WO2004027935A1

WO2004027935A1 - Coupling terminal of electric wire or telephone line

Info

Publication number: WO2004027935A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Sun Won; Sang-Joon Won
Original assignee: Young-Sun Won; Sang-Joon Won
Priority date: 2002-09-23
Filing date: 2003-01-02
Publication date: 2004-04-01
Also published as: AU2003202145A1; KR200297589Y1

Abstract

Disclosed is a coupling terminal for an electric wire or telephone line, which is improved in usability, safety, workability, etc., over conventional terminals. The coupling terminal comprises a body member (10), a brass plate (30) elastically supported by springs (20) inserted into recesses (14) of the body member (10), and fasteners (40) rotated around a pin (50) over the brass plate (30). The coupling terminal maintains a lead terminal (500) in satisfactorily fixed condition by engaging the lead terminal with a boss formed on the brass plate (30) and then hanging the fastener (40) in the lower direction.

Description

COUPLING TERMINAL OF ELECTRIC WIRE OR TELEPHONE LINE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a coupling terminal for an electric wire or telephone line, which is improved in its usability, safety, workability, etc., over conventional terminals.

Background Art

A terminal for an electric wire or telephone line is one of the most widely used parts. Such a coupling terminal comprises a lead terminal 500 having at one end thereof a connector formed with a hole 502 (shown in Fig. 8), and a fork -type lead terminal having a connector with one portion thereof opened. Several tens of coupling terminals, which are fixed by fixing devices 7 to a fixing rail 5 as shown in Fig. 2, are provided in a control box or a terminal box. Lead terminals 500 are connected to the coupling terminals as shown.

Up to date, bolts and nuts have been used when the lead terminal having the connector formed with the hole 502 as shown in Fig. 8 or the fork -type lead terminal having the connector with one portion thereof opened is connected to the coupling terminal. For home electronics, a method of engaging an electric wire by use of resilience of a spring is sometimes used. However, it is not in reason to apply this method to the coupling terminal for an electric wire or tele phone line, since there are some problems such as poor contact, disengagement of the electric wire, or the like.

In addition, the method of fastening the lead terminal by use of a bolt and a nut incorporates the problems as stated below. The structure of fastening the lead terminal by use of a bolt and a nut may result in the problem of bad connection or disengagement of the lead terminal when the bolt is loosely screwed. If the bolt is too firmly screwed, the screw thread or the lead terminal may be damag ed. After connecting lead terminals to several tens of coupling terminals and fixing the lead terminals by screwing the bolts, it is not visible whether the bolts are fully screwed. In that event, the quality of operation may be poor. Therefore, the problems, such as bad connection and fire risk due to the bad connection, cannot be resolved. Such problems will cause the inconvenience of reorganization and economic damages.

In addition, since the bolt that is fastening a lead terminal is exposed, short-circuit may occur at work due to the careless handling of tools or lead terminals. Therefore, it is highly likely that a safety -related accident will occur. Also, the problem of bad connection or fire risk exists in the case where the bolt is unscrewed due to vibration. If the unscrewed bolt is lost, the lead terminal cannot be immediately connected to the coupling terminal. Since bolts and nuts are exposed, the coupling terminal looks unstable and is not satisfactory in appearance. In addition to the problems above, use of bolts and nuts in fastening lead terminals requires a great deal of working hours, makes operation complicated, and deteriorates the efficiency of operation, since the bolts need to be unscrewed one-by-one and, before the bolts are screwed into the nuts, the lead terminals are engaged or the bolts are inserted into the connectors formed on the lead terminals. The operation of disengaging the lead terminals, which are held together with the coupling terminals, also deteriorates workabi lity and operation efficiency, since the bolts should be individually unscrewed.

Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupling terminal for an electric wire or telephone line, which enables a lead term inal to be simply, firmly, and securely fixed thereto and disconnected therefrom in one -touch mode by use of a fastener that is hinged from its vertical position into its horizontal position, instead of using a bolt and a nut.

To accomplish the object, there is provided a coupling terminal comprising a body member having grooves on its bottom, through which the body member is fitted to a fixing rail, having recesses for receiving springs on the left and right portions of a stage on the center of the body member, having a protrusion on the center of a vertical plate, which is connected and opposite to the stage, and having bores for receiving pins on the upper left and right sides of the top of the protrusion; a cover forming a set together with the body memb er in contact, having bores on a concentric line with bores formed in the vertical plate, and having grooves on its bottom, through which the cover is fixed to the fixing rail; a brass plate inserted between the protrusion and the stage in the body member, and bosses in the left and right portions on its top to be inserted into the connectors of lead terminals; springs inserted into the recesses formed in the body member to uphold the brass plate; fasteners for retaining the lead terminal in engagement with the bosses on the brass plate; and pins fitted into holes formed in the body member and the cover and holes formed in the fasteners in order to bear the fasteners.

