Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, LLC
  • Patent number: 10411450
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Christopher A. Beall
  • Patent number: 10396535
    Abstract: A while-in-use cover assembly includes a hood and a base connected to the hood. The base includes a first side wall and a first back wall forming a first cavity with a first opening opposite the first back wall. The hood covers the first opening, the first side wall includes a first side wall edge and a second side wall edge opposite the first side wall edge. The first side wall edge is proximate to the first opening, and the second side wall edge is proximate to the first back wall. The first back wall includes a second opening to a second cavity. A second side wall defines the second cavity and extends from the first back wall from the first opening. The first cavity and the second cavity provide access through the first opening and the second opening to an electrical device coupled to the second side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Robert Kevin Jolly, Peter J. Gallucci
  • Patent number: 10367338
    Abstract: A compression connector for connecting two wires is disclosed. The compression connector is made of either a single bifurcated connector body or two individual connector components that are slidably coupled and then crimped. As the compression connector is crimped, structural features on the connector components are pushed into a locked state in the two component embodiment. Bifurcated embodiments allow for more than one crimping act on the compression connectors resulting in a more reliable compression connection. The compression connector that results is much more resistant to failure compared to known C-shaped compression connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10270190
    Abstract: A twist-on wire connector includes a connector cap and a tapered coil spring configured to be secured within the connector cap. The connector cap includes a peripheral wall extending between open and closed ends of the connector cap and defining a connector cap recess, top portion having the closed end, bottom portion having the open end, and asymmetrically opposed wings. The asymmetrically opposed wings are positioned to offset from a centerline of the connector cap to provide a comfortable grip while turning the twist-on wire connector during electrical wire installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Ludovic Legault
  • Patent number: 10243313
    Abstract: A cable compression die assembly is used in connection with a compression tool for compressing a stranded cable prior to crimping. Upper and lower compression dies each have a semicircular groove to compress the cable. A plurality of extending blocks guides each die into sliding engagement. The stranded cable will be compressed between the upper and lower compression dies to a reduced cable radius. Compressing generally reduces or eliminates air spaces between the stranded cable wire strands. A subsequent crimp connection forms a nearly monolithic structure to maximize current flow between two crimp connected compressed stranded cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10242824
    Abstract: A safety lockout device for switchgear includes a movable member adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position. A switch is adapted to electrically isolate a motor in the switchgear and a blocking arm is coupled to a shaft of the motor. In the first position, the movable member engages the switch to close the electrical motor circuit and the blocking arm is free to rotate with the motor shaft. In the second position, the movable member moves away from the switch so that the switch is in an open circuit state disconnecting power to the motor and a portion of the movable member is moved to a position whereby the blocking arm engages the movable member to prevent rotation of the motor shaft and a change of state of the switchgear. The position of the movable member relative to the switch provides a visual indication of the operating state of the switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gieger, Charles Bindics
  • Patent number: 10230264
    Abstract: An emergency lighting power supply includes a rechargeable battery; ballast circuitry configured to supply power to an external light, battery charging circuitry configured to charge the battery, and a controller. The controller determines an amount of time the rechargeable battery has discharged to supply power, via the ballast circuitry, to the external light. If the amount of time is less than a threshold, the controller causes the battery charging circuitry to supply a first current to charge the battery for a first charging period that is proportional to the amount of time, and causes the battery charging circuitry to supply a second current to charge the battery subsequent to the end of the first charging period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Camille Descarries, David Perreault
  • Publication number: 20190058316
    Abstract: A molded electrical junction box may be formed from a high-heat thermoset polyester. The box includes a back wall, a perimetrical side wall bounding the back wall and an open front face. The back wall includes an integrally molded rib pattern extending therefrom. The rib pattern increases the thickness of the back wall thereat. The rib pattern is formed to be in direct flow communication with a molding gate during the molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Brian Richards, Charles C. Britton
  • Publication number: 20190020186
    Abstract: A one-part or two-part air terminal for protecting a structure against lightning strikes. A flexible adapter, such as a spring, attaches an upper air terminal to a lower air terminal or a one-piece air terminal and base. The flexible adapter allows a flexible engagement between parts of the air terminal and has an internal passageway. A elongate tether couples parts of the air terminal in case the upper air terminal or one-piece air terminal breaks, so as to avoid a broken part from injuring individuals around. The elongate tether may be a ball chain or other type of chain. The elongate tether runs through the internal passageway of the flexible adapter. A base mounts to the one-part or two-part air terminal and mounts the air terminal to the structure. A grounding wire grounds the base to the grounding rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Matthew D. Cawood
  • Publication number: 20190013659
    Abstract: A poke-through device for installation in a hole in a floor structure, the floor structure defining a floor in a first working environment and a ceiling in a second working environment, the hole communicating between the first and second working environments, the poke through device. The poke-through device includes a body defining an interior and having an upper end and a lower end. A mounting frame is adapted to secure an electrical device within the body. A first intumescent member is disposed at the body upper end, and an electrical box is secured to the body lower end. A fire resistant gasket is disposed between the electrical box and the body lower end. The gasket includes openings therein to permit passage of wiring between the electrical box and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 10167927
