Abstract: An electrical contact clip for a wiring device includes an inside and outside contact members. Each of the contact members includes a terminal portion adapted to be electrically coupled to wiring, a resilient contact portion for electrically engaging a mating contact element, and an intermediate portion extending between the terminal portion and the contact portion. The coupling members are interlocked adjacent the intermediate portions. The contact portions are preformed such that, when the contact members are interlocked, the contact portions engage and press against each other and bend about an axis transvese to the longitudinal axes of the contact members.

Abstract: A self-threading polymeric fastener and blank therefor which can be used, for example, to support a wall plate over an electrical outlet or switch. The fastener blank comprises three portions, all integrally molded together, including a slotted head, a substantially cylindrical shank and a tapered tip. A helical thread is formed on the shank and tip by deforming the outer surfaces thereof without removing any significant amount of polymeric material therefrom. This is accomplished by rotating the tip and shank in a helically threaded bore, such as that provided in an outlet or switch. The polymeric fastener blank can be integrally molded with a polymeric wall plate to make their colors identical.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and an electrical contact resiliently coupled to the housing with a blade end extending exteriorly of the housing and a wire connection end extending into an inner cavity of the housing. An externally threaded screw is rotatably coupled to the contact connection end, but is restrained against axial movement. A wire clamp threadedly engages the screw and is movable toward an away from the contact connection end. The wire clamp includes a center portion and lateral portions on its opposite sides, with the center portion having extensions that project beyond the lateral portions. Upon slight movement of the contact into the housing, the wire clamp will be placed in compression between the housing and the contact to limit retraction of the contact.

Abstract: A cover plate for completing the enclosure of an outlet box, the plate having a mounting screw retaining and aligning assembly integrally formed in an aperture in the plate. This assembly engages and aligns the screw so that the screw will not inadvertently fall out of the plate and the longitudinal axis of the screw is substantially perpendicular to the plate for ease of insertion of the screw into an internally threaded bore coupled to the box. The assembly comprises a pair of opposed, spaced flexible major webs integrally formed with the plate and extending into the aperture; and a pair of opposed, spaced flexible minor webs also integrally formed with the plate and the major webs and extending into the aperture. The major webs have parallel, straight distal edges which form chords of a circular aperture in the plate. The minor webs are in the form of ring segments. The assembly further comprises a countersink formed in the aperture and coaxial with that part of the aperture containing the webs.

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 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.