EP0308307B1 - Separable connection device between a conductive pin and at least one connection wire - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a separable electrical connection device, mounted between a conductive pin permanently joined to a cable element or the like and at least one connection wire joining this pin to another similar pin, located at a distance from the first.

In telephone installations in particular, it is frequent to have to establish a temporary or permanent connection between a supply conductor and a departure conductor, for example to bring together a transmission line at the installation of a subscriber. In particular, if the line feeds are normally distributed to a set of connection pins fixedly mounted in supports or sub-distribution strips, it is usual to join the corresponding pins between transmission lines and installation of subscribers by means flexible conductors called "garters", which must be able to be easily connected and in particular must allow their location to be easily modified, for example when the subscriber changes his address or according to specific arrangements in the distribution network.

In conventional solutions, the sub-distribution strips are constituted by supports where the pins to be connected by the jumpers end, the conductive wires of these engaging transversely in passages formed in the support to be fixed on each some pins corresponding, being wound on them and immobilized by a nut screwing on the threaded end of the chosen spindle.

However, these solutions are not well suited. Indeed, they are inconvenient to use, each connection (a jumper has at least two wires, which leads to connecting two by two at least four pins), requiring to strip the end of a wire and to secure it with the associated pin. In addition, the connections thus produced are generally made in the open air and are subject to working conditions which can lead to oxidation of the electrical contacts as a result of ambient humidity, possibly creating harmful short-circuits and more generally parasites (crackling) on the lines.

FR-A-2 144 322 describes a connection device between an element similar to a pin and an insulated jumper wire, this device comprising a conductive clip with stripping slot, means of connection between the clamp and the pin and means to cause the progressive engagement of the wire on the clamp. However, in a device of this kind, the clamp and the pin do not make it possible to produce a separable interconnection. The teaching of this patent is therefore not applicable when the pin is an integral part of the connection device.

The present invention relates to a separable connection device which makes it very easy to connect one or more jumpers to the conductive pins of a sub-distribution strip, in particular avoiding the drawbacks of the solutions already known in the art.

To this end, the device considered, realizing the separation between a conductive pin and at least one connection wire inside a connection box, in particular in a distribution network of telephone lines, comprising means suitable for carrying out a electrical connection between at least one jumper wire having a conductive core surrounded by an insulating sheath and a pin secured to the wire, using a conductive clamp having at least one cutting slot, suitable for cutting the sheath of the wire by following the insertion of the latter in the slow by establishing contact with the conductive core of the wire, the clamp being associated with means causing the progressive engagement of the clamp on the wire, said clamp being housed in the housing of connection into which the conductive pin penetrates, this housing being designed to contain a filling of an insulating protective material, surrounding the clamp and the wire, is characterized in that the clamp making the electrical connection is separable from the pin, the connection of the pin and the clamp being effected by cooperation of their ends, of male and female shape respectively.

Advantageously, each slow formed in the clamp has an enlarged portion for positioning the wire prior to its engagement in the cutting slot of this clamp.

In a first alternative embodiment, each conductive pin has a threaded endpiece on which a nut is screwed which causes the movement of the clamp in the housing of its housing. Advantageously, the nut comprises an overflowing flange, passing through a hole made in the clamp between the wings thereof, where the threaded end of the pin engages on which the nut is screwed, such so the removal of it after being unscrewed from the spindle, the pliers are removed from the housing.

In this alternative embodiment, the jumper wires engage in transverse passages provided in the clamp housing.

In another alternative embodiment, each clamp has a male or female extension which engages by force in a respectively female or male part provided at the end of a connection pin, the clamp being enclosed in a housing independent of the pins and comprising a bottom and a cover, the positioning of the cover against the bottom ensuring the engagement of the connecting wires in the cutting slots of the pliers.

According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the extension of the clamp extends beyond the apparent outline of the housing. Alternatively, the conductive pins penetrate directly inside the housing.

• La Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une réglette de répartition comportant un boîtier conçu pour recevoir des dispositifs de liaison selon l'invention ;
• La Figure 2 est une vue partielle en perspective à échelle différente du boîtier particulier prévu sur cette réglette ;
• La Figure 3 est une vue en perspective à plus grande échelle d'une forme de réalisation particulière du dispositif selon l'invention, permettant d'assurer la connexion entre les fils de la jarretière et les broches de liaison précitées ;
• La Figure 4 est une vue schématique en perspective, illustrant le mode d'engagement d'une pince de connexion sur les fils conducteurs d'une jarretière ;
• La Figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une autre forme de réalisation du boîtier prévu pour recevoir des dispositifs de liaison selon l'invention ;
• La Figure 6 est une vue en perspective des éléments constitutifs de l'un des dispositifs de liaison prévus dans cette forme de réalisation.

Other characteristics and advantages of a separable connection device established in accordance with the invention will become more apparent from the following description of two exemplary embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a distribution strip comprising a housing designed to receive connecting devices according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial perspective view on a different scale of the particular housing provided on this strip;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view on a larger scale of a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, for ensuring the connection between the wires of the jumper and the pins of aforementioned link;
• Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view, illustrating the mode of engagement of a connection clamp on the conductive wires of a jumper;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the housing intended to receive connection devices according to the invention;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the components of one of the connecting devices provided in this embodiment.

In Figure 1, the reference 1 designates as a whole a conventional distribution strip, comprising in particular a base 2, allowing its fixing on a support (not shown), by means of screws engaged in holes 3 provided in the corners of the base. Towards the front, the strip 1 comprises a housing 4, fixed to the base 2 by means of screws 5. This housing 4 comprises, in its front face, housings 6 open towards the outside and in its lateral sides transverse passages 7a and 7b for mounting the wires of the connection jumpers. In this regard, it should be noted that in each housing 6 open two transverse passages 7a and 7b provided on the same side of the housing 4. Thus, the second passage can be used in the case of a Y mounting, this is ie in the case where a second jumper must be connected to a specific pin.

As shown more explicitly in the diagram in Figure 2, an axial pin 8 opens inside each of the housings 6, this pin being connected by any conventional means to the end of a line 9 (Figure 3), in particular for telephone use. In the transverse passages 7a, 7b of the housing 4 are also engaged the connection wires 11a and 11b of a jumper, intended to ensure the connection to another strip of the type conventional or similar of a given line, for example to connect the latter to an appropriate subscriber installation.

According to the invention, the electrical connection is made quickly and safely by means of a connector device 10, which can be easily installed or separated from the housing 4 and of which Figures 3 and 6 respectively, illustrate two alternative embodiments.

In the example according to Figure 3, there is, in one of the housings 6 of the housing 4, one of the connecting pins 8, as well as a wire 11a of the corresponding jumper, shown mounted in one of the transverse passages 7a of this housing , this wire extending through the housing 6 perpendicular to the direction of the spindle 8.

According to the invention, the connection between pin and wires of the garter is produced by means of a clamp 12, in the form of a jumper, the middle branch of which is suitable for engaging on the corresponding pin 8 while being arranged perpendicular to it. this. As for the lateral branches 13 of this clamp, they are then arranged parallel to this pin, therefore perpendicular to the passages 7a, 7b intended for the introduction of the wires of the corresponding garter. However, these wings 13 comprise, at the level of the wires 11a, 11b of the garter, cutting slots 14, making it possible to cut the insulating sheath of the wires 11a, 11b (Figure 4) and reach the core of the latter, by carrying out the continuity of the electrical connection with pin 8.

The movement of penetration of the clamp 12 into the sheath of the wires 11a, 11b is facilitated by providing in the wings 13 in line with the cutting slots 14, an enlarged zone 15. Furthermore, means are provided capable of causing this movement of penetration. For this purpose, the central part of the clamp 12 is secured to a metal sleeve 16, on which is mounted an operating head 17 of plastic or other material. This sleeve has a flange 18 extending beyond the clamp so that the latter and the head 17 are secured in axial displacement, while allowing the free rotation of this head as the clamp 12 engages in the housing 6. For this purpose, the sleeve 16 has an internal screw thread 19, suitable for cooperating with a thread 20 provided at the end of the spindle 8. The rotation of the head 17 by means of a tool for controlling the such as a screwdriver engaged in a slot 21, makes it possible to simultaneously rotate the sleeve 16 which screws onto the spindle, causing the desired progressive engagement of the clamp 12 between the core of these wires and the spindle.

Advantageously, the free space between the clamp 12 and the housing 6 where it engages, is filled with an appropriate insulating material of the petroleum gel type. In addition, the bottom of each housing 6 has two recesses 13a intended to receive the ends of the lateral wings 13 of the corresponding connection clamp 12.

Furthermore, as it appears in FIG. 1, there may exist, on the sides of the housing 4, two series of transverse passages 7a and 7b leading to two distinct series of housings 6 which occupy offset positions in the body of the housing 4. Consequently, there are two different types of connection clamps 12 which differ in the length of their lateral wings 13, those of the clamps having to cooperate with wires 11a, 11b, placed in the passages 7a, 7b, the most separated from the front face of the housing 4, being longer than the wings 13 of the other series of connection clamps.

In another alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, there is provided a housing 4a, comprising a series of superimposed cells 22 inside each of which are arranged two pins 8 connected to lines not shown. These cells can be divided into two separate vertical rows, the front face of the housing 4a having a recess between these two rows.

When no connection is made at the location of a cell 22, the latter is closed by a closure cap 23. Once the latter has been removed, the connection between the wires 11a and 11b of a jumper and the pin 8 of the corresponding socket 22, is produced by a socket 24, comprising lateral sides 25 and an inner face 26, itself crossed by hollow rods 27. In the example considered, these are one in number two and suitable for engaging, by establishing the desired electrical connection, inside bores 28, provided axially in the pins 8.

The hollow rods 27 extend inside the socket 24 by a clamp 29, having a perpendicular rim 30, provided with vertical cutting slots 31, these having at their ends enlarged zones 32 to facilitate the engagement of the wires 11a and 11b, the insulation of which is then stripped by the slots 31, the electrical connection with the pins being thus established. Advantageously, the clamp 29 has two parallel edges 30 and 33. As for the socket 24, it has a bottom 34 comprising passages 7a and 7b for the introduction of the wires of the garter; a hinged cover 35 supports towards the inside of the socket a support plate 36 intended, when the socket is closed by the cover, to press on the wires 11a and 11b, by making them penetrate into the cutting slots 31 of the pliers 29. Stops 37 and 38 are preferably provided on the cover 35 to limit the penetration of the latter and the penetration of the socket 24 in the housing 22. The interior of the socket 24 is preferably filled, as in the previous example, by insulating petroleum gel.

Furthermore, as it appears from FIG. 6, each socket 24 contains two connection clamps 29 for possible mounting in Y, that is to say for mounting a second jumper.

In the case of this embodiment, as in that of the previous embodiment, a very simple connection device is thus produced, making it possible to safely and quickly connect the wires of a jumper and the connecting pins d '' a distribution strip, by engagement of a socket or the like in an appropriate housing of a housing, this socket carrying at least one cutting pliers stripping the insulation of these wires to establish the desired electrical contact and / or interrupt it this on demand, depending on the connections to be made. The invention does not in particular prejudge the shape of the housings and the cutter pliers which can be produced in various ways without modifying the process involved; the envisaged arrangements provide in all cases an excellent seal for the boxes or connection sockets used, avoiding the effects of humidity, the cutter pliers being housed in closed assemblies and embedded in an appropriate insulator.

Claims (9)

1. Separable connection device between a conducting pin and at least one connection wire inside a connection box, in particular in a telephone line distribution system, comprising means adapted to producing an electrical connection between at least one connecting wire (7) comprising a conducting core surrounded by an insulating sheath and a pin (8) connected to the wire, by means of a conducting clamp (12, 29) comprising at least one cutting slot (14, 30) able to cut the sheath of the wire (11a, 11b) on account of the insertion of the latter in the slot (14) thus establishing contact with the conducting core of the wire, the clamp being associated with means causing the progressive engagement of the clamp on the wire, said clamp being housed in the connecting box (6, 24) in which the conducting pin (8) penetrates, this box being provided in order to contain a filling of an insulating protection material, surrounding the clamp and the wire, characterised in that the clamp producing the electrical connection is separable from the pin, the connection of the pin and of the clamp being effected by cooperation of their ends, of respectively male and female shape.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that each slot provided in the clamp comprises an enlarged part (15) for the positioning of the wire prior to its engagement in the cutting slot (14) of the clamp.
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the insulating protection material is constituted by petroleum jelly.
4. Device according to Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each conducting pin (8) comprises a threaded endpiece (20) onto which is screwed a nut (16) which causes the movement of the clamp (12) in the housing (6) of its box (4).
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the nut (16) comprises a projecting flange passing through a hole provided in the clamp between the arms of the latter, where the threaded end (20) of the pin (8) is engaged, onto which the nut is screwed.
6. Device according to Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the connecting wires (11a, 11b) engage in transverse passages (7a, 7b) provided in the clamp box and which run into housings (6) perpendicularly to the pin (8) provided in each of the latter, each housing (6) containing a connection clamp (12) in the shape of a staple whereof the lateral arms (13) comprise the cutting slots (14) able to cut the sheath of corresponding wires (11a, 11b).
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that each clamp (29) comprises a male or female extension (27) which is force-fitted in a respectively female or male part provided at the end of a connection pin (8), the clamp being enclosed in a plug (24) independent of the pins and comprising a base (25) and a cover (36), the positioning of the cover against the base ensuring the engagement of the connection wires (11a, 11b) in the cutting slots of the clamp.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the extension of the clamp projects beyond the apparent contour of the box.
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterised in that the conducting pins penetrate directly inside the box.

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