Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Bett

Thomas A. Bett 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).

  • Publication number: 20130192869
    Abstract: An electrical floor box cover includes a frame having a lower surface disposable on a flooring surface and a beveled upper surface. The frame defines an access opening to permit access to an electrical box. A lid is securable to the frame and movable between a fully open position in which the access opening is substantially uncovered and a closed position. A lid lifting device is disposed between the lid and the frame, the lid lifting device urging the lid away from the closed position. A latch is disposed on the frame and includes an actuating member movable by a user between a latched and unlatched position without the use of a tool. When the actuating member is moved to the unlatched position, the lid lifting device lifts at least a portion of the lid above the frame to an initial open position wherein the lid substantially covers the access opening. Movement of the lid by the user from the initial open position to the fully open position is unassisted by the lid lifting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130189860
    Abstract: A grounding lug for an electrical conduit fitting includes a support ring sized to slide over a threaded portion of a conduit fitting body and a conductor securing portion having a channel to receive an externally-mounted conducting wire. The grounding lug also includes an extension arm configured to secure the support ring to the conductor securing portion, and a sealing ring, secured along an inside diameter of the support ring. The sealing ring is configured to form a seal between the support ring and the conduit fitting body. The grounding lug is configured to be freely rotated around the threaded portion of the conduit fitting body to position the conductor securing portion in a desired orientation after partial installation of the electrical conduit fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130183874
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130175086
    Abstract: A knockout structure for a wall of an electrical box includes a cutout that penetrates through the thickness of the wall to form a knockout on an interior of the cutout along a substantial perimeter of the knockout. The knockout structure also includes a first bridge section interrupting continuity of the cutout and maintaining a connection between the wall and the knockout. The knockout structure further includes a second bridge section interrupting continuity of the cutout and maintaining a connection between the wall and the knockout, the second bridge section being different than the first bridge section and on a same half of the perimeter of the knockout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130174405
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130177366
    Abstract: A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130118803
    Abstract: A system for curing a sealing compound provided in an electrical fitting, includes a curing chamber for receiving at least a portion of the electrical fitting therein, wherein the electrical fitting received within the curing chamber comprises a body and a sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of an electrical cable passing through the body. The sealing sleeve is configured to receive an ultra-violet (UV)-curable sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve. The system further includes a plurality of UV light sources configured to provide UV light into the curing chamber to cure the UV-curable sealing compound and to initiate curing of the UV-curable sealing compound in the sealing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130117995
    Abstract: We disclose a method for securing an infrared transmissive polymer to integrated panels, deadfronts, or transition plates, thus providing a reinforced polymer window through which the thermographer can scan an energized unit without being directly exposed to contact with internal components or having to remove said panels, deadfronts, or transition plates. We also disclose a device for securing the polymer consisting of a retention frame with half shear retainers that keep the polymer locked in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130118802
    Abstract: A fitting for terminating a conduit includes a substantially tubular fitting body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a rearward end opposing the forward end. The fitting body includes a first liquid-proof coating that includes a rearward sealing rim. A gland nut is rotatably coupled to the rearward end of the fitting body. The gland nut includes a second liquid-proof coating that includes a forward sealing rim. A grounding ring is positioned between the gland nut and the fitting body and contacts the fitting body. Upon axial movement of the gland nut, the grounding ring engages the rearward sealing rim of the first liquid-proof coating on the fitting body and the forward sealing rim of the second liquid-proof coating on the gland nut to form a sealed relationship therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130113209
    Abstract: A liquid-tight fitting comprising a ground element including a ferrule and a tube that extends from the ferrule to receive a conduit, wherein the tube includes one or more protruding elements that each protrudes from the tube and provides grounding to the conduit, and wherein the ferrule includes a lip portion; a threading element including a first shaft having a circumference sufficient to receive the ferrule portion, wherein the first shaft includes threads; a sealing ring including an opening defined by a tapered portion to seat against the lip portion; and a nut including threads to be received by the first shaft, wherein as the nut is threaded with the first shaft, the sealing ring is compressed onto an outer surface of the wall of the conduit based on a pulling of the nut against the sealing ring toward the lip portion of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130112475
