US5600542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular automation device with a locking member
Assignee: Schneider Automation SAS
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Filing: 1995-05-04
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Granted: 1997-02-04
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Expires: 2015-05-04
Abstract
Abstract Modular automation device including a compartmented chassis which delimits an internal volume and accommodates a plurality of interface modules. Each module can be locked by a lateral pivoting lever which is journaled on one of its side walls and which cooperates with a fixed locking member on a vertical partition of its compartment. Alternatively, the lever can be journaled on a side wall of the vertical partition with the locking member located on the module.
Inventors
- 👤 Pascal Malgouires
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:10
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1462; H05K7/1467; H05K7/1474; H05K7/1475; H05K7/1477
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Modular automation device, comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of modules provided at a rear portion thereof with a connector and at a front portion thereof with one of a connector and a terminal block, each having a locking member and said modules being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by the guide members, each said modules being immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and accommodating at least one of said modules, the locking member comprises a flat lever pivoted on a journal attached to one of a side wall of the module and one of said vertical partitions, said flat lever being pivoted between an unlocked position and a locked position, and said one of said vertical partitions and said side wall comprises a fixed locking member projecting towards an interior portion of the compartment, the flat lever cooperating with the fixed locking member as a cam up to the locked position wherein a recess is located in one of a side portion of the module and the side wall and within which the flat lever is both located and pivoted so as to cooperate with the fixed locking member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Modular automation device, comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of modules provided at a rear portion thereof with a connector and at a front portion thereof with one of a connector and a terminal block, each having a locking member and said modules being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by the guide members, each said modules being immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and accommodating at least one of said modules, the locking member comprises a flat lever pivoted on a journal attached to one of a side wall of the module and one of said vertical partitions, said flat lever being pivoted between an unlocked position and a locked position, and said one of said vertical partitions and said side wall comprises a fixed locking member projecting towards an interior portion of the compartment, the flat lever cooperating with the fixed locking member as a cam up to the locked position wherein a recess is located in one of a side portion of the module and the side wall and within which the flat lever is both located and pivoted so as to cooperate with the fixed locking member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Device according to claim 1 wherein the flat lever and the fixed locking member are shaped so as to move the side wall of the module towards the partition of the chassis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Device according to claim 1 wherein the number and the disposition of the guide members are determined for undifferentiated insertion of one of a single functional module of the modules and two half-height functional modules of the modules into each compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device according to claim 1 which comprises a wiring terminal block fixed to a front wall of a casing of the module, the terminal block concealing access to the locking lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Device according to claim 1 wherein the flat lever comprises an attachment arm mounting the lever into the unlocked position by abutting against the fixed locking member upon inserting of the module into the compartment with the flat lever in the locked position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device according to claim 1 wherein the flat lever has an operating art and an attachment arm, the attachment arm being thinner than the operating arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Automation device according to claim 1 wherein the fixed locking member is molded in one piece and wherein the vertical partitions separate the compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Automation device according to claim 1 wherein the side wall of the module on which the flat lever pivots comprises a metal wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Automation device according to claim 1 wherein the flat lever has a convex rib cooperating with a concave groove located on the locking member and facilitating extraction of the module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
Automation device, comprising a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of functional modules each having a locking member provided at a rear portion with a connector and at a front portion with a terminal block, each module being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by said guide members and immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: an internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each of said components accommodating at least one of said modules, the number and disposition of the guide members are determined for undifferentiated insertion of one of a single functional module and two half-height functional modules into each compartment, and each vertical partition comprises two locking members projecting towards the interior of the compartment and cooperating with a respective locking lever mounted on a respective module wherein a recess is located in one of a side portion of the module and the partition wall and within which the flat lever is both located and pivoted and cooperates with the locking lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
191 words
Automation device, comprising a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of functional modules each having a locking member provided at a rear portion with a connector and at a front portion with a terminal block, each module being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by said guide members and immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: an internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each of said components accommodating at least one of said modules, the number and disposition of the guide members are determined for undifferentiated insertion of one of a single functional module and two half-height functional modules into each compartment, and each vertical partition comprises two locking members projecting towards the interior of the compartment and cooperating with a respective locking lever mounted on a respective module wherein a recess is located in one of a side portion of the module and the partition wall and within which the flat lever is both located and pivoted and cooperates with the locking lever.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
210 words
Modular automation device comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of module provided at a rear portion thereof with a connector and at a front portion thereof with one of a connector and a terminal block, having a locking member and said modules being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by the guide members, each of said modules being immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each accommodating at least one of said modules, the locking member comprises a flat lever pivoted on a journal attached to one of a side wall of the module and one of said vertical partitions, said lever being pivoted between an unlocked position and a locked position, and said one of said vertical partitions and said side wall comprises a fixed locking member projecting towards an interior portion of the compartment, the locking lever cooperating with the locking member as a cam up to the locked position wherein said journal is exclusively mounted to one of a single side of the modules and a side of the vertical partitions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
Modular automation device comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of module provided at a rear portion thereof with a connector and at a front portion thereof with one of a connector and a terminal block, having a locking member and said modules being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by the guide members, each of said modules being immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each accommodating at least one of said modules, the locking member comprises a flat lever pivoted on a journal attached to one of a side wall of the module and one of said vertical partitions, said lever being pivoted between an unlocked position and a locked position, and said one of said vertical partitions and said side wall comprises a fixed locking member projecting towards an interior portion of the compartment, the locking lever cooperating with the locking member as a cam up to the locked position wherein said journal is exclusively mounted to one of a single side of the modules and a side of the vertical partitions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
Automation device, comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of functional modules each having a locking member provided at a rear portion with a connector and at a front portion with a terminal block, each module being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by said guide members and immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each accommodating at least one of said modules, the number and disposition of the guide members are determined for undifferentiated insertion of one of a single functional module and two half-height functional modules into each compartment, and each vertical partition comprises two locking members projecting towards the interior of the compartment and cooperating with a respective locking lever mounted on a respective module wherein said journal is exclusively mounted to one of a single side of the modules and a side of the vertical partitions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
175 words
Automation device, comprising: a chassis which has horizontal and vertical walls and which delimits an internal volume fitted with rectilinear guide members, a plurality of functional modules each having a locking member provided at a rear portion with a connector and at a front portion with a terminal block, each module being insertable into the internal volume of the chassis by said guide members and immobilized in a connection position by said locking member, wherein: the internal volume of the chassis is divided into compartments separated by vertical partitions and each accommodating at least one of said modules, the number and disposition of the guide members are determined for undifferentiated insertion of one of a single functional module and two half-height functional modules into each compartment, and each vertical partition comprises two locking members projecting towards the interior of the compartment and cooperating with a respective locking lever mounted on a respective module wherein said journal is exclusively mounted to one of a single side of the modules and a side of the vertical partitions.
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) | 2000-02-04 | 2000-08-05 | 2001-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | 2005-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-04 | 2008-08-05 | 2009-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |