Abstract: A protector module (30) for protecting tip and ring conductors of a telepe loop includes a pair of protector assemblies (40--40') which are supported within a common housing (32). A voltage protection subassembly (42) of each protector assembly is connected electrically to a grounding subassembly (44) for causing current associated with excessive voltage surges to be conducted to ground. Each protector assembly also includes a current protection subassembly (41) which comprises a dielectric base, as well as a tubular line pin (61) and a central office pin (57) which are connected together electrically. A shunting element (62) is disposed concentrially about and is supported at one end of the line pin in an initial position by a pellet (70) of a fusible material which extends between a closed end of the shunting element and an edge surface (68) of an open end of the line pin.

Abstract: A leading end portion (33) of a supply of cordge (31) is clamped to a mandrel (32) such that it is straight, after which a plurality of convolutions of the cordage are wound on the mandrel. The cordage is severed from the supply and a trailing end portion (34) of the wound cordage is clamped to the mandrel in a manner which causes it to be straight and hence suitable for termination with a modular plug (37). The coiled cordage is heated and cooled and is then removed from the mandrel while simultaneously the direction of the helices is reversed. Then the cordage is severed at a predetermined location to produce two retractile cords, for example, one including the leading end portion of the length of wound cordage and a newly formed straight trailing portion. The second cord includes a newly formed straight leading end portion and the initial trailing end portion. The newly formed end portion of each cord is caused to be held in a straight configuration and annealed to cause it to retain that configuration.

Abstract: A leading end portion (33) of a supply of cordage (31) is clamped to a mandrel (32) such that it is straight, after which a plurality of convolutions of the cordage are wound on the mandrel. The cordage is severed from the supply and a trailing end portion (34) of the wound cordage is clamped to the mandrel in a manner which causes it to be straight and hence suitable for termination with a modular plug (37). The coiled cordage is heated and cooled and is then removed from the mandrel while simultaneously the direction of the helices is reversed. Then the cordage is severed at a predetermined location to produce two retractile cords, for example, one including the leading end portion of the length of wound cordage and a newly formed straight trailing portion. The second cord includes a newly formed straight leading end portion and the initial trailing end portion. The newly formed end portion of each cord is caused to be held in a straight configuration and annealed to cause it to retain that configuration.

Abstract: Retractile cords disposed in a U-shaped configuration are arranged about the periphery of a turntable with the ends of each cord adjacent to the peripheral edge being terminated with modular plugs. As a cord having its ends terminated with modular plugs is moved into a last work station, a pickup arm removes the cord. As the plug-ends are moved outwardly from the turntable, a middle section of the U-shaped cord is engaged by a snagging pin that is moved into one portion of a foldable tray to hold the middle section of the cord as the plug ends are moved farther along above the tray. The plugs are released, and the cord retracts and drops into the tray. Then the snagging pin is retracted, and the tray is caused to be folded to form an opening beween portions of the tray. The cord descends through the opening into an open end of a bag formed between two plies of a plastic material. The plies are bonded together adjacent to the open end and the bag is separated from its supply.

Abstract: Telephone cords (13--13) which are terminated with modular plugs (11--11) having an array of spaced blade-like terminals (17--17) are tested for continuity and for test voltage breakdown by simultaneously engaging the terminals in the plug at each end of the cord with an array of spaced test probes (30--30) in which adjacent probes are staggered along the lengths of the terminals. In a four conductor cord, alternating ones of the terminals at each end of the cord are engaged by test probes which connect the terminals in an isolated series loop of a test circuit (40) in which a first one (41) of the loops is connected to a secondary winding (86) of a test voltage input transformer (85) with the secondary winding also being connected through a primary winding (91) of an output detector transformer (90) and then to a second one (60) of the loops.