Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. Smith

Lawrence J. Smith 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: 10461443
    Abstract: A split grounding bushing for placement on an end of an EMT or a rigid conduit has first and second metal bushing portions forming a ring, a grounding screw extending through the first or second metal bushing portion to make electrical contact with the EMT or rigid conduit, a lug secured to one of the bushing portions, the lug configured to secure a ground conductor thereto, a hinge formed at a second end of the first and second metal bushing portions, so that the first and second bushing portions can be opened or closed, and a removable metallic spacer having a shape that is a section of a cylinder and having an inner smooth surface corresponding to an outer surface of the EMT, the removable spacer also having an outer smooth surface corresponding to an inner surface of the second bushing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10367344
    Abstract: A cable armor stop for preventing cable sheathing of an electrical cable from passing the armor stop while allowing electrical conductors of the electrical cable to pass therethrough has a body with an outer shell, the body having an interior cavity formed by an interior surface of the body, the cavity extending through the body between a front side of the body and a rear side of the body, the cavity reduced by a radially protruding member extending inwardly such that a terminating end of the radially protruding member is spaced a distance from an opposite side of the interior surface closest to the terminating end, the distance being less than a minimum outside diameter of the cable sheathing of said electrical cable. An electrical connector including such a cable armor stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Incorporated
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10240694
    Abstract: A co-molded sealing ring for use in an electrical fitting has an uncompressed state and a compressed state and includes a first segment formed from thermoplastic elastomer and a second segment co-molded to the first segment, formed from a medium-density polyethylene material. A space formed between the first segment and an inner surface of an electrical fitting connector body when the ring is in the uncompressed state, is at least partially filled by a portion of the first segment when the ring is in the compressed state; the second segment having an end surface positioned away from the first segment, the end surface dimensioned for contact by a gland ring so as to urge the sealing ring into the compressed state so that the first segment forms a seal between the inner surface of the connector body and an outer surface of a conduit positioned within the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. DeCesare, Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10135230
    Abstract: An electrical connector for receipt of EMT or rigid conduit has a body with first and second body portions, the first portion having a hollow interior with an inner smooth cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature dimensioned for receipt of a rigid electrical conduit, a removable spacer having an inner smooth surface with a radius of curvature substantially corresponding to a radius of curvature of an outer surface of an EMT, the removable spacer also having an outer surface corresponding to the inner smooth cylindrical surface of the first body portion, and wherein the second body portion forms a stop adjacent the second end of the first body portion so as to contact a terminating end of a rigid conduit or EMT. The second body portion has a central bore for the passage of electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180323591
    Abstract: An electrical connector for receipt of EMT or rigid conduit has a body with first and second body portions, the first portion having a hollow interior with an inner smooth cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature dimensioned for receipt of a rigid electrical conduit, a removable spacer having an inner smooth surface with a radius of curvature substantially corresponding to a radius of curvature of an outer surface of an EMT, the removable spacer also having an outer surface corresponding to the inner smooth cylindrical surface of the first body portion, and wherein the second body portion forms a stop adjacent the second end of the first body portion so as to contact a terminating end of a rigid conduit or EMT. The second body portion has a central bore for the passage of electrical conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180323518
    Abstract: A split grounding bushing for placement on an end of an EMT or a rigid conduit has first and second metal bushing portions forming a ring, a grounding screw extending through the first or second metal bushing portion to make electrical contact with the EMT or rigid conduit, a lug secured to one of the bushing portions, the lug configured to secure a ground conductor thereto, a hinge formed at a second end of the first and second metal bushing portions, so that the first and second bushing portions can be opened or closed, and a removable metallic spacer having a shape that is a section of a cylinder and having an inner smooth surface corresponding to an outer surface of the EMT, the removable spacer also having an outer smooth surface corresponding to an inner surface of the second bushing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10090659
