GB1602349A

GB1602349A - Terminal strip for the cover of an electrical appliance

Info

Publication number: GB1602349A
Application number: GB1857978A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SCHLEICHER RELAIS; Schleicher GmbH and Co Relais Werke KG
Current assignee: SCHLEICHER RELAIS; Schleicher GmbH and Co Relais Werke KG
Priority date: 1977-09-28
Filing date: 1978-05-09
Publication date: 1981-11-11
Also published as: DE2744074C2; CH635961A5; AT361558B; JPS5450994A; FR2404931A1; JPS5534985B2; FR2404931B1; IT1090737B; DE2744074B1; ATA813377A

Abstract

Connecting strips, which consist of flat plugs (18) and covering strips (24), are arranged on the lateral sides of the cover (12) of a time-switching relay. The covering strips (24) consist of transparent insulating material and enclose the flat plugs (18) in their centre part. Each flat plug (18) is equipped with plug contacts (22) which project outwards at an angle. An electric-shock protection edge (30) extends upwards from the covering strip (24), parallel to the plug contacts (22). The electric-shock protection edge (30) extends considerably beyond the end of the plug contacts (22). This construction results in it not being possible readily to plug connecting leads incorrectly onto the plug contacts (22), and in the electric-shock protection being achieved not by the cover (12) itself but by the electric-shock protection edge (30) of the covering strip (24). <IMAGE>

Description

(54) A TERMINAL STRIP FOR THE COVER OF AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE (71) We, SCHLEICHER GmbH & Co.

RELAIS-WERKE, a German Company of, Pichelswerder Strasse 3-5, 1000 Berlin 20, Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a terminal strip mounted in a recess in a cover for an electrical appliance, for example a time-lapse relay, comprising at least one sheet metal terminal which is inserted in an appropriate recess in a housing of the terminal strip. The terminal defines at least one terminal portion which extends on the inner side of the cover and at least one terminal portion which extends beyond the outer side of the cover.

The generally known housings for electrical switching devices of all types consist of a cup-shaped housing part, which is closed by a cover. Normally, connecting terminals arranged in a terminal strip are located in the region of the cover. The covers are generally constructed such that they can be used for a wide variety of appliances. In most cases, these covers comprise a fitted terminal strip which incorporates generally flat terminals.

The connection of the wires is achieved by placing connector sockets on the terminals. A terminal strip of this type is known for example from German Gebrauchsmuster 74 43 108.

In most cases the terminal strip of the appliance described is inserted in a recess in the cover. This is done in order to ensure a certain degree of protection against accidental contact with the terminals. However, it has been found that these known terminal strips do not provide adequate protection.

Frequently, so-called doublers are used in order to make it possible to connect twostranded wires with one connector socket.

These connector sockets then project unprotected from the cover. In this known terminal strip, the terminals are recessed in the housing, and therefore cannot be observed. The danger thus arises that connecting wires may be placed on the wrong terminals, since the individual terminals cannot be easily seen.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a terminal strip wherein the above mentioned problems are obviated or mitigated.

According to the present invention there is provided a terminal strip mounted in a recess in a cover for an electrical appliance, the terminal strip comprising at least one single piece sheet metal terminal having a first terminal portion which extends through, and projects from the inner side of, the cover and a second terminal portion, a housing comprising a first section which extends around a portion of the said terminal between the said first and second terminal portions and a second section which projects from the said first section outwardly from the cover along at least one side of the second terminal portion to leave the end of the second terminal portion exposed, and means connecting the housing to the cover.

The cover strip may be connected to the housing cover by for example locating pins, rivets, adhesive or welds.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the cover of the electrical appliance is relieved of the function of protecting against accidental contact with the terminals. Consequently, the cover may have a flatter construction, which lessens the overall height of the appliance. If, for example, screw terminals are used in the cover, since the construction of the cover is so universal, a single type of cover can be used for a relatively large number of types of terminal. Reliable protection against accidental contact is facilitated.

Connecting wires can be connected directly to the upper side of the cover and consequently the width of the cover can be reduced since the connections on the sides which were hitherto necessary in order to protect against accidental contact are avoided.

A further advantage of the terminal strip of the present invention is that when using terminals which project at an angle from the cover the said second section which protects against accidental contact may be located at the same angle with respect to the surface of the cover as the terminals. Similarly, an advantageous development consists in that the housing is constructed of transparent insulating material. Further, a section groove for receiving an indentification strip may be located in the outer surface of the said second section of the housing.

It is also possible to provide a larger number of doublers on the upper side of the cover, sufficient space still remaining for operating a control member. By using a transparent housing it is possible to see clearly through the transport second section of the housing the terminal to which the connector socket has been connected. Thus wrong connections can be seen and easily corrected.

By using an identification strip in a sectional groove in the second section ofthe housing, the individual plug contacts can be identified very easily. It is thus of particular advantage that depending on the overall height of the appliance, the identification strip of the plug contacts can be located on the angled surface of the second section for protection against accidental contact, which for visual reasons is the most favourable for the operator.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a timelapse relay; embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a section on line III--III of Figure 1 turned through 90o.

In Figures 1 and 2, a time-lapse relay is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. A cover 12 with an adjusting knob 14 on its face is placed on the side of the time-lapse relay 10. Terminal strips for the connection of the necessary electrical wires to the time lapse relay 10 are located on the two transverse sides of the cover 12. The terminal strips consist of double ended terminals 18 and a housing 24.

The housing 24 extends over the entire transverse side of the cover 12 and is secured to the cover 12 by locating pins 26 (Fig. 3) which project 'from the housing 24 towards the cover 12. The cover is provided with corresponding recesses receiving the locating pins. The terminals 18 are located in individual slots in the housing 24. The slots are constructed such that the terminals 18 are received with a tight fit in the housing 24.

Electrical connections may be made from inside the time-lapse relay 10 to terminal portions 20 which extend from the terminals 18 through slots in the housing 24 and through a recess 16 in the cover 12. The terminal portions 20 project inside the time lapse relay 10. In addition to the tight fit between the terminals 18 and the housing 24, the terminals 18 may be further secured by twisting terminal portions 20, after insertion such that lugs 21 engage in recess 16. The terminal portions 20 may advantageously be of soldered, push-in, crimped or similar type.

Each of the terminals 18 is provided with a further terminal portion 22 projecting outwards at an angle to the body of the terminal.

The terminal portions 22 serve to receive connector sockets. The housing 24 which is anchored in the cover 12 by the locating pins 26 comprises at one side a stop bar 28 which engages over the edge of the cover to provide a secure mounting. A rim 30 for providing protection against accidental contact with the terminal portion 22 extends outwardly from the housing 24, parallel to the terminal portions 22. The rim 30 is constructed such that it extends substantially beyond the ends of the plug contacts 22. In the embodiment of the terminal strip illustrated the rim 30 is located along the side of terminal portion 22 adjacent the adjusting knob 14, and is omitted on the side thereof remote from the adjusting knob 14. However, a similar rim may be provided on both sides of the terminal portions 22.

In the embodiment of the terminal strip illustrated in figure 2, a sectional groove 32 is provided in the side of the rim 30 adjacent the adjusting knob 14. An identification strip can be inserted in this sectional groove 32 and retained therein. Corresponding designations for each individual plug contact are provided on this strip.

In this afore-described embodiment, the illustrated terminal strip is used in conjunction with terminals, which have plug on terminal portions at each end of the terminal body. In a further embodiment (not shown), a similar terminal strip can be used for terminals which have both plug-in terniinal portions as well as connection strips provided with clamping screws. This further embodiment has the same advantages as those aforedescribed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A terminal strip mounted in a recess in a cover for an electrical appliance, the terminal strip comprising at least one single piece sheet metal terminal having a first terminal portion which extends through, and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. reduced since the connections on the sides which were hitherto necessary in order to protect against accidental contact are avoided. A further advantage of the terminal strip of the present invention is that when using terminals which project at an angle from the cover the said second section which protects against accidental contact may be located at the same angle with respect to the surface of the cover as the terminals. Similarly, an advantageous development consists in that the housing is constructed of transparent insulating material. Further, a section groove for receiving an indentification strip may be located in the outer surface of the said second section of the housing. It is also possible to provide a larger number of doublers on the upper side of the cover, sufficient space still remaining for operating a control member. By using a transparent housing it is possible to see clearly through the transport second section of the housing the terminal to which the connector socket has been connected. Thus wrong connections can be seen and easily corrected. By using an identification strip in a sectional groove in the second section ofthe housing, the individual plug contacts can be identified very easily. It is thus of particular advantage that depending on the overall height of the appliance, the identification strip of the plug contacts can be located on the angled surface of the second section for protection against accidental contact, which for visual reasons is the most favourable for the operator. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a timelapse relay; embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a section on line III--III of Figure 1 turned through 90o. In Figures 1 and 2, a time-lapse relay is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. A cover 12 with an adjusting knob 14 on its face is placed on the side of the time-lapse relay 10. Terminal strips for the connection of the necessary electrical wires to the time lapse relay 10 are located on the two transverse sides of the cover 12. The terminal strips consist of double ended terminals 18 and a housing 24. The housing 24 extends over the entire transverse side of the cover 12 and is secured to the cover 12 by locating pins 26 (Fig. 3) which project 'from the housing 24 towards the cover 12. The cover is provided with corresponding recesses receiving the locating pins. The terminals 18 are located in individual slots in the housing 24. The slots are constructed such that the terminals 18 are received with a tight fit in the housing 24. Electrical connections may be made from inside the time-lapse relay 10 to terminal portions 20 which extend from the terminals 18 through slots in the housing 24 and through a recess 16 in the cover 12. The terminal portions 20 project inside the time lapse relay 10. In addition to the tight fit between the terminals 18 and the housing 24, the terminals 18 may be further secured by twisting terminal portions 20, after insertion such that lugs 21 engage in recess 16. The terminal portions 20 may advantageously be of soldered, push-in, crimped or similar type. Each of the terminals 18 is provided with a further terminal portion 22 projecting outwards at an angle to the body of the terminal. The terminal portions 22 serve to receive connector sockets. The housing 24 which is anchored in the cover 12 by the locating pins 26 comprises at one side a stop bar 28 which engages over the edge of the cover to provide a secure mounting. A rim 30 for providing protection against accidental contact with the terminal portion 22 extends outwardly from the housing 24, parallel to the terminal portions 22. The rim 30 is constructed such that it extends substantially beyond the ends of the plug contacts 22. In the embodiment of the terminal strip illustrated the rim 30 is located along the side of terminal portion 22 adjacent the adjusting knob 14, and is omitted on the side thereof remote from the adjusting knob 14. However, a similar rim may be provided on both sides of the terminal portions 22. In the embodiment of the terminal strip illustrated in figure 2, a sectional groove 32 is provided in the side of the rim 30 adjacent the adjusting knob 14. An identification strip can be inserted in this sectional groove 32 and retained therein. Corresponding designations for each individual plug contact are provided on this strip. In this afore-described embodiment, the illustrated terminal strip is used in conjunction with terminals, which have plug on terminal portions at each end of the terminal body. In a further embodiment (not shown), a similar terminal strip can be used for terminals which have both plug-in terniinal portions as well as connection strips provided with clamping screws. This further embodiment has the same advantages as those aforedescribed. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A terminal strip mounted in a recess in a cover for an electrical appliance, the terminal strip comprising at least one single piece sheet metal terminal having a first terminal portion which extends through, and

projects from the inner side of, the cover and a second terminal portion, a housing comprising a first section which extends around a portion of the said terminal between the said first and second terminal portions and a second section which projects from the said first section outwardly from the cover along at least one side of the second terminal portion to leave the end of the second terminal portion exposed, and means connecting the housing to the cover.

2. A terminal strip acording to claim 1, wherein the said second section of the housing is located at the same angle with respect to the surface of the cover as the or each second terminal portion.

3. A terminal strip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is constructed from transparent insulating material.

4. A terminal strip according to any preceding claim, wherein a sectional groove for receiving an identification strip is provided in the outer surface of the second section of the housing.

5. A terminal strip for the cover of an electrical appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.