Patents by Inventor Ronald Vallette
Ronald Vallette 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: 10167927Abstract: An improved compression wire joint is disclosed that allows for tighter connections between the wires. It is particularly useful for connecting copper and aluminum wires together because it provides a tight connection that better accommodates thermal expansion of each wire.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Matthew D Cawood, Ronald Vallette
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Patent number: 9812794Abstract: A stamped hotline clamp having two parallel top side walls, two parallel bottom side walls, a hinge pin, a conductor plate, a saddle and an elongated metal shaft. The hinge pin pivotably connects the top side walls to the bottom side walls on one end. At the other end, a standoff separates and connects the top side walls and a contact plate connects the bottom side walls. The bottom side walls pivotably contact the saddle. The conductor plate extends between the top side walls and pivotably contacts the contact plate when the clamp is closed. The top end of the shaft is inserted through an opening in the saddle and threaded into an aperture in the conductor plate. Rotating the shaft in a clockwise direction closes the clamp and rotating the bottom end of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction opens the clamp.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Matthew D. Cawood, James L. Zahnen, Ronald Vallette, Jacob Serre
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Patent number: 9787045Abstract: A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables includes connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, wherein the head coupler portion includes an extension rod within a longitudinal bore; positioning the wedge frame and a first end of the extension rod against the wedge connector; connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram; causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to a second end of the extension rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes the first end to apply force to the wedge connector; and disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLCInventors: Ronald Vallette, James L. Zahnen, Matthew D. Cawood
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Publication number: 20160365650Abstract: A stamped hotline clamp having a pair of top side walls, a pair of bottom side walls, a hinge pin, a conductor plate, a saddle and an elongated metal shaft. The hinge pin pivotably connects the top side walls and the bottom side walls on one end and the standoff separates and connects the pair of top side walls at the other end. The conductor plate extends between the top side walls and pivotably contacts a contact plate on the bottom side walls. The top end of the shaft is inserted through an opening in the saddle and threaded into an aperture in the conductor plate. Rotating the shaft in a clockwise direction closes the clamp and rotating the bottom end of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction opens the clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Matthew D. Cawood, James L. Zahnen, Ronald Vallette, Jacob Serre
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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: 20160036191Abstract: A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables includes connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, wherein the head coupler portion includes an extension rod within a longitudinal bore; positioning the wedge frame and a first end of the extension rod against the wedge connector; connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram; causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to a second end of the extension rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes the first end to apply force to the wedge connector; and disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Ronald Vallette, James L. Zahnen, Matthew D. Cawood
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Patent number: 9194409Abstract: A disconnect assembly includes a head coupler portion and a tool coupler portion. The head coupler portion includes: a threaded portion on a first part of an exterior surface to connect to a wedge frame, a longitudinal bore, a rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and a set of annular protrusions on a second part of the exterior surface. The tool coupler portion includes: a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach the tool coupler portion to the tool, and a channel to receive a head coupler portion. The channel includes a set of grooves corresponding to the set of annular protrusions on the head coupler portion. When the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, a ram from the hydraulic tool engages the rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Vallette, James L. Zahnen, Matthew D. Cawood
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Patent number: 9106030Abstract: An electrical disconnect for a utility service that has an internal reversible insulator and a separable power connector. In one position, the insulator may allow the flow of electricity through the separable power connector, but, in a second position, the insulator prevents the flow of electricity through the separable power connector. Because the electrical disconnect is located away from the customer's premises, it is difficult for the customer to reconnect his own power.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLCInventors: James L. Zahnen, Ronald Vallette, Matthew D. Cawood
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Publication number: 20150096159Abstract: An improved compression wire joint is disclosed that allows for tighter connections between the wires. It is particularly useful for connecting copper and aluminum wires together because it provides a tight connection that better accommodates thermal expansion of each wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Matthew D. Cawood, Ronald Vallette
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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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Patent number: 8784128Abstract: A housing for retaining an insulation piercing connector (IPC) includes an upper housing, a lower housing, and a hinge. The lower housing includes a cavity formed therein. The hinge is coupled to the upper housing and the lower housing to permit movement of the upper housing and the lower housing into open and closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, the upper housing is aligned with the lower housing. The second cavity is configured to received\ the IPC. The lower housing includes an aperture formed transversely therethrough for receiving a cable extending from the IPC upon receipt of the IPC into the second cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Matthew D. Cawood, James L. Zahnen, Ronald A. Vallette
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Publication number: 20140099837Abstract: An electrical disconnect for a utility service that has an internal reversible insulator and a separable power connector. In one position, the insulator may allow the flow of electricity through the separable power connector, but, in a second position, the insulator prevents the flow of electricity through the separable power connector. Because the electrical disconnect is located away from the customer's premises, it is difficult for the customer to reconnect his own power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Ronald Vallette, Matthew D. Cawood
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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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Patent number: 6502856Abstract: An airbag inflation system for a vehicle utilizes a truck's an ambient air compression system including a holding tank for providing compressed air to vehicle systems and an air pump. An outlet is added to the holding tank with a frangible seal closing the outlet until discharge of the air is required to inflate the airbag. An air line connecting the outlet to the airbag is filled upon activation of a squib for breaking the frangible seal upon detection of a rollover related event.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.Inventors: Brian M. Shaklik, Ronald A. Vallette, Gary L. Vandermolen
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Patent number: 6327528Abstract: The invention relates to a method of vehicle collision severity discrimination for actuating a safety device at an occupant location in the vehicle. The method provides steps for providing a plurality of velocity and load level trigger values, including velocity and load level pairs, indicating a plurality of threshold conditions for actuating the safety device at an occupant location. Vehicle velocity and load are monitored so that at the instant of a collision a severity evaluation may be made, particularly where the potential for vehicle crush ameliorates the potential danger to the occupants. Responsive to selected vehicle conditions, a collision indication signal is generated Responsive to generation of a collision indication signal, vehicle velocity, vehicle load, or both, are compared to threshold conditions for actuation of the safety device.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company L.L.C.Inventors: Ronald A. Vallette, Brian M. Shaklik