Abstract: A terminal connection which will accept electrical conductors of various sizes and provides oxide breaking, spring loading, and conductor confining and bundling features. A tab or finger on one of the terminal elements presses the conductor regardless of its size toward the other terminal element, and oxide breaking edges on one of the elements break oxide coatings on the conductor while the tab or finger both confines the conductor and forces it toward a mechanical operator such as a screw. Forcing the conductor toward the screw reduces offset loading and permits additional oxide breaking by scraping the conductor with the screw as the screw is rotated to tighten the terminal. In the case of a stranded conductor, the bundling obtained by forcing the conductor toward the screw assures good interstrand electrical contact, so that the electrical resistance at the connection is not significantly different from the resistance of a corresponding solid conductor.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for electrical terminals is disclosed, the housing being of the dead-front type and the enclosed terminals being connectable to external electrical circuits through apertures in the dead-front. The housing is generally formed of a dead-front or base member and two side casings, with web hinges joining these members as integral parts and allowing the side casings to pivot into opened and closed positions on the base member. Screw fasteners, located adjacent the ends of the casings remote from the web hinges, secure the casings together and clamp an electrical cord that is wired to the electrical terminals. Access to the enclosed electrical terminals is obtained, for wiring purposes, by opening one or both of the side casings. Locking lugs are formed integral with the side casings and base member to secure the casings to said base member, when the casings are closed, and provide a locking action in directions both longitudinal and lateral of the housing.

Abstract: A one-piece dead-front electrical plug comprises a dead-front member, conductive blades mounted therethrough, and two side covers hingedly connected to the dead-front member by integral web hinges. The side covers pivot between an open position affording access for making wiring connections between a cord and the conductive blades, and a closed position fully enclosing the wiring area. Each side cover has cord clamp teeth which cooperate to grip the cord. The web hinges are protected from longitudinal stress in one embodiment by side cover flanges which are matingly received in notch openings in the dead front member, and in another embodiment by dowel pins protruding from the dead-front member which are matingly received in openings in the side covers. Lateral stress protection of the web hinges is provided by an interengaging flange and groove structure of the side covers and dead-front member.

Abstract: A grounding electrical adapter for connecting a three-wire plug to a two-wire receptacle connects electrically the grounding blade of the plug to the grounded mounting screw of the receptacle plate, without removing that screw, in a novel manner which not only assures good electrical contact to ground and good mechanical connection to the receptacle but also tends to force a user to make a proper ground connection.