Electrical connectors – Bus duct
Patent
1998-06-02
2000-04-04
Luebke, Renee S.
Electrical connectors
Bus duct
H01R 460
Patent
active
060453796
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connections generally and, more specifically, to connections involving the use of a bus bar system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bus bars for large amounts of current require a large cross-section, which then no longer permits the connection of leads and equipment in the known manner by means of simple plug-in connection or by means of simple connecting adapters. Therefore, bus bars with cross-sections with n corners (n.gtoreq.3) have been considered which feature longitudinally directed, recessed receptacle grooves on their sides.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus to connect leads or devices to a bus bar of a bus bar system that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to connect leads or devices to a bus bar of a bus bar system that make possible in a simple manner, the connection of leads or devices to a bus bar having at least four corners. How these and other important objects are accomplished will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention involves an improvement to an apparatus for connecting leads or devices to a bus bar system. Said apparatus is comprised of a bus bar having at least three outer sides therealong wherein a plurality of the outer sides each have a receptacle groove formed in them and extending therealong. The improvement is comprised of the receptacle groove being substantially T-shaped in cross-section with a cross-portion within the bus bar and a base portion opening along the outer side. Conductive inserts are located within each one of the receptacle grooves. Each insert is adapted to the cross-section of the cross-portion and extends along a part of the length of the bus bar. A series of connecting pieces attached to the inserts are adapted to the base portion of the receptacle groove whereby the insert and connecting piece are provided with a threaded aperture that passes through the connecting piece.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cross-portion has a first cross-sectional area, the base portion has as a second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is narrower than the first cross-sectional area. In such embodiment, the conductive inserts have four corners. Two of the corners diagonally opposed to each other are rounded and the diagonal distance between the rounded corners is determined by the cross-sectional area of the base portion.
In another embodiment, at least one conductive insert is placed in each of a plurality of bus bars and the bus bars are coupled together via the conductive inserts.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the conductive inserts is adapted to the cross-section of the cross-portion and extends along a part of the length of the bus bar. The inserts each have a connecting piece projecting from the receptacle groove of the bus bar and a threaded aperture therethrough adjacent to the connecting piece and accessible when the inserts are positioned in the cross-portion.
In a specific version of the preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has a thickness that is less than the cross-sectional area of the base portion. In such version, the base portion of the receptacle groove has at least one wall and the connecting piece is molded onto the insert piece in such a manner that it abuts the wall of the base portion.
In another version of the preferred embodiment, the connecting piece is molded onto the insert in such a manner that when the insert is placed in the receptacle groove, the connecting piece is centered in the base portion of the receptacle groove.
In yet another version, the connecting piece has a free end and a holding member is joined at a right angle to the free end of the connecting piece.
In still another version of the preferred embodiment, at least one conductive insert is placed in each of a plurality of bus bars and the bus bars are cou
REFERENCES:
patent: 3210716 (1965-10-01), Meacham
patent: 3337697 (1967-08-01), Martin
patent: 4030794 (1977-06-01), Rozenboom
Luebke Renee S.
Nasri Javaid
Rittal--Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
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