Patents by Inventor Cong T. Dinh

Cong T. Dinh 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).

  • Patent number: 10683150
    Abstract: A dual material cable tie includes a tail on a first end, a head on a second end, and an elongated strap extending therebetween. The strap and tail are substantially flat and formed from a first material. The tail can have teeth/ridges on one or both of the surfaces that extend outwardly from the surface(s). The head has a first portion, a second portion and a passage extending from a first end to a second end that receives the tail. A pawl is located in the passage and the second portion includes an exterior surface. The first portion of the head is made from a first material and the second portion is made from a second material that can be stiffer than the first material and the hardness of the second material can be the same or greater than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Yan Gao
  • Publication number: 20190009959
    Abstract: A dual material cable tie includes a tail on a first end, a head on a second end, and an elongated strap extending therebetween. The strap and tail are substantially flat and formed from a first material. The tail can have teeth/ridges on one or both of the surfaces that extend outwardly from the surface(s). The head has a first portion, a second portion and a passage extending from a first end to a second end that receives the tail. A pawl is located in the passage and the second portion includes an exterior surface. The first portion of the head is made from a first material and the second portion is made from a second material that can be stiffer than the first material and the hardness of the second material can be the same or greater than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Yan Gao
  • 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: 9254949
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band. The housing comprises a first mass near the first opening and one side of the housing, a stop mass near a second side of the housing, and a second mass between the first mass and the stop mass. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the second mass prevents the first mass from moving a first distance occupied by the second mass, toward the stop mass. When the first end in the housing is being pulled out of the housing, the first mass locks the first end in the housing and prevents the first end from slipping over a second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Andrew C. Cole, Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20150266637
    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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
  • 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: 9061807
    Abstract: A cable tie comprising a cable tie head that comprises a head portion. The cable tie also comprises 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: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
  • Patent number: 8993891
    Abstract: A grommet assembly includes a liner, a grommet body, and a lid. The liner is configured to be secured within a hole in a deck surface. The grommet body is configured to move longitudinally within the liner between an extended position and a withdrawn position. The lid is attached to the grommet body in a pivoting configuration and is configured to secure a plug of an outdoor electrical cord fed through the liner from under the deck surface. The lid pivots between a closed position and an open position that permits access to the plug from above the deck surface when the grommet body is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Bobby N. Norwood
  • Patent number: 8986022
    Abstract: A pivoting face receptacle may include a receptacle module. The receptacle module may include a hinge and a receptacle attached to the hinge. The receptacle is configured to pivot, about the hinge, from a retracted position in which a face of the receptacle is parallel to a front of the receptacle module, to an extended position in which the face of the receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the front the receptacle module and protrudes from the face of the receptacle module. The pivoting face receptacle may also include a receptacle housing. The receptacle housing, having a front affixed to a rear of the receptacle module, may include a plurality of contacts on exterior faces of the receptacle housing. The receptacle housing may be configured to receive the receptacle into a space enclosed by the receptacle housing when the receptacle is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Bobby N. Norwood, Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 8932087
    Abstract: A stirrup connector includes a cable connecting device, a clamp, and a control section. The cable connecting device is configured to secure a tap line to the stirrup connector. The clamp secures the stirrup connector to a stirrup. The clamp includes a set of jaws forming an opening that is smaller than a diameter of the stirrup and is configured to snap onto the stirrup when the set of jaws is forced against the stirrup at the opening. The control section is configured to be releasably engaged with a hot stick and to translate a connecting force from the hotstick to the clamp to secure the clamp to the stirrup. The stirrup connector provides an electrical connection between the stirrup and the tap line when the clamp is secured to the stirrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
  • Patent number: 8864502
    Abstract: A mechanical grounding connector is provided for connecting at least two conductors. The connector is comprised of a first, second and third body section which have channels that allow for installation of conductors between each of the body sections. The channels of each body section lie at 90 degree angles such that conductors can be installed in a parallel or transverse arrangement. Bolts are used to hold together the first, second and third body sections of the connector and allow the body sections to be separated from one another by loosening the bolts to install conductors, without the need to completely remove the bolts from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong T. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20140059809
    Abstract: Cable ties employing a nylon/graphene composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Gao, Cong T. Dinh, Mark R. Drane, Alan D. Neal
  • Publication number: 20140000959
    Abstract: A grommet assembly includes a liner, a grommet body, and a lid. The liner is configured to be secured within a hole in a deck surface. The grommet body is configured to move longitudinally within the liner between an extended position and a withdrawn position. The lid is attached to the grommet body in a pivoting configuration and is configured to secure a plug of an outdoor electrical cord fed through the liner from under the deck surface. The lid pivots between a closed position and an open position that permits access to the plug from above the deck surface when the grommet body is in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Bobby N. Norwood
  • Publication number: 20130344721
    Abstract: A pivoting face receptacle may include a receptacle module. The receptacle module may include a hinge and a receptacle attached to the hinge. The receptacle is configured to pivot, about the hinge, from a retracted position in which a face of the receptacle is parallel to a front of the receptacle module, to an extended position in which the face of the receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the front the receptacle module and protrudes from the face of the receptacle module. The pivoting face receptacle may also include a receptacle housing. The receptacle housing, having a front affixed to a rear of the receptacle module, may include a plurality of contacts on exterior faces of the receptacle housing. The receptacle housing may be configured to receive the receptacle into a space enclosed by the receptacle housing when the receptacle is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Bobby N. Norwood, Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20130333164
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band. The housing comprises a first mass near the first opening and one side of the housing, a stop mass near a second side of the housing, and a second mass between the first mass and the stop mass. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the second mass prevents the first mass from moving a first distance occupied by the second mass, toward the stop mass. When the first end in the housing is being pulled out of the housing, the first mass locks the first end in the housing and prevents the first end from slipping over a second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Andrew C. Cole, Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20130298353
    Abstract: A cable tie comprising a cable tie head that comprises a head portion. The cable tie also comprises 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Yan Gao, Bobby N. Norwood, Cong T. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20130303035
    Abstract: A stirrup connector includes a cable connecting device, a clamp, and a control section. The cable connecting device is configured to secure a tap line to the stirrup connector. The clamp secures the stirrup connector to a stirrup. The clamp includes a set of jaws forming an opening that is smaller than a diameter of the stirrup and is configured to snap onto the stirrup when the set of jaws is forced against the stirrup at the opening. The control section is configured to be releasably engaged with a hot stick and to translate a connecting force from the hotstick to the clamp to secure the clamp to the stirrup. The stirrup connector provides an electrical connection between the stirrup and the tap line when the clamp is secured to the stirrup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20130295786
    Abstract: A mechanical grounding connector is provided for connecting at least two conductors. The connector is comprised of a first, second and third body section which have channels that allow for installation of conductors between each of the body sections. The channels of each body section lie at 90 degree angles such that conductors can be installed in a parallel or transverse arrangement. Bolts are used to hold together the first, second and third body sections of the connector and allow the body sections to be separated from one another by loosening the bolts to install conductors, without the need to completely remove the bolts from the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cong T. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20130277085
    Abstract: A weatherproof while-in-use floor cover is provided for allowing access to a while-in-use box which is mounted below an elevated floor. The while-in-use floor cover comprises a frame and a lid and is constructed such that a cut-out exists along an edge of the lid to provide a passage for an electrical cord in order that the electrical cord may be plugged in to the while-in-use box which is mounted below the elevated floor when the lid of the while-in-use floor cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Mark R. Drane, Peter J. Gallucci
  • Patent number: 8181926
    Abstract: A clamp includes a first member, a washer, a nut, a threaded bolt, a spring and a torsion spring. The first member may include side portions and have a first opening. The washer may include a second opening and at least one portion protruding in a downward direction from an upper surface of the washer. The nut may have an upper surface, a lower surface and a threaded opening. The threaded bolt may be disposed through the first opening, the second opening and the threaded opening. The spring may be located between a portion of the first member and the washer. The torsion spring may be located between the washer and the nut, where the torsion spring causes the nut to rotate when force is applied to an upper part of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Robert K. Jolly, Andrew C. Cole, Cong T. Dinh