FR2750262A1 - TERMINAL - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a terminal block comprising a support (11), a side wall (14A) of which has, from place to place, openings (15), at least one connection strip (12-2), which, in correspondence with openings (15) of the support (11), present, from place to place, holes each of which is intersected by a threaded hole (20) with which a clamping screw (21) engages, and a cover (13 -2), which, attached to the support (11), overhangs the connection strip (12-2), and which, in correspondence with the threaded holes (20) of the latter, presents, from place to place, openings (22). According to the invention, the cover (13-2) has a length less than that of the support (11); for example, the connection strip (12-2) having a number of holes less than the number of openings (15) of the support (11), it is associated, individually, with this connection strip (12-2), a cover (13-2) which has a number of openings (22) equal to the number of holes in the latter, and, jointly, the support (11) has stop means specific to the longitudinal wedging of the connection strip ( 12-2) and / or the cover (13-2) in relation to it. Application: in particular, to the equipment of boxes for electrical equipment.

Description

"Terminal Block" The present invention relates generally to

  terminal blocks of the type of those used, for example, in a box to connect to the same polarity different electrical devices. The centerpiece of these terminal blocks is in the general form of a strip, which, made of conductive material, forms, from place to place, connection terminals, these connection terminals each comprising, on the one hand, a hole , which forms a cable entry, and, secondly, a threaded hole, which cuts transversely this hole, opening on the same face of the strip for all the connection terminals, and with which is engaged a clamping screw. The present invention is more particularly the case where, for reasons of insulation, and therefore of safety, it is associated with such a strip, hereinafter referred to simply as convenience connection strip, a support and a cover

  both made of insulating material.

  The support, which can in practice receive a single connection strip or several connection strips aligned with each other but duly separated from each other, generally comprises in the general form of an elongated channel with a cross-section , two side walls and a bottom wall, and the connection strip or strips running longitudinally above the latter, at least one of the side walls present, from place to place, in correspondence with the holes of this or these connection strips, openings giving access to

these holes.

  The cover, meanwhile, overhangs or the connecting strips, and it itself, from place to place, in correspondence with the tapped holes of this or these connection strips, openings giving access to the screws

corresponding.

  This cover can for example be reported on one or

  several connection strips, for example by snapping.

  But, the corresponding attachment is inevitably to the detriment of the useful length of the or connection strips, it is most often reported on the support. In all cases, the hood thus implemented runs

  to this day uniformly over the entire length of the support.

  In other words, there is so far only one cover per support, and it covers evenly all connection strips that may be present in this support. This results in difficulties in identifying and identifying the polarities to which these strips correspond

connection.

  In practice, to date, the identification of these polarities is usually done by providing the cover markers at the desired locations, and these marks are usually constituted by numbers

or symbols.

  This provision has the disadvantage of making it impossible for an installer to change the composition

  a terminal block without changing the cover.

  The cover has also in practice a uniform color, it also has the disadvantage of making difficult anyway the identification of polarities, both when wiring

  initially than during a subsequent intervention on this wiring.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to avoid these drawbacks in a very simple manner and also leading to other

advantages.

  More specifically, it relates to a terminal block of the type comprising a support, which, made of insulating material, comprises, in the general form of an elongate trough with a U-shaped cross section, two side walls and a bottom wall, and wherein at least one of the side walls has, from place to place, openings, at least one connection strip, which, made of conductive material, runs longitudinally in the support, above its bottom wall, and which, in correspondence with the openings thereof, presents, from place to place, holes each of which is cut transversely, on the opposite side to the bottom wall of the support, by a threaded bore with which is engaged a clamping screw, and a cover, which, made of insulating material and attached to the support, overhangs the connection strip,

  and which, in correspondence with the threaded holes of this

  ci, presents, from place to place, openings, this terminal being generally characterized in that the hood has

  a shorter length than the support.

  For example, since the connection strip has a number of holes smaller than the number of openings that the support has, it is associated, individually, with this connection strip, a cover that has a number of openings equal to the number of holes in the socket. this, and, together, the support has stop means specific to the longitudinal wedging of

  the connection strip and / or cover relative to him.

  In other words, according to the invention, it can, if desired, be associated, individually, with each strip of

connection, a particular hood.

  It is thus advantageously possible for the installer to compose as he wishes the terminal block, and to change

  later at will the composition.

