IE903007A1

IE903007A1 - Distribution strip for a telecommunications installation

Info

Publication number: IE903007A1
Application number: IE300790A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Erich Thalhammer; Ewald Steiner
Original assignee: Siemens Ag
Priority date: 1989-08-21
Filing date: 1990-08-20
Publication date: 1991-02-27
Also published as: ES2046621T3; NO903647D0; FI904128A0; PT95043A; RU1814742C; ZA906578B; DE3927573C1; AR244914A1; UA19774A; AU6116890A; HU210884B; AU636378B2; FI95088B; PT95043B; DE59003676D1; NO903647L; JP2998980B2; NO178129C; DD297285A5; EP0414043B1

Abstract

The oblong distribution block (1) has at its front two parallel rows of cutting-type terminals (2) for connecting incoming and outgoing lines (3 and 4). The cutting-type terminals are a part of contact parts (5, 19, 20) which are provided with plug-in contacts (11) for protective plugs (13) and additional plug-in contacts (12, 17) for test plugs (14). The protective plugs (13) and test plugs (14) can be inserted from the front of the distribution block (1). The protective plug (13) is placed eccentrically so that adequate free space is available for the incoming lines (5) from the subscribers which must be frequently changed. As a result, the distribution block can be inexpensively produced and easily installed.

Description

The present invention relates to a distributor strip for a telecommunication system, particularly a telephone system, in which a rectangular distributor strip is provided with contacts following one another in the longitudinal direction that, in pairs, comprise insulation-piercing terminals for incoming and outgoing lines that lie opposite one another along the long sides of the ( distributor strips.

( Description of the Prior Art A distributor strip of the type generally set forth above is disclosed, for example, in the German application 35 09 523 Al. In accordance therewith, the contacts are provided with contact locations for protective plugs and isolating or test plugs. The contacts can be fashioned as one-piece structures or of two pieces. The two-piece embodiment comprises contact springs that resiliently press against one another in a partible fashion. The contact locations and insulation-piercing terminals are all accessible from the service side of the distributor strip. The insulation-piercing terminals, sometimes called insulation-opening or insulation-disrupting terminals, for the outgoing patching lines that must be frequently changed are arranged so high above the rear side of the distributor strip that they project beyond a plug-in protective plug. The contacts thereby extend essentially in the plug-in direction. The contacts are essentially adapted by bends into their required courses and are guided and held between two housing parts of the distributor strip. The isolating or separating contact locations thereby lie approximately halfway up between the contact location for the protective plugs and the insulation-piercing terminals for the patching lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, therefore, is to reduce the dimensions of the distributor strips and to simplify the manufacture thereof. < The above object is achieved, according to the present invention, in a distributor strip for a telecommunication system, particularly a telephone system, whereby the rectangular, cuboid distributor strip is provided with contacts following one another in the longitudinal direction that, in pairs, comprise insulation-piercing terminals for incoming and outgoing lines lying opposite one another along the long sides of the distributor strips and plug contacts for protective plugs and additional plug contacts for test plugs or isolating or separating plugs, whereby the insulation-piercing terminals and plug contacts are accessible from a service side of the distributor strip and are arranged next to one another at the service side in a plan view of the distributor strip and whereby the planes of the insulation-piercing terminals extend parallel to the long sides of the distributor strip, and is particularly characterized in that the contacts comprise base sections at the rear side that faces away from the service side, the base sections connecting the insulation-piercing terminals and the plug contacts to one another, in that the base sections are arranged at the same height over the rear side and reside perpendicular relative thereof, in that the plug contacts and insulation-piercing terminals project in the direction of the service side proceeding from the base sections, and in that the contacts are essentially accepted and held in a service-side front part of a housing of the distributor strip.

Since the planes of the material of the contacts all extend in the service direction, the basic shape of the contacts can be essentially produced by a cutting/punching process. The base of the contacts extend transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the distributor strip. The insulationpiercing terminals are bent off by simply angling the base off in ( the longitudinal direction. The spring legs of the isolating.or separating contacts can also be bent off in the same fashion so that two adequately resilient contact springs result. Since the spring legs are effective proceeding from the base, their height can be kept low.

The contact locations for the protective plugs lie close to the insulation-piercing terminals for the lines that are to be seldom changed. The spring contacts for the testing or, respectively, isolating or separating plugs lie between the contact locations for the protective plug and the insulation-piercing ( terminals for the outgoing patching lines. As a result thereof, the protective plug can be kept at an adequate distance from the insulation-piercing terminals for the patching lines so that the connecting procedures are not impeded. The insulation-piercing terminals for the patching lines can therefore be arranged correspondingly low, so that the structural height of the distributor strip is considerably reduced. The contact parts can be mounted in a considerably more simple manner by fixing the contacts in a single housing part. The contacts merely have to be inserted into the corresponding receptacle chambers of the housing part of the service side, being inserted thereinto proceeding from the rear side. A cover-like rear housing part merely has a closing function.

