Abstract: A communication box assembly includes a base, a plurality of connector mounting inserts, insert mounting means for securing the inserts to an inner surface of the base juxtaposed in an aligned row in a plurality of insert mounting positions, the insert mounting means positioning the inserts with outer insert edges adjacent an outer edge of the base whereby operative ends of connectors carried by the inserts are positioned for convenient connection with office service cables, and a cover releasably attached to the base which is shaped to enclose the base and inserts.

Abstract: A one-piece miniature insulation displacement contact adapted for post-termination insertion and retention within a channel of an insulative connector housing. The contact includes a continuous channel extending the length of a conductor termination portion formed at one end of the contact, extending the length of a transition portion of the contact, and extending a portion of the length of a terminal engagement portion of the contact; a floor of the continuous channel extending the entire length of the contact. The conductor termination portion includes opposing first walls coextensive with the floor and opposing insulation displacement jaws shear formed from each of the first walls where each of the jaws is displaced inwardly to juxtapose respective innermost insulation piercing edges of each of said jaws to form an insulation displacement slot.

Abstract: A tape dispenser includes a housing having at least one compartment that rotatably mounts a roll of adhesive tape. Integrally molded adjacent to each compartment is a hinged door movable between an open position, a closed postion and a tape severance position. The door is maintained in the closed position by the latching interaction of the edges of the door and a pair of wedge-shaped ramps disposed on opposing lateral walls of the compartment. An upwardly angled resilient tab is integrally molded with the housing and disposed within each compartment between a severance means and the rotatably mounted tape roll. The tab upwardly directs the distal end of the tape out of the compartment and presents the distal end of the tape to the user to facilitate withdrawal of the tape from the dispenser.

Abstract: A modular telephone connector includes a housing defining a standard telephone jack, a contact carrier that mounts a plurality of metal contacts each having resilient cantilever jack forming portions and insulation displacement portions and a wire positioning fixture having aligned first and second rows of wire guide channels. The connector is assembled by latching the contact carrier and contacts to the housing, positioning wires through first and second wire guide channels of the wire positioning fixture and securing the fixture to the housing and contact carrier with latch arms formed on the fixture. The insulation displacement portion of each contact is positioned in alignment with and between first and second wire guide channels to engage and terminate a wire positioned in the first and second wire guide channels.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly includes a connector and a connector mounting insert and a wall plate having means to secure the wall plate to a standard box. The wall plate includes a platform formed adjacent a connector access window with a resilient latch means formed on the distal end of the platform for securing the insert to the wall plate.

Abstract: A ball-lock tie application tool includes a blade projecting from the front face of the tool disposed to engage a ball-containing finger on the head of the tie. During tensioning of the tie around an object by the tool the blade deforms the finger inwardly against the locking ball which results in a greater retention of the initial tension applied by the tool to the tie.

Abstract: A cable tray for use with a tool for applying a connector to a multiconductor flat cable includes a planar grooved cable positioning surface that aligns individual conductors of a flat cable and a cable transfer rod removably and rotatably mounted perpendicular to the length of the grooves and spaced from a cable positioned on the grooves of the positioning surface an amount sufficient to engage the surface of a cable inserted therebetween and upon rotation of the rod accurately advance the terminal edge of the cable to a desired termination position and securely hold the cable in position until a connector is terminated thereto.

Abstract: A communication box assembly includes a base, a plurality of connector mounting inserts, insert mounting means for securing the inserts to an inner surface of the base juxtaposed in an aligned row in a plurality of insert mounting positions, the insert mounting means positioning the inserts with outer insert edges adjacent an outer edge of the base whereby operative ends of connectors carried by the inserts are positioned for convenient connection with office service cables, and a cover releasably attached to the base which is shaped to enclose the base and inserts.

Abstract: A flexible one-piece cable tie for harnessing a bundle of wires or the like, the cable tie including an elongated, flexible strap having a ladder structure comprising a plurality of spaced rung-like members with intermediate openings for receiving a locking pawl, the locking pawl being disposed within an enclosed head integral with the strap at one end thereof.

