Abstract: A gearless locking differential includes clutch housings containing V-shaped slots that cooperate with a cross pin to disconnect from the differential drive shaft an overrunning driven shaft, characterized in that the wall surfaces that define the V-slots extend parallel with the axis of rotation of the differential housing, and the cross pin has tapered convergent end portions. The frictions packs that releasably connect the side gears to the clutch members include annular friction plates that are arranged between pairs of reaction plates and include polygonal internal surfaces that slidably and non-rotatably engage a corresponding polygonal circumferential surface on the associated side gear. The locking lug and locking slot that cooperate to provided limited angular relative displacement between the clutch housings each have parallel side walls. As a consequence of the invention, the machining and finishing of the components of the differential are achieved in a simplified cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A bridge connector arrangement includes a bridge member moveable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to a pair of adjacent electrical modules, thereby to connect and disconnect rows of female terminals on the modules, The bridge member carries a plurality of male bridging contacts that extend within the female terminals when the bridge member is in the engaged position, whereupon the male bridging contacts are biased by clamping springs into electrical engagement with stationary wall contacts mounted in the female terminals. Release members carried by the bridge member are operable both to release the clamping springs from the male contacts, and to displace the bridge member toward the disengaged position relative to the modules. The bridge member and the modules include a tongue and groove guide arrangement, thereby to fasten both modules together mechanically.

Abstract: An electrical connector for insulated conductors includes a housing containing a chamber and having a conductor opening communicating with the chamber, a bus bar mounted in the chamber adjacent the conductor opening, a compression spring mounted in the chamber for biasing the bare end of an insulated conductor inserted into the chamber via the conductor opening into electrical engagement with the bus bar, a retaining device normally retaining the spring in a retracted inoperable condition, and a manually operable release member for releasing the spring to its operable condition. In one embodiment, the release member is connected for sliding movement between releasing and retaining positions, and the housing contains a reset access opening. In a second embodiment, the release member includes a pair of rigid sections joined by a flexible section, the release member being movable between retaining and releasing positions by operating buttons at exposed ends of the sections.

Abstract: A two-part bucket stabilizing apparatus for use with cylindrical joint compound buckets or the like during the mixing of the contents thereof includes a horizontal base member containing an opening for receiving the bottom of the bucket, and a support member having a first edge portion pivotally connected with the base member, and a remote edge portion containing a semi-circular recess. The support member is pivotally operable from an initial horizontal position upwardly and inwardly toward a clamping position above the base portion in which the wall of the semi-circular recess is in clamping engagement with the outer circumferential wall surface of the bucket.

Abstract: A sectional electrical connector for flat cables includes separable lower and upper horizontal sections formed from a relatively hard synthetic plastic material, at least one electrical contact having a horizontal bus bar portion mounted in the lower section, and a vertical portion extending upwardly toward the upper section, and seal strips integral with and arranged between the sections to seal the space between the sections surrounding the contact vertical portion, the seal strips being formed from a relatively soft synthetic plastic material. In one embodiment, the contact vertical portion comprises an insulation piercing contact for engaging the conductor of an insulated conductor contained in the flat cable. In a second embodiment, the vertical contact portion comprises a pin for connection with one or more components of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement taps off electrical current from a plurality of coplanar parallel input insulated conductors and supplies the same to a plurality of output conductors, respectively. A rectangular base member is provided having a horizontal upper surface that supports a plurality of parallel coplanar longitudinally-extending input conductors, respectively. A pair of pivot members are connected with the ends of the base member for pivotal movement about transverse horizontal pivot axes, respectively. As the pivot members are pivoted from disengaged positions toward engaged positions parallel with and directly above the base member top surface, bifurcated insulation-piercing knives on the pivot members pierce the insulation layers of the insulated conductors and electrically engage the conductors.

Abstract: A plug-in electrical bridge connector includes a pair of parallel bridge contacts that extend through contact openings contained in an insulated bus bar housing arrangement for electrical engagement with bus bars mounted in chambers contained therein, respectively. A locking device is arranged in at least one of the bus bar chambers for automatic locking engagement with the associated bridge contact, thereby to retain the bridge contact in engagement with the associated bus bar. A release device is moveably mounted on the bridge connector body for displacement from a retracted position toward an operable extended position in which the release member unlocks the locking device from the bridge contact, thereby to permit removal of the bridge connector from the bus bar housing arrangement.

Abstract: A distributor is provided for selectively connecting with a plurality of voltage sources a plurality of electrical load devices, such as the sensors or actuators of an electrical and mechanical installation. A pair of voltage supply connectors mounted on a housing include first pins that are connected to continuously supply power from a first voltage source to the internal electronics circuitry of the distributor, and second pins that are connected via a jumper switch to selectively connect a second voltage source with the groups of electrical load devices.

Abstract: A disposable shipping cart for live plants includes a rigid frame mounted on casters for rolling transport, which frame is formed from an inexpensive non-metallic material and includes a plurality of vertically spaced shelf supports upon which are fastened cardboard shelves that are fastened to the frame. Preferably, each shelf is folded from a cardboard blank having side and end walls that are foldable to vertical positions in which the end portions thereof are arranged for fastening to the corner posts of the frame, respectively.

Abstract: A distributor is provided for selectively connecting with a voltage source a plurality of electrical load devices, such as the sensors or actuators of an electrical and mechanical installation, characterized by the provision of an illuminating field that illuminates the addressing switches and/or the changeover switches of the distributor.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector arrangement includes a male plug member that is normally locked in engagement with a female socket member by a plurality of radially inwardly directed spring fingers that engage the threads of an externally threaded portion of the plug member, together with an annular quick-release member that is axially displaceable relative to the socket member to release the spring fingers from the threads on the plug member, thereby to permit separation of the plug and socket members.

Abstract: An adjustable-force energy absorbing device includes first and second support members connected for sliding movement in a direction parallel with the steering shaft axis of a vehicle, the first support member being secured to the vehicle chassis, and the second support member being connected with the outer tube of the steering mechanism. Upon impact, the second support member is displaced from its normal first position spaced from one end of the first support member toward a second position adjacent the first support member one end. This displacement is resisted by at least one U-shaped energy absorbing element, the number and/or degree of operability of the energy absorbing elements being controlled by at least one impact-responsive pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement includes slidably connected upper and lower connector body sections, at least one pair of first contacts carried by the upper body section, at least one pair of second contacts of the pin type carried by the lower body section beneath the first contacts, respectively, and a third contact arranged on the upper section body section for connecting the pairs of first and second contacts, the third contact having two upwardly extending arm portions in engagement with the two first contacts, respectively, and three downwardly extending spaced leg portions that define a pair of gaps that receive the two pin second contacts, respectively. A plurality of the first, second and third contacts are arranged in parallel rows on the upper and lower connector sections.

Abstract: A module connecting arrangement for mounting a module on a support rail includes a horizontal rectangular housing containing a longitudinal chamber, and a bottom surface that contains a recess for transversely receiving the support rail, the recess being in communication with the chamber. A pair of horizontal, superimposed, slidably-connected locking slide members are longitudinally mounted in the chamber. The slide members are spring-biased together toward a locking position in which integral opposed locking lip portions thereon extend below outwardly directed horizontal flange portions of the support rail. A separating member having a non-circular cross-section is rotatably connected with the housing and extends into a gap defined between spaced opposing walls on the slide members, whereby rotation of the separating members produces displacement of the slide members toward released positions relative to the support rail.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mechanism for collapsible vehicle steering column includes a deformable wire connected between the fixed and movable column members. The wire includes a straight portion connected at one end with the movable column member, and a second portion that is deformed around a cylinder that is secured to the fixed column member. A force generator is operable upon impact to apply laterally to the wire a controlled frictional force that is a function of various physical properties of the driver, the vehicle, or the environment, thereby to afford infinitely variable and modulatable energy absorption.