Abstract: An electrical receptacle cover is securable over an electrical receptacle. The cover includes a generally planar cover plate for positioning over the receptacle. The cover plate includes an outlet opening therethrough for accessing the outlet of the electrical receptacle. The cover plate also includes an aperture therethrough for passage of a threaded fastening element. A threaded nut-like securement member is formed integrally with the planar cover plate. The securement member is frangibly removable so that it may be attached to the receptacle for accommodating the fastening element extending through the cover plate.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly including an outlet box and a lid. The outlet box generally includes a base, an outer wall parametrically bounding the base and extending upwardly therefrom forming a box interior, the outer wall having an upper and lower end, the upper end forming a lip which defines an opening to the box interior. The assembly further includes a lid. The lid has a closed position such that when the lid is in the closed position the opening to the box interior is partially covered forming a receptacle opening having a size substantially similar to an opening of a standard size outlet box. The lid further includes an open position such that when the lid is in the open position, the opening to the box interior is entirely uncovered thereby permitting unrestricted access into the outlet box interior.

Abstract: The entire outer surface of a ground rod, including its pointed end portion, has a continuous and uniform electroplated coating. The rod has a blunt end portion shaped to minimize mushrooming when it is hammered for driving the rod into the ground. Jets of plating solution directed against the rod produce swirling motion of plating solution around the rod while it moves longitudinally through a plating bath. Uniformity of the plated coating may be enhanced by rotating the rod during longitudinal movement through the plating bath.

Abstract: The flat/round connecting device provides connection between conductors of a flat-ribbon, flat-conductor cable having at least two flat conductors and the round conductors of a round cable having at least two round conductors. The device comprises a plurality of individual connectors, each having two portions extending along a straight line or disposed at an angle of 90.degree. relative to each other. One of the portions has a flat conductor crimping zone with crimping tongues arranged at a mutual spacing for crimping to the flat conductors and the other portion has a round-conductor crimping zone with crimping tongues arranged at a mutual spacing for crimping to the round conductors and to the insulation of the round conductors.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box which is mounted to a wall stud and having a support leg to prevent deflection of the box by abutment against a wall board attached to the stud. The electrical outlet box includes a back wall which is perimeterically bounded by an outer wall extending outwardly therefrom. The box includes a box interior for accommodating an electrical receptacle or similar component. The support leg is frangibly connected to the outlet box. The outlet box includes a slot adapted to receive the support leg upon frangible removal of the support leg from the outlet box. The support leg once installed in the slot provides a brace which prevents rotational movement of the outlet box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for the sealing of an elongate splice of an electrical cable. A central extent of the splice is enclosed in a cylindrical enclosure tube so as to define exposed lateral splice extents on each side thereof. Sealing dams are constructed about the cable adjacent each end of the cable splice and adjacent each end of the tube. The exposed lateral splice extents are covered with a pair of elongate generally cylindrical splice enclosing shells each having open ends. The open ends of the shells are sealably attached to the sealing dams to sealably enclose the cable splice. The shells and the tube are filled with a curable encapsulant to fully encapsulate the cable splice.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle cover assembly provides weather-tight closure of a receptacle outlet. The cover assembly includes a faceplate mountable over an electrical receptacle. The faceplate includes an opening for exposing an outlet of the receptacle. A cover is hingedly attached to the faceplate for closing the opening. A spring is positioned between the cover and the faceplate and supports the cover in a normally closed position. The spring includes a leaf spring portion and a cantilevered spring portion each independently deflectable to permit repeated closure of the cover.

Abstract: A connector for terminating a metal clad electrical cable is suitable for use in hazardous locations. The connector includes an elongate generally cylindrical body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. An elongate generally cylindrical hub accommodates the body. The hub has a body receiving end, a conductor egressing end, and a central axial bore therethrough. A capable seal is provided by a sealing bushing and a gland nut which is rotatably coupled to the cable receiving end of the body, sealingly coupling the cable to the body. The body and the hub include cooperative engagement elements for preventing the relative rotation of the hub and the body upon rotatably coupling the gland nut to the body about the cable.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: An upstanding stacked electrical connector assembly comprises an upper connector having a plurality of contact elements, each having a first segment rearwardly therein and a second segment extending downwardly from the first segment, a lower connector having a plurality of contact elements, each having a first segment extending rearwardly therein and a second segment extending downwardly from the first segment, support structure for supporting the upper and lower connectors in vertically spaced relation and having transversely spaced elements extending rearwardly from and vertically below the second connector and contact retention structure disposed between the transversely spaced elements of the support structure for receiving at least the second segments of the contacts of the upper connector and retaining the received contact second segments against both transverse and vertically upward movement relative to the connector assembly.

