Patents by Inventor Alain Michaud

Alain Michaud has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080179469
    Abstract: A cable connector having a generally tubular shape with a frontal portion and a rear portion is provided. The frontal portion is on a plane perpendicular to an axis with an undivided annular structure having an outer semi-conic wing that secures the cable connector to a knock-out opening prior to a cable insertion therein and an inner receptacle structure for receiving a cable in a direction that is parallel to the axis. A rear grasping portion separated into a pivoting rigid latch segment with a tightening handle for clasping against a fixed slot segment with a releasing handle for grasping the inserted cable is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Yvan Leone, Alain Michaud
  • Publication number: 20080149783
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a retaining element for securing at least one elongate member to an installation surface in conjunction with a fastener. The retaining element includes a first portion and at least one second portion. The first portion secures the retaining element to the installation surface. The at least one second portion engages the elongate member. Also, the second portion defines a single continuous arch formed by a plurality of engagement surfaces disposed on a bottom side of the second portion. The engagement surfaces define a portion of the perimeter of at least two substantially overlapping shapes, such as ellipses, having different dimensions. In this way, upon installation the elongate member directly engages and is secured to both the installation surface and at least one of the engagement surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 7365270
    Abstract: A twist-on wire connector including an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity. The housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings. The wings extend from the open end along the longitudinal portion of the housing. The wings have two sections with different dimensions to accommodate manual attachment or attachment by use of a tool such as a socket for applying the connector to the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, Viorel Popovici, Pierre Fortin
  • Publication number: 20070164183
    Abstract: A bracket for electrical outlet boxes that includes: a first end section, a middle section and a second end section, wherein each section has a substantially planar surface, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the middle section is offset from and substantially parallel to the first and second end sections; first and second offset portions connecting the middle section to the first and second end sections; first and second opposing ends extending upwardly and substantially perpendicular to the first and second end sections; a first tab and a second tab extending in opposing relation to each other from the first side of the first and second ends; a first leg and a second leg extending downwardly from the second side of the first and second end sections; and a bendable member extending from the first side of the middle section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, Michael DiLillo
  • Patent number: 7173195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp assembly for clamping an electrical wire to the wall of the electrical outlet box. The clamp assembly includes a wire clamp non-rotatably supported in the box adjacent to the wall. The wire clamp has an internally threaded aperture therethrough. A threaded screw assembly is captively retained in the box for rotating movement without longitudinal displacement. The threaded screw extends through the threaded aperture of the clamp such that upon rotating movement of the screw, the clamp is longitudinally movable therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Michaud
  • Publication number: 20060284027
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp body having a transverse surface and a threaded opening therein, a threaded bolt threaded through the opening, the bolt having a head at one end region and a saddle at an opposite end region, the saddle configured to clamp against a pipe, a locknut threaded on the bolt, the locknut adapted to being rotated on the bolt against the head with a predetermined amount of torque, the predetermined amount corresponding with a pre-determined force to be applied by the saddle against the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: William Smith, Alain Michaud, Daniel Lalancette
  • Patent number: 7073755
    Abstract: A pipe clamp secures a pipe to a structural member. The pipe clamp includes an inverted U-shaped clamp body having a transverse surface and a pair of spaced-apart legs for attachment to the structural member. A threaded bolt is moveably accommodated through an opening in the transverse surface. The pipe engagement saddle is positioned at the distal end of the bolt. A split nut, supported by the transverse surface, provides for moveable accommodation of the threaded bolt there through. A split nut is configurable between a first condition wherein the threaded bolt is moveable under screw threaded operation; a second condition wherein the bolt is moveable through the nut under non-screw threaded operation. Movement of the bolt under the first or second condition affects movement of the saddle with respect to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20060090919
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp assembly for clamping an electrical wire to the wall of the electrical outlet box. The clamp assembly includes a wire clamp non-rotatably supported in the box adjacent to the wall. The wire clamp has an internally threaded aperture therethrough. A threaded screw assembly is captively retained in the box for rotating movement without longitudinal displacement. The threaded screw extends through the threaded aperture of the clamp such that upon rotating movement of the screw, the clamp is longitudinally movable therealong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventor: Alain Michaud
  • Publication number: 20060076348
