Patents by Inventor James A. Knutson

James A. Knutson 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: 10619791
    Abstract: Channel framing includes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and defining an interior extending along the longitudinal axis. The body includes a first side defining a continuous slot extending lengthwise of the body and into the interior of the body. A second side is generally opposite the first side and defines a fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body. The fitting groove is configured for receiving at least one type of fitting to secure the fitting to the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 10012255
    Abstract: A trapeze hanger fitting includes a strut connecting portion configured for insertion into an open interior of a strut through an open longitudinal end of the strut to connect the trapeze hanger fitting to the strut. A rod securement portion is connected to the strut connecting portion and configured for securement to a rod to secure the trapeze hanger fitting to the rod. The rod securement portion is configured to be disposed outside the open interior of the strut and longitudinally outward from the open longitudinal end of the strut when the strut connecting portion is inserted into the open interior of the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9982695
    Abstract: In one aspect, a fitting for connecting first and second pieces of strut to one another, wherein each piece of strut includes an elongate strut body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, includes a first clip arm configured to extend into the external fitting groove of the first piece of strut. A second clip arm is configured to extend into the external fitting groove of the second piece of strut. A central portion is connected to and extends between the first and second clip arms. The central portion includes a first dimple configured to receive a tool and a second dimple configured to receive a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9982837
    Abstract: A fitting for channel framing includes a first clip arm configured to extend into a first external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing, and a second clip arm configured to extend into a second external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing. An outer portion connected to and extending between the first and second clip arms is configured to span across the continuous slot when the first and second clip arms extend into the respective first and second external fitting grooves and are clipped onto the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20180003204
    Abstract: A trapeze hanger fitting includes a strut connecting portion configured for insertion into an open interior of a strut through an open longitudinal end of the strut to connect the trapeze hanger fitting to the strut. A rod securement portion is connected to the strut connecting portion and configured for securement to a rod to secure the trapeze hanger fitting to the rod. The rod securement portion is configured to be disposed outside the open interior of the strut and longitudinally outward from the open longitudinal end of the strut when the strut connecting portion is inserted into the open interior of the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9790980
    Abstract: A fastener nut for securing a part to channel framing defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing. The fastener nut includes a nut body, and first and second wings extending longitudinally outward from respective first and second longitudinal ends of the body. The first and second wings having respective terminal ends defining an effective wing span therebetween that is greater than the length of the body such that at least a portion of the fastener nut has a generally T-shaped side profile. The fastener nut is insertable in the generally T-shaped track of the channel framing to allow the fastener nut to slide along the length of the channel framing and to restrict transverse movement of the fastener nut in the interior, relative to length of the framing, for use in positioning the fastener nut along the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang, Joseph Kline
  • Patent number: 9746105
    Abstract: A conduit clamp for securing a conduit component to channel framing includes first and second jaws each having opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the first and second jaws are configured for securement to one another, such that first and second jaws generally oppose one another and the second end portions of the first and second jaws are free from attachment to one another, to define a conduit receiving space between the first and second jaws. Each of the first and second jaws includes a coupling component at the second end portion thereof having a generally dovetail shape configured for reception in an external fitting groove of the channel framing to attach the conduit clamp to the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9651171
    Abstract: A fitting for channel framing includes a coupling component and a washer secured to the coupling component. At least a portion of the coupling component has a generally dovetail cross-sectional shape configured for reception in an external fitting groove of the channel framing. The washer engages outside surfaces of a second side of the channel framing at opposite sides of the external fitting groove when the coupling component is received in the external fitting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20170130896
    Abstract: A fitting for channel framing includes a first clip arm configured to extend into a first external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing, and a second clip arm configured to extend into a second external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing. An outer portion connected to and extending between the first and second clip arms is configured to span across the continuous slot when the first and second clip arms extend into the respective first and second external fitting grooves and are clipped onto the channel framing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9587767
    Abstract: A fitting for hanging a piece of channel framing includes a coupling component having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, a coupling longitudinal portion configured to be secured in the external fitting groove of the channel framing body, and an exposed longitudinal portion configured to extend outward from one of the open groove ends of an external fitting groove for connection to a rod to hang the piece of channel framing from an elevated structure when the coupling longitudinal portion of the coupling component is received in the external fitting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technology Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9574589
