GB2133642A

GB2133642A - Electrical component assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2133642A
Application number: GB08301104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Lawrence Fry
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Ltd
Current assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
Priority date: 1983-01-15
Filing date: 1983-01-15
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: GB2133642B; GB8301104D0

Abstract

An electrical component assembly, particularly but not exclusively an assembly of electrical fuse holders, comprising four electrical components 11 each of which has on one face a first coupling part 18 and on its opposite face a corresponding coupling part 16, first and second of the components 11 being coupled by virtue of their components to form a first row, third and fourth of said components being coupled by virtue of their coupling parts to form a second row, and the first and second rows being aligned parallel to one another and being interconnected by a clip 21 which holds the two rows in a parallel configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electric Component Assembly This invention relates to an electrical component assembly particularly but not exclusively an assembly of electrical fuse holders.

It has previously been proposed to manufacture fuse holders and similar electrical components for example holder/connectors for miniature bulbs and relay connector blocks as separate items so that an appropriate number of electrical components can be positioned adjacent one another to suit a particular application. In the previous proposal each electrical component has on one face a first coupling part and on an opposite face a corresponding coupling part whereby two or more electrical components may be coupled together to form a row of electrical components. Fuse holders in accordance with this previous proposal, form the subject of British Design Registration No. 1002594, and have a coupling arrangement necessitating relative movement of the relevant pair of holders laterally with respect to their longitudinal axes.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an assembly which includes at least a pair of parallel rows of electrical components, in a simple and convenient form.

An electrical component assembly according to the present invention comprises first, second, third and fourth electrical components each of which has on one face a first coupling part and on an opposite face a corresponding coupling part, said first and second components being coupled to form a first row by interengagement ofthe first coupling part of one of the first and second components with the corresponding coupling part of the other of said first and second components, said third and fourth components being similarly coupled to form a second row, said first and second rows being aligned parallel to oneanotherandthe assemblyfurtherincluding a clip which, when engaged with the first and second rows, holds said first and second rows in said parallel configuration.

Desirably said clip is arranged additionally to prevent such relative movement of said components as would effect disengagement of the first and second components and/or said third and fourth components.

Preferably said coupling parts are of mating tongue and groove form, each tongue having an enlarged free end engaging an undercut region of the corresponding groove and the coupling parts being such that the mutually presented faces of their respective components, when coupled, are spaced apart, said clip extending at least in part between the first and second and between the third and fourth components.

Conveniently the clip is a moulded synthetic resin component.

Conveniently the assembly includes n additional components in each row and n-l additional clips are provided, each clip being associated with a group of adjacent components comprising an adjacent pair in each row.

Preferably the or each clip has a bridge piece extending at right angles to and interconnecting a pair of parallel limbs, the bridge piece extending between the two components of a respective row and the two limbs lying respectively on the opposite sides of the rows to resist displacement of the rows and displacement of the components of each coupled pair of components in a manner to effect disengagement of their coupling parts.

Conveniently the or each clip has an extension extending in the direction ofthe row length to define a flange at each side of the row.

Preferablythe or each clip has an extension at both ends extending in the direction of the row length to define a flange at each side of the assembly.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a single fuse holder moulding; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow B in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembly of four fuse holder mouldings with the associated clip shown immediately prior to engagement; and Figure6isaviewsimilarto Figure 5 of an extended assembly again showing one of the clips immediately prior to engagement.

Referring to the drawings, it is to be understood that while a fuse holder moulding is illustrated and described herein the exact purpose of the electrical component is not of particular relevance to the invention, and thus similar principles can be applied to, for example, bulb holder mouldings, particularly for miniature capless bulbs, and to other electrical components such as electromagnetic relay connectors.

The fuse holder moulding 11 illustrated in the drawings is a hollow synthetic resin moulding of generally rectangular cross-section and generally rectangular plan. Throughout part of its length, extending from one end, the hollow moulding 11 is divided internally to define a pair of parallel passages 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the moulding. It is intended that a respective spring clip terminal shall be received within each of the passages 12 with associated electrical leads extending from the passages 12. The spring clip parts of the terminals protrude upwardly into the undivided region 13 of the interior of the moulding 11 and are arranged, in known manner, to receive, retain, and make electrical connections to a flat blade-like fuse member introduced into the undivided end of the moulding.The side walls of the moulding include integral guide surfaces 14forguid- ing the fuse into engagement with the terminals. It will be recognised that the terminals are retained in position within the passages 12 in any convenient manner.

It is intended that mouldings 11 should be capable of being coupled together to extend in a row with their longitudinal axes parallel and at right angles to the length ofthe row, and their width dimensions also parallel and at right angles to the row. To achieve such coupling one face 15 of each moulding is formed with three integral projections 16 of L-shape cross section. As is clear from Figure 1 the projections 16 extend from the face 15 ofthe moulding and have one limb parallel to the face 15. Two of the projections are aligned with one another across the width of the face 15 and are spaced apart, the other projection 16 being spaced in the direction of the length of the moulding from the other two projections and being aligned with the gap between the othertwo projections.The limbs ofthetwo projections 16 parallel to the face 15 extend towards the third projection 16 and similarly the limb of the third projection 16 which is parallel to the face 15 extends towards the other two projections. It will be recognisedthereforethatthe projections 16 define an undercut channel arrangement (best seen in Figure 3) on the face 15 of the moulding.

Also integral with the moulding 11 and projecting from the opposite face 17 is a transversely extending rib 18 of T-shaped cross-section. The rib 18 extends across the full width of the face 17 and is so dimensioned as to correspond to the undercut channel of the projections 16.

It can readily be seen that a number of mouldings 11 can be coupled to form a row by interengagingthe coupling parts (the projections 16 and ribs 18) by introducing the rib 18 of a moulding into the undercut channel defined by the projections 16 of the next adjacent moulding, the rib 18 being slidably fitted into the undercut channel by introducing one end of the rib 18 between the projections 16 and sliding the two mouldings 11 in a direction at right angles to their longitudinal axis, that is to say in the direction of the width dimension of the mouldings 11. Such coupling of mouldings 11 thus produces a row of mouldings 11,the row being secure against pulling and pushing forces along the length of the row, and being secure against forces attempting to move the mouldings 11 relative to one another in the direction of their longitudinal axis.However it will be recoynised that movement of individual mouldings 11 relative to the others in the direction ofthe length ofthe ribs 18 will effect displacement and ultimately disengagement of the moulding from the row.

The mouldings 11 themselves carry no facility for linking rows together, and for this purpose there is provided a moulded synthetic resin clip 21 (Figure 5).

It will be recognised that when mouldings are coupied by means ofthe projections 16 and ribs 18 then a gap 22a exists between the face 17 of a first moulding and the face 15 of the adjacent moulding in the row.

Each clip 21 includes an elongate bridge piece 22 the thickness of which is such that the bridge piece 22 can be inserted into a gap 22a. The length of the bridge piece 22 is determined by the number of parallel rows of mouldings 11 which are to be secured in side-byside relationship and in Figure the bridge piece 22 is of a length which just exceeds twice the width dimension of a moulding 11 since two parallel rows of mouldings are to be secured together. Integral with the bridge piece 22 and extending at right angles thereto at each end of the bridge piece are first and second resilient, flexible legs 23, 24. The legs 23, 24 are mirror images of one another, and each is of a thickness equal to the thickness of the bridge piece 22.Attheirfree end each ofthe legs 23,24 includes an inwardiy projecting lug 23a, 24a defining a surface 23b, 24b parallel to the undersurface of the bridge piece 22. The lower faces of the lugs 23a, 24a are inclined to define ramp surfaces. The spacing between the undersurface of the bridge piece 22 and the surfaces 23b, 24b of the lugs is substantially equal to the spacing between the outermost face ofthe pair of projections 16 and the outermost face of the third projection 16. In Figure 5 first and second parallel rows of mouldings 11 each containing a pair of mouldings 11 are to be secured together, the two mouldings of each row being coupled as described above. The two rows are positioned side-by-side with the mouldings 11 aligned, and the clip 21 is introduced downwardly into the gap 22a.The ramp surfaces ofthe lugs 23a, 24a engage the ends ofthe rib 18 which are exposed in the gap 22a and continued downward pressure on the clip 21 causes the legs 23, 24 to be flexed outwardly by virtue of the cam action between the ramp surfaces of the lugs and the ends of the rib 18. The downward pressure on the clip 21 is maintained until the surfaces 23b, 24b align with the lower surfaces of the pair of projections 16 whereupon the resilience ofthe legs 23,24 restores the legs 23, 24 to their original configuration and the surfaces 23b, 24b engage beneath the lower surfaces of the pair of projections 16 on the respective rows of mouldings.Thus in the latched configuration the under surface of the bridge piece 22 of the clip engages the upper surface of the single projection 16 and the surfaces 23h, 24b ofthe lugs engage beneath the lower surfaces of the outermost projection of the pairs of projections 16.

