Cooper Wiring Devices, Inc.

Eagle Electric Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Slater Electric Inc.

Other

Yuliy Rushansky

Jay J Mendelson

Gunter A Gallas

Tucker H Fort

Jean Claude Marcou

Mark B Greenwald

Howard S Leopold

Greogory Moreinis

Jeffrey J Ausfeld

Donald R Lamond

Wade R Bowden, Jr

Christopher J Claypool

Erik J Gouhl

Portion of a ground fault interrupter

Ground fault interrupter

An improved rocker-type switch has a toggle member pivotably mounted on a central pivot member in a frame of a top housing part joined to a bottom housing part holding switch contacts in a modular block subassembly. A pair of movable contact arms is actuated by spring-biased actuator members held in the central pivot member. The modular block subassembly has an insulative top block member, a top switch contact plate with switch contacts on upright tabs inserted through slots in the top block member, an insulative bottom block member sandwiching the top switch contact plate, and a bottom switch contact plate having switch contacts on upright tabs inserted through slots in the bottom and top block members, forming a pair of opposing switch contact positions for the movable contact arms. The switch contact plates have clip portions for inserting the tabs of respective switch contact terminal plates therein. For different switch configurations, e.g., single-pole, double-pole, 3-way, or 4-way operation, the switch contact plates are changed, but the same block subassembly and other parts can be used, thereby minimizing change of the surrounding parts, limiting insulative molding costs, eliminating tolerance stack-up, and facilitating assembly through automation.

Modular block switch assembly

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for opening a circuit when a ground fault has been detected in an attached circuit includes a current path structure containing no more than one splice and no more than one pair of contacts. A cantilevered movable contact arm and an activation device that moves in a linear fashion can be provided to open the current path structure when a ground fault is detected by the GFCI. In addition, the GFCI can include a transformer boat and solenoid bobbin that are snap fit onto a circuit board and located adjacent each other to provide rigidity to the circuit board and GFCI. The GFCI can be tested by a test switch that includes an integral cantilevered extension from an electrical terminal disposed over a resistor such that the cantilevered extension can be bent by a test button to contact a lead of the resistor and simulate a ground fault condition for the GFCI. Furthermore, the GFCI can include a housing with an outer portion that defines a uniform width channel adjacent a wire contact point to allow quick and easy connection to ground wires.

Electric circuit interrupter

Electrical circuit interrupter

A standoff assembly is disclosed for supporting an electrical component including at least one lead. The standoff assembly comprises a first supporting member including a protrusion and defining an opening and a second supporting member including a protrusion to mate with the opening of the first supporting member. The second supporting member defines an opening to receive the protrusion of the first supporting member and the protrusions engage one another to assemble the first and second supporting members.

Standoff assembly and method for supporting an electrical component

Protective electrical receptacle

Faceplate for a protective electrical receptacle

A tool for preparing multi-conductor electrical cable in a configuration for termination to and installation in a self-contained wiring device which locates the electrical cable in an anvil and a cutter assembly pierces the outer sheath of the cable and subsequently spreads the conductors of the cable as the cutter is advanced into the cable. The tool also provides flanges adapted for urging the sliced and spread apart conductors in the body of a self-contained wiring device to terminate the conductors to the device and permit closure of the device by a back cover.

Method and tool for preparing multi-conductor cable

An improved electrical connector device for coupling to the end of an electrical power cable. The cable is received in a connector housing, passing through a connector body and an apertured collar which is threadably engaged on the connector housing. A particulate shield is located within the connector housing to protect the housing and inner portions of the connector body from the intrusion of particulate matter, such as dust. The shield comprises a series of panel-like leaf segments which circumscribe the cable. The shield cooperates with the collar such that when threaded onto the connector housing, the opening formed by the leaf segments closes around the cable to form a protective covering for the connector housing and connector body.

Electrical connector device

An electrical switch device which includes a pair of movable contact arms which are operatively associated with a three-position switch mechanism so as to permit, in a unitary structure, passage of current to a partial load or to a full load and also to prevent passage of current to any load.

Three position electrical switch

Growing community of inventors

Port Washington, NY, United States of America

Yuliy Rushansky