General Electric Company

Michael J Ostrelich

Donald F Smith

Lawrence P Mellyn

A mechanical force to electrical signal transducer includes a flexible metal body operable as a beam in which a bending strain is to be measured as a measure of a mechanical force. At least a part of one surface of the metal body includes an electrical insulating material with a resistance element formed from a layer of a thick film resistor ink of the type used for thick film integrated circuits fused upon the electrical insulating material. A plurality of such transducers may be combined in a weighing scale, with the individual transducers electrically interconnected to provide for electrical summing of the transducer signals to provide a total weight measurement.

Thick film resistor force transducers and weighing scales

Insulation penetrating contact of a single piece electrical blade and contact is achieved in a connector of dead front construction by providing a single piece three link insulating housing adapted to fold up in valise fashion about the single piece blade and contact and about a wire extending into the housing. Electrical contact is made as the housing is closed and fastened in close form by forcing a bladed surface of the electrical contact into a channel in which the wire to be contacted is disposed.

Dead front plug with insulation penetrating contacts

Heavy duty electric plug

Two prong electric plug

A dead front plug is provided having an insulating housing with the general configuration of a valise. The electric cord enters the housing from the top of the valise. Strain relief is provided integral with the housing and comprises an annular channel around which the separated strands of the wire is directed. Radially extending pairs of walls in opposite sides of the valise press the two wire arcs into generally sinusoidal configuration along the length of each arc. Secure wire retention and strain relief is achieved.

Growing community of inventors

Easton, CT, United States of America

Michael J Ostrelich