Terminal block

Claim 1

A terminal block having a front face and a rear face with an array of bores provided therein extending between said faces and defining at least one abutment surface in each of said bores, said array of bores being arranged in rows of predetermined sets of bores, each of said bores including a first portion which is generally circular in section and a second portion which is generally arched-shaped in section, said second portions having radial dimensions extending beyond the diameter of said first portions to define said abutment surfaces at the interface between said first and second portions, each predetermined set of bores being arranged in a generally U-shaped configuration which defines a pair of limbs and a bight portion; at least one groove formed in said rear face in association with each of said rows, each of said grooves connecting a central bore located in the bight portion of each predetermined set of bores in the associated row, said bores providing an interference fit for terminal contacts inserted therein via said rear face; and a face plate removably secured to said rear face, said face plate including an array of apertures formed therein, each of said apertures being associated with one of said bores to allow one end of terminal contacts seated in said bores to pass therethrough.

Claim 15

A method of forming a connector panel comprising the steps of: providing a terminal block having a front face and a rear face with an array of bores provided therein and extending between said faces and defining at least one abutment surface in each of said bores; providing at least one groove in the rear face connecting selected ones of the bores; inserting a first type terminal contact having a male end and a female end into the bore connected by a said groove via said rear face; inserting a second type terminal contact having a male end and female end into the remaining bore via said rear face whereby said first and second type terminal contact form an interference fit with the female ends thereof being adjacent the front face; securing a face plate having apertures formed therein associated with the ores to the rear face, said face plate allowing the male end of said second type terminal contacts to pass therethrough via said apertures, the male ends of said first type terminal contacts being reduced in length as compared with said second type terminal contacts and terminating at said groove; and extending a ground wire along said groove to connect electrically the male ends of the first type terminal contacts.

Claim 16

A method of forming a connector panel comprising the steps of: providing a terminal block having a front face and a rear face with an array of bores provided therein and extending between said faces and defining at least one abutment surface in each of said bores; providing at least one groove in the rear face connecting selected ones of the bores; inserting a first type terminal contact having a male end and a female end into the bore connected by a said groove via said rear face; inserting a second type terminal contact having a male end and female end into the remaining bore via said rear face whereby said first and second type terminal contact form an interference fit with the female ends thereof being adjacent the front face; securing a face plate having apertures formed therein associated with the ores to the rear face, said face plate allowing the male end of said second type terminal contacts to pass therethrough via said apertures, the male ends of said first type terminal contacts being reduced in length as compared with said second type terminal contacts and terminating at said groove; and extending a ground wire along said groove to connect electrically the male ends of the first type terminal contacts.