Patents by Inventor James L. Zahnen

James L. Zahnen 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: 7118427
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a respective removable fastener inlet closure cap for each tubular fastener inlet, and a respective flexible tether having a proximal end removably connected adjacent a corresponding tubular fastener inlet and a distal end integrally molded with a corresponding removable fastener inlet closure cap. The connector may include an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. The connector may also include an insulating cover on the electrically conductive body and including a respective integrally molded tubular fastener inlet aligned with each of the fastener-receiving openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Homac MFG Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Roy E. Jazowski, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 7094094
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover may be on the electrically conductive body and include an integrally molded respective tubular cable inlet aligned with each cable inlet opening. A respective insulating boot may be received in each of the tubular cable inlets. Each insulating boot may include a tubular sidewall having a progressively increasing diameter to an open outer end thereof, a removable boot closure cap for removable positioning in the open outer end of the tubular sidewall, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable boot closure cap to the tubular sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Homac MFG Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Roy E. Jazowski, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 7056151
    Abstract: An electrical connector may include a conductive body having a conductor receiving passageway therein to receive the conductor of a cable end. The conductive body may also have a fastener receiving passageway intersecting the conductor receiving passageway, and a fastener may be positioned in the fastener receiving passageway for securing the conductor. The connector may also include an insulating boot associated with the conductor receiving passageway. The insulating boot may include an insulating tube, and at least one rupturable seal closing the insulating tube and rupturing upon initial insertion of the cable end therethrough. The rupturable seal may also be compliant to accommodate different sized cable ends and form a seal with adjacent portions of the cable end. A pair of seals may be provided with an optional sealant material therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: Matthew D. Cawood, Roy E. Jazowski, Marc F. Salerno, James L. Zahnen
  • Patent number: 7014514
    Abstract: A slip-fit electrical connector compatible with different size threaded transformer studs includes a body having a plurality of transverse conductor receiving passageways, and intersecting conductor fastener receiving passageways. The body also has a multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway extending longitudinally inwardly from an end thereof, and at least one stud fastener receiving passageway intersecting the multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway. The multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway may be defined by an arcuate bottom, and a plurality of successively larger threaded stud landings with a lowermost threaded stud landing being bifurcated by the arcuate bottom. Each successive threaded stud landing may be bifurcated by a prior threaded stud landing. The threaded stud landings are for different size threaded transformer studs to conveniently and reliably fasten the transformer stud and connector together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventor: James L. Zahnen
  • Patent number: 6997759
    Abstract: An electrical connector for electrical cables includes an electrically conductive body, an insulating cover, and moveable cable seating indicators aligned with seating indicator openings in the conductive body. The electrically conductive body may have spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway may have a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. A respective fastener may be provided in each of the fastener-receiving passageways. The moveable cable seating indicators provide a cover and permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Roy E. Jazowski, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20040161968
    Abstract: An electrical connector may include a conductive body having a conductor receiving passageway therein to receive the conductor of a cable end. The conductive body may also have a fastener receiving passageway intersecting the conductor receiving passageway, and a fastener may be positioned in the fastener receiving passageway for securing the conductor. The connector may also include an insulating boot associated with the conductor receiving passageway. The insulating boot may include an insulating tube, and at least one rupturable seal closing the insulating tube and rupturing upon initial insertion of the cable end therethrough. The rupturable seal may also be compliant to accommodate different sized cable ends and form a seal with adjacent portions of the cable end. A pair of seals may be provided with an optional sealant material therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: HOMAC MFG. COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew D. Cawood, Roy E. Jazowski, Marc F. Salerno, James L. Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20040067697
    Abstract: A slip-fit electrical connector compatible with different size threaded transformer studs includes a body having a plurality of transverse conductor receiving passageways, and intersecting conductor fastener receiving passageways. The body also has a multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway extending longitudinally inwardly from an end thereof, and at least one stud fastener receiving passageway intersecting the multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway. The multi-size transformer stud receiving passageway may be defined by an arcuate bottom, and a plurality of successively larger threaded stud landings with a lowermost threaded stud landing being bifurcated by the arcuate bottom. Each successive threaded stud landing may be bifurcated by a prior threaded stud landing. The threaded stud landings are for different size threaded transformer studs to conveniently and reliably fasten the transformer stud and connector together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Homac Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Zahnen
  • Patent number: 6612879
    Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a transformer conductor, such as in a confined space, includes a generally rectangular flat base with offset keeper holders extending from opposite sides of the base. The base has opposing first and second ends and a medial portion extending therebetween. The first end is to be connected to the transformer conductor, while electrical conductors are to be connected to the second end. The electrical connector includes at least one medial keeper holder extending outwardly from a first side of the medial portion of the base, and at least one medial keeper received in the at least one medial keeper holder to secure an electrical conductor therein. At least one end keeper holder extends outwardly from a second side of the second end of the base and is longitudinally offset and on an opposite side from the at least one medial keeper holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Homac MFG. Company
    Inventor: James L. Zahnen
  • Patent number: 6345438
    Abstract: A method for making an electrical connector of the bus and post type includes connecting the posts to the bus with respective locking pins so that the posts extend outwardly from the bus. Each locking pin engages a lower open end of a post and extends into and engages a respective opening in the bus. Each locking pin may be expanded radially outwardly to securely engage adjacent portions of the bus and post. Accordingly, strong mechanical and electrical connection is established between the bus and the posts. Expanding each locking pin outwardly may be achieved by impacting at least one end face of each locking pin. In some embodiments, each post further has an upper open end in communication with the open lower end to define a central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Homac Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Edward Hielscher, Matthew D. Cawood
  • Patent number: 6265665
    Abstract: A gel-filled casing for an electrical connection includes lower and upper housing portions, and a hinge connecting the lower and upper housing portions along respective edges thereof. First and second bodies of sealing gel are in respective interiors of the lower and upper housing portions. The gel-filled casing further includes at least one partial closure member for securing the lower and upper housing portions in a partially closed position with the first and second bodies of sealing gel being separated from one another. This allows the gel-filled casing to be shipped in the partially closed position. At least one full closure member is also included for securing the lower and upper housing portions in a fully closed position with the first and second bodies of sealing gel being brought together and surrounding the electrical connection for ensuring that the gel surrounds the exposed conductors for preventing contact with moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Homac Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Zahnen
  • Patent number: D438845
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Homac Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Zahnen