Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Gretz

Thomas J. Gretz 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: 9941679
    Abstract: An interlocking floor box assembly including one or more electrical boxes which may be securely ganged together to form a multi-gang floor box for mounting one or more electrical components, such as duplex outlets, directly in a concrete pour area or in a floor above a concrete base. Opposing side walls include an internal hub and an external hub respectively for interlocking two or more electrical boxes together. Other embodiments may include a tab and a corresponding slot on opposing walls on the electrical boxes to enable interlocking two or more boxes. The interlocking floor box assembly enables secure side to side interlocking of two or more boxes to form a multi-gang floor box. A cover plate and a lid assembly enable plug in of electrical cords into the duplex outlets with the plug ends of the cords recessed below the floor level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9887524
    Abstract: A depth-adjustable electrical box assembly for mounting of a fan or fixture on a ceiling including a fan/fixture box and a depth adjustment screw that is always accessible for adjusting the depth of the electrical box with respect to the ceiling. Bracket mounting screws are held captive with the assembly. A slide plate on the fan/fixture box is slideable with respect to the box. A base plate integral with the slide plate includes apertures therein for accepting the bracket mounting screws. A screw retainer, held securely to the fan/fixture box by a bracket, retains the end of the adjustment with respect to the box. Straps on the slide plate provide threaded engagement with the depth adjustment screw and enables the slide plate to slide with respect to the electrical box in response to rotation of the adjustment screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9853433
    Abstract: An adjustable floor box assembly including: 1) an electrical box having a front edge, a sidewall and opposing vertical edges, electrical box vertical channels at the opposing sidewall vertical edges; a bolt guide on the sidewall adjacent the front edge in vertical alignment with a slot in the sidewall; and 2) an adjustable flange including: a) a horizontal member including, an aperture for the insertion of a threaded adjustment bolt; and b) an integral vertical member having vertical flange edges and flange channels on the vertical flange edges that slidably engage the vertical channels, and at least one adjustment bolt engagement member that engages the threads of an threaded adjustment bolt inserted through the bolt guide, so that, as the adjustment bolt is rotated, the adjustable flange moves slidably up and down as the vertical flange edges and flange channels move slidably in the electrical box vertical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9831649
    Abstract: A rain-tight fitting for connecting electrical metal tubing to an electrical box in a rain-tight fit. The rain-tight fitting includes a fitting body having a leading end adapted to connect to the knockout of an electrical box and a trailing end adapted to create a rain-tight fit with an end of electrical metal tubing (EMT). One or more sleeves are seated within a trailing bore of the fitting body and are held in place by a fastener. A necked-down wall portion on the sleeve contacts the outer periphery of the EMT as it is inserted into the trailing end of the fitting. After the EMT is fully inserted within the trailing end of the fitting, the fastener is tightened to drive the fastener against the outer periphery of the EMT, thereby providing a grounding path between the fitting, the electrical box, and the EMT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9831648
    Abstract: A cover assembly for providing a moisture resistant installation of a receptacle or similar electrical component within a floor box and flush with a newly poured concrete floor surface. The cover assembly includes a floor box, a leveling ring, a mounting plate, and a cover plate with a flip-lid hinged to the cover plate. Sealing means are provided integral with the cover plate for sealing against the floor surface and for sealing the flip-lid to the cover plate to provide a moisture resistant installation of the receptacle. The sealing means includes a lid gasket integral with the flip-lid and a plate gasket integral with the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9748751
    Abstract: An electrical device mounting assembly adapted for mounting of power and low voltage components in a shallow wall cavity to supply a television or similar electronic device. The mounting assembly recesses all high and low voltage components behind the wall surface to render them unobtrusive and out of the way. The mounting assembly includes a mounting frame with a peripheral flange, sidewalls, and a rear wall. A corner of the mounting frame is adapted to mount a duplex receptacle at an oblique angle with respect to the sidewalls. The mounting frame includes cable tie-offs for routing cables and at least one low voltage mount for the mounting of low voltage components. The mounting assembly enables consolidation of all power and signal hookups for TV or home entertainment systems in a single assembly that is recessed within the wall and allows flush wall mounting of a flat panel TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9739465
