US3180921A

US3180921A - Connector terminal board and housing

Info

Publication number: US3180921A
Application number: US191987A
Authority: US
Inventors: Just Alex; Richard T Krause; Frank A Kukla
Original assignee: Malco Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Malco Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-05-02
Filing date: 1962-05-02
Publication date: 1965-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-27

Description

April 27, 1965 JUST ETAL 3,180,921

CONNECTOR TERMINAL BOARD AND HOUSING Filed May 2, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l Illa/Je April 27, 1965 A. JUST ETAL 3,180,921

CONNECTOR TERMINAL BOARD AND HOUSING Filed May 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ALEX JUST RICHARD T. KRAUSE FRANK A. KUKLA April 27, 1965 JUST ETAL 3,180,921

CONNECTOR TERMINAL BOARD AND HOUSING Filed May 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 4' arc s in E f a FRA A. kuK 3 1, flame, firm/4%!!! United States Patent 0 This invention relates in general to electrical connections and more particularly to terminal connectors. It deals specifically with a terminal connector and housing assembly.

In the burgeoning world of electronics, with the advent of complicated electronic computers and the like, it has become common practice to provide relatively large connector plates as a base for a great number of terminal connections in corresponding circuits. Groups or blocks of terminal connectors form these connections. In practice, female type terminal connectors might be set in groups in the connector plate while unitary blocks of male terminal connectors are set up to mate with specific groups of the female connectors. Electrical leads, of course, conventionally extend from both the male and female terminal connectors to appropriate connections in associated electrical equipment.

In practice, twenty to a hundred or more female terminal connectors might be congregated in one group, with numerous groups set up in closely adjoining relationship in a single connector plate. Each individual block of male terminal connectors must then be properly mated with a corresponding group of female terminal connectors to correctly complete the multitude of electrical connec tions. Frequently it is desirable that these blocks of male terminal connectors be removably locked on the connector plate and, of course, it is concurrently desirable that the proper block of male terminal connectors be 'mated with the correct group of female terminal connectors in correctly orientated relationship.

Concurrently, the numerous blocks of male terminal connectors should be protected against damage readily suffered by inadvertent bumping or contact with equipment or personnel, for example. In addition, it will readily be seen that the multitudinous wire leads to the terminal connectors in the terminal connector block should be protected against being pulled out of their various terminals; as well as being confined in generally compact and organized groupings.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved terminal connector and housing assembly for enclosing and protecting electrical terminals.

It is another object to provide a terminal connector and housing assembly which protects terminal leads against inadvertent separation from corresponding terminal connectors, as well as grouping the leads in orderly, compact, cable-like relationship.

It is still another object to provide a terminal connector housing which can readily be adapted to house blocks of terminal connectors having varying numbers of connectors.

It is yet another object to provide a compact terminal connector housing comprising a minimum of component parts which are readily adaptable to modification to vary the housing size and enclose terminal blocks of varying size.

It is still a further object to provide a terminal connector housing which can readily be mounted with other housings in closely spaced relationship to implement a considerable saving of space on a connector plate.

It is a further object to provide a terminal connector housing which readily receives male terminal connector blocks, female terminal blocks, terminals of either type incorporating wire wrap posts, and various other types and variations of terminal connectors.

It is another object to provide a terminal connector housing having an orientation arrangement which assures mating the housed terminal block with a corresponding group of terminal connectors in the connector plate as well as preventing inadvertent misorientated connection of corresponding terminal connectors.

It is yet another object to provide a terminal connector and housing assembly which assures proper orientation of a terminal connector block in the housing.

The above and other objects are realized in accordance with the present invention by providing a terminal connector and housing assembly for safeguarding and orientating a block of terminal connectors in properly mated relationship on a connector plate. The invention contemplates a terminal connector housing which receives a block of terminal connectors only in predetermined relationship and is adapted to mount them in secured but removable mating relationship with a corresponding group of terminal connectors on a connector plate. The construction of the housing is such that it seats on the connector plate only when the proper block of terminal connectors is mated with a correspondingly correct group of terminal connectors on the connector plate and, in addition, only when the individual terminal connections are accurately made.