It can be seen therefore that the clip 21 secures the two rows of two mouldings 11 together forming an assembly of four mouldings. At the same time of course the innermost faces of the legs 23, 24 resist lateral displacement of the mouldings 11 relative to one another (in the direction of the length of the ribs 18) and thus in addition to securing the two rows together the mouldings of each row are held against movement which would release their coupling to the next moulding in the row.

In orderto enhance the flexibility ofthe legs 23,24 the legs can, if necessary, be pierced as at 25 in Figure 5.

The clip 21 is provided with extensions 26 at the ends of the bridge piece 22. The projections 26 extend in the direction of the length ofthe rows of mouldings 11, and project outwardly from the side of the row.

Thus the projections 26 define a flange at each side of the coupled rows to facilitate anchorage of the assemblytoasupportstructureorthelike. Forexample, the flanges could receive clamping means whereby the assembly is clamped to, for example, a vehicle bulk-head.

Where each row of mouldings includes additional mouldings then additional clips will be required, it being recognised that a single clip can serve rows having two mouldings, two clips are required where the rows have three mouldings, and so on such that ultimatelyarowhavingn mouldings will required1 clips. Moreover, the clips can be arranged to secure more than two rows by appropriate choice of the length of the bridge piece 22. However, where more than two rows are provided then there is only positive engagement between the surfaces 23b, 24b and the outermost rows, and thus inner rows will not be positively located against movement in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the mouldings.In such circumstances additional inter- locking means can be provided on the mouldings, so that when the mouldings are clamped together in side-by-side relationship the inner rows are held against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the mouldings.

The extensions 26 of the clips 21 can be so dimensioned that where more than one clip is utilized then the flanges defined by the extensions are continuous, or substantially continuous along the outer sides of the assembly. Figure 5 illustrates, in broken lines, the relationship between a second clip and a first clip although of course the rows illustrated in Figure 5 do not contain a third moulding.

it can be seen in FigureS thatthe outer face of each of the legs 23,24 includes a locking barb 27 which can provide the means whereby the assembly is latched in position in an aperture in a supporting panel, or in a housing. The barbs 27 have ramp surfaces on one face to facilitate insertion of the assembly into its mounting, and in the final position partofthe mounting (the panel or the housing) will be received between the barb and the extensions 26.

Figure 6 illustrates an assembly having more than two mouldings 11 in each row, and atthe same time illustrates a minor modification to the clips 21. The relationship between the number of clips 21 and the numberofmouldings in each row is clearly illustrated in Figure 6 in that each row contains five mouldings, and there are four clips. The dimensioning of the extensions 26 is also clearly illustrated in Figure 6 since it can be seen that the extensions 26 of adjacent clips abut to define a continuous flange at each side of the assembly. The clips 21 of Figure 6 differ from the clips 21 of Figure 5 in that the outer edges of the extensions 26 are cut away at 26a in the shape of an approximately 90 arc of a circle.Thus the abuting extensions 26 of a pair of adjacent clips 21 define a semi-circular recess (best seen at the left-hand front end of Figure 6) within which the shank of a clamping bolt can extend. Thus part ofthe head ofthe clamping bolt would overlie the upper surfaces of the extensions 26, the shank passing downwardly within the semi-circular recess and into engagement with a captive nut on the part to which the assembly is to be clamped.

If desired the edge of the rib 18 may be chamfered at its ends as shown in broken lines in Figure2(atl8a) to facilitate insertion of the rib 18 within the projections 16 during assembly. Moreover it is useful to provide the rib 18, on its face presented tothe face 17 with a spaced pair of protrusions 1 8b which, when the rib 18 is engaged between the projections 16, engage the end faces of the pair of projections 16 to resist movement of the coupled mouldings 11 in the direction of the length of rib 18. The projections are sufficiently flexible to permit passage of the protruberances 185 during assembly of the mouldings 11 so that a "snap-action" is provided.The interlocking effected by the protruberances 185 and the innermost end faces of the pair of projections 16 ensures that stable rows of mouldings 11 can be assembled and this facilitates handling of the rows as units when positioning rows relative to one another to acceptthe clip or clips 21.

