Abstract: A bushing insert of a high voltage electrical distribution system is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to a bushing well by means of a threaded coupling member, a portion of which coupling member is threaded to the electrical contact element of the bushing well, the coupling member having a wrenching configuration enabling that portion of the coupling member to be removed from the electrical contact element of the bushing well should the portion inadvertently become severed from the remainder of the coupling member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pavement marker for engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marking visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The pavement marker comprises a lens member of light-transmitting synethetic resin including a front face having a light-receiving and refracting portion adapted to be inclined at an angle of at least 15.degree. and a rear face having reflex reflective means for reflecting light transmitted through the light-receiving and refracting portion back to the source. The pavement marker has an untempered glass sheet fixedly disposed on the light-receiving and refracting portion and the glass is in compression throughout the expected temperature range to which the pavement marker is exposed in use.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for selectively connecting sections of an electrical cable to establish a cable of desired longitudinal length suitable for use in underground mining operations includes a plurality of electrical connector elements, each connector element being provided with a pair of electrically and mechanically connectable components having a form analogous to a ball and socket coupling for imparting lateral flexibility to each connector element and to the connector assembly, while maintaining both the mechanical and the electrical integrity of the connector assembly. First connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join supply conductors of one cable section to corresponding supply conductors of another cable section, while second connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join a ground conductor of the one cable section to a corresponding ground conductor of the other cable section.

Abstract: A connector for joining a flexible metallic raceway to an electrical enclosure comprising a nonconductive body portion having enclosure engaging means, raceway insertion limiting means and a protected conductor entrance throat and a conductive plate engageable with said body portion and said enclosure and providing raceway engaging and grounding means.

Abstract: A tool for fixing the position of an optical fiber with respect to the connector containing same. The connector containing an optical fiber is fastened to a movable connector support which is moved into position with respect to a collar that causes portions of the connector to retract and expose the fiber adjacent the index of a gauge. The position of the fiber end can be adjusted while viewing the fiber end and the index through a magnifying device properly illuminated.

Abstract: The pawl means portion of a pawl and ratchet type full stroke compelling mechanism for use preferably in hand tools and the like is arranged for translatable movement towards and away from the ratchet means of the mechanism to permit a reversal of the direction of movement of the handles of the tool prior to full opening while recommitting the device to a full closure stroke from the point of reversal, thereby avoiding the necessity for requiring the handles of the tool to be opened to their fully open position before closure can again be reinstituted.

Abstract: A selectively positionable pivot coupling is provided between a full stroke compelling mechanism and either one or both of the tool handle members between which such mechanism is coupled to permit a re-opening of the handle members at preselected points in the closure stroke of the tool.

Abstract: The subject device is a connector for flexible elastically deformable elongate members having two mating halves, portions of which overlie one another. Within such overlying portions extend passages for receiving and holding the elongate members, the passages made up of a V-notch groove and a confronting flat surface or a rectangular recess which deforms the elongate member at three points, centering the members and bringing them to an end-to-end relationship. Additional elements are added for strain relief, centering, latching and position control.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in crimping and cutting tools and the like includes a resettable drive system which permits the user to selectively increase or decrease the angular opening between the tool handles at any fixed point in the operative stroke of the tool. The handles of the tool may thus be disposed at any desired angular relationship with respect to one another for operation either in close quarters or for more comfortable operation without sacrificing the lever advantage originally designed into the tool.

Abstract: A hollow tubular member is provided with a plurality of obliquely oriented slots creating therebetween a series of ring elements which are offset from the transverse plan of the tubular member to provide an effective reduction of the internal diameter thereof for lockingly engaging an elongate element inserted within the tubular member. Both ends of the tubular member may be similarly slotted to provide an in-line coupling between two elongate members. Also disclosed is a method for forming the sleeve from a flat blank of material. Suitable modifications may be made to permit the sleeve to be attached to a support plate such as the wall of an electrical enclosure or the like.

