AU766104B2

AU766104B2 - Electric device with a connection clip and a receiving fixture for a second electric device

Info

Publication number: AU766104B2
Application number: AU57333/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Helmut Heindorf; Dietmar Hillebrand; Jurgen Pries
Original assignee: AEG Niederspannungstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: AEG Niederspannungstechnik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1998-10-09
Filing date: 1999-08-11
Publication date: 2003-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-11
Also published as: NO20002932D0; WO2000022305A1; TR200001649T1; ATE317067T1; NO20002932L; DE59913100D1; ES2257073T3; PL194855B1; NO323029B1; CN1287595A; BR9906855A; DE19846577A1; DK1038109T3; DE19846577C2; EP1038109B1; EP1038109A1; AU5733399A; CN1121559C; PL341307A1; HUP0004540A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device for two components, especially individual electrotechnical components (13,14) such as power circuit breakers, residual-current circuit breakers or similar. The inventive connection device consists of a connecting clip (1), a receiving fixture for a connection clip (1) and a contact fixture. The connection clip is a separate component which is rotationally mounted in a component (13) that is to be connected. The connection clip is anchor-shaped and consists of a rod and an anchor bar (4). The rod (3) has a rotating foot (2) on the opposite end to the anchor bar (4), whereby said rotating foot is rotationally mounted in a receiving mounting (12) that is located in the component (13) that is to be connected. The anchor bar has snap-in sections (4a) on both sides. The contact fixture for receiving the snap-in sections (4a) in the component that is to be connected (14) consists of a recess (11) that has an undercut, whereby a bulging snap-in section (4a) of the anchor bar (4) can be snapped therein. By rotating the connection clip (1) in the direction of arrow A, the snap-in section (4a) engages with the undercut (11) and both components that are to be linked are detachably connected to each other.

Description

ELECTRIC APPLIANCE COMPRISING A CONNECTING CLIP AND A CONNECTING CLIP SEAT FOR FORMING A CONNECTION WITH A SECOND ELECTRIC APPLIANCE Description The present invention relates to a connecting means for connecting several individual components, in particular for connecting two electrotechnical individual components or electric appliances. Such a connecting means consists of a connecting clip connecting two individual components with each other, a connecting clip seat which is provided at one of the individual components to be connected and an engaging seat which is likewise provided at one of the individual components to be connected so as to allow engagement with a connecting clip for connecting two individual components. Thus, a connecting clip/connecting clip seat system is obtained, which represents the connecting means.

The installation of electrotechnical components often requires the connection of two individual components since either they cooperate or a large number of them must be installed side-byside in switch boxes etc.

However, it shall be emphasized that the use is not restricted to the connection of electrotechnical elements alone. Rather is this field described as an example, since the presently preferred embodiments belong to this field.

For example, it is a common thing in electric engineering to connect two individual components by spring clips. Such a spring clip consists of a spring steel which is spirally rolled at both ends. These two rolled end portions are then inserted into appropriate recesses provided in the individual components to be connected, the dimensions being such that the insertion is only possible by applying a certain pressure, so that the spring clip virtually catches with the recesses so as to ensure a reliable connection.

/md PAWPDOCSLMHUB\L Mi]IerSpmeiiutims748795O resposed-290703 -2- However, the assembly of this spring clip construction is difficult and requires a lot of manual skill, which results in a longer assembly time and, consequently, higher production costs. Besides, fixing members rings or discs) are required between the appliances to be connected, which cause additional expense. Moreover, the spring clip can easily be lost as it is a small separate member which is carried loose until assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connecting clip for connecting two components, the connecting clip being generally anchor shaped and including an elongated rod having opposed end portions and a longitudinal axis extending in a general direction of between the end portions, an anchor arm at one end portion of the rod, the anchor arm having an arm axis extending generally laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod and including arm sections extending to respective sides of the elongated rod, a swivel foot at the other end portion of the rod, the foot being adapted for rotation about a rotation axis, each arm section having at a free end thereof a bellied catch 15 section and wherein the rotation axis of the foot is generally at right angles to the arm axis S generally and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod and a peg projecting from the rod in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connecting clip seat for receiving a connecting clip according to any one of the preceding claims, the seat being provided in a component to be connected, and including a groove open at least at one end, for guiding the rod of the connecting clip, the grooving including an undercut, wherein, the undercut stops before the end of said groove, so that a contact surface is formed which services as a pivot bearing for the swivel foot of said connecting clip.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an engaging seat for engagement of a connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the seat being provided in a compartment to be connected, and includes a recess having a shape which approximately corresponds to the negative form of an engagement surface section of an arm section said anchor arm relative to said rod.