    Abstract: A fitting, for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, includes a substantially tubular body having a central bore configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough. A substantially tubular sealing sleeve is configured to engage a forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body. After receiving the two or more conductors, the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free of voids or air bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130081852
    Abstract: We disclose a device for preventing the intrusion of water or other liquids into the interior of an automatic splice. The device includes of a series of fingers that contact the cable stranding and wick water away from the cable and out of the connector. These fingers could be integrally molded into the cable cone or molded as a separate piece and inserted. They could also be constructed of any typical brush material such as metal, plastic, rubber, or fiber. The fingers could be arranged in a variety of configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130078853
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a housing having a mounting plate and a housing body; and a cover rotatably mounted to the housing to cover a central opening in the mounting plate when the cover is in a closed configuration and to allow access to the central opening when the cover is in an open configuration. The housing body includes at least one chamber for receiving an electrical device mounted therein and for receiving a cable for connecting to the electrical device. The housing body is coupled to the mounting plate by a plurality of rib members to form a gap between the housing body and the mounting plate. The cover includes fluid directing elements that project downwardly from the cover and which are received within the gap between the housing body and the mounting plate when the cover is in the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20070220344
    Abstract: Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Walter Reade, Michelle Irwin, Jeremy Cannady, Babe Bedenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20070138331
    Abstract: A system and method for tension control in a thread feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a thread processing system. The system includes a driven elastomeric thread package holder. The thread feeding system also includes a variable-speed motor configured to drive the driven elastomeric thread package holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Bett, Thomas Ungpiyakul, Paul Weber
  • Publication number: 20070125820
    Abstract: A method of accumulating a web includes pivoting subsets of rolls to a generally vertical alignment; moving one set of rolls past the other; passing the web between the sets of rolls; moving one set of rolls past the other to engage the web; pivoting the subsets to a generally horizontal alignment; moving the web alternatively between the subsets; and moving the sets apart to accumulate the web and together to discharge the web. A web accumulator includes at least two sets of rolls. Each set of rolls has subsets of rolls. The subsets have two consecutive staggered rolls. The accumulator has a web path defined by alternating between subsets of the first set and subsets of the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Weber, Darin Engelhart, Thomas Bett, Thomas Ungpiyakul, Thomas Killian, Mark Beitz
  • Patent number: 7103445
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing super absorbent material (SAM) to a machine manufacturing absorbent articles as part of a manufacturing processing operation. A first controller stores process control data relating to the manufacturing processing operation and provides a first control signal that corresponds to the stored process control data. A second controller is responsive to the first control signal provided by the first controller for providing a dispensing signal. A SAM dispenser is responsive to the dispensing signal for dispensing the SAM to the machine at a start-up dispense rate when the machine is in a start-up mode and at an operating dispense rate when the machine is in a operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Athman, Thomas A. Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Steven T. Moore
  • Publication number: 20050278052
    Abstract: Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Walter Reade, Michelle Irwin, Jeremy Cannady, Babe Bedenbaugh
  • Patent number: 6909106
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus (20) for controlling a registration between a target point (22) on a moving web (24), and a production outcome provided by a production operation. A method aspect can include a transporting of the web (24) along a movement direction (26) past a reference detector (30), and a detecting of at least a first reference point (50) on the web (24). The target point (22) can be designated by employing at least the first reference point (50). The web is transported past a speed-sensor (32), and the speed-sensor can measure a web speed of the moving web (24) to provide an output of web speed data. The web speed data is integrated over time to determine a web-length which has been transported past the speed-sensor (32). The production outcome is actuated at a production-device (34), and the actuating of the production outcome can be adjusted to occur after a reference-length of the web (24) has been transported past the speed-sensor (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Thomas A. Bett
  • Publication number: 20040102871
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing super absorbent material (SAM) to a machine manufacturing absorbent articles as part of a manufacturing processing operation. A first controller stores process control data relating to the manufacturing processing operation and provides a first control signal that corresponds to the stored process control data. A second controller is responsive to the first control signal provided by the first controller for providing a dispensing signal. A SAM dispenser is responsive to the dispensing signal for dispensing the SAM to the machine at a start-up dispense rate when the machine is in a start-up mode and at an operating dispense rate when the machine is in a operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Athman, Thomas A. Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Steven T. Moore