CLAIMS (Filed on 5.1.84) 1. An electrical component assembly comprising first, second, third, and fourth electrical components each of which has on one face a first coupling part and on an opposite face a corresponding coupling part, said first and second components being coupled to form a first row by interengagement of the first coupl- ing part of one of the first and second components with the corresponding coupling part of the other of said first and second components, said third and fourth components being similarly coupled to form a second row, said first and second rows being aligned parallel to one another, and the assembly further including a clip which, when engaged with the first and second rows, holds said first and second rows in said parallel configuration.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clip is arranged additionallyto prevent such relative movement of said components as would effect disengagement of the first and second components and/or said third and fourth components.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said coupling parts are of mating tongue and groove form, each tongue having an enlarged free end engaging an undercut region of the corresponding groove an the coupling parts being such that the mutually presented faces of their respective components, when coupled, are spaced apart, said clip extending at least in part between the first and second components and betweenthethird and fourth components.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said clip is a moulded synthetic resin component.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including n additional components in each row and n-l additional clips are provided, each clip being associated with a group of adjacent components comprising an adjacent pair in each row.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each clip includes a bridge piece extending at right angles to and interconnecting a pair of parellel limbs, the bridge piece extending between the two components of a respecting row in use, and the two limbs of the clip lying respectively on the opposite sides of the rows to resist displacement of the rows and displacement of the components of each coupled pair of components ina mannertoeffectdisengagementoftheircoupling parts.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each clip includes an extension extending in the direction of the row length so as to define a flange at each side of the row.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein the or each clip has an extension at both ends, said extensions extending in the direction of the row length to define a flange at each side of the assembly.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. engagement between the surfaces 23b, 24b and the outermost rows, and thus inner rows will not be positively located against movement in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the mouldings. In such circumstances additional inter- locking means can be provided on the mouldings, so that when the mouldings are clamped together in side-by-side relationship the inner rows are held against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the mouldings. The extensions 26 of the clips 21 can be so dimensioned that where more than one clip is utilized then the flanges defined by the extensions are continuous, or substantially continuous along the outer sides of the assembly. Figure 5 illustrates, in broken lines, the relationship between a second clip and a first clip although of course the rows illustrated in Figure 5 do not contain a third moulding. it can be seen in FigureS thatthe outer face of each of the legs 23,24 includes a locking barb 27 which can provide the means whereby the assembly is latched in position in an aperture in a supporting panel, or in a housing. The barbs 27 have ramp surfaces on one face to facilitate insertion of the assembly into its mounting, and in the final position partofthe mounting (the panel or the housing) will be received between the barb and the extensions 26. Figure 6 illustrates an assembly having more than two mouldings 11 in each row, and atthe same time illustrates a minor modification to the clips 21. The relationship between the number of clips 21 and the numberofmouldings in each row is clearly illustrated in Figure 6 in that each row contains five mouldings, and there are four clips. The dimensioning of the extensions 26 is also clearly illustrated in Figure 6 since it can be seen that the extensions 26 of adjacent clips abut to define a continuous flange at each side of the assembly. The clips 21 of Figure 6 differ from the clips 21 of Figure 5 in that the outer edges of the extensions 26 are cut away at 26a in the shape of an approximately 90 arc of a circle.Thus the abuting extensions 26 of a pair of adjacent clips 21 define a semi-circular recess (best seen at the left-hand front end of Figure 6) within which the shank of a clamping bolt can extend. Thus part ofthe head ofthe clamping bolt would overlie the upper surfaces of the extensions 26, the shank passing downwardly within the semi-circular recess and into engagement with a captive nut on the part to which the assembly is to be clamped. If desired the edge of the rib 18 may be chamfered at its ends as shown in broken lines in Figure2(atl8a) to facilitate insertion of the rib 18 within the projections 16 during assembly. Moreover it is useful to provide the rib 18, on its face presented tothe face 17 with a spaced pair of protrusions 1 8b which, when the rib 18 is engaged between the projections 16, engage the end faces of the pair of projections 16 to resist movement of the coupled mouldings 11 in the direction of the length of rib 18. The projections are sufficiently flexible to permit passage of the protruberances 185 during assembly of the mouldings 11 so that a "snap-action" is provided.The interlocking effected by the protruberances 185 and the innermost end faces of the pair of projections 16 ensures that stable rows of mouldings 11 can be assembled and this facilitates handling of the rows as units when positioning rows relative to one another to acceptthe clip or clips 21. CLAIMS (Filed on 5.1.84)

1. An electrical component assembly comprising first, second, third, and fourth electrical components each of which has on one face a first coupling part and on an opposite face a corresponding coupling part, said first and second components being coupled to form a first row by interengagement of the first coupl- ing part of one of the first and second components with the corresponding coupling part of the other of said first and second components, said third and fourth components being similarly coupled to form a second row, said first and second rows being aligned parallel to one another, and the assembly further including a clip which, when engaged with the first and second rows, holds said first and second rows in said parallel configuration.

9. An electrical component assembly substan

tially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.