The construction of the housing can readily be varied to receive terminal blocks incorporating varying numbers of terminal connectors. A block of terminal connectors can be inserted in the housing only in predetermined relationship and in this inserted relationship the block is immovably retained in the housing and protected on all sides from external blows or damaging influences of a similar nature. The terminal leads are protected against inadvertent separation from corresponding terminals connectors and bundled in orderly cable-like fashion.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, taken with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a plurality of terminal connector and housing assemblies embodying the features of this invention in seated relationship on a portion of a terminal connector plate, with parts broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded isometric view of a terminal connector and housing assembly embodying the features of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of an alternate form of terminal connector block which can be inserted in the housing assembly embodying the features of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a housing assembly embodying the features of this invention showing an alternate form of terminal lead clamping structure;

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of a housing assembly embodying the features of this invention and showing another alternate form of terminal lead clamping structure;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged front elevational View of a housing orientation element utilized with a terminal connector and housing assembly embodying the features of this invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1, a plurality of terminal connector and housing assemblies embodying the features of this invention are be inadvertently turned 180 degrees.

The

male terminal connectors 22 are, of course, adapted to mate with the female terminal connectors 12 in a corresponding group 11 of terminal connectors on the connector plate 13. The mating arrangement is similar to that disclosed in a co-pending patent application, U.S. Serial No. 88,681, filed February 13, 1961, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, now Patent No. 3,086,074.

The housing encloses the male terminal block 21 in predetermined orientated relationship and protects the terminal connectors'22 mounted thereon from damage due to inadvertent contact by other equipment or personnel, for example. In addition, the housing 20 clamps the terminal connector wire leads in a cable-like bundle to prevent them from being torn out of corresponding terminal connectors 22 by accidental means and also to maintain an orderly arrangement of the leads.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that each housing 21) includes a wall assembly 40 Which receives the terminal block 21 within its confines in predetermined orientated relationship. The block 21-is retained in the housing by a cover plate 41. The wall assembly .41) and the cover plate 41 cooperate to form the body of the housing 20. I

The wall assembly 40 comprises an opposed pair of generally irregularly shaped

side walls

42 and 42a. The

side walls

42 and 42a are preferably formed of extruded aluminum stock and are cut off at predetermined lengths to establish a preferred width for the housing 20. As will be seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 2, the

side walls

42 and 42a might be longer or shorter depending upon the width of the terminal block 21 to be confined within the housing 20.

The

side walls

42 and 42a are substantially identical in construction with the exception that one wall (42a) cooperates in a distinctive manner with the terminal block 21 to assure that a predetermined relationship exists between the housing 20 and the block 21 before the block will seat within the housing. Since the

side walls

42 and 42a are otherwise identical, the same reference numerals will be utilized to identify corresponding identical porions of each wall.

The

side walls

42 and 42a receive and support the terminal block 21 in the grooves 43 and 43a, respectively, machined in the opposed surfaces of the side walls. While the groove 43 is machined to a width substantially equal to the thickness of the terminal board 23, however, the groove 43a is made substantially thinner than the board. To accommodate this relatively thinner groove 43a, a notch 5'9 is formed in the lower surface of the corresponding end of the terminal board 23. This notch 58 might be formed by machining the board, which is preferably comprised of aluminum. Both of the grooves 43 and 43a are made slightly wider than the thickness of corresponding portions of the board 23 to accommodate a small amount of play and facilitate easy insertion and removal of the terminal block 21.

As a consequence of the relationship between the groove 43a and the notch 59, the terminal board 23 can be slidably received within the grooves 43, 43a only when the board is. correctly orientated. In other words, when a block 21 of male terminal connectors 22 is to be inserted within the confines of the housing 21 the block cannot Such a 180' degree if}. misorientation would result, of course, in a 100 percent misconnection of the circuits in question.

The

side walls

42 and 42a of the wall assembly are spaced and secured together by an end wall 55. The spacing is such that the opposed surfaces 44 of the side walls extend into immediately adjacent relationship with, but do not engage, the terminal connectors 22 when the terminal block 21 is in seated relationship in the grooves as, 43a.

As has been described, in'this instance the terminal block 21 is a block of male terminal connectors 22 set in a terminal board 23 in self-lockingrelationsip. However, referring for a moment to FIGURE 3, it should be understood that ,a block 58 of female terminal connectors 59 set in a terminal board 61) might be utilized in the alternative. in the latter case, of course, the mating terminal connectors on the connector plate 13 would be a group of male terminal connectors (not shown).

The terminal connectors utilized and adapted to be received within the housing might also have wire wrap shanks 61, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Regardless of the type of terminal connector utilized, the terminal board 611 is provided with a machined notch 62 which cooperates with the groove 43a in the side wall42a of the housing 211 to insure proper orientation of the terminal block 58 within the housing. in this light, as will be seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 3, the block 58 might also be of any predetermined width.

Referring once more to FIGURE 2, the end wall defines the back of the housing 21 and is preferably comprised of sheet aluminum or the like. It is shaped to fit the

side walls

42 and 42a and forms part of, as well as supporting an upwardly extending clamping assembly 66 for confining the wire leads 30 while holding them in an orderly, cable-like arrangement. 7

The end wall55 is preferably fastened 'in flush rela tionship to corresponding rear surfaces (not shown) of

the'side walls

42 and 42a through the medium of conventional metal screws 70, seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. At its upper extremity the end wall is bent forwardly to form top wall sections 71 as well as the base flange 72 of the clamping assembly 66. The top wall sections 71 .might be cut to any length, depending upon the preestablished width of the

side walls

42 and 42a, which in turn is dependent upon the width of the terminal block 21. The free ends of the wall sections 71 are bent downwardly to form depending portions 73 which are'fastened to the front surfaces 74 of the side walls with conventional metal fasteners 75. V I

The depending portions 73 extend inwardly of corresponding faces 76 on the opposed surfaces 44 of the

side walls

42 and 42a and form extensions 77 for cooperating 1 with the cover plate 41 to retain it in flush relationship against the side walls.

When the terminal block 21 has been slidably received 111 grooves 43, 43a, the wire leads 30 extending from the terminal connectors 22 are in position to be clamped by .the clamping assembly 66, as seen in FIGURE 1. The

base of the clamping assembly 66 is the base flange 72 extending upwardly from and generally parallel to the wall 55 in offset relationship. The flange 72 has a plurality of apertures 81 extending therethrough and conventional nuts $2 are secured to the flange 72 in alignment with the apertures, on the outer surface of the flange.

The wireleads 30 are held securely against the flange 72 by 'a complementary bracket 83 through the medium of conventional screws 84- extending through the apertures 81 into engagement with the nuts 82. This arrangement confines the'lead wires 31) tightly in an orderly, cablelike bundle. As a result, they cannot be inadvertently pulled from their corresponding terminals and an orderly arrangement of the leads in the electrical equipment is secured. The flange '72 is oifset inwardly from the outer surface of the end wall 55 so that the screws 84 and the nuts $2 do not extend beyond the end wall 55 of the housing 20 and Consequently a plurality of the housings can be mounted in virtually wall-to-wall relationship.

Of course, it should be understood that a lead clamping assembly might take diiferent forms to accommodate variations in the wiring requirements for the electrical equipment. This can be accomplished without changing the configuration of the end wall 55, through the flange 72 and the nut 82. FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate alternative forms of clamping assemblies. FIG. 4, for example, illustrates a terminal connector housing 20 which includes a clamping assembly 166 adapted to receive dual cables extending toward the housing in generally perpendicular relationship. In FIGURE 5, a housing 20 includes a clamping assembly 266 adapted to receive ribbon type cables. In either case, the clamping arrangement secures the cables and prevents their being inadvertently torn out of corresponding terminals as well as holding them in pre established relationship.

The dual cable clamping assembly 166 seen in FIG- URE 4 includes an L-shaped member 167 secured to the olfset flange 72 by conventional metal screws 168.

Cable clamping brackets

169 and 170 are mounted in opposed relationship on the member 167 and are shaped to retain cables therebetween through the medium of locking screws 171 which secure the brackets to the L-shaped member 167.

The ribbon cable clamping assembly 266 seen in FIG- URE 5 includes a generally C-shaped member 267 secured to the offset flange 72 by conventional metal screws 268. A clamping bracket 269 is shaped to secure a ribbon cable or cables, for example, tightly against the member 267 through the medium of locking screws 271.

Referring once more to FIGURE 2, the male terminal connector block 21 is retained within the wall assembly 40 by the cover plate 41 which forms the front wall of the housing 20. The cover plate 41 is generally rectangular in configuration and is adapted to cooperate with the wall assembly in secure but easy removable relationship. In this manner, of course, the terminal block inserts of one type or another can rapidly be inserted and removed from the housing.

The cover plate 41 is preferably composed of aluminum sheet. It comprises a main panel 8 0 and a centrally disposed, upper panel extension 91. The upper panel extension 91 is crimped along its upper edge 92 to provide a surface which is not dangerous to operating personnel. Bracketing the panel extension 91 at its juncture with the main panel 90 are a pair of retaining ears 93 which are adapted to underlie the extensions 77 on the depending portions 73 of the top wall sections 71 and cooperate in retaining the cover plate 41 flush with the wall assembly 40. The ears 93 are offset formed in the direction of the housing 20, as will be seen, and partially sheared from the cover plate. This facilitates their being brought into underlying relationship with the extensions 77.

The cover plate 41 is removably secured to the wall assembly 49 through the medium of metal locking screws 100 which screw into the

side walls

42 and 42a in a conventional manner. The heads 106a of the locking screws are adapted to extend through the apertures 101 in the cover plate 41 when the cover plate is initially placed flush against corresponding surfaces on the side walls. As will readily be seen, when the cover plate 41 is slid upwardly on the surfaces 74, the ears 93 move underneath the corresponding extensions 77 and the countersunk apertures 192 immediately adjoining the apertures 101 in the cover plate 41 move upwardly into concentric relationship with the metal screws 1%. Although the apertures 191 are large enough for the heads 100a of the screws 109 to pass freely through, the countersunk apertures 102 are not. Consequently, when the cover plate is moved upwardly such that the cars 93 extend fully underneath the depending extensions'77, the cover plate 41 cannot be moved away from the Wall assembly 40. Tightening the metal screws down in the countersunk apertures 102 rigidly secures the cover plate to the wall assembly.

When a terminal block such as the male connector block 21 is correctly seated in predetermined relationship within the wall assembly 40 and the cover plate 41 is secured to the wall assembly to complete the housing 20, the terminal connector and housing assembly 10 is ready to be mated with a corresponding group 11 of female terminal connectors 12 in the connector plate 13. It is imperative, of course, that the proper assembly 10 be mated with the correctly predetermined group 11 of female terminal connectors 12. In addition, it is imperative that this mating be accomplished in properly orientated relationship. In the latter instance, if an assembly 10 is inadvertently turned 180 degrees out of phase and mated with a group 11 of female terminal connectors in this relationship, the misorientation results in all of the electrical connections being improperly made, an obviously undesirable result.

In addition, it is desirable, under most circumstances, for the terminal connector and housing assembly 10 to be rigidly secured to the connector plate 13 once a proper connection has been made between corresponding male and female terminal connectors associated therewith. Locking the entire assembly 10 in this manner prevents inadvertent disconnection of the mated

terminal connectors

12 and 22 and consequently prevents the electrical circuits in which the terminals are incorporated from being broken at inopportune moments.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, an orientation and locking arrangement for the terminal connector and housing assembly 10 is seen generally at 110. The orientation and locking arrangement 110 removably secures the assembly 10 in rigidly mounted relationship on the connector plate 13. It further prevents the wrong connector and housing assembly 10 from being mated with a predetermined group 11 of female terminal connectors 12. The orientation and locking arrangement 110 assures that the assembly 10 is seated in properly orientated relationship on the connector plate to mate the correct male and female terminal connectors. The arrangement 110 can be programmed to provide a large number of characteristic relationships between various terminal connector and housing assemblies 10 and corresponding groups 11 of female terminal connectors 12. Consequently, a connector plate containing a great number of groups of female terminal connectors can readily receive blocks 21 of mating male terminal connectors 22 without the slightest chance of an incorrect connection being made.

The orientation and locking arrangement 110 includes a pair of orientation assemblies 111 (only one of which is shown) mounted on the connector plate 13. The orientation assemblies 111 mate with and are rigidly connected to a pair of orientation and locking assemblies 112 (only one of which is shown) incorporated in the housing 20. One of the orientation and locking assemblies 112 is incorporated in each of the

side walls

42 and 42a of the housing 30, while each mating orientation assembly 111 on the connector plate 13 is appropriately positioned relative thereto. Only one mating pair of orientation assemblies 111 and orientation and locking assemblies 112 is shown and described, however, since each pair is substantially identical.

Each of the orientation assemblies 111 associated with the connector plate 13 comprises a standoff sleeve which is secured to the connector plate by a fastening screw 121 extending through a washer 121a and an aperture 122 in the connector plate. The standoff sleeve 120 has an orientation slot 123 (see FIGURES 7 and 8) for characteristically cooperating with the orientation and locking assembly 112 in the housing 20. In addition, the sleeve 120 is internally threaded, as at 124, to receive the locking screw 121 and also to facilitate fastening the sponding housings.

cause corresponding movement of the orientation slot 123 and set up possible mismating of a male terminal connector block 21 with the incorrect group 11 of female terminal connectors 12 onthe connector plate 13..

Each of the orientation and locking assemblies 112 associated with a

corresponding side wall

42 or 42a of a the housing 20 includes a stepped passage, seen generally at 135, which passes vertically through the side wall in question. The passage contains an orientation washer 136 press fitted into its relatively large, lowermost section 137, and a hold down screw 138 which is adapted to be screwed into the internally threaded section 124 in the standoff sleeve'12tl. Internally threaded

sections

140 and 141 in the passage 135 permit screwing the threaded end section 142 of the hold down screw 13$ through the passage but prevent the hold down screw from inadvertently coming out of the passage 135 when the housing 20 is not mounted on the connector plate 13.

Each of the orientation washers 136 associated with a

corresponding side wall

42 or 42a is press fitted into the lowermost section of the stepped passage 135 to prevent its rotation once itis seated. Each washer includes an inwardly extending ear 1%, as seen in FIGURE 8, which is adapted to slide into the slot 123 in a predetermined standoff sleeve 120. It will readily be seen, of course, that a standoff'sleeve 120 can be preset in such a manner that its orientation slot 123 extends in an almost infinitesimal number of angular positions about the axis of the sleeve. correspondingly, the pressfit orientation washer 136 is characteristically placed within the lowermost section 137 of the passage 135.

The infinite number of possible variations in angular positioning of both the standoff sleeve 120 and the orientation washer 136 permits a connector plate 13 which mounts a great number of groups 11 of female terminal connectors 12 to be set up in such a manner that no male connector block 21 can be inadvertently mated with the wrong group of female terminal connectors. Taking into account the fact that an orientation and locking arrangement 110 such as has been described above includes orientation assemblies 111 and orientation and locking assemblies 112 associated with eachof the

side walls

42 and 42a of the housing 241, it will be seen that virtually thousands of orientation relationships might be set up, each requiring a characteristic angular relationship to exist with regard to the slot 123 and the inwardly extending car 15% before terminal mating can take place.

When a particular terminal connector and housing assembly 10 has been seated over a group 11 of female terminal connectors 12, for example, such that the correct male and female terminal connectors are mated in properly orientatedrelationship, the hold down screws 138 associated with each orientation and locking assembly 112 are screwed into corresponding standoff sleeves 12% associated with the mating orientation assemblies 111. As a result, of course, the housing 29 with its enclosed block 21 of male terminal connectors 22 is rigidly but removably mounted on the connector plate. This relationship is best seen in FIGURE 1 where it will be noticed that the housing assemblies 1t) are mounted in closely adjoining relationship, as permitted by the characteristic clean surface configuration of the corre- This construction facilitates utilization of a great number of mating blocks and groups of termi als on a relatively small connector plate.

To remove a terminal connector and housing assembly 10 from the connector plate 13, the hold down screws 133 are first loosened to such an extent that the externally threaded end sections 147; of the screws are withdrawn from the internally threaded sections 124 in the standoff sleeves 12th. When this has been accomplished, a specially made tool is adapted to clamp into the undercuts 151 in the outer surfaces of the

side walls

42 and 42a and lift the terminal connector and housing assemblies 10 off the connector plate 13. This draws the male terminal connectors 22 out of mated relationship with the female terminal connectors 12, as can well be understood. The

specially designed tool which is adapted to remove the assemblies'lt) from the connector plate 13 forms no part of this invention, however, and consequently is not illustrated 0r described.

It should be recognized that a terminal connector and housing assembly 16 has been described which affords superiorprotection to blocks and groups of terminal connectors as well as to the wire or cable leads associated therewith. The housing construction can readly be varied to accommodate virtually any size' terminal'block containing any number of terminal connectors and also adapted for various types and arrangements of wire or cable leads. Blocks of terminal connectors can easily and quickly be inserted in and removed from the housing 2% in an expeditious manner and, of course, can only be inserted in properly orientated relationship. A minimum number of relatively simple parts make up the housing and these can be mass produced at a relatively low cost. a V

The housing itself is adapted to be mounted on the connector plate in rigid but removable relationship. The mating of the correct terminal connector block inside a housing with the proper group of terminals in a connector plate is assured by the unique housing construction and associated locking and orientation arrangement. In this light, the correct block of male terminals, for example,

cannot be mated in misorientated relationship with a correspondingly proper group of female terminals.

