Abstract: In a dual disconnect terminal assembly including a switch, the disconnect contact member for opening and closing the current paths formed by bus bar segments in the upper and lower terminal tiers is a toggle lever which includes contact bridges for each respective tier. The lever can be pivoted into three different switch positions. In a first position, the upper and lower contact bridges are connected with the bus bar segments of the upper and lower tiers, respectively, to close the current paths therebetween. In a second position, the upper and lower contact bridges are spaced from the bus bar segments of the upper and lower tiers, respectively, to open the current paths therebetween. In a third position, the upper contact bridges are connected with extensions of the bus bar segments of the upper tier to close the current path thereof and the lower contact bridges are spaced from the bus bar segments of the lower tier to open the current path thereof.

Abstract: A connector for clamping one or more electrical conductors has a shackle which cooperates with a screw serving to urge one end portion of a rail toward a bottom wall of the shackle. The bottom wall has a central portion flanked by two convergent lateral portions which guide one or more conductors against the internal surface of the central portion when the screw causes the end portion of the rail to approach the bottom wall. The underside of the end portion of the rail has a centrally located platform whose underside urges the conductor or conductors against the central portion of the bottom wall and which is assisted by two ridges disposed between pairs of recesses in the end portion of the rail. The lateral portions of the bottom wall have notches which receive portions of the platform, and the recesses receive portions of the corresponding lateral wall portions.

Abstract: A screwless electrical terminal comprises a connector bar and a clamping cage embracing the bar and biassed by a spring to clamp a conductor between the bar and the cage bottom. The cage can be latched open for example by teeth on the rear of the cage engaging recesses on the connector bar, to allow insertion of a conductor. The cage has a forwardly and downwardly projecting pivot element which engages a fixed abutment if traction on the conductor causes the cage to move along the connector bar. Such movement brings the pivot element into engagement with its abutment and thereafter causes the cage to tilt so as to increase the conductor-clamping force in response to traction on the conductor.

Abstract: To facilitate crimping, electrical crimp contacts comprising metal members and insulating members are manufactured in strip form. In a single injection molding operation, the insulating members are formed and attached to the metal members, and the insulating members are interconnected by integrally molding members. The latter may extend beyond the ends of the strip of contacts, so that such strips can be joined together.

Abstract: An electrical multi-way terminal block having pairs of terminal in upper and intermediate regions, each pair being interconnected by a conductive member and being accessible for connection of a conductor. A tool access passage for one of the intermediate region terminals, which is offset into the interior of the block, extends from the upper face of the block transversely past the conductive member interconnecting the upper pair of terminals and is insulated from the latter, avoiding obstruction by a conductor connected to the upper terminals.

Abstract: A screwless electrical terminal unit comprises a pair of parallel channels for receiving respective conductors, with the open sides of the channels facing one another. Between the channels is mounted a W-shaped leaf spring with its central bend mounted on a retaining member, each outer bend adjoining an abutment between the outer bends to limit movement of the latter, and the free limbs extending obliquely towards respective channels for clamping conductors therein. Such an arrangement ensures that manipulation of one limb of the spring has no effect on the clamping of a conductor by the other limb. A rocker member may be provided for selectively moving the free limbs from their conductor-clamping positions.