Abstract: A switching electrical receptacle includes a fixed set of female contacts mounted to be connected to electric power lines. A housing supports a plurality of sliding contacts of substantially cylindrical symmetry disposed parallel to an axis. The housing can be slid axially into and out of electrical contact with the female contacts to make or break a circuit. The sliding contacts are in permanent sliding contact with another set of female contacts that are connected to load terminals that are adapted to receive an electric plug. Each sliding contact is split along its axis and is spring-loaded from within to exert radial forces that assure good electrical connections between the sliding contact and each set of female contacts. Seals are readily installed in the housing to make the receptacle explosion-proof and also appropriate for outdoor use.

Abstract: The horseshoe includes a traction surface having a toe portion defining a pair of parallel calks and a pair of side portions defining a plurality of inner and outer calks. The calks have a truncated wedge shape designed to increase traction and minimize the build-up of dirt and mud. The horseshoe is also provided with an outer coating of non-stick material which prevents mud and dirt from adhering to the horseshoe to maintain a "clean" traction surface.

Abstract: A front housing including a terminal support made of resilient material and having a plurality of male terminals releasably imbedded therein. The male terminals are connected to corresponding electrical cable. A back housing including a second terminal support made of resilient material and having a plurality of female terminals imbedded therein. The female terminals are also connected to corresponding electrical cable. A clamping ring mounted on the front housing engages screwthreads formed on the back housing such that the front and back housings can be tightly secured together. As the clamping ring is tightened the male and female terminals contact one another and compress the resilient supports. Due to the natural resiliency of the support material a force maintaining a pressure connection between the male and female terminals is created.

Abstract: A pivotable shaft supports a plurality of conductor elements. The conductor elements are pivoted into and out of contact with their associated electrical contacts upon rotation of an over center mechanism so as to selectively make or break an electrical connection. The conductor elements are freely rotatable within the shaft so as to minimize the effects of arcing on these members. The pivotable shaft is supported in a housing made of non-conductive material such that the electrical contacts and conductor elements are isolated from the surrounding environment to provide an explosion proof switch.

Abstract: A fan having a plurality of blades where a selected number of the blades are arranged with their leading faces disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the fan. The remaining blades are arranged with their leading faces at angles to the axis of rotation such that the air streams from the two types of blades intersect to create turbulent flow. The fan's heat transfer ability is increased and the air flow from the fan is dispersed over a wider area than with conventional fans.

Abstract: A connector for antenna cable, stereo system cable, household lamp and appliance cable or the like is arranged to receive those cables without any connection or termination apparatus on the cable's end such as a spade terminal or plug. The connector includes a rotating element having an orifice therein that is appropriately shaped to matingly receive a preferably flat cable, and it also includes a fixed terminal with at least one piercing point that pierces the insulation of the cable when the rotating element is rotated through a specific angle to a specific position, whereby an electrical connection is achieved and releasably held under pressure.

Abstract: A combination cooler-freezer or "refrigerator" includes a front door providing access to the refrigerated portions of its interior, and it also includes a side door providing access into the freezer portions of its interior. The size and placement of the freezer door provides an unusually large amount of access area into the freezer space, reduces its depth and thus increases the visibility of most of the items contained therein.

Abstract: An electrical enclosure including a box and a cover is molded largely of plastic, but is intended for use with metallic conduit. One or more metallic inserts is molded within the box, and also another insert is molded within the cover, to provide ground continuity to all fully or partially contained wiring or control devices as well as to provide ground continuity to conduit leading into the box. The electrical enclosure optionally is explosion proof, requires a minimum of machining, provides means for the harmless run-off of all static electrical charges, and exposes a minimum of metallic surface area to the surrounding atmosphere which may contain metal degrading contaminants.

Abstract: A plug (10) carries terminals (38) which also act as switch contacts and which insert into a receptacle (12) with essentially zero insertion force. The receptacle also carries terminals (84) which similarily double as switch contacts. After insertion of the plug into the receptacle, the plug terminals and receptacle terminals are electrically bridged by electrical bridges (68) driven forward by actuator means (62, 122) which also doubles as an integral part of an interlock arrangement. A first bayonet type of polarizing means ensures that the plug will only insert into the receptacle in a single orientation, whereas a second polarizing means permits keying a given plug to a given receptacle. The combining of switch and interlock into a minimum of parts provides simplicity and interlock protection as well as creates an exceptionally compact design.

Abstract: The cover of a housing has one or more projections which extend into a slot or respective slots in the main body of the housing. Each projection is spaced from the walls defining the slot so as to form a passageway from the interior of the housing to the outside. This passageway is sufficiently long and narrow as to cool burning gases initiated within the housing by an arc, the cooling being sufficient to extinguish the flame before it reaches the exterior of the housing. The passageways completely encircle the interior compartment of the housing so as to provide sufficient passageway area to relieve the internal pressure caused by an explosion within that compartment sufficiently that plastic can be used for the material of the housing.

Abstract: An automobile with a conventional and enclosed luggage compartment or trunk includes a forwardly and rearwardly movable, combination partition and rear seat between the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment so as to permit an occupant to trade-off between leg room in the rear seat and trunk volume, depending upon his or her immediate needs.

Abstract: An electrical cable connector for use in a knockout opening of an electrical box or the like includes a cam element with a slot therein arranged to receive the tip of a screwdriver transverse of its rotational axis so as to permit the application of a significant torque on the cam with a minimal force to thereby securely wedge the cable in the connector body and prevent its removal. This connector features a tubular body with an enlarged inner end to permit its installation into a knockout opening from the inside of the box, an integrally molded pressure pad opposite the cam element to permit the connector to accommodate several sizes of cable, and snap locks designed to defeatably hold the cam element selectively either in its open or its locked positions.

Abstract: The rear cover of a switch housing is removble and supports a plurality of individual switch units. Each switch unit has an axially positioned switch actuating plunger. The housing has a push-button mechanism positioned to contact the switch plungers. On the exterior of the switch unit are spring contacts which engage spring contacts on the housing. The housing has wiring connectors electrically connected to the housing spring contacts. By removal of the rear cover the switch units are withdrawn from the housing without the necessity for disconnecting the wires. The switch units and housing components can be stacked so as to increase the number of switches actuated by the push-button mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet metal base has three integral legs extending in one direction therefrom. Two of the legs are at sides adjacent one end of the base while the third leg is at the other end of the base. Projecting in the other direction from the base and adjacent said other end are pairs of ears at each side of the base. Each of these pairs of ears define a conduit receiving saddle. In a modified embodiment, the side legs are split to define a saddle for a conduit of another size whereby the clampback may be used one side up for one size of conduit and another side up for another size of conduit.