Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: A connector for electrical connection to an electrified grid element having first and second conductors disposed on a top portion of the grid element. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a single-piece insulator housing; a fastening means on the insulator housing for attaching the connector to a device; and first and second contacts within the insulator housing, the insulator housing configured to align the first and second contacts with the first and second conductors of the electrified grid element; wherein a base of the insulator housing comprises a recess that corresponds to the shape of the top portion of the grid element such that the housing can be mounted over the top portion of the grid member.

Abstract: A connector for electrical connection to an electrified grid element having first and second conductors disposed on a top portion of the grid element. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a single-piece insulator housing; a fastening means on the insulator housing for attaching the connector to a device; and first and second contacts within the insulator housing, the insulator housing configured to align the first and second contacts with the first and second conductors of the electrified grid element; wherein a base of the insulator housing comprises a recess that corresponds to the shape of the top portion of the grid element such that the housing can be mounted over the top portion of the grid member.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprises a housing (4) retaining a ferrule assembly (1). The ferrule assembly (1) comprises a generally tubular rear portion defining a rear passage (11) along a longitudinal axis (20) of the ferrule assembly (1). A clamping insert (12) and a sleeve (13) are disposed within the rear passage (11). The sleeve (13) telescopically receives the insert (12) and exerts a radial force on the clamping insert (12) to align and retain a terminating fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus to form a duplex-like fiber optic connector by maintaining plug assemblies in a side-by-side relation to enable simultaneous mating with sleeves of a receptacle housing. The apparatus has a pair of separate housings, each housing having a chamber where one of the plug assemblies is retainably received. A retention member is incorporated into one of the housings and a clasp member is incorporated into the other of the housings. The clasp member and the retention member are retainably interconnected to hold the housings in a side-by-side relationship with float therebetween, whereby the float accommodates any misalignment between the plug assemblies and the sleeves.

Abstract: A self-aligning connector mechanism for electrical or optical connectors having an elongate member with a first end for mating with a coupling member, and a second end having a curved surface. A base member comprising a curved surface mates with the curved surface of the elongate member. The curved surface of the elongate member is slidably movable with respect to said curved surface of the base member, such that the slidable movement of the curved surface of the elongate member pivots the elongate member and the pivot point of said movement is located at the first end of the elongate member to provide rotational alignment. Lateral movement of the elongate member to provide translational alignment is enabled by planar surfaces in the base member on which the elongate member can slide sideways.

Abstract: A connector body 4 encircling an optical focusing element 5, a laser diode 3 having an emission axis aimed along an axis at an absorption end 6 of the focusing element 5, the focusing element 5 converting diverging optical emission of the laser diode 3 into a converging beam of radiation, and a coupler element 7 contacting the focusing element 5 without an air gap therebetween to receive the beam of radiation without backward reflection, the connector body 4 having a socket 9, and the coupler element 7 having a front end 8 in the socket 9 for physical contact with an end 10 of an optical fiber 2 disconnectably inserted in the socket 9.

Abstract: A method and terminal for mass terminating conductors with high reliability combines insulation piercing and solder technology. Terminals are formed with insulation piercing, conductor engaging portions which have a layer of solder integral therewith. Respective conductors are terminated by the terminals in an insulation piercing operation and the solder reflowed to form a permanent bond therebetween. The terminal slot is designed to clean the conductor surface as well as to fixture it for the solder reflow operation.

Abstract: A polishing bushing for polishing the end face of an optical fiber supported within a rigid sleeve includes a bushing base (31, 131) having a front surface (36, 136). The rigid sleeve (21, 21a) normally protrudes from beyond the front surface (36, 136) to permit the end face (14, 14a) of the optical fiber (12, 12a) carried therein to be polished. The bushing includes resilient portion (34) for permitting the rigid sleeve (21, 21a) to move longitudinally in passageway (38) to limit the force applied to the end face (14, 14a) of the fiber (12, 12a) by the polishing medium. The front surface (36, 136) of the bushing base (31, 131) is of spherical shape to produce a polished fiber end face (14) which is convex and which protrudes from the rigid sleeve (21) by less than about one micron, or is of flat shape to consistently produce a polished end face (14a) which is recessed within the sleeve ( 21a) by less than about one micron.

Abstract: An optical connector (1) comprises, a rigid body (2) with an axial bore (3), a sleeve (7) surrounding the rigid body (2) and having a sleeve section (9), a deformable means (10) in the sleeve section (9) and having an axial passage (11) aligned with the bore (3), an optical waveguide (14) secured in the bore (3) and having a first optical face and a second optical face, the axial passage (11) and the sleeve section (9) having open ends (18,19) to admit an optical fiber (22) in concentric alignment with the waveguide (14), and the deformable means (10) constructed for radial reduction of the passage (11) to grip the optical fiber (22).

Abstract: Two optical fiber cables are joined by a connector operative as a switch. The switch includes a snap-action shutter which delivers precise movement with piece parts which can be molded or electromachined. The snap-action is provided by any one of a number of inexpensive implementations which need not be precise because of the constraints on shutter movement imposed by the piece parts.

Abstract: A connector 1 for an optical fiber 2 comprises a light transmissive body 5 having a light transmissive end 6 and a cavity 8 having an entrance 9 for receiving the optical fiber 2, the interior surface 12 of the cavity 8 forms a holder 13 for the optical fiber 2, and the interior surface 12 of the cavity 8 forms an collimating lens 10 axially aligned with the holder 13 and positioned between the holder 13 and the light transmissive end 6.