GB2591146A - Wire connection terminal apparatus - Google Patents

Wire connection terminal apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2591146A
GB2591146A GB2000812.4A GB202000812A GB2591146A GB 2591146 A GB2591146 A GB 2591146A GB 202000812 A GB202000812 A GB 202000812A GB 2591146 A GB2591146 A GB 2591146A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
housing portion
lower housing
wire connection
terminal apparatus
connection terminal
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
GB2000812.4A
Other versions
GB2591146B (en
GB202000812D0 (en
Inventor
Hussain Ashraf
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 GB2000812.4A priority Critical patent/GB2591146B/en
Publication of GB202000812D0 publication Critical patent/GB202000812D0/en
Priority to GB2100293.6A priority patent/GB2592480B/en
Publication of GB2591146A publication Critical patent/GB2591146A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2591146B publication Critical patent/GB2591146B/en
Active 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
    • 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
    • H01R9/16Fastening of connecting parts to base or case; Insulating connecting parts from base or case
    • 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
    • H01R13/44Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • 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
    • H01R4/28Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4828Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
    • H01R4/48365Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing with integral release means
    • 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
    • H01R4/28Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/48455Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar insertion of a wire only possible by pressing on the spring

Abstract

A wire connection terminal apparatus comprises an upper housing portion 4 and a lower housing portion 6. A support bracket 36 snap-fits to one of the portions and makes a releasable snap-fit with a WAGO (RTM) connector received in a slot. The housing has an opening and a clamping mechanism for an incoming wire.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII2000812.4 RTM Date:8 July 2020 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:
W AGO
Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo
WIRE CONNECTION TERMINAL APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wire connection terminal apparatus, and in particular to a wire connection terminal apparatus comprising a quick release/attachment mechanism, and to a method of producing the same
Background
Electrical wire connection terminals are known in various forms, for example as box terminals, circuit board terminals, terminal blocks or as conductor connection terminals in other electrical devices.
Conventional wire connection terminals can however be located in restricted spaces and can be difficult to access and to connect each wire to the desired location. Furthermore, the wires may need to be connected to respective connectors using screws, which require the user to use a screwdriver to release and to secure the wire from the connector. The operation of releasing and/or securing a wire with the respective connector within the wire connection terminal may therefore be time consuming.
There is therefore a need for a wire connection terminal apparatus which is easy to access and to release/secure wires to the corresponding connector within the 25 apparatus without the need for additional tools to be used. There is a need for a quick release wire connection terminal apparatus.
Prior Art
GB2552971 discloses an electrical connection apparatus comprising a chassis, and one or more electrical connection devices carried thereon, wherein the, or each, electrical connection device comprises a lever-operated mechanism by which a wired electrical connection may be made thereto, and the, or each, electrical connection device is carried on the chassis in a substantially fixed manner relative thereto. The electrical connection device may comprise a lever-operated wire-retention or wiretapping mechanism.
EP3018760 discloses a wire connection terminal structure including a seat body and a conductive clip disposed therein. One end of the seat body has an extending side and a recessed side, and a slope formed between the extending side and the recessed 5 side. The conductive clip has a holding mouth. The slope is formed with a wire plug-in opening aligned with the holding mouth. A wire plug-in protection wall is formed on an edge of the recessed side. The wire plug-in protection wall protrudes in a direction as an extending direction of the extending side. The slope and the wire plug-in protection wall define a recessed configuration on the end of the seat body. The wire plug-in 10 protection wall on the outer edge of the wire plug-in opening provides a shielding effect so that the conductive wire or contact pin can be easily aimed at and plugged into the wire plug-in opening.
EP2956992 discloses a conductor terminal described having an insulating material housing and having at least one spring-loaded clamping connection in said insulating material housing and having at least one actuation element that is pivotably accommodated in the insulating material housing and is designed to open in each case at least one associated spring-loaded clamping connection.
The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a wire connection terminal apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, in which the upper housing portion and lower housing portion each comprise an inner surface, and in which a cavity extending between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower housing portions, and in which the upper housing portion is moveable relative to the lower housing portion between a first closed position in which the upper housing portion is in contact with the lower housing portion and prevents access to the cavity defined therebetween, and a second open position in which at least a portion of the upper housing portion extends away from the lower housing portion thereby providing access to the cavity located therebetween, and in which at least one of the inner surfaces of the upper and/or lower housing portion comprises at least one first attachment feature, and in which at least one of the upper and/or lower housing portion provides at least one opening configured to allow a wire connection to extend therethrough; a support bracket comprising: at least one second attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with the at least one first attachment feature of the housing; at least one slot, each slot configured to receive a WAGO-type connector; and at least one third attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with a WAGO-type connector within a corresponding slot; and at least one clamping mechanism located on an inner surface of the upper and/or lower housing portion, in which the at least one clamping mechanism is configured to clampingly engage a wire connection received therein.
The wire connection terminal apparatus of the present invention can be assembled to secure a wire connection in position, and in engagement with a WAGO-type connector, without requiring additional fixings, such as for example screws.
The wire connection terminal apparatus of the present invention may be assembled by 20 the user without requiring the operation of additional tools, such as for example screwdrivers.
The wire connection terminal apparatus of the present invention may be readily assembled by the user, within restricted spaces, to securely connect a wire connection to a WAGO-type connector located within the housing. The support bracket may be easily and quickly removed from the housing to enable a user to locate and releasably engage or disengage WAGO-type connectors (with their associated wire connections) therein. Once the WAGO-type connectors (and associated wire connections) are in position within the support bracket, the support bracket may be snap-fittingly engaged to the inner surface of the upper or lower housing portions to hold the WAGO-type connectors located securely in position.
WAGO-type connectors include one or more of: LOOP, LIVE, EARTH, NEUTRAL, or any combination thereof In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise four 35 WAGO-type connectors including LOOP, LIVE, EARTH and NEUTRAL connectors. In a further embodiment, the apparatus may comprise three WAGO-type connectors including LIVE, EARTH and NEUTRAL.
The wire connection terminal apparatus of the present invention can readily secure a wire connection in position by clamping the wire connection in position adjacent an inner surface of a corresponding housing portion by use of the at least one clamping mechanism. The at least one clamping mechanism is preferably located at or adjacent a corresponding opening provided by a corresponding housing portion.
In one embodiment, the or each clamping mechanism comprises a clamp portion having a free end comprising a first engagement feature, and a snap hook providing a second engagement feature configured to releasably engage the first engagement feature of the clamp portion, in which the clamp portion is moveable between a first clamping position in which the clamp portion is depressed to contact a wire connection and in which the first engagement feature engages the second engagement feature of the snap hook, and a second open position in which the first engagement feature of the clamp portion is spaced apart from the second engagement feature of the snap hook, and the clamp portion is spaced apart from the wire connection.
The apparatus may comprise any suitable number of clamping mechanisms.
In one embodiment, a clamping mechanism is located at or adjacent each opening of the housing portion(s).
The upper housing portion comprises a first end providing an upper surface, and a second opposed free end, with side portions extending therebetween. The lower housing portion comprises a first end providing a lower surface, and a second opposed free end, with side portions extending therebetween.
The second opposed free end of the upper housing portion is preferably configured to releasably engage the second opposed free end of the lower housing portion in the first closed position. In one embodiment, the upper housing portion is hingeably connected to the lower housing portion. For example, at least a portion of the second opposed free end, adjacent a side portion of the upper housing portion, is hingeably connected to a corresponding portion of the second opposed free end, adjacent a side portion of the lower housing portion.
At least one side portion of one or more of the upper and/or lower housing portion provides at least one opening configured to receive, and preferably sealingly engage, a wire extending therethrough. The upper and/or lower housing portion may further comprise at least one closure member, the or each closure member being configured to extend across the at least one opening when not in use. The closure member may be configured to push fit or slidingly engage the adjacent section of the side portion of the housing portion to extend across and seal the at least one opening when not in use.
The housing, for example each of the housing portions, may be composed of any suitable material, such as for example plastic material, for example insulating material. The housing, for example each of the housing portions, may be composed of polypropylene and/or polycarbonate.
The housing, for example each of the housing portions, may be elongate. In one embodiment, the or each of the housing portions has a substantially square or rectangular transverse cross-section.
The apparatus may further comprise labelling, for example colour coded labelling, located on one or more surfaces of the housing.
According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for producing a wire connection apparatus as herein described, in which the method comprises: obtaining a housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, in which the upper housing portion and lower housing portion each comprise an inner surface, and in which at least one of the upper and/or lower housing portion provides at least one opening configured to allow a wire connection to extend therethrough; connecting the upper housing portion to the lower housing portion to provide a cavity extending between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower housing portions, in which the upper housing portion is moveably connected to the lower housing portion to be moveable between a first closed position in which the upper housing portion is in contact with the lower housing portion and prevents access to the cavity defined therebetween, and a second open position in which at least a portion of the upper housing portion extends away from the lower housing portion thereby providing access to the cavity located therebetween; obtaining at least one first attachment feature, and securing the at least one first attachment feature to an inner surface of one or each of the upper and/or lower 5 housing portion; obtaining a support bracket comprising at least one second attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with the at least one first attachment feature of the housing, and in which the support bracket comprises at least one slot, each slot configured to receive a WAGO-type connector; and at least one third attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with a WAGO-type connector within a corresponding slot; and obtaining at least one clamping mechanism configured to clampingly engage a wire connection received therein and locating the at least one clamping mechanism on an inner surface of the upper and/or lower housing portion.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:
Brief Description of Figures
Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a wire connection terminal apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a view from above of the apparatus of Figure 25 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a view from below of the apparatus of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Figures
With reference to the Figures, the apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 comprising an upper housing portion 4 and a lower housing portion 6.
The upper housing portion 2 comprises a first end 8 providing an upper surface 10, and an opposed second free end 12, with side portions 14 extending therebetween.
The lower housing portion 16 comprises a first end 18 providing a lower surface 20, and an opposed second free end 22, with side portions 24 extending therebetween.
Each of the upper and lower housing portions 4, 6 comprise an inner surface 26, 28.
A cavity 30 extends between the inner surfaces 26, 28 of the upper and lower housing portions 4, 6.
The upper housing portion 4 is hingeably connected to and moveable relative to the lower housing portion 6 between a first closed position in which the upper housing portion 4 is in contact with the lower housing portion 6 and prevents access to the cavity 30 defined therebetween, and a second open position in which at least a portion of the upper housing portion 4 extends away from the lower housing portion 6 thereby providing access to the cavity 30.
The lower housing portion 6 provide openings (not shown) configured to allow a wire connection to extend therethrough. Each opening is covered by sealing member 34 which may be removed prior to use.
The inner surface 26 of the upper housing portion 4 comprises a pair of spaced apart first attachment features 32.
The apparatus further comprises a support bracket 36 comprising a pair of spaced apart second attachment features (not shown) configured for releasable snap-fit 25 engagement with the first attachment features 32 of the housing portion 4.
The support bracket 36 further comprises four slots spaced apart from and aligned with each other. Each slot is configured to receive a WAGO-type connector.
The support bracket 36 further comprises four third attachment features, each being configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with a WAGO-type connector within a corresponding slot.
The housing 2 further comprises a pair of clamping mechanisms, each located on an 35 inner surface of the lower housing portion 6. Each clamping mechanism being configured to engage a wire connection by clamping and engaging it received therein.
The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 5 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims (9)

  1. Claims 1 A wire connection terminal apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, in which the upper housing portion and lower housing portion each comprise an inner surface, and in which a cavity extending between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower housing portions, and in which the upper housing portion is moveable relative to the lower housing portion between a first closed position in which the upper housing portion is in contact with the lower housing portion and prevents access to the cavity defined therebetween, and a second open position in which at least a portion of the upper housing portion extends away from the lower housing portion thereby providing access to the cavity located therebetween, and in which at least one of the inner surfaces of the upper and/or lower housing portion comprises at least one first attachment feature, and in which at least one of the upper and/or lower housing portion provides at least one opening configured to allow a wire connection to extend therethrough; a support bracket comprising: at least one second attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with the at least one first attachment feature of the housing; at least one slot, each slot configured to receive a WAGO-type connector; and at least one third attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with a WAGO-type connector within a corresponding slot; and at least one clamping mechanism located on an inner surface of the upper and/or lower housing portion, in which the at least one clamping mechanism is configured to engage a wire in a clamping connection.
  2. 2. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one clamping mechanism comprises a clamp portion having a free end comprising a first engagement feature, and a snap hook providing a second engagement feature configured to releasably engage the first engagement feature of the clamp portion, in which the clamp portion is moveable between a first clamping position in which the clamp portion is depressed to contact a wire connection and in which the first engagement feature engages the second engagement feature of the snap hook, and a second open position in which the first engagement feature of the clamp portion is spaced apart from the second engagement feature of the snap hook, and the clamp portion is spaced apart from the wire connection.
  3. 3. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which a clamping mechanism is located at or adjacent each opening of the housing portion(s).
  4. 4. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper housing portion is hingeably connected to the lower housing portion.
  5. 5. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one closure member configured to extend across at least one opening when not in use.
  6. 6. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is composed of one or more of polypropylene and/or polycarbonate.
  7. 7. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is elongate.
  8. 8. The wire connection terminal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising labelling located on one or more surfaces of the housing.
  9. 9. A method producing a wire connection apparatus as herein described, in which the method comprises: obtaining a housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, in which the upper housing portion and lower housing portion each comprise an inner surface, and in which at least one of the upper and/or lower housing portion provides at least one opening configured to allow a wire connection to extend therethrough; connecting the upper housing portion to the lower housing portion to provide a cavity extending between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower housing portions, in which the upper housing portion is moveably connected to the lower housing portion to be moveable between a first closed position in which the upper housing portion is in contact with the lower housing portion and prevents access to the cavity defined therebetween, and a second open position in which at least a portion of the upper housing portion extends away from the lower housing portion thereby providing access to the cavity located therebetween; obtaining at least one first attachment feature, and securing the at least one first attachment feature to an inner surface of one or each of the upper and/or lower housing portion; obtaining a support bracket comprising at least one second attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with the at least one first attachment feature of the housing, and in which the support bracket comprises at least one slot, each slot configured to receive a WAGO-type connector; and at least one third attachment feature configured for releasable snap-fit engagement with a WAGO-type connector within a corresponding slot; and obtaining at least one clamping mechanism configured to clampingly engage a wire connection received therein and locating the at least one clamping mechanism on an inner surface of the upper and/or lower housing portion.
GB2000812.4A 2020-01-20 2020-01-20 Wire connection terminal apparatus Active GB2591146B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2000812.4A GB2591146B (en) 2020-01-20 2020-01-20 Wire connection terminal apparatus
GB2100293.6A GB2592480B (en) 2020-01-20 2021-01-11 Wire connection terminal apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2000812.4A GB2591146B (en) 2020-01-20 2020-01-20 Wire connection terminal apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202000812D0 GB202000812D0 (en) 2020-03-04
GB2591146A true GB2591146A (en) 2021-07-21
GB2591146B GB2591146B (en) 2022-11-23

Family

ID=69636920

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2000812.4A Active GB2591146B (en) 2020-01-20 2020-01-20 Wire connection terminal apparatus
GB2100293.6A Active GB2592480B (en) 2020-01-20 2021-01-11 Wire connection terminal apparatus

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2100293.6A Active GB2592480B (en) 2020-01-20 2021-01-11 Wire connection terminal apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB2591146B (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2792464A1 (en) * 1999-04-15 2000-10-20 Realisations Jlp Electrical connection wirer/ multiple block connection having rectangular outer isolating body with inner oblique placed shoulders/holder contact sections and outer peg/connection piece stacking fixture.
GB2396753A (en) * 2000-06-27 2004-06-30 Technetix Plc Holders for accommodating jelly crimp connectors
CN102412329A (en) * 2011-11-28 2012-04-11 人和光伏科技有限公司 Solar cell junction box

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5118306A (en) * 1991-05-29 1992-06-02 Molex Incorporated Multi-conductor electrical connector
FR2815180B1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-12-20 Schneider Electric Ind Sa CONNECTOR WITH REMOVABLE PLUGS FOR ELECTRICAL PIPING

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2792464A1 (en) * 1999-04-15 2000-10-20 Realisations Jlp Electrical connection wirer/ multiple block connection having rectangular outer isolating body with inner oblique placed shoulders/holder contact sections and outer peg/connection piece stacking fixture.
GB2396753A (en) * 2000-06-27 2004-06-30 Technetix Plc Holders for accommodating jelly crimp connectors
CN102412329A (en) * 2011-11-28 2012-04-11 人和光伏科技有限公司 Solar cell junction box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB202100293D0 (en) 2021-02-24
GB2592480B (en) 2023-02-08
GB2591146B (en) 2022-11-23
GB2592480A (en) 2021-09-01
GB202000812D0 (en) 2020-03-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP3688338B2 (en) Electrical connection and coupling terminal
US7101231B2 (en) Locking spring-clamp terminal block and method for connecting the same
AU2014253680B2 (en) Terminal and disconnection link
JPS61263073A (en) Connection terminal for electric conductor
US6769931B2 (en) Connector for connecting electric wire of added device with provided electric wire
US7037118B2 (en) Access module
CA2176831A1 (en) Terminal for electrical installations
CA2408671A1 (en) Quick connect terminal for electric power switch
JPS62262379A (en) Connector bank for cable wire
HUP9701639A2 (en) Switch connecting mechanism
US5545060A (en) Clamping terminal unit
US5695367A (en) Connector attachment component
GB2591146A (en) Wire connection terminal apparatus
US4437725A (en) Junction connections for modular wiring systems
KR101850445B1 (en) Waterproof connector
US4820197A (en) Three-way switch system and adapter therefor
JP3382115B2 (en) Switchboard
JP2803782B2 (en) Information outlet
US6328580B2 (en) Connecting element for connecting cable shields
EA035781B1 (en) Leadthrough terminal
KR101869543B1 (en) Waterproof connector
KR101869540B1 (en) Waterproof connector
GB2292489A (en) Electrical distribution system
JPS63160172A (en) Plug socket
KR20210034662A (en) Modular plug-in connector system