The present invention further comprises protruding pieces on the left and right sides of the bores formed on the vertical plate of the body member in order to prevent the fixed lead terminal from being hinged in the upper direction. Recesses for receiving the protruding pieces are formed on the left and right portions of the cover.

The fastener according to the present invention is replaced by a fastener, which has a stopper on its bottom to prevent the fastener from being opened by itself. On the end of its plate body, the stopper has a round protrusion that is inserted into a round recess formed in the fastener. On its bottom, the stopper has a holder that is stopped by a protruding piece formed on the body member. The round protrusion of the stopper is inserted into the round recess in the fastener. The stopper, which is hinged in the lower direction, is maintained in its downwardly hinged position by a spring that is inserted into a spring receiving hollow formed on the bottom of the fastener. The fastener according to the present invention, which is stopped through the holder formed on elastic supporting pieces of the body member and the cover, cannot be opened by use of hands.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the applying state of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an opened state of a fastener according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a fastened state of a lead terminal by a fast ener according the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which a fastener fastening a lead terminal is restrained by a stopper. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing that the fastener of Fig. 5 is moved to its opened position by use of the stopper.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the structure of the fastener and the stopper used in an alternative embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a lead terminal that can be used in the present invention.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are schematic views of a coupling terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, which show a coupling terminal according to a basic embodiment of the present invention, a body member 10 has grooves on its bottom, through which the body member is fixed to a fixing rail 5. Since the same structure is also used in conventional coupling terminals, no further explanation thereof will be made below. The body member 10 can slidably run on the fixing rail 5 in the longitidinal direction of the fixing rail. Several coupling terminals, which are manufactured on&by-one, are fitted to the fixing rail and then fixed on the fixing rail by inserting fastening devices 7 on their both sides, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the coupling terminal according to the present invention in which a lead terminal 500 is fixed by a fastener 40. As well as the lead terminal, the other parts, such as a brass plate 30, are not exposed. The coupling terminal according to the present invention only exposes the fastener 40, which is assembled between a vertical plate 11 and a cover 60 of the body member 10, and a protrusion 13 of the body member 10. Since neither of the lead terminal 500 and the brass plate 30 is exposed, the couplhg terminal of the present invention is felt safe and stable. The present invention also provides a satisfactory appearance.

All constitutional elements of the present invention, such as body member 10, cover 60, fastener 40, etc., except springs 20 and 80 and brass plate 30, are made of plastic materials. Preferably, the same color is used for the body member 10 and the cover 60 and a different color is used for the fastener 40, so that it can be seen at first sight whether the lead terminal is connected (i.e., whether the fastener is in its horizontal position) or whether the lead terminal is not connected (i.e., whether the fastener is in its vertical position). However, there is no absolute reason for doing so.

The body member 10 has a stage 12 on its center portion and has recesses 14 for receiving on the left and right portions of the stage to receive springs 20. The vertical plate 11 has a protrusion 13 formed opposite to the stage, and the protrusion 13 is spaced apart from the stage 12 by a small distance. On the left and right portions ofthe vertical plate 11, bores 15 for receiving pins 50 are formed opposite to each other.

On the top of the brass plate 30 that is inserted in the horizontal direction between the stage 12 and the protrusion 13, bosses 32 are formed opposite to each other. The diameter of the bosses 32 is designed to allow the bosses 32 to insert into connectors 502 of the lead terminals. W hen the fastener 40 is in its opened position, the brass plate 30 is always held up by th e elasticity of the spring 20, which is inserted into the recess 14 in the body member. Therefore, the top of the brass plate will be in contact on its center portion with the bottom of the protrusion 13.

Since the fastener 40 is in the shape of "-_\ ," which makes it easy to move the fastener into its fastened position by use of a finger tip, the fastener 40 has a bore 42 for receiving the pin 50. The pin 50 received in the bore 15 of the body member and in the bore 62 of the cover 60 allows the fastener 40 to rotate around the pin 50. A set of the cover 60 and the body member 10 in contact with each other prevents the spring 20, the brass plate 30, the fastener 40, and the pin 50 from being removed, and maintains them in their place. If the spring 20, the fastener 40, the bass plate 30, etc. need to be replaced or repaired, they should be removed from the body member 10. Therefore, it is unnecessary to connect these elements to the body member 10 by means of bonding or screwing. Furthermore, the body member and the cover, which are assembled as a set on the fixing rail as shown in Fig. 2, are fixed and maintained in their place by separate fixing devices 7. Therefore, there is no reason for forming the body member 10 and the cover 60 in combination. It will be described how to use the present invention constituted as stated above.

Fig. 3 shows the fastener 40 in its opened position wherein the brass plate 30 is held up by the springs 20 and is contact with the bottom of the protrusion. In addition, the end of the lead terminal 500 is simply inserted into a gap formed between the fastener 40 and the boss 32 of the brass plate 30. Then, the boss 32 of the brass plate is inserted into the connector 502 of the lead terminal and the fastener is hinged in the lower direction at the same time, as shown in Fig. 4. By dong so, the fastener 40, which is hinged into its right -angled position, will be maintained in place while pushing down the boss 32 of the brass plate 30. While the brass plate 30 is still upheld by the elasticity of the springs 20, the top of the brass plate 30 under pressure from the fastener 40 is spaced from the bottom of the protrusion 13. The brass plate is kept between the protrusion 13 and the stage 12 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, the brass plate and the fasteners are in close contact with each other by the elasticity of the springs. The lead terminal that is engaged with the boss 32 of the brass plate is also maintained in its safe and fastened position. Accordingly, even if the present invention is subject to vibration or impact, the fastener 40 will be maintained in place. The lead terminal is not also deviated from its place or is not disengaged from the fastener 40.

Fig. 4 shows the lead terminal, which is fixed to the present inve ntion. When the engaged lead terminal is hinged in the lower direction as shown, it can be seen at first sight that the lead terminal is securely fixed. On the contrary, if the fastener 40 is in its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 3, or if the lead terminal is engaged and the fastener is in its vertical position, it can be seen at first sight that the operation has not yet been completed. Therefore, the present invention always makes it possible to immediately confirm whether the lead terminal is eng aged and fixed. When the lead terminal, which is securely fixed by the fastener 40 in its right-angled position, is intensively pulled by use of a hand in the direction of the fastener, i.e., in the upper direction, the fastener 40 is hinged in the upper direction and the lead terminal may be deviated from the brass plate. In order to avoid such a case, protruding pieces 16 are formed in combination with the vertical plate 11 of the body member. Recesses 64 for safely receiving the ends of the protruding pieces 16 are formed on the cover 60. The protruding piece 16 is formed on the place where the protruding piece 16 does not stop the lead terminal when the lead terminal is inserted over the brass plate and maintains the fastener 40 it its right-angled position when the fastener 40 is hinged in the upper direction as shown in Fig. 4.

After forming the protruding piece 16, the lead terminal, which is fixed as shown in Fig.4, will be stopped by the protruding piece even if it is intensively pulled in the upper direction. Since the fastener is unaffected, it will be maintained in a safer position.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to prevent the fastener 40 from being hinged in the upper direction as stated above, will be described with reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7. According to the alternative embodiment, a stopper 70 is assembled on the bottom of a fastener 40a. The stopper 70 has a round protrusion 74 at one end of its plate body, which is easily grasped by fingers, and has a holder 76 formed in combination on its bottom. The holder 76 is stopped by a protruding piece 16a. The fastener 40a has a round recess 44a for receiving the round protrusion 74 of the stopper. The fastener 40a has on its bottom a spring receiving hollow 46a for receiving a spring 80. Therefore, the stopper 70 is maintained in its lower position by the elasticity of the spring 80.

The stopper 70 as assembled and the fastener 40a in its opened position are shown in Fig. 6. After placing the lead terminal on the boss 32 of the brass plate, the fastener 40a is hinged into the same position as shown in Fig. 5. At the same time, the holder 76 grazes the protruding piece 16 and is fixed on the bottom of the protruding piece 16a. Therefore, the fastener 40a in this position can be opened if the holder 76 is disengaged from the protruding piece 16a by grasping the stopper 70 and the fastener 40a together by use of fingers. By doing so, the fastener can be maintained in a more securely fixed condition. Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show a coupling terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment relates to the structure that does not allow the fastener 40 to be opened again by use of fingers once it is fixed, i.e., the structure of completely fixing the fastener 40. According to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, elastic supporting pieces 18 are formed by forming longitudinal apertures 17 on the left and right portions of the bores 15 in the vertical plate 11. Holders 19 are formed on the upper portion of the elastic supporting pieces 18. In addition, holders 69 are formed on the upper portion of elastic supporting pieces 68, which are formed by forming longitudinal apertures 67 on the cover 60. Since the holders 19 and 69 are declined as shown, the fastener 40 is slidably moved in the lower direction without any difficulty as shown in Fig. 10. At this time, the elastic supporting pieces 18 and 68 are forced out. Therefore, the fastener 40 completely grazes the holders 19 and 69 as shown in F ig. 11, and the top of the fastener contacts and engages the bottoms of the holders 19 and 69. Since t he fastener 40 is completely fixed by the holders 19 and 69, the only way of opening the fastener 40 is to force out the elastic supporting pieces 18 and 69 by use of a driver, etc., and to hinge the fastener 40 into its opened position by use of fingers. Accordingly, the present invention provides the greatest safety and stability.

