Patents Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, LLC
  • Patent number: 9151309
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first structure and a clamp. The first structure may have an opening located on a first surface and the opening includes a keyway. The clamp is configured to clamp a second structure to the first structure. The clamp may include a head configured to be inserted above the opening in the first structure. The clamp may also include a body coupled to the head. An upper portion of the body may include formations located on opposite sides of the body and a lower portion of the body is threaded. The clamp may further include a nut coupled to the body. The nut may be configured to be rotated such that when the formations on the body are aligned with the keyway in the first structure, the head of the clamp is configured to lower onto the second structure and secure the second structure to the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 9148007
    Abstract: A poke-through device includes a tubular main body sized for insertion into a hole formed through a concrete floor. A device frame is mounted in the tubular main body for mounting one or more electrical devices. An intumescent insert is mounted in the tubular main body below the device frame. A junction box assembly is mounted to a bottom end of the tubular main body. A cover assembly is configured to enclose an opening in a top end of the tubular main body. The intumescent insert is mounted in the tubular main body so as to not contact the device frame to allow intumescent material to flow around the device frame in the event of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20150263438
    Abstract: An improved compression connector for connecting two electrical conductors and methods of using the same are disclosed. The compression connector is made of a single partially bifurcated connector body and then crimped. A partially bifurcated c-tap portion of the connector body allows for a crimping act on each side of the compression connector slot, 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 9124050
    Abstract: An elbow-type power cable electrical connector includes a connector body having a bushing receiving end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and a connection end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and oriented substantially opposite to the bushing receiving end, wherein the bushing receiving end is configured to receive a switchgear bushing therein. A grounding device is configured for insertion into the connection end of the connector, wherein the grounding device is configured to conductively connect to the switchgear bushing. The grounding devices include an exposed conductive portion configured to engage a grounded hot line clamp, during grounding of the electrical connector assembly. An insulated cap is provided to cover the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device during normal operation of the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Patent number: 9124015
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly may include a yoke that includes an outer housing; and a central conductor provided within the outer housing, wherein the central conductor comprises at least three outwardly extending portions. A first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion are operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively. A third outwardly extending portion comprises a tap configured to interchangeably interface with a sacrificial appendage and a grounding element. When the sacrificial appendage is installed on the tap, the sacrificial appendage is configured to be cut through to confirm that the electrical connector assembly is de-energized. When the grounding element is installed on the tap, the grounding element is configured for attachment to a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20150233410
    Abstract: An improved cone nut for a structural channel is provided. The cone nut does not require gluing of the cone to the channel nut as in conventional methods. The cone instead houses the channel nut by a friction fit locking mechanism, resulting in a secure attachment of the cone to the channel nut which prevents failure of the cone by separation from the channel nut which would, in turn, render the channel nut useless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Suresh Kumar Parthibhan, Christine S. Reagan
  • Publication number: 20150236486
    Abstract: An electrical floor box assembly and cover are provided. The floor box cover includes an access door that is designed to be repositioned. The access door is repositioned by lifting, sliding, or moving back and securing into one of at least two closed (flat) positions. When the access door is secured in a closed “not in service” position, the access door is watertight with a single gasket or seal. A second gasket or seal is provided below the cover for further watertightness. When the access door is secured in a closed “in service” position, one or more apertures for cords are revealed, thereby permitting cords plugged into an outlet within the floor box assembly to protrude through the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 9112322
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a body, first and second female interfaces, a female connector, one to four side interfaces and a connecting pin. The body has a longitudinal axis with a passage extending between the first and second female interfaces. The side interfaces extend from the body and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The interfaces have a distal end and a bus electrically connected to the female connector. The ends of the connecting pin are adapted to snugly engage louver-type connectors on male interfaces, which are inserted into the first and second female interfaces. The electrical connector is designed to minimize the distance between the first and second ends of the body. The side interfaces of the electrical connector can be designed to accommodate different high voltage connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Norman Siebens
  • Publication number: 20150230354
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Raleigh Sullivan, Michael David VanStavern, Kristofor Lynn Redinger, Christopher William Hackman, Richard F. Riczinger
  • Patent number: 9106030
    Abstract: An electrical disconnect for a utility service that has an internal reversible insulator and a separable power connector. In one position, the insulator may allow the flow of electricity through the separable power connector, but, in a second position, the insulator prevents the flow of electricity through the separable power connector. Because the electrical disconnect is located away from the customer's premises, it is difficult for the customer to reconnect his own power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Ronald Vallette, Matthew D. Cawood
  • Patent number: 9077166
    Abstract: A weatherproof electrical box may include a housing having a first enclosure volume and an opening to the first enclosure volume. A cover may be connected with the housing to cover the opening. A cable configuration element may extend from the cover and into the first enclosure volume. The cable configuration element may retain a cable connected with a device mounted in the housing in a downwardly extending surface configuration when the cover covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 9071044
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for retaining screws for a conduit body cover is disclosed. The screws are retained by a layer of PVC lining the inner surface of holes in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Seidel, James Scritchfield
  • Patent number: 9061806
    Abstract: Cable ties employing a nylon/graphene composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Gao, Cong T Dinh, Mark R Drane, Alan D Neal
  • Patent number: 9065209
    Abstract: An electrical connector provides for terminating an electrical conductor. The connector includes an elongate connector body having an elongate barrel portion for accommodating one end of an electrical conductor. A transition portion extends from the barrel portion. A connection portion extends from the transition portion. The connection portion has an elongate aperture therethrough and an extending projection adjacent the aperture. The projection of one connector body is insertable into the aperture of another identically formed connector body so as to place the one connector body in electrical engagement with the other connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 9059580
    Abstract: A system for curing a sealing compound provided in an electrical fitting, includes a curing chamber for receiving at least a portion of the electrical fitting therein, wherein the electrical fitting received within the curing chamber comprises a body and a sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of an electrical cable passing through the body. The sealing sleeve is configured to receive an ultra-violet (UV)-curable sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve. The system further includes a plurality of UV light sources configured to provide UV light into the curing chamber to cure the UV-curable sealing compound and to initiate curing of the UV-curable sealing compound in the sealing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Joey D. Magno, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9044832
    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: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Raleigh Sullivan, Michael David VanStavern, Kristofor Lynn Redinger, Christopher William Hackman, Richard F. Riczinger
  • Publication number: 20150118892
    Abstract: A grounding rod for a sacrificial appendage of an electrical cable connector, such as a splicing connector for joining two or more electrical cables, is provided. The sacrificial appendage is comprised of a feature for enabling personnel to ensure that the connector is de-energized, and once this is confirmed, the sacrificial appendage may be removed and replaced with a ground rod to which a grounding device can be connected to ground the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Larry N. Siebens, Carlos H. Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20150090488
    Abstract: An improved wire connector is provided that allows for securing one, two, or more cables in an electrical box knockout hole. The wire connector body interior includes a central tab with a hinge for exerting pressure against at least a first/tab cable. The central tab also has a gripping portion for gripping the tab cable without cutting its sheathing. In preferred embodiments, the central tab further includes a multifunction tab member, such as a multifunction knob or multifunction bumpers, which provides inter alia a secondary spring function for applying added pressure on an inserted tab cable, especially when a second/wall cable is inserted. The wire connector body contains ribs on the inner wall facing the central tab gripping portion for gripping a wall cable without cutting its insulation. The wire connector body also contains a longitudinal slot for easy installation or removal from an electrical box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Alain Laverdiere, Yves Boucher
  • Patent number: D727326
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Raleigh Sullivan, Michael David VanStavern, Kristofor Lynn Redinger, Christopher William Hackman, Richard F. Riczinger, Edward T. Doherty, Jr.
  • Patent number: D734269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens