GB2059180A - Terminal block insert - Google Patents

Abstract

A terminal block insert (11) comprises a steel frame (14) of rectangular cross-section, formed from sheet metal, and a strip (17) of brass secured to the frame (14) by interlocking tabs (18) and notches (19). The frame has transverse threaded bores (13) each for receiving a respective screw. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Terminal block insert This invention relates to a terminal block insert.

A terminal block insert of a type which is at present very widely used is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The insert 1 is machined from a solid brass section, and has a longitudinal bore 2 extending along the length thereof, and a number of transverse screw-threaded bores 3 which communicate with the bore 2. Each of the bores 3 has a screw (not shown) received therein.

The insert shown in Figure 1 is expensive since it is made entirely of brass, which is an expensive material. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block insert which can form the samefunction as the insert shown in Figure 1 but which can be manufactured more cheaply.

According to the invention there is provided a terminal block insert made of a strip of material formed into a shape in which it defines a longitudinal bore, and a strip of electrically-conductive material inserted in the bore and secured to the said strip of material, the insert being provided with at least one transverse bore communicating with the said longitudinal bore.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, which is an end view. Figure 2 shows an insert 11 having a longitudinal bore 12 and a plurality of transverse bores 13, one of the bores being visible in Figure 2.

The insert comprises a steel strip 14 bent to form a member of rectangular cross-section, with one side of the rectangle being defined by two overlapping end portions 15 and 16 of the steel strip. Within the bore and located against the inside of the portion 16 is an electrically-conductive bar 17 formed of a metal such as brass. A respective tab 18 is provided at each longitudinal end of the bar 17, each tab extending at right angles to the bar and then being bent for receipt in a notch 19 in the longitudinal end of the portion 15 of the strip 14. With regard to the bore 13, it should be noted that the material defining the walls of the bore and in which a screw thread is formed, are formed by material forced out of the strip 14 during formation of the bore 13.

It will be appreciated that the cost of material necessary to make the insert shown in Figure 2 is substantially less than that required for the insert shown in Figure 1, since the insert of Figure 2 is formed largely of steel strips with only a small brass barforthe purposes of providing the necessary electrical conductivity.

1. A terminal block insert made of a strip of material formed into a shape in which it defines a longitudinal bore, and a strip of electricallyconductive material inserted in the bore and secured to the said strip of material, the insert being provided with at least one transverse bore communicating with the said longitudinal bore.

2. Aterminal block insert according to claim 1, wherein the strip of material defining the longitudinal bore is of steel and the inserted strip is of brass.

3. Aterminal block insert according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said transverse bore is screwthreaded.

4. A terminal block insert according to any preceding claim, wherein each end of the inserted strip has a tab formed thereon which is received in a respective notch in the strip of material defining the longitudinal bore.

5. A terminal block insert substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Terminal block insert This invention relates to a terminal block insert. A terminal block insert of a type which is at present very widely used is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The insert 1 is machined from a solid brass section, and has a longitudinal bore 2 extending along the length thereof, and a number of transverse screw-threaded bores 3 which communicate with the bore 2. Each of the bores 3 has a screw (not shown) received therein. The insert shown in Figure 1 is expensive since it is made entirely of brass, which is an expensive material. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block insert which can form the samefunction as the insert shown in Figure 1 but which can be manufactured more cheaply. According to the invention there is provided a terminal block insert made of a strip of material formed into a shape in which it defines a longitudinal bore, and a strip of electrically-conductive material inserted in the bore and secured to the said strip of material, the insert being provided with at least one transverse bore communicating with the said longitudinal bore. An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, which is an end view. Figure 2 shows an insert 11 having a longitudinal bore 12 and a plurality of transverse bores 13, one of the bores being visible in Figure 2. The insert comprises a steel strip 14 bent to form a member of rectangular cross-section, with one side of the rectangle being defined by two overlapping end portions 15 and 16 of the steel strip. Within the bore and located against the inside of the portion 16 is an electrically-conductive bar 17 formed of a metal such as brass. A respective tab 18 is provided at each longitudinal end of the bar 17, each tab extending at right angles to the bar and then being bent for receipt in a notch 19 in the longitudinal end of the portion 15 of the strip 14. With regard to the bore 13, it should be noted that the material defining the walls of the bore and in which a screw thread is formed, are formed by material forced out of the strip 14 during formation of the bore 13. It will be appreciated that the cost of material necessary to make the insert shown in Figure 2 is substantially less than that required for the insert shown in Figure 1, since the insert of Figure 2 is formed largely of steel strips with only a small brass barforthe purposes of providing the necessary electrical conductivity. CLAIMS

1. A terminal block insert made of a strip of material formed into a shape in which it defines a longitudinal bore, and a strip of electricallyconductive material inserted in the bore and secured to the said strip of material, the insert being provided with at least one transverse bore communicating with the said longitudinal bore.

2. Aterminal block insert according to claim 1, wherein the strip of material defining the longitudinal bore is of steel and the inserted strip is of brass.

3. Aterminal block insert according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said transverse bore is screwthreaded.

4. A terminal block insert according to any preceding claim, wherein each end of the inserted strip has a tab formed thereon which is received in a respective notch in the strip of material defining the longitudinal bore.

5. A terminal block insert substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.