Patents by Inventor Peter M. Wells, Jr.

Peter M. Wells, Jr. 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: 6658703
    Abstract: The cable tie strap, having elongate strap body and a locking head provides for receipt of the cable tie strap in the head in either direction. The cable tie strap includes a hollow locking head and an elongate strap having toothing on each side of the strap. A locking bar is positioned within the hollow head. The strap body may be inserted into the hollow head in either direction. The locking bar is lockingly engagable with the toothing on either side of the strap upon insertion of the strap into the head in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimiro Teagno, Peter M. Wells, Jr., Wasim Khokhar
  • Patent number: 6185792
    Abstract: A one-piece bi-directional cable tie for bundling articles having a tail at one end, a locking head at the other end and an elongate strap body therebetween may feature one or more fixed locking teeth opposite a deflectable locking pawl so as to provide ratcheting locking engagement with the two major surfaces of its strap body. The fixed teeth may provide symmetrical performance characteristics or may provide selectable performance characteristics depending on the direction of strap body insertion through the locking head. The locking head may facilitate wedging the strap body against the deflectable pawl. The deflectable pawl may include a chevron-shaped upper surface so as to provide an undercut surface for improved engagement with the locking teeth of the strap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Nelson, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6136118
    Abstract: An ultrasonic tying tool for installation of a tape about a bundle of elongate articles. The tool includes an ultrasonic horn wherein the welding tip is moveable between a first position for welding of a tape to secure the tensioned loop about the plurality of articles and a second position wherein the welding tip is translated a distance from the first position to effect cutting of the tensioned loop from the stock of tape and to tack weld the loose cut end to the underlying tape of the loop to eliminate any protruding sharp edges. The tool additionally includes a belt drive mechanism for advancing the tape to the jaw assembly and for tensioning the tape following looping of the tape about the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Bartholomew, John J. Students, Gary L. Lowery, Wasim Khokhar, Mark A. Bailey, John D. Dorian, John A. Sehlmeyer, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6076234
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head includes a tapering entrance into a passageway therethrough for inserting the strap and a flexibly hinged locking pawl adjacent the passageway. The head also includes a fixed locking tooth adjacent the entry end of the passageway for engaging the strap after full securing an article or articles to be bundled. The fixed locking tooth of the present invention is desirably positioned to allow unobstructed insertion of the tail through the head. The present invention is able to minimize the stretching of the strap body when adjacent to the locking pawl by providing an edge which frictionally engages the strap body as the strap body egresses from the passageway of the head. Furthermore, the present invention may include a pair of counter-rotatable locking elements positioned to one side of the passageway through the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Wasim Khokhar, Mark A. Bailey, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5967316
    Abstract: A cable tie bandolier for use with automatic tools. The bandolier includes a plurality of interconnected cable ties. The ties are interconnected by a single web positioned between adjacent ties and located closer to the head of the tie than to the tail of the tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Abbruzzese, Mark A. Bordwell, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5934465
    Abstract: A cable tie bandolier for use with automatic tools. A continuous length of cable ties may be formed utilizing a non-continuous molding operation by molding discrete shots of cable ties, such discrete shots having connection capability therebetween allowing the connection of one discrete shot of cable ties to a second discrete shot of cable ties thereby providing one continuous strip of cable ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Abbruzzese, Mark A. Bordwell, Michael A. Bridgman, William T. O'Neill, Peter M. Wells, Jr., Derek Woods
  • Patent number: 5884367
    Abstract: The cable tie strap, having elongate strap body and a locking head provides for receipt of the cable tie strap in the head in either direction. The cable tie strap includes a hollow locking head and an elongate strap having toothing on each side of the strap. A locking bar is positioned within the hollow head. The strap body may be inserted into the hollow head in either direction. The locking bar is lockingly engagable with the toothing on either side of the strap upon insertion of the strap into the head in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimiro Teagno, Peter M. Wells, Jr., Wasim Khokhar
  • Patent number: 5815891
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head of the cable tie includes an aperture therethrough for insertably accommodating the strap. The head of the cable tie also includes a barb embedding surface adjacent the aperture through the head. A metallic locking barb is embedded in the embedding surface in a direction substantially parallel to the aperture in the head. The metallic locking barb is bent to form an obtuse angle so that the metallic locking barb extends into the aperture in the head to permit movement of the strap in an insertion direction and to prevent substantial movement of the strap in a withdrawal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Students, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5781975
    Abstract: A bundling tie having a head at one end, a tail at the other end, and a central strap body therebetween. The head includes a strap ingress face for receiving the strap and a strap egress face from which the inserted strap exits the head. The head further includes a central passageway in communication with the strap ingress face and the strap egress face for receipt of the tail. A metallic locking barb is embedded into a flexible foundation in the head. The flexible foundation is partially defined by a channel around the foundation. The channel provides increased barb rotation upon strap insertion into the head while also providing a stop surface that requires greater barb deflection upon attempt to withdraw the strap from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Wells, Jr., George Robertson
  • Patent number: 4567546
    Abstract: A mounting block for a plastic anchor base has a pressure sensitive covering (adhesive, magnetic, or the like) its lower surface so that it may be secured to a chassis, at any convenient location. The mounting block includes a hole of conventional dimensions leading to an internal cavity which receives and encloses the part of the anchor base which protrudes through a mounting hole. In some embodiments, the internal cavity also contains opposing cam surfaces which urge the resilient members on the anchor base to a released position when the anchor base is rotated. This way, the anchor base may be removed from the mounting block by giving the anchor base a partial turn and pulling. Another feature provides capture notches for receiving and locking said barbs when the anchor base is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: All States Plastic Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Zeller, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4503390
    Abstract: This is concerned with a voltage tester of the so-called solenoid type and is more specifically concerned with such a voltage tester which is constructed and arranged to also test the continuity of its leads and prods or contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4317262
    Abstract: A releasable cable clamp having a base which can be affixed to a work surface. The base comprises a planar member and an upright pedestal. Connected to the pedestal is a strap which extends therefrom in a generally arcuate manner forming a cable-securing loop. The strap has a catch formed near one end. The catch operates in conjunction with a closure device to close and lock the clamp. A releasing latch is connected to the closure device. The latch and strap have an interlock feature which becomes engaged when the clamp is closed. Actuating the releasing latch causes the strap to be moved such that the catch is disengaged from the closure device, allowing the clamp to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4280092
    Abstract: A hand-held ground fault interrupter for checking the operation of a ground fault protected wall receptacle. The blades of an electrical terminal protrude from one end of a housing which contains a potentiometer and electrical connecting means between the potentiometer and the blades. The tester creates a ground fault by allowing current to leak to the ground path, the amount of leakage varied by the potentiometer. A properly operating ground fault interrupter senses the leakage and is designed to trip when it sees a selected level of current leakage. Tripping at lower levels or failure to trip at higher levels indicates a defective interrupter. Recesses in the sides of the housing provide access to the potentiometer dial for rotating the dial and reading a label affixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Wells, Jr., Roger E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4238728
    Abstract: An electrical testing device having a housing and a testing circuit in the housing. Electric leads extend from the housing, ending with exposed contacts mounted in prod handles. Channels are formed in the sides of the housing affording a mounting location for storage of the prod handles. Each channel can also be used as a prod holder when the device is being used. Circuitry is provided for testing continuity of the leads and for indicating the presence of a potentially harmful or dangerous voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Wells, Jr., Johannes A. E. Oprins
  • Patent number: 4152797
    Abstract: A multi-purpose hand tool for use with fine gauge insulated wire. The hand tool can be used to cut wire, to cut and strip insulation from wire and to untwist twisted pairs of wire. The insulation cutting and stripping portion of the tool has an alignment guide for the wire which floats relative to the cutting blade for accuracy of alignment of the wire with the insulation stripping aperture. The wire untwisting means includes plastic pads carried by the tool members and movable into closely spaced relationship with each other upon closing of the tool to engage and straighten the wires of a twisted pair of wires pulled between the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4135080
    Abstract: An electric heat gun which is intended for use on a production line or the like is molded in three parts with a squirrel cage type fan and motor inside the housing and an electric air heating nozzle projecting from the front thereof. The fan and motor are mounted on a horizontal plate. The cylindrical nozzle is mounted in a position generally tangential to the fan and receives air therefrom through an adapter which gradually changes the outline of the air flow path from a square cross section at the fan outlet to the round cross section at the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4127807
    Abstract: A hand-held electrical tester for checking the wiring of a wall receptacle. The blades of an electrical terminal protrude from one end of a housing which contains indicator lamps and electrical connecting means between the lamps and blades. Thus, the lightining of each lamp or combination of lamps indicates a predetermined wiring condition of a wall receptacle in which the terminal blades may be inserted. The housing is shaped to provide oppositely disposed push/pull surfaces to facilitate insertion and removal of the tester into and from a wall receptacle. The housing further includes compartments at one end thereof, each having a three-sided opening with a generally U-shaped lens disposed therein. Each of the compartments contains a lamp which can be viewed from the top, bottom and end of the tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin J. Peplow, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4092780
    Abstract: This is concerned with a combination fish tape reel and spreader mechanism which includes a handle and counter device so that the length of tape payed out will be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Trethewey, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: D415672
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Students, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: D418395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Students, Peter M. Wells, Jr.