Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-05-08
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
C174S0400CC, C174S043000, C174S050510, C174S092000, C174S13700R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229089
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of German Patent Application Serial No. 198 17 934.0, filed Apr. 17, 1998, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inlet power feed for longitudinally slotted current contact lines.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,697 describes an inlet power feed for longitudinally slotted current contact lines of a type having an elongate plastic profile formed with an opening through which a terminal clip is connectable to the core of a multi-core cable, with the inlet feed region being enclosed by an insulating housing. Further provided is a conductor bar which extends vertically upwards into the area above the plastic profile.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,59 describes a junction bar of flat configuration.
A publication, issued by the company Akapp and entitled “Multiconductor” discloses an inlet power feed for current contact lines which are made of elongate profiles of PVC to form a housing for receiving current conductor rails. In the area of the inlet power feed, terminal clips are arranged on the conductor rails and guided to the outside through an opening in the housing. Each clip and thus each conductor rail is connected in electrically conductive manner with a core of a power supply cable. The inlet feed region is additionally protected by an additional housing cover by which the inlet feed region is simultaneously insulated against the outside. The multi-core cable projects through the housing cover and is secured thereon. A drawback of this type of inlet power feed is its relative wide size. As a result, a placement of several contact lines in side-by-side disposition proved in particular very difficult. Moreover, the inlet power feed is difficult to install, as the relatively thick cores of the power supply cable must be considerably bent for realizing an attachment to the clips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved inlet power feed, obviating the afore-stated drawbacks.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inlet power feed which exhibits a slender configuration and significantly simplifies the installation.
These objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter, are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a cover which electrically insulates the inlet feed region to the outside and receives a power supply cable which terminates at a location above the elongate plastic profile and includes a plurality of cores for connection to a plurality of conductor rails in one-to-one correspondence, and a plurality of flat conductive junction bars, each of the junction bars connecting one core of the cable to one conductor rail and having a flat side which confronts an outer side surface of the elongate plastic profile and, at least partially, bears in flat engagement on the outer side surface, whereby the junction bar extends inside the cover from the conductor rail vertically upwards into the area above the elongate plastic profile.
Through the provision of a flat junction bar, the attachment to the power supply cable can be shifted into the area above the elongate plastic profile so that the inlet power feed can be designed of very slender configuration. Moreover, there is no need to bend the cores of the power supply cable for attachment of the associated junction bar; rather, a simple spreading of the cores will suffice.
According to another feature of the present invention, the assembly is further simplified by so configuring the junction bar that the lower end is formed by a leg which extends in longitudinal direction so that the junction bar has a substantially L-shaped configuration, with the leg of the junction bar being adapted for flat engagement in electrically conductive manner upon the conductor rail. The L-shaped configuration of the junction bar results in a flat engagement over a large area with the conductor rail and is easy to mount. In addition, the L-shaped junction bar can be held against the conductor rail in a simple fashion by a U-shaped clamp which embraces the conductor rail.
Preferably, the leg of the junction bar is pressed against the conductor rail by a screw fastener which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and is supported on the plastic profile distal side of the clamp. This is advantageous, as the clamp can be pre-assembled to subsequently realize a simple and secure connection. The assembly can be further simplified by inserting the leg in a lateral opening of the clamp.
According to another feature of the present invention, the junction bar has an upper end which has attached thereon a clip for securement of a core of the cable in an electrically conductive manner. Thus, the cores can be connected easily with the associated junction bars on site with few manipulations.
In order to reduce the complexity of fabrication for the cover, the cover is designed in the form of a connector sleeve having ends spaced form one another in longitudinal direction to confine the inlet feed region and circumscribing the elongate plastic profile in a form-fitting manner. In this manner, a cover may be producible of few components and is easy to assemble on site.
According to still another feature of the present invention, the cover has a main body which is split in longitudinal direction into two identical body halves which are so configured as to be lockable at the ends. Moreover, the main body is connectable on both ends to identical end pieces. In this manner, the number of components is reduced and the assembly is less complex. Suitably, the main body is detachably connected to the end pieces by appropriate locking elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3325591 (1967-06-01), Wahl
patent: 3337697 (1967-08-01), Martin et al.
patent: 4090594 (1978-05-01), Ross, Jr.
patent: 4883919 (1989-11-01), Abele
patent: 5113038 (1992-05-01), Dehling
patent: 5124507 (1992-06-01), Dehling
patent: 5162616 (1992-11-01), Swaffield et al.
patent: 5322973 (1994-06-01), Dagan
patent: 5886300 (1999-03-01), Strickler
patent: 5962811 (1999-10-01), Rodiguez et al.
Publication “Multiconductor” issued by the company Akapp, No Date.
Kohlenberg Thomas
Lichtenvort Uwe
Oemus Klaus-Dieter
Röhr Michael
Schulte Uwe
Feiereisen Henry M.
Mannesmann AG
Nino Adolfo
Reichard Dean A.
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