    Abstract: A raintight fitting has a fitting body including a plurality of first cable passageways configured to receive electrical cables. The first cable passageways converge into a second cable passageway, and the second cable passageway is configured to receive the conductors from plural cables received in the first cable passageways. A plurality of cable locks are each located at respective first cable passageways, are engageable with the cables received in the first cable passageways, and are configured to (i) secure the cables within the first cable passageways, and (ii) provide an electrically conductive path between the metallic covering of each cable and the fitting body. A raintight seal extends about the periphery of each first cable passageway, and is configured to form a raintight seal between (i) the fitting body and the electrical cables received within the first cable passageways and (ii) between the first cable passageways and ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10056746
    Abstract: An electrical slip conduit coupler has a body with an outer periphery and a cylindrical passageway passing through the body for receipt of conduits. The body has a bore extending through the outer periphery to the cylindrical passageway and first and second grooves located along its outer periphery on opposite sides of the bore. The coupler also has a stop clip with a central portion dimensioned to protrude through the bore into the cylindrical passageway, the stop clip has first and second arm portions that are dimensioned to engage the first and second grooves when the stop clip central portion protrudes through the bore, wherein at least one of the arm portions includes an outwardly extending region dimensioned for receipt of a tool to lift the stop clip, and wherein the body includes first and second sight slots to determine if electrical conduits are near the stop clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180233892
    Abstract: A raintight fitting has a fitting body including a plurality of first cable passageways configured to receive electrical cables. The first cable passageways converge into a second cable passageway, and the second cable passageway is configured to receive the conductors from plural cables received in the first cable passageways. A plurality of cable locks are each located at respective first cable passageways, are engageable with the cables received in the first cable passageways, and are configured to (i) secure the cables within the first cable passageways, and (ii) provide an electrically conductive path between the metallic covering of each cable and the fitting body. A raintight seal extends about the periphery of each first cable passageway, and is configured to form a raintight seal between (i) the fitting body and the electrical cables received within the first cable passageways and (ii) between the first cable passageways and ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10027039
    Abstract: A threadless grounding bushing for placement on an end of an EMT or rigid electrical conduit has a bushing body with a first portion with an inner smooth cylindrical surface dimensioned for receipt of a rigid conduit; a second portion with a central bore for the passage of conductors therethrough, the second portion dimensioned to form a stop relative to a terminating end of a rigid conduit or EMT received in the first portion; at least one set screw that extends through the first portion to make contact with the EMT or rigid conduit; a lug secured to the bushing body having an opening to secure a ground conductor thereto; and a removable spacer with an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of an EMT and having an outer surface corresponding to the inner smooth cylindrical surface of the first portion of the bushing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9935435
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector body with a spring clip including a first free end for engaging a side wall of an electrical box upon installation. During insertion of the connector body the first free end engages the knock-out hole perimeter and deforms so as to permit further insertion. Once the connector body is fully inserted, the spring clip cooperates with a lug on the connector body to hold the connector assembly onto the electrical box. Clamp mechanisms are provided to securing the connector assembly to a cable end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J Smith
  • Patent number: 9865972
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector body with a spring clip including a first free end for engaging a side wall of an electrical box upon installation. During insertion of the connector body the first free end is deformed so as to permit further insertion. Once the connector body is fully inserted, the spring clip cooperates with a lug on the connector body to hold the connector assembly onto the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D815604
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D828308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: RE47061
    Abstract: An electrical fitting to secure multiple non-metallic electrical cables has a body having a first end for insertion into an electrical panel box or to receive conduit, and a second end having an opening with apertures formed near a periphery thereof, the body having a hollow interior for passage of cables, and a cable securing device having a plate dimensioned to mount to the body and clamping devices, each having a pair of resilient clamp fingers to secure at least one cable, each finger having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other finger, a pair of squeezable arms extending to facilitate cable insertion and removal, and a pair of anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member to snap into one of the apertures so as to secure the cable securing device especially when the arms are squeezed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D838676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D840948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D843952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D845251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Patent number: D875689
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith