Abstract: The enlarged head portion of a preferably unitary molded bundling strap comprises, in one embodiment, a pair of independently supported, spaced, parallel barb means depending within an obliquely oriented opening extending through the head portion, the barb means being oriented in such manner as to be subjected to a non-deflecting force directed essentially along the longitudinal axis of the respective barb means upon coacting locking engagement with the selectively inclined mating surfaces of a plurality of transverse teeth located along one surface of a flat, flexible strap-like member extending from the head portion.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrial plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectiely aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with mounting pawls rotatably and axially replaceable for contact with the inner surface of a support structure and is operable from the front surface of the receptacle which comprises in one embodiment, a pair of pawl supporting screws the head portions of which are accessible from the front surface of the face plate.

Abstract: An electrical contact for joining the conductor of an insulated cable to a further electrical terminal point such as a DIP plug, a printed circuit board card, a flat cable, etc. The upper portion is formed in a cylindrical configuration with two upstanding arms spaced apart at two colinear points on their circumference to provide an insulation piercing slot and a strain relief slot. The free ends of the upstanding arms are pointed to permit the contact to pierce the insulation about a conductor and allow one slot to make a good electrical joint with the conductor itself while the other slot grips the conductor insulation to provide strain relief. A properly configured tail portion permits the connector to be appropriately coupled to a terminal point.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrical plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectively aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle.

Abstract: A selectively applied crimping force is utilized to provide a stepped crimp to an electrical connection to create a discrete sacrificial anode from base conductor material thereby providing a controlled zone of corrosion which substantially increases the integrity and life of the electrical connection. This effect is achieved by crimping one portion of the connector to a greater extent than the remaining portion thereby extruding and work hardening a given length of the conductor to a predetermined degree to selectively alter the physical characteristics thereof. The degree to which each segment of the wire receiving portion of the connector is compressed may be defined as a ratio encompassing a given range of values designed to optimize the selective corrosion effect. Also disclosed are crimping dies for effecting the selectively stepped crimp, which dies are suitably proportioned to provide the necessary ratio of maximum to minimum crimp height.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a unitary bundling strap having a head end portion and a tail end portion and an elongated strap body portion therebetween. The strap body portion is fabricated with a plurality of teeth extending within the surface thereof and the head end portion is provided with an aperture to permit the strap to be transversely passed therethrough as the strap is drawn about a plurality of articles to be bundled. A selective portion of the head end portion is permitted to rotate in a first direction to permit the passage of the toothed portion of the strap body portion through the head end portion aperture and by the rotation of the head end portion a second opposite direction, as by the attempted withdrawal of the strap or by the tension applied by the bundle about which the strap is placed or the natural tendency of the head end portion due to its design the strap is brought into locking engagement.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises an integrally molded body member and flanged face plate formed preferably as a duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrical plugs. The interior of the body member comprises a series of selectively positioned contact supports for engagement with novel contact means suitably aligned therewithin. A mating cover member designed to latch with the body member is provided with inwardly directed projections selectively aligned in a series of rows to provide discrete cradles for each of the conductors of a multiconductor electrical cable to be attached to the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with mounting pawls rotatably and axially replaceable for contact with the inner surface of a support structure and is operable from the front surface of the receptable which comprises in one embodiment, a pair of pawl supporting screws the head portions of which are accessible from the front surface of the face plate.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle comprises duplex receptacle for the receipt of conventional two and three wire electrical plugs. The electrical contacts are formed from a single strip of preferably highly conductive metallic material configured to selectively receive the conventional current carrying and the ground conductors of a conventional multiconductor non-metallic sheathed electrical cable. Each of the contacts is selectively formed to provide a U-shaped portion selectively slotted to provide highly effective insulation severing and conductor engaging independently deflectable finger portions designed to provide a rapid, secure, and permanent connection to the respective cable conductors. The contacts are further provided with flattened looped portions arranged to resiliently engage the contacts of an electrical plug inserted within the receptacle.

