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).
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Patent number: 9366282Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen, William Longcor, IV, Stanley Szyszko, Matthew Cawood, Robert Fong
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Publication number: 20150071728Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen, William Longcor, IV, Stanley Szyszko, Matthew Cawood, Robert Fong
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Patent number: 8932087Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20130303035Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Alan D. Neal, Mark R. Drane, Cong T. Dinh, Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette, James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20080076306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventor: James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20080009184Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Kenneth Elliott
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Publication number: 20070253792Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Paul Lubinsky, Marie Lubinsky
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Publication number: 20070207682Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventor: James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20070105428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: Homac Mfg. Company, State of Incorporation: FloridaInventors: Matthew Cawood, Roy Jazowski, Marc Salerno, James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20060286862Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: Paul LUBINSKY, Marie Lubinsky, James ZAHNEN, Roy JAZOWSKI
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Publication number: 20060194480Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2006Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
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Publication number: 20060180335Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2006Publication date: August 17, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: Matthew Cawood, Roy Jazowski, Marc Salerno, James Zahnen
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Publication number: 20060148287Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2004Publication date: July 6, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
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Publication number: 20060148336Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2004Publication date: July 6, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
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Publication number: 20060148329Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2004Publication date: July 6, 2006Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Roy Jazowski, Paul Lubinsky
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Publication number: 20050157449Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: Homac Mfg. CompanyInventors: James Zahnen, Paul Lubinsky