Movable About Axis Patents (Class 439/142)
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Patent number: 5385479Abstract: A modular jack applicable to a flat assembly. A hole is pierced in a flat member and a cover that can be opened and closed is disposed so as to cover an opening of the hole. When a modular plug is inserted into the hole, the cover is opened; when not, the cover is closed. When the cover is closed, it is housed in the opening, and the modular jack equals the flat member substantially in thickness. When the modular plug is inserted into the hole through the opening with the cover open, the insertion direction of the modular plug is regulated by inner walls of the hole. When the tip of the modular plug abuts against a bottom portion of the hole, the modular plug cannot be inserted any more. In the state, an electrode section located in the hole is electrically connected to electrodes of the modular plug. A hook portion disposed in the cover locks the modular plug so as to prevent the modular plug from easily dropping out of the modular jack even if the modular plug is pulled.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1993Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Murata Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masanobu Okada
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Patent number: 5385480Abstract: An electrical connector inlet assembly with a break-away mechanism coupled to an electric vehicle for receiving electrical energy. The break-away mechanism disconnects the contacts of the inlet assembly or receptacle from the contacts of the plug to prevent damage of the electrical connector assembly, upon application of a highly excessive force pulling the plug away from the receptacle prior to disengagement of the contacts. The electrical connector inlet assembly receives an electrical connector or plug with electrical contacts for mating with the electrical contacts of the electrical inlet assembly or receptacle. The plug has a cover for selectively covering and uncovering its electrical contacts to prevent inadvertent contact with the electrical contacts and to protect the electrical contacts from the environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1993Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Hubell IncorporatedInventor: Ernest G. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5382171Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical plug-in socket, especially for motor vehicles, which has a hinged lid, a compression spring, for the hinged lid, a chamber for the compression spring molded to the socket housing, and a cam provided with a control curve and molded to the hinged lid. The cam cooperates in such a way with the compression spring, that the hinged lid is automatically held in one of the closed and the open position. In order to simplify the assembly or installation of the hinged lid and in order to lower the material and installation costs, the compression spring is designed as a leaf spring and is molded into the chamber of the plug-in socket housing. The leaf spring has a spherical section-shaped rise for the control curve of the cam.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignees: Schoeller & Co., Elektrotechnische Fabrik GmbH & Co.Inventors: Dieter Hofmann, Berthold Kalkus
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Patent number: 5362254Abstract: An electrically balanced connector assembly is presented. The assembly comprises a printed circuit board including integrally defined capacitive elements designed to compensate for reactive imbalance of electrical components connected thereto. A pair of wire termination blocks mounted to a first side of the circuit board are connected by circuitry on the circuit board to a corresponding pair of modular jacks mounted to a second side of the circuit board. The capacitive elements are connected between selected leads of the modular jacks and the wire termination blocks by the circuitry. The circuit board assembly is mounted in a panel yoke which includes a pair of apertures for allowing access to the modular jacks aligned therein. The apertures and circuit board assembly are orientated to allow connecting modular cords to gravity feed into and from the modular jacks. The panel yoke includes means for snaplockedly securing the panel yoke to a panel or a wall plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: The Siemon CompanyInventors: John Siemon, Randy Below
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Patent number: 5306178Abstract: A phone jack box consisting of an enclosure adapted to receive phone jack terminals therein, and a wall plate clampingly engaged to a front frame portion of the enclosure in a secure manner is provided. The wall plate includes at least one wire cord outlet which is covered with a lid.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1993Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: Min Huang
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Patent number: 5271514Abstract: The main theme in the design of this invention is to provide adequate protection while allowing for easy installation and removal without interrupting the operation of the device which is being protected. The two most important components of this invention are the use of resilient clips on the side walls with each clip having a leg extending inwardly allowing this leg to be inserted between the device and the surface, the second important component is the use of gasket material between the frame and the device to be protected. This combination allows for protection from the elements and from accidental operation even without either open end being covered.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1992Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Inventor: Christian V. Ahlskog