While several embodiments described herein 1 are at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A housing and terminal block assembly wherein the block includes a terminal board and a plurality of terminal connectors mounted thereon having electrical lead means extending therefrom and the terminal connectors are adapted to be connected with a mating group of terminal connectors in a connector plate, comprising; a wall assembly forming three walls of said housing, a terminal block with a notch in one of its ends, two of said walls extending generally parallel to each other in opposed relationship, mounting grooves formed in the opposed inner surfaces of said two walls and slidably receiving the terminal block, the mounting groove associated with one of said two walls receiving said notched end of the terminal block so as to permit insertion of V the terminal block within said housing only in predetermined orientated relationship, and a cover plate removably secured to said two walls so as to retain the terminal block within said housing and form a fourth wall of said housing.

ship on the connector plate, said orientation and locking arrangement including a tubular sleeve adapted to be fixed on a plate, a passage extending upwardly through one of said two walls for receiving said sleeve, hold-down means extending through said passage for cooperating with said sleeve to lock said housing on the plate, and orientation means in said passage for cooperating with a slot formed in said sleeve to assure that the terminal connectors on the terminal block can only beseated in mating relationship with a predetermined group of terminal connectors on the connector plate.

4. The assembly of claim 3 further characterized in that said orientation means mounted Within said passage includes a Washer fixed in said passage and having a radially inwardly extending ear formed thereon for mating with said slot in said sleeve.

5. A housing and terminal block assembly wherein the block includes a terminal board and a plurality of terminal connectors mounted thereon having electrical lead means extending therefrom and the terminal connectors are adapted to be connected with a mating group of terminal connectors in a connector plate, comprising; a terminal block, a wall assembly forming three walls of said housing, two of said walls extending generally parallel to each other in opposed relationship, each of said two walls comprising a relatively thick block of material having a substantially fiat outer surface and an irregular inner surface, a mounting groove formed in said inner surface of each of said two walls and slidably receiving one end terminal block within said housing only in predetermined orientated relationship, said opposed irregular inner surfaces of said relatively thick blocks of material forming said two walls having slots formed therein positioned in bracketing relationship with the juncture of the terminal connectors and lead means, and a cover plate removably secured to said two walls so as to retain the terminal block within said housing and form a fourth wall of said housmg.

6. The assembly of claim 5 further characterized in that said relatively thick blocks of material forming said two walls are fabricated of extruded aluminum stock so that said slots in said irregular inner surfaces extend uniformly across the width of said blocks, and undercut means in said substantially fiat outer surfaces of said two Walls and extending across the width thereof for receiving insertion and removal tool means.

iteierenees Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,189,874 2/40 Ziganke.

2,611,460 9/52 Nash.

2,659,872 11/53 Gilbert 339184 X 2,754,453 7/56 Noell 317-401 2,887,525 5/59 Lewus 174-52 2,938,200 5/60 Dupree 339-184 X 2,94,724 12/60 Fox 339 3,004,236 10/61 Dickenson et al. 339186 X 3,056,942 10/62 Carbaugh et al. 339-92 DARRELL L. CLAY, Acting Primary Examiner. JOHN P. W'iLDMAN, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,180,921 April 27, 1965 Alex Just et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 73, for "secured" read assured column 5, line 8, for "nut" read nuts column 8, line 70, for "grooves" read groove Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Alwst:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attcsting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A HOUSING AND TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY WHEREIN THE BLOCK INCLUDES A TERMINAL BOARD AND A PLURALITY OF TERMINAL CONNECTORS MOUNTED THEREON HAVING ELECTRICAL LEAD MEANS EXTENDING THEREFROM AND THE TERMINAL CONNECTORS AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED WITH A MATING GROUP OF TERMINAL CONNECTORS IN A CONNECTOR PLATE, COMPRISING; A WALL ASSEMBLY FORMING THREE WALLS OF SAID HOUSING, A TERMINAL BLOCK WITH A NOTCH IN ONE OF ITS ENDS, TWO OF SAID WALLS EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP, MOUNTING GROOVES FORMED IN THE OPPOSED INNER SURFACES OF SAID TWO WALLS AND SLIDABLY RECEIVING THE TERMINAL BLOCK, THE MOUNTING GROOVE ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF SAID TWO WALLS RECEIVING SAID NOTCHED END OF THE TERMINAL BLOCK SO AS TO PERMIT INSERTION OF THE TERMINAL BLOCK WITHIN SAID HOUSING ONLY IN PREDETERMINED ORIENTATED RELATIONSHIP, AND A COVER PLATE REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID TWO WALLS SO AS TO RETAIN THE TERMINAL BLOCK WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND FROM A FOURTH WALL OF SAID HOUSING.