Abstract: A high voltage electrical connector of the type employed to connect a high voltage cable to the terminal of an electrical apparatus, such as a transformer, in a power distribution circuit is provided with a connector element which enables a ground connection to be made so as to ground the terminal without disconnecting the connector. A fault-closing device is provided in the electrical connector, in the event that the ground connection inadvertently is made when the circuit is energized. Access is provided through the connector element and the fault-closing device for a tool which can be inserted and operated from a remote location to selectively disconnect and connect the electrical connector and the terminal of the electrical apparatus, while the electrical connector and the cable attached thereto are grounded.

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 of adhesive bonded) web. The resulting laminated microporous article is especially useful as a battery separator and exhibits superior propertries including improved electrical resistance, toughness and tear strength, and flexibility.

Abstract: A battery separator in which plural sheets of microporous plastic material are connected by a strip or strips of polyvinylchloride in a manner suitable to form a sleeve. The strips may be high frequency heat sealed to the sheets or may be bonded thereto by solvating the outer edge portions of the strips, applying pressure between the strips and the sheets, and allowing the solvent to evaporate. A method of manufacturing a battery separator of the above type.

Abstract: A low-profile snowplowable pavement marker includes a metal base member having two arcuate-bottom keel members interconnected by an arcuate-bottom support member, the upper surfaces of the keel members respectively defining inclined ramps from a plane at one end of the base member toward the other end thereof to corresponding coplanar top surfaces, the support member having a support surface lying below the plane for supporting thereon a cube corner reflex reflector assembly partially recessed below the plane. The keel members and the support member are respectively secured in complementary arcuate recesses with the plane substantially coplanar with the roadway surface, the recesses being cut in the pavement with circular blade cutting apparatus without moving the cutting apparatus along the pavement. A bidirectional marker is shown as well as cutting apparatus for cutting the three recesses therefor simultaneously.

Abstract: An electrical terminal block is provided with a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities therein and a corresponding plurality of electrical terminal elements disposed within the terminal-receiving cavities. Each terminal-receiving cavity includes a protruding retention member extending into the terminal-receiving cavity. Each terminal element includes a chamfered key member thereon, which is adapted to be captured and to interlock with a complementary retention member during insertion of the terminal elements into their respective cavities. The retention members and their corresponding cooperatively engaging chamfered key members selectively provide means for securing or facilitating removal of the inserted terminal elements.

Abstract: A cable for supplying electrical power in underground mining comprises plural separable sections facilitating cable maintenance. Cable sections are releasably joined by an electrical connector assembly capable of sustaining cable tensile loading and of sufficient flexibility to be taken up and paid out by cable reeling apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a male contact element and a high voltage cable includes a housing securable to the cable and defining an axial passage having a cavity, a piston assembly with a female contact element movable in the passage and defining a chamber, material generating arc-quenching gas, a gas-pressure responsive valve providing communication between the chamber and cavity selectively on fault closure to accelerate engagement of the contact elements and connectors for providing continuous electrical connection to the female contact element of substantially fixed resistivity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rivetless floating anchor nut assembly comprising a nut member having opposed lugs and a onepiece metal basket member which has a sleeve portion and a nut member engaging and retaining portion. The sleeve portion is adapted to be permanently deformed in an aperture in a workpiece to affix the basket member to the workpiece and the nut member engaging and retaining portion has a pair of wings each having slots therethrough in which the nut lugs are captured. The wings are resiliently flexible to permit removal and replacement of the nut member an indefinite number of times. The basket member has a hardness in the range between 34 and 38 on the Rockwell C scale.Also disclosed herein is a flaring tool useful in deforming the sleeve portion to affix the basket member and hence the assembly to the workpiece. The tool comprises an upper face and a flaring portion projecting from the upper face.

Abstract: An interconnecting terminator bracket member and a resilient ring-shaped sleeve member are provided with a fastening means for releasably snap-locking the sleeve onto an electrical terminator for electrical cables without a need for nuts, bolts, screws, washers, and other conventional-type fastener hardware at the sleeve. The fastener means comprises two resiliently loaded spaced elements which project from an opening in the sleeve and a detent means which is formed within the bracket. The opening enables the two spaced elements to be squeezed or compressed towards one another. The detent means is uniquely configured to maintain the elements in a compressed state at the start of insertion, momentarily release the two compressed elements from compression forces exerted thereon during insertion, and completely enclose the elements when in the compressed state once insertion is complete. The fastener means is operated by inserting the elements when in the compressed state within confines of the detent means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a female electrical connector for separably connecting a male contact element with a high voltage circuit. The connector comprises a conductive housing having a first end adapted to receive the male contact element, a second end adapted to be closed and an internal wall surface providing an axially extending opening therebetween. The connector includes an elongate female contact assembly including a tubular conductive piston within and in conductive relationship with the housing and axially movable between a normal first position wherein the piston is maximally spaced from the first housing end and a second position. The piston provides a chamber adjacent the second housing end. The assembly also includes female contact means, for engaging the male contact element, carried by and movable with and in electrically conductive relationship with the piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a fluid pressure output signal upon receipt of fluid pressure input pulses in predetermined number. Fluid pressure isolation is provided as between input and output portions of the apparatus whereby the fluid pressure level of the output signal may be variably preselected irrespective of the pressure level of the input pulses.

