GB1579426A - Junction box - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVED JUNCTION BOX (71) We, THE POST OFFICE, a British Corporation established by Statute of 23 Howland Street, London W1P 6HQ, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a junction box comprising a terminal block. Each terminal in the block is of the " bifurcated 9' type, hereinafter referred to as such, wherein side-by-side conductive pieces are so configurated that an insulated wire pushed into it has the insulation stripped off and the conductive core retained.

According to the present invention there is provided a junction box including bifur cated terminals in a terminal block with a rectangular base portion, the floor of the box having a shallow rectangular trayshaped recess receiving in mating relationship the said base portion wherein a releasable latch connection between the box floor and the block comprises a dependent resiliently flexible flange at each of a pair of opposed sides of the block and interengaging members at the lower end part of each flange and the inner surface of the rim of the recess whereby inward flexing of the flange disengages the said members to release the block.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the box; Figures 2 and 3 are side and end views of the terminal block; Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 1.

The box in accordance with the particular embodiment is made of rigid plastics and comprises a body 1 and a lid 2. The body 1 is of rectangular tray shape with side walls 3 and end walls 4. Slots 5 in the end walls allow entry of electrical wires (not shown). The lid 2, shaped to fit body 1, has a dependent rim 6. At opposed marginal positions of the lid slots 7 are provided each receiving the cover part 8 of a resiliently flexible clip 9 (see Figure 5), slot 7 and corresponding clip 9 forming a latch. Each clip 9 comprises a flange 10 secured to screw 11 to a tapped socket 12 in the undersurface of the lid 2, a stirrup portion 13 providing resilience and a tongue or clipping part 14 engaging a co-operating abutment 15 on wall 3. Resilient flexing of the stirrup part 13 allows parts 14 and 15 to be moved by handling projection 16 into and out of latching relationship with one another to close and open the lid. Cover part 8 seals the interior of the box.

A shallow generally rectangular recess 17 in the floor 23 of box body 1 seats the rectangular base portion of terminal block 18. Terminal block 18 is formed of rigid electrically insulating material having a fixed undercover 19 and pivoted lid 20. The block 18 further includes castellated upstanding side walls 21. Each wire to be joined enters a slot 21' in wall 21.

Two columns of bifurcated terminals 24 are positioned one on either side of a column of bifurcated earthing terminals 25 (see Figures 2 and 4). Edge on views of one terminal 24 of each pair in one column can be seen in Figure 4. The terminals 24 of each pair are joined by a basal strip (not shown). A basal strip 22 joins the earthing terminals 25, one of which can ve connected to earthing post 28. The earthing terminals 25 having their main planes at right angles to those of terminals 24 are readily visually distinguishable as such.

A resilient flexible flange 29 depends from each end of block 18 (See Figures 2, 3 and 4). At each side of the lower margin of flange 29 a tongue 30 is provided, the lower edge part of the tongue being rounded. A retaining groove or rebate 31 on the body base releasably retains the tongue 30 to fix block 18 as illustrated in Figure 4. On insertion rounded part of tongue 30 rides smoothly over and into rebate 31 whilst for withdrawal inward flexing movement of flange 29 is required to allow the tongue 30 to move clear of the rebate 31. The tongued flange 29 and the rebate 31 thus form a releasable latch connection.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A junction box including bifurcated terminals in a terminal block with a rectangular base portion, the floor of the box having a shallow rectangular tray-shaped recess receiving in mating relationship the said base portion wherein a releasable latch connection between the box floor and the block comprises a dependent resiliently flexible flange at each of a pair of opposed sides of the block and interengaging memhers at the lower end part of each flange and the inner surface of the rim of the recess whereby inward flexing of the flange disengages the said members to release the block.

2. A junction box as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the terminal block includes earthing terminals so orientated as to be readily visually distinguishable from the other terminals in the block.

3. A junction box as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 formed in two parts, a base part and a lid part, a resilient latch between the two parts being provided.

4. A junction box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A resilient flexible flange 29 depends from each end of block 18 (See Figures 2, 3 and 4). At each side of the lower margin of flange 29 a tongue 30 is provided, the lower edge part of the tongue being rounded. A retaining groove or rebate 31 on the body base releasably retains the tongue 30 to fix block 18 as illustrated in Figure 4. On insertion rounded part of tongue 30 rides smoothly over and into rebate 31 whilst for withdrawal inward flexing movement of flange 29 is required to allow the tongue 30 to move clear of the rebate 31. The tongued flange 29 and the rebate 31 thus form a releasable latch connection. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. A junction box including bifurcated terminals in a terminal block with a rectangular base portion, the floor of the box having a shallow rectangular tray-shaped recess receiving in mating relationship the said base portion wherein a releasable latch connection between the box floor and the block comprises a dependent resiliently flexible flange at each of a pair of opposed sides of the block and interengaging memhers at the lower end part of each flange and the inner surface of the rim of the recess whereby inward flexing of the flange disengages the said members to release the block.

2. A junction box as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the terminal block includes earthing terminals so orientated as to be readily visually distinguishable from the other terminals in the block.

3. A junction box as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 formed in two parts, a base part and a lid part, a resilient latch between the two parts being provided.

4. A junction box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.