  It suffices, in fact, each time, to implement the connection or strips necessary, and to associate very precisely to each of them the appropriate cap. In addition, the identification of the corresponding polarization (s) can advantageously be done very

simple if desired.

  It suffices for that, according to a development of the invention, and while keeping a possibility of identification by number or symbol if necessary, the cover associated with a connection strip has at least locally a reference

  of individual color related to a given polarity.

  For example, this cover can, for this purpose, be uniformly colored on all its outer surface, or even in

its mass.

  The polarities are thus clearly apparent, their location is advantageously facilitated, both during initial wiring and during a subsequent intervention on this wiring. Finally, the arrangement according to the invention is advantageously, without difficulty, and by simple composition, to the realization of all terminal configurations the

more frequently in use.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  As an example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly 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 a different scale, and along the arrow IV-XI of Figure 1, a partial elevational view of the support that includes this terminal, shown in isolation; Figure 5 is a partial top view of this support, along the 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 sectional views

  cross-section, respectively, each line VII-

  VII, VIII-VIII, IX-IX and X-X of Figure 5; Figure 11 is, on the scale of Figure 4, and along the arrow IV-XI of Figure 1, a partial elevational view of one of the covers that comprises the terminal block according to the invention, shown in isolation; Figure 12 is a partial top view of the hood, along the 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 sectional views

  transversal, following respectively the lines XIV-

  XIV and XV-XV of Figure 12; Figure 16 is an elevational view of one of the connection strips may 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 hood; FIG. 19 is a partial view in longitudinal section, which, similar to that of FIG. 3, relates to this other cover and to the connecting strip to

which he is associated.

  As illustrated in these figures, the terminal block 10 according to the invention comprises, generally, in a manner known per se, a support 11, at least one connecting 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 elongate trough with a U-shaped cross-section, two lateral walls 14A, 14B, one of which, at least in this case, the lateral wall 14A, present, of

  place in place, openings 15, and a bottom wall 16.

  The connecting strip 12-1, 12-2, which is made of conductive material, and, for example, of brass, runs longitudinally in the support 11, between the side walls 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 pass through from one side, one of its side faces 19 to the another, and each of which is crosscut, transversely, from the opposite side to the bottom wall 16 of the support 11, by a drilling

  threaded 20 with which is engaged a clamping screw 21.

  The cover 13-1, 13-2, which, like the support 11, is made of insulating material, and which, according to arrangements described in more detail later, is attached to the support 11, overhangs the connection strip 12-1 12-2, and, in correspondence with the threaded holes 20 thereof, it presents, from place to place, openings 22 giving access

  with clamping screws 21 engaged with threaded bores 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 connecting strip 12-1, 12-2 having a number N'1, N'2 of holes 18 less than the number N of openings 15 that the support

  11, and having, therefore, a length less than that of

  ci, it is associated, individually, to this connecting strip 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 arrangements which will be described in more detail later, the support 11 has stop means 24, 25A, 25B specific to the longitudinal setting of the slide connection 12-1, 12-2 and / or cover 13-1, 13-2 with respect thereto. In the embodiment shown, only the side wall 14A of the support 11 has openings 15, and the number N thereof is, by way of 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 greater than that of the others, and, for those with the same diameter, they are established at a step

P regular.

  Together with the embodiment shown, there are provided, by way of example, in the support 11, three connection strips 12-1, 12-2, each associated with these three connection strips 12-1, respectively. ,

12-2, three covers 13-1, 13-2.

  There is, first of all, a 12-1 connection strip

  having an N'1 number of holes 18 at least equal to thirteen.

  Then there are aligned with the previous one, but separated therefrom and separated from one another, two connecting strips 12-2 each having a number N'2 of holes 18 smaller than thirteen, and, therefore, of shorter length

  to that of the terminal strips 12-1.

  For example, and as shown, the number N'l of holes 18 of the terminal strip 12-1 is equal to thirteen, and the number N'2 of the holes 18 of the terminal strips 12-2

is equal to eight.

  Of course, these numerical values are only given here as examples, and they should not be

  considered as limiting the invention.

  The connecting strips 12-1, 12-2 have, overall, as a whole, a similar constitution: they have, in cross section, the same rectangular outline, with edges slightly cut by a chamfer, their holes 18 have all, in cross section, the same circular outline, and their threaded holes 20 all open on the same face, in this case their face

superior 26.

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

that of others.

