Abstract: A flat communication cable is formed of an assembly of standardized modules in edge-to-edge relation surrounded by an overlying polyester protective cover. The modules containing a PVC jacket are united to form a ribbon by a blend of fusion and hot melt adhesive material, and the protective cover is bonded thereto by the adhesive. The modules can contain polyolefin insulated wire pairs, coaxial electrical conductors, stranded or solid wire, fiber optic filaments, or the like. Semiconductive or non-conductive material can be incorporated in the PVC jacket of the modules and/or the adhesive as desired and in any combination. Drain wires can be included. Also, the cover material can include metallic layers for shielding.

Abstract: A communication wire of flat construction has two or more pairs of communication gage polyolefin insulated wires, twisted along their length, disposed in groups on opposite sides and parallel to a conductive steel wire. The steel wire may be galvanized or copper clad. All of the foregoing are embedded in a PVC jacket with the PVC material bonded to the steel wire but unbonded to the insulated communication gage wires. Weakening lines permit separation into central and side parts with an intact PVC jacket on each part. When used as telephone drop wire the steel wire provides both physical support and electrical conductivity for supplemental or primary grounding. The wire shape and size permits use of existing hardware for installation. Alternatively, a group of wires on at least one side is replaced either by a coaxial cable or by one or more polyolefin jacketed optical fiber conductors.

Abstract: This specification describes an improvement in miniature plugs that are used for connecting together a telephone handset to a jack in the base of a telephone, and for connecting the base to a wall outlet or jack. Such plugs, particularly when used for handset cords, are pulled and flexed during normal use, and this causes movement that results in damage to contacts in miniature plugs so that reception becomes progressively more noisy, and the miniature plug has to be eventually replaced. This invention provides an effective structure for eliminating the motion and the problem that the motion causes.

Abstract: When metal clad cables are being installed, it is important that they be grounded to protect personnel in the event the cables comes in contact with an exposed electrical circuit in the building spaces. This invention provides a means for grounding the cable, and the grounding means are part of a spool assembly on which the cable is wound at the time that it is sold. The connection for grounding a cable is reliable and convenient, and the fact that it is part of the spool on which the cable is originally supplied to the user, makes it possible to keep the cost lower than presently used grounding apparatus of the prior art.

Abstract: This specification describes an improved method for making fire-resistant communication cables that have a core which includes a multitude of individual conductors or pairs with insulation surrounding some or all of the conductors. The conductors are enclosed in a metal sheath that has a welded seam and that is annealed to maintain the flexibility of the cable. The sheath is of larger diameter of the core when welded, but is drawn down to a reduced diameter that hugs the core prior to the annealing. Heat insulation is wrapped around the core to protect the insulation on the conductors from the heat that is used to anneal the sheath. The purpose of the construction is to provide indoor cable that does not propagate flames from a burning area in a building into adjacent non-burning areas. The cable sheath is purposely not bonded to the core to facilitate sheath removal for ease of terminating the cable.

Abstract: This invention is an improved apparatus and method for making fiber optic communication cables by cutting accurate helical grooves in a layer of insulation surrounding the surface of a strength member, and inserting the fiberglass conductors into the grooves with fillers and spacers around and between the glass conductors to protect them from damage. Helically wrapped binders and heat barrier tapes may be wrapped over the assembly with any additional binder threads or tapes as may be necessary to hold the heat barrier in place.

Abstract: This inside wiring cable has insulated conductors surrounded by one or more layers of heat-resistant tape covered by a protective metal sheath which is preferably made of longitudinally folded metal strip with the seam welded and the tube metal then reduced in diameter down into intimate contact with the core and annealed. The cable is fire-resistant so that it does not spread fire. The metal sheath prevents any "afterburn.

Abstract: This cord connector for printed wiring cards is self-latching to the printed wiring card so that the conventional hold down screws are no longer necessary. The shell halves that protect the connector contacts are interlocking to facilitate the original assembly of the connector.