Abstract: An auxiliary connector device connects a conductor with an electrical component mounted in a terminal block upon which the connector device is mounted, including a contact arrangement extending through aligned outlet and entry openings contained in the auxiliary connector device and the terminal block, respectively, thereby to connect with the electrical component a bus bar to which the conductor is clamped. The contact arrangement includes a contact screw rotatably connected at one end with the auxiliary connector device and in electrical engagement with the bus bar, the other end of the contact screw being threadably connected with the terminal block. Upon rotation of the screw in a given direction; a contact sleeve arranged concentrically about the screw is longitudinally displaced into electrical engagement with the electrical component. The auxiliary contact device is sectional, thereby to permit use of a selected one of a plurality of contact arrangements having different lengths.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive terminal adapted for use in an electrical connector includes a horizontal upper surface containing a downwardly extending first bore in which is mounted a U-shaped protective spring. The spring has a bulging generally circular bridging portion adjacent the bottom of the first bore, and a pair of upwardly extending leg portions. One of the leg portions is adapted to be displaced by a clamping screw mounted in a threaded horizontal second bore toward clamping engagement with a bare conductor that is inserted downwardly into the first bore. The bulging bridging portion of the spring extends into diametrically opposed recesses contained in the wall of the first bore and defined by a horizontal third bore, thereby to retain the protective spring in the first bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printed antenna comprising a dielectric substrate (CS1, CS2) supporting feeder lines (LA1, LA2) and first and second T-shaped dipoles (D1, D2) of different sizes for dual-band operation. Each dipole includes a stem (J1, J2) and two radiating arms (B1, B2) separated by a coupling slot (FC1, FC2) made in the stem. For compactness of the antenna, the stems are partly superimposed, the coupling slots are aligned and a decoupling cut-out (ED) is made in the second dipole so as to uncover the coupling slot of the first dipole, by virtue of their superposition. The substrate can comprise one, two or three layers. Plural antennas can constitute an antenna network used as a base element in one-dimensional or two-dimensional network.

Abstract: A power supply system for supplying electrical power to at least one load includes a base plate, a support rail and a power supply module fastened to the base plate, at least one bus bar module, and a rail mounting device for mounting the bus bar module on the support rail. The rail mounting device includes conductor members for supplying power from the power supply module to bus bars contained within the bus bar modules, respectively. A first plug has contacts that engage contacts of each of the bus bars of the bus bar module via access slots contained in the cover member thereof, thereby to supply three-phase power to a load such, as a motor, via a heavy-duty power switch and a circuit breaker that are both mounted on the base plate, and associated second and third connecting plugs. Single-phase power is supplied to an auxiliary load, such as an electrical appliance, from two or more bus bars of the bus bar module via a fourth plug.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for tapping off current from a plurality of insulated input conductors includes a rectangular base member having a horizontal planar upper surface provided with a plurality of parallel seats receiving the insulated conductors, a frame mounted on the base member for supporting a plurality of terminal blocks for vertical displacement over the seats, each terminal block including an insulation piercing contact extending downwardly therefrom, and an eccentric disk arrangement for displacing each terminal block relative to the frame member between an elevated position spaced above the associated conductor seat and a lowered position in which the contact penetrates the insulation layer and engages the conductor, thereby to transmit current to an output conductor via the insulation-piercing conductor, a bus bar, and a tap-off terminal.

Abstract: A sealed electrical junction box includes a sectional housing containing a chamber and having an end wall that contains at least one access passage in which is mounted a sealing bush containing a longitudinal through bore. An annular internal sealing rib on the access passage wall cooperates with a corresponding circumferential groove in the outer circumferential surface of the bush, thereby to seal the space between bush and the access passage wall. To seal the space around an inserted conductor, there is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the bush through bore at least one integral deformable sealing lip that engages the outer circumferential surface of a conductor inserted into the bush longitudinal bore. When the bush is not in use, the longitudinal bore thereof is sealed by a cylindrical plug that is inserted into the longitudinal bore.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for connecting the insulated conductors of a flat cable with an output load includes insulation-piercing contacts that extend upwardly from the horizontal upper surface of the rectangular base member of a connector housing. When a housing cover member is slidably displaced longitudinally of the base member from a first position toward a second position, a first wedge arrangement displaces an actuator plate and a cable support plate downwardly to force the cable into insulation-piercing engagement with the contacts. A locator insulating lug normally extends upwardly from the cable support plate for insertion within an access opening contained in the cable, and between the separated ends defined by an intermediate portion of a conductor that is separated by the access opening. When the cable is uniform and contains no access opening, the lug is displaced by the cable toward an inoperable position relative to the support plate.

Abstract: A junction box assembly includes a support board, a connector supported at one end by the support board, a separate tubular guide sleeve arranged concentrically about the connector, and a cover having an open bottom chamber receiving the connector, and a top wall containing an opening receiving the upper ends of the guide sleeve and the connector, thereby to afford electrical connection to the connector by an associated second connector. The guide sleeve is restrained against rotation relative to the cover, the upper end of the guide sleeve being internally threaded for connection with the externally threaded lock nut on the second connector. The guide sleeve and the cover are formed from different synthetic plastic materials.