    Abstract: A sconce box assembly for mounting sconces on walls of various wallboard thicknesses and shallow wall cavities with no disruption to the surrounding wall. The sconce box assembly includes an electrical box having a sidewall, a back wall, an electrical cavity, and wing bosses extending from the sidewall. First rotatable wings secured to the wing bosses are adapted for rotation between a retracted position, in which the rotatable wings are positioned inside the sidewall perimeter, and an extended position in which the rotatable wings are positioned outside the sidewall perimeter. Retracting the wings facilitates insertion of the electrical box through a hole in a wall. Extending the wings facilitates tightening the wings and clamping the electrical box to the wallboard. The invention contemplates at least one second rotatable wing that may be used optionally in place of the first rotatable wing in order to accommodate attachment to various thicknesses of wallboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9735557
    Abstract: An electrical box hanger assembly for hanging an electrical fixture from a ceiling. All hardware required for mounting the electrical device is included with the assembly. An adjustable mounting bar includes sliding tubular members with end flanges for spanning between adjacent overhead joists. An electrical box is connected to the adjustable mounting bar by a one-piece mounting bracket and a single box mounting fastener. The mounting bracket includes integral tensioner tangs on the mounting bracket prevent backing out of the box mounting fastener after it is secured in place. Bar fasteners are used to securely fasten the mounting bar to the joists. Load bearing device fasteners used to secure the mounting ring of an electrical fixture to the electrical box. Oversize openings are provided in the top wall of the electrical box to ensure that the suspended load is borne by the clamp and mounting bar and not the electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9735558
    Abstract: A cut-in floor box assembly including a bracket assembly, an electrical box, a support plate, and a cover plate for rapidly installing a duplex receptacle flush with a floor. Floor preparation requires simple drilling of the floor and subfloor with hole saws. Two concentric cuts are made in the floor, a hole of a first diameter through the floor and a second, smaller diameter hole through the subfloor. A peripheral wall on the bracket assembly fits within the hole in the subfloor. A floor mounting arrangement on the bracket assembly enables clamping the bracket to the subfloor. A component attachment arrangement on the electrical box is adapted to accept recessed attachment of a duplex receptacle enabling flush mounting of the duplex receptacle with respect to the floor surface. Two removable outlet covers on the cover plate provide convenient access to the receptacles for plug-in of electrical cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9726303
    Abstract: A support device for elevating an object above a surface comprises a base and a strut. The base has a top and a bottom. The bottom is adapted to sit upon the surface and is wider than the top. The strut is affixed to the base and adapted to receive a fastener for affixing the object to the strut. The base may have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The base may comprise a support flange along a perimeter of the bottom of the base. The strut may have a generally U-shaped cross-sectional shape with an elongated planar bottom and opposing elongated planar sides joined to opposing edges of the elongated planar bottom. The strut may be affixed to the base via one or more spacers such that the strut is positioned a predefined distance from the top of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9667049
    Abstract: An electrical box assembly for concrete pours. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box with a sidewall defining an electrical enclosure and a leveling ring for accepting the mounting of an electrical component to the box. Mounting bosses within the electrical box extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the sidewall and facilitate a means for mounting the leveling ring to the electrical box. The leveling ring includes a flange that is adapted to overlap the top rim of the electrical box. Component attachment arms on the leveling ring enable mounting of an electrical component to the electrical box assembly. Cover attachment arms on the leveling ring facilitate mounting of an electrical cover to the electrical box assembly. The electrical box assembly eliminates the need for clips and adhesive for leveling an electrical component with respect to the surface of a concrete poured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9647439
    Abstract: A liquid-tight and concrete-tight electrical fitting for securing PVC jacketed metal clad (PVC-MC) electrical cable to an electrical box or panel. The electrical fitting includes a tubular fitting body having a threaded inbound and outbound end, an MC ring, a grommet, a bushing, a sealing ring, a locknut, and a gland nut. The grommet includes an inbound end with a conical outer surface and an outbound end with a flat abutment surface. A conical inner surface is provided on the bushing for engaging the conical outer surface of the grommet. The MC ring is a continuous ring including an inbound end, an outbound end, a ring portion, and one or more fingers extending from the ring portion. The fitting facilitates liquid-tight and concrete-tight connection and proper electrical grounding of PVC-MC cable to an electrical box or panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Daniel J. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 9640964
