EP0814540B1 - Terminal block - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally terminal blocks of the type used, for example, in a box, to connect to the same different polarity electrical appliances.

The centerpiece of these terminal blocks is under the general shape of a strip, which, made of material conductive, form, from place to place, connection terminals, these connection terminals each comprising, on the one hand, a hole, which forms a cable entry, and, on the other hand, a tapped hole, which crosses this hole transversely, in opening onto the same face of the strip for all of the connection terminals, and with which is engaged a screw Tightening.

The present invention relates more particularly to the case where, for reasons of insulation, and therefore of security, it is associated with such a strip, hereinafter called simply convenience connection strip, stand and cover both made of insulating material.

The support, which can in practice receive a strip single connection or multiple connection strips aligned with each other but duly separated from each other of the others, comprises, overall, in the general form of a elongated channel with U-shaped cross section, two walls side and a bottom wall, and the strip (s) connection running longitudinally above this last, at least one of the side walls has, of place in place, in correspondence with the holes of this or of these connection strips, openings giving access to these holes.

The cover, meanwhile, overhangs the strip (s) of connection, and it presents, itself, from place to place, in correspondence with the threaded holes of this or these connection strips, openings giving access to screws corresponding.

This cover can for example be attached to one or several connection strips, for example by snap-fastening.

But, the corresponding fixing being done inevitably at the expense of the useful length of the connection strips it is most often reported on the support.

In all cases, the cover thus implemented short to date evenly over the entire length of the support.

In other words, there is to date only one hood per support, and it evenly covers all of the connection strips possibly present in this support.

This results in difficulties in locating and identify the polarities to which these strips correspond of connection.

In practice, to date, the identification of these polarities is usually done by providing the hood with marks at the places wanted, and these markers are usually made up of numbers or symbols.

This provision has the disadvantage of making impossible for an installer to change the composition a terminal block without changing the cover.

The cover also having in practice a color uniform, it also has the disadvantage of rendering any awkward way of identifying the polarities, both when wiring initial only during a subsequent intervention on this wiring.

The present invention generally has for subject a provision to avoid very simple these disadvantages and further leading to others benefits.

More specifically, it relates to a terminal block of the kind comprising a support, which, made of material insulating, comprises, in the general form of a chute elongated U-shaped cross section, two side walls and a bottom wall, and at least one of the side walls has openings from place to place, at least one connection strip, which, made of conductive material, runs longitudinally in the support, above its wall bottom, and which, in correspondence with the openings of this one, from place to place, holes each of which is cut transversely, on the side opposite the wall of bottom of the support, by a tapped hole with which is in taken a clamping screw, and a cover, which, made of material insulating and attached to the support, overhangs the strip connection, and which, in correspondence with the holes tapped, presents, from place to place, openings, this terminal block being generally characterized in that the cover has a length less than that of the support and in that, the connection strip with fewer holes than the number of openings that the support presents, it is associated, individually, with this connection strip, a cover which has a number openings equal to the number of holes in it.

For example, together, the media has own stop means for the longitudinal setting of the strip connection and / or cover relative to it.

In other words, according to the invention, it can, if desired, be associated, individually, with each strip of connection, a special cover.

It is thus advantageously possible to the installer to compose the terminal block as desired, and later change the composition as desired.

It suffices, in fact, each time, to put in makes the necessary connection strip (s), and to associate very precisely with each of them the hood appropriate.

In addition, the identification of the polarity (s) advantageously can be done very simple if desired.

It suffices for this that, following a development of the invention, and while retaining the possibility of locating by number or symbol if necessary, the cover associated with a connection strip has at least locally a mark of individual color linked to a given polarity.

For example, this cover can, to do this, be uniformly colored over its entire outer surface, even in its mass.

The polarities being thus clearly apparent, their tracking is advantageously facilitated, both during the initial wiring only during a subsequent intervention on this wiring.

Finally, the arrangement according to the invention lends itself advantageously, without difficulty, and by simple composition, when making all the terminal block configurations, more frequently in use.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective, en partie éclatée, d'un bornier suivant l'invention ;

la figure 2 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;

la figure 3 en est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;

la figure 4 est, à échelle différente, et suivant la flèche IV-XI de la figure 1, une vue partielle en élévation du support que comporte ce bornier, représenté isolément ;

la figure 5 est une vue partielle de dessus de ce support, suivant la flèche V de la figure 4 ;

la figure 6 en est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale, suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;

les figures 7, 8, 9 et 10 en sont des vues en coupe transversale, suivant, chacune respectivement, les lignes VII-VII, VIII-VIII, IX-IX et X-X de la figure 5 ;

la figure 11 est, à l'échelle de la figure 4, et suivant la flèche IV-XI de la figure 1, une vue partielle en élévation d'un des capots que comporte le bornier suivant l'invention, représenté isolément ;

la figure 12 est une vue partielle de dessus de ce capot, suivant la flèche XII de la figure 11 ;

la figure 13 en est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale, suivant la ligne XIII-XIII de la figure 12 ;

les figures 14 et 15 en sont des vues en coupe transversale, suivant, chacune respectivement, les lignes XIV-XIV et XV-XV de la figure 12 ;

la figure 16 est une vue en élévation d'une des réglettes de connexion susceptibles d'être mises en oeuvre dans le bornier suivant l'invention ;

la figure 17 est une vue en élévation analogue à celle de la figure 16, pour une autre réglette de connexion ;

la figure 18 est une vue en coupe transversale, qui, analogue à celle de la figure 14, se rapporte à un autre capot ;

la figure 19 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale, qui, analogue à celle de la figure 3, se rapporte à cet autre capot et à la réglette de connexion à laquelle il est associé.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of a terminal block according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a larger scale, a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal section along the line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is, on a different scale, and according to arrow IV-XI of Figure 1, a partial elevational view of the support that includes this terminal block, shown in isolation;

Figure 5 is a partial top view of this support, along arrow V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial view in longitudinal section along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views along each, respectively, the lines VII-VII, VIII-VIII, IX-IX and XX of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is, on the scale of Figure 4, and according to arrow IV-XI of Figure 1, a partial elevational view of one of the covers that includes the terminal block according to the invention, shown in isolation;

Figure 12 is a partial top view of this cover, along arrow XII of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a partial view in longitudinal section along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12;

Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views along each, respectively, the lines XIV-XIV and XV-XV of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is an elevational view of one of the connection strips that can be implemented in the terminal block according to the invention;

Figure 17 is an elevational view similar to that of Figure 16, for another connection strip;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view, which, similar to that of Figure 14, relates to another cover;

Figure 19 is a partial view in longitudinal section, which, similar to that of Figure 3, relates to this other cover and the connection strip with which it is associated.

As illustrated in these figures, the following terminal block 10 the invention comprises, overall, in a manner known per se, a support 11, at least one connection strip 12-1, 12-2 and at least one cover 13-1, 13-2.

The support 11, which is made of insulating material, comprises, in the general form of an elongated chute at U-shaped cross section, two side walls 14A, 14B, of which at least one, in this case the side wall 14A, has, place in place, openings 15, and a bottom wall 16.

The connection strip 12-1, 12-2, which is made of conductive material, and for example of brass, short longitudinally in the support 11, between the walls side 14A, 14B thereof, above its bottom wall 16, and, in correspondence with the openings 15 of this support 11, it has, from place to place, holes 18, which cross right through, from one of its lateral faces 19 to the other, and each of which is intersected, transversely, on the side opposite the bottom wall 16 of the support 11, by a hole threaded 20 with which a clamping screw 21 is engaged.

The cover 13-1, 13-2, which, like the support 11, is made of insulating material, and which, according to provisions described in more detail later, is reported on support 11, overhangs the connection strip 12-1, 12-2, and, in correspondence with the threaded holes 20 thereof, it has, from place to place, openings 22 giving access to the clamping screws 21 engaged with threaded holes 20.

According to the invention, the cover 13-1, 13-2 has a length less than that of the support 11.

For example, and as shown, the slider connection 12-1, 12-2 with a number N'1, N'2 of holes 18 less than the number N of openings 15 presented by the support 11, and therefore having a length less than that, it is associated, individually, with this strip of connection 12-1, 12-2, a cover 13-1, 13-2 which has a number N'1, N'2 of openings 22 equal to the number N'1, N'2 of holes 18 thereof, and, together, and according to provisions which will also be described in more detail subsequently, the support 11 has stop means 24, 25A, 25B suitable for the longitudinal setting of the strip connection 12-1, 12-2 and / or cover 13-1, 13-2 relative to him.

