Abstract: A connector arrangement for tapping off current from a plurality of insulated input conductors includes a rectangular base member having a horizontal planar upper surface provided with a plurality of parallel seats receiving the insulated conductors, a frame mounted on the base member for supporting a plurality of terminal blocks for vertical displacement over the seats, each terminal block including an insulation piercing contact extending downwardly therefrom, and an eccentric disk arrangement for displacing each terminal block relative to the frame member between an elevated position spaced above the associated conductor seat and a lowered position in which the contact penetrates the insulation layer and engages the conductor, thereby to transmit current to an output conductor via the insulation-piercing conductor, a bus bar, and a tap-off terminal.

Abstract: A connector system includes a plurality of conductor piercing units supported by a frame for vertical displacement between upper disconnected and lower connected positions relative to a plurality of parallel spaced insulated conductors supported in a horizontal plane by a base plate. The piercing units are displaced between said upper and lower positions by operating disks eccentrically mounted for rotation on a horizontal support shaft that extends between an opposed pair of side walls of the frame. The base plate, frame and piercing unit assembly are arranged in an open-topped support housing that is closed by a cover member or lid. Electrical components may by mounted on the lid for connection with the piercing unit assembly.

Abstract: A compressible sealing gasket for supporting a cable in a wall opening contained in a housing wall includes a pair of gasket sections each having a planar surface that contains a recess, and at least one integral compressible sealing projection extending from the planar surface adjacent the recess. When the gasket sections are placed in an assembled condition with their planar surfaces in contiguous engagement, the recesses cooperate to define a cable opening for receiving a cable, and the projection is compressed between the gasket sections to seal the space between the gasket sections adjacent the cable opening. Preferably two laterally spaced integral sealing ribs are provided in each recess, which sealing ribs extend transversely completely across the recess and terminate at each end in a sealing projection that extends upwardly from the associated planar surface.

Abstract: An insulation stripping tool for flat cables includes a clamping device adapted to be clamped to a flat cable and to provide a linear guide edge for guiding a knife holder to accurately sever the outer insulation sheath of the cable in a transverse direction. Upon removal of the clamping device from the cable, the knife holder is inserted into a chamber contained in the clamping device with the knife edge protruding from the chamber, whereupon a curved side of the flat cable is inserted within first guide grooves contained in the clamping device, and the clamping device is displaced circumferentially of the cable to sever the curved cable side transversely of the cable. The curved cable side is then inserted into a second pair of grooves contained in the clamping device, and the knife holder is displaced longitudinally to sever the insulation sheath longitudinally of the cable.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement taps off electrical current from a plurality of coplanar parallel input insulated conductors and supplies the same to a plurality of output conductors, respectively. A rectangular base member is provided having a horizontal upper surface that supports a plurality of parallel coplanar longitudinally-extending input conductors, respectively. A pair of pivot members are connected with the ends of the base member for pivotal movement about transverse horizontal pivot axes, respectively. As the pivot members are pivoted from disengaged positions toward engaged positions parallel with and directly above the base member top surface, bifurcated insulation-piercing knives on the pivot members pierce the insulation layers of the insulated conductors and electrically engage the conductors.

Abstract: A processing system includes one or more computers having a plurality of software modules that are connected to the Internet for remote access by an insurance companies and glass repair shops alike. The processing system manages the storage and retrieval of insurance claim information for the repair of automotive glass. Claim information is entered into the processing system whereby insurance claims are automatically processed for approval or disapproval of the repair based upon the information stored in the processing system. The processing system analyzes claim data against policy information and the current NAGS pricing specification. Work orders are automatically dispatched to the glass repair shop.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for tapping off current from a plurality of insulated input conductors includes a rectangular base member having a horizontal planar upper surface provided with a plurality of parallel seats receiving the insulated conductors, a frame mounted on the base member for supporting a plurality of terminal blocks for vertical displacement over the seats, each terminal block including an insulation piercing contact extending downwardly therefrom, and an eccentric disk arrangement for displacing each terminal block relative to the frame member between an elevated position spaced above the associated conductor seat and a lowered position in which the contact penetrates the insulation layer and engages the conductor, thereby to transmit current to an output conductor via the insulation-piercing conductor, a bus bar, and a tap-off terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement taps off electrical current from a plurality of coplanar parallel input insulated conductors and supplies the same to a plurality of output conductors, respectively. A rectangular base member is provided having a horizontal upper surface that supports a plurality of parallel coplanar longitudinally-extending input conductors, respectively. A pair of pivot members are connected with the ends of the base member for pivotal movement about transverse horizontal pivot axes, respectively. As the pivot members are pivoted from disengaged positions toward engaged positions parallel with and directly above the base member top surface, bifurcated insulation-piercing knives on the pivot members pierce the insulation layers of the insulated conductors and electrically engage the conductors.

Abstract: Processing apparatus and methods are provided which involve the selective ionization of a feed material; the separation of ionized and non-ionized species; a selective excitation of the still ionized species; introduction of a chemical material to cause selective transition to a non-ionized state of part of the feed; and a further separation of ionized and non-ionized species. Other improvements in selective excitation based processing are also disclosed. Separation of isotopes and/or elements from one another and changing chemical and physical form is provided in a single process from a variety of feeds.

Abstract: A hand-held scanning device is moved across a line of print and generates a two-dimensional scan of the print. A line array of photodiodes performs the scan in one direction and the movement across the paper generates strobe pulses each of which allows one scan of the array to be passed to a store from which a domestic T.V. set can be fed to provide an enlarged display. It may be used as a reading aid for partially sighted people or as an input device for an OCR machine.In the case of a reading aid using a T.V.-type raster display, the store is organized to allow new array scans to be written in at a variable rate dependent on hand motion while the contents of the store are read out repetitively and non-destructively at a constant line-by-line rate suitable for the T.V. raster.