Abstract: Prior to coiling, the wire to be used as the spring insert of twist-on connectors is mechanically worked to form at least two relatively sharp edges. When coiling is accomplished such edges are positioned to extend inwardly into the core of such coils to mechanically engage and retain conductors placed within said core.Similar sharp edges can be formed on spring inserts having a wide range of initial cross-section profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a splice connector housing comprising a tubular elastomeric sleeve having first and second coaxial end portions which receive the insulation and shield of first and second cables, respectively, and, between the end portions, a central portion coaxial with the end portions and of substantially uniform wall thickness and which receives and resiliently grips a compression connector crimped to the bared ends of the conductors of the cables. The central portion further has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, similar radially resiliently, dilatable inner areas the inner surfaces of which define a circle normally of lesser diameter than both the cable insulation and the compression connector and a like number of circumferentially spaced similar relieved outer areas the inner surfaces of which define a circle of greater diameter than the cable shield. Each outer area merges smoothly, circumferentially, with two inner areas.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for detecting reflectivity of markers on a roadway surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vehicle and an elongated shroud assembly which has mounted therein a light source for directing light toward a marker and a light receptor for detecting light reflected from the marker, as the apparatus moves along the roadway surface. An aperture housing is mounted to the shroud and light directed to and reflected from the marker must pass through the aperture housing. In one embodiment the shroud is pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle and positioning means are provided for maintaining that portion of the shroud which will normally overlie the marker when light is reflected therefrom at a uniform and preselected height from the roadway surface. In another embodiment, the shroud is rigidly fixed to the vehicle, but the aperture is constructed to "float" at a uniform and preselected height from the roadway surface.

Abstract: A reflector structure for reflecting light back toward the source thereof and adapted to be secured to an associated support surface, the reflector structure comprising a lens member of light-transmitting synthetic resin having a front face and a rear face. The lens member has a plurality of integrally formed retrodirective reflector elements formed in the rear face and extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the reflector elements in use is individually surrounded by a peripheral wall defining a cell around the individual reflector element. The peripheral walls extend between the plane of the rear face of the lens member and the plane of the associated support surface, the lens member being adapted to be sealed to the associated support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for continuously embossing a repeating pattern of precise detail, in particular, cube-corner type reflector elements, on one surface of a sheet of transparent thermoplastic material to form retroreflective sheeting. A continuous embossing tool in the form of a flexible thin metal belt or cylinder has on its outer surface an embossing pattern which is the reverse of the pattern to be formed. The embossing tool is continuously moved at a predetermined speed along a closed course through a heating station where the temperature of a portion of the embossing tool is raised to be above the glass transition temperature of the sheeting and a cooling station where the heated portion of the embossing tool is cooled to be below that glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Cylindrical embossing tools are constructed from one or more masters formed by accurately scribing the face of a substrate along three axes in the face to produce a pattern of tetrahedrons. The plurality of masters, or replicated copies made from a single master, are assembled in a fixture and seamless copies are made by electrodeposition of nickel using various shielding and grinding methods to provide replicated copies of uniform thickness. The replicated copies are assembled and used to form larger electroforms until a generally cylindrical embossing tool of the correct width and circumference is created. Novel processes and apparatus are provided for removing the electroformed cylindrical tool from its mother cylinder.

Abstract: A tool for producing a pattern of highly accurate and optical quality surfaces and the method of making same from a series of bi-metallic pins. A high strength metal pin is coupled to a slug of metal of lesser strength capable of being accurately scribed. The supporting pin blank preferably is magnetic stainless steel and the slug is of copper. A group of such bi-metallic pins then is placed in an appropriate fixture after which an optical configuration, such as the three faces of a cube-corner element, are scribed into the copper ends. A completed tool may then be electroformed to produce an electroformed tool from an array of like or different pins, arranged in various patterns.

Abstract: A splice connector for high voltage cables is modified to provide a shield break placed either in the housing or in an adaptor sleeve of the connector and in such a manner as to preserve essentially the overall configuration and dimensions of the housing and adaptor sleeve and locate the shield break in a region of relatively low electrical stress, while providing an unbroken shield over the connection between the cables.