In the embodiment shown, only the side wall 14A of the support 11 has openings 15, and the number N of these is, for example, equal to thirty four.

These openings 15, which are aligned, all have a circular outline.

In practice, they all have the same diameter, except those present at the ends of the support 11, which have a diameter slightly larger than that of the others, and, for those which have the same diameter, they are established at a step P regular.

Jointly, in the embodiment shown, it is provided, for example, in the support 11, three connection strips 12-1, 12-2, with, associated each respectively to these three connection strips 12-1, 12-2, three covers 13-1, 13-2.

First, there is a 12-1 connection strip having a number N'1 of holes 18 at least equal to thirteen.

There are, then, aligned with the previous one, but separated from it and separated from each other, two connection strips 12-2 each having a number N'2 of holes 18 less than thirteen, and therefore less in length to that of the connection strips 12-1.

For example, and as shown, the number N'1 of holes 18 of the connection strip 12-1 is equal to thirteen, and the number N'2 of holes 18 of the connection strips 12-2 equals eight.

Of course, these numerical values are not given here as an example, and they should not be considered as limiting the invention.

The connection strips 12-1, 12-2 have, overall, as a whole, a similar constitution: they have, in cross section, the same outline rectangular, with edges slightly knocked down by a chamfer, their holes 18 all have, in cross section, the same circular contour, and their tapped holes 20 all lead to the same side, in this case their side upper 26.

For connection strip 12-1 with number N'1 of holes 18 at least equal to thirteen, the hole 18 present at one at least ends have, however, a diameter greater than that of others.

For example, and as shown, this is so for only one end of this strip of connection 12-1, in this case its left end on the figure 3.

As a corollary, for connection strips 12-2 having a number N'2 of holes 18 less than thirteen, all holes 18 have the same diameter, equal to that of holes 18 currents of the connection strip 12-1.

These holes 18 are established at a regular pitch P, equal to that of the openings 15 of the support 11, and the same is true for the current 18 holes of the connection strip 12-1.

In the embodiment shown, the support 11 has, at its ends, transverse walls 28, level with its side walls 14A, 14B, and the means of stop 24, 25A, 25B which it presents have, projecting, on each of these transverse walls 28, a tongue 24, called below longitudinal tab.

This longitudinal tongue 24 extends over a fraction of the height of the transverse walls 28 to count of the bottom wall 16, in the median zone thereof, and, by its edge, it has an engagement profile 29 overall oblique to the bottom wall 16, this profile commitment 29, which is generally rounded in practice, moving away from the transverse walls 28 as it approaches the bottom wall 16.

To receive the connection strips 12-1, 12-2, the bottom wall 16 of the support 11 forms, longitudinally, in hollow, on its inner surface, in the embodiment shown, a channel 31 whose width L1 is substantially equal to that of these connection strips 12-1, 12-2 while being slightly higher than this.

This channel 31 has, itself, hollow on its bottom, along each of its longitudinal sides, a groove 32, to satisfy possible burrs along edges of the connection strips 12-1, 12-2.

The stop means 24, 25A, 25B presented by the support 11 further comprise in the embodiment shown, tabs 25A, 25B, hereinafter called tabs transverse, which protrude transversely on the surface interior of at least one of the side walls 14A, 14B, and which, extending to the channel 31, flush with the sides longitudinal of it, leave transversely free between them a distance L1 equal to the width L1 of this laughs 31.

Together, the covers 13-1, 13-2 present, at at least one of their ends, and, in practice, at each of these, a transverse wall 34 whose width L2, less than the distance L3 internally separating one of the other the two side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11, is greater than the previous distance L1 left transversely free between them by the transverse tongues 25A, 25B.

To facilitate the installation of the connection 12-1, 12-2, the cross tabs 25A, 25B have, by their edge, on the side of the free edge of the walls side 14A, 14B of the support 11, an engagement profile 36 generally oblique to the bottom wall 16 of the support 11, this engagement profile 36, which is in practice overall rounded, deviating from the side walls 14A, 14B as it gets closer to this bottom wall 16.

In practice, for each of the openings 15, there are two transverse tabs 25A, 25B, which operate each respectively on either side of such an opening 15.

However, in the embodiment shown, the cross tabs 25A, 25B are distributed between the two side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11.

In practice, in the middle part, at least, of the support 11, the transverse tongues 25A, 25B alternate from one of the side walls 14A, 14B to the other, the tabs transverse 25A projecting from the side wall 14A and the transverse tabs 25B on the side wall 14B.

In the middle part, at least, of the support 11, the transverse tabs 25A comprise, staggered in height, two sections 37, 38 of different widths, namely, figure 8, an upper section 37, which is narrower, and which forms the engagement profile 36, and a lower section 38, which is wider, with, between these two sections 37, 38 of different widths, a connecting section 39 whose width progressively goes from that of one to that of the other.

Of course, the distance L1 is appreciated at the foot of the transverse tabs 25A, 25B, i.e. at the level of their connection with the bottom wall 16, and therefore at the level of the lower section 38 of the transverse tongues 25A.

In the middle part, at least, of the support 11, the transverse tabs 25B projecting from the wall side 14B thereof alternate themselves with lugs 41 suitable for retaining connection strips 12-1, 12-2.

These pins 41 are thus each established respectively in line with the transverse tabs 25A projecting on the opposite side wall 14A.

To facilitate the installation of the connection 12-1, 12-2, they are shot by a chamfer at their free end.

In practice, the side wall 14B of the support 11 has a slot 42 at the right of each of the pins 41, for facilitate the molding of these.

This slot 42 extends from the pins 41 to the wall background 16.

In the embodiment shown, the wall side 14A of the support 11 has, projecting, on its surface outer, a rib 44, which runs longitudinally on a at least part of its length, and, in practice, on the all of it, level with the lower part of the openings 15.

In line with each of the openings 15, this rib 44 has a clearance 45, in the form of a chute, which, slightly oblique to the bottom wall 16, transversely with respect to it, connects continuously with the lower part of such an opening 15.

In addition to a stiffening function, this rib 44 thus ensures the guidance, towards the openings 15, and, therefore, towards the holes 18 of the connection strips 12-1, 12-2, the electrical conductors to be engaged in these holes 18, and it then provides local support for these electrical conductors once these are properly engaged with the clamping screws 21 associated.

In the embodiment shown, the wall side 14B of support 11 also has a protruding surface, on its outer surface, a rib 47, which runs longitudinally over at least part of its length, and, in practice, on almost all of it, level with the lower surface of the bottom wall 16.

This rib 47 has in particular a function of stiffening.

As a corollary, in the embodiment shown, the side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11 each have, near their free edge, a groove 48, which runs longitudinally over at least part of their length, and, in practice, over the whole of it, and which, according to modalities described in more detail subsequently, is suitable for the locking of the covers 13-1, 13-2.

In the embodiment shown, this groove 48 has, transversely, an asymmetrical profile, with a right upper flank, parallel to the bottom wall 16, and an oblique bottom, this bottom approaching the surface exterior of the side walls 14A, 14B progressively that it moves away from the free edge of these.

In the embodiment shown, the support 11 forms, on the outer surface of its bottom wall 16, for its engagement on any support bar 50 shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 2, means interlocking 51.

These interlocking means 51 comprise, on the one hand, on one side of the bottom wall 16, a strip 52, which runs longitudinally over at least part of the length of this bottom wall 16, and, in practice, over the entire length of the latter, and which comprises at least locally at least one back to square 53 directed inwards, and, on the other hand, on the opposite side of the bottom wall 16, at least one tab snap 54, which is elastically deformable, and which, at its free end, forms a hook directed towards inside.

In practice, two snap tabs 54 are provided, at the ends, each respectively, of the wall bottom 16, and the rib 47 stops at a distance from them.

In the embodiment shown, these legs snap 54 are perforated in handle.

Jointly, the strips 52 have, from place to place, several square returns 53.

The fitting means 51 thus formed form fixing means for the support 11.

Of course, other fixing means can be considered.

For example, and as shown, these means of attachment may include, at each end of the support 11, on the one hand, an openwork tab 55, which projects towards the outside on the corresponding transverse wall 28, and, on the other hand, laterally flanking such an openwork tab 55, parallel to the side walls 14A, 14B, two legs elastically deformable 56.

As a variant, or in addition, it can also be provided, from place to place, projecting from the side wall 14B, ears, not shown.