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

figure 3.

  As a corollary, for the connecting strips 12-2 having a number N'2 of holes 18 smaller than thirteen, all the holes 18 have the same diameter, equal to that of the holes 18.

  current of the terminal 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 it is the same

  for the current 18 holes of the terminal strip 12-1.

  In the embodiment shown, the support 11 comprises, at its ends, transverse walls 28, level with its side walls 14A, 14B, and the abutment means 24, 25A, 25B that it has, project, on each of these transverse walls 28, a tongue 24, called

hereinafter longitudinal tongue.

  This longitudinal tongue 24 extends over a fraction of the height of the transverse walls 28 from the bottom wall 16, in the median zone thereof, and, by its edge, it has an engagement profile 29 globally. oblique with respect to the bottom wall 16, this engagement profile 29, which is in practice generally rounded, deviating from the transverse walls 28 as and when it

  is approaching the bottom wall 16.

  To receive the connecting strips 12-1, 12-2, the bottom wall 16 of the support 11 forms, longitudinally, recessed, on its inner surface, in the embodiment shown, a channel 31 whose width Li is substantially equal to that of these terminal strips 12-1, 12-2 while

  being slightly higher than this.

  This channel 31 itself, hollowed on its bottom, along each of its longitudinal flanks, a groove 32, to be satisfied with any burrs along

  edges of connecting strips 12-1, 12-2.

  The abutment means 24, 25A, 25B provided by the support 11 further comprise, in the embodiment shown, tabs 25A, 25B, hereinafter referred to as transverse tabs, which project transversely on the inner surface of the at least one of the lateral walls 14A, 14B, and which, extending as far as the channel 31, flush with the longitudinal flanks thereof, leave transversely free between them a distance LI equal to the width Li of this

laughs 31.

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

  free between them by the transverse tabs 25A, 25B.

  To facilitate the establishment of the connecting strips 12-1, 12-2, the transverse tabs 25A, 25B have, by their edge, the side of the free edge of the side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11, an engagement profile. 36 generally oblique relative to the bottom wall 16 of the support 11, this engagement profile 36, which is in practice rounded overall, deviating from the side walls 14A, 14B as it approaches this 16. In practice, for each of the openings 15, there are two transversal tabs 25A, 25B, each of which intervenes respectively on either side of such an opening 15. But, in the embodiment shown, the transverse 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 lateral walls 14A, 14B to the other, the transverse tongues 25A protruding from the side wall 14A and

  the transverse tabs 25B on the side wall 14B.

  In the median part, at least, of the support 11, the transverse tongues 25A comprise, staggered in height, two sections 37, 38 of different widths, namely, FIG. 8, an upper section 37, which is of smaller width, and which form the engagement profile 36, and a lower section 38, which is of greater width, with, between these two sections 37, 38 of different widths, a connecting section 39 whose width will progressively from that of the one to that of the other. Of course, the distance L1 is appreciated at the foot of the transverse tongues 25A, 25B, that is to say at their connection with the bottom wall 16, and therefore at the

  of the lower section 38 of the transverse tongues 25A.

  In the median part, at least, of the support 11, the transverse tongues 25B projecting from the lateral wall 14B of the latter themselves alternate with lugs 41 suitable for retaining the connecting strips 12-1, 12- 2. These lugs 41 are thus each set respectively to the right of the transverse tongues 25A present projecting

  on the opposite side wall 14A.

  To facilitate the installation of the connecting strips 12-1, 12-2, they are cut by a chamfer to their

free end.

  In practice, the side wall 14B of the support 11 has a slot 42 at the right of each of the lugs 41, for

facilitate the molding of these.

  This slot 42 extends from the lugs 41 to the wall

background 16.

  In the embodiment shown, the side wall 14A of the support 11 has, projecting on its outer surface, a rib 44, which runs longitudinally over at least part of its length, and in practice on the whole of that here, level with the lower part of

openings 15.

  At the right of each of the openings 15, this rib 44 has a clearance 45, in the form of a chute, which, slightly oblique with respect to the bottom wall 16, transversely with respect thereto, is connected continuously

  with the lower part of such an opening 15.

