Patents by Inventor Mark R. Drane

Mark R. Drane 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: 7271351
    Abstract: A poke-through device for installation in a hole in a floor structure. The floor structure defining a floor in a first working environment and a ceiling in a second working environment. The second working environment including a junction box. The poke-through device including a body having upper and lower ends and sized for insertion within the hole. The lower end communicating with the junction box and the upper end including a receptacle-receiving basket. The basket defining a peripheral wall, wherein the wall includes at least one channel extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the floor. Also included is a connector supporting bracket sized to removeably engage the channel, wherein the bracket is maintained in a stationary position upon installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20070209820
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a cover assembly for a floor box supporting at least one receptacle mounted therein. The assembly comprises at least one cover plate, at least one lid and a lock. The cover plate for at least partially covering the floor box includes at least one lock receiving channel. The at least one lid is pivotally secured to the cover plate for movement between a closed position covering the receptacle and an open position permitting access to the receptacle. The lock retains the lid in the closed position. Also, the lock is disposed at least partially within the channel and moveable between a locking position for retaining the lid in the closed position and at least one release position wherein the lid is not retained by the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Robert K. Jolly
  • Patent number: 7208680
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure. The bracket assembly includes a bracket extending from an electrical enclosure and a flange extending from the bracket. The flange is designed to support one or more biasing structures which engage the support structure, such as a stud, to secure the bracket assembly thereto. The bracket assembly may further include gripping teeth to provide further securement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts, International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 7157643
    Abstract: An outlet box assembly for termination of electrical and communication wires which generally includes a box having a floor and a sidewall extending upwardly from the floor, a cover attached to the box and a divider attached to the cover between the box floor and the cover. The box defines an interior therein and the cover at least partially encloses the interior. The divider divides the box interior into first and second wiring compartments adapted to respectively contain electrical and communication wires therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 7105745
    Abstract: A water resistant floor box cover assembly including a flange including an opening therethrough adapted to permit access to electrical connectors and a cover securable to the flange. The cover is movable between a closed position wherein the opening is covered and an open position wherein the opening is uncovered to permit access to the outlet box. The flange also includes an inner wall and an outer wall extending about the opening. The inner and the outer walls define a channel disposed therebetween. The outer wall including a slot formed therein providing a path out of the channel. The slot permits water in the channel to exit therefrom away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 7075005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floor box assembly including a housing, a ring assembly, and a temporary cover designed to be adaptable to use with various covers. The floor box is designed to accommodate various types or sizes of covers enabling the floor box to be installed when the type of cover has not yet been finalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 7052308
    Abstract: A retaining device for a surface mounted electrical receptacle that includes: a substantially flat base plate, wherein the base plate connects to the receptacle; and a plurality of legs extending outwardly and upwardly from the base plate. The plurality of legs are adapted to contact the back side of the mounting surface and secure the electrical receptacle to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh, Dan Michaelis
  • Patent number: 7053296
    Abstract: A flush poke-through fitting, with both electrical power and data communication access, includes a data jack face plate that can be replaced without disassembly of any other part of the fitting. The data jack face plate is also removable without disruption of power to the electrical outlets. Increased wiring space for flexibility in electrical outlet orientation and improved conductor organization during assembly is also provided by pins that support the electrical contacts in the electrical receptacle when assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Daniel K. Michaelis
  • Patent number: 6930250
    Abstract: A two-piece swivel hanger assembly generally includes a mounting plate mountable to an electrical outlet box, a swivel element and an access door slidably attached to the mounting plate. The mounting plate has a central opening forming at least part of a swivel element seat and has a portion thereof removed to define an access opening within the mounting plate. The swivel element is movably seated in the swivel element seat and partially protrudes through the central opening of the mounting plate. The access door is sized and shaped to fully cover the access opening of the mounting plate when the access door is in a closed position and is further slidable on the mounting plate in a radial direction toward the central opening to the closed position thereby movably retaining the swivel element within the swivel hanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 6889943
    Abstract: A hanger bar assembly for supporting an outlet box between spaced apart support elements including a first channel member being longitudinally slidingly engagable with a second channel member forming a longitudinally adjustable support bar. The first channel member has a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves and the second channel member having a plurality of longitudinally extending rails slidingly received in the grooves such that lateral movement between the first and second channel members is resisted. A clamping device is provided for urging the first and second channel members into respective forced engagement thereby restricting movement between the first and second channel members. A securement device attached to the support bar for securing the support bar to the spaced support elements is further provided. The first and second channel members have apertures formed therein to accommodate fasteners for securing end plates to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Harsh Gupta, Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 6843669
    Abstract: An electrical termination module including a side wall having an upper end attachable to a flange, the flange having a central opening. A cover is pivotally supported on the flange and a base plate is removably securable to a lower end of the sidewall. A first connection module is removably attached to the base plate. The first connection module housing a plurality of first electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Daniel K. Michaelis
  • Patent number: 6840785
    Abstract: A cover assembly for an electrical box including a frame having an opening positionable over the electrical box and a cover selectively positionable over the opening and rotatable between a closed position and an open position. A hinge rotatably secures the cover to the frame and permits rotational and translational movement of the cover relative to the frame. The hinge includes a biasing device for urging the cover toward a first translational direction. A latch including a locking element is disposed between the cover and the frame for retaining the cover in the closed position. The biasing device deflects upon movement of the cover into the closed position and urges the locking element into a retaining position such that the locking element restricts movement of the cover to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 6835890
    Abstract: A water resistant electrical floor box includes a base, side walls, an open face defining an interior portion. The interior portion is divided into a receptacle interior and a drainage interior portion with a dividing wall. Substantially covering the open face is a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a flange, and a cover pivotally attached thereto. The cover includes a pivotal door thereon to allow wires to exit. In addition, the box further includes a cover assembly with a channel to direct the water away from the receptacle interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 6790084
    Abstract: A watertight modular system for floor-mounted electrical and/or data receptacles which includes a cover, a lid, a gasket and a base plate. The cover has a plurality of retaining walls extending downwardly from the lower surface and defining a plurality of enclosed regions and can also include a data port module which slidably engages a slot in the cover. The cover has at least one lid that includes a pivot mechanism at a first end for mounting the lid flush with the upper surface of the cover when in a closed position and for exposing the receptacle when in an open position and a snap-in mechanism at a second end for providing a positive hold in the closed position. When the base plate, gasket and cover are assembled, the top surface of the base plate is flush with the upper surface of the cover and the retaining walls and the continuous perimeter wall sealably contact the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Osborn, Jr., Mark R. Drane, Roger Pyron
  • Publication number: 20040175975
    Abstract: A cover assembly for an electrical box including a frame having an opening positionable over the electrical box and a cover selectively positionable over the opening and rotatable between a closed position and an open position. A hinge rotatably secures the cover to the frame and permits rotational and translational movement of the cover relative to the frame. The hinge includes a biasing device for urging the cover toward a first translational direction. A latch including a locking element is disposed between the cover and the frame for retaining the cover in the closed position. The biasing device deflects upon movement of the cover into the closed position and urges the locking element into a retaining position such that the locking element restricts movement of the cover to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Drane
  • Publication number: 20040123997
    Abstract: A water resistant floor box cover assembly including a flange including an opening therethrough adapted to permit access to electrical connectors and a cover securable to the flange. The cover is movable between a closed position wherein the opening is covered and an open position wherein the opening is uncovered to permit access to the outlet box. The flange also includes an inner wall and an outer wall extending about the opening. The inner and the outer walls define a channel disposed therebetween. The outer wall including a slot formed therein providing a path out of the channel. The slot permits water in the channel to exit therefrom away from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Publication number: 20040106313
    Abstract: An electrical termination module including a side wall having an upper end attachable to a flange, the flange having a central opening. A cover is pivotally supported on the flange and a base plate is removably securable to a lower end of the sidewall. A first connection module is removably attached to the base plate. The first connection module housing a plurality of first electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Daniel K. Michaelis
  • Publication number: 20040050570
    Abstract: A water resistant electrical floor box includes a base, side walls, an open face defining an interior portion. The interior portion is divided into a receptacle interior and a drainage interior portion with a dividing wall. Substantially covering the open face is a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a flange, and a cover pivotally attached thereto. The cover includes a pivotal door thereon to allow wires to exit. In addition, the box further includes a cover assembly with a channel to direct the water away from the receptacle interior portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: 6610927
    Abstract: A water resistant electrical floor box includes a base, side walls, an open face defining an interior portion. The interior portion is divided into a receptacle interior and a drainage interior portion with a dividing wall. Substantially covering the open face is a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a flange, and a cover pivotally attached thereto. The cover includes a pivotal door thereon to allow wires to exit. In addition, the box further includes a cover assembly with a channel to direct the water away from the receptacle interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Thanh Dinh, Mark R. Drane
  • Patent number: D484097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Daniel K. Michaelis