Abstract: The present invention provides for a protector plate that can be readily secured to furring strips in a manner that reduces and/or eliminates any bowing or deflection of the furring strip during installation. This protector plate is to be located on the furring strip so that its face panel is positioned to protect any service component located there behind from nails, screws or other anchors that may be subsequently driven into the wall. The protector plate contains a front panel having a flange secured thereto with prongs, tabs, sawteeth or other securing assembly jutting or extending from this flange. This securing assembly is designed to penetrate the furring strip along its stronger axis.

Abstract: The data connector of the present invention securably receives at least two distinct types of mating connector plugs having different contact arrangements. The data connector includes a housing having a mating connector receiving cavity partially defined by a rear wall. The data connector further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the housing cavity wherein the PCB has a plurality of signal contacts electrically coupled thereto and extending from a top surface thereof. The signal contacts, which are used to frictionally engage mating contacts in the plugs, are desirably arranged in at least two vertically spaced rows to accommodate the distinct plug configurations. Mounted behind a back surface of the PCB, the data connector includes cable termination devices for receiving and terminating individual conductors of a multiconductor cable. The conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts via an electrical trace on the PCB.

Abstract: A utility metering transocket for mounting to a wall and for receiving a line wire and a load wire therein. The transocket has a bottom side, a back side, a top side, a top cover at least partially covering the back side, and opposing sides coupled to the bottom, back, and top sides. A plurality of bus bars of differing length are mounted to the back side, each bus bar having a load connector and a spaced apart line connector secured thereon. The plurality of bus bars are further arranged toward one of the opposing sides of the transocket thereby providing increased space within the transocket for routing the line wire and the load wire within the transocket such that the line wire and the load wire can be gradually bent for coupling to the line connector and the load connector, respectively, of at least one of the plurality of bus bars. Rotating line and load connectors are disposed on the bus bars to further aiding in routing.

Abstract: A junction box for routing at least one power wire and at least one data wire through a duct system. The junction box includes a bottom wall, a side wall bounding the bottom wall, and a cover member spaced apart from the bottom wall and supported by the side wall. A first access port is disposed in the cover member and a second access port is disposed in the cover member and adjacent the first access port. A first access region receives the data wire and is disposed below the first access port. A second access region receives the power wire and is disposed below the second access port and is adjacent the first access region. The first access region is sectioned from the second access region such that the power wire is inaccessible from the first access region and the data wire is inaccessible from the second access region.

Abstract: The data connector of the present invention securably receives at least two distinct types of mating connector plugs having different contact arrangements. The data connector includes a housing having a mating connector receiving cavity partially defined by a rear wall. The data connector further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the housing cavity wherein the PCB has a plurality of signal contacts electrically coupled thereto and extending from a top surface thereof. The signal contacts, which are used to frictionally engage mating contacts in the plugs, are desirably arranged in at least two vertically spaced rows to accommodate the distinct plug configurations. Mounted behind a back surface of the PCB, the data connector includes cable termination assemblies for receiving and terminating individual conductors of a multiconductor cable. The conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts via an electrical trace on the PCB.

Abstract: A gangable electrical box adaptable for securing to at least one adjacent electrical box having an adjacent male coupling member and an adjacent female coupling member. The electrical box includes a side wall and a rear panel coupled to the side wall that defines an interior of the electrical box therewith. A male coupling member is disposed on the side wall and a female coupling member is disposed on the side wall opposite the male coupling member and in the interior of the electrical box. The female and male coupling members are securingly engagable to the adjacent male coupling member and the adjacent female coupling member, respectively, of the adjacent electrical box for permitting lateral coupling of two or more electrical boxes.

Abstract: A stud mounted fastener for routing a plurality of wires in a plurality of directions at the fastener and securing at least one of the plurality of wires to the fastener via a cable tie. The fastener includes an abutment member for mounting on the stud. A first wing is coupled to the abutment member and has a first bar enabled to receive a cable tie thereabout for securing at least one of the plurality of wires thereto, and a second wing coupled to the abutment member and has a second bar enabled to receive a cable tie thereabout for securing at least one of the plurality of wires thereto. A first projection is coupled to the abutment member and has a first projection bar enabled to also receive a cable tie thereabout for securing at least one of the plurality of wires thereto. At least one of the first and second wings is in a different cross-sectional plane than the first projection.

Abstract: A drill bit for applying torque to a fastener and mounting the fastener to a stud. The fastener has a plurality of support walls and a bore that has an axial length disposed within the fastener. The drill bit includes a shaft, which has an engagement end for abutting the stud. A member is attached to the shaft proximate the engagement end and has a plurality of arms each including a front side for biasing against one of the support walls when the drill bit is rotated. Moreover, when mounting of the fastener on the stud is initiated, the fastener is rotated by the front side of each of the plurality of arms of the member biasing against one of the support walls of the fastener, subsequently, the engagement end of the shaft abuts the stud and is prevented from biasing axially while simultaneously the fastener continues to be progressively mounted on the stud.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing environmental elements from passing between at least one cable and a wall, including a hug secured to the wall and having threads. A ring is disposed about the cable and has at least one slit disposed therein for sliding the cable therein to dispose the ring about the cable. A pressure nut compresses the cable therein and has threads for screwingly engaging the threads of the hug, a first half, and a second half releasably coupled to the first half for inserting the cable therein to dispose the first half and the second half about the cable. Further, a mechanism for sealing is disposed about the cable between the ring and the pressure nut. The ring, the mechanism for sealing, and the pressure nut are installed about the cable without interruption of cable transmission service.

Abstract: A varistor with no connecting legs extending from it, is mounted in a slot formed in a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board carries the normal circuit tracks. The physical and electrical connection between the printed circuit board and the varistor is achieved by the use of solder. When the varistor overheats to a temperature beyond a predetermined temperature, the solder melts and the varistor is separated from the printed circuit board. A leaf spring which is biased when the varistor is inserted into the slot pushes the varistor out of the slot when the solder melts. Alternatively, when the solder melts gravity causes the varistor to fall out of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An in-line and ninety degree filter assembly is provided in the present invention for coupling a coaxial cable thereto. The coaxial cable has a coaxial wire disposed therein. The filter assembly includes a filter body that has a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. A circuit board is secured within the filter body for filtering electrical signals received from the coaxial cable. The circuit board includes a center coax in electrical and mechanical communication with the circuit board and a ground lead connected to the circuit board and protruding therefrom for electrically and mechanically communicating with the filter body upon installation of the circuit board into the filter body such that the circuit board is electrically grounded to the filter body.

Abstract: A switch for a data connector jack adaptable to receive a plug operating in a high frequency range or a plug operating in a low frequency range therein. The data connector jack is coupled to a cable having a plurality of wires contained therein. The switch has a primary state, an intermediate state, and a secondary state, and includes a printed circuit board having a surface. A plurality of row contacts are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and a plurality of bifurcated contacts are spaced apart from the plurality of row contacts and mounted on the surface the printed circuit board. A grounding pad is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and a jumper assembly.