  In addition to a stiffening function, this rib 44 thus guards, towards the openings 15, and thus towards the holes 18 of the connecting strips 12-1, 12-2, electrical conductors to be engaged in these holes 18, and it then provides local support for these electrical conductors once they are properly engaged with the clamping screws 21 associated. In the embodiment shown, the side wall 14B of the support 11 also has, on its outer surface, a rib 47, which runs longitudinally over at least part of its length, and, in practice, on the almost all of it, level with

  the bottom surface of the bottom wall 16.

  This rib 47 has a particular stiffening function. As a corollary, in the embodiment shown, the side walls 14A, 14B of the support 11 each comprise, in the vicinity of their free edge, a groove 48, which runs longitudinally over at least part of their length, and, in practice, on the whole of this, and which, according to the methods described in more detail later, is adapted to snap the covers 13-1, 13-2. In the embodiment shown, this groove 48 has, transversely, an asymmetric profile, with a right upper flank, parallel to the bottom wall 16, and an oblique bottom, this bottom approaching the outer surface of the side walls 14A, 14B as and when

  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 FIG.

interlocking 51.

  These engagement means 51 comprise, on the one hand, on one side of the bottom wall 16, a sipe 52, which runs longitudinally over at least part of the length of this bottom wall 16, and, in practice , over the entire length thereof, and which comprises at least locally at least one angled return 53 directed inwards, and, on the other hand, on the opposite side of the bottom wall 16, at least one detent tab 54, which is elastically deformable, and which, at its free end, forms a hook directed inwards. In practice, two latching lugs 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 tabs

  latching 54 are perforated loop.

  Together, the lamellae 52 present, from place to place

  place, several returns to square 53.

  The interlocking means 51 thus formed form

  fastening means for the support 11.

  Of course, other fastening means can be envisaged. For example, and as shown, these fixing means may comprise, at each of the ends of the support 11, on the one hand, a perforated tab 55, which protrudes outwards on the corresponding transverse wall 28, and, d on the other hand, laterally flanking such a perforated tab, parallel to the side walls 14A, 14B, two legs

elastically deformable 56.

  Alternatively, or in addition, it can also be provided, from place to place, projecting on the side wall 14B,

ears, not shown.

  As mentioned above, it is 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 openings 22 they comprise.

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

superior 58.

  The transverse walls 34, which, in their current part, have the width L2 specified above, FIG. 14, have, at their base, an extension 60, for their engagement in the channel 31 that forms 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 of insulation. The side walls 59 each have, at each of their ends, a latching lug 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 FIG. 2, and which, for this engagement, is 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 side walls 59, at least one marking zone 63 adapted to receive, in practice by snapping, at least one reference mark not shown. In practice, in the embodiment shown, the covers 13-1, 13-2 have a locating zone 63 on one and the other of their side walls 59, but to minimize the weakening which could result therefrom. , the corresponding marking areas 63 are offset longitudinally relative to one another from one to the other of these walls

Lateral 59.

  In practice, also, in the embodiment shown, the marking areas 63 are each provided to allow the possible implantation 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 in the vicinity 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 arrangements which do not appear from the figures, the covers 13-1, 13-2 may present, at least locally, a color mark

individual.

  For example, they may be uniformly colored over their entire outer surface, or even in the mass, according to a color related to the polarity of the strip of

  12-1, 12-2 connection to which they are associated.

  More specifically, the cover 13-1 may for example be of a first color, one of the covers 13-2 of a second color different from the previous one, and the second cover 13-2

  a third color also distinct from the other two.

  The colors used are indifferent, but preferentially they correspond to the colors traditionally related to the various polarities such as phase,

neutral or earth for example.

  The connection strip 12-1 whose number N'1 of holes 18 is at least equal to thirteen having at one of its ends a hole of greater diameter than the others, it must imperatively be disposed at one end of the support 11, where, in correspondence, an opening 15 of

diameter greater than others.

  For the necessary position marking, this connection strip 12-1 must then be longitudinally abutting against the corresponding longitudinal tongue 24

of support 11.

  Therefore, the corresponding transverse wall 34 of this cover 13-1 comprises, in correspondence with this longitudinal tongue 24, a notch 66, which affects jointly 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 a polarizer, it is provided, on the one hand, on the support 11, at one end its side wall 14A, and at the opposite end of its side wall 14B, a notch 67, and, secondly, on the cover 13-1, projecting from the free edge of the side walls 59 of the hood 13- 1, at one of the ends of one of these side walls 59 and at the opposite end of the other thereof, for interlocking with the notch 67, a lug

68, Figure 14.

  The connecting strips 12-2 to be located in the central region of the support 11, it is not necessarily provided notch on one or the other of the transverse walls 34 of the covers 13-2 and this is the reason why they have been represented in continuous lines without such

  notch in Figures 1, 18 and 19.

  However, as shown schematically in dashed lines in FIG. 18, a notch 66 may, however, for others

reasons, be provided there.

  For the establishment of the connecting strips 12-1, 12-2 and, for example, the connecting strip 12-1, as schematically in phantom in Figure 8, it can by

example be carried out as follows.

  In a first step, and as shown in FIG. 8, this connecting strip 12-1 is only partially engaged in the support 11, between the lugs 41 protruding from the side wall 14B and the projecting transverse tabs 25A. on the side wall 14A, in favor of the upper section 37, of smaller width, duly

  provided for this purpose, of these transverse tabs 25A.

  In a second step, and as shown schematically by an arrow F in FIG. 8, the connection strip 12-1 is further engaged, in force, in the support 11, up to

  reach the bottom wall 16 thereof.

  This engagement, which leads the connecting strip 12-1 to engage transversely under the lugs 41 and therefore implies for it a transverse movement relative to the support 11, is done by means of a momentary elastic deformation of the support 11 and is facilitated by the obliquity of the connection section 39 of the tongues

transverse 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.

  It is sufficient, then, to set up, by

  snap, the cover 13-1 associated with it.

  During this installation, 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 closest transverse tab 25B.

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

this hood 13-1.

  The setting up of the 12-2 connection strips is

done in a similar way.

  But, as shown in FIG. 19, the cover 13-2 individually associated with such a connection strip 12-2 encloses, from the outside, by its transverse walls 34, two transverse tabs 25B, or 25A, or 25A, 25B, which ensures the longitudinal alignment 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. placed in the support 11, the terminal block 10 according to the invention may generally have a configuration different from that, to a connection strip 12-1 and two connection strips 12-2,

  more particularly described and shown.

  In practice, to correspond to the most usual configurations, there are provided connecting strips, not shown, having numbers N 'of holes 18 different from those previously specified, with, for each of these connection strips, an individual cover having the same number of openings. In a more general way, the present invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment described

  and shown, but encompasses any alternative embodiment.

Claims (25)