Abstract: A tool for use by an operator in the field in attaching and securing a bushing assembly within an electrical connector and subsequently connecting or disconnecting the electrical connector and a terminal of an electrical apparatus to establish a connection from a remote location through the use of an insulated implement, such as a hot-stick. The tool includes an operating member with a wrenching configuration for engaging a complementary wrenching arrangement in the bushing assembly, a wrenching portion for direct wrenching of the operating member and a torque responsive device through which the insulated implement is coupled to the operating member to enable rotation of the insulated implement relative to the operating member upon exceeding a predetermined torque indicative of the appropriate seating of the electrical connector upon the terminal so that such relative rotation serves as an indication to the operator that the connection is complete.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are prevailing torque type self-locking nut comprising a one-piece nuts each body having an internal screw thread surmounted by a well portion having an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance greater than one-half the major thread diameter, and a thin-walled self-locking element of thread impressionable thermoplastic material at least partly in the well portion and having an external surface secured by adhesion to the internal surface of the well portion and an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance less than one-half the major thread diameter. Also disclosed herein are a method of making such nuts, the method involving melting powder of the thermoplastic material in situ in the nut body, a pin useful in carrying out the method and nut body components of the self-locking nuts.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement is carried by a bushing assembly of a high voltage electrical distribution system and facilitates attachment and securing of the bushing assembly to an electrical connector and subsequent attachment and securing of the electrical connector to a terminal of an electrical apparatus, the attachment arrangement including sequentially operated threaded elements having minimum torque responsive devices for assuring that the sequence of operation of the threaded elements will secure the bushing appropriately to the electrical connector and then will secure the electrical connector to the terminal.

Abstract: A bushing insert of a high voltage electrical distribution system is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to a bushing well by means of a threaded coupling member, a portion of which coupling member is threaded to the electrical contact element of the bushing well, the coupling member having a wrenching configuration enabling that portion of the coupling member to be removed from the electrical contact element of the bushing well should the portion inadvertently become severed from the remainder of the coupling member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pavement marker for engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marking visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The pavement marker comprises a lens member of light-transmitting synethetic resin including a front face having a light-receiving and refracting portion adapted to be inclined at an angle of at least 15.degree. and a rear face having reflex reflective means for reflecting light transmitted through the light-receiving and refracting portion back to the source. The pavement marker has an untempered glass sheet fixedly disposed on the light-receiving and refracting portion and the glass is in compression throughout the expected temperature range to which the pavement marker is exposed in use.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for selectively connecting sections of an electrical cable to establish a cable of desired longitudinal length suitable for use in underground mining operations includes a plurality of electrical connector elements, each connector element being provided with a pair of electrically and mechanically connectable components having a form analogous to a ball and socket coupling for imparting lateral flexibility to each connector element and to the connector assembly, while maintaining both the mechanical and the electrical integrity of the connector assembly. First connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join supply conductors of one cable section to corresponding supply conductors of another cable section, while second connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join a ground conductor of the one cable section to a corresponding ground conductor of the other cable section.

Abstract: A laminated microporous article consisting of at least two layers or plies, the first comprising either a thermoset or thermoplastic microporous material and the second comprising a polyester non-woven, heat bonded (in distinction to adhesive bonded) web. The resulting laminated microporous article is especially useful as a battery separator and exhibits superior properties including improved electrical resistance, toughness and tear strength, and flexibility.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prevailing torque type self-locking nut comprising a one-piece nut body having an internal screw thread surmounted by a well portion having an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance greater than one-half the major thread diameter, and a thin-walled self-locking element of thread impressionable thermoplastic material at least partly in the well portion and having an external surface secured by adhesion to the internal surface of the well portion and an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance less than one-half the major thread diameter. Also disclosed herein are a method of making such a nut, the method involving melting powder of the thermoplastic material in situ in the nut body, a pin useful in carrying out the method and a nut body component of the self-locking nut.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass producing locking patches of thermoplastic material on threaded portions of magnetic elements, such as screws. The apparatus includes a rotating dial assembly comprising a plurality of similar, closely-spaced permanent magnets, extending radially outwardly from the support thereof and completely thermally isolated from one another and on all sides except at a gap provided on its outer face. The screws to be patched are delivered to the periphery of the dial assembly where they are magnetically held by the magnets and carried past a heating station and a station where a stream of powder of the thermoplastic material is directed against preselected portions of the threads of the heated screws and fused in place to form the desired patches bonded to the unmodified threads of the screws.