Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Screw-thread operated securing part
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-05
2001-05-29
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Screw-thread operated securing part
C361S634000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238254
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a case designed for housing an electrical apparatus such as a circuit breaker, which includes at least at one of its ends, terminal compartments in which there are respectively housed connection strips and means for fixing the strips to external conductors such as a bar, a cable etc.
Different possibilities currently exist for power connection of a low voltage circuit breaker via the front of the apparatus. Connection to cables by means of terminals, connection to bars or connection of the “disconnectable” type to a fixed rigid conductor are in fact known.
Generally, switching from one connection mode to another requires the use of different parts. For example, for fixing a connection strip to a bar, the screws have to be immobilized in rotation. One of the solutions presently used consists of fitting the screws in metallic clips or small insulating plates fixed in removable manner to the connection strips. After the bars have been mounted on the screws, the latter are secured on the connection strips by nuts. On the other hand, for connection to power cables, immobilization of the screws in this way is not necessary. The latter are fitted across the strips via the rear of the apparatus and screwed directly into the terminals fitted for this purpose on the connection strips. According to these embodiments, the isolation distances are ensured either by a cover screwed under the apparatus (in the case of use of a clip) or by a suitable shape and dimensions of the previously mentioned plate, when the latter is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a case for an electrical apparatus of simple design enabling different types of connection to be achieved using a minimum number of parts.
For this purpose, the object of the present invention is to devise a case of the type mentioned above which includes a device for fixing the strips to the conductors includes, for at least one of the previously mentioned compartments, at least a first opening provided in the case, at least a second opening provided in the connection strip and situated facing the first opening(s), and at least one screw passing through two orifices facing one another and provided respectively in the case and in the strip to fix a conductor onto the connection strip. The first opening is shaped in such a way as, on the one hand to receive and guide in rotation at least one screw head of circular shape and, on the other hand, to block in rotation with respect to the case at least one screw head of a suitable non-circular shape.
According to a particular feature of the invention, the screws with circular heads are designed for fixing terminals onto the connection strip.
According to a particular feature of the invention, the previously mentioned screws with non-circular heads are designed for fixing the bars onto the connection strips.
According to another feature, the or each first opening is also designed to receive a fixed rigid conductor.
According to another feature, the or each first opening forms at least one housing of appreciably hexagonal shape cooperating with at least one screw whose head is appreciably of the same shape.
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De Pourquoy Laurent
Faber Tim
Luebke Renee
McCamey Ann
Parkhurst & Wendel LLP
Schneider Electric SA
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