Shane C Foster

US Patent:

46748202, Jun 23, 1987

Filed:

Mar 10, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/837713

Inventors:

Shane M. Foster - Long Beach CA
Neil T. Foster - Colton CA

International Classification:

H01R 422

US Classification:

439522

Abstract:

A reusable cap encapsulates an electrical terminal in a junction box which routes communication lines such as phone wires. The cap includes a tubular body having a self tearing slot which receives a phone wire radially extending from a stud of a terminal. The cap also has an indicator knob having a pointed end which is angularly aligned with said self tearing slot. A technician can insert the cap over the terminal by aligning the indicator end of the knob with the phone wire, thereby aligning the self tearing slot with the wire. As the cap is inserted over the terminal, the wire penetrates and splits the self tearing slot. The cap is filled with a water impermeable elastic electrical insulating semi solid gel which encapsulates the terminal upon insertion of the cap. When the cap is removed, the gel is retained in the cap and cleanly pulls away from the terminal. A color coded indicator tab may be inserted onto the knob of the cap for indicating secured status of the phone wire.