Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.

Abstract: An electrically insulating housing including a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to mechanically connect the electrical connector to or disconnect the electrical connector from a bushing of an external device; an electrical system including: an electrical conductor; and a switching apparatus in an interior of the insulating housing; and a control system configured to control current flow in the electrical conductor by controlling a state of the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A bushing can include a shoulder, a ring, and a ground shield. The ring can be arranged circumferentially around a first outside diameter of the bushing, wherein the ring includes a channel. The ground shield can include a semiconductive rubber collar that forms part of an outer surface of the bushing and extends circumferentially under a portion of the ring. The insulative portion can be adjacent to the ring and disposed over a portion of the ground shield. A method of manufacturing the bushing can include placing the ring and the ground shield into a mold, the ground shield including holes therein, and injecting insulative material into the mold to create an insulative layer within a cavity formed by the ring and the ground shield, the holes in the ground shield allowing some of the insulating material to flow therethrough to create the insulative portion adjacent the ring.

Abstract: A high-voltage electrical connector system comprises a bushing with a longitudinal axis, a shoulder, a first end, and a second end, wherein the shoulder is between the first end and the second end; a ring arranged circumferentially around a first outside diameter of the bushing, the ring disposed between the shoulder and the second end, the ring including a channel therein defining a circumferential extension extending axially toward the first end; a ground shield disposed on a second outside diameter of the bushing between the ring and the second end, the ground shield comprising one or more of conductive material and semiconductive material; and an insulative portion adjacent the ring and disposed circumferentially over a portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for joining separable insulated connectors employs a plurality of finger contacts to create an interference fit with an electrode probe of an elbow connector. The electrode probe enters a cylindrical grouping of the plurality of finger contacts and a projection causes an interference fit between the finger contacts and the electrode probe. The finger contacts latch the connectors together and require a removal force greater than the latching force required to latch the connectors. The latching mechanism provides a multi-point current path between an elbow connector and a power transmission or distribution apparatus and provides operator feedback to indicate the latching of the mechanism.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for joining separable insulated connectors employs a plurality of finger contacts to create an interference fit with an electrode probe of an elbow connector. The electrode probe enters a cylindrical grouping of the plurality of finger contacts and a projection causes an interference fit between the finger contacts and the electrode probe. The finger contacts latch the connectors together and require a removal force greater than the latching force required to latch the connectors. The latching mechanism provides a multi-point current path between an elbow connector and a power transmission or distribution apparatus and provides operator feedback to indicate the latching of the mechanism.

Abstract: A grounding clamp provides a direct connection to ground between a power transmission or power distribution apparatus and a nearby ground plane. As a grounding clamp is being attached to the mating interface of a power transmission or power distribution apparatus, the angled gripping surfaces permit an operator to ground the spade from a distance of live-line tool's length from the frontplate of the power apparatus and apply the requisite pressure to the mating interface, providing an easier to attach grounding clamp and a more secure ground connection.

Abstract: A separable insulated connector provides a current path for high-energy distribution between a power transmission or power distribution apparatus and an elbow connector. As gases and conductive particles exit the separable insulated connector during loadbreak switching, the gases and particles are re-directed away from a mating electrode probe and diverted along a path non-parallel to the electrode probe.

Abstract: A backlighting system is placed in an elongated interior space within a personal digital assistant (PDA) which normally houses a stylus used to touch a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch and display screen. A backlight driver circuit is constructed on a printed circuit board (PCB) which fits within the elongated space, and an on-off switch extends from the PCB to an exterior hole formed in the PDA housing. An on-time control turns off power to the backlight driver circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed following activation of the on-off switch, and a dimming control controls the amount of energy delivered to the electroluminescent film. A torroidal switching transformer of a high voltage power supply minimizes noise, and a switching controller switches adjustable width current pulses through the transformer to regulate the high voltage level. A flyback circuit captures and uses a portion of the back EMF energy created when the current pulses are switched through the switching transformer.

Abstract: A system for processing coupons, documents, or the like including the assembling multiple encoding and decoding of coupons, or other documents requiring coding for the purpose of making the coupon uniquely identifiable and traceable. A machine encodes individual coupons or booklets or other documents with a unique code, a subsequent machine reads the encoded coupon or booklet of coupons and applies additional information such as a person's name and address, and another unique code to the coupon, coupon booklet or the like, and records all of this data in a computer master data base. The coupons, coupon booklets, or the like, are then issued to the person whose name appears on the document. After presentation of the coupon it is then decoded and compared to the master data base to validate it or cancel it, and can be stored for demographic or geographic analysis in the master data base.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling rotary motion wherein a bellows is fixed at one end to a support having a restricted vent opening and carries a crank at its opposite end linked to a stallable type motor, the motor moving the crank in a circular path controlled by the bellows between alternate fast and slow motion according to the change in length of the bellows.

Abstract: A rocking mechanism for providing an interesting, apparently random motion for a toy or game using an electric motor with very low battery drain, wherein an unbalancing weight is mounted on a driven wheel driven by a small PM motor, the wheel carrying a cam which controls the action of a first switch connecting the motor to a battery with a second horizontal sensing switch connected in parallel with the first switch, all mounted in a frame which allows it to rock three-dimensionally. In a modified form of rocking mechanism for providing apparently random motion using a spring-loaded motor, an unbalancing weight is mounted on a driven wheel driven by a spring motor linked by a gear train to an oscillating escapement and pin actuator for controlling the unwinding of the motor spring, all mounted in a frame which allows it to rock three-dimensionally.