Abstract: A luminaire housing is made exclusively or almost entirely of plastic material and contains an HID lamp together with its ballast and other components. A shallow, thermally conductive heat dissipating pan is mounted against the back of the housing and receives a body of fibrous insulating material, the pan being connected by a highly heat conductive member to the lamp reflector and a heat conductive support bracket within the housing to convey heat from the housing to the pan for dissipation to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A splice assembly and method for splicing electrical cables comprises a sealing layer, a barrier and an open mesh sleeve. The sealing layer is formed of uncured insulation material, surrounds the connector coupling exposed adjacent ends of the cable conductors, and engages the insulation layers of the cables. The barrier surrounds the sealing layer for inhibiting flow of the sealing layer upon heating. The open mesh sleeve surrounds the barrier and has its opposite axial ends rigidly secured to the cables. During curing of the sealing layer, the open mesh sleeve applies substantially uniform and constant pressure in a radially inward direction on the sealing layer to avoid air voids and increase the strength of the splice assembly.

Abstract: An armored electrical cable structure for resisting destruction and degradation of the conductor insulation, particularly on the outer conductors. The structure also provides the additional benefits of resisting decompression expansion of the conductor insulation, attack by corrosive agents as well as the conduction of heat from the interior parts of the cable structure to the cable exterior for dissipation.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a generally parallelepipedic housing with a square opening into which a reflector and lamp assembly can be inserted and fastened. The opening is square as is the reflector so that it can be extracted and rotated 90.degree. as a unit. The reflector has a parabolic concave reflective surface and a lamp with an elongated light source, producing a rectangular pattern which is rotated as the orientation of the reflector is rotated.

Abstract: A resilient gasket for a weatherproof electrical outlet provides seals between the outlet box and the cover plate, between the receptacle and the cover plate, and between the cover plate and cover flap or plug connected to the receptacle. The gasket is a planar member having a peripheral configuration corresponding to the peripheral configurations of a standard outlet box and cover plate therefor and is received between the cover plate and receptacle and between the cover plate and outlet box. At least one aperture extends through the gasket and has transverse dimensions, in a relaxed condition of the gasket, less than the similar dimensions of projections on standard electrical receptacles.

Abstract: A luminaire hanger includes a link having an opening to hang on a hook and a connector coupled to the lower end of the link for supporting an offset load. The connector has a circular boss which fits into a circular recess in the link, the two being clamped together by a bolt. The boss and recess are surrounded by serrations to prevent relative rotation when they are clamped together. When released, the link and connector can be angularly adjusted to put the suspension opening above the center of gravity of the load to support the load in a level fashion.

Abstract: A bracket formed of a noncombustible material such as metal, serves as a restraint for a ballast transformer mounted in a combustible, electrical lighting fixture in the event the fixture is consumed by fire. The bracket has one end connected to the ballast and an opposite end encircling the free end of a conventional fixture-mounting bushing which is fixedly attached to a metal electrical outlet box. The bracket automatically attaches to the bushing once the fixture is mounted on the bushing and a cap nut is applied thereto.

Abstract: An armored cable is formed with an arcuate cross-sectional shape which substantially conforms to the curvature of the surface on which it is mounted. This shape takes maximum advantage of the annular space available, for example, between the inner wall defining the circular bore of an oil well and the cylindrical surface of a centrifugal submersible pump on which the cable is mounted. As a result, the diameter, and hence the efficiency, of the pump may be maximized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flat, electrical cable for use in extremely adverse environments, such as found in oil wells, comprising a plurality of conductors individually sheathed in insulation. The cable includes an elongated, compression-resisting member positioned adjacent an insulated conductor, the member being slotted laterally to impart a degree of bending thereto. A bendable liner is mounted between the member and the insulation sheath of the adjacent conductor to bridge the slots and thereby protect adjacent insulation from abrasion by edges formed on the member by the slots during bending.

Abstract: A grip for cable, especially fragile cable such as fiber optic cable having a fragile connector at one end thereof. The grip comprises an elongated, hollow protective sheath with an open rearward end for receiving the connector therein, a pulling device coupled at the forward end of the sheath by means of a forwardly tapered nose piece and an open mesh sleeve coupled at the rearward end of the sheath for engaging the cable upon a longitudinal stretching thereof which radially reduces the sleeve around the cable. The pulling device comprises a shaft journalled for free rotation on the nose piece by ball bearings mounted in the nose piece to allow the sheath to rotate about its longitudinal axis as it is being pulled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flat cable incorporating an elongated, bendable protective structure which is comprised of a central channel member of rigid cross-section for resisting forces applied to a centrally disposed insulated conductor and at least one outer channel member of substantially lesser rigidity for resisting insulation-disruptive forces which may be applied to an insulated conductor adjacent one edge of the cable.

