Connecting device for current distributor rails

Claim 2

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, the number of connecting contacts in each socket of said connecting body corresponding to the number of rail current conductors, said contacts being positioned in adjacent vertically spaced stacked relationship, a plurality of contact tabs on each connecting contact, each said connecting body socket having disposed therein one contact tab of each connecting contact, the contact tabs of adjacent connecting contacts in each socket of said connecting body being located at the same level and extending in adjacent spaced relationship in side portions of the respective one of said sockets.

Claim 3

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such thAt in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said connecting contact having four contact tabs bent out of the plane of a contact plate and disposed on a common second plane, wherein all said contact tabs of each connecting contact extend normal to each other and the crossing point of the imaginary straight line of all said tabs extending in the longitudinal direction of each tab lies externally of a bearing point of said connecting contact, two superimposed connecting contacts located on a common plane being turned with respect to the plane of their plate through 180* and relatively displaced at an angle of 90* and secured in position in said connecting body.

Claim 4

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such thAt in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said connecting contact having four contact tabs bent out of the plane of a contact plate and disposed on a common second plane, wherein all said contact tabs of each connecting contact extend normal to each other and the crossing point of the imaginary straight line of all said tabs extending in the longitudinal direction of each tab lies externally of a bearing point of said connecting contact, two superimposed connecting contacts located on a common plane being turned with respect to the plane of their plate through 180* and relatively displaced at an angle of 90* and secured in position in said connecting body.

Claim 5

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said connecting contact having a contact bearing plate and four contact tabs with imaginary tab extensions crossing at a common point, said crossing point being located in a corner of said contact bearing plate, two adjacent ones of said contact tabs extending outwardly at a right angle to each other located on the inner sides of the angle of two adjacent ones of said sockets, and two other contact tabs extending outwardly also at a right angle to each other located on the outsides of the angle of two other two adjacent ones of said sockets, the contact bearing plate of said connecting contact being provided in a free corner between two adjacent tabs with a fixing surface which cooperates with a fixing surface of said connecting body for correct positioning of said contact, said fixing surfaces for all connecting contacts being arranged diagonally and alternately opposite to each other in said connecting body.

Claim 6

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said connecting contact having a contact bearing plate and four contact tabs with imaginary tab extensions crossing at a common point, said crossing point being located in a corner of said contact bearing plate, two adjacent ones of said contact tabs extending outwardly at a right angle to each other located on the inner sides of the angle of two adjacent ones of said sockets, and two other contact tabs extending outwardly also at a right angle to each other located on the outsides of the angle of two other two adjacent ones of said sockets, the contact bearing plate of said connecting contact being provided in a free corner between two adjacent tabs with a fixing surface which cooperates with a fixing surface of said connecting body for correct positioning of said contact, said fixing surfaces for all connecting contacts being arranged diagonally and alternately opposite to each other in said connecting body.

Claim 7

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of cUrrent distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each connecting contact having two contact tabs at both ends of a diagonal bar extending at a right angle to each other, each of said contact tabs lying within the included angle between the centers of two adjacent sockets.

Claim 8

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of cUrrent distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each connecting contact having two contact tabs at both ends of a diagonal bar extending at a right angle to each other, each of said contact tabs lying within the included angle between the centers of two adjacent sockets.

Claim 9

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, there being four contact bridges mounted in each bridging body, each of said contact bridges having two superimpossed and spaced apart contacts arranged on two sides of a common insulating body of plastics material to which said contacts are secured, two relatively opposed ones of said insulating bodies each holding two superimposed contact bridges opposed to each other at the same level in two side portions of said bridging body and pivotable one upon the other relatively to each other at one end by means of arcuate displacement surfaces to Engage behind an extension of a cover of said bridging body forming an abutment to prevent movement of said insulating bodies relatively to the direction of insertion of said bridging body, and a compression spring between ends of said insulating bodies remote from said displacement surfaces, said spring urging said two insulating bodies in opposite directions.

Claim 10

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, there being four contact bridges mounted in each bridging body, each of said contact bridges having two superimpossed and spaced apart contacts arranged on two sides of a common insulating body of plastics material to which said contacts are secured, two relatively opposed ones of said insulating bodies each holding two superimposed contact bridges opposed to each other at the same level in two side portions of said bridging body and pivotable one upon the other relatively to each other at one end by means of arcuate displacement surfaces to Engage behind an extension of a cover of said bridging body forming an abutment to prevent movement of said insulating bodies relatively to the direction of insertion of said bridging body, and a compression spring between ends of said insulating bodies remote from said displacement surfaces, said spring urging said two insulating bodies in opposite directions.

Claim 11

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said contact bridge being a metal strip plate which at one end has a contact member contactable with said current conductors, and at the other end a contact member contactable with a tab of said connecting contact, planes of said strip plate and said two contact members of each contact bridge being rotated relative to each other through substantially 90*.

Claim 12

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each said contact bridge being a metal strip plate which at one end has a contact member contactable with said current conductors, and at the other end a contact member contactable with a tab of said connecting contact, planes of said strip plate and said two contact members of each contact bridge being rotated relative to each other through substantially 90*.

Claim 13

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, wherein each connecting contact includes a bearing plate, insulation spacers mounting individual connecting contacts in vertical spaced relationship, holding means for securely holding said connecting contacts in said connecting body against axial displacement about a common bearing axis, and an angular opening defined in each said contact bearing plate for said holding means.

Claim 14

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, including said protective contact being located above said connecting contacts, an insulating spacer between said protective and connecting contacts, and each said protective contact having a contact tab which projects into and extends in the side portion of each socket.

Claim 15

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, each socket having a removable insertion member in the form of a box-shaped plastics part, the bottom of which when in use is flush with the outside of said connecting body with a locking projecting on a wall thereof engaging in a bottom locking recess in said connecting body and, an insertion opening for an unlocking tool insulated from said electrical contacts.

Claim 16

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said connecting body includes an insulated housing of plastics material with a box-shaped lower portion and a box-shaped cover, a holding part extending between said cover and lower portion, each said socket defined by said lower part in eaCh side of said box, said bridging body having an insulated housing of plastics material formed from a box-shaped lower part and a box-shaped cover, and holding means between bridging body lower part and cover.

Claim 17

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said bridging body has a cover secured in place by connecting means, said protective contact bridge including a protective conductor bar and a protective conductor contact lockable in two positions and mounted for pivoting on the cover about said connecting means, said protective conductor contact when in use being in contact with said protective conductor bar, said protective conductor bar engaging over said cover on that portion thereof engaging in said connecting body and contact-closeable with said protective conductor of said connecting body before the establishment of electrical contact between said current conductors, said cover of said bridging body being provided in the pivotal range of said protective conductor with two spaced-apart locking projections which engage in a locking recess defined in said protective conductor for positioning said protective conductor in each of two lateral inclined positions according to the mounting of said rail protective conductor.

Claim 18

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, wherein a lower part of said bridging body is provided on the underside of that portion thereof engaging in said connecting body with a locking projection detachably engaging in a recess defined in the lower part of each socket, and the lower part of said bridging body having securing bars on two relatively opposed sides carrying the projecting parts of a respective one of said contact bridges, said bars engaging in recesses defined in the respective current distributor rail.

Claim 19

A connecting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said connecting body is of square form and is provided in the corners of all of the sides of said square with a projection engaging in a groove open in the vertical direction of each said side and in a groove provided in a side of the current-distributor rail holding the protective conductor for the parallel identical phase arrangement of the conductors, and said connecting body is provided in a corner on two adjacent sides of said square with a projection and on the other two sides of said square, in the corners adjacent to the said sides of said square, with a further projection.

Claim 20

A connecting device as recited in claim 10, including an eyelet-like extension provided on said cover, said extension defining a threaded bore extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of a rail and on the end of the bridging body remote from said connecting body, and a fixing screw in said bore, said screw effecting a detachable locking connection between said bridging body and a distributor rail and pressing against said rail with a clamping effect.

Claim 21

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respectivE one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, said protective contact being below superimposed current-conducting connecting contacts of the connecting body, said protective contact having a plurality of protective contact tabs of which two spaced-apart tabs located in side portions of a respective socket are provided in the bottom of said connecting body, and said protective contact bridge contact being closeable at one end with a protective contact tab of said connectinb body and at the other end with a protective conductor arranged at the free end of a side of the current distributor rail and accessible from a receiving space of said rail before electrical contact is made between said current conducting contacts.

Claim 22

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respectivE one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, said protective contact being below superimposed current-conducting connecting contacts of the connecting body, said protective contact having a plurality of protective contact tabs of which two spaced-apart tabs located in side portions of a respective socket are provided in the bottom of said connecting body, and said protective contact bridge contact being closeable at one end with a protective contact tab of said connectinb body and at the other end with a protective conductor arranged at the free end of a side of the current distributor rail and accessible from a receiving space of said rail before electrical contact is made between said current conducting contacts.

Claim 23

The connecting device of claim 15, wherein there are a pluraltity of said protective contact bridges of said bridging body and each includes a metal strip with a rectangular cross-section extending on edge by its greater cross-sectional dimension and parallel to a side wall of said bridging body and contact parts at both ends thereof are formed by bends in said strip, and one of said contact parts may be applied to said protective conductor and the other of said contact parts applied to the inside of a tab of said protective conducting contact.

Claim 24

The connecting device of claim 16, wherein said protective connecting contact of said connecting body is a plane metal plate having eight contact tabs of which two extend as a pair of tabs in parallel and engage in a common socket and in which opposing inner sides of each pair of tabs form contact surfaces for sliding contacts of said contact bridges, and in which all four pairs of tabs lie in one plane but are directed at right angles to each other.

Claim 25

The connecting device of claim 17, wherein said four superimposed connecting contacts include two first metal plates located with their contact tabs in a common plane and two second metal plates provided with the contact tabs bent into a second plane, a connecting contact of said first metal plates and a connecting contact of said second metal plates being arranged one above the other, and a connecting contact of the two co-operating contacts turned through 180* about a diagonal axis extending between two adjacent contact tabs and through a fixing groove in said connecting body.

Claim 26

The connecting device of claim 18, wherein each current-conducting contact bridge of said bridging body is held on its own insulating body and two said insulating bodies opposed to each other at a common level are held by means of a compression spring and urged outwardly thereby, and each insulating body is secured in position and pivotable within a certain range by an arcuate contact surface about an extension of said bridging body provided on a cover of said bridging body and having a circular cross-section.

Claim 27

The connecting device of claim 19, wherein each current-conducting contact bridge of said bridging body is a metal strip having a rectangular cross-section with its larger cross-sectional dimension on edge and extending parallel to a side wall of said bridging body and at one end has a contact plate bent at an angle to the plane of said strip and in contact with a current-conductor and at the other end has a sliding contact formed by a bend within the plane of said strip and in contact with one Of said tabs, each sliding contact being accessible by a lateral and front opening defined in said bridging body.

Claim 28

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each contact of said connecting body having a three-dimensional form and an electrical lead connected by welding to each such contact to act as a feed line, said lead extending out of the top of said connecting body, the ends of said feeding lines disposed in said connecting body being bent relatively to the portions of said lines extending in the vertical direction of said connecting body, each such end resting on a contact member associated therewith and welded to said contact member, and each contact member defining openings for other electrical leads extending to contact members provided therebelow.

Claim 29

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, each contact of said connecting body having a three-dimensional form and an electrical lead connected by welding to each such contact to act as a feed line, said lead extending out of the top of said connecting body, the ends of said feeding lines disposed in said connecting body being bent relatively to the portions of said lines extending in the vertical direction of said connecting body, each such end resting on a contact member associated therewith and welded to said contact member, and each contact member defining openings for other electrical leads extending to contact members provided therebelow.

Claim 30

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, said connecting body being provided with a lower square insulating base plate with upright hollow insulating posts at all four corners thereof and defining between said posts a lateral insertion opening, and a center upright centering pin which receives said contact members and engages by a centering rib in centering openings defined in said contact members with a plug connection, said connecting body having an upper box-shaped cover defining a receiving space open at the top for electrical terminal and connecting members, and locking members detachably securing said cover on said posts.

Claim 31

A connecting device particularly constructed for electrically connecting together electrical current distributor rails of the type having a generally U-shaped cross section and carrying in insulated relative relation a plurality of current conductors and at least one protective conductor, said connecting device comprising a connecting body adapted for positioning between adjacent ends of a plurality of current distributor rails, a plurality of sockets in said connecting body, said connecting body having therein in insulated relation a plurality of connecting contacts and a plurality of protective contacts opening into said sockets; and a bridging body for each current distributor rail, each bridging body having a first plug connection detachably received in one of said connecting body sockets and a second plug connection for detachable reception in an end of an associated one of said current distributor rails, each of said bridging bodies having a plurality of separate contact bridges each having means for connection to one of said current conductors of an associated current distributor rail and a respective one of said connecting contacts of said connecting body, each of said bridging bodies further having a protective contact bridge for connection to the protective conductor of the respective current distributor rail and the respective protective contact of said connecting body; the respective positions of the protective conductor, protective contact bridge and protective contact on the one hand and the current conductors, connecting contacts and contact bridges on the other hand being such that in the assembly of said connecting device with one of said current distributor rails through the use of one of said bridging bodies a protective connection is made in advance of a current distributing connection, said connecting body being provided with a lower square insulating base plate with upright hollow insulating posts at all four corners thereof and defining between said posts a lateral insertion opening, and a center upright centering pin which receives said contact members and engages by a centering rib in centering openings defined in said contact members with a plug connection, said connecting body having an upper box-shaped cover defining a receiving space open at the top for electrical terminal and connecting members, and locking members detachably securing said cover on said posts.