GB2260864A

GB2260864A - Terminal box with lid

Info

Publication number: GB2260864A
Application number: GB9122569A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Moule
Original assignee: Bill Moule & Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Bill Moule & Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1991-10-24
Filing date: 1991-10-24
Publication date: 1993-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-24
Also published as: GB2260864B; GB9122569D0

Abstract

A terminal box is formed as a one piece moulding comprising a body part (16) and a lid (30) connected by an integral hinge (32). The box contains a length of connector strip (10). The lid and body part may have an integral latch (38, 40) to hold the lid closed and, on their inner surfaces, integral pegs (36) which engage holes in the connector strip (10). <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Title: "Electrical connector" THIS INVENTION relates to an electrical connector, particularly adapted to use in temporary installations, such as exhibition displays and so forth.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector of the above kind.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the lid and/or the box being adapted for push-fit engagement with a length of standard connector strip.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the lid being pivotally connected with the box and being adapted for snap-fit closure and release with respect to the box.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the box and lid being formed as a unitary plastics moulding, with the box and lid being connected by an integral plastics hinge strip.

Preferably both the box and the lid are provided with push-fit engagement means for cooperation with a length of standard connector strip whereby the latter may be fitted either to the box or the lid.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying representations in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective, partly exploded view of a connector embodying the invention, with the connector box open, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from another position, FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the connector with the box closed and connected with electrical cabling, FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a detail, and FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a terminal assembly forming part of the connector.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, the electrical connector embodying the invention comprises a terminal assembly 10, which in the embodiment illustrated comprises a length cut from an electrical connector strip of type known per se, said type comprising a series of metal connector blocks each of generally tubular form having a longitudinal through bore intersected, adjacent its ends, by transverse screw-threaded bores receiving clamping screws 11, the terminal blocks being accommodated within respective transverse passages in a moulded plastics strip, so that the transverse passages in the plastics strip, and thus the terminal blocks, lie parallel to one another at regular intervals along the strip. The plastics strip also affords plastics sleeves 12 which surround and receive the clamping screws of the terminal blocks.In such a connector strip, the portions of the strip connecting adjacent parts having adjacent terminal blocks are relatively narrow and are provided with a respective through bores 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the strip and to the longitudinal extent of the terminal blocks (which, of course, are perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the strip).

These bores 13 are adapted to receive fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for holding the terminal strip to a mounting surface and also serve to minimise the amount of plastics material connecting adjacent portions of the strip, allowing a selected length, comprising a selected number of terminal blocks, to be cut from the strip by the user.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the terminal assembly 10 is mounted in a box which comprises (see Figure 1), a body 16 having a base 18, side walls 20 and 22, opposing end walls 24 and 26 and an open top which can be closed by a generally rectangular lid 30. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the body 16 and lid 30 are moulded integrally from a suitable plastics material, for example polypropylene, and are pivotally connected, along the free edge of the side wall 22, and the adjoining longer edge of the generally rectangular lid 30, by a integral flex hinge 32. Upstanding from the base 18 of the box 16 is a pair of integral pegs 36 which are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between adjacent bores 13 in the terminal assembly and are sized to be an interference fit in such bores.For ease of fitting the connector assembly 10 to the pegs 36, as well as for ease of moulding, the pegs 36 are tapered somewhat towards their free ends. At spaced apart locations along the free longer edge of the lid 30 are provided apertures 38, set in slightly from said free edge, and at corresponding locations on the free edge of the wall 20 of the box 18 are provided catch formations 40 arranged, when the lid is closed, to enter the respective aperture 38, being deflected slightly by the respective edges of the apertures 38 in the direction towards the flex hinge 32, and to spring out again, once the lid is fully closed, over the webs of plastics material lying between the apertures 38 and the longer free edge of the lid 30 (see Figure 4).As illustrated in Figure 4, the catch formations 40 are provided on portions of the side wall 20 which are inset relative to the remainder, allowing the free edge of the longer wall of the lid 30 to be flush with the major portion of the side wall 20 when the box is closed. Ribs 41, 42, are provided adjacent the free edges of the lid 30 to locate just within the free edges of the walls of the bottom part 16 when the lid is closed and for improved rigidity.

A further pair of pegs 36 is moulded integrally on the inner surface of the lid 30, so that, as an alternative, the terminal block 10 may be fitted to the lid, rather than to the base of the box. The base 18 of the box is provided with holes 44 or, more preferably, with regions 44 of reduced thickness which can readily be penetrated to form holes, such holes in either case being adapted to receive fasteners, such as screws, whereby the box may be secured, by its base, to a wall or other flat supporting surface.

The end walls 24, 26 of the box are formed with notches or rebates 48 for the passage of electrical cables 50 (see Figure 3) which, in use, extend into the box and are connected to the terminal assembly 10.

It will be appreciated that the spacing, internally of the closed box, between the base 18 and lid 30 is arranged to be only slightly more than the height of the assembly 10 and that the length of the pegs 36 is substantially less than half the spacing between the base 18 and lid 30 of the closed box.

The connector described with reference to the drawings represents a significant improvement over unshielded connector blocks of the form corresponding to the terminal assembly 10, for example in that the risk that children or meddlesome persons may poke metal objects into contact with the terminal clamping screws or the terminal blocks, despite the insulation afforded by the structure of the standard terminal strip > is eliminated. The connector provides further assurance against accidental contact with uninsulated conductors projecting from the block 10, for example as a result of careless installation and against accidental electrical contact with cleaning equipment or the like. The connector illustrated also presents a neater appearance than unelaborated terminal blocks.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid for the box.

2. An electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the lid and/or the box being adapted for push-fit engagement with a length of standard connector strip.

3. An electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the lid being pivotally connected with the box and being adapted for snap-fit closure and release with respect to the box.

4. An electrical connector comprising terminal means for connection with electrical conductors, a box and a lid, the box and lid being formed as a unitary plastics moulding, with the box and lid being connected by an integral plastics hinge strip.

5. A connector according to claim 4 wherein both the box and the lid are provided with push-fit engagement means for cooperation with a length of standard connector strip whereby the latter may be fitted either to the box or the lid.

6. An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

7. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.