Abstract: Latches including a housing, a rotary pawl, catch means for releasably holding the pawl in a closed configuration, and means for operating the catch means are disclosed. The pawl is pivotally attached to the housing and is rotationally movable between a closed or engaged configuration and an open or disengaged configuration. The pawl is provided with a torsion spring member that biases the pawl toward the open or disengaged configuration. In some embodiments the catch means includes a locking member. In other embodiments the catch means includes a pivotally movable trigger. The means for operating the catch means may be electrically powered.

Abstract: An electromechanical keeper is disclosed that includes a base plate adapted for being mounted to a flat surface, a catch member pivotally supported by the base plate, and a solenoid having a solenoid shaft. The catch member is adapted to engage the pawl of a latch when the catch member is the closed position and the catch member is not engageable by the latch pawl when the catch member is in the open position. The solenoid shaft engages a cavity or bore in the catch member to retain the catch member in the closed position. The solenoid shaft disengages from the cavity or bore in the catch member to allow the catch member to rotate to the open position when the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: An electromechanical latching system for locking a cabinet door and the like is disclosed. The latching system includes a motor drive that may include a gearbox. The motor drive selectively rotates a screw. In one embodiment, the screw engages a threaded opening of a pawl and the screw is used to pull up the pawl against, for example, a doorframe to secure, for example, a door against the doorframe. In another embodiment, the screw engages a threaded opening of an actuating arm such that rotation of the screw linearly moves the actuating arm along the length of the screw. The actuating arm engages an operating rod that operates one or more pawl assemblies to engage or disengage respective keepers.

Abstract: Latches including a housing, a rotary pawl, catch means for releasably holding the pawl in a closed configuration, and means for operating the catch means are disclosed. The pawl is pivotally attached to the housing and is rotationally movable between a closed or engaged configuration and an open or disengaged configuration. The pawl is provided with a torsion spring member that biases the pawl toward the open or disengaged configuration. In some embodiments the catch means includes a locking member. In other embodiments the catch means includes a pivotally movable trigger. The means for operating the catch means may be electrically powered.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electromechanical blind latch having a catch with a hole that catches a groove of a keeper post.

Abstract: An electromechanical latching system for locking a cabinet door and the like is disclosed. The latching system includes a motor drive that may include a gearbox. The motor drive selectively rotates a screw. In one embodiment, the screw engages a threaded opening of a pawl and the screw is used to pull up the pawl against, for example, a doorframe to secure, for example, a door against the doorframe. In another embodiment, the screw engages a threaded opening of an actuating arm such that rotation of the screw linearly moves the actuating arm along the length of the screw. The actuating arm engages an operating rod that operates one or more pawl assemblies to engage or disengage respective keepers.

Abstract: An electromechanical keeper is disclosed that includes a base plate adapted for being mounted to a flat surface, a catch member pivotally supported by the base plate, and a solenoid having a solenoid shaft. The catch member is adapted to engage the pawl of a latch when the catch member is the closed position and the catch member is not engageable by the latch pawl when the catch member is in the open position. The solenoid shaft engages a cavity or bore in the catch member to retain the catch member in the closed position. The solenoid shaft disengages from the cavity or bore in the catch member to allow the catch member to rotate to the open position when the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: A wire connector (10) is disclosed having a clamping member (12) and a mating wedge (14). The clamping member includes two oppositely formed rolled over edges (18, 20) that form two opposing concave channels (22, 24) for receiving a pair of conductors (26, 28) and the wedge for locking the conductors tightly in place. The wedge includes two opposite edges (44, 46) that engage the two conductors when the wedge is in its closed position. A pair of members (64, 66) extend from an end (48) of the wedge and have edges (68, 70) that converge from the edges (44, 46) toward the longitudinal axis 42 of the wedge for engaging and camming the conductors into position within the clamping member during insertion of the wedge. The two members (64, 66) are spaced apart to form a clearance cutout for straddling the jaw of an insertion tool.

Abstract: A wire connector (10) is disclosed of the type having an outer clamp member (14) and an inner wedge (12) that is inserted into the clamp member to physically and electrically interconnect two conductors (16, 18) together. The clamp member (14) includes a resilient intermediate portion (60) having two walls (62, 64) attached at right angles thereto with opposing channels (66, 68) formed in the two walls. The wedge 12 is arranged to enter into the clamp member (14) and clamp the two conductors (16, 18) against the two channels (66, 68) A pair of flanges (72, 76) extend from the two walls toward each other and have flange surfaces (74, 78) that oppose bearing surfaces (50, 52) on the wedge. When conductors of a certain size combination are being interconnected the bearing surfaces (50, 52) pressingly engage the flange surfaces (74, 78) causing the walls (62, 64) to tend to move inwardly, thereby increasing the clamping force that is exerted on the conductors (16, 18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical connector splice for joining a pair of aligned cables, such as helically wound aluminum or copper conductors, where such cables are a part of the distribution system of a power network. The splice includes an outer, generally circular metal shell, typically aluminum or copper, consisting of a midportion and a pair of tapered end portions, where each end portion terminates in an opening into which the cable is received. Within the shell are a pair of generally circular tapered inserts within the respective end portions, and the insert is arranged to move axially of the metal shell to securely engage the cable. Further, a spacer member is provided within the midportion to initially position the tapered inserts, where the spacer member includes a pair of pusher members positioned to exert an axial movement on a respective insert.

Abstract: A connector (10) for an electrical distribution system includes an internal member or wedge (12) received within an external member (11) having an inherent resiliency. The external member (11) has a pair of end portions (15, 16), each of which has an opening (17, 18) to receive a respective wire (13, 14), and the wires (13, 14) are clamped mechanically between the side edges of the internal member or wedge (12) and the respective end portions (15, 16) of the external member (11). No special tool is required, either for the initial installation or subsequent disassembly for repair or replacement, and the inherent resiliency of the external member (11) accommodates any material creepage or dimensional instability in the wire material due to line current variations or adverse weather conditions, particularly where aluminum wires are used.

Abstract: An axial grip connector for electrically and mechanically connecting cables together. More particularly, the connector includes a plurality of beveled, jaws which cooperatively form an elongated, double tapered gripping member with a passage therethrough for receiving the cables, collars for being driven onto the tapered gripping member to compress the jaws into gripping engagement with the cables and telescoping drive members which enclose the gripping member and collars and which drive the collars onto the gripping member by being threaded together.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice case for joining composite cables having optical fibers in a tube surrounded by wire strands. More particularly the splice case includes a body having a chamber for receiving spliced together optical fibers and separate cable gripping assemblies which grip the wire strands and which are secured to the body. The cable gripping assemblies include elongated jaws which collectively form a cylindrical member which is compressed down around the wire strands to withstand high tensile forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for splicing two insulated electrical wires or cables. More particularly, the device includes two or more elongated members cooperating to form a cylindrical, cable receiving body with tapered outer surfaces adapted to slidingly receive collars which compress the elongated members against the cables. Insulation piercing prongs are driven into the cable to contact the underlying conductors to establish electrical continuity between the two cables.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to terminals in which the electrical wire is removably retained by mechanical means. More particularly, the terminal includes a first member with an elongated body having an axial, wire-receiving first passage, a second, transverse passage intersecting the first passage and a second member having a wire engaging surface, the second member being driven into the second passage so that the wire engaging surface thereon may compress and retain a wire in the first passage.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a pin and socket connector having a high resistance to tensile or pull-out forces. The pin includes three separate spring beams which are joined together to form an expandable insertion member. The socket includes a receptacle with means therein to expand the insertion member outwardly to achieve good electrical contact. Cooperating locking means on the pin and socket prevent separation of the two.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a pin and socket connector having a low insertion force and a high resistance to tensile forces. More particularly, the pin, which is composed of spring beam members, and the socket, have complementary locking teeth and grooves and also cooperating means for releasing the spring beam members into locking engagement with the socket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for splicing the ends of two large diameter cable of the type having an inner core of steel wires around which aluminum wires are helically wrapped. The device includes outer and inner housings. A firing barrel and associated pistons are positioned within the inner housing along with a first set of cable gripping jaws. A second set of cable gripping jaws are positioned within the first housing and are in tandem with the first set of jaws.