Abstract: A ground clamp (10) is provided for use with a ball stud (12) having a shaft (14) that terminates in a spherical end (16), and includes a body (20), a first jaw (22), and a second jaw (24). The first jaw (22) includes two fingers (40) that define a slot (44) through which the shaft (14) can extend when the ball stud is inserted into the clamp. The second jaw includes a laterally extending platform (50) and a rib (52) extending from the platform to be located within the slot with the jaws in a closed position. The second jaw has a concave clamp surface (54) defined in the platform (50) and the rib (52) that is engageable with the spherical end as the second jaw moves to the closed position to guide the jaws and the spherical end into proper alignment.

Abstract: A grounding clamp carries a through-hole where one end of the hole or opening carries a multi-sided socket, such as a hex-shaped socket or depression. A pair of ball studs extend in part into the through-hole and threadably lock together trapping or sandwiching the clamp therebetween. One of the ball studs is blocked from rotating by the hex-shaped socket. As the other ball stud is rotated onto it, the three components, the clamp and the two ball studs form a composite grounding assembly which is locked together.

Abstract: A cable connection for connecting a cable 9 to an underwater installation 7 comprises a connector (2, see FIG. 2) for connection to an end of the cable 9, the connector having at a first end engagement means for engaging with the installation 7, a tether (4, see FIG. 2) which in use has a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to the cable at a distance from said end of the cable and guide means (12, 13, 14) located proximate a section of the cable adjacent said end of the cable so that in use said section is substantially restrained by said guide means at a predetermined angle with respect to the engagement means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical connector subassembly. The electrical connector subassembly includes a frame member and a first pad. The frame member includes a first leg section and a conductor receiving area connected to the first leg section. The first leg section is configured to be connected to an electrical isolator. A length of the conductor receiving area extends in a first direction. The conductor receiving area is configured to receive a first electrical conductor in a second direction. The first pad is movably connected to the frame member adjacent to the conductor receiving area. The first pad is configured to contact the first electrical conductor. The first pad is configured to be movable toward the conductor receiving area and the second direction.

Abstract: A quick-release conductor head for engaging a conductor, but capable of quickly releasing the conductor, if necessary. The quick-release conductor head includes a body for receiving the conductor, a latch pivotally connected to the body, a locking system for temporarily maintaining the latch in a closed position, and an opening system for automatically moving the latch from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position, the conductor is maintained within the body, while in the open position the body can be easily disengaged from the conductor. The present invention can include a guide system adapted to guide the conductor towards the body and guide the latch towards the locking system, when the latch is moved towards the closed position. The opening system can include a triggering mechanism and a bias adapted to disengage the latch from the locking system and move the latch towards the open position.

Abstract: A lifting and anti torque lifting means to be attached to a clamp or other end termination of a temporary conductor. In power distribution services the most common use of such a temporary conductor is a grounding set which is used to provide a conductive path between power lines as a safety ground. The lifting means may be a separate retro fit assembly or may be made integral with grounding clamps or other end terminations. The lifting means allows the grounding clamp to be lifted into position with relatively light extendable long reach poles commonly used by lineman. The anti torque feature helps resist the tendency for the end terminations to cam off the line or other object the clamp has been placed on while the clamp is closed or opened. A second hook attached to the conductor proximate to a first end termination cooperates with a first hook of the lifting means in order to hang other end terminations of the conductor set.

Abstract: The socket adaptor insertion-removal tool including a handle, a depending shank terminating in a head with at least two conducting prongs wired to a receptacle in the handle top, for insertion into a socket adaptor, thus to provide electrical power from the receptacle in the top of the handle upon insertion of the socket adaptor into an electrical socket. In another embodiment, the handle top end does not have a receptacle.

Abstract: A lifting and anti torque bracket to-be-attached to a clamp or other end termination of a temporary conductor In power distribution services the most common use of such a temporary conductor is a grounding set which is used to provide a conductive path between power lines as a safety ground. The bracket may be a separate retro fit assembly or may be made integral with grounding clamps or other end terminations. The bracket allows the grounding clamp to be lifted into position with relatively light extendable long reach poles commonly used by lineman. The anti torque feature helps resist the tendency for the clamps to cam off the line or other object the clamp has been placed on while the clamp is closed or opened.

Abstract: A surveillance camera housing contains a crown plate with voids and radially extending flanges which engage corresponding radially extending flanges and voids in a mounting cap. A radial gasket is disposed upon said crown plate and electrical connectors are disposed within said radial gasket. In operation, the flanges of the crown plate are placed within the voids of the mounting cap and the flanges of the mounting cap are placed in the voids of the crown plate. When the housing is further lifted vertically a horizontal plane defined by the crown plate flanges rises above a horizontal plane defined by the mounting cap flanges. The housing is then rotated so that the crown plate flanges rest upon the mounting cap flanges.

Abstract: A hot line clamp for attachment to an associated electrical distribution line comprises a first body that has a first body that has a first jaw and a second body that has a second jaw. One of the first and second bodies has a screw thread disposed therein. An eyebolt is dimensioned and configured for engaging the screw thread. The eyebolt has surfaces engaging the other of the bodies to force the other of the bodies toward the one of the first and second bodies to cause the first and second jaws to clamp on an associated line conductor. One of the bodies further includes a first mounting pad for mounting at least one adapter for making an additional connection to the hot line clamp. In some forms of the invention, the first mounting pad includes non-planar surfaces to increase the contact area and to provide locking engagement.

Abstract: A fixture lowering assembly for lowering fixtures, such as security and surveillance cameras, that require connection and disconnection of multiple complex electrical contacts is disclosed. The assembly includes a fixed housing that is mounted above ground level and a movable housing containing the fixture and being capable of being lowered to the ground level. A connect unit connects the fixed and movable housings and includes a latching assembly and first and second electrical connectors. The first and second connectors are each mounted on a pair of guide rods that extend through a pair of springs so that the first and second connectors freely float to facilitate connection and disconnection. The electrical connectors also include mounting bodies capable of receiving a variety of different electrical contact plates depending upon the type of fixture used with the lowering assembly. This construction of the contact plates also provides a moisture proof seal about the pins and sockets.

Abstract: An improved suspension connector assembly is provided that is particularly adapted for use with a multiple pin and barrel type electrical connector. The suspension connector assembly includes a female connector mounted within a stationary housing, a movable male connector adapted to be raised and lowered toward and away from the female connector via the cable of a hoisting mechanism, and a latching mechanism for latching and unlatching the male connector to the female connector when the two are mutually engaged for a latching stroke distance. A resilient mounting assembly interconnects the female connector with the stationary housing. The stroke of the resilient mounting assembly is at least as long as the latching stroke distance of the latching mechanism so that the pins and barrels of the male and female electrical connectors will not be partially pulled apart from one another as a result of the stroke of the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A faulted circuit sensor is disposed in a releasable and reusable clamp mountable on an electrical conductor. The clamp includes a body for receiving the faulted circuit sensor indicating circuitry, and a pair of hinged fingers which actuate over the conductor to grip the clamp to the conductor and align the fault indicating circuitry with respect to the conductor. The fingers include a triggering arm which causes the arms to engage over the conductor when the conductor is properly aligned in the proximity of the clamp.

Abstract: An overhead electrical fixture including a lowerable serviceable fixture portion that may be readily lowered by a portable lowering tool to facilitate servicing by a technician at ground level. The overhead fixture includes a mounting base adapted to be secured relatively high above ground level, such as in a church. In the normal operating position, the serviceable fixture portion is releasably secured to the mounting base by a relatively short length of cable secured at one end to the serviceable fixture portion, and at the opposite end to a cable connector, such as a ring. The ring rests against the mounting base adjacent a slotted opening in the normal operating position. The ring may be engaged by a hook of the lowering tool and rotated so that the ring may pass through the slotted opening in the mounting base to effect release and lowering of the serviceable fixture portion.

Abstract: An overhead electrical fixture including a lowerable serviceable fixture portion that may be readily lowered by a portable lowering tool to facilitate servicing by a technician at ground level. The overhead fixture includes a mounting base adapted to be secured relatively high above ground level, such as in a church. In the normal operating position, the serviceable fixture portion is releasably secured to the mounting base by a relatively short length of cable secured at one end to the serviceable fixture portion, and at the opposite end to a cable connector, such as a ring. The ring rests against the mounting base adjacent a slotted opening in the normal operating position. The ring may be engaged by a hook of the lowering tool and rotated so that the ring may pass through the slotted opening in the mounting base to effect release and lowering of the serviceable fixture portion.

Abstract: A method of replacing a portion of an old telephone cable by a new cable portion without interrupting service to the line is handled by forming parallel circuits, redundant circuits and then disconnecting the old cable.

Abstract: A two component operating handle for opening and closing an electrical switch by a hook stick, the handle including a rigid portion mounted on the operating shaft of the electrical switch and a flexible portion mounted on the outer end of the rigid portion. The flexible portion including a pair of extensions extending outwardly to form an enclosed hook stick opening with the ends of the extensions terminating at a slot at the outer end of the handle so that the hook stick will be released from the opening on bending of one or both of the extensions to open the slot when the rigid portion of the handle engages a fixed stop.

Abstract: A tap connector for use with a range of conductor diameters having a yoke comprising a pair of opposed plates extending angularly from a pad. A flat spring is attached to the terminal ends of each of the plates and extends towards the pad and is spaced from the inner face of the plates a predetermined distance. The springs terminate in an arcuate configuration so as to accommodate the conductor under a predetermined constant pressure. The pad is connected to a ground cable. High amperages caused by lightning or short circuits create an electromechanical force which drives the terminal ends of the springs toward each other so as to provide higher mechanical pressure about the conductor under such fault conditions.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for earthing a conductor (4) suspended in the air by a supporting construction (8) wherein an earth cable (10) first is connected with an earth contact (13) on the supporting construction (8) and subsequently is connected to the conductor (4) to be earthed by means of an earth clip (7). By supplying a spring mechanism for tightening the clip (7) onto the conductor (4) to be earthed and by using the weight of the parts of the clip (7) urging it through a lever system (15) in the opened position while lowering the clip (4), an automatic light clip is provided.