Abstract: A terminal block connecting arrangement includes a first terminal block having a first electrical contact, an electrical device having a second electrical contact, a test terminal block arranged between the electrical apparatus and the first terminal block for displacement between a first test position spaced from the electrical apparatus and a contact position adjacent the electrical apparatus, the test terminal block having a double-ended electrical contact. A spring-biased detent device normally retains the test terminal block in the test position. As the first terminal block is progressively displaced toward the electrical device, the first contact is brought into engagement with one end of the contact on the test terminal block. Upon further displacement of the first terminal block toward the electrical device, the detent device is released, and the test terminal block is displaced to effect connection of the first contact with the second contact via the two-ended test contact.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle steering column is locked to a vehicle chassis by a remote-controlled electrically-operable locking arrangement that is carried by one end of a locking arm the other end of which is pivotally connected with the vehicle chassis. The locking arrangement has a locking axis that is parallel with and spaced a given distance from the pivot axis of the locking arm.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution device such as a junction box or the like includes a status indicator that also serves not only to indicate the status of energization of a connector mounted in a first housing opening, but also to illuminate a translucent indicia-bearing plate mounted in second housing opening. The housing contains a chamber in which are mounted a light emitting diode that is energized simultaneously with the connector, and a light transmitting member that directs the light produced by the LED toward the second housing opening.

Abstract: A household apparatus that combines the function of a bookmark and a highlighter/marker is provided. The apparatus has enclosed an inkwell that includes a volume of ink. The apparatus has thin shape that allows it to serve as a bookmark, while at the same time, has a marker portion that is covered by a cover when it is not in use.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for connecting the insulated conductors of a flat cable with a plurality of tap-off branch conductors includes a plurality of insulation-piercing contacts that extend upwardly from the horizontal upper surface of the rectangular base member of a connector housing. A horizontal actuator plate is arranged in spaced relation above the contacts to define a space for longitudinally receiving the cable. When a housing cover member is initially slidably displaced longitudinally of the base member from an open first position toward a closed second position, a first wedge arrangement displaces the actuator plate downwardly to force the cable into insulation-piercing engagement with the contacts. When the cover member is subsequently displaced to the fully closed second position, a second wedge arrangement clamps the ends of the actuator plate to the cable, thereby to provide the connector contacts with strain relief protection.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a housing containing at least one open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary upwardly-directed knife device, and a rectangular carrier member arranged for downward insertion within the chamber, thereby to displace an insulated wire supported by the carrier member toward a position in which the knife device pierces the insulation layer and is brought into electrical engagement with the conductor contained therein. The carrier member includes a top surface containing a slot for receiving the tip of an operating tool that displaces the carrier member downwardly in the chamber, and a side wall containing at least one lug and slot arrangement by means of which the carrier member may be upwardly displaced upon lever-like operation of the tool in cooperation with a side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of the chambers arranged in one or more rows.

Abstract: A marking device for identifying an electrical conductor includes a planar generally annular marker body containing at least one opening for receiving the conductor, and a plurality of coplanar outwardly extending portions containing mutually isolated pockets for receiving planar indicia-bearing tags, respectively. In one embodiment, the body is deformable and contains at least two creased portions that permit adjustment of the size of the opening to correspond with the diametrical size of the conductor that is to be identified.

Abstract: An electrical distributor assembly includes a plug member connected with a socket member that is mounted on, and extends slightly above, the top surface of a distributor housing, characterized by the provision of an axially displaceable protective sleeve mounted concentrically about the plug and socket members. The plug includes an upwardly extending integral cable supporting portion that is also enclosed by the sleeve.

Abstract: A locking device attaches to a first end of a plug-supporting housing a telecommunications plug having a cable that extends through a longitudinal bore contained in the housing. The locking device includes at least one locking plate having a first end portion connected with the housing, and a second end portion containing a projection for engaging a corresponding retaining surface, thereby to retrain the plug within a first plug-receiving chamber contained within a first end of the housing. In a first embodiment, the locking plate directly retains in the first chamber either the plug, or a hollow adapter frame that contains the plug. In a second embodiment, an adapter body containing a second plug-receiving chamber is fastened to the housing first end, and a pair of locking plates lock within the second chamber either the plug, or an adapter frame that contains the plug.

Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for crimping upon on a shielded data cable a plug connector having a body portion, and a cable shield clamping portion that is initially angularly arranged in an open loading position, characterized by the provision of a pair of operating handles that are pivotally connected for relative movement from an open position toward a partially closed intermediate position, thereby to displace the cable shield portion toward a crimping position in alignment with the plug connector body portion. A crimping arrangement is subsequently operable upon displacement of the handles from the intermediate position to the closed position to crimp not only the clamping portion concentrically about the outer circumferential surface of the shielded data cable, but also the region at the end of the plug connector body portion adjacent the clamping portion, thereby to crimp the female contacts of the plug connector onto the bare conductors of the cable.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a plurality of separate consumer modules for supplying power to a plurality of consumer loads, respectively. Each of the consumer modules includes an overload fault detection device for automatically interrupting the supply of power to a given consumer load upon the detection of a fault therein by an overload protection arrangement. When the voltage drop across a measuring resistor exceeds a given threshold value, a non-conducting transistor becomes conductive, thereby opening a gate circuit to disconnect the consumer load from its power supply. Resistors of varying resistance values may be selected manually or by remote control to correspond with the demand requirements of the consumer loads.

Abstract: Metal hydride compounds, which are prepared by mixing together from about 1 to about 10 parts by molecular weight of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, tin, and zinc; from about 1 to about 3 parts by molecular weight of an alkali metal hydroxide; and from about 5 to about 10 parts by molecular weight of water and allowing this mixture to stand for a time sufficient to form a metal hydride, can be used for making fuel additives, treating sour gas, enhancing oil refining, extracting oil from tar sands and shale, increasing production of hydrogen from a hydrogen plant, treating oil and gas wells to enhance production, eliminate PCBs, cleaning soil contaminated by hydrocarbons and/or heavy metals, controlling odors, cleaning polluting stack emissions, extracting edible and essential oils, and eliminating bacteria, fungicides, and parasites from vegetation.