    Abstract: A duplex electrical connector constructed of two body portions with internal bores. The body portions easily assemble and disassemble in a sliding manner, the direction of the assembly and disassembly being substantially at right angles to the axes of the internal bores. A front connector body includes a leading end and a trailing end with a lip, a trailing flange, and a bottom periphery. A tab with an aperture therein extends from the top lip. A rear connector body includes a leading end with a front extension, a boss, a trailing end, and two internal bores extending from the trailing end to the leading end. Sliding assembly of the connector bodies enables minimizing the size of the connector bodies for reducing unit production costs while enabling easy disassembly of the two connector body portions for inspection of internal cable connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gretz, Daniel O'Neil
  • Patent number: 9553415
    Abstract: A duplex fitting including a radius cast on transition for effectively stopping advancement of the armor layer of one or more inserted cables while at the same time enabling easy passage of the conductors to the outbound end. Two inbound bores transition to a single outlet bore within the fitting. The duplex fitting includes a one-piece connector body having a leading end with a nose portion and a trailing end with two bores therein. Tubular cable retainers secured within the inbound bores snap-in connection of electrical cables to the trailing end. A fastening arrangement on the nose portion of the duplex fitting enables snap fit connection to a knockout hole in a panel or an electrical box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9531177
    Abstract: A TV bridge kit including an assembly of components for mounting a TV to a wall while minimizing disruption to the wall surface. The kit includes a first and second frame member with cover plates and an electrical cable having a male and a female plug end. Frame members include rotatable clamp arms to enable rapid installation to existing walls. Cover plates include openings and peripheral walls adapted to receive nose portions of the plug ends. Tabs on the plug ends of the electrical cable enable connection to bosses in the peripheral walls of the cover plates. An outer flange on the frame members enable recessed mounting of the cover plates with the front surface of the plug ends flush with the cover plate. After installation on a wall, the TV bridge kit is powered by connection of a conventional electrical cord from an existing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9496694
    Abstract: An electrical connector for easy insertion of one or more electrical cables through a hole or knock-out of an electrical box. The electrical connector includes a substantially tubular connector body including sidewalls, a leading end, and a trailing end. A recess in at least one of the sidewalls facilitates orientation of the connector to avoid burrs in the knockout aperture of the electrical box. The connector body includes base flange at the trailing end, an inner bore, and a dividing wall. Two flexible gripper arms are formed at notched areas of the base flange on opposing sides of the sidewalls. An inner tooth and an outer tooth are included on each gripper arm. Each gripper arm includes a top wall and an outward extending wing. The connector enables connection of two cables to a single knockout with the dividing wall preventing contact between the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9490617
    Abstract: An electrical connector for easy insertion of one or more electrical cables through a hole or knock-out of an electrical junction box. The electrical connector includes a substantially tubular connector body including sidewalls, a leading end, and a trailing end. The connector body includes base flange at the trailing end, an inner bore, and a dividing wall. For connection of two cables, the dividing wall keeps the separate cables from touching. Two flexible gripper arms are formed at notched areas of the base flange on opposing sides of the sidewalls. An inner tooth and an outer tooth are included on each gripper arm. Each gripper arm includes a top wall and an outward extending wing. The outward extending wing in combination with the base flange form seats on opposing sides of the connector body for accommodating the wall of an electrical box when the connector is pushed into a knockout hole in an electrical box or panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 9472935
    Abstract: An FS box holder for mounting a field service (FS) electrical box to a cylindrical structure. The FS box holder includes a front panel and two end walls and two side walls extending from the front panel. Elongated slots are provided in the side walls and a threaded nipple extends from the front panel. A post attachment means is provided for securing said FS box holder to a post or similar upright support. The post attachment means includes a pipe clamp for securing through the elongated slots of the FS box holder. The invention further includes an electrical box having a threaded socket therein and a box attachment means for securing the electrical box to the FS box holder. The box attachment means includes a threaded socket on the electrical box and a threaded nipple on the FS box holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: D776619
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: D808907
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ARLINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz