US3777223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular electrical junction and interconnection means with supporting means for terminal blocks
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-26
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-09-26
Abstract
Abstract Electrical junction means for interconnecting a multiplicity of wires comprises a channel-shaped frame member having a plurality of mounting blocks secured thereto. Electrical terminals mounted on the mounting blocks provide interconnections among wires extending to the junction zone. The individual mounting blocks are removably secured to the frame in predetermined locations by means of latch arms and keys in the mounting blocks.
Inventors
- 👤 W Chandler
- 👤 G Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; H04Q1/14; H04Q1/141; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/2445; H01R4/2462; H04Q1/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
Electrical junction means for forming electrical connections among a plurality of wires comprising: a generally channel-shaped mounting frame having a web and sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a mounting rail extending from its free end, said mounting rails having spacedapart notches therein, a plurality of terminal module blocks supported on said frame on said free ends of said sidewalls, each of said module blocks comprising a one-piece molding of insulating material having a lower side which is opposed to said web and having an upper side and having wire receiving terminal members mounted on said upper side, each of said module blocks having a pair of parallel grooves in its lower side, said rails extending into said grooves, each of said blocks having a pair of openings extending therethrough from its upper side to its lower side, each of said openings intersecting one of said grooves, key means in each of said openings, each said key means comprising a key member integral with one wall of its respective opening and extending into one of said notches thereby to prevent movement of said blocks along said rails, latching means serving to latch each of said blocks to said rails, each of said latching means comprising a latch arm in one of said openings, each of said latch arms being integral with its respective block adjacent to said upper side and extending downwardly towards said lower side, each of said latch arms being spaced from, and flexibly movable towards, a second wall of its respective opening which is opposite to said one wall, each of said latch arms having a free end adjacent to said lower side of its respective block, and interengaging means on said free ends of said latch arms and said rails, said interengaging means being engageable and disengageable upon flexural movement of said latch arms towards said second wall, whereby said blocks are secured in predetermined positions on said frame by said key means and said latch arms, and said blocks are individually removable from said frame upon flexure of said latch arms towards said second wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
Electrical junction means for forming electrical connections among a plurality of wires comprising: a generally channel-shaped mounting frame having a web and sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a mounting rail extending from its free end, said mounting rails having spacedapart notches therein, a plurality of terminal module blocks supported on said frame on said free ends of said sidewalls, each of said module blocks comprising a one-piece molding of insulating material having a lower side which is opposed to said web and having an upper side and having wire receiving terminal members mounted on said upper side, each of said module blocks having a pair of parallel grooves in its lower side, said rails extending into said grooves, each of said blocks having a pair of openings extending therethrough from its upper side to its lower side, each of said openings intersecting one of said grooves, key means in each of said openings, each said key means comprising a key member integral with one wall of its respective opening and extending into one of said notches thereby to prevent movement of said blocks along said rails, latching means serving to latch each of said blocks to said rails, each of said latching means comprising a latch arm in one of said openings, each of said latch arms being integral with its respective block adjacent to said upper side and extending downwardly towards said lower side, each of said latch arms being spaced from, and flexibly movable towards, a second wall of its respective opening which is opposite to said one wall, each of said latch arms having a free end adjacent to said lower side of its respective block, and interengaging means on said free ends of said latch arms and said rails, said interengaging means being engageable and disengageable upon flexural movement of said latch arms towards said second wall, whereby said blocks are secured in predetermined positions on said frame by said key means and said latch arms, and said blocks are individually removable from said frame upon flexure of said latch arms towards said second wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Electrical junction means as set forth in claim 1, eAch of said blocks having a plurality of barrier members which are integral with, and which extend laterally from said two opposite ends, said barriers serving to separate wires extending to said blocks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Electrical junction means as set forth in claim 2, said barrier members extending beyond said first side, one of said barrier members on each of said ends being effective as a lever arm for disengaging the proximate one of said latch arms from the associated one of said rails.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
307 words
A terminal module member which is adapted to be disengageably mounted on a pair of parallel mounting rails, said rails having spaced apart notches therein, said terminal module member comprising: a one-piece molded block of insulating material, said block having means on one side thereof for mounting wire-receiving terminals thereon and having a pair of parallel grooves on another side thereof which is opposite to said one side, said grooves being adapted to receive said rails, said block having a pair of openings extending therethrough from said one side to said other side, each of said openings intersecting one of said grooves, key means in each of said openings, each said key means comprising a key member integral with one wall of its respective opening and adapted to extend into one of said notches thereby to prevent movement of said block along said rails, latching means for latching said block to said rails, said latching means comprising a latch arm in each of said openings, each of said latch arms being integral with its respective block adjacent to said one side and extending downwardly towards said other side, each of said latch arms being spaced from, and flexibly movable towards, a second wall of its respective opening which is opposite to said one wall, each of said latch arms having a free end adjacent to said other side of its respective block, and hook means on said free ends of said latch arms adapted for engagement with said rails, said hook means being engageable and disengageable upon flexural movement of said latch arms towards said second walls, whereby said blocks can be secured in predetermined positions on said rails by said key means and said latch arms, and said blocks can be individually removable from said rails upon flexure of said latch arms towards said second wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
307 words
A terminal module member which is adapted to be disengageably mounted on a pair of parallel mounting rails, said rails having spaced apart notches therein, said terminal module member comprising: a one-piece molded block of insulating material, said block having means on one side thereof for mounting wire-receiving terminals thereon and having a pair of parallel grooves on another side thereof which is opposite to said one side, said grooves being adapted to receive said rails, said block having a pair of openings extending therethrough from said one side to said other side, each of said openings intersecting one of said grooves, key means in each of said openings, each said key means comprising a key member integral with one wall of its respective opening and adapted to extend into one of said notches thereby to prevent movement of said block along said rails, latching means for latching said block to said rails, said latching means comprising a latch arm in each of said openings, each of said latch arms being integral with its respective block adjacent to said one side and extending downwardly towards said other side, each of said latch arms being spaced from, and flexibly movable towards, a second wall of its respective opening which is opposite to said one wall, each of said latch arms having a free end adjacent to said other side of its respective block, and hook means on said free ends of said latch arms adapted for engagement with said rails, said hook means being engageable and disengageable upon flexural movement of said latch arms towards said second walls, whereby said blocks can be secured in predetermined positions on said rails by said key means and said latch arms, and said blocks can be individually removable from said rails upon flexure of said latch arms towards said second wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |