Abstract: A plug-in connector arrangement includes a terminal block containing a chamber in which are mounted a horizontal bus bar having a transverse wall, and a resilient contact having a fixed horizontal leg portion, an intermediate portion bent upwardly from the first leg portion, and an outwardly biased second leg portion reversely bent back above the first leg portion. The second leg portion contains a clamping end portion that extends through a conductor opening contained in the first leg portion. The clamping portion includes at least two discrete clamping surfaces so arranged that when a bare conductor is inserted into the conductor opening, the conductor circumferential surface is selectively engaged by one or more of the clamping surfaces in accordance with the diametrical size of the conductor. The conductor is biased by the clamping portion toward electrical engagement with the bus bar transverse wall.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a universal terminal block having a body containing a chamber in which is removably mounted one of a plurality of function control modules as used in commercial, industrial and residential installations, wherein a pair of module contacts on the module are brought into electrical engagement with a pair of stationary contacts mounted in the chamber, thereby to connect the module to a pair of external insulated conductors via bus bars and terminals contained in the terminal block body. Various types of function control modules may be used with a single universal terminal block. The modules may include locking devices for locking the module to the universal terminal block. The terminal block includes mounting feet on the side thereof remote from the chamber, whereby selective modules may be substituted for one another when the terminal block is mounted on a support rail.

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 arrangement includes a housing containing at least one open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary upwardly-directed knife device, and a rectangular carrier member arranged for downward insertion within the chamber, thereby to displace an insulated wire supported by the carrier member toward a position in which the knife device pierces the insulation layer and is brought into electrical engagement with the conductor contained therein. The carrier member includes a top surface containing a slot for receiving the tip of an operating tool that displaces the carrier member downwardly in the chamber, and a side wall containing at least one lug and slot arrangement by means of which the carrier member may be upwardly displaced upon lever-like operation of the tool in cooperation with a side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of the chambers arranged in one or more rows.

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: A connector arrangement includes a housing containing at least one open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary upwardly-directed knife device, and a rectangular carrier member arranged for downward insertion within the chamber, thereby to displace an insulated wire supported by the carrier member toward a position in which the knife device pierces the insulation layer and is brought into electrical engagement with the conductor contained therein. The carrier member includes a top surface containing a slot for receiving the tip of an operating tool that displaces the carrier member downwardly in the chamber, and a side wall containing at least one lug and slot arrangement by means of which the carrier member may be upwardly displaced upon lever-like operation of the tool in cooperation with a side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of the chambers arranged in one or more rows.

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 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: An electrical cross-connector arrangement is provided for connecting to an electrical junction box or the like a plurality of connecting terminals, modules or pin-and-socket connectors, including a comb-like member having a plurality of resilient flat finger portions having free ends that extend within corresponding openings contained in a plurality of bus bars, respectively, the free end of each finger portion being twisted about the longitudinal axis of the finger portion, thereby to effect a positive electrical contact between the finger portion and the walls of the bus bar opening, while affording a certain degree of tolerance.

Abstract: An electrical cross-connector arrangement is provided for connecting to an electrical junction box or the like a plurality of connecting terminals, modules or pin-and-socket connectors, including a comb-like member having a plurality of resilient flat finger portions having free ends that extend within corresponding openings contained in a plurality of bus bars, respectively, the free end of each finger portion being twisted about the longitudinal axis of the finger portion, thereby to effect a positive electrical contact between the finger portion and the walls of the bus bar opening, while affording a certain degree of tolerance.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes an actuator member that is displaceable relative to a terminal block housing to transport an insulated conductor toward the insulating penetrating knife edges of a stationary electrical contact mounted within the housing, characterized by the provision of a guide pin and guide groove arrangement for guiding the actuator member during the displacement thereof relative to the housing.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes at each end a generally U-shaped support spring having leg portions that extend upwardly in straddling relation on opposite sides of the stationary resilient contacts at opposite ends of the bus bar, thereby to support the stationary contacts as insulated conductors are displaced by actuator members toward cutting engagement with knife edges on the adjacent ends of the reversely inwardly directed stationary resilient contacts.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes at each end a generally U-shaped support spring having leg portions that extend upwardly in straddling relation on opposite sides of the stationary resilient contacts at opposite ends of the bus bar, thereby to support the stationary contacts as insulated conductors are displaced by actuator members toward cutting engagement with knife edges on the adjacent ends of the reversely inwardly directed stationary resilient contacts.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes an actuator member that is displaceable relative to a terminal block housing to transport an insulated conductor toward the insulating penetrating knife edges of a stationary electrical contact mounted within the housing, characterized by the provision of a guide pin and guide groove arrangement for guiding the actuator member during the displacement thereof relative to the housing.