US2411014A

US2411014A - Terminal block

Info

Publication number: US2411014A
Application number: US541369A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert R Warnke
Original assignee: United States Instrument Corp
Current assignee: United States Instrument Corp
Priority date: 1944-06-21
Filing date: 1944-06-21
Publication date: 1946-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1963-11-12

Description

NOV. 12, 1946. R WARNKE 2 411,01

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed June 21, 1944 f. .Q'. if

2 a 4 W5 I 49 o o o o o o 49 d 4? 7Z9. 5. 3/ i W HERBERT R- WRRNKE Patented Nov. 12, 1946 TERMINAL BLOCK Herbert R. Warnke, East Orange, N. J., assignor to United States Instrument Corporation, East Orange, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 21, 1944, Serial No. 541,369

6 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to terminal blocks which serve as points of assembly and connection of the terminals of a plurality of groups of conductors.

The generic advantages of this class of multiple connectors include the elimination of spliced or soldered joints between individual wires, the possibility of the quick detachment of any desired conductor, and the ease of assembling, installing, and connecting instruments and equipment and distinguishing the various circuits in-. volved.

Particular advantages are afforded however by the present invention over the prior proposals which have been made in this field. There has been provided a novel and improved terminal block which is of compact construction giving maximum strength, a'high voltage breakdown, and greater convenience in making connections in the smallest possible space.

Improved arrangements and spacings of terminal barriers permit the use of various types of terminals without arc-over up to and above 2500 volts, A. C., R. M. S.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of metal terminal inserts which extend through the block from one face to the other. This permits a greater knurled surface area on the insert which results in a better bond with the Bakelite or other insulating material of which the block is made. Thus the possibility of the inserts becoming loose when connections are being made or as a result of vibration or shock, is eliminated.

This feature also permits one series of connections to be made on one side of the block and the other associated connections on the opposite sides thereof. For example, when employed in intercommunication, signal systems, or the like, equipment connections may be. made at the underside of the block and connections made by installing activity may be effected at the top of the block. This does away with the necessity of removing the'equipment connections when installing activitys connections are made, thus preventing loose or misplaced equipment connections.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of indicia bearing means for affording ready identification of the terminals, novel assembly mountings for grouping two or more blocks, and simple convenient means for attaching the blocks to panels or chassis, whereby one row of connections will be disposed above the 2 panel or chassis and the other row of connections below the same.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembly of terminal blocks embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the bank of terminal blocks shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly taken on line 3.3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the blocks.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawing there is shown an assembly comprising three terminal blocks constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted in stepped or echelon formation on two supporting brackets adapted to be secured to a panel or other framework of the installation. However, it is understood that, except as otherwise claimed herein, the individual blocks may be used either singly or in any other desired combination.

The novel terminal blocks illustrated inthe drawing are designated generally by the reference numeral Ill and each of the blocks comprises an elongated body portion ll preferably of substantially rectangular cross-section and two depending squared feet or pedestals I! one at each end of the body portion; These foot or pedestal portions I2 are provided with openings l3 through which screws or bolts may be passed to secure the blocks in their installed positions.

The body portion ll of each block is provided at spaced points along its length with the metallic inserts or bushings l5. These bushings are provided interiorly with standard screw threads for the reception of screws, bolts, or binding posts which are adapted to secure the conductor terminals to the block. Exteriorly the inserts I5 are knurled as indicated at Hi. This knurling is preferably extended throughout the entire outer cylindrical surface of the insert thus assuring a perfect bond with the Bakelite or other material of which the material is mainly formed.

These threaded inserts l5 extend throughout.

the thickness of the block and, as shown best in the upper portion of Figure 3, the bolts or screws 20 and 2| are threaded into the upper and lower ends of the insert serving to secure to the upper 3 portiomoftheblockthewiretermiheadsofthescrews Ilandilandtheterminals 22 and II in order to secure them more rigidly in place and effect a better conducting connection.

Although only a few terminals are shown in the figures of drawing, it is understood that the terminals or leads may be applied to the upper and lower ends of all of the inserts I! throughout the lengths of the blocks ll.

Between adjacent terminal inserts l and at the ends of the body portion ll of the block ll there are provided the upwardly extending partitions or barriers ll, probably best shown in the perspective view in Figure 4. These barriers are preferably cast integrally with the block when it is formed and they provide arc-preventing means between the laterally adjacent terminals, whereby relatively high voltages may-be employed in the conductors adapted to be loined at the block. I

Similar downwardly projecting barriers ii are provided which are disposed at spaced points between the lower parts of the supporting legs I: of the terminal block. These partitions or barriers perform a function similar to that of the upper barriers 30 but in connection'with the lower series of terminals.

In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, suitable indicia identifying the circuits may be inscribed upon the front face of the block as indicated at 33. However, alternative indicating means are provided in another illustrated example which will be presently described.

As already suggested, the novel terminal blocks It may be employed singly or in any desired combination in association with panels, switchboards, or any other type of installation, and suitable fastening means are applied to the openings ii at the ends of the blocks. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of thedrawing three of the terminal blocks I II are disposed in stepped formation, being supported by the end brackets I5. These brackets are preferably made of sheet metal having vertically extending body portions 36 from which an inwardly turned horizontal base flange 31 extends. This base flange has an outwardly extending ear 3! provided with a perforation 39 intended to accommodate a screw, bolt, or other fastening means for securing the bracket 35 to an instrument or switchboard supporting frame or panel. At the opposite end of the flange 31, there is provided a horizontal projection 42 which is also perforated to receive the head 43 of the securing bolt H which passes through the leg l2 of the lowermost terminal block III. The upper end of the bolt M is provided with a nut 45 and preferablywith a lock washer 48.

Intermediate the height of each bracket 35 a stepped portion of the bracket is bent inwardly to provide a flange l1 and this flange is provided with an opening through which a bolt 49 extends in order to secure a leg of the intermediate block II to the bracket. A nutIO is applied to the lower end of this bolt, and a window opening 52 is punched in the bracket 35 laterally of the nut 50 to provide access through the body portion 16 of the bracket.

A similar arrangement is made at the upper 22 andflfromwhichthe conductors 24' Ifdesiredlockwasherssuchas u I 4 I over and providedwith an opening to receive a boltlltowhi'chanutllisapplied. Another opening ll, similar to that shown at It, is made in the bracket 8| adjacent the nut II.

An important feature of the assembly of terminal blocks, and one which obviously can be applied to other arrangements of these blocks involves the cover plates ll. These plates are made of thin sheets of insulating material and are interposed beneath each of the blocks ll, being provided adjacent their ends with openings through which the bolts I, II, or I! may extend, the plates being secured rigidly in position along with the block ll. These plates ll underlie the legs l2 and the lower barriers or partitions II, and preferably extend forwardly beyond the front faces of the blocks II to provide a narrow margin upon which appropriate indicia may be etched or inscribed, in order to identify the adjacent terminals. Such indicia are indicated at II in Figure l of the drawing, and may be used alternatively to the indicia 33 inscribed upon the blocks themselves as in Figure 4. These plates not only provide indicia bearing meansbut also serve as insulated covers for the terminals on the undersides of the blocks and thus prevent any possible arcing-over.

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon whereby no plane containing a surface of any one of said blocks intersects a surface of any other block, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means.

2. A terminal block assembly comprising plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, said faces also provided with arc-preventing barriers one between each adjacent terminal attaching means.

3. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocks bein provided with conductor terminal attaching means and a plurality of conducting means passing through each block and each connecting one of said attaching means on one surface of the block with a corresponding one on the opposite surface.

4. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon whereby no plane containing a surface of any one of said blocks intersects a surface of any other block, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are end of each bracket 35 where a flange 55 is bent (8 parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, said faces also provided with arc-preventing barriers one between each adjacent terminal attaching means and a plurality of conducting means passing through each block and each connecting one of said attaching means on one surface of the block with a corresponding one on the opposite surface.

5. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on eachblock which are parallel with'the corresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, said faces also provided with a series of projecting arc-preventing fins one between each adjacent attaching means, and a thin insulating plate applied to the outer edges of the fins of certain of said block surfaces which are adjacent the corresponding surfaces of an adjoining block.

6. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular terminal blocksarranged in echelon, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, said faces also provided with a series of projecting arc-preventing fins one between each adjacent attaching means, and a thin insulating plate applied to the outer edges of the fins of certain of said block surfaces which are adjacent the corresponding surfaces of an adjoining block, said plates being secured to said brackets and having a portion extending beyond the edge of the block to which it is applied, and indicia inscribed on said extending portion identiiying the terminals attached to the block.

HERBERT R. WARNKE.