Connecting block structures for modular main distribution frames

Claim 2

A connector block for modular main distribution frames comprised of an insulating block body having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of clip-type electrical terminals inserted in said apertures, a wire fanning strip having at least one one-way gate wire retaining aperture comprising a strip body, first and second beam members affixed to said strip body, first and second head members affixed to said first and second beam members, respectively, each of said head members having a generally truncated tetrahedron shape, a progressively tapered wire insertion slot, said slot narrowing in width to slightly less than the diameter of a jumper wire at said retaining aperture, said slot being formed by said first and second head members, and first and second wire deflection lips on either side of said insertion slot, said lips being affixed to said first and second head members, for extending said slot into said retaining aperture, and means for attaching said fanning strip to said insulating block body.

Claim 3

The connector block in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the clip-type electrical terminals includes a pair of bifurcated insulation penetrating quick-connect terminals at one end, said terminals affixed to one another at a laterally displaced point so that each terminal of said pair is separately accessible, and a solderless wirewrap terminal at the opposite end.

Claim 4

A connector block for modular main distribution frames comprised of a plurality of clip-type electrical terminals each of said terminals including a pair of bifurcated insulation penetrating quick-connect terminals at one end, said terminals affixed to one another at a laterally displaced point so that each terminal of said pair is separately accessible, and a solderless wirewrap terminal at the opposite end, an insulating block body having a plurality of apertures therein for accepting said clip-type terminals, each of said apertures comprised of a pair of juxtaposed rectangular apertures laterally displaced from one another, first and second wire fanning strips having one-way gate wire retaining apertures, and means for attaching said fanning strips to said insulating block body.

Claim 5

A connector block for modular main distribution frames comprised of a plurality of clip-type electrical terminals each of said terminals including a pair of bifurcated insulation penetrating quick-connect terminals at one end, said terminals affixed to one another at a laterally displaced point so that each terminal of said pair is separately accessible, and a solderless wirewrap terminal at the opposite end, an insulating block body having a plurality of apertures therein for accepting said clip-type terminals, each of said apertures comprised of a pair of juxtaposed rectangular apertures laterally displaced from one another, first and second wire fanning strips having one-way gate wire retaining apertures, and means for attaching said fanning strips to said insulating block body.

Claim 6

The connector block in accordance with claim 3 wherein the one-way gate wire retaining apertures of the first and second wire fanning strips incLude a progressively tapered wire insertion slot, said slot narrowing in width to slightly less than the diameter of a jumper wire at said wire retaining aperture, and first and second wire deflection lips on either side of said insertion slot for extending said slot into said wire retaining aperture, said wire deflection lips having a slot side cooperating with the rest of said slot for guiding wires into said retaining aperture and an aperture side for deflecting wires in said retaining aperture away from said wire insertion slot.

Claim 7

The connector block in accordance with claim 3 wherein the first wire fanning strip includes a generally U-shaped groove extending along the entire length of said first fanning strip, said groove being used to vertically index said connector block on a mounting flange on said modular main distribution frame.

Claim 8

The connector block in accordance with claim 3 wherein the second wire fanning strip includes a plurality of locating pins for horizontally aligning said connector block during the mounting of said connector block on said modular main distribution frame, said locating pins also providing protection against shear and flexive forces, and a plurality of bidirectional latching spring members for securing said connector block to said modular main distribution frame.

Claim 9

The connector block in accordance with claim 6 wherein the first wire fanning strip includes a generally U-shaped groove extending along the entire length of said first fanning strip, said groove in conjunction with said locating pins and said bidirectional latching spring members of said second fanning strip providing an adjustable mounting arrangement wherein dimensional variations on the order of the depth of said groove between first and second mounting flanges on said modular main distribution frame are negated.

Claim 10

A connector block comprising means for separately terminating a plurality of electrical conductors, each of said plurality of separate terminating means including a pair of bifurcated insulation slicing quick-connect terminals at one end, and a solderless wirewrap terminal at the opposite end, means for mounting said termination means in a grid-like array, said termination mounting means including an insulating block body having a plurality of apertures therein for accepting said bifurcated insulation slicing terminals, each of said apertures comprised of a pair of juxtaposed rectangular apertures laterally displaced from one another, and means for reducing torsional fatigue in said conductors said fatigue induced by inherent rotational forces in said conductors, said fatigue reducing means comprising a wire fanning strip having one-way gate wire retaining apertures configured to make removal of said conductors through said gate more difficult than insertion through said gate. 9. A wire fanning strip having at least one one-way gate wire retaining aperture comprising a strip body, first and second beam members affixed to said strip body, first and second head members affixed to said first and second beam members, respectively, each of said head members having a generally truncated tetrahedron shape, a progressively tapered wire insertion slot said slot narrowing in width to slightly less than a nominal wire diameter, said slot being formed by said first and second head members, and first and second wire deflection lips on either side of said slot, said lips being affixed to said first and second head members, and extending said slot into said retaining aperture.

Claim 11

A connector block comprising means for separately terminating a plurality of electrical conductors, each of said plurality of separate terminating means including a pair of bifurcated insulation slicing quick-connect terminals at one end, and a solderless wirewrap terminal at the opposite end, means for mounting said termination means in a grid-like array, said termination mounting means including an insulating block body having a plurality of apertures therein for accepting said bifurcated insulation slicing terminals, each of said apertures comprised of a pair of juxtaposed rectangular apertures laterally displaced from one another, and means for reducing torsional fatigue in said conductors said fatigue induced by inherent rotational forces in said conductors, said fatigue reducing means comprising a wire fanning strip having one-way gate wire retaining apertures configured to make removal of said conductors through said gate more difficult than insertion through said gate. 9. A wire fanning strip having at least one one-way gate wire retaining aperture comprising a strip body, first and second beam members affixed to said strip body, first and second head members affixed to said first and second beam members, respectively, each of said head members having a generally truncated tetrahedron shape, a progressively tapered wire insertion slot said slot narrowing in width to slightly less than a nominal wire diameter, said slot being formed by said first and second head members, and first and second wire deflection lips on either side of said slot, said lips being affixed to said first and second head members, and extending said slot into said retaining aperture.