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box including a first planar box wall and a second planar box wall. The first and second box walls are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other. One of the walls includes an extending clip. The other wall includes a receiving slot. The clip is insertable into the slot to couple the first box wall to the second box wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Alain Michaud
  • Publication number: 20060070765
    Abstract: A twist-on wire connector including an elongate insulated housing having a closed upper end, an open lower end and a central cavity. The housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly directed elongate continuous wings. The wings extend from the open end along the longitudinal portion of the housing. The wings have two sections with different dimensions to accommodate manual attachment or attachment by use of a tool such as a socket for applying the connector to the conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, Viorel Popovici, Pierre Fortin
  • Patent number: 6894222
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box having a generally rectangular box having a back wall, a perimetrical side wall surrounding the back wall defining an open front face and a box interior, the side wall comprised of a first and second set of generally parallel spaced apart wall portions, outwardly directed flanges extending from one set of parallel wall portions adjacent the open front face; and fastening structures integrally formed with and attached to the flanges for rigidly mounting the electrical outlet box to a structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Alain Michaud, Mike DiLillo
  • Publication number: 20050072883
    Abstract: A pipe clamp secures a pipe to a structural member. The pipe clamp includes an inverted U-shaped clamp body having a transverse surface and a pair of spaced-apart legs for attachment to the structural member. A threaded bolt is moveably accommodated through an opening in the transverse surface. The pipe engagement saddle is positioned at the distal end of the bolt. A split nut, supported by the transverse surface, provides for moveable accommodation of the threaded bolt there through. A split nut is configurable between a first condition wherein the threaded bolt is moveable under screw threaded operation; a second condition wherein the bolt is moveable through the nut under non-screw threaded operation. Movement of the bolt under the first or second condition affects movement of the saddle with respect to the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20040123996
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box having a generally rectangular box having a back wall, a perimetrical side wall surrounding the back wall defining an open front face and a box interior, the side wall comprised of a first and second set of generally parallel spaced apart wall portions, outwardly directed flanges extending from one set of parallel wall portions adjacent the open front face; and fastening structures integrally formed with and attached to the flanges for rigidly mounting the electrical outlet box to a structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lalancette, Alain Michaud, Mike DiLillo
  • Patent number: 6034325
    Abstract: A connector for an armored cable including a connector body having an opening extending therethrough and a gland nut telescopically engageable with the connector body. The gland nut has an aperture for receiving the armored cable. The connector further includes a sealing ring positionable within the gland nut and has an inner annular surface engageable with the armored cable for sealing about same on an opposed outer annular surface. The sealing ring includes an annular groove formed about an outer surface thereof, and the groove permits the sealing ring to diametrically contract upon linear compression of the sealing ring. In addition, an isolating device is provided that is positionable about the sealing ring for frictionally isolating the sealing ring from the gland nut and permitting the gland nut to rotate substantially independently of the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
  • 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: 5312142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing plastic parts with a resilient projection, such as connectors for corrugated tubing. The method comprises the steps of flowing plastic material on a core provided with a recess to mould the resilient projection, camming the resilient projection out of the recess, after the mass of plastic material is solidified and extracting the solidified part from the core. The invention also extends to a novel connector for corrugated tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Commander Electrical Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 5200209
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing plastic parts with a resilient projection, such as connectors for corrugated tubing. The apparatus includes means for flowing plastic material on a core provided with a recess to mould the resilient projection, plural core cam surfaces to extract the resilient projection out of the recess, after the mass of plastic material is solidified and extract the solidified part from the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: D523821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, Viorel Popovici, Pierre Fortin
  • Patent number: D562115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Michaud, Michael DiLillo
  • Patent number: RE38294
    Abstract: A connector for an armored cable including a connector body having an opening extending therethrough and a gland nut telescopically engageable with the connector body. The gland nut has an aperture for receiving the armored cable. The connector further includes a sealing ring positionable within the gland nut and has an inner annular surface engageable with the armored cable for sealing about same on an opposed outer annular surface. The sealing ring includes an annular groove formed about an outer surface thereof, and the groove permits the sealing ring to diametrically contract upon linear compression of the sealing ring. In addition, an isolating device is provided that is positionable about the sealing ring for frictionally isolating the sealing ring from the gland nut and permitting the gland nut to rotate substantially independently of the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: William Nattel, Alain Michaud