Abstract: A female connector having a locking mechanism which can be selectively applied to permit the removal or insertion of the blades of a male plug into the female connector or retain such blades within the female connector. The female connector has two pairs of contacts each having a first end at which two contact arms are located. A projection on one of the arms is dimensioned and positioned to engage a mating hole in a plug blade. The position of the one arm with projection is controlled by an actuator assembly which is accessible from outside the female connector. When the push button of the actuator assembly is pushed, the projection is removed from the associated contact arm to permit a plug blade to be removed or enter between the contact arms. In the reset position the projections grip the plug blades making withdrawal from the female connector of the male blades difficult.

Abstract: A fluorescent work light assembly employing a twin tube fluorescent bulb which is interconnected at a second end and has one contact for each tube at a first end to place the bulb in series with a source of AC power. The bulb is mounted in a protective envelope tube with supports adjacent both ends to position and support the bulb. And end cap at the second end permits the light member to be suspended adjacent a work area. An end cap at the first end permits a power source to be connected via a two position switch to the bulb pins. Both end caps are assembled to the protective envelope stop members and have members which also permit the end caps to be assembled. A ballast device is placed in the work light assembly itself.

Abstract: An adapter for holding in assembly the connectors of two electrical cables. The base of the adapter is fastened over at least a part of the first connector and attached below or on a mounting panel. The second connector is matingly coupled to the first in the adapter and a locking member, pivotally mounted on the base, is placed over the second connector to prevent separation of the connectors and provide strain relief to the second cable/connector joints.

Abstract: A plug and socket connector clamp for maintaining engagement between an electrical plug and mating socket connector. The clamp includes a housing having sides and end abutments defining a central space for receiving the mated plug and socket connector. The sides prevent sideways disconnection of the plug and socket connector in at least one plane. A first of the end abutments contains an electric cord retaining slot and is in intimate contact with one of the plug and socket connector. The second end abutment has a releasable member for the rapid installation and removal of a cord clamp which also includes a clamping portion arranged to be brought into intimate contact with the other of said plug or socket connector. The releasable cord clamp itself is made up of two hinged halves which can be rapidly installed to or removed from an electrical cord, making overall installation and removal of the clamp quick and simple.

Abstract: A storage device for electrical extension cords includes a substantially elongated hollow tubular member having hollow end caps at either end from which extend winding arms. The winding arms are adapted to have an electrical extension cord or the like wrapped around them to form a coil of wire along the elongated body member between the arms. At one end of the first end member there is a rotatable hook for mounting the entire assembly including an extension cord. Along the body of the elongated member are two clamps for holding the plugs at either end of the extension cord in place. The plug clamps are movable longitudinally along the body of the elongated member to allow for adjustment for different lengths of extension cord. A tubular extension member is partially mounted internally of the elongated member such that it may move in or out of the body of the elongated member to form an adjustable support for positioning against the ground during winding.

Abstract: A plug and connector clamp for maintaining engagement between an electrical plug and connector. The clamp includes a housing having sides and end abutments defining a central space for receiving the plug and connector. The sides prevent sideways disconnection of the plug and connector in at least one plane. Various structures are disclosed for releasably engaging and urging together the plug and connector within the central space. The clamp preferably is carried by an extension cord in readiness for association of its connector with the plug of a selected electrical fitting or appliance.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a hollow first connector body housing electrical connector blades and adapted to receive a hollow second connector body housing electrical contacts for receiving the connector blades. Blade insertion and withdrawal forces are minimized by using generous tolerances and assuring integrity of the connection through utilization of opposed locking ramp members to resist connector and power cord separation forces. Exterior lock members on the second connector body engage a pair of first ramp members on the first connector body. A power cord strain relief fitting is held within an insert assembly which is insertable into an open end of the second connector body. Second ramp members on the insert assembly engage openings in the second connector body whereby axial forces on the strain relief fitting are transferred from the insert assembly to the second connector body, and then to the first connector body by means of the first ramp members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ground pin blade having an improved design having a vastly enhanced resistance to fatigue failure. There is also disclosed a molded electrical connector plug utilizing the ground pin blade. The ground pin blade is a channel-shaped member having the sidewalls of its end which is embedded in the molded plug body flared outwardly from a channel shape to an included side wall angle of about 90 degrees. The channel member has an aperture in its bottom wall adjacent the transition between the flared and unflared portion and this aperture receives the electrical conductor for the ground conductor of the electrical cord. The ground pin blade is intended primarily for use in a molded-on, electrical plug useful in life support equipment and, for this purpose, a plurality of strain relief members are used to firmly secure the assembly of the molded plug and electrical conductors.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical cord and attachment plug assembly suitable for use in applications requiring a very high degree of reliability, e.g., for use on hospital and life support equipment and the like. The assembly is of a construction which insures that the electrical cord, or any of the single conductors thereof, does not pull out of the plug assembly and interrupt the electrical continuity. The assembly includes an electrical cord having a plurality of single conductors within an outer jacket and bearing a plurality of contact members, including a pair of flat-bladed prongs connected distally to respective ones of a pair of the single conductors with each of the single conductors knotted adjacent the contact members. The cord also bears cord-retaining bushings clamped about the jacket of the cord.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safety electrical outlet such as a cube tap that is provided with sliding protective plates which overlie the prong-receiving slots of the outlet and are spring-biased to offset positions obstructing direct access to the receiving slots. The invention comprises an improvement over prior constructions in that a single resilient spring is employed to bias a pair of adjacent protective plates thereby greatly facilitating the assembly and reducing manufacturing costs. Additionally, the resilient spring is a spring of simple, bowed configuration which can be quickly and easily inserted in the supporting structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and displaying merchandise items on a gondola or the like that includes an elongated horizontal bracket formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically aligned apertures. These apertures removably receive the rear ends of a number of forwardly projecting hangers upon which the merchandise items are hung. A price strip holder is supported by the brackets immediately above the hangers.