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Patent number: 5256072Abstract: There is provided a structure for protecting lead terminals of a connector, which is disposed in a notch opening of a connector case, from dust and so on. In a connector mounting structure according to the present invention, a positioning plate for lead terminals of a connector is mounted on a rear of the connector, and the connector and the positioning plate are disposed in a notch opening in a case. A feature of this structure is that a cover wall for enclosing the lead wires 5 is formed integrally with the positioning plate through a hinge.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1992Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yuji Hatagishi
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Patent number: 5238416Abstract: An electric extension cord receptacle includes side recesses to aid in grasping the receptacle while removing electric plugs from the receptacle. Two safety flaps attached to the receptacle body by living hinges pivot to cover unused electric sockets in the receptacle. The hinges are undercut to create preferred fold lines to properly register plastic plugs on the safety flaps with receiving slots in the electric sockets.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1992Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Paige Manufacturing Corp.Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
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Patent number: 5199888Abstract: An improved cover assembly for the electrical connectors of a notebook computer. The notebook computer of the present invention is adapted to be connected by electrical connectors with an expansion base. The improved cover assembly includes a cover plate hinged to the housing of the notebook computer movable relative to the housing between an uncovered position and a retained position. The cover plate includes a slidable door being sized so as to allow connection of a preselected connector of the notebook computer. The improved cover assembly can be adapted to allow the notebook computer to be connected to the expansion base while the remaining notebook computer electrical connectors are covered to reduce the amount of undesirable foreign matter in the open ended connectors that can reduce connection performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Neil L. Condra, James R. Utz, Thomas Mitchell
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Patent number: 5183408Abstract: A pair of cam members are provided for connection between male and female connector housings. Each cam member is reciprocally movable between an end wall and an intermediate portion of a hood portion of the female housing, and of a bifurcated configuration having a pair of opposed arms and a rear plate interconnecting the pair of arms, each of the arms having a drive projection. The cam members are adapted to be angularly movably attached to the hood portion, whereby when the female housing is not in use, an opening of the hood portion is closed by the rear plates of the pair of cam members which are turned generally upright.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yuji Hatagishi
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Patent number: 5174773Abstract: A child-proof plug cover includes a covering device designed to overlie an existing double electrical receptacle as commonly found mounted on a wall. The device is sized to allow receipt of two electrical plugs as plugged within the receptacles with their cords extending outwardly from the covering device. The covering device includes two door mechanisms each of which allows insertion of a plug with subsequent closing of a door mechanism to prevent a child from tampering with the device. The covering device may also be sized to preclude a child from pulling an electrical plug out of the wall receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1992Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Inventor: Steven J. Jones
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Patent number: 5145388Abstract: An enclosure for terminal blocks for interconnecting conductors of multiconductor cables includes provision for two or more terminal block modules. A lid is pivotably hinged to a box-like base section, with the base section including front and rear walls extending upwardly from a floor, and side walls extending downwardly from a transverse section of the lid into the open regions between the front and rear walls of the base section when the lid is pivoted to its closed position. When the enclosure is mounted vertically the lid is pivotable to an open position overcentered to remain open unassisted. The side walls include ribs having projections which engage upper edges of ridges extending upwardly from side edges of the floor between the front and rear walls, thus camming the lower edges of the side walls inwardly tightly against outwardly facing surfaces of the ridges for sealing.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Alan W. Brownlie, John W. Derr, Scott A. Keener, James W. Robertson, Francis J. Shay
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Patent number: 5096430Abstract: A safety cover for covering a plurality of co-planar sockets of an electrical outlet includes a plurality of cover sections. Attached to each of the cover sections is at least one non-conductive prong configured for insertion into at least one receptacle opening of one of the sockets. A flexible interconnection strip interconnects at least a first of the cover sections with at least a second of the cover sections. The flexible interconnection strip has a rest configuration in which the flexible interconnection strip is positioned in a manner such that the first and second cover sections are substantially non-coplanar with respect to each other. A cam structure is attached to at least one of the cover sections. The cam structure and the prong are located on the same surface of the cover section.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1991Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Inventor: Ralph E. D'Amico
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Patent number: 5080599Abstract: A dual electrical socket safety cover construction comprises a pair of cover panel members, a hinge structure connecting the cover members, the hinge structure being arranged for attachment between a pair of electrical sockets to be covered, and each of the cover members having pressure release retaining engagement prong structure to be gripped by the usual electrical plug prong spring fingers, whereby it will require substantially adult digital manipulation to release the covers from their fully covering relation to the sockets.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Assignee: Taurus Safety Products, Inc.Inventor: Joseph W. Wimberly
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Patent number: 5078614Abstract: A detachably attachable cover slidingly mates with a face plate surrounding an electrical socket to protect the electrical socket against incursion of water and contaminants. In a variant cover, a plugged in electrical plug is also protected. A flexible shroud is attachable to a continuous wall encircling the electrical socket to receive and shield both the electrical socket and a plugged in electrical plug.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1990Date of Patent: January 7, 1992Inventor: Michael J. Shotey
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Patent number: 5009610Abstract: A protective guard for use with a wall-mounted light switch in order to keep the light switch in the desired "on" or "off" state. The guard is a pivotal arm having at one end an opening for receiving one of the mounting screws of the light switch, by which the guard is pivotally connected to the wall plate of the light switch. When it is desired to allow access to and operation of the light switch, the guard is pivoted out of the way. The same general principle of the invention applies to a guard for selectively closing off a wall plug outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Inventor: Robert Woskow
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Patent number: 4993963Abstract: A protective cover for electric sockets consists of a base plate having openings to fit the individual electric receptacles and an opening to receive the mounting screw to secure the base plate in place of the usual socket cover plate. A box-shaped cover is hingedly connected on one side of the base plate and is opened to permit installation and removal of electric plugs in said receptacles. The box-shaped cover has slots extending along the side and top thereof through which the cords may extend from the plugs secured in said electric receptacles. The base plate and box-shaped cover have matching fasteners to secure the cover against being easily opened by a child. The hinged connection of the cover to the base plate may be separate hinge members pivotally secured together or may be a one-piece flexible hinge of the type known as a "living" hinge.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Inventor: William S. Pedigo
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Patent number: 4994631Abstract: A self-closing lid is provided for a cover for a wiring device box. The cover has openings to provide access to a receptacle within the box. Each lid is formed with laterally protruding collinear gudgeons which are received in shell-like bearing members molded onto the cover. The lid and cover are each provided with a boss between which a compression coiled spring acts. The line of action of the spring is outside of the axis ine of the gugeons, causing the spring to continually urge the lid to its closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Howard M. Williams, Jr.
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Patent number: 4970349Abstract: A safety outlet cover assembly is provided which prevents unauthorized access to a wall socket outlet. The safety outlet assembly comprises a housing, a plug insertion guard assembly disposable within the housing, and a key member for selectively engaging the plug insertion guard assembly to move the plug insertion guard assembly from a first position and a second position. In the first position the plug insertion guard assembly is in a blocking position relative to openings in the housing and thus the wall socket outlet; whereas, when the plug insertion guard assembly is in the second position, access to the wall socket outlet is unrestricted so that male components of an electrical plug can be inserted into female openings of a wall socket to complete the electrical circuit therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: November 13, 1990Inventor: Marcus C. Jones
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Patent number: 4958262Abstract: Adaptor brackets are arranged for use with conventional telephone equipment connector blocks having cross-connect fields normally presented to the technician in a predetermined plane. Through use of the brackets the plane of the cross-connect fields may be temporarily rotated from the predetermined plane thereby facilitating access to the cross-connect field terminal strips during a double blocking technique used at a distributing frame of a telephone central office in preparation for subsequent cut-over of new switching system equipment.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1988Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: Michigan Bell Telephone CompanyInventor: Harold G. Wilkie, Jr.
