Abstract: A torque-limited fastener is for an electrical connector including an electrically conductive body having at least one fastener-receiving passageway intersecting a cable-receiving passageway. The torque-limited fastener may include a body being externally threaded to be received within the fastener-receiving passageway and having a tool-receiving passageway therein. A break-away head may be initially coupled to the body for breaking away therefrom at a torque limit upon tightening of the fastener. The break-away head may have a tool-receiving passageway therethrough aligned with the tool-receiving passageway of the body and accommodating a commonly-sized tool therein.

Abstract: A reusable insulating and sealing structure may include an insulating tube and a frusto-conical seal having an enlarged diameter open distal end carried by an open distal end of the insulating tube and having a reduced diameter open proximal end extending into the insulating tube. The reduced diameter open proximal end may be resiliently deformable to accommodate a range of sizes of cable ends therethrough. The reusable insulating and sealing structure may also include a removable seal closure cap for removable positioning in the enlarged diameter open distal end of the frusto-conical seal, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable seal closure cap to the frusto-conical seal adjacent the enlarged diameter open distal end thereof. The closure cap and tether permit the insulating and sealing structure to be sealed when a cable is not extending therethrough and thus permit the insulating and sealing structure to be reused.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover may be on the electrically conductive body and include an integrally molded respective tubular cable inlet aligned with each cable inlet opening. A respective insulating boot may be received in each of the tubular cable inlets. Each insulating boot may include a tubular sidewall having a progressively increasing diameter to an open outer end thereof, a removable boot closure cap for removable positioning in the open outer end of the tubular sidewall, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable boot closure cap to the tubular sidewall.

Abstract: A loadbreak electrical connector may include a housing having first and second intersecting passageways therein, and a conductive member to be received in the first passageway. The conductive member may have a first end to receive a cable end, and have a transverse internally threaded opening adjacent a second end thereof accessible via the second passageway. A loadbreak probe may be received in the second passageway and have an externally threaded end for threading into the threaded opening. The threaded end of the loadbreak probe may include a proximal portion and a bullnose tip connected thereto, or a self-aligning anti cross-threading tip.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover may be on the electrically conductive body and include an integrally molded respective tubular cable inlet aligned with each cable inlet opening. A respective insulating boot may be received in each of the tubular cable inlets. Each insulating boot may include a tubular sidewall having a progressively increasing diameter to an open outer end thereof, a removable boot closure cap for removable positioning in the open outer end of the tubular sidewall, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable boot closure cap to the tubular sidewall.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a respective removable fastener inlet closure cap for each tubular fastener inlet, and a respective flexible tether having a proximal end removably connected adjacent a corresponding tubular fastener inlet and a distal end integrally molded with a corresponding removable fastener inlet closure cap. The connector may include an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. The connector may also include an insulating cover on the electrically conductive body and including a respective integrally molded tubular fastener inlet aligned with each of the fastener-receiving openings.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrical cables may include an electrically conductive body, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) insulating cover, and windows aligned with cable end viewing openings in the conductive body. The electrically conductive body may have spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. A respective fastener may be provided in each of the fastener-receiving passageways. The windows provide a cover and permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.

Abstract: A loadbreak electrical connector may include a housing having first and second intersecting passageways therein, and a conductive member to be received in the first passageway. The conductive member may have a first end to receive a cable end, and have a transverse internally threaded opening adjacent a second end thereof accessible via the second passageway. A loadbreak probe may be received in the second passageway and have an externally threaded end for threading into the threaded opening. The threaded end of the loadbreak probe may include a proximal portion and a bullnose tip connected thereto, or a self-aligning anti cross-threading tip.

Abstract: A connector body may have a passageway therethrough and may include a first layer adjacent the passageway and having a relatively low resistivity, a second layer surrounding the first layer and including a material having a relatively high resistivity, and a third layer surrounding the second layer and including a material having the relatively low resistivity. At least one of the first, second and third layers may include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. The connector body may also include at least one member of a different thermoplastic material than the TPE material and being bonded to adjacent portions of the TPE material. For example, the different thermoplastic material may comprise polypropylene and the member may be a pulling eye or test point insert. In other embodiments, instead of TPE, at least one of the first, second and third layers may include a silicone material.

Abstract: The fishing device of the present invention provides a parachute on the fishing line for use with large game fish. The parachute is enclosed in a container and released upon hooking a fish. The parachute provides a drag for the fish. The drag slows the fish and tires it more quickly. The slower speeds of the fish caused by the drag help prevent loss of the fish due to line breakage, hook release, or lack of line. The fishing device may also function as a lure.

Abstract: An overhead service drop extending between a utility pole and a customer location includes at least one power conductor, a neutral conductor messenger supporting itself and the power conductor, and a separable power connector between the power conductor and a corresponding utility power conductor adjacent the utility pole. The overhead service drop further includes a separable neutral connector between the neutral conductor messenger and a corresponding utility neutral conductor, and a mechanical breakaway member between the neutral conductor messenger and the utility pole. The mechanical breakaway member breaks away prior to breakage of the neutral conductor messenger to permit preferential separation of the separable power and neutral connectors based upon increased tension imparted to the neutral conductor messenger by a falling object.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting and/or coating medical devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes surrounding a medical device with a cage, the medical device having a surface. The method further includes attaching the medical device to the cage with at least one securement, suspending the medical device in an air stream, the air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles, and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting and/or coating medical devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes surrounding a medical device with a cage, the medical device having a surface. The method further includes attaching the medical device to the cage with at least one securement, suspending the medical device in an air stream, the air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles, and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.