Abstract: An improved electrical connector is disclosed for facilitating disconnection an electrical plug. A handle is pivotably mounted to the electrical plug. A distal end of the plug handle extends transversely and outwardly defining opposed arcuate finger receiving regions for accommodating adjacent fingers of the operator for enabling the operator grasp the plug handle to facilitating disconnection an electrical plug. The present invention is equally suitable for use with an electrical receptacle.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is disclosed for providing overload protection between a conventional electrical receptacle and an external electrical plug comprising a housing comprising a plug housing portion and a receptacle housing portion. Electrical blades are supported to protrude from the plug housing portion for insertion within the conventional electrical receptacle. Electrical receptacles are supported within the receptacle housing portion for receiving an external conventional electrical plug. An over current fuse provides over current protection between the conventional electrical receptacle and the external electrical plug. The electrical adapter may include a thermal fuse to provide over heating protection between the conventional electrical receptacle and the external electrical plug.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion. An electrical device is positioned between the first and second housing portions. The terminal has a base and a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending transverse to the base. The first and second protrusions are on opposite sides of the terminal. A clamp is located adjacent to the terminal and positioned between the first and second protrusions and is adapted to couple an electrical wire to the terminal. A fastening device extends through the clamp and is adapted to rotate relative to the terminal. When rotated, the clamp engages at least one of the first and second protrusions on the terminal to limit rotation of the clamp relative to the terminal, thereby preventing separation of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion. An electrical device is positioned between the first and second housing portions. The terminal has a base and a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending transverse to the base. The first and second protrusions are on opposite sides of the terminal. A clamp is located adjacent to the terminal and positioned between the first and second protrusions and is adapted to couple an electrical wire to the terminal. A fastening device extends through the clamp and is adapted to rotate relative to the terminal. When rotated, the clamp engages at least one of the first and second protrusions on the terminal to limit rotation of the clamp relative to the terminal, thereby preventing separation of the housing.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source.

Abstract: A raceway assembly includes a raceway and a cover assembly removably coupled to the raceway. The cover assembly is mounted flush on the raceway to avoid restriction of the channels formed in the raceway. The cover assembly includes at least one base that is snapped onto the raceway for supporting a wiring device and includes an access opening for accessing wires or cables in the raceway. The base can be used alone or can be assembled in a ganged relation with an identical base. A cover having an access opening is coupled to the base to enclose the base and the electrical data, telecommunications device. A face plate covers the access opening of the cover and is attached to the wiring device to secure the cover to the wiring device, base and raceway.

Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting preferably for use in a three inch diameter bore within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/data jacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.

Abstract: An iron is provided with heat buffering spacers which vertically set apart component elements in a stacked arrangement. The spacers cause gaps between stacked parts thus allowing for improved air convection through the iron as well as spacing the metallic heated elements from the thermoplastic elements which attach to it to prevent melting.

Abstract: A switch actuator for an electric iron comprises a one-piece member with a first end stationarily connected to the housing of an iron and a second end adapted to be depressed by a user. The second end extends through an aperture in the housing. The second end is located in front of a control switch of the iron inside the housing. The second end has a transparent section to transmit light from a signal light inside of the housing to outside of the housing. The first end of the member is interlockingly captured by a receiving area of the housing without use of additional fasteners.

Abstract: A steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, an electric cord extending into the housing through a bushing pivotably mounted to the housing, and a retaining member mounted to the housing. The retaining member has a first section with a snap-off rib that forms a strain relief with the housing for the electric cord. The retaining member also has a second section with a curved portion that forms part of the pivotable connection of the electric cord bushing to the housing. A third section of the retaining member is a cantilevered arm that holds an electronic module against the housing.

Abstract: An overtemperature protection assembly with a mount, a solder terminal and a bridging connector. The mount is a block of ceramic material with a slot extending therethrough. The solder terminal has an end that is located in the slot and forms a frictional connection therein. The bridging connector has a busing terminal and a spring contact. The busing terminal has an end that is located in the slot. The spring contact has a first end connected to the busing terminal and a second end that is deflected towards the solder terminal and soldered thereto. If the solder connecting the second end of the spring contact to the solder terminal melts from excessive heat, the spring contact deflects away from the solder terminal thereby breaking electrical connection between the solder terminal and the busing terminal.

Abstract: A steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, an electric cord extending into the housing through a bushing pivotably mounted to the housing, and a retaining member mounted to the housing. The retaining member has a first section with a snap-off rib that forms a strain relief with the housing for the electric cord. The retaining member also has a second section with a curved portion that forms part of the pivotable connection of the electric cord bushing to the housing. A third section of the retaining member is a cantilevered arm that holds an electronic module against the housing.

Abstract: An adjustable steam flow control for an electric steam iron includes a metering rod mounted in threaded engagement with a support bushing and having a lower end that extends into a valve orifice between the water reservoir and the steam generation chamber. A pinion gear is secured to the metering rod and engages a spur gear sector on a rotatably mounted steam adjust knob. Rotation of the steam adjust knob in one direction or the other by the user causes the metering rod to rotate in its bushing and advance into or retract from the orifice to thus control the steam flow rate. The steam control knob is provided with a spur gear sector so that partial rotation of the steam control knob will rotate the metering rod through its full range of motion. The present invention advantageously provides an adjustable steam flow control for an electric steam iron in which steam control can be precisely controlled and in which repeatable increments or decrements of steam flow can be obtained in a positive manner.

Abstract: An automatic-cutoff electric iron employs two timing cycles for turning off power to the electric iron upon the absence of motion for two different discrete time periods. A motion sensor includes an angle sensor to enable a short timing cycle for cutting off power to the electric iron after the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate in a horizontal orientation. The longer timing cycle is enabled when the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate tilted from the horizontal. The cutoff function is performed by a wedge-shaped actuator driven by a solenoid which releases a spring-urged shaft along with one of the electrical contacts feeding power to the electric iron. The power is turned on by mechanical actuation of the shaft whereby a latch member is engaged behind a cam boss. A manual cutoff is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a movable cutter of an electric dry shaver and which assembly includes a driven member detachably mounted on a motor operated oscillator arm. The driven member includes a rectangular plate having means supporting a plurality of cutter bars in engagement with the under surface of an outer cutter. The plate is supported on the oscillator arm by a spring urged cap member which is disposed over the oscillator arm and causes the inner cutter to be placed in cutting cooperation with the outer cutter.

Abstract: An electric dry shaver is disclosed having an improved outer cutter which is rotatably repositionable or readily demountable by the user for cleaning hair debris from a hair chamber of the shaver.

Abstract: An electric dry shaver wherein the cutter head assembly is held securely within a cutter head receptacle portion thereof by means which includes latch members on the cutter head in latching engagement with a detent spring on the bottom wall of the receptacle. Additional means are provided for pivoting the receptacle away from the casing for presenting the detent spring in position to release the cutter head or clean the adjacent casing area.