Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Insulating body having plural mutually insulated terminals...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-30
2001-04-24
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Insulating body having plural mutually insulated terminals...
C439S712000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220901
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electric motors and more particularly, to a terminal board assembly for connecting motor leads to power line leads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric motors sold for use in the United States often include multiple loose wire leads for connecting to the power line connecting leads. The wire leads and the power line connecting leads are connected, typically with wire nuts, in a conduit or terminal box attached to the motor housing. European standards require, however, that electric motors include a six stud connector block with connecting bars for setting “Y” or “Delta” voltage selections, mounted in the conduit box. The motor leads are attached to the connector block, usually with eyelet type connectors. To connect the motor to the power line, the power line leads must be connected to the proper terminal studs.
Electric motors manufactured to European standards using commercially available European type connector blocks with eyelet connectors are expensive to manufacture. Increased labor costs are incurred due to the increased time needed to mount the terminal block and to connect the leads using the eyelet connectors.
It would be desirable to provide a motor connector block meeting European standards that can be easily and quickly installed in the motor terminal box. It would further be desirable to provide a connector block that can be easily and quickly removed from the motor terminal box for service or replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects may be attained by a terminal board assembly configured to mount inside an electric motor conduit box and including a terminal board and a mounting bracket. The terminal board includes six terminal studs and three connecting bars extending between terminal studs configured to meet the European standards for electric motor connections to power line leads. Quick connect spade type connectors are coupled to the six terminal studs adjacent the bottom of the terminal board to facilitate quick and easy connection of the wire connection leads of an electric motor. The terminal studs and connecting bars permit a choice of “Y” or “Delta” voltage connections to the electric motor. The terminal board also includes a first and a second slot positioned at, and parallel to, opposing ends of the board for securing the terminal board to the mounting bracket as described below.
The mounting bracket includes a base portion and first and second side portions depending from opposing ends of the base portion. An engaging portion extends from each side portion and is configured to extend through the slots positioned at the opposing ends of the terminal board. Each engaging portion includes a retaining tab configured to engage the terminal board. The base portion of the mounting bracket includes at least one mounting opening for attaching the bracket to the electric motor conduit box.
To install the terminal board assembly in an electric motor conduit box, the mounting bracket is mounted inside the conduit box with mounting screws. The terminal board is then installed by positioning the board so that the slots in the board are positioned over the engaging portions of the mounting bracket. The terminal board is then pushed down onto the bracket so that the bottom of the board contacts the edge of the bracket side portions adjacent the base of the engaging portions, and the retaining tabs engage the board thereby securing the board in place. The motor wire leads may be connected to the board either before or after the board is secured in the mounting bracket.
The above-described terminal board assembly includes quick connect terminal connectors for quick and easy connection of the electric motor wire connection leads to the board. Additionally, the mounting bracket permits the terminal board to “snap in place” in the conduit box without the use of additional fasteners. The “snap in place” mounting bracket permits easy installation and easy removal of the terminal board for possible service, replacement, or installation of the power line connection leads.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4458974 (1984-07-01), Knickerbocker
patent: 4775324 (1988-10-01), Norden
patent: 5588881 (1996-12-01), Eggert et al.
patent: 5989074 (1999-11-01), Miller et al.
Blake David R.
Butcher James A.
Fisher L. Edwin
Pape Marc D.
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
General Electric Company
Horton Esq. Carl B.
Hyeon Hae Moon
Sircus Brian
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