Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed which permit an air-stream interface to be maintained in a continuous vulcanization cable production process in order to enable accurate optical measurements of the cable to be taken at all times. Specifically, a baffle assembly is provided in conjunction with a high pressure, high temperature steam supply and a high pressure air supply to maintain a clear air region in a steam vulcanization chamber. The baffle assembly together with interconnected air and steam supply lines and an exhaust line provides a flow pattern which permits an optical window within the clear air region to be maintained in a clear and unobstructed state so that optical measurements can be continuously conducted while the vulcanization process is in operation.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for electrical terminals is disclosed, the housing being of the dead-front type and the enclosed terminals being connectable to external electrical circuits through apertures in the dead-front. The housing is generally formed of a dead-front or base member and two side casings, with web hinges joining these members as integral parts and allowing the side casings to pivot into opened and closed positions on the base member. Screw fasteners, located adjacent the ends of the casings remote from the web hinges, secure the casings together and clamp an electrical cord that is wired to the electrical terminals. Access to the enclosed electrical terminals is obtained, for wiring purposes, by opening one or both of the side casings. Locking lugs are formed integral with the side casings and base member to secure the casings to said base member, when the casings are closed, and provide a locking action in directions both longitudinal and lateral of the housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a device for gripping elongated objects, such as electrical cords, are disclosed. The device comprises a one-piece, generally C-shaped ring member formed of at least two arcuate ring sections. The sections are hinged together to open and close in directions substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the object encompassed by the grip. The ring sections have external camming surfaces which engage interior camming surfaces formed in a threaded nut with relatively low friction so that the ring sections are cammed inwardly to impart inwardly directed compressive forces to the object as the nut is tightened. The ring may be used to transmit axially directed forces produced by tightening the nut to a compressible sealing grommet encompassing the object. In such a case, the end of the section leading in the direction of nut rotation is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the object to facilitate closing the ring about the object.

Abstract: A one-piece dead-front electrical plug comprises a dead-front member, conductive blades mounted therethrough, and two side covers hingedly connected to the dead-front member by integral web hinges. The side covers pivot between an open position affording access for making wiring connections between a cord and the conductive blades, and a closed position fully enclosing the wiring area. Each side cover has cord clamp teeth which cooperate to grip the cord. The web hinges are protected from longitudinal stress in one embodiment by side cover flanges which are matingly received in notch openings in the dead front member, and in another embodiment by dowel pins protruding from the dead-front member which are matingly received in openings in the side covers. Lateral stress protection of the web hinges is provided by an interengaging flange and groove structure of the side covers and dead-front member.

Abstract: An improved two-part electrical connector of the interlocking type. A generally cylindrical plug unit having a plurality of male electrical contacts extending from a front face thereof is provided. A generally cylindrical socket unit is adapted for mating with a plug unit. The socket unit has a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female electrical contacts beneath the slots to receive the male electrical contacts when the units are mated. The socket unit includes means for locking the plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are twisted with respect to one another. A generally cylindrical plug shroud element is mounted coaxially on the plug unit and a generally cylindrical socket shroud element is mounted coaxially on the socket unit and conforms circumferentially with the plug shroud element.

Abstract: A cable grip including an equalizer of plural coil construction with the coils each closely wound and spaced apart longitudinally, and receiving strand pairs of the grip. The equalizer is formed from circular section wire, and adjacent coils are spaced apart by integral wire portions in the form of a long pitch helix of about one turn. The wire construction facilitates inspection of the strands, eliminates sharp edges, and permits lateral movement of the coils with respect to each other.

Abstract: A motor speed control system in which the rotor output frequency is filtered to remove slot noise and applied to one or more frequency discriminator units (FDU's) which provide control signals to operate relays which control contactors in a conventional motor controller having rotor speed control resistances. Each FDU compares the input frequency with its own setpoint frequency and operates to change rotor circuit resistance if the input frequency differs from the setpoint by a predetermined amount. The rotor signal is separated into two rectangular wave signals, one of which triggers a monostable circuit. The Q and Q monostable outputs are compared with the input in logic circuit means which produces a relay driving output under specified signal time-overlap conditions. A feedback signal changes the duty cycle of the monostable when the output is provided, thereby establishing a frequency "dead band" bracketing the setpoint.

Abstract: A grounding electrical adapter for connecting a three-wire plug to a two-wire receptacle connects electrically the grounding blade of the plug to the grounded mounting screw of the receptacle plate, without removing that screw, in a novel manner which not only assures good electrical contact to ground and good mechanical connection to the receptacle but also tends to force a user to make a proper ground connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for keying the pivotal action of a lever action connector particularly where engagement criteria between the plug and receptacle is necessary to provide a multiple characteristic discrimination. The engagement criteria are incorporated between the complementary elements of the swivel means to render the assembly thereof impossible when an incompatibility exists therebetween. Each engagement criterion is attained by the compatible mating of a male key disposed on the receptacle with a female slot disposed on the plug. The engagement criterion may be either fixed or variable and if desirable, both fixed and variable criteria may be utilized in the same connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a standing box incorporating electrical convenience outlets and adapted for selective electrical and mechanical connections to a floor box. The standing box is made as a single integral structure which facilitates both types of connections to an electrical wiring device, such as an electrical receptacle, mounted in the floor box. The mechanical connection utilizes an annular sealing gasket which compresses with little or no disruptive torsional displacement when the connection is effected. The standing box presents a relatively low silhouette and hence a relatively small obstruction to surrounding floor surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for "fingerprinting" electrical conductors connected to an electrical wiring device. Also disclosed is an electrical wiring device which allows one to reconstruct the connection of a conductor to at least one device terminal after the conductor is removed from such terminal.

Abstract: A double wiping female contact for engagement with straight male contacts of varying thickness, particularly where very high contact pressures must be developed between such contacts. Cooperatively configured spring members are disposed on the female contact to achieve a deflection bias which magnifies the contact pressure developed when the spring members are forced to separate by any distance. Contact pressures proportional to the magnitude of separation are attained beyond the elastic limit of the spring members by incorporating sufficient deflection bias to compensate for the permanent set incurred.

Abstract: A ground fault interrupter (GFI) provided with a reversed line polarity lamp indicator to indicate proper installation of the GFI. The reversed line polarity lamp indicator includes a push button and a lamp connected in series between the line conductor of the GFI and ground. In a wiring system having a ground conductor, the series connection is between the line and the ground conductor in which case the reversed line polarity lamp indicator may also be used to check for open circuits in the ground conductor.

Abstract: A ground leakage differential current protective apparatus of the differential transformer type. An impedance is inserted in the grounded neutral line in series with the transformer and the load. A low impedance ground in the grounded neutral conductor still permits a potential to be developed across the grounded neutral winding so that the differential current required to initiate the tripping action is not substantially increased.