    Abstract: A trapeze hanger fitting includes a strut connecting portion configured for insertion into an open interior of a strut through an open longitudinal end of the strut to connect the trapeze hanger fitting to the strut. A rod securement portion is connected to the strut connecting portion and configured for securement to a rod to secure the trapeze hanger fitting to the rod. The rod securement portion is configured to be disposed outside the open interior of the strut and longitudinally outward from the open longitudinal end of the strut when the strut connecting portion is inserted into the open interior of the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9548598
    Abstract: A cable management attachment fitting for a ladder-type cable tray includes a rung attachment portion configured to attach to a lower flange of a rung of the ladder-type cable tray without the use of an additional fastener. A cable management attachment portion extends upward from the rung attachment portion and is configured to provide a structure to which a cable management device can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Brandon Michael Tally, Stephen Nathaniel Thompson, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9470339
    Abstract: A fitting for connecting first and second pieces of channel framing to one another includes a coupling component having first and second coupling portions. The first coupling portion has a dovetail cross-sectional shape, and the second coupling portion having a dovetail cross-sectional shape which is inverted relative to the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion is configured for reception in a fitting groove of the first piece of channel framing, and the second coupling portion is configured for reception in a fitting groove of the second piece of channel framing to connect the first and second pieces of channel framing to one another such that the fitting sides of the first and second pieces of channel framing are juxtaposed and face one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9453592
    Abstract: A fitting for channel framing includes a first clip arm configured to extend into a first external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing, and a second clip arm configured to extend into a second external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing. An outer portion connected to and extending between the first and second clip arms is configured to span across the continuous slot when the first and second clip arms extend into the respective first and second external fitting grooves and are clipped onto the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9423053
    Abstract: A fitting for channel framing includes a first clip arm configured to extend into a first external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing, and a second clip arm configured to extend into a second external fitting groove of the channel framing and clip onto the channel framing. An outer portion connected to and extending between the first and second clip arms is configured to span across the continuous slot when the first and second clip arms extend into the respective first and second external fitting grooves and are clipped onto the channel framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20160138633
    Abstract: In one aspect, a fitting for connecting first and second pieces of strut to one another, wherein each piece of strut includes an elongate strut body having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, and a fitting side defining an external fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body, includes a first clip arm configured to extend into the external fitting groove of the first piece of strut. A second clip arm is configured to extend into the external fitting groove of the second piece of strut. A central portion is connected to and extends between the first and second clip arms. The central portion includes a first dimple configured to receive a tool and a second dimple configured to receive a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, James A. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20160025244
    Abstract: A cable management attachment fitting for a ladder-type cable tray includes a rung attachment portion configured to attach to a lower flange of a rung of the ladder-type cable tray without the use of an additional fastener. A cable management attachment portion extends upward from the rung attachment portion and is configured to provide a structure to which a cable management device can be secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon Michael Tally, Stephen Nathaniel Thompson, James A. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20150316177
    Abstract: A trapeze hanger fitting includes a strut connecting portion configured for insertion into an open interior of a strut through an open longitudinal end of the strut to connect the trapeze hanger fitting to the strut. A rod securement portion is connected to the strut connecting portion and configured for securement to a rod to secure the trapeze hanger fitting to the rod. The rod securement portion is configured to be disposed outside the open interior of the strut and longitudinally outward from the open longitudinal end of the strut when the strut connecting portion is inserted into the open interior of the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150176631
    Abstract: A fastener nut for securing a part to channel framing defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing. The fastener nut includes a nut body, and first and second wings extending longitudinally outward from respective first and second longitudinal ends of the body. The first and second wings having respective terminal ends defining an effective wing span therebetween that is greater than the length of the body such that at least a portion of the fastener nut has a generally T-shaped side profile. The fastener nut is insertable in the generally T-shaped track of the channel framing to allow the fastener nut to slide along the length of the channel framing and to restrict transverse movement of the fastener nut in the interior, relative to length of the framing, for use in positioning the fastener nut along the channel framing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson, Zhihui Zhang, Joseph Kline
  • Publication number: 20140283461
    Abstract: A fitting for hanging a piece of channel framing includes a coupling component having opposite longitudinal ends, a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, a coupling longitudinal portion configured to be secured in the external fitting groove of the channel framing body, and an exposed longitudinal portion configured to extend outward from one of the open groove ends of an external fitting groove for connection to a rod to hang the piece of channel framing from an elevated structure when the coupling longitudinal portion of the coupling component is received in the external fitting groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, William E. McCarthy, James A. Knutson