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Patent number: 4955821Abstract: A coupling guard insures that a plurality of plugs are coupled to plural receptacles in a desired sequence. An array of cam rings which rotate in unison with the rotation of mating plugs are designed to be locked against rotation unless the rings are rotated in the desired sequence. In one embodiment, cover plates coupled to the cam rings cover the entrance to the adjacent receptacles and are removed from the entrance of the receptacles by rotation of the cam rings.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1989Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Allen J. Bernardini
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Patent number: 4952160Abstract: A marine hull inlet assembly for providing a watertight inlet in the hull of a boat to provide a connection point for shore-based power lines, communication lines, and the like. The inlet assembly includes a receptacle member and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes top and bottom covers pivotally connected together with the top cover having a gasket which is pressed against the receptacle for providing the watertight seal. The top and bottom covers are releasably coupled by a latch assembly. The latch assembly is spring-biased so that the top and bottom covers are biased toward each other when in the latched position. The latch assembly may either have a push-type latching element or a quarter turn-type latching element.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1989Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Charles A. Olsen
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Patent number: 4944685Abstract: A protector for cable connectors has a double walled sleeve of flexible fabric material. Soft padding material is disposed within the double walls of the sleeve. Each open end of the sleeve includes strips of opposing hook and loop fastening material. In use, the sleeve is inserted over a connector and cable. When the connector is connected to its mating connector, the sleeve has its ends closed around the cable adjacent the connector. When the connector is disconnected, the sleeve is opened and moved to enclose the connector. The open end is closed and the other end closed around the cable.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1989Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Inventor: Peter G. Schulte
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Patent number: 4928303Abstract: In a building subdivided into work stations (A1, A2) each work station is provided with at least one low voltage power supply outlet (12), at least one telephone socket (11), and at least one computer socket (10). The low voltage power supply outlet (12) is connected to a low voltage power supply bus (30). The telephone socket and the computer socket are portions of a precabling element which further includes a cable (1) having at least two pairs of wires for respectively establishing a telephone link and a computer link, and also having a connection module (2) at its other end. The entire precabling element (1, 2, 10, 11) is factory manufactured, thereby enabling any type of building to be cabled in a manner which is systematic, unspecialized, and reconfigurable.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1988Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Inventors: Jean-Claude Allin, Jacques Nozick
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Patent number: 4915638Abstract: A box-like cover is hinged to a base plate to form a protective enclosure for electrical outlets. An integral cantilevered locking tab is formed by a spaced pair of slots extending inward from the edge of the cover through which cords plugged into the outlet pass. A hook member on the end of the cantilevered locking tab engages a ledge formed by a slot in the base plate to secure the cover in the closed position. The cantilevered locking tab provides a flexible latch which is easily operated by the informed, but is not obvious to a child. The cover may be opaque or transparent for use with a night light.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Inventor: Anthony Domian
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Patent number: 4899019Abstract: A safety cover for preventing access to an electrical receptacle while the receptacle contains a plug includes a receiving plate and a box-shaped cover assembly which can be locked over the receiving plate. The cover assembly has a plurality of locking flanges each of which can be independently depressed and thereby moved in and out of means for receiving locking flanges located on the receiving plate. To remove the cover assembly from the receiving plate, it is necessary to simultaneously depress each locking flange. Flange-releasing means are positioned on the cover assembly in a manner that renders small children incapable of reaching and depressing all the flanges simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1987Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Assignee: Donald J. ScheerInventor: Robert G. Riceman
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Patent number: 4864078Abstract: For a preset having a cover and an annular ring supporting the cover, structure to releasably hold the cover in closed position and to move the cover with respect to the ring as between closed and open positions, the structure including a deforming surface on the ring; a deformable head on the cover to engage the surface, the engagement causing the deformable head to deform and generate friction forces sufficient to hold the same against said surface means for holding the cover in closed position but permitting the deformable head to slide relative to the surface means to provide for the cover to be moved out of or into the closed position; an elongated lifting tab on the cover; and the lifting tab being pivotally mounted for movement between an inactive condition and an active condition, in the latter condition part of the tab extending inwardly of the cover and part of the tab extending outwardly of the cover to be grasped by the fingers for moving the cover from closed to open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1988Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Inventor: Timothy S. Bowman
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Patent number: 4846707Abstract: The present invention discloses a safety device which has a dual purpose, resisting the insertion of foreign objects or electrical plugs into the outlet without first moving an actuator arm and resisting removal of said plug once properly inserted without first moving the actuator arm. The outlet has at least one receptacle with opposed u-shaped contacts with the adjoining sides of said contacts having inclined surfaces thereon. The actuator arm is moveable along these inclined surfaces to open and close the contacts as needed. A blocking or shield member is pivotally mounted between the sides of each contact to further resist insertion of foreign objects or an electrical plug into the contact without first moving the actuator arm. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator arm includes a spring having a stiff bias which makes movement of the actuator arm difficult for small children. The invention is also disclosed in a further embodiment wherein it is used in an electrical extension cord application.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1988Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Inventor: Randall W. Pirkle
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Patent number: 4807895Abstract: A pair of electrical terminals conveniently accessible from the exterior of an automobile or truck and connected electrically to the positive and negative poles of a battery within the engine compartment of the vehicle. The terminals are located within a recessed chamber formed in the vehicle body with an insulated separator located between the terminals and supporting the terminals. To protect against tampering and environmental conditions a cover door with a locking latch encloses the recessed chamber. Preferably the door chamber, terminals and electrical connections to the battery poles are of sufficient size to permit the use of heavy gauge jumper cables for quick charging of the battery and quick starting of the vehicle. By locating the terminals in a chamber external to the engine compartment or other battery compartment of the vehicle the likelihood of a battery explosion caused by an inadvertent spark in connecting or disconnecting the jumper cables is greatly lessened, if not entirely eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Harold F. ThomasInventors: Harold F. Thomas, James M. Deimen
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Patent number: 4801271Abstract: A safety cover for electrical outlets with a dummy plug which is attached by a strap to a plate which is secured between the outlet and a cover plate. The dummy plug is designed with a socket contact surface that pivots one edge of the plug away from the socket when a force direct toward the socket is applied to the opposite edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1988Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Inventor: Danny A. Piper
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Patent number: 4793819Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle for use in over-the-road vehicles includes a receptacle body and a mounting flange extending outwardly from the body, with the mounting flange adapted to be mounted in a generally vertical disposition on a vehicle. The body has a closed end and a chamber, with the chamber having an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the mounting flange. There are a plurality of electrical contact pins mounted on the body closed end which extend into the chamber. The chamber has an open end and a cover pivotally mounted on the body to close the chamber open end. There is a drain passage formed in the bottom of the chamber and extending generally axially for a substantial portion of the length of the chamber. The drain passage slants downwardly from adjacent the body closed end to the body open end.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1987Date of Patent: December 27, 1988Assignee: Sloan Valve CompanyInventor: Arthur A. Berg
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Patent number: 4789348Abstract: A connector having a unitary dust cover. The dust cover is formed by a cap fitting on one side of the connector and two flaps attached to the cap, each flap adapted to cover a portion of the other side of the connector, which may have attached posts to allow the connector to be used in modular fashion with a base plate. At least one flap may be held between the posts by indentations in the flap.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1987Date of Patent: December 6, 1988Assignee: Siecor CorporationInventor: Clifton G. Hampton
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Patent number: 4772214Abstract: In a hand-held broadcast means of communications technology, the charging device for the integrated battery is connected via a covered plug. The cover of the plug is automatically opened when the hand-held broadcast device is placed onto the charging device and the path for the cooperating plug of the charging device is thus exposed.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1987Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rupert Stoegmueller
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Patent number: 4770643Abstract: A fitting is provided for enabling a plurality of high and low voltage conductors to be activated thereby at a selected in-floor location therefor. A substantially flush top portion of the in-floor fitting enables efficient access to receptacles pre-wired for enabling connection of high voltage conductors thereto, and prevents tripping thereon. Fire retarding elements mounted in the fitting retard and prevent transmission of excess heat and flame through the fitting and through the floor opening in which the fitting is adapted to be mounted. Movable side plates in the substantially flush top portion of the fitting are automatically biased together so as to cover the top high voltage conductor outlet portion of the fitting when not in use, and are adapted to be readily separated such that openings therein are aligned with openings in the top outlets enabling connection of high voltage conductors thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1986Date of Patent: September 13, 1988Assignees: Norman Castellani, Robert Holland, Raceway ComponentsInventors: Norman Castellani, Robert C. Holland
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Patent number: 4766521Abstract: A connecting block with a terminal support member which is pivoted upon a housing and movable between an operational position in which it depends from its hinge points at the front of the housing to a withdrawn position of the support member extending upwardly from the hinge points. The support member, in its operational position, extends to upper, lower and side boundaries of the housing. Wire guide projections and a cover are carried by sides extending between front and rear faces of the support member and at corners of the support member to maximize the frontal area of the support member for acceptance of electrical terminals.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventor: Claude Pelletier
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Patent number: 4763226Abstract: A connector block and mounting arrangement with a block housing having a rear with a rigid upper element and a lower flexible element spaced from the upper element. A mounting member is engageable with the upper element to support the block and a latching feature is included to latch the mounting member to the lower flexible element.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1987Date of Patent: August 9, 1988Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventor: Claude Pelletier
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Patent number: 4759728Abstract: A junction box and battery jumper cable combination for use on vehicles with storage batteries. A cup shaped junction box has a flanged lip for mounting through body panel holes larger than the cup below the lip but smaller than the lip. Pull-in lugs on a screw actuated element are slidable along slots in the cup wall to approach the lip when the screw is actuated to secure the lip and, hence, the junction box to the body. The screw on each pull-in lug is accessible inside the junction box and access to the back side of the mounting area is not essential. Jumper cables adapted to work with the junction box has polarity selective cooperating terminals to assure correct polarity of circuitry. The jumper cables have a spring clamp equipped extension cables to mate with the end of the jumper cables to serve vehicles not equipped with the improved junction box. The junction box is adapted for wiring permanently to the host vehicle battery.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1987Date of Patent: July 26, 1988Inventor: Jerry G. Cobb
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Patent number: 4758170Abstract: The present invention discloses a current carrying inlet valve for central vacuum system providing tubular elements and connecting fittings with an integral electrical receptacle to permit operation of any electrically driven attachments and/or other cleaning devices, specific to the operation of a central vacuum cleaning system, without the necessity of an electrical outlet in close proximity, to which the location of an inlet valve was hereto restricted.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1987Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Inventor: Theodore R. D. Hayden
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Patent number: 4744765Abstract: A high voltage ground stud and insulative enclosure consists of a double-ended bolt having one end threaded for attachment to the switchgear terminal bus, with the other end threaded for engaging the thermoplastic insulative enclosure. A thermoplastic insulative cap is arranged over that part of the stud that extends through the switchgear terminal bus. The insulating properties of the thermoplastic material virtually eliminate arcing between the ground stud and the surrounding atmosphere when the switchgear is energized with high voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1987Date of Patent: May 17, 1988Assignee: John DeLeoInventor: John DeLeo
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Patent number: 4740178Abstract: The apparatus includes a battery terminal and a connector pin. The battery terminal is formed of an electrically condustive material and has means enabling it to be connected electrically to the positive or negative post of a 12 V DC vehicle battery post. The terminal presents two sockets each of which is capable of receiving a connector pin. The connector pin has spigot portion composed of spaced prongs biased apart from one another, so that the spigot portion can be inserted as an interference fit into the chosen socket.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1987Date of Patent: April 26, 1988Assignee: VBH Investments (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: Carel D. Badenhorst, Nico Van Der Riet
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Patent number: 4731032Abstract: A protective cover for removable attachment to the open end of an electrical connector that has exposed electrical contacts thereat, includes an insulative body having walls for substantially enclosing the open end of the electrical connector. The body includes a pair of guiding members that are adapted to engage side surface of walls of the electrical connector and guide the installation of the cover onto the connector such that potential damage to the electrical contacts will be minimized or prevented. The dust cover includes a flexible tether preferably integrally attached to the insulative body, the tether terminating in a discontinuous loop. The discontinuous loop has an opening so that the loop may be removably attached to an electrical cable that is terminated to the electrical connector. In the installed condition, the dust cover suitably prevents contaminants, debris or other particles from entering the open end of the connector while the electrical connector is in a disconnected condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1986Date of Patent: March 15, 1988Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Peter Noorily
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Patent number: 4721476Abstract: An electrical connector box adapted to be used in connection with the raised floor concept with a raised floor positioned above the main floor. A plurality of substantially rectangular openings are formed in the raised floor. A frame is positioned in the openings. The electrical connector box is lowered into engagement with the frame and into the space between the raised floor and the main floor. The electrical connector unit includes flange means which is adapted to rest adjacent the raised floor to suspend the electrical connector unit between the floors. The unit further includes flange means engaging the under-surface of the raised floor to maintain the unit in position. A sling or saddle-like structure extends downwardly from the electrical connector box into the space between the raised floor and is adapted to receive wires, cables and the like. There is a hinged top plate movable to a first position providing access to the interior of the electrical connector box and a second closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1985Date of Patent: January 26, 1988Assignee: Interchangeable Hatches Inc.Inventors: Richard B. Zeliff, Gerson Feiner
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Patent number: 4713017Abstract: An electrical power receptacle having a tubular plastic housing with a transverse end wall at one end, and a tubular metal well which is snap fitted in the housing by means of an apertured end wall adjacent the housing end wall, cooperating with hooks in the housing. Two terminals mounted on the housing end wall project for connection to a source of power. One of the terminals engages the shell and the other terminates in an internal contact member. The housing has integral spaced-apart stand-off mounting legs, and a pivotally mounted cover plate which, when closed, seals the housing and interior contacts thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1986Date of Patent: December 15, 1987Assignee: Casco Products CorporationInventor: Dominic Pesapane
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Patent number: 4707564Abstract: A message bearing cover for attachment to electrical wall switches comprises a cavitated cover adapted to be releasably attached to an existing electrical wall switch installation and movable from a closed position enclosing the wall switch lever to an open position allowing access to the wall switch lever. The front surface of the cover is adapted to receive and visually display selective messages printed on message tabs. The message tabs are visible when the cover is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the attachment portion of the cover is captured between the wall switch cover plate and the wall surface, and in another embodiment the attachment portion serves as a cover plate which may is mounted to the underlying switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1986Date of Patent: November 17, 1987Inventor: Arturo E. F. Gonzales
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Patent number: 4707043Abstract: Methods and means are provided for detachably interconnecting electrical components in an electrical system located and used in a disadvantageous environment. An improved connector device is provided which is composed of spaced-apart metallic terminals embedded in a substantially rectangular body member and adapted to be electrically joined with leads in a cable or the like. One pin-end portion of each terminal is located in a sidewall recess in the body member, and the other socket-like end portion of the terminal projects into and through a plug-like extension from the body member opposite the sidewall recess containing the pin-like end portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1986Date of Patent: November 17, 1987Inventor: Charlie C. Reed
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Patent number: 4705335Abstract: A plug safe provides a vessel that, in use, simultaneously contains a plurality of electrical plugs, wherein the vessel includes an open face for entrance and exit of the plugs. A closure selectively opens and closes the open face of the vessel. A plurality of apertures permit electrical cords attached to contained plugs to pass to the exterior of the vessel. A lock associated with the vessel and closure selectively secures the closure in position closing the open face of the vessel. The vessel includes a plug self-retaining means for, in use, resisting any spring forces tending to cause initially loaded plugs and cords to exit the apertures while subsequent plugs and cords are being loaded into further apertures.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1986Date of Patent: November 10, 1987Inventor: Ronald G. Goebel
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Patent number: 4700995Abstract: A connector has a rectangular box-like form body with end walls and side walls and a transverse wall dividing the body into front and back parts. The transverse wall extends from one end wall to the other but at the sides extends backwards a distance from the side walls and then extends laterally to the back ends of the side walls. This forms a central web portion having a channel along each side and a back chamber between the channels. Terminals are positioned in the central web portion. A stub cable enters through an end wall into the back chamber, the cable conductors connected to rear ends of the terminals. Drop wire conductors can enter through grommets to connect to the front ends of the terminals. A cover is pivotally mounted at one end of the body. The back chamber is filled with potting compound after connection of the cable conductors to the rear ends of the terminals.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: Albert Kupferschmidt, Tracy D. Greene, Donald F. Jaycox
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Patent number: 4700961Abstract: A pair of electrical terminals conveniently accessible from the exterior of an automobile or truck and connected electrically to the positive and negative poles of a battery within the engine compartment of the vehicle. The terminals are located within a recessed chamber formed in the vehicle body with an insulated separator located between the terminals and supporting the terminals. To protect against tampering and environmental conditions a cover door with a locking latch encloses the recessed chamber. Preferably the door chamber, terminals and electrical connections to the battery poles are of sufficient size to permit the use of heavy gauge jumper cables for quick charging of the battery and quick starting of the vehicle. By locating the terminals in a chamber external to the engine compartment or other battery compartment of the vehicle the likelihood of a battery explosion caused by an inadvertent spark in connecting or disconnecting the jumper cables is greatly lessened, if not entirely eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: Harold F. ThomasInventors: Harold F. Thomas, James M. Deimen
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Patent number: 4671587Abstract: A child-proof outlet cover includes a base mountable over an electrical outlet faceplate and a pair of caps attached to the base with flexible strips. The caps are retained in the closed position on upstanding walls around openings in the base, which provide access to the outlet sockets. The caps include spaced-apart teeth and the walls include spaced-apart shoulders which engage in the closed position and prevent removal of the cap by a small child. A resilient sheet in the cap biases the teeth and shoulders into engagement. Depression of the cap toward the base followed by rotation are required for cap removal.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1986Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Safety 1st, Inc.Inventors: Michael Lerner, Michael Bernstein, Robert Selame