Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Umlauf

Thomas E. Umlauf 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: 9502789
    Abstract: An electrical connector configured to maintain an electrical connection with a conductor during heating and cooling cycles is provided. The electrical connector includes connector sections, each comprising a base portion and top portion extending from the base portion. Each connector section defines a portion of a channel configured to receive one or more conductors and includes a bore in its base or top portion that communicates with the channel. A fastener inserted into the bore is configured to retain the conductor inserted into the channel, and the top portions are configured to deflect substantially independently of each other to provide a spring force that secures the fastener against the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Umlauf, Walter R. Romanko
  • Publication number: 20140322990
    Abstract: An electrical connector configured to maintain an electrical connection with a conductor during heating and cooling cycles is provided. The electrical connector includes connector sections, each comprising a base portion and top portion extending from the base portion. Each connector section defines a portion of a channel configured to receive one or more conductors and includes a bore in its base or top portion that communicates with the channel. A fastener inserted into the bore is configured to retain the conductor inserted into the channel, and the top portions are configured to deflect substantially independently of each other to provide a spring force that secures the fastener against the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. Umlauf, Walter R. Romanko
  • Publication number: 20110011484
    Abstract: Described herein is an article comprising a cold shrinkable hollow body having at least one open end, and at least a portion of the inner surface of the hollow body having one or more protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher J. Evoniuk, Tony F. Daniel, Thomas E. Umlauf, Kim P. Mulvey, Brent W. Katz, Jeanine I. Zeller-Pendrey, Dennis G. Brannan, Garry L. Sjolander, Melanie G. Gover
  • Patent number: 7537494
    Abstract: An electrical connector configured to maintain an electrical connection with a conductor during heating and cooling cycles is provided. The electrical connector includes a base portion and an arm extending from the base portion. The arm and the base portion combine to define an opening configured to receive the conductor, and one of the arm and the base portion defines a bore communicating with the opening. A fastener inserted into the bore is configured to retain the conductor inserted into the opening, and the arm is configured to deflect to provide a spring force that secures the fastener against the conductor during the heating and cooling cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Umlauf
  • Patent number: 7267571
    Abstract: A connector includes a base member and a cap designed to be fitted onto each other. The base member or the cap may have a double-wall configuration to improve stability, strength, and durability of the connector unit as a whole. The base member includes a plurality of ribs forming wire-receiving channels and having at least one groove therebetween. The cap includes a conductive connecting plate configured to fit in the groove of the ribs of the base member. The connecting plate itself includes grooves configured to align with the channels of the ribs of the base member to thereby cut and remove insulation of at least one cable housed in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Twigg, Janette M. Moré, Thomas E. Umlauf