Abstract: A strap fastener buckle for fastening opposing ends of an object encircling strap includes first and second bridge portions partially defining first and second tubular portions and a deformable retainer extending from the buckle intermediate first and second bridge portions. One end of the strap is initially secured to the buckle. The free end of the strap is then secured to the buckle by passing the free end through first and second tubular portions, folding the free end over second bridge portion, severing the free end at a predetermined point short of the second bridge portion, and securing the severed end between first and second bridge portions by deforming the retainer to a position overlying the severed end of the strap.

Abstract: A single cable tie loading gate assembly for an automatic cable tie installation tool includes a sliding gate disposed adjacent a cable tie ejection channel. The sliding gate is movable between a closed position sealing the cable tie ejection channel and an open position allowing insertion of a cable tie into the ejection channel for subsequent pneumatic propulsion to the cable tie application mechanisms of the tool.

Abstract: A cable mount for securing a bundle of cables to a mounting surface is integrally molded with a high strength releasable cable tie portion joined at its head to a surface mountable support plate by a flexible hinge adjacent a strap positioning and securing channel. Insertion of the tip of the strap of the cable tie portion into the channel automatically aligns the head of the cable tie to accept the strap guided thereto by the channel and lock the strap within the head to secure the bundle of cables to the mount.

Abstract: A terminal strip applicator includes a ram that carries a first die set mounted for reciprocation along a first path within a machine body and a track that automatically adjusts to accept a strip of terminals to limit the terminal strip to a second path which intersects the first path. A terminal feed mechanism sequentially resiliently advances the terminal strip along the second path until the terminal feed mechanism engages the shoulder of an interchangeable die set that precisely aligns the lead terminal carried by the terminal feed mechanism with the die sets of the applicator.

Abstract: Briefly, the seal of the present invention comprises a stud with resilient fingers that fit into a socket that contains shoulders so that when the stud is moved past the shoulders, the resilient fingers collapse and then spring out to engage the shoulders and prevent return movement. A pilot projection guides the resilient fingers into the socket and ensures their correct position relative to the shoulders both during insertion and attempted removal. The exteriors of the socket and the stud are to substantially fill apertures in the articles to be sealed. Once the socket and stud are positioned in the apertures, they cannot be removed without breaking the seal. The socket is made with a second opening normal to the opening of insertion of the stud so that the seal can be manufactured inexpensively and easily in a one step molding operation.

Abstract: An automatic cable tie installation tool for applying discrete cable ties around bundles of wires or the like where the cable ties are provided to the tool on a continuous ribbon. The automatic tool including a dispenser mechanism that accepts the ribbon of cable ties and provides discrete cable ties therefrom; a tool mechanism that positions the discrete cable tie around the bundle of wire, tensions the tie to a preselected value and severs the tail of the cable tie; and a conveyance mechanism that delivers the cable tie provided by the dispenser mechansim to the tool mechanism.

Abstract: A releasable ladder fastener for securing elongate objects in a bundle having a stud mount boss for securing the ladder fastener to a stud mount. The releasable ladder fastener includes resilient barbed locking members formed at a first end of the ladder strap that releasably engage the side rails of the ladder fastener strap to releasably lock the first end of the ladder strap to the strap of the ladder fastener.

Abstract: A terminal strip applicator includes a ram that carries a first die set mounted for reciprocation along a first path within a machine body and a track that automatically adjusts to accept a strip of terminals to limit the terminal strip to a second path which intersects the first path. A terminal feed mechanism sequentially resiliently advances the terminal strip along the second path until the terminal feed mechanism engages the shoulder of an interchangeable die set that precisely aligns the lead terminal carried by the terminal feed mechanism with the die sets of the applicator.

Abstract: An integral one-piece cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having a row of teeth thereon, a frame integral with one end of the strap and having an abutment wall and an entry surface and an exit surface and a strap-receiving opening extending therethrough, a pawl pivotally mounted by a hinge within the opening and having a set of teeth thereon shaped complementary to the row of teeth, wedging surfaces on the facing portions of the frame and the pawl, the thickness of the hinge being less than the thickness of the strap so as to accommodate sliding movement of the pawl toward the entry surface with the wedging surfaces in contact, thereby to move the set of teeth toward the abutment wall to grip the strap therebetween.

Abstract: Ribbon of cable ties including a strip portion extending the length of the ribbon having a plurality of cable ties connected thereto by respective connecting tabs. The strip portion having an alignment mechanism adapted to cooperate with the guide mechanism in a dispenser to accurately position the ribbon laterally in the dispenser mechanism.