Patents by Inventor James Zahnen

James 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: 9366282
    Abstract: A torque controlling break screw is provided for securing a wire or cable within a connector. The break screw comprises a nut, a thin-walled, hollow screw and a torque limiting feature between the nut and the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen, William Longcor, IV, Stanley Szyszko, Matthew Cawood, Robert Fong
  • Publication number: 20150071728
    Abstract: A torque controlling break screw is provided for securing a wire or cable within a connector. The break screw comprises a nut, a thin-walled, hollow screw and a torque limiting feature between the nut and the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen, William Longcor, IV, Stanley Szyszko, Matthew Cawood, Robert Fong
  • 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
  • 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: 20080076306
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a transformer stud. The electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having a first and second generally rectangular portions connected in an offset arrangement. The first generally rectangular portion may have a transformer stud receiving passageway for receiving a transformer stud. The first and second generally rectangular portions may have respective first and second openings to define first and second keeper holders. Keepers are removably received in the keeper holders to secure electrical conductors therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventor: James Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20080009184
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Kenneth Elliott
  • Publication number: 20070253792
    Abstract: A torque-limited fastener is for an electrical connector including an electrically conductive body having at least one fastener-receiving passageway intersecting a cable-receiving passageway. The torque-limited fastener may include a body being externally threaded to be received within the fastener-receiving passageway and having a tool-receiving passageway therein. A break-away head may be initially coupled to the body for breaking away therefrom at a torque limit upon tightening of the fastener. The break-away head may have a tool-receiving passageway therethrough aligned with the tool-receiving passageway of the body and accommodating a commonly-sized tool therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Paul Lubinsky, Marie Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20070207682
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a transformer stud. The electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having a first and second generally rectangular portions connected in an offset arrangement. The first generally rectangular portion may have a transformer stud receiving passageway for receiving a transformer stud. The first and second generally rectangular portions may have respective first and second openings to define first and second keeper holders. Keepers are removably received in the keeper holders to secure electrical conductors therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventor: James Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20070105428
    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: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company, State of Incorporation: Florida
    Inventors: Matthew Cawood, Roy Jazowski, Marc Salerno, James Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20060286862
    Abstract: A reusable insulating and sealing structure may include an insulating tube and a frusto-conical seal having an enlarged diameter open distal end carried by an open distal end of the insulating tube and having a reduced diameter open proximal end extending into the insulating tube. The reduced diameter open proximal end may be resiliently deformable to accommodate a range of sizes of cable ends therethrough. The reusable insulating and sealing structure may also include a removable seal closure cap for removable positioning in the enlarged diameter open distal end of the frusto-conical seal, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable seal closure cap to the frusto-conical seal adjacent the enlarged diameter open distal end thereof. The closure cap and tether permit the insulating and sealing structure to be sealed when a cable is not extending therethrough and thus permit the insulating and sealing structure to be reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: Paul LUBINSKY, Marie Lubinsky, James ZAHNEN, Roy JAZOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20060194480
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20060180335
    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: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: Matthew Cawood, Roy Jazowski, Marc Salerno, James Zahnen
  • Publication number: 20060148287
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20060148336
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20060148329
    Abstract: An electrical connector for electrical cables may include an electrically conductive body, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) insulating cover, and windows aligned with cable end viewing 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 having 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 windows 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
  • Publication number: 20050157449
    Abstract: An overhead service drop extending between a utility pole and a customer location includes at least one power conductor, a neutral conductor messenger supporting itself and the power conductor, and a separable power connector between the power conductor and a corresponding utility power conductor adjacent the utility pole. The overhead service drop further includes a separable neutral connector between the neutral conductor messenger and a corresponding utility neutral conductor, and a mechanical breakaway member between the neutral conductor messenger and the utility pole. The mechanical breakaway member breaks away prior to breakage of the neutral conductor messenger to permit preferential separation of the separable power and neutral connectors based upon increased tension imparted to the neutral conductor messenger by a falling object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James Zahnen, Paul Lubinsky