Abstract: A hand tool having upper and lower jaws with a pair of complimentary solid die surfaces for contacting and compressing substantially the entire periphery of a cable connector sleeve. A plurality of plate-like intermeshing teeth and slots extend away from a pivot pin for the jaws in planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin and the connector and form a U shaped opening adjacent a die surface on each of the jaws for receiving and enclosing the connector as it is compressed. At least some portions of the teeth and slots remain intermeshed as the jaws move to the opened position. The meshing slots and teeth have facing ends spaced from one another except for portions thereof contacting each other to limit closure of the jaws as the die surfaces close and compress and crimp to connector to a desired degree onto said cable. The portions of the ends of the meshing slots and teeth contacting each other are adjacent to the die surfaces.

Abstract: A tool for stripping jackets from cable insulation comprising means for holding a portion of the cable and means for clamping the cable against the holding means and cutting the jacket. The clamping and cutting means includes a surface for bearing against the exterior of the jacket on the cable and a cutter member for cutting the jacket, the cutter member being adjustable toward and away from the cable to vary the depth of cut of the jacket of cable held in the holding means. A cable jacket clamping and cutting device may be mounted on a tool having a pair of perpendicular, intersecting channels for holding cable and a releasable, spring-loaded lever arm for urging the device against cable held in either of the channels at a point above the intersection of the channels whereby the tool is rotatable and slidable relative to the axis of the cable to cut the cable jacket around its circumference and parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A tool for removing insulation from mid-span of a conductor cable which includes a frame with first and second jaw members, one of which is slidably mounted on the frame to close and cooperate with the other jaw member to secure cable in the tool for rotation of the frame relative to the cable. A circular ringing knife blade assembly is slidably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from cable secured in the jaw members and upon extension of the circular knife blade and at least one full rotation of the frame in a first direction relative to the cable, the circular knife blade scores the jacket along a closed cut around the complete periphery of the cable. An insulation stripping assembly includes at least one blade edge for removing the radial thickness of the insulation from the cable. The blade edge is at a constant, fixed cutting angle and is mounted for movement along a straight line toward and away from the cable.

Abstract: A photosensitive switch including control means for turning a load on or off in response to the ambient light level. The switch is so arranged to turn the load off if the components thereof fail.

Abstract: A tamper-detection switch is built into a device such as an encoder for a gas or water meter. The switch has a contact arm biased to complete an alarm circuit, but this is prevented by a restraining post. On installation, an actuator is moved by contact with the meter to lift the contact arm free of the restraining post, at the same time restraining the arm from completing the circuit. If the encoder is subsequently moved away from the meter, a biasing spring causes the actuator to move out of the path of the contact arm, freeing it to complete the alarm circuit.