Abstract: The present invention teaches a control system wherein fiber optics controls the functioning of one or more types of wiring devices, such as a wall receptacle. With the use of the present invention, a relatively safer system is provided for use in wet, hospital, explosive and other environments, and which is capable of surface mounting. Switch and load supply assemblies are interconnected by fiber optic means for transmitting reflected signals from a movable mirror to a photocell-influenced relay circuit.

Abstract: A heat flow detector for protecting against overheating of a lamp fixture energized from a voltage source, even when a dimmer is used for operating the lamp fixture. The detector includes a temperature sensitive switch electrically coupled to the lamp fixture. The switch disconnects the lamp fixture from the voltage source in response to a predetermined temperature. A biasing heater is thermally coupled to the temperature sensitive switch for raising the temperature of the switch sufficiently to operate the switch upon overheating of the lamp. A regulating circuit maintains the required voltage across the heater even upon reduction of the voltage from the source through use of the dimmer. The heat flow detector is placed in the vicinity of the lamp fixture so as to be subject to the same heat flow environmental conditions as the lamp fixture whereby as the lamp fixture gets overheated, the resistor heated up will be sufficient to operate the switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for mounting a lamp socket, particularly for a candelabrum lamp having an elongated branch support having a passage for passing wires between the socket and an electrical source. The elongated support has a threaded end portion with an opening leading to the passage. A clip member having a vertical pocket and a horizontal wall forming an aperture for receiving the threaded portion of the support and a pair of opposed clip elements having opposed arcuate edges is pressed upon or screwed around the threaded portion via the clip elements. A bar connected to the socket has a free mounting end that is adapted to slide into the vertical pocket of the clip member. The socket is removable from the clip. The clip can be pressed or screwed onto the threaded portion by a mounting tool. Likewise, the clip can be unscrewed from the threaded member by the mounting tool.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a lockable lampholder mounting system wherein a housing containing electrical contacts, such as an electrical wiring device of the type exemplified by an incandescent lampholder or socket, is removably mounted upon a preselected panel by means of a novel clip arrangement. The panel is of the type utilized in a fixture, for example. The clip arrangement includes a resilient clip of predetermined shape formed with at least three bearing surfaces for contacting the panel, and preferably a fourth bearing surface against which a locking tab is biased to prevent rotation and relatively upward movement of the wiring device.

Abstract: A mounting system for a U-shaped tube of a fluorescent lamp that has a free end and a connecting end having a coupling member that holds the two tube portions together. The connecting end has male electrical prongs that are insertable into female electrical receptacles formed in a body wall of a mounting body. The body wall is transverse to the U-tube. A support member extends outwardly from under the mounting body under the coupling member to provide resistance to downward movement of the U-tube. A wire locking member connected to the mounting body extends over the coupling member and includes a cross-wire having a U-portion that clamps against the outer wall of the mounting member between the two tube portions so as to grip the U-tube and prevent it from laterally sliding from the mounting body. The locking member also acts to prevent sideways movement of the U-tube in one direction when the U-tube is set vertically.

Abstract: A clamping system for holding an electrical cord to the wall plate of an electrical appliance. The wall plate forms a circular hole in which an externally threaded body having a cord passage is mounted. A flange of the body is positioned against the inner surface of the wall plate. A pair of flexibly movable arm members having opposed teeth extends in an axial direction from the outer end of the body outside the wall plate. A nut member is threaded onto the body so as to draw the flange and the nut member together with the wall plate between them. The nut member presses the teeth of the arm member together into gripping relationship with the cord. The body can be split into semicircular bodies for easy positioning of the cord.

