US4099826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feed-through terminal block
Assignee: Amerace Corp
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Filing: 1977-04-07
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1997-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A dual orientation feed-through terminal block capable of being mounted selectively in either one of two orientations and including an electrical terminal member affixed in the block and having a contact extending through a slot in the block, the contact being permanently deformable into remains affixed in the block, to provide a feed-through in a direction appropriate to the selected mounting orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F. Mazzeo
- 👤 William T. Waddington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R11/00; H01R11/03; H01R4/00; H01R4/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A dual orientation feed-through terminal block for detachably connecting external electrically conductive elements to further circuitry, said terminal block comprising: a block of dielectric material having opposite sides, a first base extending between the sides, and a second base extending between the sides and making an angle with the first base; at least one recess in the block; a slot in the block, said slot having a continuous opening facing both of the first and second bases and communicating with the recess; and an electrical terminal member affixed to the block within the recess, the terminal member having a terminal portion for selectively connecting and disconnecting an external conductive element and the terminal member, said terminal portion including a platform having an upper surface, and said terminal member further having an integral electrical contact extending through the slot and projecting beyond one of said bases; said contact being movable into one of first and second positions, while the terminal member remains affixed to the block, the contact in the first position thereof projecting beyond the first base and the contact in the second position thereof projecting beyond the second base, whereby the block may be mounted upon either selected one of the first and second bases and provide a feed-through beyond said selected one of the bases; the opening of the slot including a first open portion parallel to the first base and a second open portion parallel to the second base, the first and second open portions being in open communication with one another such that the contact is movable laterally from one open portion into the other when moved from one of the first and second positions to the other; and wherein the opening of the slot is spaced from the upper surface of the platform in a direction extending downwardly from the upper surface such that the conductive element, when clamped to the upper surface of the platform, will be blocked from entering the slot by the material of the block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
A dual orientation feed-through terminal block for detachably connecting external electrically conductive elements to further circuitry, said terminal block comprising: a block of dielectric material having opposite sides, a first base extending between the sides, and a second base extending between the sides and making an angle with the first base; at least one recess in the block; a slot in the block, said slot having a continuous opening facing both of the first and second bases and communicating with the recess; and an electrical terminal member affixed to the block within the recess, the terminal member having a terminal portion for selectively connecting and disconnecting an external conductive element and the terminal member, said terminal portion including a platform having an upper surface, and said terminal member further having an integral electrical contact extending through the slot and projecting beyond one of said bases; said contact being movable into one of first and second positions, while the terminal member remains affixed to the block, the contact in the first position thereof projecting beyond the first base and the contact in the second position thereof projecting beyond the second base, whereby the block may be mounted upon either selected one of the first and second bases and provide a feed-through beyond said selected one of the bases; the opening of the slot including a first open portion parallel to the first base and a second open portion parallel to the second base, the first and second open portions being in open communication with one another such that the contact is movable laterally from one open portion into the other when moved from one of the first and second positions to the other; and wherein the opening of the slot is spaced from the upper surface of the platform in a direction extending downwardly from the upper surface such that the conductive element, when clamped to the upper surface of the platform, will be blocked from entering the slot by the material of the block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the angle between the first and second bases is 90°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the angle between the first and second bases is 90°; the first and second open portions of the slot are perpendicular to one another; and the first and second positions of the contact are at right angles to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the terminal portion of the terminal member includes a clamping member selectively movable toward and away from the platform to selectively clamp the external conductive element to the upper surface of the platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the contact extends generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the platform when in the first position, and extends generally parallel to the upper surface, and spaced downwardly therefrom, when in the second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the opening of the slot includes a first open portion parallel to the first base and a second open portion parallel to the second base, the first and second open portions being in open communication with one another such that the contact is movable laterally from one open portion into the other when moved from one of the first and second positions to the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein: the angle between the first and second bases is 90°; the first and second open portions of the slot are perpendicular to one another; and the first and second positions of the contact are at right angles to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the block of dielectric material is a unitary molded construction.
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) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |