Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electrical power distribution systems and devices
Patent
1992-06-08
1994-03-22
Thompson, Gregory D.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electrical power distribution systems and devices
H02B 120
Patent
active
052970027
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for rapid attachment and removability of electrical serially-mounted apparatus on mounting rails.
2. The Prior Art
Such devices are used to allow simple assembly, exchange and resetting of switches, safety switches and control apparatus, combined in a permanent manner in domestic distribution systems and the like, as well as to hold them securely in position for ease of use when built into an electrical installation.
DE 25 23 197 03 discloses known snap sliders comprising slide member linearly displaceable against the force of a spring in order to provide complementary engagement behind a profile of the mounting rail. These slides have the drawback that the apparatus itself cannot be displaced transversely to the mounting rail, allowing it to be released and lifted out of its connection with an electrical bus bar. This type of attachment requires total dismantling of the existing bus bar in each separate case.
On the other hand devices which do not require removal of the bus bar in order to function, are expensively assembled from several separate parts and require a relatively powerful spring in order to ensure perfectly secure seating of the installed assembly when mounted in apparatus (cf. DE 34 43 540 01, DE 39 10 938 A1).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to simplify devices of this type with regard to their physical design, their capacity for assembly and their function or possible uses.
In comparison to the prior art devices, the device according to the invention for rapid attachment of electrical serially-mounted apparatus has the advantages of being reduced to a single one-piece coupling member, inherently elastic in design, between the assembly apparatus and its mounting rail, and which during manufacture may be simply, manually inserted into the outer surface of the finished apparatus, and thereafter is displaceably held between two specific engagement positions on the housing.
Thus, when the coupling member is in the engaged position, the respective assembly apparatus can be simply pressed manually on to the surface of the mounting rail and precisely secured there. Also the structure of the apparatus requires merely a transverse displacement of the electrical connector screw out of the bus bar. Thus, the coupling member will shift by itself from the locked position into the unlocked position, enabling the assembly apparatus to be lifted from the mounting rail. In addition, the design of its actuating end allows the coupling member, if necessary, to be shifted from the latched into the unlatched position using a tool supported against the casing. Thereafter it is possible simply to press the coupling member manually into the locked (engaged) position preparatory for assembly, or completing.
In one embodiment, the pins on the ends of both legs of the coupling member are hook-shaped to allow displaceable connection within the bearing holes, which are designed for this purpose as a slot. In order to simplify manual assembly, the pins are tapered in the direction of insertion, and if necessary with a zonal chamfering of the lower edges of the casing. Accordingly, the coupling member may be tightly inserted into the casing bearing, and then cooperate inherently elastically with the two engagement facilities in the housing.
In another embodiment, these engagement facilities comprise, on the sides of the housing, on the one hand recesses on the outer side, into which the coupling member can be forceably pressed manually, with two locking cams provided internally on the activating end of its web frame. On the other hand there is an externally-situated casing projection, which is in each case surrounded to provide a secure hold by a recess on the activating end of both legs of the coupling member.
In a further embodiment of the coupling member, the engagement end of its web frame is, in order to simplify manual pressing on to the hat profile of the mounting rail, laterally bevelled in a dow
Heinrich Kopp GmbH & Co. KG
Thompson Gregory D.
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