AWPDOCSUMB\Lertx M ImSpodikuiions\7487950 raponscdoc.29107/03 -2A- According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric component comprising a connection means including a connecting clip according to any one of the claims 1 to 4 and a connecting clip seat according to any one of the claims 5 to 12, and an engaging seat according to any one of the claims 13 to 19.

Preferably, the swivel foot includes a projection, said projection projecting in the general direction of the rotation axis, on at least one side of the rod.

Preferably, the rod and said anchor arm include generally flat side faces.

Preferably, the anchor arm includes a notch provided on a side remote from said rod.

Preferably, at both lateral ends of said groove, said undercut of said groove stops before the end of said groove, so that a contact surface is formed at both ends, which serves as a pivot bearing for said swivel foot of said connecting clip.

Preferably, a sectional indentation is provided on a side of the component to be connected, the side serving as a fitting side for a component to be connected thereto.

Preferably, when correspondingly attaching a second component to be connected which has a corresponding design, a common groove is formed.

Preferably, an assembly assistance bevel is provided in the starting area of the sectional indentation.

Preferably, the sectional indentation is further developed to a groove, said groove having an introduction section and a wider catch section, so that, relative to said introduction section, an undercut is formed and an insert receptacle which extends in parallel with said groove, next to same, inside of the component to be connected.

PA\WPDOCS\LMB\1Artc Milla\Splcaifions\74S795 responsdo-291O7IO3 -2B Preferably, at the open end, said groove has a pair of assembly assistance bevels provided at the groove walls facing each other.

Preferably, several grooves as well as several insert receptacles are provided in a component to be connected.

Preferably, the recess is provided in both edge regions of the component to be connected, in order to receive an arm section of the anchor arm optionally in either or both edge regions.

Preferably, the recess includes an undercut.

Preferably, a sectional indentation is provided on the outside of the component to be connected, the side serving as a fitting side for a component to be connected thereto.

Preferably, said sectional indentation is further developed to a groove, said groove having an introduction section and a wider catch section, so that, relative to said introduction section, an undercut is formed and an insert receptacle which extends in parallel with said 25 groove, next to same, inside of the component to be connected.

Preferably, on the housing, in a plurality of positions spaced apart, a connecting clip seat and/or an engaging seat and/or a connecting means as described above is provided.

Preferably, the housing consists of two housing halves, a connecting clip as described above being inserted before the housing is assembled.

P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lest MiIIW p~ifiua ms\7487950 rmponse.do-29/07/03 -2C- In the following, some advantages of the connecting means according to the invention are indicated.

The connecting clip can no longer be lost in that the swivel foot of the connecting clip is pre-assembled in one of the individual components to be connected and is supported so that it cannot drop out. Due to the advantageous design that the connecting clip is supported in an undercut groove in one individual component to be connected in a manner to be movable from the right edge of one side to the left edge of this side, only one connecting clip is necessary which allows the connection of an individual component to be connected optionally on the right a a e *e side or on the left side, depending on the fact on which side the connection is needed.

By providing a limiting peg at the rod of the connecting clip, which exceeds beyond the thickness of the connecting clip, the anchor stock of the connecting clip cannot completely disappear in the undercut groove within the component to be connected.

Further, when clamping together the two components to be connected, the limiting peg can serve for guiding the movement.

The connecting clip can be preferably designed so that it can be easily handled, so that the connecting means can also be easily detached again. This is effected e. g. by an appropriate design of the anchor stock, e. g. by providing a notch in the middle of the anchor stock, into which, upon disassembly of the appliance, e. g. the point of a screw driver can be put and the connecting clip can consequently be easily detached.

The connecting clip seat can be designed in a molding process so that it is provided, on at least two assembly sides, with a rectangular support for the swivel foot of the connecting clip as well as with an undercut for receiving the catch section of the anchor stock of the connecting clip so as to allow the connection of a further component. This renders the connecting means multifunctional, because, according to demand, it may be used as a connecting clip seat for receiving the catch section of the anchor stock of the connecting clip or as a swivel foot receptacle of the connecting clip. This simplifies the production of the connecting means and production costs can be reduced.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is possible to design the connecting clip seat so as to be multifunctional.

This allows an optional use of different connecting clips in order to connect two components.

In the following, the invention shall be explained more precisely by describing preferred embodiments and by referring to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connecting clip.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of two individual components to be connected and of the connecting clip, both individual components being represented partially broken off and one of the individual components besides being represented only partially.

Figure 3 shows the same view as figure 2, the connecting clip, however, being in its caught state.

Figure 4 shows another perspective representation of figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a connecting clip which is used in a second embodiment.

Figure 6 is a perspective representation of the connecting clip shown in figure 5 and of a connecting clip seat according to a second embodiment.

Figure 7 is a sectional representation partially showing two components to be connected, which are connected by the connecting clip according to figure In the following, explanations as to the first embodiment are given by referring to the figures 1 to 4.

By referring to figure 1, the connecting clip 1 is now explained more precisely.

The connecting clip 1 has a substantially anchor-shaped construction, comprising a rod 3 as well as an anchor stock 4 which extends at right angles across one end of the rod. The rod 3 as well as the anchor stock 4 have a flat design and a rectangular cross-section. At the other end of the rod, opposite to the anchor stock 4, there is a swivel foot 2 which is shaped as a round shaft portion which laterally projects left and right of the rod 3. The rotational axis of the swivel foot is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the anchor stock 4. Besides, the rotational axis of the swivel foot 2 is aligned at right angles with respect to the longitudinal extension of the of the anchor stock 4. Approximately in the middle of the rod 3, a peg 5 is provided which extends in parallel with the rotational axis of the swivel foot 2 and, consequently, likewise, laterally projects a little from the rod 3. The anchor stock 4 has a slightly curved bellied catch section 4a which is bent towards the rod 3. During assembly, this catch section 4a serves as a catch element. Centrally, at the top of the anchor stock, on its side turned away from the rod, a notch 6 is provided.

As can be seen in figure 2, the reference numerals 13 and 14 refer to two components to be connected, wherein e. g. the component 14 is the main device and the component 13 is an auxiliary device which has to be mounted on the main device.

In each of the two components 13 and 14 to be connected, a connecting clip seat as well as two recesses 11 provided on the left and on the right in the connecting clip seat are provided.

In the following, the connecting clip seat is described.

As shown by figure 2, on one side of the component 13 and 14, a groove 7 extending over the entire lateral length is provided.

The groove 7 is open at both side ends. In the groove, an undercut 9 is provided, so that the groove 7 together with the undercut 9 forms a kind of guide groove in which the swivel foot 2 of the connecting clip 1 is accomodated and supported so as to allow a sliding shift to the left and the right. While the rod 3 is guided in the groove 7 the swivel foot 2 is located in the undercut 9. The anchor stock 4 is outside the groove 7. Due to the fact that the swivel foot 2 is guided in the undercut 9 it is impossible that the connecting clip drops out of the groove, so that it can no longer be lost. The peg avoids that the anchor stock 4 inadvertently gets inside the component 13 through the groove 7 since, then, it would no longer be accessible from outside.

In the following, the -engaging recess in the components 13 and 14 is described.

Same serves for receiving and holding the catch section 4a of the connecting clip 1. For this purpose, inside each of the components 13, 14, a recess 11 is formed on the left and right side on the side of the groove 7. This recess 11 has a shape substantially corresponding to that of the catch section 4a of the anchor stock. I. e. it consists of a contact surface which extends inside the component 13, 14 approximately perpendicularly to the extension of the groove 7. At the end of this contact surface, there is an undercut which approximately corresponds to the shape of the bellied catch section 4a of the connecting clip 1. When assembling both components to be connected the catch section 4a can catch with the recess 11 and engage with the undercut. Depending on the design of the recess and the adjustment of the material flexibility of the connecting clip, the catch function can be set from very hard and difficult to be detached again to very easy and easily detachable.

In the following, the connection of both components 13, 14 by the connecting clip 1 is described.

Figure 2 shows a representation where the connecting clip 1 is arranged in a component 13 to be connected and where it is in its open position. The component 14 to be connected to the component 13 is in a contact position in which both components shall be connected to each other. More precisely, the swivel foot 2 of the connecting clip 1 is arranged in a rectangular pivot bearing 12 of the one component 13 to be connected. For an easier understanding, the upper cover of the component 13 to be connected, in which the connecting clip is provided, is partially broken off, so that the connecting clip is entirely visible. In reality, of course, the rod 3 of the connecting clip 1 is located, together with its swivel foot 2, inside the component 13 to be connected and only a part of the rod 3 and the anchor stock 4 project from the component 13 to be connected through a slit-like opening of the groove 7. The connecting clip 1 is rotatable around its swivel foot 2. If, now, the connecting clip 1 is rotated around the swivel foot 2 in the direction of the arrow A of figure 2 the connecting clip is forced into engagement with the second component 14 to be connected, as shown in figure 3. In figure 3, the connecting clip 1 is in its closed position.

As shown by the figures 2 and 3, the two components 13 and 14 are designed equally with regard to the design for receiving a connecting clip. This means, one is completely free to optionally force the connecting clip 1 of ,the component 13, for connection with the component 14, into engagement with the corresponding seat of the component 14 and, vice-versa, one could force a connecting clip provided at the component 14 into engagement with the seat provided in the component 13. The reference numeral 12 refers to a swivel foot support which serves for supporting the swivel foot 2 in two directions, the connecting clip 1 remaining rotatable around the axis of the swivel foot 2. The swivel foot support 12 is formed by a wall portion 12a and a further wall portion 12b. The wall portion 12a is not as high as the wall portion 12b. The wall portion 12a is formed in that the undercut 9 of the groove 7 stops before the end of the groove. The wall portion 12a is necessary to enable the swivel foot 2 to rest thereon, whereas the rod 3 can pass over this wall portion 12a, so that the connecting clip 1 can be swung so as to be able to engage with the component 14 to be connected, anyway (see figures 2 and The wall portion 12b is provided as high that also the rod 3 rests thereon, so that the rotation of the connecting clip is limited by this wall portion. This ensures that the connecting-clip cannot swing further inside, where it might no longer be accessible for the assembler.

Following the wall portion 12b, at right angles to it, there is the recess 11 including the undercut which is designed so as to correspond to a catch side of the catch section 4a of the anchor stock 4 of the c6nnecting clip 1. If, now, the connecting clip 1 is rotated around the rotational axis of its swivel foot 2, as shown in the figures 2 and 3, the connecting clip can be rotated until a contact surface of its rod 3 rests on the wall portion 12b and the curved catch section 4a catches with the undercut of the recess 11. This state is shown in figure 3. In this state, in the embodiment as described, the auxiliary device and the main device 13, 14 are rigidly connected to each other. The dimensions of the connecting clip in combination with an appropriate selection of the dimensions of the recess 11 are chosen in the component to be connected so that, upon introduction, the connecting clip braces the two components to be connected with each other.

As shown in figure 3, the catch section 4a of the anchor stock of the connecting clip arranged opposite to the caught catch section 4a extends into the groove 7 of the auxiliary device 14, through which the connecting clip 1 could be swung inwards.

Due to this, the connecting clip remains accessible from outside even in its closed position, at least for an auxiliary tool such as a small screw driver. Due to this, the connection of both components can be detached again. Consequently, the auxiliary device can be easily attached to the main device and can just as easily be detached from it again.

As shown e. g. in the figures 1 and 2, in the middle of the connecting clip's anchor stock 4, opposite to the rod 3, a Vshaped notch 6 is provided. This notch 6 allows an even easier detachment of the connecting clip by means of an auxiliary tool in order to move the catch sections 4a caught with the undercuts 11 from the closed position to the open position. E. g. a small screw driver can easily engage in the notch and, thus, force out the connecting clip.

As further disclosed e. g. by figure 4, where the auxiliary device is completely shown e. without parts being broken off), the connecting clip is freely shiftable within the groove 7 from the right to the left and vice-versa, so that it can be optionally shifted from one swivel foot support 12 on one side to another swivel foot support on the other side. This enables a main device 14 to be mounted on the auxiliary device 13 optionally on the left and/or on the right side. This ensures a maximum flexibility upon assembly.

As further shown by figure 2, the peg 5 disposed at the connecting clip 1 is provided to avoid that the connecting clip inadvertently completely disappears in the groove 7 of the component 13 to be connected when the connecting clip is somewhere in the middle of the groove 7 in that the peg 5 abuts against the walls forming the groove 7 of the component 13. This design prevents that the anchor stock 4 of the connecting clip is completely swung inwards into the component, this means that its turning capacity is more strictly limited in the central range, i. e. not in the lateral range where the groove 7 is open and allows a swiveling of the connecting clip 1 until the rod 3 rests on the contact surface 12b.

Additionally, laterally on each of the neighboring side faces of the components 13, 14 to be connected, a sectional indentation 8 is provided. If two components to be connected are joined together the two neighboring sectional indentations 8 form a groove 10. When the connecting clip is brought into the closed position, i. e. when the connecting clip is swung in its closed position (in the direction of arrow A in figure the peg 5 already described above swings on this groove 10. Due to this design, the peg 5, on the one hand, does not hinder the assembly of the two components to be connected and, on the other hand, it may additionally serve for guidance. In-order to enable the peg 5 to be swung on the groove 10, anyway, an assembly assistance bevel 15 is provided at each edge. Of course, they need not be real assistance bevels. Also a rounding or any other suitable form may be provided in order to enable the peg to reach the swiveled position without being hindered.

In the following, a second embodiment of the present invention is described.

In the following, in addition, a particularity of this embodiment shall be described, that is the multiple usability of the connecting clip seat, as it is not absolutely necessary that always the connecting clip according to the present invention is used. Also a utilization thereof for another connecting clip is basically possible. In order to allow this, the provided connecting clip seat described above is designed in a clever way so that a connecting clip of the kind-described above as well as a connecting clip of a further kind can be used. This other connecting clip is represented in figure 5. Figure 6 shows how the connecting clip according to figure 5 is inserted into the connecting clip seat and figure 7 shows in a sectional drawing how the connecting clip is inserted into the connecting clip seat.

At first, the connecting clip 1-1 is described by referring to figure The connecting clip has substantially an anchor-like shape. It consists of a rod 2-1 and an anchor stock 3-1 which is formed in one piece at one end of the rod so as to be perpendicular to the rod. The rod 2-1 and the anchor stock 3-1 have a substantially rectangular cross-section and they are arranged so that the rod 2-1 is aligned upright to the anchor stock 3-1.

At its other end, the rod 2-1 has a catch element 5-1. The catch element 5-1 consists of a V-shaped recess 7-1 which is opened at the lower end of the rod 2-1 and which converges inwards. By this design, foot member halves are obtained. These foot member halves are provided with catch projections 11-1 which project on the side of the rod 2-1 turned away from the V-shaped recess 7-1. These catch projections 11-1 include an assembly assistance bevel 6-1 for facilitating, during the later assembly, a pushing of the connecting clip into an appropriate groove provided in the individual component to be connected. Due to the V-shaped recess 7-1, the rod 2-1 is flexible at its lower range and can be pressed together a little when pushed into a groove which is a little smaller than the foot member. This allows a slide-in into a recess the width of which is a little smaller than the width of the foot member with the catch projections, since the catch projections can be simply bent inwards so as to adapt to the width of the recess.

At both end portions, the anchor stock 3-1 has a rectangularly bent pin-like insert portion 4-1 which is bent by approx. so that it extends about in parallel with the rod 2-1. Within the angular range, at the inner side, a recess 10-1 is provided in order to give the pin-like insert portions 4-1 a certain flexibility.

In the following, a connecting clip seat which is provided in a component A, B to be connected and serves for accomodating the connecting clip shall be explained more precisely, in particular figure 6 being referred to.

The connecting clip seat is provided twice and is located on two opposite sides of a component A, B to be connected. This design allows the connection of a component to be connected, optionally on the right or left side or even simultaneously on both sides, with one or two components to be connected. Such a side is joined to a corresponding side of a further individual component B and both components are fixed together by the connecting clip 1-1 (see figure 7).

The connecting clip seat consists of a groove 20-1 which is formed on a side face of the individual component A to be connected so that it is open at one end. This groove 20-1 has a substantially oblong extension proceeding from a slide-in side, that is the open side of the groove. At the open beginning of the groove, an assembly assistance bevel 23-1 serving for an easier slide-in of the connecting clip is provided. Then, an introduction section 21-1 having a groove width approximately corresponding to the width of the connecting clip's rod to be pushed in follows. Since, however, the connecting clip is provided with a catch projection 11-1 the width of which extends beyond the normal width of the rod 3-1, the catch projections 11-1 are pressed together a little when passing the introduction section 21-1. The V-shaped recess 7-1 allows their being pressed together. This introduction section 21-1 is followed by a catch section 22-1. The catch section 22-1 is provided with an undercut 24-1 the width of which is larger than the width of the introduction section 21-1. This enables the catch element to expand again after being pressed together in the introduction section 21-1 and, therefore, to catch with the undercut 24-1.

According to figure 6, the groove 20-1 has a groove depth d/2 which is about half the thickness d of the rod 2-1, so that, when the connecting clip 1-1 is pushed in, only one half of the rod's thickness engages in the groove 20-1 of the connecting clip seat. The other half projects outwards.

In the following, the assembly of two individual components is described. Two individual components A, B are placed adjacent to each other by joining the two sides each of which is provided with the connecting clip seat (see figure By doing so, the two grooves 20-1 form an opening like a blind hole which is, at its end, widened by the undercut 24-1 so as to form the catch section 22-1. When the connecting clip is pushed in the groove 20-1 the catch projections 11-1 of the catch element 5-1 are flexibly pressed together. The connecting clip is pushed in until the catch projections 11-1 engage in the connecting clip seat by engaging in the undercut 24-1 of the groove 20-1; this means that the catch projections 11-1, after being pressed together, regain their normal shape.

Simultaneously, the pin-like insert portions 4-1 of the anchor stock 3-1 are pushed into appropriate insert receptacles 25-1 which are additionally provided in the connecting clip seat.

The flexibility of the pin-like insert portion 4-1 compensates inaccuracies of dimensions, if any, on the part of the connecting clip as well as on the part of the connecting clip seat.

The flexibility is provided by the notch 9-1.

In that the catch projections 11-1 of the connecting clip 1-1 engage in the catch section 22-1 of the groove 20-1 of the connecting clip seat the connection becomes locked, because the catch projections in the undercut are no longer accessible. By a simultaneous introduction of the pin-like insert portions 4-1 into the appropriate insert receptacles 25-1, all parts are aligned with each other.

The connecting clip can be made of a synthetic material. It can be produced by using a plastic injection molding technique which allows a production of the connecting clip in one piece and, therefore, keeps production costs low. The same applies to the production of the connecting clip seat, which can be considered already when producing the component to be connected.

By a suitable selection of the synthetic material, the connecting clip can further be provided with a desired flexibility. By providing connecting clip seats on two opposite sides of a component A, B to be connected, any desired number of individual components can be joined together in series.

As shown by a comparison of the first embodiment of the figures 1 to 4 with the second embodiment of the figures 5 to 7, the connecting clip seats of both embodiments are designed-equally.

They are designed so that both connecting clips can be optionally inserted. This means that several functional surfaces of the connecting clip seats have a double function, that is, on the one hand, reception of the connecting clip of the first embodiment and, on the other hand, reception of the connection clip of the second embodiment.

E. partial areas of the groove 10 of the first embodiment correspond to partial areas of the groove 22-1 of the second embodiment. Further, e. g. figure 7 shows that the insert receptacle 25-1 is, for receiving the insert portion 4-1 of the connecting clip according to the second embodiment, provided with an undercut 27-1 which correspond to the undercut 11 of the connecting clip seat according to the first embodiment.

Further, figure 6 shows that the connecting clip seat of the second embodiment is provided with a groove including an undercut, as it is necessary for receiving the connecting clip 1 of the first embodiment, which is there referred to by reference numeral 7.

Summarizing, the connecting clip seat of both embodiments described above comprises all features which are necessary for an optional reception of the connecting clip of the first or second embodiment. Consequently, the construction of the connecting clip seat is multifunctional.

The above-described invention is provided in particular for electric switching devices such as automatic cutouts, residual current operated devices, auxiliary switches or the like. It is then an advantage to provide all devices of a series with connecting clip seats of the kind mentioned above, so that they can be assembled to any functional units desired.

If, e. a functional unit shall be formed of three or four automatic cutouts, these devices are connected by undetachable connecting clips according to the second embodiment. For ob- P:\WPDOCSUMB\Lst Milla Spificat0\7487950 rcpan,.dom29/7/O3 taining a desired stability, then, e.g. all automatic cutouts include three clip seats. One of them could be arranged within the range of the connecting terminals, as shown in the figures, and one in the bottom of the device.

If, however, an auxiliary switch shall be combined with an automatic cutout, the auxiliary cutout is provided e.g. with two detachable connecting clips according to the first embodiment already by the factory, which are, then, clicked in the connecting clip seats of the automatic cutout.

Of course, for doing so, all clip seats of the devices of one series must be provided at the same height, since, then, the connected devices are arranged on the same top hat rail.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

*o *oo *o

Claims

1. A connecting clip for connecting two components, the connecting clip being generally anchor shaped and including an elongated rod having opposed end portions and a longitudinal axis extending in a general direction of between the end portions, an anchor arm at one end portion of the rod, the anchor arm having an arm axis extending generally laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod and including arm sections extending to respective sides of the elongated rod, a swivel foot at the other end portion of the rod, the foot being adapted for rotation about a rotation axis, each arm section having at a free end thereof a bellied catch section and wherein the rotation axis of the foot is generally at right angles to the arm axis generally and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod and a peg projecting from the rod in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

2. A connecting clip according to claim 1, wherein said swivel foot includes a projection, said projection projecting in the general direction of the rotation axis, on at least one side of the rod.

3. A connecting clip according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said rod and said anchor arm include generally flat side faces.

4. A connecting clip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said anchor arm includes a notch provided on a side remote from said rod. S

5. A connecting clip seat for receiving a connecting clip according to any one of the 00.. 25 preceding claims, the seat being provided in a component to be connected, and including °ooeeo a groove open at least at one end, for guiding the rod of the connecting clip, the 0000 grooving including an undercut, wherein, the undercut stops before the end of said groove, so that a contact surface is formed which serves as a pivot bearing for the swivel foot of said connecting clip.

6. A connecting clip seat according to claim 5, wherein at both lateral ends of said P:\WPDOCS LMB\Lesta MillaSpaifictions\7487950 respondow-2907103 -17- groove, said undercut of said groove stops before the end of said groove, so that a contact surface is formed at both ends, which serves as a pivot bearing for said swivel foot of said connecting clip.

7. A connecting clip seat according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein a sectional indentation is provided on a side of the component to be connected, the side serving as a fitting side for a component to be connected thereto.

8. A connecting clip seat according to the preceding claim, wherein, when correspondingly attaching a second component to be connected which has a corresponding design, a common groove is formed.

9. A connecting clip seat according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein an assembly assistance bevel is provided in the starting area of the sectional indentation.

10. A connecting clip seat according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein said S•sectional indentation is further developed to a groove, said groove having an introduction S.section and a wider catch section, so that, relative to said introduction section, an undercut is formed and an insert receptacle which extends in parallel with said groove, next to same, inside of the component to be connected.

11. A connecting clip seat according to any one of the claims 5 or 6 wherein at the open end, said groove has a pair of assembly assistance bevels provided at the groove walls facing each other. 2

.12. A connecting clip seat in a component to be connected according to claims 10 or 11 wherein several grooves as well as several insert receptacles are provided in a component S•to be connected.

13. An engaging seat for engagement of a connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the seat being provided in a compartment to be connected, and includes a P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lestu Milla\Spmcificions\7487950 rsponsd-297/03 -18- recess having a shape which approximately corresponds to the negative form of an engagement surface section of an arm section said anchor arm relative to said rod.

14. An engaging seat according to claim 13, wherein said recess is provided in both edge regions of the component to be connected, in order to receive an arm section of the anchor arm optionally in either or both edge regions.

An engaging seat according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said recess includes an undercut.

16. An engaging seat according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a sectional indentation is provided on the outside of the component to be connected, the side serving as a fitting side for a component to be connected thereto.

17. An engaging seat according to the preceding claim, wherein, when correspondingly attaching a second component to be connected which has a corresponding design, a common groove is formed.

18. An engaging seat according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein an 20 assembly assistance bevel is provided in the starting area of the sectional indentation.

19. An engaging seat according to any one of the claims 16 to 18, wherein said sectional indentation is further developed to a groove, said groove having an introduction section and a wider catch section, so that, relative to said introduction section, an undercut 25 is formed and an insert receptacle which extends in parallel with said groove, next to same, inside of the component to be connected.

So.. An electric component comprising a connection means including a connecting clip according to any one of the claims 1 to 4 and a connecting clip seat according to any one of the claims 5 to 12, and an engaging seat according to any one of the claims 13 to 19. P\WPDOCS\LM\Lesw Milla\Spwifitiom\747950 reponse.do-29/7/03 -19-

21. An electric component comprising a housing, wherein, on the housing, in a plurality of positions spaced apart, a connecting clip seat and/or an engaging seat and/or a connecting means according to any one of the claims 5 to 20 is provided.

22. An electric component according to the preceding claim, wherein said housing consists of two housing halves, a connecting clip according to any one of the claims 1 to 4 being inserted before the housing is assembled.

23. A connecting clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A connecting clip seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. An engaging seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the S* accompanying drawings.

26. An electric component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 9 th day of July, 2003 AEG NIEDERSPANNUNGSTECHNIK GMBH CO KG By its Patent Attorneys S DAVIES COLLISON CAVE a