Patents by Inventor O. Leon Thomas

O. Leon Thomas 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: 4477769
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and locating insulation faults in lengths of electrical conductive cable and plexing those lengths of cable into multiplex cable in one operation, wherein the multiplex cable includes either a bare cable and a plurality of insulated cables stranded together or a plurality of insulated cables stranded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: James O. Lowery, O. Leon Thomas, Nathan I. Baston, Darrell L. Smith, Walter K. Jiles, R. Emory Starnes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4406114
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for constructing a corrosion resistant multistrand electrical power cable or wire rope comprising a uniformly greased core wire with at least one outer wire helically applied thereover wherein corrosion inhibitor is and accurately applied to the core wire in a uniform coat immediately prior to stranding of the wires into a cable or rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Jerry W. Lanier, O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 4398973
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system for annealing strand of the type comprising at least two sheaves across which the strand passes and becomes electrically annealed, the improvement comprising a first flange member, a second flange member concentric with the first flange member and adjacent thereto, a wide annealing band positioned between the first and second flange members and forming the bottom of a sheave groove, and means for guiding the strand being annealed traversely across a traverse zone of the band to increase longevity of the band while substantially eliminating detrimental arcing by providing an insulating air gap between the strand and either of the flange members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 4317549
    Abstract: Disclosed is a snap in wire guide housing constructed of an elastomer material for use in securing a conventional metallic wire guide to a metal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: O. Leon Thomas, Eddie S. Baughn
  • Patent number: 4083096
    Abstract: A device for continuously stripping the insulation off of electrical wires, particularly solid conductors as opposed to stranded conductors, for the re-cycling thereof in the manufacturing process, including an initial cutting section and a subsequent stripping or insulation removal section. The cutting section utilizes two opposed, interdigitated sets of dual rotary "cutters," each having two juxtaposed cutting edges or blades, only one of which however is used to cut at any one time. One "cutter" is used to form a "V" section to laterally hold the wire in position, while the other opposed cutter has one of its blades located centrally within the "V" section of the other holding "cutter" (note FIG. 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Irv Baston, J. Orbie Lowery, O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 3988666
    Abstract: A fault locator system for multiplex cable, which includes a bare wire and three insulated wires stranded together. The system includes the separation of the bare conductor from the insulated conductors on a rewind line and the applying of an electric field (electromagnetic field) or dielectric field around the insulated conductors so that one can, by a signal or a bell, alarm, buzzer or the like, locate the fault and stop the rewind line at the fault location. The apparatus of the system includes a rotating disc structure which contains electrical conducting guides through which each insulated strand of the multiplex cable passes and is tested for insulation holes or faults. A high voltage signal is placed on the electrical conducting guides for the insulated strands by means of a brush electrode, which sets up an electrical field surrounding the portion of the insulated strand in the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Bobby A. Rowland, Dwight H. Durham, O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 3977277
    Abstract: A device for continuously stripping the insulation off of electrical wires, particularly solid conductors as opposed to stranded conductors, for the re-cycling thereof in the manufacturing process, including an initial cutting section and a subsequent stripping or insulation removal section. The cutting section utilizes two opposed, interdigitated sets of dual rotary "cutters," each having two juxtaposed cutting edges or blades, only one of which however is used to cut at any one time. One "cutter" is used to form a V-section to laterally hold the wire in position, while the other opposed cutter has one of its blades located centrally within the V-section of the other holding "cutter" (note FIG. 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Irv Baston, J. Orbie Lowery, O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 3961813
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a trailer hitch for coupling a draft vehicle to a drawn vehicle wherein the eye portion of the hitch includes a molded insert of flexible material having an axial bore extending therethrough adapted to receive the pintle portion of the hitch in coupling relation. The flexible insert completely surrounds the pintle and thus maintains the pintle in spaced relation from the eye for yieldingly restraining relative radial movement between the pintle and the eye during all phases of operation, including flexing in the vertical plane when the trailer is negotiating inclined ramps or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: O. Leon Thomas