stirrup. The stirrup connector provides an electrical connection between the stirrup and the tap line when the clamp is secured to the stirrup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
  • CABLE TIE HEAD
    Publication number: 20130298353
    Abstract: A cable tie comprising a cable tie head that comprises a head portion. The cable tie also comprises a cable tie body. The cable tie body comprises a main body that includes a body passageway; and a strap, wherein the cable tie head is attachable to and detachable from the cable tie body, and wherein the body passageway is formed to receive the legs for coupling the cable tie head with the cable tie body. The cable tie head is made from a different material than the cable head body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
  • Cable gripping device
    Patent number: 8578566
    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: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Jolly, Joey D. Magno, Jr.
  • Mechanical Grounding Connector
    Publication number: 20130295786
    Abstract: A mechanical grounding connector is provided for connecting at least two conductors. The connector is comprised of a first, second and third body section which have channels that allow for installation of conductors between each of the body sections. The channels of each body section lie at 90 degree angles such that conductors can be installed in a parallel or transverse arrangement. Bolts are used to hold together the first, second and third body sections of the connector and allow the body sections to be separated from one another by loosening the bolts to install conductors, without the need to completely remove the bolts from the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cong T. Dinh
  • ANTI-TURN MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE CONNECTOR SIZES
    Publication number: 20130280967
    Abstract: A conductive member for mounting a meter socket line connector includes an aperture configured to receive a fastener for the line connector and a protrusion in a different plane than that of the aperture. The protrusion includes a first notch configured to receive a first-size line connector that is secured to the conductive member by the fastener through the aperture and a second notch configured to receive a second-size line connector that is secured to the conductive member by the fastener through the aperture. The protrusion is configured to receive a corner of either the first-size line connector or the second-size line connector without changes to the conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher
  • Weatherproof While-in-Use Floor Cover
    Publication number: 20130277085
    Abstract: A weatherproof while-in-use floor cover is provided for allowing access to a while-in-use box which is mounted below an elevated floor. The while-in-use floor cover comprises a frame and a lid and is constructed such that a cut-out exists along an edge of the lid to provide a passage for an electrical cord in order that the electrical cord may be plugged in to the while-in-use box which is mounted below the elevated floor when the lid of the while-in-use floor cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Mark R. Drane, Peter J. Gallucci
  • METER SOCKET WITH CURRENT BYPASS
    Publication number: 20130279086
    Abstract: A meter socket for a meter box includes a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter, a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter, and an activator for the bypass conductor member. The activator is configured to be activated by a user through a closed meter box to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Yves Boucher, Marie-Eve Bernard, Michele Di Lillo
  • Breakable Protector Plate
    Publication number: 20130277103
    Abstract: A breakable protector plate is provided for preventing damage to wires or cables which are behind the protector plate. The plate comprises a weakened break line. To prevent nails or screws from penetrating the reduced material thickness at the break line, the surface of the break line is raised with respect to the plate in order to redirect nails or screws into a greater thickness area of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Lalancette
  • BLADE-EDGE VAPOR-TIGHT ELECTRICAL BOX
    Publication number: 20130264088
    Abstract: An electrical box includes one or more sides joined to form a front opening to receive an electrical device. The electrical box also includes a flange extending laterally from the one or more sides. The flange includes a blade edge configured to have an initial engagement with a surface of a wallboard when the electrical box is installed in an opening of the wallboard. When the electrical box is installed in the opening of the wallboard, the blade edge forms a vapor-tight barrier between the electrical box and the surface of the wallboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • UTILITY METER SOCKET AND CONDUIT AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION
    Publication number: 20130256025
    Abstract: A system may include a load-side conduit including a plurality of punch-outs for passing utility wires to a building. The system may also include a utility box having an opening to receive the load-side conduit. The utility box receives utility wires from a utility-side conduit. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit may include a plurality of mounting flanges for suspending the load-side conduit from the utility box. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a mounting strap, attached to the load-side conduit, for mounting the load-side conduit onto a building. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a body and a cover. The body may include locking flanges and the cover may include hooks to engage the locking flanges to secure the cover to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Cardin, Marie-Ève Bernard, Benoît Orban, Patrick Mainville, Daniel Lalancette
  • STRUT AND TRAPEZE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130248660
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a strut comprising mounting holes to affix one or more attachments and one or more fixtures to the strut, and support holes shaped to receive and couple beaded rods with the strut for suspension of the strut, wherein the strut is coupled to the beaded rods without a threaded coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Joey D. Magno, JR.
  • PREFABRICATED ELECTRICAL BOX
    Publication number: 20130248243
    Abstract: An improved electrical box is disclosed that incorporates a bracket and device cover as a single combined unit. The combined unit is simpler to manufacture and to install as opposed to three separate pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Christopher A. Beall
  • Water-resistant while-in-use electrical box
    Patent number: 8530757
    Abstract: An electrical box may include a panel that is coupled to a top side of the electrical box. The panel may include a wall on one side of the panel, the wall surrounding a well, in the first panel, into a space in the electrical box. The panel may also include a cap to be placed over the wall and the well. The cap and the well may be configured to form a first bend and a second bend on a cable that extends from outside of the electrical box to an inside space of the electrical box. The first bend may include a locally lowest point on cable portions that are outside of an area under the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh