GB2170965A - Fuselinks - Google Patents

Abstract

A matched pair of fuselinks are held in back to back relationship by a pair of retaining clips (4) located one at each end of the assembly, each clip embracing the longitudinally-extending arms (7) of the tags (3) at the respective end of the assembly and being deformed in a manner which prevents removal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fuselinks This invention relates to fuselinks of the kind having a tubular insulating body closed at its ends by metal end caps between which a fuse is connected, and in which L-shaped connecting tags are carried by the ends of the end caps.

For some purposes it is desirable to utilise such fuses in matched pairs, and a common method of achieving this is by securing the longitudinally-extending arms of two suitably related fuselinks together in a back to back configuration by drilling and riveting.

Such a process is, however, time consuming and accordingly relatively costly, and moreover results in a considerable number of drill breakages which, together with the disruption caused, further adds to the manufacturing costs.

According to the invention a fuselink assembly comprises a pair of fuselinks of the kind referred to held in a back to back configuration by a pair of retaining clips located one at each end of the assembly, and each arranged to embrace the longitudinally-extending arms of the tags at the respective end of the two fuselinks, and having a part which is deformed in a manner such as to secure the clip against removal therefrom.

Preferably each retaining clip is formed of sheet metal such as tinned copper having a rectangular slot for receiving the respective arms of the fuselink tags, and projecting end portions which are bent over so as to engage the under surfaces of the tags and provide a positive hold.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 illustrates a pair of fuselinks secured together by clip in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 illustrates one such clip.

Thus referring to Fig. 1, this shows two matched high rupturing capacity fuselinks, each of the kind having a ceramic body 1 accommodating a fuse (not shown) and closed at its ends by metal end caps 2. L-shaped connecting tags 3 of tinned copper are soldered to the outwardly-facing surfaces of the two end caps 2 and the fuselinks are supported in back to back configuration, that is with the longitudinally-extending arms 7 of the tags held in contact with each other.

The fuselinks are secured together in this position in accordance with the invention by means of metal clips 4, one of which is shown more clearly in Fig. 2.

Each clip 4 is formed from tinned copper sheet and is of generally rectangular shape, but with chamfered corners, and having a centrally positioned longitudinally-extending rectangular slot 5. End portions 6 of the clip 4 are bent over at right angles to the main body of the clip, the slot 5 continuing into the bent over end portions as shown.

The width of the slot 5 is approximately equal to, but slightly greater than twice the thickness of the tags 3, and the distance between the end portions 6 is slightly greater than the width of the tags, so that the clip 4 can be slotted over a pair of the tags held in abutment, the clip being arraned to be fitted on to the tags with the end portions 6 projecting towards the opposite end of the assembly. The end portions 6 of the clip 4 are then arranged to be bent inwards and crimped as shown in Fig. 1 so as to provide a positive hold. By making the length of the slot 5 greater than the width of the tags 3 so that it extends into each end portion by an amount which is at least equal to the tag thickness, the deformation of the end portions is facilitated.

The invention thus provides a simple yet effective means of retaining matched pairs of fuselinks in a back to back configuration, which is less expensive than the method drilling and riveting employed hitherto.

1. A fuselink assembly comprising a pair of fuselinks of the kind referred to held in a back to back configuration by a pair of retaining clips located one at each end of the assembly, and each arranged to embrace the longitudinally-extending arms of the tags at the respective end of the two fuselinks, and having a part which is deformed in a manner such as to secure the clip against removal therefrom.

2. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 1 wherein each retaining clip is formed of sheet metal having a slot for receiving the respective arms of the fuselink tags, and projecting end portions which are bent over so as to engage the under surfaces of the tags and provide a positive hold.

3. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 2 wherein each retaining clip is formed of tinned copper sheet.

4. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the slot of each retaining clip is rectangular and has a width approximately equal to twice the thickness of the tags, and a length greater than the width of the tags which is at least equal to twice the thickness of the tags.

5. A fuselink assembly substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fuselinks This invention relates to fuselinks of the kind having a tubular insulating body closed at its ends by metal end caps between which a fuse is connected, and in which L-shaped connecting tags are carried by the ends of the end caps. For some purposes it is desirable to utilise such fuses in matched pairs, and a common method of achieving this is by securing the longitudinally-extending arms of two suitably related fuselinks together in a back to back configuration by drilling and riveting. Such a process is, however, time consuming and accordingly relatively costly, and moreover results in a considerable number of drill breakages which, together with the disruption caused, further adds to the manufacturing costs. According to the invention a fuselink assembly comprises a pair of fuselinks of the kind referred to held in a back to back configuration by a pair of retaining clips located one at each end of the assembly, and each arranged to embrace the longitudinally-extending arms of the tags at the respective end of the two fuselinks, and having a part which is deformed in a manner such as to secure the clip against removal therefrom. Preferably each retaining clip is formed of sheet metal such as tinned copper having a rectangular slot for receiving the respective arms of the fuselink tags, and projecting end portions which are bent over so as to engage the under surfaces of the tags and provide a positive hold. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 illustrates a pair of fuselinks secured together by clip in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 illustrates one such clip. Thus referring to Fig. 1, this shows two matched high rupturing capacity fuselinks, each of the kind having a ceramic body 1 accommodating a fuse (not shown) and closed at its ends by metal end caps 2. L-shaped connecting tags 3 of tinned copper are soldered to the outwardly-facing surfaces of the two end caps 2 and the fuselinks are supported in back to back configuration, that is with the longitudinally-extending arms 7 of the tags held in contact with each other. The fuselinks are secured together in this position in accordance with the invention by means of metal clips 4, one of which is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Each clip 4 is formed from tinned copper sheet and is of generally rectangular shape, but with chamfered corners, and having a centrally positioned longitudinally-extending rectangular slot 5. End portions 6 of the clip 4 are bent over at right angles to the main body of the clip, the slot 5 continuing into the bent over end portions as shown. The width of the slot 5 is approximately equal to, but slightly greater than twice the thickness of the tags 3, and the distance between the end portions 6 is slightly greater than the width of the tags, so that the clip 4 can be slotted over a pair of the tags held in abutment, the clip being arraned to be fitted on to the tags with the end portions 6 projecting towards the opposite end of the assembly. The end portions 6 of the clip 4 are then arranged to be bent inwards and crimped as shown in Fig. 1 so as to provide a positive hold. By making the length of the slot 5 greater than the width of the tags 3 so that it extends into each end portion by an amount which is at least equal to the tag thickness, the deformation of the end portions is facilitated. The invention thus provides a simple yet effective means of retaining matched pairs of fuselinks in a back to back configuration, which is less expensive than the method drilling and riveting employed hitherto. CLAIMS

1. A fuselink assembly comprising a pair of fuselinks of the kind referred to held in a back to back configuration by a pair of retaining clips located one at each end of the assembly, and each arranged to embrace the longitudinally-extending arms of the tags at the respective end of the two fuselinks, and having a part which is deformed in a manner such as to secure the clip against removal therefrom.

2. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 1 wherein each retaining clip is formed of sheet metal having a slot for receiving the respective arms of the fuselink tags, and projecting end portions which are bent over so as to engage the under surfaces of the tags and provide a positive hold.

3. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 2 wherein each retaining clip is formed of tinned copper sheet.

4. A fuselink assembly according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the slot of each retaining clip is rectangular and has a width approximately equal to twice the thickness of the tags, and a length greater than the width of the tags which is at least equal to twice the thickness of the tags.

5. A fuselink assembly substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.