Abstract: A poke-through electrical connector includes an elongate, generally tubular housing member and at least one retaining clip for securing the connector in an interfloor passage. The retaining clip includes a transverse flexure portion and at least one anchor point dimensioned and angled from the flexure portion for substantially radially-directed engagement with the wall of the interfloor passage. Displacement of the anchor point results in a compressive load which causes a bending moment to develop in the transverse flexure portion. The flexure results in application of a reactive retaining force by the anchor point.

Abstract: A shielded housing provides electrical shielding for connection components supported therein. The shielded housing may form a balun for providing impedance matching between a twisted pair cable and a coaxial or twinaxial cable. A shielded balun housing supports balun components including a pair of shielded connector components and an electrical circuit interconnecting the components. The housing includes upper and lower housing members which are secured together in a manner which establishes conductive engagement therebetween. The housing provides electromagnetic shielding between the balun and adjacent components.

Abstract: An electrical cable strain relief comprises a body defining an elongate panel with latching legs depending from the panel at longitudinally opposed margins thereof, the body having folded portions at laterally opposed margins of the panel, the folded portions extending laterally interiorly of the laterally opposed margins of the panel. The strain relief includes projections or like spacing structure depending from the undersurface of the panel for spacing the folded portions from the undersurface of the panel to facilitate manufacture and cleaning of the strain relief. Where facility for both daisy-chain and end of line applications is desired, the strain relief of the invention includes an elongate slot in the panel thereof and further folded portions at laterally opposed margins of the opening extending laterally exteriorly of the opening.

Abstract: A cable tray support system supports a plurality of cables and conduits therein. Cable tray support system includes a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced rails and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending cable support members extending between the rails. Cable support members include provisions for the secure support of cables within the tray by use of both a cable tie and a pipe strap. Such combination provides greater flexibility to the cable tray of the present invention by allowing several securement techniques within a given cable tray system.

Abstract: A compression connector accommodates an electrical conductor for crimping connection therein. The connector includes a connector body having a nest defined by a bottom wall and an opposed pair of upstanding sidewalls. The sidewalls are inwardly deformable upon application of a crimping force. A non-bendable die engagement extent is attached to the sidewall by a weakened portion thereof. Upon application of a crimping force the die engagement extent is cause to deform prior to the deformation of the other sidewall. This permits the sidewalls to overlap around the conductor during crimping.

Abstract: An electrical switch and connector interlock mechanism permits ready reception and removal of a connector portion on a power cable from a connector portion attached to the unit and prevents current flow when the two connector portions are unseated or when a line connector is not received within the unit.

Abstract: The cable tie includes an elongate strap and a head having an aperture therethrough for insertably accommodating the strap. A locking barb is movably supported in the head and is engagable with the strap in a manner which permits insertion of the strap thereinto and prevents withdrawal of the strap therefrom. The strap includes a strap body and plural protrusions extending from the strap body. The barb is engagable with the protrusions of the strap upon insertion. Upon an attempt to withdraw the strap, the barb digs into the strap body to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the head.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for electrically connecting a rotatable current contact to a stationary voltage, such as used in the connection of an airbag in an automobile steering wheel. The arrangement comprises an insulated electric line which extends between the current contact on one side and a voltage, current or signal source on the other side and which is coiled around a rotary shaft member. The electric line is in the form of a helical spring, the spring being disposed on an inner housing portion which is positioned on the rotary shaft member and is non-rotatably connected thereto. An outer stationary housing portion encloses the inner rotatable housing portion with the helical spring being situated between the two housing portions.

Abstract: A plastic floor box assembly for use with electrical raceways installed in concrete floors, having a plastic box, an activation ring, a cover plate for retaining an electrical outlet, and an outlet cover securable to the cover plate. The activation ring is secured within the open top of the floor box by a plurality of retaining clips, having barbs extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The barbs allow easy insertion of the activation ring into the box, while preventing withdrawal. In a second embodiment designed for use in tile floors, a pair of support clips are also provided on the activation ring to prevent over-insertion of the ring into the box.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing of electrically insulative material and defining an interior compartment and passages extending from the interior compartment to an exterior surface of the housing. Electrical contact members are resident in the housing passages. At least one of the passages is circular in configuration and a power contact member resident in the one passage has a portion resident in the one passage circular in configuration and in press-fit sealed relation with the housing. The contact member resident in the one passage has a further portion resident in the interior compartment of blade-shaped configuration. A method of making the connector includes a step of press-fitting the power contact member into the one passage from the interior compartment with the contact member circular portion leading the contact member blade portion, such that the circular portion is in interference fit in the one passage and that the blade portion is resident in the interior compartment.

Abstract: A connector comprises first and second housings adapted to be coupled to each other. A pivotal plate is pivotally disposed on one of the housings. A pair of leaf springs is interposed between one of the housings and the pivotal plate. A latch is provided for locking the two housings upon coupling. When the two housings are to be coupled, the pivotal plate is pivoted by the action of the leaf springs. This occurs after the two housings reach an intermediate state of coupling.

Abstract: A protective housing for electrical outlets and the like includes a box surrounding the outlets and a cover. A gasketless joint is formed between the hinged cover and the box for inhibiting entry of moisture into the box. The box includes a slot in its peripheral wall for receiving a cord with a plug that is positioned inside the box.

Abstract: The method and apparatus is provided for sealing a splice in an electrical cable. A pair of spaced-apart sealing dams are formed about the electrical cable with the splice being located therebetween. A generally cylindrical splice enclosing shell, having a pair of opposed open ends is supported around the splice. The shell includes plural shell fingers extending from each end of the shell. The shell fingers are secured to each other at a location outwardly adjacent of the sealing dams to positionally confine the sealing dams, preventing outward migration thereof. The splice may be encapsulated with an encapsulant under pressure, which is retained by the splice enclosing shell.

Abstract: The entire outer surface of a ground rod, including its pointed end portion, has a continuous and uniform electroplated coating. The rod has a blunt end portion shaped to minimize mushrooming when it is hammered for driving the rod into the ground. Jets of plating solution directed against the rod produce swirling motion of plating solution around the rod while it moves longitudinally through a plating bath. Uniformity of the plated coating may be enhanced by rotating the rod during longitudinal movement through the plating bath.

Abstract: An electrical connector provides for the termination of discrete conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes a connector housing which supports a plurality of electrical contacts. The contacts include insulation displacing contact portions. The insulation displacing contact portions are arranged in longitudinally and vertically spaced rows within the connector housing. A conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing with respect to the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block includes contact slots which are longitudinally and vertically spaced for receipt of the insulation displacing contact portions. The holding block further includes vertically spaced rows of conductor receiving passages in communication with the contact slots for receipt of the conductors in a pair of conductor rows.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is attachable to a pre-manufactured electrical box. The box which includes a pair of opposed side walls, is insertable into an opening cut into a mounting wall. A pair of clip-on securement members are mountable onto each of the opposed side walls. Each securement member includes a bracket positioned on an external surface of the side wall and a brace supported by the bracket. The brace is movable on the bracket so as to clamp the box to the mounting wall.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA (connection positive assurance) component, a second housing matable with the first housing by movement along a connection axis and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with the array of first contacts, a CPA member having a first portion movable in the first housing passage and a having a second portion, and first and second latch members respectively with the first and second housings and engageable in the course of mating thereof, the first latch means being disposed in a path of movement of the CPA member second portion. The first and second latch members effect a first measure of securement of the first and second housings, and the CPA is engageable with the first latch member for effecting a second, cumulative measure of securement of the first and second housings.

Abstract: Metal construction members or studs have a generally U-shaped profile, and can be provided with openings for cables, plumbing conduits and the like. Walls are constructed by attaching wallboard to vertically asserted studs. To protect cables etc. against accidental penetration by nails and screws, a protector plate unit has first and second protector plates for mounting adjacent outer faces of the metal stud. A mounting web extends between the protector plates. Securing means, for example a collar and tabs on the mounting web, engages the opening in the steel stud, to secure the protector plate unit in position, and to provide an internally smooth bushing.

Abstract: An electrical connector component assembly (10) provides for shielding as between components of the connector. An electrically conductive outer housing (12) includes a plurality of discrete bounded compartments (30). A plurality of electrically insulative terminal support elements (14, 16) are supported individually in the bounded compartments. Plural electrical contacts are supported in at least one of the support elements. The electrical contacts supported in the one support element are electrically shielded from the components of the other support element by the bounded compartments. The electrical connector component assembly (10) may be interconnected to an identical connector in hermaphroditic fashion such that mating contact surfaces (74) engage one another locking the contact to the like contact.