Abstract: A safety shield assembly for an electrical apparatus comprises a bellows which is recessed into the planar surface of the apparatus which surrounds a pair of electrical blades, and which faces the planar face of a wall receptacle when the electrical apparatus is plugged into the receptacle. The safety shield assembly includes the bellows and a cavity into which the bellows is secured. In its uncompressed state, the bellows extends nearly the length of the electrical blades; in its compressed state, the bellows recedes fully into the cavity.

Abstract: A power plug has a housing, a voltage prong, a neutral prong, and a ground prong, the prongs set in the housing, and a main body elastically set in the housing and encircling the prongs. When plugging the power plug into a socket, the main body retracts toward the housing. When unplugging the power plug from the socket, the main body is pushed outward to cover the prongs. In such a manner, only a small section of each prong is exposed to open air or the prongs are not exposed at all, increasing the safety of the power plug.

Abstract: EMI-shielding strain relief boots and dust covers and methods of using these boots and dust covers are described. An inventive EMI-shielding strain relief boot includes a flexible elongated boot body and an EMI shield. The boot body has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface defining a bore sized and arranged to contain an end portion of a transmission cable and an associated cable connector. The EMI shield extends along a substantial length of the boot body and is configured to shield a region of the bore from interfering electromagnetic radiation. The distal end of the boot body is slidable over the cable connector and is conformable to and envelopable about at least a portion of a pluggable transceiver connector. The dust cover has a flexible elongated dust cover body and an EMI shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting at least two devices. Each of the interconnected devices includes a contact structure for electrically and/or physically interconnecting the devices. Preferably, the contact structure for at least one of the devices includes a spring contact. An adhesive, such as a UV-curable adhesive, is applied to at least a portion of one of the devices, and once the adhesive is applied, the devices are assembled, i.e., brought into sufficient proximity so that the contact structures interconnect the devices. The adhesive can be applied directly to contact structures of one of the devices and/or can be applied to other portions of the devices so that the adhesive flows around the contact structures during assembly. The adhesive is then cured to bond the devices together.

Abstract: An accessory device for communications headset molded of a microbial resistant material which secures and protects the electrical cords and contacts of a communications headset. The device has a body with a plurality of bores or channels to receive and protect the electrical contacts dependent from the communications headset. The device also has a means to secure the cords when the headset is not in use.

Abstract: A combination electrical connector and electrical switch comprises a three-sided shroud portion formed upon the electrical switch housing so as to ensure proper electrical connection of the electrical switch and electrical connector in a polarized manner. The electrical connector comprises electrical contacts which include insulation displacement portions for electrical connection to external wiring, and blade reception portions for electrical connection to blade members of the electrical switch wherein all electrical connections are solderless. The blade reception portions of the contacts comprise oppositely disposed, flexible members which are integrally connected together and which are able to self-generate the necessary forces to engage and retain the blade members of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A terminator cap is provided for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector, which is made from a composite material so as to provide an electrical impedance between an outer case and a center conductor of the output connector. A method is also provided for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety guard for a type-N coaxial connector that prevents casual human contact with a conductive center pin of the coaxial cable. The safety guard is preferably made of a dielectric material and is generally tubular in shape. The safety guard is adapted to be installed on existing connectors in the field, or to be part of a connector assembly that is to be installed on a coaxial cable. Among the advantages of the present invention are substantial reduction in complexity over prior art interlock connector designs. The safety guard of the present invention is provided for a male connector only, thereby alleviating the need for modification of the mating female connector.

Abstract: A combination electric connector includes a socket unit and a plug unit, the socket unit having a set of plug blade receiving holes extended through a front side thereof for receiving the metal blades of an electric plug, two grounding prong receiving portions disposed at two opposite lateral sides thereof for receiving the grounding prong or grounding wire of an electric plug, a substantially U-shaped grounding metal plate installed in the grounding prong receiving portions and extended over a rear side thereof, two metal contact plates respectively mounted in the plug blade receiving holes and extended out of the rear side, the plug unit having a plurality of hooks and coupling flanges respectively fastened to the rear side of the socket unit, and a set of metal rod members respectively disposed in contact with the metal contact plates for connection to an electric socket.

