Abstract: A universal AC/DC electrical connector for selectively coupling either a mating direct electrical current (DC) electrical connector or a mating alternating electrical current (AC) electrical connector to selectively receive both direct electrical current (DC) and alternating electrical current (AC) therein. The AC/DC electrical connector has a pair of direct current contacts, a pair of alternating current contacts, and a ground contact. When DC electrical connector is coupled to the AC/DC electrical connector, the direct current contacts and the ground contact electrically engage corresponding electrical contacts of the DC electrical connector, while the alternating current contacts of the AC/DC electrical connector remains uncoupled, i.e., alternating current connects of the AC/DC electrical connector does not electrically engage the contacts of the DC electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing having a tubular body portion, a flange portion and a cylindrical shroud surrounding an electrical connector. The shroud has at least one aperture or lockout hole in a side wall thereof to removably receive a locking member. The removable locking member is preferably a padlock having a substantially U-shaped shackle extending through the lockout hole in the Shroud to prevent insertion of a mating electrical connector into the electrical connector housing. The mounting flange portion has a notched section above the lockout hole in the shroud so that the shroud can be substantially recessed within the tubular body portion and the locking member can still be easily installed into the lockout hole.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing with a lid for covering electrical contacts of an electrical connector mounted therein. Electrical connector housing has a tubular body portion for supporting an electrical connector therein, a mounting flange portion for mounting the electrical connector housing to a wiring enclosure, and a lid for covering an open end of the tubular body portion and the electrical connector. The lid is pivotally coupled at one end to the mounting flange and releasably latched to the mounting flange at its other end. A torsion spring is used to normally bias the lid to a closed position in which the open end of the tubular body portion and the electrical connector are covered. The latch is integrally molded with the lid to provide a snap-fit.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device having a mechanism for clamping conduits of various diameters. The wiring device includes an electrical connector having a passageway for receiving conduit therein, and a clamping mechanism securely coupled thereto for clamping conduits having a variety of diameters. The clamping mechanism has at least one outwardly extending member and rotates 90.degree. between first and second positions. When the clamping mechanism is in its first position, it clamps conduit having a large diameter. When the clamping mechanism is in its second position, the outwardly extending member thereon clamps conduit having a smaller diameter. The clamping mechanism is snap-fitted to the connector which allows relative rotary and slight axial movement therebetween. Teeth on the connector and clamping mechanism prevent relative rotary movement when engaged, and can be disengaged by axially moving the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical enclosure having a base, a cover, and hinge pivotally connecting the base and cover. The cover has a pair of ears, each provided with a key hole for receiving hinge pins mounted on the base. The pivot pins are provided with keys that align with notch portions of the key holes when the cover is disposed at an obtuse angle, preferably about 180.degree. with respect to the base. After assembly, the base is connected to a support which limits the range of pivotal movement of the cover to an angle less than 180.degree. so that the keys and notch portions can no longer be aligned. The base and cover have top, bottom and two side walls of substantially the same depth and the cover bottom wall has two cord receiving recesses extending inwardly about one-half the depth of the bottom wall to minimize the radius of bending of the cords inside the enclosure and minimize the size of the recesses.

Abstract: A partition for dividing an electrical or telecommunications device box having a substantially planar dividing member with at least one retaining member extending therefrom for cooperating with a mounting post on the base member of the box to support the dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member. The partition is removably retained in the box by the retaining member frictionally engaging the post. The retaining member has a specific amount of interference to cause the spring action in the material and to create gripping forces around the mounting post.

Abstract: A pulling tool for gripping a cable or cables, especially fragile cables such as fiber optic cables. The pulling tool can pull such fragile cables with or without fragile connectors coupled to their free ends. The pulling tool has a mesh sleeve with an open tail end for receiving the ends of the cables, and a closed lead end with a ring or pulling member coupled thereto. The sleeve is constructed of a plurality of thin, flexible strands tightly interwoven together to form a longitudinally compressible and laterally expandable tube. The strands are tightly interwoven to prevent the cables or connectors from protruding outwardly from the sleeve. The sleeve is also highly flexible to permit the sleeve to be folded or rolled up.

Abstract: A folded electrical box for mounting an electrical wiring device to a support member. Preferably, the electrical box is formed by folding a unitary blank of thin sheet material. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical box includes an integral mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a pair of bracket portions extending outwardly from one side wall of the electrical box for coupling the electrical box to a support member. Each of the bracket portions has side mounting section extending from the electrical box for engaging one side of the support member extending perpendicular to the dry wall plaster and a face mounting section extending substantially perpendicularly from the side mounting section for engaging the side of the support member with the dry wall plaster secured thereto. The side mounting section of the mounting bracket is reinforced by folding the sheet material to double its thickness, while the face mounting section has a single thickness to avoid bulging the dry wall plaster.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 10 for transmitting electrical energy, and especially designed for use with electric vehicles. The electrical connector assembly 10 includes an electrical connector or plug 16 with electrical contacts, such as tubular brush contacts 34 and an electrical connector inlet assembly or receptacle 20 with mating electrical contacts such as contact pins 409. The plug has a cover 50 for selectively covering and uncovering its electrical contacts to prevent inadvertent contact with the electrical contacts. Likewise, the receptacle has a cover 460 for selectively covering and uncovering its electrical contacts to prevent inadvertent contact with the electrical contacts. The receptacle also has a retractable hood or weathershield 510 movably coupled thereto between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, hood 510 partially covers plug 16.

Abstract: An end fitting with stress distribution for supporting an end of a device, such as an insulator, placed tension. The end fitting has a mounting hole for receiving a cylindrical mounting pin therethrough. The mounting hole has a pair of contacting points spaced laterally relative to the vector line of force to redirect the tensile load applied to the end fitting by a mounting pin located in the mounting hole. The end fitting is especially useful in insulators subjected to tensile loads.

Abstract: A receptacle switch having a center-off position, momentary-on position, and maintained-on position. The switch includes a housing with a toggle, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact and a third movably contact, and a leaf spring therein. The toggle has a cam member which engages a cantilever arm supporting third contact to hold the third contact spaced between the first and second contacts in center-off position. The cam member also controls movements of the third contact from its center-off position, to maintained-on position, and to its momentary-on position. The leaf spring selectively engages a first notch in a bottom portion of the toggle to maintain the toggle in the off position, or engages a second notch in the bottom portion of the toggle to maintain the toggle in the maintained-on position, or engages a smooth portion of the bottom portion of the toggle to momentarily maintain the toggle in its momentary-on position until the toggle is released.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly for separating and insulating high voltage power wires from low voltage communication wires. The electrical outlet box assembly includes a housing adapted to be embedded into a poured concrete floor, an electrical shielding assembly coupled within the housing, a leveling assembly for coupling and leveling an electrical receptacle to the housing, a floor plate or carpet flange, and a receptacle cover. The electrical shielding assembly includes a wiring enclosure releasably coupled to the housing by a snap fit having an interior passage for receiving and separating the high voltage power wires from the low voltage communication wires which pass over the exterior of the wiring enclosure, and a receptacle insulator member adapted to surround a receptacle mounted in the housing.