Industrial Applicability With the above description, the present invent ion firmly fixes the lead terminal by use of a fastener, which operates in one -touch mode, unlike prior art disclosing a structure of fixing the lead terminal by use of a bolt and a nut. Therefore, the present invention remarkably improves workability and operation efficiency. Also, the operation is expedited and accurately performed. Even if the present invention is subject to vibration and impact, the lead terminal is not deviated or removed. Thus, there are no problems, such as safe -related accidents, fire risk, public petition, etc. The structure of hiding the parts, such as lead terminal, brass plate, etc., prevents the problems, such as short -circuit that is caused by careless handling during the operation. Therefore, the present invention is saf e and is felt stable, as well as providing a good appearance. Therefore, its value will be added. In addition, since it can be seen at first sight whether the lead terminal is connected and fixed, the efficiency and accuracy of operation is remarkably improved.

Claims

1. A coupling terminal for an electric wire or telephone line, comprising: a body member 10 having grooves on its bottom, tlirough which the body member 10 is fitted to a fixing rail 5, having recesses 14 for receiving springs 20 on the left and right portions of a stage 12 on a center thereof, having a protrusion 13 on the center of a vertical plate 11, which is connected and opposite to the stage 12, and having bores 15 for receiving pins on the upper left and right sides of the top of the protrusion 13; a cover 60 forming a set together with the body member 10 in contact with the cover 60, and having bores 62 on a concentric line with the bores 15 formed in the vertical plate 11 and grooves on a bottom thereof, through which the cover 60 is fixed to the fixing rail 5; a brass plate 30 inserted between the protrusion 13 and the stage 12 in the body member 10, and having bosses 32 in the left and right portions on its top to be inserted into connectors 502 of lead terminals 500; springs 20 inserted into the recesses 14 formed in the body member to uphold the brass plate 30; fasteners 40 for retaining the lead terminal 500 in engagement with the bosses 32 on the brass plate 30; and pins 50 fitted into holes 15, 62 formed in the body member an d the cover and holes 42 formed in the fasteners 40 for carrying the fasteners 40.

2. The coupling terminal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising protruding pieces 16 on the left and right sides of the bores 15 formed on the vertical plate 11 of the body member for preventing the fixed lead terminal from being hinged in the upper direction, and wherein recesses 64 for receiving the protruding pieces 16 are formed on the left and right portions of the cover 60.

3. The coupling terminal as claimed in cl aim 1, wherein the fastener 40 is replaced by a fastener 40a, the fastener having a stopper 70 on its bottom for preventing the fastener 40a from being opened by itself.

4. The coupling terminal as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stopper 70 has a round protrusion 74 that is inserted into a round recess 44a formed in the fastener 40a, and the stopper 70 further has a holder 76 that is stopped by a protruding piece 16a formed on the body member.

5. The coupling terminal as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein t he round protrusion 74 of the stopper 70 is inserted into the round recess 44a formed in the fastener 40a, and the round protrusion 74 is maintained in its downwardly hinged position by a spring 80 that is inserted into a spring receiving hollow 46a formed on the bottom of the fastener 40a.

6. A coupling terminal for an electric wire or telephone line comprising: a body member 10 having grooves on a bottom thereof, through which the body member 10 is fitted to a fixing rail 5, having recesses 14 for receiving springs 20 on the left and right portions of a stage 12 on a center thereof, having a protrusion 13 on the center of a vertical plate 11, which is connected and opposite to the stage 12, having bores 15 for receiving pins on the upper left and right sides of the top of the protrusion 13, and having elastic supporting pieces 18, which are formed by forming longitudinal apertures 17 on the left and right portions of the bores 15; a cover 60 forming a set together with the body member 10 in contact with the cover 60, and having bores 62 on a concentric line with the bores 15 formed in the vertical plate 11, holders 69 on the upper portion of elastic supporting pieces 68, which are formed by forming longitudinal apertures 67 on the left and right sides of the bores 62, and grooves, through which the cover 60 is fixed to the fixing rail 5; a brass plate 30 inserted between the protrusion 13 and the stage 12 in the body member 10, and having bosses 32 in the left and right portions on its top to be inserted into the connectors 502 of lead terminals 500; springs 20 inserted into the recesses 14 formed in the body member to uphold the brass plate 30; fasteners 40 for retaining the lead terminal 500 in engagement with the bosses

32 on the brass plate 30; and pins 50 fitted into holes 15 and 62 formed in the body member and the cover and holes 42 formed in the fasteners 40 for carrying the fasteners 40.