Abstract: A wall switch (12) includes a face plate body (14) containing an aperture (20) and wall projections (22, 23, 24) carrying an actuator rocker (30) with a board (40) carrying switch contacts (58) momentarily closed by the rocker to effect a closure of circuits carried on the board and interconnected to a cable (88) through terminals in a connector (44) carried on the board and a connector (80) carried by the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated outlet that allows supply of AC power to an outlet receptacle when certain conditions are satisfied. The integrated outlet contains separate modules to establish electrical connection with electrical conductors that transmit AC and DC power, telecommunications, control communications, and signals transmitted along a coaxial wire. In a preferred embodiment, these electrical conductors are disposed on two cables. Each module within the integrated outlet attaches to only certain standard conductors in each of the two cables. The integrated outlet can then be efficiently connected to the conductors in each of the two cables.

Abstract: Cable tap and splice assembly for selectively connecting tap conductors to cable wire conductors comprises a housing having a cable wire locator for locating the cable wires in predetermined coplanar positions. A plurality of bus conductors are provided in the housing and extend parallel to the cable wires with each bus connector being dedicated to, and associated with, a single cable wire. The bus conductors have receptacle sites which are accessible from the exterior of the housing so that terminals can be mated with the bus conductors. Connecting devices extend from the bus conductors to the cable wires. The assembly has a major surface having defined zones, each of which receives an electrical connector that has male terminals which are mated with specific cable wires when the connector is coupled to the major surface. The bus conductors can also connect two connecting devices engaging two wires in separate cables positioned in abuttment with a central, removable, partition in the cable clamp.

Abstract: A convenience outlet assembly having a wall box which can be mounted relative to a stud in light frame construction is suitable for use with a hybrid cables containing both power and signal conductors. The assembly includes a mounting bracket attachable to a stud and a wall box which can be attached to the mounting bracket with a peripheral frame on the front of the wall box being precisely positioned relative to the exterior of a wall panel, even through the position of the mounting bracket can vary. A cable tap subassembly attachable to provided for interconnection of various modules in the assembly. This cable tape subassembly can be part of the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical transmission cable incorporating coaxial cables, power supply cables, data conductors and telephone conductors suitable for use in residential wiring is disclosed. Cable comprises a bundle configuration in which coaxial conductors are disposed in a center of a round bundle between data and telephone conductors to reduce the continuation of signals in the data and telephone conductors.

Abstract: Cable tap assembly for selectively connecting tap conductors to cable wire conductors comprises a housing having a cable wire locator for locating the cable wires in predetermined coplanar positions. A plurality of bus conductors are provided in the housing and extend parallel to the cable wires with each bus conductor being dedicated to, and associated with, a single cable wire. The bus conductors have receptacle sites which are accessible from the exterior of the housing so that terminals can be mated with the bus conductors. Connecting devices extend from the bus conductors to the cable wires. The assembly has a major surface having defined zones, each of which receives an electrical connector that has male terminals which are mated with specific cable wires when the connector is coupled to the major surface.

Abstract: Electrical connecting device such as a bus bar comprises a folded section of sheet metal having a bight and arms extending from the bight. Receptacle portions are provided in the form of openings in the bight so that a tab contact can be inserted into one of the openings and will engage the opposed internal surfaces of the arms. In addition, contact sites are provided on the distal ends of the arms for contacting the devices which have wire-receiving slots on their ends. A conductor in a cable can thus be connected to a plurality of second conductors which are attached to the tab members that are inserted into the receptacle portions in the bight.

Abstract: A frame structure includes recessed channels 40 in which the cables in an electrical distribution system are positioned. Communicating channels are formed in an upper beam 24, a lower beam 26 and a plurality of vertical columns 30. Installation of the complete electrical wiring system, including cables 76 and outlets or switches is part of a single operation and need not be interrupted by the erection of wall panels 32. Stamped metal brackets 48, 50, 60 attaching the columns to the upper and lower beams also retain cables within the channels and secure molding strips 34, 36, 38 over the channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in thermally testing electrical components, especially microelectronic components, such as dual in-line integrated circuit packages is disclosed. The apparatus is for use in testing the electrical performance of components when subjected to elevated temperature. Heat is applied through resistive heating elements disposed adjacent the electrical components which are mounted in electrical connectors, such as DIP sockets. Separate test and heater printed circuit boards attachable to conventional edge connectors can be employed. Insulation completely surrounds the sockets and the electrical components. Heating elements having a ferromagnetic-nonferromagnetic layer construction and exhibiting constant temperature regulation at a characteristic Curie point can be employed.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system incorporating power, data and analog signals into a single system, and suitable for use in a building is disclosed. A flat cable containing various conductors can be positioned within the walls of the structure and a common receptacle can be employed to provide a common outlet for power and signal. The mateable plug also containing power and signal terminals is engageable with the receptacle. Shiftable doors for environmental protection are located on the exterior of the receptacle. The doors provide both guidance for the plug into the receptacle and engage the exterior of the plug to ensure that one door fully closes prior to the other.

Abstract: Multi-contact electrical connector comprises a rectangular housing having a wire-receiving face and an oppositely directed mating face and contact terminals mounted therein. Housing has aligning means thereon which guide the mating face normally against the mating face of a complementary connector then parallel thereto. Terminals have wire-receiving portions extending from the wire-receiving face and mating portions extending from the mating face which mate laterally with mating portions of complementary terminals during parallel movement of mating faces. Leverage means are provided on the housings so that little force is required to engage or disengage the connectors. Connector and complementary connector may be identical and the preferred terminals are identical and hermaphroditic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for storing and serially positioning a series of carrier strip mounted electrical connectors at a wire insertion station whereat pairs of small gauge insulated wires are trimmed and inserted into the electrical connectors. Each wire-receiving portion of a connector is located by a projecting portion on the connector. A reeling device advances the carrier strip until the projecting portion registers against a stop which momentarily positions the wire-receiving portion correctly at the insertion station. Subsequent to connection of a pair of wires in the connector the stop is removed allowing advancement of the carrier strip. The stop is then replaced to engage another of the projections on the same connector or another connector to position momentarily another wire-receiving portion of the connector at the insertion station.

Abstract: A telecommunications distributing system for use in a building requiring a large number of telephone circuits is disclosed. The assembly employs multi-conductor connectors having two rows of terminals attached to the ends of incoming and outgoing telephone cables. A jumper connector assembly for interconnecting corresponding incoming and outgoing wire pairs is also employed. In one embodiment, the jumper connector establishes an edge contact with the terminals in the multi-conductor connector to minimize the width of the jumper connector.

Abstract: A rotary waterproof splice connector for use with a plurality of insulated wires is disclosed. The connector includes two mutually rotatable cylindrical insulating members. Wire receiving tubular passages parallel to the axis of rotation intersect a plate-like contact terminal. Rotation of the two insulating members causes the terminal to establish electrical contact with wires located in the tubular passages. A viscous sealant is stored in the tubular passages at the interface between the wires and the terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for storing and serially positioning a series of carrier strip mounted electrical connectors at a wire insertion station whereat pairs of small gauge insulated wires are trimmed and inserted into the electrical connectors. Each wire-receiving portion of a connector is located by a projecting portion on the connector. A reeling device advances the carrier strip until the projecting portion registers against a stop which momentarily positions the wire-receiving portion correctly at the insertion station. Subsequent to connection of a pair of wires in the connector the stop is removed allowing advancement of the carrier strip. The stop is then replaced to engage another of the projections on the same connector or another connector to position momentarily another wire-receiving portion of the connector at the insertion station.