As mentioned above, it's associated, individually, in the embodiment shown, to each of the connection strips 12-1, 12-2, a cover 13-1, 13-2 specific.

The various covers 13-1, 13-2 thus implemented have, overall, a similar constitution, alone, for the most part, varying the number N'1, N'2 of the openings 22 which they comprise.

In addition to two transverse walls 34, they comprise, an upper wall 58, which, substantially flat, extends from to each other of the transverse walls 34 and comprises the openings 22 following a regular pitch P equal to that of openings 15 of the support 11, and two side walls 59, which, slightly curved, extend over part of the height only transverse walls 34 from the wall upper 58.

The transverse walls 34, which, in their part current, have the width L2 specified above, FIG. 14, have, at their base, an extension 60, for their engagement in the channel 31 formed by the bottom wall 16 of the support 11.

It is thus ensured, at their level, in cooperation with this bottom wall 16, a certain continuity insulation.

The side walls 59 have, each, each from their ends, a latching tab 61, which extends beyond their free edge, to be able to cooperate in engagement with the grooves 48 provided for this purpose on the side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11, as shown in the Figure 2, and which, for this engagement, presents, projecting inwardly, along their free edge, a bead 62.

In the embodiment shown, the covers 13-1, 13-2 have, on at least one of their walls lateral 59, at least one marking area 63 specific to receive, in practice by snap-fastening, at least one non-marking represented.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the covers 13-1, 13-2 have a marking area 63 on both of their side walls 59, but, for minimize the resulting loss, the areas corresponding 63 are offset longitudinally one with respect to the other from one to the other of these walls side 59.

In practice, too, in the embodiment shown, the marking zones 63 are each provided for allow the possible establishment side by side of two marks, and they comprise, for this purpose, on the one hand, two recesses 64, which open the side walls 59 to the neighborhood of their connection with the upper wall 58, and, on the other hand, to the right of these recesses 64, along the edge free side walls 59, two notches 65.

As a corollary, and according to provisions which do not not shown in the figures, the covers 13-1, 13-2 can present, at least locally, a color mark individual.

For example, they can be evenly colored on their entire outer surface, even in the mass, according to a color linked to the polarity of the strip connection 12-1, 12-2 with which they are associated.

More specifically, the cover 13-1 can for example be of a first color, one of the covers 13-2 of a second different color from the previous one, and the second cover 13-2 of a third color also distinct from the other two.

The colors used are indifferent, but, preferentially, they correspond to the linked colors traditionally with various polarities such as phase, neutral or earth for example.

The connection strip 12-1, the number N'1 of hole 18 is at least equal to thirteen exhibiting at one of its ends a hole with a diameter larger than the others, it must must be placed at one end of the support 11, where, in correspondence, an opening 15 of diameter larger than the others.

For the necessary position marking, this connection strip 12-1 must then be longitudinally in abutment against the corresponding longitudinal tongue 24 of the support 11.

Therefore, the corresponding transverse wall 34 of this cover 13-1 comprises, in correspondence with this tongue longitudinal 24, a notch 66, which jointly affects its extension 60, and by which it can be engaged on this longitudinal tongue 24.

It is not necessarily the same for the other transverse wall 34 of this cover 13-1, and, to serve as coding, it is provided, on the one hand, on the support 11, to one end of its side wall 14A, and at the end opposite of its side wall 14B, a notch 67, and, on the other part, on the cover 13-1, projecting from the free edge of the side walls 59 of the cover 13-1, at one end of a of these side walls 59 and at the opposite end of the other of these, for nesting with the notch 67, a lug 68, figure 14.

Connection strips 12-2 to be installed in the middle area of the support 11, it is not necessarily provided with a notch on one or the other of the transverse walls 34 of covers 13-2 and this is the reason why these have been shown in solid lines without such a notch in Figures 1, 18 and 19.

But, as shown in broken lines on the Figure 18, a notch 66 may however, for other reasons, be foreseen.

For the installation of the connection strips 12-1, 12-2 and, for example, the connection strip 12-1, such as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 8, it can example proceed as follows.

At first, and as shown on the Figure 8, this connection strip 12-1 is only partially engaged in the support 11, between the pins 41 protruding from the side wall 14B and the tabs transverse 25A projecting from the side wall 14A, at the favor of upper section 37, of smaller width, duly provided for this purpose, these transverse tabs 25A.

Secondly, and as shown schematically by a arrow F in FIG. 8, the connection strip 12-1 is further engaged, in force, in the support 11, until reach the bottom wall 16 thereof.

This engagement, which drives the connection strip 12-1 to engage transversely under the pins 41 and therefore implies for it a transverse movement with respect to support 11, is done by means of an elastic deformation momentary of this support 11 and is facilitated by the obliquity that presents the connecting section 39 of the tabs cross 25A.

By longitudinal sliding in the support 11, the connection strip 12-1 is then brought into abutment against the corresponding longitudinal tongue 24 thereof, as mentioned above.

Then, it is enough to set up, by snap-fastening, the cover 13-1 associated therewith.

During this positioning, the transverse wall 34 of this cover 13-1 closest to the transverse wall 28 concerned of the support 11 is inserted between this transverse wall 28 and the nearest transverse tab 25B.

The cover 13-1 is thus wedged longitudinally on the support 11, and, through it, it is the same of the connection strip 12-1, this connection strip 12-1 lying between the transverse walls 34 of this cover 13-1.

The installation of the connection strips 12-2 is done similarly.

But, as shown in Figure 19, the cover 13-2 individually associated with such a connection strip 12-2 comes to grip, from the outside, by its transverse walls 34, two transverse tabs 25B, or 25A, or 25A, 25B, this which ensures the longitudinal setting of the assembly on the support 11.

Of course, depending on the nature and / or the number of connection strips 12-1, 12-2 etc. set up in the support 11, the terminal block 10 according to the invention may have overall a configuration different from that, at a connection strip 12-1 and two connection strips 12-2, more particularly described and represented.

In practice, to match the configurations, more usual, connection strips are provided, not represented, having numbers N 'of holes 18 different from those previously specified, with, for each of these strips connection, an individual cover with the same number openings.

More generally, the present invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but includes any variant.

Claims (25)

1. A terminal block of the kind comprising a support (11) which, made of insulating material, comprises in the general form of an elongate channel of U-shaped cross-section two side walls (14A, 14B) and a bottom wall (16) and of which one at least of the side walls (14A, 14B) has at spaced locations openings (15), at least one connecting bar (12-1, 12-2) which, made of conducting material, extends longitudinally in the support (11) above its bottom wall (16) and which, at positions corresponding to the openings (15) thereof, has at spaced locations holes (18), each of which is transversely cut by a screwthreaded bore (20) with which a clamping screw (21) is engaged, and a cap (13-1-, 13-2) which, made of insulating material and fitted to the support (11), extends over the connecting bar (12-1, 12-2) and which, at positions corresponding to the screwthreaded bores (20) thereof, has at spaced locations openings (22), characterised in that the length of the cap (13-1-, 13-2) is less than that of the support (11) and that, the connecting bar (12-1, 12-2) having a number (N'1, N'2) of holes (18) which is smaller than the number (N) of openings (15) that the support (11) has, individually associated with each connecting bar (12-1, 12-2) is a cap (13-1-, 13-2) which has a number (N'1, N'2) of openings (22) that is equal to the number (N'1, N'2) of holes (18) therein.
2. A terminal block according to claim 1 characterised in that jointly the support (11) has abutment means (24, 25A, 25B) for longitudinally fixing the connecting bar (12-1, 12-2) and/or the cap (13-1-, 13-2) with respect to it.
3. A terminal block according to claim 2 characterised in that the abutment means (24, 25A, 25B) that the support (11) has comprise tongue portions (25A, 25B), referred to as transverse tongue portions, which project transversely on the internal surface of one at least of its side walls (14A, 14B) and jointly the cap (13-1-, 13-2), at one at least of its ends, has a transverse wall (34) whose width (L2) which is smaller than the distance (L3) internally separating the two side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11) from each other is greater than the distance (L1) which is left transversely free between them by the transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B).
4. A terminal block according to claim 3 characterised in that, the bottom wall (16) of the support (11) longitudinally forming a channel (31) in recessed relationship in its internal surface to receive the connecting bar (12-1, 12-2), the transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B) extend to said channel (31).
5. A terminal block according to either one of claims 3 and 4 characterised in that, on the side of the free edge of the side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11), the transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B) have by way of their edge an engagement profile (36) which is generally oblique with respect to the bottom wall (16) of said support (11), said engagement profile (36) moving away from said side walls (14A, 14B) in proportion to its approaching said bottom wall (16).
6. A terminal block according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that, for each of the openings (15) of the support (11), there are two transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B) which are operatively disposed each on respective sides of such an opening (15).
7. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B) are distributed between the two side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11).
8. A terminal block according to claim 7 characterised in that, in the central part, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tongue portions (25A, 25B) alternate from one of the side walls (14A, 14B) to the other thereof.
9. A terminal block according to claim 8 characterised in that, in the central part, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tongue portions (25B) which are provided in projecting relationship on the side wall (14B) thereof themselves alternate with lugs (41) for retaining the connecting bar (12-1, 12-2).
10. A terminal block according to any one of claims 7 to 9 characterised in that, in the central part, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tongue portions (25A) which are provided in projecting relationship on the side wall (14A) thereof comprise, in stepped relationship in respect of height, two portions (37, 38) of different widths, namely an upper portion (37) of smaller width and a lower portion (38) of larger width, with between said two portions (37, 38) of different widths, a connecting portion (39), the width of which goes progressively from the width of one to the width of the other.
11. A terminal block according to any one of claims 2 to 10 characterised in that at its ends the support (11) comprises transverse walls (28) and the abutment means (24, 25A, 25B) that it has comprise a tongue portion (24) in projecting relationship on each of said transverse walls (28), referred to as a longitudinal tongue portion.
12. A terminal block according to claim 11 characterised in that the longitudinal tongue portion (24) has by way of its edge an engagement profile (29) which is generally oblique with respect to the bottom wall (16) of the support (11), said engagement profile (29) moving away from said transverse walls (28) in proportion to its approaching said bottom wall (16).
13. A terminal block according to either one of claims 11 and 12 characterised in that, the cap (13-1) having transverse walls (34) at its ends, one at least of said transverse walls (34) comprises at a position corresponding to the longitudinal tongue portion (24) a notch (66) by way of which it can be engaged thereon.
14. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterised in that the openings (15) at the ends of the support (11) are of a diameter which is greater than that of the others.
15. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 14 characterised in that for engagement thereof on a support bar (50) the support (11) forms interengagement means (51) on the external surface of the bottom wall (16) of the support.
16. A terminal block according to claim 15 characterised in that the interengagement means (51) comprise on one side of the bottom wall (16) of the support (11) a strip (52) which extends longitudinally over a part at least of the length of said bottom wall (16) and which at least locally comprises at least one inwardly directed right-angled flange portion (53) and on the opposite side, at least one latching leg (54) which is elastically deformable and which forms an inwardly directed hook.
17. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 16 characterised in that the side wall (14A) of the support (11) having openings (15) comprises in projecting relationship on its external surface a rib (44) which extends longitudinally over a part at least of its length, level with the lower part of said openings (15).
18. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 17 characterised in that the side wall (14B) of the support (11) opposite to that (14A) having openings (15) comprises in projecting relationship on its external surface a rib (47) which extends longitudinally over a part at least of its length and which is level with the lower surface of the bottom wall (16) of the support (11).
19. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11) each comprise in the proximity of their free edge a groove (48) which extends longitudinally over a part at least of their length and which is suitable for latching engagement of a cap (13-1, 13-2).
20. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 19 characterised in that on one at least of its side walls (59) the cap (13-1, 13-2) has at least one marking zone (63) for receiving at least one marking.
21. A terminal block according to claim 20 characterised in that the cap (13-1, 13-2) has a marking zone (63) on both of its side walls (59) and the corresponding marking zones (63) are longitudinally displaced with respect to each other from one of said side walls (59) to the other.
22. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 21 characterised in that the cap (13-1, 13-2) at least locally has an individual colour marking.
23. A terminal block according to claim 22 characterised in that the cap (13-1, 13-2) is uniformly coloured over the whole of its external surface.
24. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 23 characterised in that, for a connecting bar (12-1) having a number (N'1) of holes (18) that is at least equal to thirteen, the hole (18) at one at least of its ends is of a diameter greater than that of the others.
25. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 24 characterised in that, for a connecting bar (12-2) having a number (N'2) of holes (18) that is less than thirteen, all the holes (18) are of the same diameter.

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