  1. Terminal block of the type comprising a support (11), which, made of insulating material, comprises, in the general form of an elongate trough with a U-shaped cross-section, two lateral walls (14A, 14B) and a bottom wall ( 16), and of which at least one of the side walls (14A, 14B) has, from place to place, openings (15), at least one connection strip (12-1, 12-2) which, made of conductive, short longitudinally in the support (11), above its bottom wall (16), and which, in correspondence with openings (15) thereof, presents, from place to place, holes (18) ) each transversely cut by a threaded hole (20) with which is engaged a clamping screw (21), and a cover (13-1, 13-2), which made of insulating material and attached to the support (11), overhangs the connecting strip (13-1, 13-2), and which, in correspondence with the threaded bores (20) thereof, presents, from place to place, or vertures (22), characterized in that the length   the cover (13-1, 13-2) is smaller than that of the support (11).   2. Terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, the connection strip (12-1, 12-2) having a number (N'i, N'2) of holes (18) less than the number (N) of openings (15) that the support (11) has, it is associated, individually, with this connection strip (12-1, 12-2), a cover (13-1, 13-2) which has a number ( N'1, N'2) openings (22) equal to the number (N'I1, N'2) of holes (18) thereof, and, together, the support (11) has stop means (24, 25A, 25B) suitable for the longitudinal setting of the connection strip (12-1, 12-2) and / or the cover (13-1, 13-2) in relation to him.   3. Terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop means (24, 25A, 25B) that has the support (11) comprise tabs (25A, 25B), said transverse tongues, which project transversely on the surface at least one of its side walls (14A, 14B), and, at the same time, the cover (13-1, 13-2) has, at at least one of its ends, a transverse wall (34) whose width (L2), which is smaller than the distance (L3) internally separating the two lateral walls (14A, 14B) from the support (11), is greater than the distance (L1) left transversely free between them by the transverse tongues (25A, 25B). 4. Terminal block according to claim 3, characterized in that, the bottom wall (16) of the support (11) forming, longitudinally recessed on its inner surface, to receive the connection strip (12-1, 12-2 ), a channel (31), the transverse tabs (25A, 25B) extend to this channel (31).   Terminal block according to one of the claims   3, 4, characterized in that, on the side of the free edge of the side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11), the transverse tongues (25A, 25B) have, by their edge, an engagement profile (36) generally oblique with respect to the bottom wall (16) of this support (11), this engagement profile (36) deviating from said side walls (14A, 14B) as and when   as it approaches said bottom wall (16).   Terminal block according to one of the claims   3 to 5, characterized in that, for each of the openings (15) of the support (11), there are two transversal tongues (25A, B) which intervene respectively on each side and other of such an opening (15).   Terminal block according to one of the claims   3 to 6, characterized in that the transverse tabs (25A, B) are distributed between the two side walls (14A, 14B) of the support (11).   8. Terminal block according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the middle part, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tongues (25A, 25B) alternate with one of the walls   laterally (14A, 14B) to each other.   9. Terminal block according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the middle part, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tongues (25B) projecting from the side wall (14B) of the latter alternate with each other. same with lugs (41) suitable for retaining the connection strip (12-1-12-2).   10. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that in the   median, at least, of the support (11), the transverse tabs (25A) projecting from the lateral wall (14A) thereof have, staggered in height, two sections (37, 38) of different widths, namely , an upper section (37) of smaller width and a lower section (38) of greater width, with, between these two sections (37, 38) of different widths, a connection section (39) whose width progressively that of one to that of the other. 11. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the support (11)   has, at its ends, transverse walls (28), and the abutment means (24, 25A, 25B) that it has comprise a tongue (24) projecting on each of these walls   transverse (28), said longitudinal tongue.   12. Terminal block according to claim 11, characterized in that the longitudinal tongue (24) has, by its edge, an engagement profile (29) generally oblique with respect to the bottom wall (16) of the support (11), this engagement profile (29) deviating from said transverse walls (28) as and when   as it approaches said bottom wall (16).   13. Terminal block according to any one of   claims 11, 12, characterized in that, the cover (13-1)   having at its ends transverse walls (34), at least one of these transverse walls (34) comprises, in correspondence with the longitudinal tongue (24), a   notch (66) by which it can be engaged on it.   14. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the openings   (15) at the ends of the support (11) have a diameter superior to that of others.   15. Terminal block according to any one of   claims 1 to 14, characterized in that for its   engagement on a support bar (50), the support (11) forms, on the outer surface of its bottom wall (16), interlocking means (51).   16. Terminal block according to claim 15, characterized in that the interlocking means (51) comprise, on one side of the bottom wall (16) of the support (11), a strip (52), which runs longitudinally on at least a part of the length of this bottom wall (16), and which at least locally has at least one angled return (53) directed inwards, and, on the opposite side, at least one locking lug (54), which is elastically deformable, and which   forms a hook directed inwards.   17. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the side wall (14A) of the support (11) having openings (15) has, projecting on its outer surface, a rib (44). , which runs longitudinally over at least part of its length, at   level with the lower part of these openings (15).   18. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the side wall   (14B) of the support (11) opposite to that (14A) having openings (15) has, projecting from its outer surface, a rib (47), which runs longitudinally over at least part of its length, and which is level with the surface   bottom wall (16) of the support (11).   19. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the walls   lateral portions (14A, 14B) of the support (11) each comprise, in the vicinity of their free edge, a groove (48) which runs longitudinally over at least part of their length, and   which is suitable for latching a hood (13-1, 13-2).   20. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the cover (13-1,   13-2) has, on at least one of its side walls (59), at least one locating zone (63) adapted to receive at less a landmark.   21. Terminal block according to claim 20, characterized in that the cover (13-1, 13-2) has a marking area (63) on one and the other of its side walls (59), and the zones corresponding locating means (63) are offset longitudinally with respect to each other   the other of these sidewalls (59).   22. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the cover (13-1,   13-2) has at least locally an individual color mark. 23. Terminal block according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover (13-1, 13-2) is uniformly colored on all its outer surface.   24. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that for a slide   connection (13-1) having a number (N1) of holes (18) at least equal to thirteen, the hole (18) present in at least one of   its ends have a larger diameter than the others.   25. Terminal block according to any one of   Claims 1 to 24, characterized in that for a slide   connecting terminal (12-2) having a number (N'2) of holes (18)   less than thirteen, all the holes (18) have the same diameter.