Abstract: A connector terminal protective cover which can be attached directly to an end portion of a connector housing, and which also has a simple structure and is inexpensive. The connector terminal protective cover (1) is attached to a connector housing by causing projections (12,12′) on arms (4,4′) located on both sides of the cover (1) to engage with the side walls (118, 118′) of the connector (100). The end portion (110) of the connector (100) is open, and the cover (1) has a covering section (2) that covers the opening (112) in the end portion (110). The cover (1) can be removed by bending the arms (4,4′) outwardly so that the engagement with the side walls is released.

Abstract: A protection cap for an electrical connector with several terminals extending from a first end thereof. The cap includes a body having a cavity for releaseably receiving a second end of the connector which is opposite the first end, at least one arm extending from the body for wrapping partially around the connector, and a terminal retainer arranged on the free end of the arm for engaging at least some of the terminals.

Abstract: A removable pin stabilizer for stabilizing carrier pins of an integrated circuit chip carrier before and during placement of the pins into sockets of a circuit board. The removable pin stabilizer includes a non-dissolvable plate, the non-dissolvable plate having parallel dissolvable sections traversing the plate, the parallel dissolvable sections being through the plate and having holes through the plate for receiving the carrier pins, the holes encompassing the parallel dissolvable sections, wherein the parallel dissolvable sections can be dissolved by a solvent after the chip carrier is mounted and positioned correctly to the circuit board. The resultant additional space created by such removal will allow an increased flow of air between the integrated circuit chip carrier and the circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cover for use in transporting an electrical header which comprises a dielectric housing, terminals mounted on the housing and pins arranged in an array comprising at least two generally parallel longitudinal rows of pins. The cover comprises an upper section including a top surface, an outer and preferably an inner generally concentric wall member extend downwardly in spaced relation from the top section. A concentric groove is formed between said wall members and said wall members and the groove is positioned so that at least one pin in each of said row of pins is engageable in said groove. A recess may also be positioned in the center of the upper surface to increase pick up efficiency. A method for using the cover to manipulate electrical headers is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of devices designed to prevent the use of electrical equipment or appliances by securing the electrical plug. More specifically this invention relates to a device which will captivately surround the blades of the electrical plug in such a manner that young children, elderly persons, or mentally retarded persons cannnot gain access to their use, and which incorporates a clamping mechanism which can be actuated without the use of any external apparatus, such as a key or a tool.

Abstract: A cover (36) for use in transporting headers by vacuum suction comprising a dielectric housing (12), terminals (14) mounted on the housing and pins arranged in an array (18) comprising a plurality of rows (20 and 22), said cover comprising an upper section (38) including a smooth top surface (40), a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal ridges (42, 44 and 46) extending downwardly from the top section and a groove (54 and 56) interposed between adjacent ridges and said ridges and grooves being positioned so that one of said rows of pins is engageable in each of said grooves and a transverse member (62 and 64) extends across at least a part of at least one of the grooves. A method of using the cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A charging cord box has a first opening facing a cord outlet lid and a second opening at a substantially right angle to the first opening. A charging cord is passed through the first opening and the second opening. In storing the charging cord in the box, the charging cord can be lowered spontaneously by its own weight. Further, in drawing the charging cord from the box, a base portion of the charging cord is merely bent and no undue external force is applied to the charging cord. Accordingly, damage to the charging cord can be suppressed.

Abstract: A plug for insulating electrical contacts of a male connector has a connector engaging portion for snugly coupling the plug to the connector and a head portion extending from the connector engaging portion. Bores extend axially through the connector engaging portion and only partially through the head portion, and snugly receive the contacts.

Abstract: A storage battery has a top end which is provided with a depression to receive a pair of sockets that are connected electrically to negative and positive terminal ends of the storage battery, and a protective cover lid that covers the top end. The depression is opened at one side thereof to permit access into the same. The cover lid has a plug seat which is formed therethrough. A fuse plug is received in the plug seat and has two legs which extend slidingly into the sockets. The cover lid further has a shielding plate to deny access into the depression.