Abstract: A reflector for use with a discharge lamp having a front section with a reflective surface which follows a surface of revolution and a rear section which is fluted. The crests and roots of the flutes lie along arcs of concentric spheres. Light from the lamp directed toward the front section is reflected out through its open end. Light directed toward the rear section is reflected by the flutes away from the arc and toward the front section, thereby avoiding increases of arc temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical cable embodying a plurality of individually, electrically insulated electrical conductors for use in adverse environments, such as oil wells. The cable comprises an elongated strut of rectangular cross-section interposed between two of the conductors and formed of a plurality of bendable sections of rigid cross-section for protecting the insulation on the conductors from external disruptive forces. The strut may be used with a channel member that protects the insulation from both internal and external disruption resulting from usage in the adverse environment.

Abstract: A latching apparatus for coupling together two mating connector housings includes a toothed latch member supported on a spring arm which is attached to a first one of the housings. The latch member includes a transverse surface formed with one or more teeth. The second housing carries a release member having a spring portion, a manually operable portion and openings to receive the teeth. When the housings are joined, the latch member enters the second housing such that the transverse surface overlies a spring extension of the manually operable member. Movement thereof extracts the teeth from the openings to release the housings. The latching apparatus forms a ground between the connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an insulated connection between a pair of insulated electrical cables by means of curing uncured insulation wrapped around joined conductors in the cables. The apparatus comprises a multiple part mold assembly having a cylindrical cavity, mechanisms for heating and cooling the mold parts and an assembly for creating a radially inwardly directed, substantially constant pressure on the curing insulation while allowing radial expansion and contraction of the insulation and mold parts during heating and cooling. The pressure-creating assembly comprises a pair of rectilinear power devices and a pair of cables wrapped around the mold parts and tensioned by the power devices, this assembly applying a radially inwardly directed, equal and substantially constant force to the mold parts. Preferably, the mold assembly comprises three equal parts, each defining one-third of a cylindrical body and each having rollers on the outer surface for receiving the cables therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having a signal attenuating portion for setting the gain or loss in amplitude of an electrical signal received by the apparatus, and alternatively, provides a gain of unity without a change of setting. The apparatus employs a plurality of switching devices which may be selectively opened and closed to provide the apparatus with a fixed gain of unity and alternatively predetermined losses or gains to the input signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for making ductile iron castings. A nodulizing agent is placed into an open reaction chamber formed in the top of a mold and molten graphite iron is fed to the reaction chamber by a new and improved sealing member which is movable to cover the chamber for the required casting time. The member is designed to permit the reacted alloy to flow through the member and across the top of the mold to the inlet of a casting cavity formed in the mold and covered by the member, thereby minimizing the depth of the reaction chamber and eliminating the need for forming runner systems in the mold, both of which contribute to the production of scrap material. Also provided is the temporary storage of the molten alloyed iron in an open reservoir to enhance homogenization of the alloy and to facilitate the removal of impurities therein.

Abstract: A low heat transfer fitting to close an opening in a fire-rated barrier includes a cover plate, a pressure plate, a radially expandible annular gripping ring between the cover plate and the pressure plate, and adjustable fasteners between the two plates to urge them toward each other to expand the ring. A body of intumescent material is supported in the opening by the pressure plate with a low heat transfer member. Two embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a junction box for a poke-thru floor wherein access to both the communications and power service compartments can be had from the same side of the junction box. Additionally, the telephone service installer does not have to disturb the power wires to make a telephone service connection or to remove the closure plug for the telephone compartment.

Abstract: A housing is formed from components which can be assembled without other fasteners in various sizes. Components of only two shapes are required, one being a central U-shaped body and the other being a side wall member. The central body has a back and two end walls, the end walls having male and female coupling members along opposite edges. The back wall has parallel offset locking tabs on opposite edges. The side members also have male and female coupling members and locking tabs, each side member being attachable to either side of the central member. In addition, plural central members are attachable to each other in side by side relationship to form a housing of selectable width with a single undivided cavity.