According to a particular development and feature of the invention, the distributor strip is particularly characterized in that the protective plug is arranged essentially over the insulation-piercing terminals for the outgoing line that are to be seldom changed, for example, the lines outgoing to a switching equipment, and project laterally beyond the elongate side of the distributor strip. With this structure, the protective plug not covers the insulation-piercing terminals that are seldom required but also covers the appertaining wiring space for the corresponding cable leads. Adequate space for connecting the patching lines or, respectively, for the connection of a test plug is thereby created next to the protective plug.

Due to another development and feature of the invention, the protective plug can be supported at the distributor strip over its entire width, as a result whereby the plug contact locations are less stressed in that the distributor strip is particularly characterized in that the test plug covers the insulation-piercing terminals for the lines that are to be frequently changed, for example, the lines incoming from the subscribers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a distributor strip having lines connected thereto; FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the distributor strip of FIG. 1 taken generally along the parting line II—II; FIG. 3 is a plan view onto a contact of the distributor strip of FIG. 2, shown partially in section and as viewed downwardly in FIG. 2 below the plug-in locations; and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the distributor strip, similar to that of FIG. 2, and illustrating a modified contact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a rectangular distributor strip 1 comprises insulation-piercing terminals 2 that are arranged at a service side of the distributor strip 1 along two elongate sides thereof. As an example, detachable lines 3 incoming from subscribers and, for example, outgoing lines 4 leading to a switching equipment are connected to the insulation-piercing terminals 2. A respective insulation-piercing terminal 2 for an incoming line 3 and an insulation-piercing terminal 2 for an outgoing line 4 lying opposite thereto are component parts of a one-piece contact 5. This is accessible for protective and test plugs through plug openings 6, 7 in a housing 8, 9 of the t distributor strip 1.

According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing is composed of a front part 8 at the service side and of a cover-like rear part 9. The front part 8 is provided with receptacle chambers for the contacts 5 that are opened toward the rear part 9. The contacts 5 can be introduced into the front part 8 by simply plugging in proceeding from the rear side and are completely accepted in the front part 8 and held attitudinally correct therein. The contacts 5 reside on edge and vertically on the rear part 9 that is latched to the front part 8 by way of catch noses 21 on the rear part 9 and shoulders 22 formed by apertures in the elongate sides of the front part 8. Between the insulation-piercing terminals 2, the contacts 5 each comprise a base section 10 along the rear part 9, the base section 10 connecting the insulation-piercing terminals 2 to one another. The insulation-piercing terminals 2 are placed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the distributor strip 1 by being bent off by 90°. In addition to the insulation-piercing terminals 2, fork-shaped plug-in contacts 11 and 12 that are cut free from the same material extend from the base section 10 for receiving pin contacts of protective plugs 13 and test plugs 14, respectively. t The plug-in contacts 11 and 12 reside transversely relative to the ( longitudinal direction of the distributor strip 1 and parallel to the base section 10. They are offset and aligned to the center of the insulation-piercing terminals 2 by crimping 23. This facilitates the visual allocation of the plugs to the insulationpiercing terminals 2. The plug-in contacts 11 are also suitable for the connection of a cable plug.

The protective plug 13 is provided with plug tongues 15 that are plugged between the resilient legs of the plug-in contacts 11. The plug tongues 15 are eccentrically arranged at the protective plug 13. The protective plug 13, as shown, covers the insulation-piercing terminals 2 for the outgoing lines 4 and, at the elongate side, projects beyond the connector strip 1 by the width of a wiring space for the outgoing lines 4. The test plug 14 is likewise provided with plug tongues 16 (shown broken off in FIG. 3, and best seen in FIG. 4) that are plugged between the resilient legs of the plug-in contacts 12. The plug tongues 16 are likewise eccentrically arranged offset toward the protective plug 13. As a result thereof, it is possible to arrange the plugin contacts 11 and 12 in close proximity to one another, so that ( the overall width of the distributor strip can be kept low. The ( protective plug 13 and the test plug 14 are arranged in close proximity back-to-back. The test plug 14 covers the appertaining insulation-piercing terminals for, for example, the lines 3 incoming from the subscribers. These latter lines 3 can be fashioned as patching lines that lead to a different region of the distributor. Since line tests and wiring changes cannot be simultaneously undertaken, the test plugs can be pulled when connecting the switching wires.