Abstract: A modular connector assembly comprises discrete connector members each having upstanding leg portions disposed in a specific alternating arrangement along opposite sides of a base portion so as to interlock with the leg portions of an adjacent connector member to provide a composite structure having discrete wire receiving cavities. Mating projections and recesses may be provided along opposing sides of the leg portions to serve as additional locking means between the connector members. In a further embodiment, a slotted divider may be interposed between opposingly positioned connector members to provide the discrete wire receiving cavities.

Abstract: A flexible branching strip for a wire bundle comprises a pair of preferably flat elongate interlocking members selectively spaced from one another and joined together at discrete intervals by flexible web portions. One of the members contains a series of open wire receiving slots interposed between respective tongue portions which are interlockingly engageable within a series of transverse openings in the other member. Selected wires of a wire bundle may be branched out of the bundle and disposed within respective wire receiving slots, and the strip curled about the branched bundle so that the members may be interlocked to one another with the web portions operating as spaced bundle ties about the unbranched portion of the wire bundle. The branching strip may be temporarily supported in a slotted strip support attachable to a wiring board for convenient orientation of the wire receiving slots during the branching operation.

Abstract: An improved tooth configuration for the contact surface of an electrical connector comprises a rearwardly sloping generally V-shaped upper surface peripherally circumscribed by upstanding side and rear walls communicating therewith along a sharp continuous edge. The apex of the V-shape is located at the communication of the obliquely disposed side walls and may have a height less than the height of the side walls at their distal ends. The teeth may be arranged in a series of parallel rows wherein the teeth in one row may be either similarly or oppositely oriented with respect to the teeth in an adjacent row.

Abstract: A wire harness board comprises a foamed plastic panel, a first layer of wire mesh secured to one surface of the panel, a second layer of wire mesh secured in parallel relationship to the opposite surface of the panel, and a border that snugly fits over the parallel surfaces of the foamed panel with the wire mesh joined thereto. A unique method of forming such wire harness board, including the application of heat and pressure for a predetermined interval of time, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bundling strap specially constructed to be ultrasonically welded to form a locked loop about a plurality of articles to be bundled and a method for carrying out the welding. A central strap body is formed with at least one marginal strip joined to the central body portion along a marginal edge thereof, the marginal strip carrying an energy directing means to concentrate applied ultrasonic energy and produce a bond between such energy directing means and the overlying marginal strip. A method whereby the anvil remains outside of the strap loop permits the loop to be formed and the anvil to be easily later removed without affecting bundle tension.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp formed preferably of suitable molded plastic resin includes a base portion having a generally elongate strap receiving chamber within which are disposed a series of teeth adapted to releasably interlock with a pawl means located at the free end of a generally elongate flexible strap of preferably uniform cross section, the other end of the strap being attached to the base portion adjacent an apertured end arranged to guide the strap into the strap receiving chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and gauge for nondestructively testing and certifying the workable qualities of a casting. The guage comprises a tab cast at the same time as the remaining portion of the casting located in a nonfunctional location, when considered in the light of the later use to be made of the casting, and also in such a position that it can be bent as by striking with a percussive instrument or by the application of a continuous bending force without damage to the remaining portion of the casting. The tab or guage will be subjected to a strain greater than the maximum strain to which the remaining portion of the casting will be subjected, during its installation or use, and determining by visual inspection whether or not the tab, at its bend has cracked, the overall ductility of the casting can be judged and it can be projected, that the casting will be able to withstand the forces to which it will be subjected when employed in a desired manner.

Abstract: A pair of cooperating die members are disposed in a housing and arranged to slidably move along respective intersecting axes so that a forming portion of one of the die members is caused to progressively approach the nest portion of the other die member along an incline terminating at the nose portion of the housing, the nest portion of the one die member being arranged to support a preferably U-shaped deformable terminal, the arms of which are then caused to be contacted by the forming portion of the other die member and longitudinally progressively folded inwardly against one or more articles located within the terminal.