Patents Examined by Paramita Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5594208
    Abstract: A three component electrical outlet box suitable for surface mounting is provided with a base having both locating legs and relatively rigid upstanding posts that are adapted to receive one of a plurality of covers, each cover having inwardly projecting lugs in its flexible side walls to be received in openings defined for this purpose in the posts. An electrical device such as a duplex plug with threaded fasteners supplied thereon is adapted to be assembled with the outlet box as a result of the fasteners being received in unthreaded openings defined in the top wall of the box or cover. The flexibility of the box side walls coupled with a bisector slot provided in each top wall end portion parallel the side walls assures entry of the threaded fastener without threading, and removal of the fastener only by unthreading or by manually spreading the slots side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventors: Salvatore A. Cancellieri, Wilfred R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5594203
    Abstract: An electrical fitting includes a housing for fitting into a recess provided in an outside corner defined by two meeting building walls of a building, or into an inside corner defined by two meeting building walls of a building. The housing includes two side walls provided at an angle to each other, an upper wall and a bottom wall, the walls of the housing defining a chamber in the housing with an open front face; at least one joining formation provided on the housing for joining an electrical conduit leading into the chamber of the housing; and a connection formation for connecting a cover plate to the housing for closing the open front face of the housing. A cut-out is provided in the upper wall and this cut-out can be closed off by means of a removable closure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Christian J. Veermeer
  • Patent number: 5594202
    Abstract: A sleeve system and method for using same provides an encasement for wires and cables passing through a wall or floor. The sleeve system is particularly useful in allowing the walls within a building to meet fire code requirements. The sleeve system can be used regardless of whether the wiring or cabling has already been installed through the wall or floor. The invention includes a pair of mating sleeve units individually inserted around the cables through the wall or floor and appropriate securing devices for tightly retaining the sleeve units in place. In one embodiment, the securing devices include at least one slotted flange and a slotted coupler on each side of the wall. The sleeve construction also allows easy installation of additional cables through the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Michael A. Tobias
  • Patent number: 5594201
    Abstract: A height and azimuth adjustable container is disclosed as a base for lighting fixtures, transformer housings, and junction boxes and provides precise and simplified aligning of lighting fixtures to be mounted on it. The height and azimuth adjustable container provides a precise and simplified adjustable aligning of lighting fixtures for azimuth alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5594209
    Abstract: A cable connector clamp for an insulated electrical cable is preferably integrally moulded from a resilient plastic material. It has a cylindrical housing defining a passage for the cable, and a slot to permit its insertion into a knock out or opening of an enclosure wall. Within the housing, there is a clamping element extending across the passage and resiliently deflectable, to permit insertion of a cable. The clamping element includes a clamping lip that is resiliently pressed against the cable to prevent its withdrawal from the connective clamp. To assist in clamping the cable, one or both of a clamping lip of reduced thickness at the free end of the clamping element, and additional projections on the inner wall of the housing are provided. The additional projections have abutment faces, perpendicular to the axis of the housing and facing the second end of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 5589663
    Abstract: An earthed cable gland for an armoured cable for mounting on an enclosure wall includes an electrically insulating gland nut and an electrically insulating tubular entry member. The entry member is threaded at one end for engagement with the gland nut. At least one slot extends longitudinally from an other end of the entry member along a part of its length. A device is included for mounting the entry member on an enclosure wall. An armoured cable extends through the cable gland and has an armoured covering. An electrically conducting tubular connection member is retained within the entry member for engagement with the armour of the cable. An electrically conducting contact member is located within the at least one slot in the entry member. The contact member is moveable on mounting of the entry member on the enclosure wall, between a first position free of the connection member and a second position in abutment and electrical contact with the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Elkay Electrical Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Alan C. D. Wales
  • Patent number: 5581051
    Abstract: An insulating assembly for an overhead power line has a main subassembly formed of two parallel spaced insulators joined at their ends by aluminum end pieces. The end pieces each have a slot aligned with the space between the two insulators and a rod projecting from the end piece in alignment with the slot but below the slot. This arrangement enables the subassembly to be hung on a hot power line with the line passing along the slots and the space between the insulators. The rods may be clamped to the line by any suitable device such as wedges and C-shaped clamps. With the subassembly thus mechanically and electrically connected securely to the line, the line can be severed at a location between the end pieces and the free ends forced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Edward C. Hill
  • Patent number: 5578795
    Abstract: This invention relates to an inlet valve assembly for central vacuum systems and the method of installing the same. In particular, this invention relates to an inlet valve assembly including an inlet face plate, a mounting plate, having a deformable mounting flange, and an electrical receptacle integrally formed with a high voltage wire. In some uses, the inlet valve assembly also can include a low voltage wire which can be used to complete a low voltage circuit to initiate a central vacuum motor. The mounting plate can accommodate the electrical receptacle in a temporary position and the inlet face plate can rear mount the receptacle into a locked position where the receptacle is securely attached to the inlet face plate. In this manner, the receptacle may be mounted to the inlet face plate even though one end of the high voltage wire is already wired into an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Canplas Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: John F. Ward
  • Patent number: 5576516
    Abstract: A protective cover for a terminal includes a cover base for holding a terminal, a cover body for covering a terminal mounted on the cover base, the cover body including, a freely operatable lid formed through a hinge and a temporary opening holding member for holding the freely operatable lid portion at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Kameyama, Jun Ono
  • Patent number: 5574254
    Abstract: A water-proof sealing structure for an electric junction box including a main box having a first fitting portion and a water-proof covering having a second fitting portion to be mated with the first fitting portion; wherein either the first or second fitting portion is integrally formed with an elastomer-made fitting groove having a narrowed portion therein, while the other fitting portion is formed with a locking projection wall provided with a stopper; wherein the locking projection wall is suppressed by the narrowed portion when inserted into the fitting groove, forming simultaneously an air-keeping section between a top end of the locking projection wall and an innermost portion of the fitting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Arai Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumimasa Mori, Masato Odake, Kazuhiro Shimizu, Fumio Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5574256
    Abstract: A recessed transformer AC electrical wall outlet box for recessing modular 120 volt alternating current (VAC) transformers and/or power converters within a wall-mounted electrical outlet box, while at the same time providing a standard RJ-11 modular telephone jack connection on the face plate. A first well is provided for enclosing a commonly sized modular transformer for electrical devices, such as a cordless telephone base station. A conventional AC electrical outlet is provided in the well. An aperture is provided in a wall leading into a second, rear well for receiving the 120 VAC electrical wiring that is connected to the outlet. A second aperture, spaced apart from the first aperture, opens into the first well for the telephone wire. The telephone wire is connected to a standard RJ-11 modular telephone jack provided in a face plate that detachably affixed to the outlet box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cottone
  • Patent number: 5574255
    Abstract: There is no prior way to retrofit one or more laterally extending electrical boxes for extra switches, outlets or accessories such as rheostatic controls in existing walls without tearing out a portion of the wall, removing the box, rewiring a new ganged box and refinishing the wall. This invention provides modular lateral box extensions constructed to be installed from the open front end and supported by the installed box anchored to a beam with the wall being cut only enough to receive the extension modular box. This efficiently requires the wiring of only additional modules and avoids repair and repainting of walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Micheal L. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5571995
    Abstract: A safety cover for electrical outlets includes a center locking block which is attached to an electrical outlet by a screw, and which has grooves to receive elongate members integral with individual receptacle covers. Matching cross-sectional shapes of the grooves and members fit closely so that the elongate members are retained in the grooves. A flexible latching arm on the front of a receptacle cover engages the locking block to latch the cover in place; the latching arm is pressed aside with a fingertip to permit removal of the receptacle cover. One of the covers has prongs which engage openings in the receptacle to prevent the safety cover assembly from being rotated around the mounting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: David B. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5571994
    Abstract: A weatherproof seal for wire entrance into an enclosure for an electrical device in an automobile. The seal including a tubular element adapted for the passage of the wires entering the enclosure and a wrapper wrapped about the tubular element and also wrapped about a length of the wires outside of the tubular element and adjacent to one end of the tubular element. The wrapper including heat shrinkable tubing having a lining of meltable material that has been placed around the tubular element and the length of the wires and heated sufficiently to melt the meltable material and cause the heat shrinkable tubing to shrink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Norton
  • Patent number: 5569885
    Abstract: An insulated link using new castable insulating materials and interim molds. A strong, insulating cast dielectric is assembled with metal plates to form a core assembly. A low viscosity bonding compound introduced into the core prior to casting an outer dielectric jacket eliminates the formation of air pockets. This construction provides a link that can support heavy loads and that has strong dielectric properties. The simplified method of construction of the link increases manufacturing yields, as well as the durability, ultraviolet resistance, and electrical resistance of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: GHM Industries
    Inventors: Theodore E. Petit, Jr., Leonard L. Ivel
  • Patent number: 5569884
    Abstract: Trunking, in particular trunking for electrical apparatus, includes a body with inwardly directed lips and a cover adapted to be snap-fastened to the lips. The trunking further includes a cover jointing member extending transversely between the lips of the body to cover the end of the cover. At one end at least it is provided with a latch for locking it to the respective lip of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Bertrand Decore
  • Patent number: 5563373
    Abstract: A safety device replaces the cover plate of a wall-mounted electrical outlet box having a pair of female receptacles for receiving a male plug. The safety device has a face plate, a back plate, a pair of shutters and a biasing means. The face plate has a front face and an opposing back face. The face plate has two large apertures in it, corresponding to the two female receptacles and exposing the receptacles when the face plate is positioned atop the outlet box and secured to it. The back plate has a inner surface and an outer surface and an aperture, which is shaped and positioned to correspond to the pair of female receptacles. When the front plate and back plate are mated, the front plate and the back plate are joined with the back face of the front plate, the inner surface of the back plate and a pair of parallel flanges on the back face defining a channel. First and second shutters, corresponding to each of the large apertures on the face plate, cover the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Slobodan Doroslovac
  • Patent number: 5563378
    Abstract: A cable clamp for clamping a motor cable includes a fixing member having a pair of bottom plates. The bottom plates are placed in parallel to each other to thereby define an opening. A pair of guide members are also placed in parallel to each other and bridge the bottom plates to further limit the opening. The motor cable is then received through the opening. A slide member slides along the pair of guide members to thereby clamp the cable. The bottom plates may optionally include a depression near the opening which defines a recess. A waterproof adhesive may be disposed within the recess to thereby form a watertight barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Fanuc, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uchida, Tomonaga Yamamoto, Takeshi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 5563379
    Abstract: A composite electrical insulator (1) includes a plastic rod (2), e.g., an FRP rod, which is covered by a sheath which includes a resilient and electrically insulating material. A metal fitting (4, 5) on each side of the insulator (1) has a radially inwardly deformable sleeve portion formed with a bore in which the end portion of the plastic rod (2) is covered by the sheath (3). The end portion of the sheath (3) has an outer surface opposite to the metal fitting (4, 5), which is provided with at least one circumferential ridge (7a, 7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehiko Kunieda, Takeshi Shogo
  • Patent number: 5563372
    Abstract: A terminal housing having a entry port formed in one wall thereof in combination with a folded grommet sheet having criss-crossing slits retained in sealing relation with the wall of the housing by a grommet plate. The housing is of unitary construction and has a door portion secured to a body portion by a living hinge and is equipped with spring elements for urging the door portion of the housing toward open and closed positions. The housing is suited for universal mounting on a strand, cable, wall and post or pole. The terminal housing is configured to contain terminal blocks for splices or dropwire installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Communications Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Selim Messelhi