( According to FIG. 4, the plug contacts 12 (FIG. 2) ( are replaced by isolating or separating contacts 17 that are separated by the plug tongues 16 of the test plug 14. Instead of the plug tongues 16 of the test plug 14, the plug tongues of an isolating or separating plug can be inserted between the separating contact 17 in order to interrupt the connection. When the plugs are pulled, the separating contacts 17 are spring closed. The plug contact parts 19, 20 are fashioned of two pieces and are joined to one another via separating contacts 17 when the plugs are pulled. The separating contacts 17 comprise two spring legs 18 bent off in the longitudinal direction of the distributor strip 1 that reside approximately parallel to the insulation-piercing terminals 2. The spring legs 18 are fashioned such that they can be accepted in the same housing as the plug contacts 12 for the protective plug 14.

Although we have described our invention by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. We therefore intend to include within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of our contribution to the art. 1. A distributor strip for a telecommunication system, comprising:

Claims

1. WE CLAIM: a housing of insulating material including a first housing part and a second housing part; said first housing part including a pair of spaced parallel elongate rectangular sidewalls and a plurality of spaced intermediate walls parallel to said sidewalls and which, together with said sidewalls, ( define a plurality of elongate contact chambers, each of said intermediate walls including a plurality of spaced transverse first slots transversely aligned with like slots of the other intermediate walls to define contact locations spaced along the length of said housing; said sidewalls and said intermediate walls adjacent thereto joined together along respective edges and including second slots assigned to said contact locations opening into the elongate contact chambers therebetween; cross walls spaced from said first slots connecting said intermediate walls and including pin-receiving bores at said contact locations; a plurality of contacts, each of said contacts including a base received in the transversely aligned slots of a respective contact location and a plurality of io contact elements projecting from said base into respective elongate contact chambers, said contact elements and said base being cut from flat sheet material with said base being generally planar and including first and second ends each bent at 90* with respect to the plane of said base and carrying respective first and second contact elements such that said first and second contact elements lie parallel to said sidewalls; ( third and fourth ones of said contact elements located between said first and second contact elements and including material planes extending with said base transversely of said sidewalls; each of said contact elements including a distal end, said first and second contact elements comprising an insulation-piercing structure at their respective distal ends aligned with said second slots; ( ί . . ' said third and fourth contact elements each including pm-receiving spring arms at their distal ends for receiving pins of protective plugs and test plugs, respectively via respective ones of said pin-receiving bores; and said second housing part constituting a cover closing said housing and bearing against said bases of said contacts.

2. The distributor strip of claim 1, wherein; each of said sidewalls comprises first latch means including at least one aperture in each of said sidewalls, each of said apertures partially defined by an edge facing toward said cross walls; and said second housing part comprising resilient catch noses extending therefrom, received in said at least one aperture in each of said sidewalls and including a shoulder latching against the respective edge. C

3. The distributor strip of claim 1, wherein: ( said sidewalls, said intermediate walls and said contact elements extend predetermined different distances in the direction towards said distal ends of said contact elements, and said cross walls are positioned adjacent the distal ends of the respective third and fourth contact elements to define, together with the adjacent ones of said intermediate walls, troughs for receiving portions of the protective and test plugs therein. (

4. The distributor strip of claim 1, wherein: each of said third and fourth contact elements comprises a crimp adjacent said base offsetting the respective contact element from the plane of said base.

5. A distributor strip for a telecommunication system, comprising: a housing of insulating material including a first housing part and a second housing part; said first housing part including a pair of spaced parallel elongate rectangular sidewalls and a plurality of spaced intermediate walls parallel to said sidewalls and which, together with said sidewalls, define a plurality of elongate contact chambers, each of said intermediate walls including a plurality of spaced transverse first slots transversely aligned with like slots of the other intermediate walls to define contact locations ( spaced along the length of said housing; said sidewalls and said intermediate walls adjacent thereto joined together along respective edges and including second slots assigned to said contact locations opening into the elongate contact chambers therebetween; cross walls spaced from said first slots connecting said ί intermediate walls and including pin-receiving bores I at said contact locations; a plurality of sets of contacts, each of said sets of contacts including a pair of spaced coplanar bases received in the transversely aligned slots of a respective contact location and a plurality of contact elements projecting from said base into respective elongate contact chambers, said contact elements and said bases being cut from flat sheet material with said base being generally planar and including respective first and second ends each bent at 90’ with respect to the plane of the respective base and carrying respective first and second contact elements such that said first and second contact elements lie parallel to said sidewalls; third and fourth ones of said contact elements located between said first and second contact elements and including material planes bent at 90’ extending with said base parallel to said sidewalls; ( ( each of said contact elements including a distal end, said first and second contact elements comprising an insulation-piercing structure at their respective distal ends aligned with said second slots; said third and fourth contact elements each including at least one pin-receiving spring arm at its distal end for receiving a pin of a protective plug and a test plug, respectively, via respective ones of said pin-receiving bores; and ( said second housing part constituting a cover closing said housing and bearing against said bases of said contacts. 1, substantially reference to and A distributor switch according to claim as hereinbefore described with particular as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.