Abstract: An improved electrical outlet box having thin wall construction and localized elements for structurally reinforcing the box. The thin wall outlet box includes a bottom wall and a perimeter wall perimetrically bounding the bottom wall and an open upper end defined by a lip. The perimeter wall comprises a plurality of sidewalls which join together to form corners. Each of the sidewalls has a reinforcement rib longitudinally extending substantially parallel to the lip and projecting inwardly toward the interior of the box. In addition, each of the corners has an outwardly projecting rib which extends downwardly from a point on the corner between the lip and the bottom wall onto the bottom wall.

Abstract: An improved electrical outlet box assembly includes an outlet box and a cover. The outlet box includes a bottom wall and a sidewall perimetrically bounding the bottom wall and an open upper end. The sidewall supports a pair of diametrically opposed ear lugs. Each ear lug has a pair of ears integrally formed therewith extending inwardly into the interior of the box. The ears secure a fastening element. The cover is removably frictionally engagable with the box and provides a closure for the open upper end of the box. The cover includes a generally planar surface with a pair of diametrically opposed dome-shaped protrusions extending from the top surface of the cover. The protrusions are positioned on the cover such that they align with the ears and accommodate the fastening elements therein. The cover further includes a pair of locking members extending from the bottom surface of the cover and which are frictionally engagable with the ears thereby holding the cover onto the outlet box.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for advancing an elongate strip of material including a pilot mechanism for locating the strip such that flexure regions of the strip are disposed at a predetermined position relative to the feed mechanism. The mechanism advances the strip a distance corresponding to the spacing between flexure regions. A control device is included for operating the pilot mechanism and the advancing device alternately such that before each advancement the strip is located with its flexure regions in the predetermined position relative to the feed mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating electrical conductors of a multiconductor cable comprises an electrically insulative housing defining an passage for receipt of an electrical connector plug and an open interior compartment, a plurality of electrical contacts supported in the housing, the contacts having first portions accessible through the housing passage and second IDC portions resident in the compartment, an electrically conductive sheet member fully circumscribing a part of the housing in which the contact first portions are resident and partly circumscribing the compartment and a stuffer member closing the compartment and dressing electrical conductors into engagement with the contact second IDC portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector provides for the termination of discrete insulated conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes an insulative connector housing supporting plural electrical contacts having insulation displacing contact portions. A conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing with respect to the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block includes contact slots for receipt of the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block further includes passages in communication with the contact slots for receipt of the conductors. The conductor holding block is movable between a conductor receiving position and a conductor termination position. The conductor holding block is continuously supported by the connector housing so as to define a conductor support position to temporarily support the conductors against the insulation displacing contact portions without effecting conductor termination.

Abstract: A method for forming a welded joint as between first and second electrical conductive members by the use of a radiant energy source, wherein the first member has a higher reflectivity with respect to the radiant energy than the second member, the method comprising the steps of preselecting respective areas of the first and second members for the welded joint, forming an aperture extending fully through a portion of the selected area of the first member, the portion being selected to be of an area less than the selected area of the second member, placing the first member in overlying relation to the second member with the first member portion disposed interiorly of the perimeter of the selected area of the second member and issuing the radiant energy directly onto the first member and concurrently through the first member apertured portion onto the second member. Assemblies for effecting welding operations are provided.

Abstract: Alignment apparatus for aligning contact pins exiting an electrical connector comprises an elongate body of electrically insulative material having a generally flat base defining a plurality of passages opening into respective upper and lower surfaces of the base portion, first projections integral with the body and extending upwardly of the base upper surface, the first projections being disposed interiorly of longitudinally opposed end margins of the body, and second projections integral with the body and extending upwardly of the base upper surface, the second projections being cantilever-supported by the base such that free ends of the second projections distal from the base upper surface may occupy positions variable longitudinally of the base. The first projections provide for registration of the alignment apparatus with a connector and are adjacent longitudinally opposed margins of the apparatus.