Abstract: A splice connector having component parts capable of assembly in the field for providing a splice connection between a pair of high voltage shielded electrical cables, the component parts including an electrical connector element to be crimped onto the conductors of the cables, a housing including a pair of elastomeric housing members to be slipped over the cables and assembled over the connector element, a pair of elastomeric sleeves to be placed between the housing and the cables, a retainer ring for retaining each sleeve in place during assembly of the housing over the sleeves, and a heat conductive member for making contact between the electrical connector element and the housing for dissipating heat from the connector element to the housing.

Abstract: A process for producing thermoplastic, elastomeric articles such as, for example, semi-pneumatic tires, comprising the steps of admixing a thermoplastic, elastomeric molding composition including a vulcanizable or otherwise thermosetable elastomer, inert filler materials, a plasticizer and certain processing aids. The molding composition is then milled into a flat sheet, extruded into a tubular shape, cut, shaped and then molded at a temperature less than about 70.degree. F into thermoplastic elastomeric articles such as, for example, semi-pneumatic tires.

Abstract: An improved cylindrical interference fit for joining and fastening synthetic polymeric material connecting members comprises a smooth surfaced shaft and a complementary internally ridged recess. The shaft, during insertion into the recess, shears away the tips of two spaced longitudinal ridges positioned within an 180.degree. angular segment of the recess and bindingly engages the sheared tips and a portion of the internal surface of the recess thereby forming a three-point interference fit, interlocking joint between the joined members.

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 printed circuit panel connector comprises an encased heat sink for maintaining all electrical connections to the connector at substantially the same temperature. The heat sink is disposed between a plurality of tubular electrical connector elements adapted to receive corresponding external conductors, and a like plurality of electrical contact elements for making electrical connections between each one of the tubular electrical connector elements and a corresponding terminal adjacent the edge of a printed circuit board. Portions of the contact elements are in spring loaded contact with the heat sink such that the heat sink positively retains the contact elements within the terminal block body and maintains the various tubular electrical connector elements and electrical contact elements at substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes a male contact with an electrically insulative member arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. The insulative member has a hollow interior adjacent the contact and electrically conductive material in such hollow interior is in electrically conductive connection with the contact. Arc-quenching material overlies the insulative member and, on fracturing of such material, the insulative member isolates the electrically conductive material therein and the contact from electrical arcing.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a contact assembly having a cylindrical contact element and a terminal member defining a cylindrical contact element support surface and contact element retention surfaces juxtaposed with the support surface with passages opening into the terminal member and extending through the retention surfaces. Axially facing ends of the retention surfaces have spacing therebetween less than the axial extent of the contact element for retaining the same and axially distal ends of the passages have spacing therebetween exceeding the contact element axial extent to facilitate non-deforming contact element insertion in the terminal member.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes an elongate male contact with an electrically conductive extension arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. A layer of electrically insulative material overlies the contact extension and arc-quenching material overlies such electrically insulative layer. The electrically insulative layer is more resilient than both the extension and arc-quenching material whereby the assembly can withstand greater cantilever stressing prior to fracture of the arc-quenching material than an assembly lacking such resilient layer. On such fracturing, the electrically insulative layer isolates the contact extension and contact from electrical arcing.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a terminal member and a contact element, the terminal member having separable parts each providing a surface for retaining the contact element, the terminal member providing for predetermined minimum spacing between such retention surfaces. In its preferred embodiments, the connectors are of plug and socket terminal member variety with either the plug or socket having such separable parts with the parts defining respective abutting surfaces providing such predetermined spacing.

Abstract: A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a tripping mechanism, operated by the motion transmitting member, provides a positive biasing force for actuating and enhancing the operation of a fluid valve in controlling a fluid circuit. Means is provided for actuating the timing device in response to a relatively short-term activating pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is improved 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, thermally isolated from one another. 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.

Abstract: A self-locking internally threaded fastener in which the self-locking characteristic is derived from a ring-like plastic patch having a circumferential extent of greater than 180.degree. adhered to the thread-defining surface of the fastener. A method for making the fastener includes seating a fastener upon a pin having a configuration which establishes a cavity between the pin and the fastener, placing an initial deposit of plastic powder in the cavity and then re-distributing the plastic powder, as by blowing, to form a ring-like deposit which can be heated until fused to establish the desired ring-like patch. An apparatus includes a pin having a seating shoulder and a frusto-conical tapered portion for receiving the fastener and establishing the cavity.

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: A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a snap-action mechanism, coupled to the motion transmitting member, rapidly moves a shuttle in a fluid valve from one position to another to open or close a fluid circuit.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes a male contact with an electrically insulative member arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. The insulative member has a hollow interior adjacent the contact and a solid electrically conductive element in such hollow interior is in electrically conductive connection with the contact. Arc-quenching material overlies the insulative member and, on fracturing of such material, the insulative member isolates the electrically conductive member therein and the contact from electrical arcing.

Abstract: An electrical cable accessory includes a generally tubular member of elastomeric material which is to be installed by placement over a cylindrical surface to grip the cylindrical surface, when in appropriate assembled relation therewith, with a predetermined gripping force established by dilation of the tubular member, the installation being facilitated by introducing fluid under pressure, through means provided in the tubular member, between the tubular member and the cylindrical surface, and simultaneously impeding the escape of the fluid under pressure from between the tubular member and the cylindrical surface by means adjacent one of the ends of the tubular member to cause dilation of the tubular member and establish a fluid layer between the tubular member and the cylindrical surface, thereby reducing the gripping force during installation.

Abstract: In making an electrical contact assembly of type having a louvered contact element, a terminal member is formed in first and second separable parts defining respective contact element retention surfaces. The contact element is formed into cylindrical configuration and is applied to the first terminal member part with one contact finger set thereof engaging the same, and is advanced into engagement with the retention surface thereof while common force is applied to the other contact finger set. The second terminal member part is then secured to the first part with the contact element engaging its retention surface. Assembly tools facilitate such common force application to the contact element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has a bistable snap-acting mechanism including a bimetallic arm which renders the circuit breaker capable of actuation by either ambient temperature changes or temperature changes generated internally, as by an excessive electric current. An electromagnetic arrangement enables essentially instantaneous actuation in response to an electric current of predetermined amplitude greater than the excessive current which otherwise might actuate the circuit breaker thermally. An actuating lever assembly includes an actuating lever coupled to a link which is normally latched and is unlatched in response to movement of the bimetallic arm, and enables manual actuation, as well as manual reset of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: In an electrical terminating device wherein a conductive element, such as a bared conductor or a terminal contact, is secured to a terminal member by clamping the conductive element between a clamping screw and the terminal member, a resiliently deflectable cantilevered tang is struck from the terminal member and engages the conductive element, tending to confine the conductive element against longitudinal pull-out and lateral squeeze-out from between the clamping screw and the terminal member. The tang may be twisted or otherwise deformed to better present sharp gripping edges to the conductive element.

Abstract: A pin for use in making the reflector includes an elongated .[.snank.]. .Iadd.shank .Iaddend.of regular polygon outline and a cube-corner formation at one end. The cube axis of the cube-corner formation is at an angle other than zero degrees with respect to the pin axis. A group of such pins are assembled into a pin bundle for use in making a mold insert for the reflector.