    Abstract: An improved compression wire joint is disclosed that allows for tighter connections between the wires. It is particularly useful for connecting copper and aluminum wires together because it provides a tight connection that better accommodates thermal expansion of each wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D Cawood, Ronald Vallette
  • Publication number: 20180363807
    Abstract: A hold-down clamp for holding a cable tray on a strut channel includes a main body member extending between first and second ends, opposed side walls extending downwardly and perpendicularly from the main body member, and first and second side members extending from each of the opposed side walls. The main body member has a first end defining a clamp engagement portion and a second end defining an expansion guide portion. Each of the first and second side members includes a flange having a clamp engagement structure, a planar middle structure, and an expansion guide structure that are integrally connected to each other, and a clamping tooth, which is defined between the clamp engagement structure of the flange and the side wall such that the clamping tooth transitions into the clamp engagement structure of the flange and the side wall of the hold-down clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Ioan Liviu Lupsa, Daniel Cardin, David Gingras
  • Publication number: 20180351337
    Abstract: An outlet box is configured to be installed to a building structure in a new work or an old work. The outlet box includes an outlet box body and a removable flange partially attached to the outlet box body. The outlet box body has a base member, a first longitudinal side wall, a second longitudinal side wall, a first transverse side wall, and a second transverse side wall. The first and second longitudinal side walls and the first and second transverse side walls are integrally connected to the base member and extend upwardly therefrom, defining an outlet box volume therewithin. A plurality of first angled mounting holes and a plurality of second angled mounting holes are defined on an inner surface of one of the first and second longitudinal side walls and an inner surface of one of the first and second transverse side walls, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Ludovic Legault, Jean-Michel Pelletier
  • Patent number: 10138038
    Abstract: Cable ties including an antimicrobial additive and a detectable component as well as methods of making the same. More particularly, cable ties including a composition having a base plastic, an antimicrobial additive and a detectable additive selected from a detectable metal additive, an X-ray detectable additive, and combinations thereof. Also, cable ties including a composition and an antimicrobial metallic barb material wherein the composition includes a base plastic and an antimicrobial additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Yan Gao
  • Patent number: 10125898
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Whipple, Mark R. Drane, Andrew Cole, Joey Magno
  • Patent number: 10128642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable cable tray configured for ease of transportation and for storage. The foldable cable tray includes a first side rail, a second side rail, a plurality of rungs movably connected to the first and second side rails to transit the foldable cable tray between unfolded and folded positions, and a locking device configured to lock each of the plurality of rungs to the first and second side rails when the foldable cable tray is in the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Cardin, Mathew Thomas, Tyler Nash, Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10119648
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a conduit sleeve with detachable end cap that greatly reduces the complexity of the current system that requires a multiplicity of integral sleeve conduit bodies, styles, fixtures, fittings, connectors, rigid conduits with female threading, and other receiving structures. Now, one conduit sleeve with detachable end cap can be used to protect a threaded conduit end without the need for specialty receiving structures having an integral sleeve. This is accomplished by having a single object performing both roles as conduit sleeve and end cap. The end cap portion can simply be cut or twisted off from the conduit sleeve portion at a convenient time after installation onto a rigid conduit, tube, pipe, or similar structure. The remaining conduit sleeve that is left protects the area of the rigid conduit where conduit threads would have been left exposed since they are not fully threaded into the receiving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 10111351
    Abstract: We disclose a method for securing an infrared transmissive polymer to integrated panels, deadfronts, or transition plates, thus providing a reinforced polymer window through which the thermographer can scan an energized unit without being directly exposed to contact with internal components or having to remove said panels, deadfronts, or transition plates. We also disclose a device for securing the polymer consisting of a retention frame with half shear retainers that keep the polymer locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Brian Raleigh Sullivan, Michael David VanStavern, Kristofor Lynn Redinger, Christopher William Hackman, Richard F. Riczinger
  • Patent number: 10106303
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a cable tie head that comprises a head portion. The cable tie also includes 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: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
  • Patent number: 10093465
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band that extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The cable tie also includes a housing, affixed near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band when the first end of the band is brought toward the housing in a loop. The housing includes: walls that enclose a space and have a stop toward the second end of the band; a first mass in the space; and a second mass placed in the space and between the first mass and the stop. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the first end passes under the first mass and the second mass and exerts a pull on the first mass toward the second mass. When the first mass is pulled toward the second mass, the second mass acts as a spring between the first mass and the stop and prevents the first mass from hitting the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Rufty, Andrew C. Cole