Abstract: A universal ground clamp having a clamping strap having a series of holes to facilitate the installation of the clamp onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections. A metal stud, through which the clamping strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. In one form, a pair of curved plates supported upon the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. One of the curved plates is captivated on the strap with stops. In another form, projections extend from the strap at the hole through which the stud is inserted in order to allow the stud to be readily inserted into the hole and prevent the stud from being inadvertently separated from the strap.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to secure a ground strap assembly to an electrically conductive member are disclosed. In a disclosed example, a ground strap assembly includes a bendable ground strap, and a grounding clip having at least one flange located to substantially prevent rotation of the clip relative to the bendable strap. The example ground strap assembly also includes a fastener securing the grounding clip to the bendable strap. It is not necessary to remove the fastener from the bendable ground strap to secure the ground strap assembly to an electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A dual purpose jack (20) connectable to a printed circuit board is capable of accepting an audio plug and a power plug. The audio plug (50) has a projecting pin containing a series of spaced annular external contacts connectable to an audio signal. The projecting pin includes a hollow insulated sleeve which mates with a metal pin (120) of the jack to insulate the audio plug from the power portion of the jack. The power plug (40) includes a projecting pin (42) which is hollow and mates with the metal pin (120) of the jack to form the power contact. The combination jack has various leaf springs which move into engagement with the projecting pins of the two plugs and which are aligned in different planes in order to assist in miniaturization of the jack.

Abstract: A clamping bracket connects an electrical wire to a lip of a grounded utility box so as to ground the wire. The bracket has U-shaped portions and a threaded stud which moves an annular abrading end surface with a center cone point into engagement with the metal plate lip when located between the U-shaped portions. The rear planar member of the U-shape is formed by a leaf spring which slants inwardly and bends rearwardly until the leaf spring is approximately parallel with the front planar member due to engagement of a stop surface on the stud with the front planar member. A plurality of barbs located on the leaf spring assist to prevent inadvertent movement during tightening. The front planar member of the U-shape has side ribs which strengths the front planar member and space a threaded bore from the metal plate lip.

Abstract: A clamping bracket connects an electrical wire to a lip of a grounded utility box so as to ground the wire. The bracket has U-shaped portions and a threaded stud which advances an annular abrading end surface with a center cone point into engagement with the lip when located between the U-shaped portions. The rear planar member of the U-shape is formed by a leaf spring which slants inwardly. The front planar member of the U-shape has side ribs which strengths the front planar member and space a threaded bore from the lip.

Abstract: A drop wire clamp assembly is disclosed which is particularly suited for clamping twin or "figure eight" drop wires having a conducting line and adjacent a support line. The support line is sandwiched between bail housing and a slide wedge assembly. The conducting line is cradled along an elongated side of the bail housing. Guiding assemblies at each opposite end of the bail housing hold the support line in center alignment with a gripping surface, which is located in the bail housing.

Abstract: A right angle shielded connector includes an elongated shaft having connector surfaces and an opposite head portion which is integrally formed with a shell cap forming a box-like hollow interior. An insulated sleeve mounts within the hollow interior to space and electrically isolate a terminal which extends out a side opening of the box-like cap. The sleeve along with a mounting bushing forms an interior support to allow the elongated shaft to be press fit into the terminal for assembly by the manufacturer. A cylindrical threaded cover bushing screws onto the threaded side opening of the box-like shell and snugly thereagainst to form a shielded connector. Prior art right angle connectors are also illustrated in which the shell cap are formed from two halves of a cover which mate together.

Abstract: A right angle shielded connector includes an elongated shaft having connector surfaces and an opposite head portion with a flange which is slidably received within a groove around a slot in a shell cap. The slot extends through the upper portion of the cap and a lower threaded portion of cylindrical shape except for the slot extending therethrough. A cylindrical threaded bushing screws onto the lower threaded portion and snugly against the flange. A pair of terminals are located within the hollow interior of the shell cap and are keyed to prevent rotation once assembled. Prior art right angle connectors are also illustrated in which the shell cap are formed from two halves of a cover which mate together.

Abstract: A clamp for mounting and grounding a telephone interface box to an electric utility box of variable width is provided. The clamp has base which spans one side of the box. The base is adjustable through a range of finely graduated widths. Arms extend from the ends of the base and are positioned to engage opposite sides of the box. A sliding plate is mounted on one of the arms to secure the clamp to the box. A mounting plate secures the telephone interface box to one of the arms. In one embodiment, an abrading bolt also mounted on one of the arms to make intimate electrical contact with the box.

Abstract: A miniature surface mount style lamp is disclosed which can be assembled relatively quickly, easily and inexpensively. A pair of closed metal end caps are conductively adhered to the opposed ends of a bulb envelope having a pair of exposed filament leads protruding from either end. In some embodiments, the filament leads are in physical contact with the end caps. In other embodiments, the electrical connection between the end caps and the filament leads is provided only by the conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A clamping device for mechanically and electrically connecting a wire to an object having at least one flat surface. A U-shaped clamping member carries a threaded stud for securing the clamped object at least partially within the U-shaped member. The stud carries a stud tip which can be constructed from a metal that is electrochemically similar to the clamped object to minimize galvanic corrosion effects between the stud tip and the clamped object. The clamping device also carries a wire attaching means for attaching a wire thereto.

Abstract: A system for common grounding of a telephone system and an electric power system is provided. A stud is provided that is integrally secured to the outer surface of an electrical meter box without penetrating the inside of the meter box. The stud is connected through a grounding connection to the telephone system. The stud has a bore formed therein for receiving an electrical conductor, a threaded opening extending into the bore and a securing screw located within the threaded opening for securing the electrical conductor to the stud.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for mounting a telephone interface box to an electric utility box. The telephone interface box is mounted to a plate which is in turn connected to a clamp secured to the utility box. A moveable slide plate can be used to secure the clamp by moving the slide plate to abut the lid of the utility box. A conduit for protecting a portion of an underground telephone feed is also provided.

Abstract: An improved telephone cable lashing wire clamp provides a mechanical connection between a telephone cable messenger wire and a telephone cable lashing wire. A hook member engages the messenger wire and a messenger wire retaining nut secures the messenger wire to the hook member. A lashing wire jam nut then secures the wire lashing wire between the messenger wire retaining nut and the lashing wire jam nut. The hook member accepts a variety of messenger wire diameters, and can be a variety of different shapes. A variety of contacting surfaces can be used on the hook portion and the messenger wire retaining nut to contact the messenger wire.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping device provides a means for grounding a hollow metal box which can be of various dimensions. A C-shaped clamping device includes two separate, elongated members, and a threaded bolt and tab to secure the two members together. One of the members has a plurality of holes to receive the bolt and the tab, and the other member has a threaded hole formed therein to receive the bolt. The alignment of each of the plurality of holes with the threaded hole and tab of the other member establishes a plurality of different, discrete lengths for the base. The base has an end arm which carries a threaded grounding bolt movable into contact with the box. The grounding bolt has an abrading end surface which penetrates the outer surface of the box to form an intimate electrical contact with the base metal for grounding purposes.

Abstract: A system and clamp provides a common system for grounding a telephone system and an electrical power system. The clamp is secured to an electrical meter box and the clamp is connected through a grounding connection to the telephone system. The clamping device incudes a C-shaped base mounting a threaded bolt having a serrated end surface for abrading the surface of the meter box and additionally includes at least one projecting point which prevents the clamp from moving on the box as the clamping device is secured to the box.

Abstract: A drop wire clamp assembly sandwiches an insulated drop wire between a housing bail and an elongated pressure pad which is pressed by a slide wedge assembly against the pad. The pressure pad has a side tab which extends into a capturing aperture in the wall of the housing to guide the pressure pad for movement along the height of the side wall of the housing, and allows tilting motion thereof, without allowing the pad to drop out of an open channel formed in the housing bail.