Abstract: The present invention is a holder for an electrical outlet safety cap. The holder includes a body having a prong receiving device therein for receiving the prongs of the electrical outlet safety cap to hold the safety cap when the electrical outlet is being used. The prong receiving device is electrically insulated from the outlet's source of electrical power.

Abstract: A new and improved electrical plug protective apparatus includes a first funnel-shaped protective member for an electrical plug. The first funnel-shaped protective member includes a cone-shaped portion and a tubular portion connected to the cone-shaped portion. The cone-shaped portion protects the electrical plug. The tubular portion protects a region of a conductor that is connected to a backside of the electrical plug. The protective member includes a separation assembly, extending longitudinally along both the cone-shaped portion and the tubular portion, for permitting the protective member to be opened for applying the protective member to the electrical plug or for removing the protective member from the electrical plug. The separation assembly may include complementary tongue and groove connectors that snap together and a hinge assembly located on the first funnel-shaped protective member in a location opposite to the complementary tongue and groove connectors.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for mounting a header assembly to a mounting surface of an electrical apparatus through the use of a vacuum-suction nozzle. The header assembly includes a dielectric housing adapted to be positioned adjacent the mounting surface. The assembly includes a plurality of terminals mounted in the housing. The terminals have tail portions for interconnection to circuitry of the electrical apparatus and pin portions projecting from the housing. A slip-off cover has a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving free ends of the pin portions of at least some of the terminals. The pin portions are interference-fit in the passages to allow the cover and the header assembly to be mounted together to the electrical apparatus and to allow the cover to be slid off the terminals after the tail portions of the terminals are interconnected to the circuitry of the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A protector for being mounted on a leading cord chip, and which is fixable to the top portion 1A of a leading cord fixing portion 1, includes an insulated cover portion which is longer than a conductive plug 2 projecting from the top portion 1A. The insulated cover portion has a slit through which only a connecting portion of an electrode can pass. The connecting portion of the electrode is connected to the plug 2.

Abstract: A connector pin protector manufactured of a flexible material is molded to capture pins of a connector mounted on an electronic assembly. The connector pin protector helps prevent physical damage and contamination to the pins. Also, the material of the connector pin protector is electrically conductive and is therefore capable of maintaining all input pins and output pins of the connector at the same voltage potential therefore reducing the possibility of electrostatic discharge damage through the connector to components of the electronic assembly.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, such as, in the form of a computer having an electrical circuit motherboard upon which is mounted, inter alia, a microprocessor and memory for use in conjunction with the operation of said computer, the circuit board is mounted in an electrical chassis that has at least one side wall, such as, a backplane, adjacent to one edge of the mounted circuit board. At least one miniature electrical circuit connector is mounted along an edge of the circuit board and has a body with a front face including an electrical receptacle aligned with an aperture in formed in the backplane. A conductive shield is formed over a portion of the connector body including its front face with an aperture formed in the shield front face to permit exposure of receptacle through the backplane aperture.

Abstract: A header device comprises; a housing attached to an end face of a printed circuit board having through-holes; and a plurality of pins extending through and sealed to a first section of the housing, the first section facing the end face of the printed circuit board. The plurality of pins are arranged as an upper/lower array in a two-level structure at one surface of the first section of the housing; the pins of at least one of the two levels are bent within the first section and the pins of the respective level extend in the same plane out of the other surface of the first section of the housing; and the pins of the respective level, which extend in the same plane, are substantially vertically bent so as to insert forward portions of the pins into the through-holes of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a means for aligning contact leads in electrical connectors. An alignment strip includes a pair of slidably mounted sheets, each defining an array of openings having wide and narrow portions. The sheets are initially positioned so that the wide portions of corresponding openings in the two arrays overlap to permit easy insertion of the leads. The sheets are then shifted to align the narrower portions of the corresponding openings so that the leads are held in place in their proper location.

Abstract: A locking device for attachment to the male electric plug on the power supply line to an electric appliance, for the purpose of preventing use of the appliance, comprises a maximum of four separately molded plastic parts, two of which are identical and are secured together to form a housing containing one of the other two components, which is a unitary molded plastic spring locking member. The housing is provided with a pair of slots for receiving the prongs on the electric plug to be locked, and insertion of the prongs into the housing automatically effects the locking action. The device can be unlocked only by a key which is separate from the device, and which is the fourth component and is inserted through an opening into the interior of the housing to release the locking action.