Abstract: A compact electrical terminal socket for use with electrical devices, such as control relays with pin contact members thereon, comprises two separable interconnected socket body sections, to wit, a top-half section mounted onto a recessed floor of a bottom-half section. The top-half section is provided with a first and second plurality of recessed terminal-receiving cavities having therein corresponding first and second pluralities of terminal contact members. The first and second plurality of recessed terminal-receiving cavities are juxtaposed relative to each other to form a symmetrical array of rows within the top-half section in a manner effective to electrically isolate and insulate the cavities from one another, and thus, to electrically isolate and insulate each terminal contact member disposed therein.

Abstract: A radial void present at the juncture of interengaged electrical connector elements in an electrical connection is reduced in size and relocated to a position of lesser electrical stress by a flexible annular lip integral with one of the connector elements and urged, in response to completion of the connection, into the void.

Abstract: An electrical clamp assembly of the type for securing electrical conductive elements to an electrical device, such as an electrical terminal, comprises an interconnected clamping plate and screw. Bearing surfaces between the clamping plate and screw head comprise an anti-friction ball joint. The ball joint provides a means for converting the entire amount of tightening-torque applied to the screw head to substantially an equivalent amount of clamping force at a clamping surface of the plate by minimizing frictional resistance between the bearing surfaces. A race-like portion of the ball joint also provides a means for inseparably holding the plate about an unthreaded portion of a partially threaded screw shank without allowing the plate to harmfully abuttingly interfere with the threads of the screw. A plurality of ribs are disposed on the bottom surface of the plate to form a rhombus-like pattern and to prevent lateral slipping of the conductive wire during torquing of the screw.

Abstract: An unoriented supply of similar articles, each having a shank and a head of greater dimension than the shank are introduced into orienting means which include a trough having an inclined slot at its bottom and a plurality of cleats positioned at fixed locations on its side walls. Upon vibration, the articles become separated resulting in certain of the articles becoming oriented within the slot, with the unoriented articles being returned to the supply. The oriented articles are then directed to storing means which include a track including a straight lower portion, level maintaining means and a discharge end wherein the articles are discharged at a predetermined rate to article receiving, positioning and carrying means.

Abstract: A circuit panel connector for enabling the connection of a plurality of circuit terminals at the edge of a circuit panel, such as a printed circuit board, with external conductors includes a unitary block of dielectric material with an elongate slot and self-aligning unitary electrical contact members each having opposed tines for receiving the edge of the circuit panel and a terminal portion with a platform and a clamping screw for selectively securing an external conductor to the electrical contact member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bolt retainer for use as a component of an access panel fastener. The retainer comprises a grommet having an axial end and an aperture in open communication therewith. The grommet has a radial shoulder surface facing away from the end of the grommet which also has an internal surface extending toward the end of the grommet from the radially inner edge of the radial shoulder surface. The disclosed retainer has only two discrete retaining jaws in the aperture adjacent the radial shoulder surface and spring means biasing the jaws toward the axis. Each jaw is C-shaped and is substantially 180.degree. in circumferential extent. Each jaw also includes a boss adapted to enter the cylindrical surface of the grommet to limit jaw opening and the jaws present to the bolt a configuration of greater axial length than the pitch of the bolt thread.

Abstract: A low-profile snowplowable pavement marker includes a metal base member having two arcuate-bottom keel members interconnected by an arcuate-bottom support member, the upper surfaces of the keel members respectively defining inclined ramps from a plane at one end of the base member toward the other end thereof to corresponding coplanar top surfaces, the support member having a support surface lying below the plane for supporting thereon a cube corner reflex reflector assembly partially recessed below the plane. The keel members and the support member are respectively secured in complementary arcuate recesses with the plane substantially coplanar with the roadway surface, the recesses being cut in the pavement with circular blade cutting apparatus without moving the cutting apparatus along the pavement. A bidirectional marker is shown as well as cutting apparatus for cutting the three recesses therefor simultaneously.

Abstract: Proteins such as enzymes are immobilized on a microporous member comprising a binder or matrix and finely divided filler particles dispersed throughout the binder. The proteins are coupled to the filler particles, and the microporous member has a relatively large surface area and a large number of available protein coupling sites. Enzymes coupled to the microporous member have a relatively high reaction efficiency when used to act on a substrate.

Abstract: A sleeve-like insert of conductive elastomeric material of a type which serves as an internal shield in electrical connectors for connecting high voltage cables has an end portion folded upon itself, the enfolded portion being substantially permanently retained in its desired position by allowing insulative elastomeric material to fill apertures in the end portion and become bonded thereto in a void free manner, during molding of an insulating outer sleeve-like jacket about the insert.