GB2457768A - Terminal block with covering sleeve - Google Patents

Terminal block with covering sleeve Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2457768A
GB2457768A GB0804100A GB0804100A GB2457768A GB 2457768 A GB2457768 A GB 2457768A GB 0804100 A GB0804100 A GB 0804100A GB 0804100 A GB0804100 A GB 0804100A GB 2457768 A GB2457768 A GB 2457768A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
terminal block
electrical connector
terminal
sleeve
inner part
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0804100A
Other versions
GB2457768B (en
GB2457768A8 (en
GB0804100D0 (en
Inventor
John Beaven
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0804100.6A priority Critical patent/GB2457768B/en
Publication of GB0804100D0 publication Critical patent/GB0804100D0/en
Publication of GB2457768A publication Critical patent/GB2457768A/en
Publication of GB2457768A8 publication Critical patent/GB2457768A8/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2457768B publication Critical patent/GB2457768B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/70Insulation of connections
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/22Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
    • H01R9/24Terminal blocks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/22Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
    • H01R9/24Terminal blocks
    • H01R9/2408Modular blocks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5213Covers

Landscapes

  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical connector comprises a terminal block 1 and a sleeve 21. The terminal block 1 comprises electrically conductive terminal screws 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 for enabling electrical communication to be made between lengths of cable. These may face in different directions. The sleeve 21 is of such configuration as to be able to cover the terminals when the terminals are connected to lengths of cable. The end of the terminal block may have a step, due to an inner portion being longer than an outer portion, with the outer dimension of the inner portion matching the inner dimension of a conduit (24, Fig 8). A plurality of sleeves may be manufactured integrally (see Fig 9) and a desired number snapped off.

Description

I
AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
The present invention relates to au electrical connector which is both simple and complies with the current LEE regulations.
In the past it was common practice to use connectors in which the terminal screws were exposed. Since the introduction of more restrictive regulations attempts have been made to avoid exposing the terminal screws. One such example is disclosed in GB 2260864 which describes a plastic electrical connector comprising a terminal block located within a box having a hinged lid for covering the block and its terminal screws.
A disadvantage of this connector is that it is relatively bulky and does not fit within the infrastructure of existing conduits and trunking.
It is an aim of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage and to that end there is provided an electrical connector comprising a terminal block and a sleeve, wherein the terminal block comprises electrically conductive tenninals for enabling electrical communication to be made between lengths of cable and wherein the sleeve is of such configuration as to be able to cover the terminals when the terminals are connected to lengths of cable.
The terminal block may comprise an inner part and an outer part surrounding the inner part, the outer part being shorter than the inner part and being of such configuration as to define a pair of annular steps.
The sleeve may be slidable over the terminal block.
The inner part of the terminal block may have an outer surface of such configuration that it conforms with the inner surface of a standard conduit.
The outer part of the terminal block may have an outer surface of such configuration that it conforms with the outer surface of a standard conduit.
The inner part of the terminal block may comprise screws which in use are adapted to grip the cables.
The terminal block may comprise internally located terminal connectors having means for receiving a plurality of terminal screws, holes being provided in the block to allow the screws to be screwed into the terminal connectors.
The terminal block may comprise three adjacent and parallel terminal connectors, each having opening means for accommodating a respective bare wire of a cable, each opening means communicating with a pair of the holes.
The opening means in each of the terminal connectors may be inclined with respect the opening means in the adjacent terminal connector.
The terminal block may comprise at least one projection and the sleeve may comprise at least one opening into which a respective projection can engage to resist the sleeve and the terminal block moving relative to each other.
The terminal block may comprise two sections each adapted to connect a pair of cables.
The terminal block may comprise three sections each adapted to connect a pair of cables.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an electrical connector comprising a terminal block I, Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the terminals within the block illustrated in figure 1, Figure 3 shows the individual terminal block connectors prior to insertion in the terminal block, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the tenninal block illustrated in figure 1, Figure 5 shows a view taken along line A-A in figure 1, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cover for the terminal block illustrated in figures land 4, Figure 7 shows a partially cut away view of the cover illustrated in figure 6 extending over end regions of a conduit, Figure 8 shows a view similar to that of figure 7 but including the terminal block illustrated in figures 1 and 4, Figure 9 shows a strip of four terminal blocks and covers, Figure 10 shows a three compartment terminal block, and Figure 11 shows a two compartment terminal block.
Referring to figures 1, 2 and 5, there is shown an electrical connector made substantially from plastics material comprising a terminal block I including a generally oval shaped inner part 2 surrounded by a generally oval shaped outer part 3. Both the parts are integrally moulded in transparent or translucent plastics material. Within the inner part 2 are located three terminal block connecting members 4, 5 and 6 as best shown in figure 3.
Passing through the terminal block 1 and into each connecting member is a pair of brass screws 7 and 8 for connecting together the earth wires, screws 9 and 10 for connecting together the live wires and screws 11 and 12 for connecting together the neutral wires. Each connecting member 4, 5 and 6 is inclined relative to the adjacent member in order to provide easy access to the screws when connection to the cables is made.
As best seen in figures 1 and 4 the outer part 2 is shorter than the inner part 3 in order to form a pair of peripherally extending annular steps 12. Also at each end region of the inner part 2 there is located a cable clamp in the form of a plastic grub screw 14. As best seen in figure 5, the grub screw 14 locates within an opening 15 and presses against the cable sheathing 16 which contains the earth, live and neutral wires 17, 18 and 19 respectively.
On the opposite side to the opening 15 is another opening 20 to further help prevent the cables from moving and thereby possibly resulting in a short or open circuit.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sleeve 21 having a pair of Jugs 22 for accommodating fixing pins, screws or the like 23.
Figure 7 shows the sleeve 21 covering the end regions of two conduits 24.
Figure 8 shows the terminal block 1 located with its inner part 2 within the conduits 24. As can be seen from the drawing, the inner part 2 of the terminal block is a sliding fit within the conduits 24 and the outer part 3 forms a continuation of the outer surface of the conduits. This arrangement enables the sleeve 21 to slide over the terminal block 1 and be retained by projections 25 at opposite sides of the block, which locate within corresponding holes 26 in the sleeve.
Figure 9 shows four electrical connectors joined together in a sheet or strip by snap-off elements 27. The number of connectors in a single sheet can be varied to quantity required for a particular job.
Figure 10 shows a modification within the scope of the present invention in which three pairs of cables can be connected together. In this modification the terminal block 28 comprises three compartments which each comprise three terminal block connecting elements 29 similar to those shown in figure 3.
Figure 11 shows an electrical connector which is a further modification within the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment the electrical connector 30 can be used to connect two pairs of cables.
The electrical connector can be sufficiently small to be housed in restricted places such as a ceiling rose, light fitting or fluorescent tube housing.
Alternatively, Jugs can be provided to enable the electrical connector to a metal housing or trunking.
Electrical connectors caii be manufactured to suit various standard conduit and cable sizes.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1 An electrical connector comprising a terminal block and a sleeve, wherein the terminal block comprises electrically conductive terminals for enabling electrical communication to be made between lengths of cable and wherein the sleeve is of such configuration as to be able to cover the terminals when the terminals are connected to lengths of cable.
  2. 2 A.n electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 comprising an inner part and an outer part surrounding the inner part, the outer part being shorter than the inner part and being of such configuration as to define a pair of annular steps.
  3. 3 An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sleeve can be slid over the terminal block.
  4. 4 An electrical connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner part of the terminal block has an outer surface of such configuration that it conforms with the inner surface of a standard conduit.
  5. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer part of the terminal block has an outer surface of such configuration that it conforms with the outer surface of a standard conduit.
  6. 6 An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the inner part of the terminal block comprises screws which in use are adapted to grip the cables.
  7. 7 An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the terminal block comprises internally located terminal connectors having means for receiving a plurality of terminal screws, holes being provided in the block to allow the screws to be screwed into the terminal connectors.
  8. 8 An electrical connector as claimed in claim 7,wherein the terminal block comprises three adjacent and parallel terminal connectors, each having opening means for accommodating a respective bare wire of a cable, each opening means communicating with a pair of the holes.
  9. 9 An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening means in each of the terminal connectors is inclined with respect the opening means in the adjacent terminal connector.
  10. 10 An electrical connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal block comprise at least one projection and the sleeve comprises at least one opening into which a respective projection can engage to resist the sleeve and the terminal block moving relative to each other.
  11. 11 An electrical connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal block comprises two sections each adapted to connect a pair of cables.
  12. 12 An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims ito 10, wherein the terminal block comprises three sections each adapted to connect a pair of cables 13 An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with Jo reference to figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.14 An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.15 An electrical connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0804100.6A 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 An electrical connector Expired - Fee Related GB2457768B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804100.6A GB2457768B (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 An electrical connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804100.6A GB2457768B (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 An electrical connector

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0804100D0 GB0804100D0 (en) 2008-04-09
GB2457768A true GB2457768A (en) 2009-09-02
GB2457768A8 GB2457768A8 (en) 2011-12-28
GB2457768B GB2457768B (en) 2012-03-14

Family

ID=39315999

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0804100.6A Expired - Fee Related GB2457768B (en) 2008-03-05 2008-03-05 An electrical connector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2457768B (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4220745A1 (en) * 1992-06-26 1994-01-05 Cellpack Ag Wohlen Branch or connection sleeve for electrical cable - has two-part housing enclosing screw clamping terminal block accepting number of cables and with sealing
GB2405267A (en) * 2003-08-20 2005-02-23 Daer Lighting Ltd Sealing covers for electrical connector block

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4220745A1 (en) * 1992-06-26 1994-01-05 Cellpack Ag Wohlen Branch or connection sleeve for electrical cable - has two-part housing enclosing screw clamping terminal block accepting number of cables and with sealing
GB2405267A (en) * 2003-08-20 2005-02-23 Daer Lighting Ltd Sealing covers for electrical connector block

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2457768B (en) 2012-03-14
GB2457768A8 (en) 2011-12-28
GB0804100D0 (en) 2008-04-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130305