Patents Examined by Dhiru R Patel
  • Patent number: 7700878
    Abstract: A buss bar strip for mounting to a solar panel to electrically connect to a series of electrical lines extending from solar cells. The buss bar strip can include a thin elongate flat flexible strip of insulative material having a longitudinal length. A predetermined pattern of elongate conductors can be longitudinally disposed on the insulative strip in at least two rows along the longitudinal length and electrically isolated from each other. Each conductor can have a predetermined position, length, and spacing from each other on the insulative strip for laterally electrically connecting to selected electrical lines from the solar cells at lateral electrical connection points located along the length of the conductor on exposed surfaces on the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Antaya Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen C. Antaya, Manuel H. Machado, Matthew Jarod Scherer
  • Patent number: 7696431
    Abstract: A spade or stake for hardware free mounting to a telecommunications data distribution terminal pedestal is disclosed. The spade may include one or more connectors of various types for engaging the pedestal to thereby couple the spade to the pedestal without hardware, and thus without tools. The pedestal may also include one or more connectors for mating with corresponding connectors on the stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Shen-Meng Chen, Jerome A. Maloney, Eduardo Leon, George I. Wakileh
  • Patent number: 7696432
    Abstract: In a mounting structure of an electrical junction box, the electrical junction box is vertically mounted on a wall surface along a vertical direction in a state where mating faces of an under case member and an upper case member are set in the vertical direction. Each of the under case member and the upper case member has a pair of left and right locking projections provided therein. A bracket including a backside plate part and a pair of case hook parts provided upright from both sides of the backside plate part is disposed along the vertical direction on the wall surface. The electrical junction box is slidingly inserted from above along the backside plate part in the vertical direction until both pairs of locking projections of the under case member and the upper case member are locked to the pair of case hook parts. Thus, the electrical junction box is mounted on the wall surface by use of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Nakayama, Katsuya Hashimoto, Hirofumi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7696435
    Abstract: A rigid conduit has a hard plastic exterior surface and electrical metallic tubing as the interior surface. The hard plastic exterior forms a smooth male fitting at one end of the conduit and a smooth female fitting at the other end of the conduit. Chemical solvent adhesives join together adjacent conduit sections, the hard plastic male and female fittings fusing together. The interior surface of electrical metallic tubing protects the exterior hard plastic material from damage caused during cabling of the electrical raceways. The exterior hard plastic protects the rigid conduit from corrosive environments, such as underground installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Geral D. Thomas, Vincent A. Cimorelli
  • Patent number: 7692100
    Abstract: Spacers for use on power distribution lines are disclosed that include a body, a messenger hook, and a conductor hook. A messenger clamp is pivotally connected to the messenger hook, and is rotatable from an open position to a messenger engaging position. A conductor clamp is pivotally connected to the conductor hook, and is rotatable from an open position to a conductor engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hendrix Wire & Cable
    Inventor: Brian Boisclair
  • Patent number: 7692104
    Abstract: This cable-fastening system is intended to maintain cables (4) in a longitudinally extending housing (10) having an aperture through which cables (4) can be introduced into the housing (10). It has the form of a flexible sheet (16) of elongated shape, provided on its two longitudinal rims with fastening intended to cooperate with complementary fastening. A cable support according to the invention is provided with a metal profiled structure (2) having at least one housing (10) intended to receive cables (4) or similar components, and also with such a fastening system (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Pierre Charon, Pierre-Alain Boeuf
  • Patent number: 7687710
    Abstract: Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with at least two different conductors, and method of selecting and installing the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anton F. Jachim, Douglas E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7687716
    Abstract: A cable management system for an electrical component having a connectivity interface configured to connect with cables includes a cable support bracket having a cable support plate configured to support the cables connected to the connectivity interface, and an arm having first and second arm portions. The first arm portion being coupled to the cable support plate and the second arm portion configured to be coupled to the electrical component. The first and second arm portions are selectively positionable with respect to one another such that the position of the cable support plate may be changed with respect to the connectivity interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Paul John Pepe, Jeffrey Lane McNeal, Stephen Scott Herndon
  • Patent number: 7683259
    Abstract: For improving durability of a wiring harness of a power supply system used in a sliding structure, a power supply system includes a casing; a wiring harness; a harness supporter arranged along a base of the casing so as to move freely back-and-forth in the casing; and a constant force spring arranged along the base of the casing. The wiring harness is bent and wired along an outer surface of the harness supporter, and the harness supporter is biased with a spring force by the constant force spring so as to absorb an extra length of the wiring harness. A winding part of the constant force spring is separated from a harness receiving space of the casing, and an end of the constant force spring led from the winding part is connected and fixed to the harness supporter at an outside of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tsubaki, Kentaro Shiraki, Kei Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7683264
    Abstract: The invention is a terminal assembly having a casing with at least one delivery tapered-cone conductor and at least one return tapered-cone conductor routed there-through. The delivery and return tapered-cone conductors are electrically isolated from each other and positioned in the annuluses of ordered concentric cones at an off-normal angle. The tapered cone conductor service can be AC phase conductors and DC link conductors. The center core has at least one service conduit of gate signal leads, diagnostic signal wires, and refrigerant tubing routed there-through. A seal material is in direct contact with the casing inner surface, the tapered-cone conductors, and the service conduits thereby hermetically filling the interstitial space in the casing interior core and center core. The assembly provides simultaneous high-current, high-pressure, low-inductance, and high-reliability service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: John S. Hsu, John W. McKeever
  • Patent number: 7683256
    Abstract: A protective insert for wires in a junction box is formed by a lockable cover having a frame with an opening and a pivotable cover for covering the opening. The frame is sized to rest on an inner lip of the box, which lip normally holds a lid for the box. The lid rests on the lockable cover. The cover may be pivoted open for access to wires in the junction box and may be pivoted closed, and locked, to protect the wires from theft or vandalism. The lockable cover is held down on the lip preferably by chains fixed to the frame with stakes fixed to a free end of the chains, and by pounding the stakes into the ground at the bottom of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Francisco J. Chumacero
  • Patent number: 7683258
    Abstract: A wire harness for preventing water from contacting capped, connected electrical wires. A lid and a base define an interior chamber. The base has fingers extending vertically upwardly for holding wire caps and connected electrical wires therein. A shelf protrudes from the inner surface of each finger to provide a platform for the bottom edge of the wire cap to seat against, securing the wire cap against downward movement. The sidewalls of the lid extend a predetermined distance below the shelves of the fingers to form a rim that creates a double air trap within the harness for preventing water from contacting the conductive portions of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Strahm, Ryuji Umehara
  • Patent number: 7683255
    Abstract: The present invention generally discloses a weatherproof flush adapter plate assembly. In one embodiment, the adapter plate assembly includes a plate. The plate includes a front side, a back side, an outer edge, at least one inner edge, at least one mounting member for receiving a back box and at least one mounting member for receiving a notification appliance. The adapter plate assembly also includes a first gasket coupled to the front side of the plate and a second gasket coupled to the back side of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Inhong Hur, Scott Eric Rudolph, Luy Ba Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7683265
    Abstract: A grommet is formed having a funnel shaped portion and a tubular portion linked to a small diameter end portion of the funnel shaped portion. The grommet is inserted to an aperture of a car body panel after a wire harness is passed through and attached to the funnel shaped portion and the tubular portion, and a body latch groove provided on the external circumferential surface of the funnel shaped portion is latched to the car body panel. An extended tubular portion is provided that projects from the tubular portion, and extends inside the funnel shaped portion. A plurality of ribs is provided on an external circumferential surface of the extended tubular portion. The ribs include type one ribs having grooves on both surfaces of an element linking the rib to the extended tubular portion, and a type two rib having no groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Uchida, Koji Yonezu, Manabu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7683254
    Abstract: An electrical connection unit includes an electrical junction box that incorporates a capacitor and has (a) a body that has an electronic component accommodating space accommodating the capacitor via an opening; and an electric wire receiving space receiving an electric wire electrically connected to a terminal of the capacitor, and (b) an electrically conductive grounding member that grounds a grounding terminal of the capacitor and integrally includes: a connecting portion electrically connected to the grounding terminal; a cover portion covering the opening of the electronic component accommodating space; a locking to be locked with corresponding locking portions of the body; a bending preventing portion preventing inward bending one of the locking portions of the body which may cause one of the locking portions of the grounding member to be accidentally detached from the corresponding locking portion of the body; and a grounding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7679007
    Abstract: A modular in-wall medical services unit for medical care facilities. A housing is supported inside the wall. The housing is divided longitudinally into front and rear chambers. The service outlet cabinet and gas conduits are mounted in the front chamber. The rear chamber is divided into multiple raceways for the electrical wires. The top of the housing is above the ceiling, and a junction box is mounted on the front of the housing near the top so that it extends beyond the wallboard and above the ceiling. This allows the wallboard to be installed around the cabinet and the junction box before or after gas and electrical connections are completed. Because there are no external wiring conduits, the unit is easier to ship. Additionally, the narrow footprint allows the unit to be placed adjacent another structure in the wall or in a corner, increasing the placement choices in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Modular Services Company
    Inventors: James A. Walker, John R. Pierson
  • Patent number: 7674983
    Abstract: A wire holder includes a synthetic resin component that includes a clamp portion for holding at least one wire and a metal component that includes at least one lead portion mounted on a circuit board. The synthetic resin component includes a groove-shaped fitting groove portion. The metal component includes at least one fitting portion that fits the fitting groove portion and is connected to the lead portion. The fitting groove portion includes at least one first opening portion which allows the at least one lead portion to project in a predetermined direction when the at least one fitting portion fits the fitting groove portion. At least one of end portions in an extension direction of a groove of the fitting groove portion is opened as a second opening portion which allows one of the at least one lead portion to project along the extension direction of the groove of the fitting groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7674990
    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. Another aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly including an upper frame, at least one intumescent member and an intumescent cover. The intumescent member is disposed below the upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 7674982
    Abstract: The insulator, includes a lower bell shaped portion, an intermediate annular waist portion and an upper saddle portion for receiving and supporting an electric transmission overhead cable. An axial blind bore opens at its lower end for receiving an upstanding support pin. The saddle portion includes a transversely-curved groove, substantially normal to the axial bore, and jutting parts on each side of the cable receiving groove and laterally protruding from the waist portion. Each jutting part has an external face which is provide with a partly annular groove, generally coaxial with the bore and of greater radius than that of the waist portion. These annular grooves are adapted to positively retain the inturned flanges of a cable retaining clasp despite an upward force or a laterally upwardly directed force exerted by the cable on the clasp. The waist portion can still be used for attaching the electric wire by a tie-wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: BMC Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Cloutier, Paul Gentes
  • Patent number: 7674976
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a wall plate assembly, such as for light switches and electrical outlets, that may be painted to coordinate with the color of a room's walls, trim, or décor. The wall plate assembly includes a transparent outer or cover plate and a concealed backing plate. A reverse side of the transparent outer plate can be painted and the backing plate attached to cover and protect the painted surface. Both the outer plate and the backing plate can be made of molded thermoplastic resin and will typically contain openings to provide access to switches, outlets, plugs, jacks, mounting posts, etc., as well as any holes requires by fasteners such as screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Susan Eastin