Thomas & Betts International LLC

Homac Mfg. Company

Homac Manufacturing Company

Other

James L Zahnen

Matthew D Cawood

Ronald Vallette

Roy E Jazowski

Paul W Lubinsky

Kenneth C Elliott, Iii

Marc F Salerno

Cong Thanh Dinh

Mark R Drane

Robert Fong

Stanley S Szyszko

Alan D Neal

William Longcor, Iv

Ronald A Vallette

Edward Hielscher

Eric Belknap

Jacob Serre

Iii Kenneth Elliott

Iv William K Longcor

Kenneth C Iii Elliott

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.

Stamped hotline clamp

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.

Disconnect device

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.

Torque controlling break screw

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.

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.

Electrical service disconnect

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.

Hot line stirrup connector

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.

Insulation piercing connector housing

An electrical connector for a plurality of electrical cables includes an electrically conductive body having a plurality of spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and having at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover is on the electrically conductive body and has a respective cable inlet aligned with each of the cable-receiving passageways. A respective cable end seal is associated with each of the cable inlets and includes a first tear stop member having a planar portion defining a central opening, and at least one coaxial and coplanar rib extending from the planar portion and spaced from the central opening. A second tear stop member is coupled to the first annular tear stop member at the central opening and includes a series of stepped tear stop portions having progressively decreasing diameters.

Electrical connector including cable end seals with tear stop member and related methods

An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways. The connector may further include an insulating cover on the body and defining a seal with the window assembly.

Electrical connector including viewing window assembly and associated methods

An electrical connector for a plurality of electrical cables may include an electrically conductive body having a plurality of spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and having at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The connector may also include an insulating cover on the electrically conductive body having a respective cable inlet aligned with each cable-receiving passageway. A respective cable end seal may be associated with each cable inlet. Each cable end seal may include an annular tear stop member including a series of concentric annular ribs, and a nipple coupled to an inner portion of the annular tear stop member so that the nipple is able to seal against smaller diameter electrical cable ends, and so that the annular tear stop member is able to be selectively torn and seal against larger diameter electrical cable ends.

Electrical connector including cable end seals and related methods

An electrical connector for a plurality of electrical cables may include an electrically conductive body having a plurality of spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving electrical cable ends therein. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway, an insulating cover on the electrically conductive body, and respective cable and fastener inlets aligned with each cable-receiving and fastener-receiving passageway. A plurality of plug tether assemblies may each include a base engaged with an upper end portion of a respective cable inlet, and may have a first and second tether extending outwardly from the base. A cable inlet plug may be coupled to the first tether and be removably positioned in a respective cable inlet. A fastener inlet plug may be coupled to the second tether and removably positioned in a respective fastener inlet.

Electrical connector with plug tether assembly and related methods

An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a transformer stud. The electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having a first and second generally rectangular portions connected in an offset arrangement. The first generally rectangular portion may have a transformer stud receiving passageway for receiving a transformer stud. The first and second generally rectangular portions may have respective first and second openings to define first and second keeper holders. Keepers are removably received in the keeper holders to secure electrical conductors therein.

Transformer stud connector with offset keeper holders and associated methods

An overhead service drop extending between a utility pole and a customer location includes at least one power conductor, a neutral conductor messenger supporting itself and the power conductor, and a separable power connector between the power conductor and a corresponding utility power conductor adjacent the utility pole. The overhead service drop further includes a separable neutral connector between the neutral conductor messenger and a corresponding utility neutral conductor, and a mechanical breakaway member between the neutral conductor messenger and the utility pole. The mechanical breakaway member breaks away prior to breakage of the neutral conductor messenger to permit preferential separation of the separable power and neutral connectors based upon increased tension imparted to the neutral conductor messenger by a falling object.

Preferential separable overhead electric service drop and associated method

An electrical connector may include a conductive body having a conductor receiving passageway therein to receive the conductor of a cable end. The conductive body may also have a fastener receiving passageway intersecting the conductor receiving passageway, and a fastener may be positioned in the fastener receiving passageway for securing the conductor. The connector may also include an insulating boot associated with the conductor receiving passageway. The insulating boot may include an insulating tube, and at least one rupturable seal closing the insulating tube and rupturing upon initial insertion of the cable end therethrough. The rupturable seal may also be compliant to accommodate different sized cable ends and form a seal with adjacent portions of the cable end. A pair of seals may be provided with an optional sealant material therebetween.

Growing community of inventors

Ormond Beach, FL, United States of America

James L Zahnen