IP Library Granted Patent US 11,183,778
Granted Patent B2
US 11,183,778 · App. 16/745,791 · Granted Nov 23, 2021

Wedge connector interface holding device

Inventors: Christopher Juillet (Warren, NJ); Richard Fox (Branchburg, NJ); Joseph Bier (Warren, NJ)
Assignee: Richards Mfg. Co.
H01R4/5091H01R4/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,183,778
App. No.
16/745,791
Granted
Nov 23, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and methods of securing a C-Frame to a cable run during the installation process of a cable tap are disclosed. A holding device is removably coupled to an interface positioned adjacent to a C-Frame loosely coupled to a cable run. The holding device which is coupled to the interface is slid over and onto the C-Frame, thereby securing the C-Frame to the cable run. Thereafter, a cable tap is coupled to the C-Frame.

Claims (34)

1. A connection device, comprising:

a holding device comprising:

an upper portion comprising a first substantially concave channel, and

a lower portion coupled to the upper portion, the lower portion comprising a connector;

an interface comprising:

a body comprising:

a second substantially concave channel,

a third substantially concave channel, and

a lip extending outward from the body;

wherein the lip is configured to be coupled to the connector.

2. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises an expansion lock.

3. The connection device of claim 2 , wherein the lip comprises a hot stick aperture configured to receive the expansion lock.

4. The connection device of claim 2 , wherein the expansion lock comprises an elastic material.

5. The connection device of claim 2 ,

wherein the lip comprises a hot stick aperture; and

wherein the expansion lock is configured to removably couple with the hot stick aperture.

6. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the lip comprises a fourth channel configured to receive and secure the connector.

7. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the connector and the lip comprise a rivet system configured to removably couple the holding device to the interface.

8. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the holding device consists of hard plastic.

9. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the holding device comprises one or more soft plastics, high durometer rubber, or one or more soft metals.

10. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the holding device comprises a first flared end and a second flared end.

11. The connection device of claim 10 , wherein the first flared end and the second flared end are flared away from the substantially concave surface.

12. A method of attaching a cable tap to a cable run, comprising:

positioning a holding device to hang on a cable run;

coupling an interface to the holding device;

positioning the holding device at least partially on top of a C-frame of a separate wedge connector to secure the C-frame to the cable run; and

coupling a cable tap to the interface and the wedge connector.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the holding device to the interface comprises pressing an expansion lock on the holding device against a hot stick aperture on the interface.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the holding device to the interface comprises snapping a button and a receiving connector together.

15. The method of claim 12 , comprising:

sliding the holding device at least partially over the C-frame of the wedge connector.

16. The method of claim 12 , comprising:

tightening a screw on the wedge connector to secure the cable tap to the wedge connector.

17. The connection device of claim 1 , wherein the holding device and the interface are configured so that when the lip is coupled to the connector, the first substantially concave surface and the second substantially concave surface at least partially encircle a common area.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2025
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 070703/0807 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 13, 2024
From: RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC
Reel/Frame 069647/0166 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2023
From: ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO. SALES, LLC; RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064356/0552 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: JUILLET, CHRISTOPHER; FOX, RICHARD; BIER, JOSEPH
To: RICHARDS MFG. CO., A NEW JERSEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 057996/0867 →