GB2034538A

GB2034538A - A terminal block

Info

Publication number: GB2034538A
Application number: GB7934238A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Cegelec SA
Current assignee: Cegelec SA
Priority date: 1978-10-11
Filing date: 1979-10-03
Publication date: 1980-06-04
Also published as: DE2940226C2; IT7968971A0; FR2438923A1; GB2034538B; ES484902A1; DE2940226A1; IT1119378B; FR2438923B1

Abstract

An automatic-connection terminal block for connecting two conductor wires together includes an insulating core member 1 and a cover 2 which co-operates therewith, the core being characterized in that it includes two longitudinal through channels 3 in which said conductor wires are inserted and in that the channels each have a first transversal slot 31, and a second slot 32 and the cover 2 being provided with a connecting part 4 which has two transversal slotted contact blades 5, and a knife edge so that when the cover is fitted onto the core, simultaneously making contact with, and trimming, the conductors. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A terminal block The invention relates to a terminal block and in particular to an automatic-connection terminal for connecting together two conductor wires of small cross-section such as those used in telecommunications cables. Usually, connection between two con ductorwires on a terminal block requires the ends of these wires to be cut to the required length, the stripping of the ends and the conductive ends to be appropriately clamped on the same terminal block.

The invention aims to provide a terminal block which allows these operations as a whole to be performed simultaneously and automatically, easily and rapidly.

The invention provides an automatic-connection block for connecting two conductor wires together, said terminal block including firstly, an insulating box which includes two parallel longitudinal channels, the ends thereof having openings which lead to the periphery of the terminal block, said conductor wires being inserted through said openings, said channels each having a first transversal slot, and secondly a cover provided with a connecting part which has two transversal contact blades each with a transversal slot and co-operating with the said box so that when the cover is fitted on the box, each blade enters one of said slots, and said slots surround said conductorwires, wherein one of said channels has a second transversal slot and the connecting part includes a transversal knife so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said knife co-operates with said second slot to cut the conductor wire disposed in said channel, the end of the cut wire possibly passing through the opening facing said channel.

According to one embodiment, the side of the insulating box has a longitudinal slot which leads into the adjacent channel and the end openings.

According to another embodiment, the two longitudinal channels have a first common slot and the connecting part includes a common contact blade which has two transversal slots so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said common blade enters said first common slot.

According to another embodiment, the channels have a second common slot and the connecting part includes a common knife so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said common knife co-operates with said second common slot to cut the conductor wires, the ends of said wires possibly passing through the opening facing each channel.

The openings of the channels can be constituted by cutouts in the bearing surface of the box which is fitted against the cover.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partial cross-section of a terminal block in accordance with the invention; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the connection unit illustrated in Figure 1 in the assembly position; - Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partial cross-section of a variant of a terminal block; and - Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partial cross-section of anothervariant of a terminal block.

The figures illustrate a terminal block which includes an insulating box 1 and two identical insulating covers 2 which are intended to close the upper and lower surfaces of the box. Forthis purpose, the housing includes, in a known manner, both locking latches 11 which co-operate in cavities 21 in the covers 2, and guide studs 12 disposed diagonally on each surface of the box and cooperating with corresponding holes 22 in the covers.

Each of the upper and lower surfaces of the box includes longitudinal channels 3 which lead to the periphery of the box via openings 30 constituted by notches in these surfaces. Each channel 3 includes a first transversal slot 31 and a second transversal slot 32, these slots extending beyond the side walls and the bottom of the channel.

The covers 2 also have openings 20 constituted by notches disposed facing the openings 30 of the box, but shifted longitudinally and cut-outs 26 intended for accommodating connecting parts 4.

The connecting parts 4 are U-shaped and each has a base 40 with, side by side at each end and for each channel, a contact blade 5 and a knife 6. In each pair of adjacent channels, the relative positions of the contact blades Sand of the knives 6 are alternate, while these components are interconnected by the base 40 which is common to them. Between the base and the free end of each contact blade adjacent to the box, each contact blade includes a slot 50 with a flared opening 51.

The terminal block is used as follows. The conductors 7 are inserted in the channels 3 and in the openings 30 on the surface concerned of the box 1.

Then the box 1 provided with the connection parts 4 is applied on this surface so as to make the guide studs 12 enter the holes 22 and the locking latches 11 enter the cavities 21. During this operation, the contact blades 5 enter the first slots 31 and the knives enter the second slots 32. This guides the insulated conductors 7 through the opening 51 and the contact blade 5 and inserts them in the slot 50.

The insulation of the wires ends at the edges of the slots 50 which come into contact with the conductive core of the wires 7. Then electric contact is established between the conductor wires of the same conductor wire pairs as disposed in two adjacent channels via the contact blades connected to the common base 40 of the connecting part 4. Simultaneously, the knives 6 enter the second slots 32 and cut the ends of the conductor wires 7 which can be removed through the openings 30 and 20. A stud 33 which projects from the bottom of the channel 3 between the contact blade Sand the adjacent opening 30, as well as a lock stud 23 disposed on the cover bites into the insulation of the conductor wire 7 to lock it in the channel.The connection diagram showing the connections formed by the connection unit is referenced 24 and is illustrated on the outside of the cover.

In the variant illustrated in figure 3, each pair of adjacent channels 3 includes a first common transversal slot 31 and a second common transversal slot 32. Likewise, each connecting part 4with which the cover 2 is fitted includes a common contact blade 5 and a common knife 6 for each pair of adjacent channels. Further, the openings 30 of each of the channels 3 are constituted on one side by holes in the transversal surfaces of the box. The covers 2 no longer include openings 20 and the locking latches and the guide studs are replaced by simple studs 12 which co-operate with the holes 22 in the box.

In this embodiment, the conductor wires must be inserted in the channels through the openings 30.

In the variant illustrated in figure 4, the connecting part 4 includes no knife 6 except opposite only one channel 3 of a pair of adjacent channels. This makes it possible to hold one conductor wire in the terminal block.

For this purpose, to facilitate the insertion of the wire in a channel of the box without having to pass it through the end openings 30, the channel situated on the side edge of the box includes a longitudinal opening 34 which leads into the channel and the end openings 30. In this case, the covers include side walls 25 which overlap the openings 34 in the closed position on the box 1. Each of these variants corresponds to a different connection diagram 24.

Claims

1. An automatic-connection terminal block for connecting two conductor wires together, said terminal block including firstly, an insulating box which includes two parallel longitudinal channels, the ends thereof having openings which lead to the periphery of the terminal block, said conductor wires being inserted through said openings, said channels each having a first transversal slot, and secondly a cover provided with a connecting part which has two transversal contact blades each with a transversal slot and co-operating with the said box, so that when the cover is fitted on the box, each blade enters one of said slots, and said slots surround said conductor wires, wherein one of said channels has a second transversal slot and the connecting part includes a transversal knife so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said knife co-operates with said second slot to cut the conductor wire disposed in said channel, the end of the cut wire possibly passing through the opening facing said channel.

2. Aterminal block according to claim 1,wherein the side of the insulating box has a longitudinal slot which leads into the adjacent channel and the end openings.

3. Aterminal block according to claim 1 or2, wherein the two longitudinal channels have a first common slot and that the connecting part includes a common contact blade which has two transversal slots so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said common blade enters said first common slot.

4. A terminal block according to any preceding claim, wherein the channels have a second common slot and that the connection part includes a common knife so that when the cover is fitted on the box, said common knife co-operates with said second common slot to cut the conductor wires, the ends of said wires possibly passing through the opening facing each channel.

5. A terminal block according to any preceding claim, wherein the openings are constituted by cut-outs in the bearing surface of the box which is fitted against the cover.

6. A terminal block according to any preceding claim, wherein the box and the cover include studs disposed between the contact blade and the opening facing the channel which is formed in the insulation of the conductor wire to lock it in position.

7. Aterminal block according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection diagram is shown on the cover.

8. An automatic connection terminal block substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.