Abstract: An improved anti-bend pin spacer is disclosed for use in a multi-pin connector which includes a male plug having pins terminals fixed in its housing, and a female receptacle having pin holes and contact terminals fixed in its housing. The pin spacer is an insert molded part which is insert molded about free ends of the pin terminals simultaneously with the insert molding of substantial lengths of the pin terminals in the housing of the male plug.

Abstract: A cover is provided for closing a cavity and a polarizing slot of an electrical connector to protect interior terminals during a soldering process with the electrical connector mounted on a printed circuit board. The connector is in the form of a header having side walls and a bottom wall defining the cavity. A polarizing slot is formed in one of the side walls. The terminals are disposed in the cavity, with solder tails projecting through the bottom wall for soldering to circuit traces on the printed circuit board. The cover includes a lid press-fit onto the header to close the cavity, and a projection depends from the lid in position for closing the polarizing slot in the one side wall of the header.

Abstract: Electrical control switch mechanisms of the so-called "dead-man" type which may be used to actuate the operation of small electrically powered tools such as mowers, trimmers and the like. These switch mechanisms provide for immediate deactivation of the tool upon release by the operator.

Abstract: New cover assemblies for electrical fixtures in buildings allow conventional outlets and (toggle) light switches to be cheaply converted into a variety of different color designs and/or colors without changing the electrical infrastructure of the fixture. The cover assemblies comprise a cover plate with an appropriate number of orifices, each orifice being covered by a slider so that the whole cover assembly shields the conventional parts of the fixtures normally visible in building interiors.

Abstract: A protective cap for the hermetic terminal of a hermetic compressor includes a cup-shaped plastic member for attaching to and covering the hermetic terminal during manufacturing, shipping, and storage of the compressor, i.e., whenever the hermetic terminal would not otherwise be connected to an external source of power. The cap contactingly engages the base portion and conducting pins of the hermetic terminal. The protective cap includes a cylindrical stud portion arranged coaxially within an outer cylindrical wall portion of the cup-shaped member. The stud portion slip fits radially inwardly of the circularly arranged conductor pins of the hermetic terminal. A tapered end facilitates guided insertion of the stud portion within the conductor pins prior to engagement of the cap with the hermetic terminal base portion.

Abstract: A pair of electrical terminals conveniently accessible from the exterior of an automobile or truck and connected electrically to the positive and negative poles of a battery within the engine compartment of the vehicle. The terminals are located within a recessed chamber formed in the vehicle body with an insulated separator located between the terminals and supporting the terminals. To protect against tampering and environmental conditions a cover door with a locking latch encloses the recessed chamber. Preferably the door chamber, terminals and electrical connections to the battery poles are of sufficient size to permit the use of heavy gauge jumper cables for quick charging of the battery and quick starting of the vehicle. By locating the terminals in a chamber external to the engine compartment or other battery compartment of the vehicle the likelihood of a battery explosion caused by an inadvertent spark in connecting or disconnecting the jumper cables is greatly lessened, if not entirely eliminated.

Abstract: A safety adaptor for a male electrical connector housing having at least one male terminal is provided. A body member having a space therein of a configuration to receive the electrical connector housing while operatively supporting a cantilevering of the male terminal from the body member is utilized. A cover member can be flexibly linked to the body member for locking the safety adaptor to the electrical connector housing. A pair of parallel prongs can extend from the body member and can be positioned for limiting the size of a complementary female connector capable of operatively receiving the male terminal member.

Abstract: A cover or protector, combined with a cleaner, is provided for use with electrical plugs or terminals when disconnected, thus inhibiting corrosion, etc. of the conductor parts and at the same time employing an abrasive instrumentality that operates to clean the conductor parts as the plug and cover are telescopically connected and disconnected. The cover comprises a base from which projects a portion adapted to telescopically and frictionally mate with a conductor terminal. The cover is formed of non-conductor material and the projecting portion is coated with or otherwise bears an abrasive substance or particles. The cover further includes a peripheral wall for surrounding the plug to further shield it.