Abstract: An aerostat assembly, specifically an aerostat assembly including one or more cameras for aerial photography and surveillance. The aerostat assembly includes a frame assembly having a pivot assembly joined to a balloon tether line. Thrusters on the frame allow an operator to maneuver the assembly to desired positions as well as rotate the frame assembly about the pivot assembly.

Abstract: An electrical safety receptacle (10) including a dielectric housing (12), first electrical contacts (14) in the housing for electrical connection to one side of an electrical power line, second electrical contacts (16) in the housing for electrical connection to the other side of the electrical power line, and power-interruption members (48) provided as part of the second electrical contacts to interrupt the electrical power when an operating and/or environmental temperature exceeds the thermal rating thereof.

Abstract: A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106, 112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106, 112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100).

Abstract: A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106,112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106,112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100).

Abstract: A connector module (10,100,200) having at least one electrical terminal (24,116,206) therein, adapted to be sealingly mounted to a mounting surface upon being placed thereagainst at a connection site (30,112,204), and simultaneously form electrical connections of each terminal with a circuit (38,152,214) thereat, with the terminal adapted to be thereafter terminated to a discrete conductor wire (60,138,210,212) to interconnect the circuit with the wire. Upstanding lead members (40,160,216) are electrically connected to the circuits and are received into pin-receiving holes (50,172) along the module's bottom surface and become engaged with respective terminals. Each terminal is terminated to such a wire upon actuation of an actuator (26,118). A base section (14,104) of the module forms a seal with the mounting surface around the connection site (30,112,204). Such module can easily be mounted to a solar panel (32,110) or circuit board (202).

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) including a housing (12) with a pair of housing sections (14) each containing a terminal (40) rotatable therewithin upon actuation to terminate an end of a wire (26,28) inserted into an aperture (22,24) thereof. For small diameter wires, a wiring indicator (60) of transparent material is affixed to the opposed side of the housing and includes a chamber (70) for each wire to be extended therethrough for termination, thus enabling visual verification that a wire end has been fully inserted. A wire retainer (90,100) is used to prevent inadvertent backout after full wire insertion but before termination. Wire retainer (100) can be a clip mountable outside the housing, and wire retainer (90) can be contained in the wiring indicator includes a spring arm (92) biasing against the wire free end (52) upon full insertion.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly (10) including at least two terminals (20) and associated actuators (24) in housing sections (14) for termination to ends of conductors (28,30) inserted into aligned apertures therethrough upon actuation of the terminals. Bridging element (50) includes contact sections (54) held in cavities (22) of housing sections (14) to be assuredly compressed against terminals (20) thus electrically interconnecting terminals (20) and commoning all wires (28,30) terminated by terminals (20). A cover member (90) may be secured beneath the terminal block assembly for insulative protection.

Abstract: A single modular assembly (10) has two terminals (18) in housing cavities (28) each with a pair of slots (38) for termination by rotary actuation to respective conductors of two cables, for crossconnecting or splicing the tip and ring lines of a customer's service line with those of a cable extending to the main distribution line. Each terminal (18) is in electrical engagement with a circuit wire (40) extending to a separate portion (20) of the module for electrical connection to an active electrode of a protector element (24). The two protector elements (24) each include a ground electrode (76) grounded to a common ground strap (54) which includes a contact section (60,64) exposed along the bottom of the module to be assuredly engaged with a ground strap (122) along the floor (112) of the enclosure (110) upon mounting of the module (10) therein, for grounding to a ground stud for external system grounding.

Abstract: A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106,112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106,112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100).

Abstract: A protector module (50) includes a housing (52) having cavities (58) into which are inserted surge protector elements (150). Each protector element upon full insertion engages a deflectable contact portion (82) of a first contact member (80) with an active electrode (156) thereof with the first contact member terminated at a second contact section (88) to a line between a central office and the customer, for providing surge protection to that circuit.

Abstract: A single modular assembly (10) has two terminals (18) in housing cavities (28) each with a pair of slots (38) for termination by rotary actuation to respective conductors of two cables, for crossconnecting or splicing the tip and ring lines of a customer's service line with those of a cable extending to the main distribution line. Each terminal (18) is in electrical engagement with a circuit wire (40) extending to a separate portion (20) of the module for electrical connection to an active electrode of a protector element (24). The two protector elements (24) each include a ground electrode (76) grounded to a common ground strap (54) which includes a contact section (60,64) exposed along the bottom of the module to be assuredly engaged with a ground strap (122) along the floor (112) of the enclosure (110) upon mounting of the module (10) therein, for grounding to a ground stud for external system grounding.

Abstract: A single modular assembly (10) has two terminals (16) in housing cavities (22) each with a pair of slots (46,48) for termination by rotary actuation to respective conductors (30,32) of two cables, for crossconnecting or splicing the tip and ring lines of a customer's service line with those of a cable extending to the main distribution line. Each terminal (18) is in electrical engagement with one of the two active electrode leads (52,54) of a common protector unit (20) contained in a housing section (18) of the module. The protector unit (20) includes a ground electrode lead (50) grounded to a ground strap (70) which includes a contact section (72) extending from the module to be assuredly engaged with a ground circuit. Crossconnection of the tip and ring wires of service cables in the module simultaneously provides voltage and current surge protection for the circuits.

Abstract: A protector module (50) includes a housing (52) having cavities (58) into which are inserted surge protector elements (150). Each protector element upon full insertion engages a deflectable contact portion (82) of a first contact member (80) with an active electrode (156) thereof with the first contact member terminated at a second contact section (88) to a line between a central office and the customer, for providing surge protection to that circuit.

Abstract: A protector module (50) includes a housing (52) having cavities (58) into which are inserted electrical components such as surge protector elements (150). A lid (60) is securable to housing (52) by hinge tabs (196) having free ends (204) which are insertable through slots (200) in embossments along side surface (198) of housing (52). Latch surfaces (210) of free ends (204) latch beneath corresponding latch surfaces (212) of end walls of slots (200). Free ends (204) extend outwardly at right angles at bends (206) so that lid (60) can remain attached to the housing and retain a vertical orientation unassisted when opened permitting access to the inside of the housing (52).

Abstract: A multi-axis force transducer capable of producing discrete output signals for forces and moments in each of three orthogonal directions is taught. Briefly stated, a base having three U shaped slots nested within each other are disposed inside a base or body. A series of holes through the base are placed parallel to the leg of the U-shaped slots with strain gages positioned therein thereby providing a plurality of beams. The body is relatively rigidly supported so as to allow free movement of the beams with an additional beam attached thereto to provide measurement capability for moments about one of the orthogonal axis. The strain gages are electrically interconnected so as to provide discrete output signals for forces and for moments in each of three orthogonal directions.