Abstract: A splice connector for elongate members such as optical fibers and the like comprises, in one embodiment, a triad of rod-like elements over which is disposed an elongated heat-contractable sleeve the ends of which are provided with a reduced diameter to provide a means for guiding the fibers into the central passageway created within the triad arrangement. The contractable sleeve may be provided as preformed sleeve halves and one of the rods of the triad divided into two parts spaced apart so as to provide an opening coincident with an opening in the sleeve to permit viewing of the interior and the application of sealing material to the splice joint. The distal ends of the reduced diameter portion of the sleeve may be flared outwardly slightly and later heat-contracted about an insulative covering or other protective member disposed about the original elongate member to provide strain relief and clamping means thereat.

Abstract: Each of a pair of die nest members for a crimping tool comprises preferably four individual arms extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis in a cruciform configuration permitting each arm to be selectively indexed into operative position in one jaw of the tool for disposition adjacent any one of the similarly indexable arms of the other die nest member in the other jaw of the tool to provide a selectively determinable pattern of mating die nest combinations. Each die nest member may be rotated about its transverse axis to insure that the desired die nest combination will be located at a position employing the most favorable mechanical advantage of the tool.

Abstract: An electrical terminating device includes a prestessed generally annular split collar member having its free ends held apart by a rigid bridge member having leg portions urged into abutting engagement with the free ends of a lower saddle member to maintain the bowed side walls of the collar member in a preloaded condition. A slidable pressure plate is introduced within the interior of the assembly for cooperation with a pressure screw extending inwardly from the bridge member to pressure connect a conductor end to the saddle member upon suitable rotation of the pressure screw, the pre-loaded bowed side walls of the collar member operating to compensate for any expansion and contraction of the conductor while connected within the device.

Abstract: An adjustable floor receptacle includes a comparmentalized construction provided with fire barriers and partitions arranged to insure electrical and mechanical isolation between discrete power and communication cables terminating therewithin.

Abstract: A rotatable member which may comprise a toggle lever for a wiring device is supported by two sets of bearing elements, one set being located on a base and the other set being located on sidewalls integral with the base to provide a self-contained unitary assembly. In one embodiment, the rotatable member may be snapped into position and is simultaneously engaged by both sets of bearing elements in the housing portion of a molded wiring device to provide locational integrity independent of the location of other parts of the wiring device.

Abstract: A selectively deflectable tab hingedly coupled to the cover portion of a two part wiring device is positionally responsive to the presence or absence of an obstruction located within a cable receiving notched opening in the housing portion of the device so that, in the absence of such cable, the tab will enter the notched opening to provide a seal thereat but will selectively tilt away from the opening upon contact with an obstruction located therein.

Abstract: A hand tool for assembling two or more articles along an extended plane. Arcuate motion of a movable handle is converted to axial movement of a presser plate to assemble the articles placed on an aligned platen. The movable handle controls a drive bar which is coupled to the tool frame by pivotally movable links which move the drive bar in two orthogonal directions and to the presser plate to move it in two orthogonal directions by means of pivotally movable links coupled to the drive bar. The movements along one orthogonal axis cancel one another and the movements along the other orthogonal axis are cumulative whereby the presser plate is moved only in the direction of the platen.

Abstract: A multiposition modular connector assembly includes lower and upper halves each comprising a series of frangibly interconnected connector elements, each upper element being individually engaged to a lower element by latch means to provide a composite structure preselectively partable into segments of a predetermined number of positions.

Abstract: A tension sensing and cut off control mechanism which operates independently of the mechanism for drawing tight a closed loop bundling strap placed about objects to be bundled. Within a stationary block, afixed to one end of a tool housing, is placed a movable block held stationary by a displaceable pin. Adjustable loading means engage said pin to control its movement based on the tension to be applied to the strap. Below the established load a separate pawl mechanism draws the strap up about the bundle. When the load on the pin is exceeded, the movable block is moved by the strap head causing a blade means to sever the strap adjacent the head and all parts return to their original positions.

Abstract: An electrical splice contact comprises a narrow central portion flanked by undulating slotted end portions having peaked segments providing piercing and cutting surfaces for engaging the ends of a pair of insulated conductors to provide an in-line electrical splice joint therebetween.