Abstract: A removable locking system for a fluorescent U-tube electrically connected to a mounting body connected to a surface. The mounting body has a flange extending over the coupling member of the connecting end of the U-tube at the mounting body. A locking screw member is threaded through a hole in the flange into pressing contact with the top of the coupling member of the U-tube. A self-locking washer is positioned between the head element of the screw and the top surface of the flange. The locking screw can be rotated to lock or free the U-tube from its mounted association with the mounting body.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a novel device that electrically connects conductors from a cable to the electrical contacts of a plug or receptacle by means of a single fastener. The device comprises a shell, and an assembly carried by the shell. The assembly is capable of mating engagement with other electrical contacts and has receiving means for receiving electrical conductors. A single fastener holds the terminals of the conductors in electrical connection with the electrical contacts. The single fastener includes a movable carriage on which is mounted a nut through which a screw is threaded with a head with a flange that is engaged with the wall of the assembly so that when the screw is rotated, the carriage moves so as to decrease or enlarge a chamber in which the conductor terminals and a portion of the electrical contacts are situated.

Abstract: A resettable circuit breaker has a pair of normally closed contacts through which a load is connected to a power line and means for opening the contacts in response to a predetermined change in electrical current flowing to and from the power line. One of the contacts is mounted on a rocking member which is maintained between a pivot on the base of the apparatus and the armature of a latching solenoid responsive to the predetermined current change by a spring assembly which causes the rocking member to rotate about the pivot means thereby opening and closing the contacts depending on the position of the armature.

Abstract: An adapter for permitting a lamp to be threaded into a light socket while preventing damage to the socket through application of excessive threading force includes a threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on a cylindrical body and conductive securing means for preventing longitudinal movement of the sleeve with respect to the body, the securing means being urged into sliding electrical contact with the sleeve and being connected to an electrical conductor for maintaining electrical continuity between the sleeve and an energizing terminal of the lamp. A cam on the ring cooperates with an opening in the sleeve for permitting relative rotation between the sleeve and body in one direction when a threshold torque is exceeded to prevent damage to the socket but preventing relative rotation in the other direction so that the lamp and adapter can be threaded out of the socket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary liner locking and locking washer device that is positioned between the wall mounting fixture and the vertical bracket support for an incandescent lamp. The unitary device includes a ring element having one end having a resilient upwardly disposed finger that is pressed into a biased position between the threaded portions of the fixture and the bracket. The other end of the ring element has a resilient prong having a hooked tip also upwardly disposed. The prong is unbiased with the tip engaged in a slot in the liner to lock the liner in position and can be biased inwardly to free the liner.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a remote control system, also capable of designation as a universal switch receptacle system, which is usable in conjunction with remote control devices as well as ground fault circuit interrupting systems. Features include, without limitation, a mounting strap which supports ground terminals while also serving as a magnetic circuitry conduit; a novel flip-flop cam arrangement which enables alternate making and breaking of a circuit; and space-saving means for supporting the cam arrangement about an axis of rotation which coincides with a ground prong insertion axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plug-in wire terminal system for a lamp socket. The system includes a bushing mounted in a passage through the base wall of the socket and a terminal gripping the lead of a connecting conductor that is adapted to plug into the hollow core of the bushing. The terminal is permanently mounted in the bushing by way of an outwardly biased cone portion that includes a plurality of biasable side strips that snap out once the cone passes an internal shoulder in the core of the bushing. The terminal has a biased contact portion that electrically connects the terminal with the bushing. The bushing includes a flared inner rim that both holds the bushing in place and electrically connects the bushing to a bottom flange extension of the screw shell mounted in the socket.

Abstract: The conventional push-button switch which is generally found on lamps and appliances is constructed so that the depressing the push-button causes a rotary switch motion within the body on the switch. The components which convert the linear motion of the push-button have consisted of a metal spiral stem and a cooperating metal push-button. In addition the spiral stem has stem provided with a washer at its lower extremity.The present invention provides for the spiral stem and washer to be molded as a single plastic component. The cooperating push-button is provided as a plastic component or as a metal component with a plastic insert. The improvement described serves to reduce the number of component parts in a push-button switch as well as isolating the operator of the push-button from the internal electrical components.