Abstract: A front releasable modular telecommunications jack adapter having a front part defined by at least one standard modular telephone jack and a rear part formed by a standard modular telephone plug. The plug is connected to the jack by a coupling member which comprises a rearward extension of the jack. A latch member supported on the plug for pivotal movement between latching and releasing positions is resiliently biased toward its latching position. A latch operator which includes an operating handle slidably supported within a slot in the telephone jack has an exposed portion forward of the jack and is connected to the latch member by an elongate flexible cord which extends through the adapter assembly.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic IBM data connector/modular communication jack adapter made by encapsulating a modified standard modular telecommunication jack receptacle within a modified IBM data connector of attached cable type. Resilient solid wire contacts associated with the jack receptacle are terminated by insulation displacing contacts on and within the data connector. Terminal portions of at least two of the solid wire contacts are bent to positions overlying the jack receptacle casing. Plates cut from a shield enclosure which forms a part of the data connector are positioned in overlying relation to the terminal portions of the two solid wire contacts and establish ground drain continuity between the jack receptacle and the data connector.

Abstract: An electrical coupler for interconnecting two modular telephone plugs includes a housing having two mating faces with openings for receiving the two modular telephone plugs. The terminals within the coupler comprise wire which is formed to include two resilient portions disposed adjacent to the modular plug openings. A terminal subassembly is disclosed wherein a plurality of solid conductors are aligned side-by-side and a web is molded over the span of wires such that when the wires are cut to the desired length, the integrally molded web forms a terminal subassembly for ease of installation of the terminals within the housing.

Abstract: An electrical coupler for interconnecting two modular telephone plugs includes a housing having two mating faces with openings for receiving the two modular telephone plugs. The terminals within the coupler comprise wire which is formed to include two resilient portions disposed adjacent to the modular plug openings. A terminal subassembly is disclosed wherein a plurality of solid conductors are aligned side-by-side and a web is molded over the span of wires such that when the wires are cut to the desired length, the integrally molded web forms a terminal subassembly for ease of installation of the terminals within the housing.

Abstract: A non-metallic outlet box assembly attached to an associated wall stud includes a pair of substantially identical, generally rectangular outlet boxes and a mounting bracket molded from resilient, high-impact, plastic material. Each outlet box is open at its front end and has top, bottom and side walls, at least portions of which converge toward one end of the box. The boxes are connected to each other and to the mounting member, by substantially parallel coengaging rails and channel members. The two outlet boxes are connected in snap-together assembly with each other and are incrementally adjustable in unison relative to the mounting member and a wall stud to which the mounting member is attached. Clamping members associated with cable receiving openings in each outlet box are adjustable to clamping positions wherein associated cables are clamped to the box to resist separation therefrom and to closed positions wherein each clamping member forms a substantial closure for an associated cable receiving opening.

Abstract: A modular electrical connector receptacle includes a dielectric housing containing a plurality of unitary resilient formed spring wire contacts for terminating bare end portions of a plurality of solid wire conductors inserted into the housing and interfacing with a modular plug connector disposed within a plug receiving recess in the housing.

Abstract: A telephone/CATV adaptor comprises a generally rectangular panel molded from dielectric plastic material for attachment to an associated wall outlet box to provide a closure for the box. The panel carries a modular telephone jack for receiving a mating modular telephone plug and a bulkhead connector to facilitate connection of a coaxial cable through the panel. A plurality of integral pedestals project from the panel and define body portions of a plurality of electrical connectors. Each connector body portion has a blind bore which includes an inner end portion of square cross section. Insulated terminal end portions of a electrical connectors to be electrically connected to each other are each received within an associated corner of the bore inner end portions. A single threaded fastener, sized to cooperate with the bore, has sharp-edged thread convolutions which cut into the walls of the square bore portion and into insulation on the conductors.

Abstract: A flexible free-stripping composite cable assembly having a plurality of groups of electrical conductors including power supply, telephone and CATV/DATA conductors. Each group of conductors is contained within a distinct portion of a common insulation jacket. The jacket portions are connected by integral webs for hinged flexure relative to each other to facilitate alteration of the cross-sectional configuration of the cable assembly. The power supply conductors are separated by a dielectric spacer and surrounded by a flexible metallic shield which is in electrical contact with an uninsulated one of the power supply conductor throughout a substantial portion of its length.

Abstract: A plurality of solid electrical conductors arranged in parallel relation within a connector element are terminated by electrical contacts having generally V-shaped tines received in pre-pierced pilot holes in the conductors and assembled in press fit engagement with the conductors within the pilot holes.

Abstract: A tool for terminating an electrical cable by applying to the cable a connector assembly which includes a housing and an insert received in snap-in assembly within the housing. The insert maintains bare end portions of individually insulated conductors which comprise the cable in electrically contacting engagement with spring contacts within the housing and retains the cable in assembled relation to the connector assembly. The tool has an elongated body with wire insulation strippers at opposite ends thereof for preparing an end portion of a cable. A recess in the body intermediate the wire strippers receives a partially assembled connector assembly and facilitates movement of the insert thereof into snap-in engagement with the connector assembly using a screw driver or the like in conjunction with the tool to apply prying force to the partially assembled connector assembly.

Abstract: A plug connector terminating a circuit distribution cable has a housing formed with a cavity containing cantilever spring contacts which terminate externally of the housing. Prestripped end portions of individually insulated conductors which comprise the cable are rigidly supported in slots in an insert and maintained in biased engagement with associated cantilever spring contacts in the housing by the insert which is received within the cavity and retained in snap-in engagement with the housing.

Abstract: A coupling member electrically connecting two elongated cables terminated by plug-type connectors has a tubular housing containing a plurality of elongated resilient parallel wire contacts which extend diagonally across the housing bore. The two connectors are plugged into opposite ends of the bore and carry terminals which engage the contacts on opposite sides of the bore axis and bias the contacts to S-shaped configuration. Resilient latch tabs carried by the connectors engaged with retaining shoulders on the housing releasably retain the connectors in snap-in coupled engagement with the coupling member.

Abstract: An inflatable ball is carried on a bicycle by a carrying device which has a holder releasably engaging the bicycle handlebar and a stem projecting from the holder into the valve of the ball and grippingly engaging a wall of the valve within the interior of the ball.

Abstract: A male plug adaptor assembled with a high density multi-contact electrical receptacle adapts the receptacle to receive in direct plugging relation the bare terminal end portions of a multiplicity of individual cylindrical wires.

Abstract: A plug connector for a telephone cord set has a releasably retained resilient latch tab assembly for releasably securing the plug connector in coupled engagement within an associated jack in a part of a telephone. The latch tab assembly includes a pair of parallel mounting posts, received in holes in the body of the connector, and a resilient latch tab, integrally connected at one end to the mounting posts for flexure about an axis of flexure extending transversally of the posts. A latch tab assembly in accordance with the invention may be used to replace a broken latch tab which comprises an integral part of a plug connection.

Abstract: Electrical wire conductors which project from two insulated cable end portions are received in tubular electrical connectors electrostatically precoated with electrical insulating material. Each precoated connector end portion respectively abuts and is sealed in engagement with insulation on an associated cable end portion. The precoated connectors are crimped into gripping engagement with the wire conductors therein to form a basic electrical splice. A tubular inner melt liner and a tubular outer sleeve of thermoplastic electrical insulating material are arranged in generally coaxially surrounding relation with the basic splice. Heat is applied to substantially simultaneously melt the inner liner and shrink the outer sleeve to encapsulate the basic splice.