Terminal block with retention features for a removable I/O module

An input/output device comprising:

• a terminal base adapted to be mounted to an associated support structure;
• a terminal block connected to the terminal base, said terminal block including a plurality of wiring terminals adapted to be electrically connected to associated input/output device field wiring;
• a latch comprising a latch body connected to the terminal block, said latch body manually movable to and between an unlatched position and a latched position;
• an input/output module connected to the terminal base adjacent the terminal block, said input/output module comprising a locking tab connected thereto;
• wherein said latch body, when in said latched position, engages the locking tab of the input/output module and captures the input/output module to the terminal block;
• and,
• wherein said latch body, when in said unlatched position, is disengaged from the locking tab to allow said input/output module to be disconnected from said terminal said input/output module is selectively installed on and removed from the terminal base by linear movement of the input/output module along a module insertion/removal axis;
• and,
• said latch body moves between its latched and unlatched positions in a reciprocal linear manner along a latching axis that is oriented transversely relative to said module insertion/removal axis;
• at least one module retaining projection connected to said terminal block;
• at least one corresponding retaining slot provided on the input/output module;
• wherein said at least one module retaining projecting is received in said at least one corresponding retaining slot when said input/output module is operatively installed on the terminal base, wherein said at least one module retaining projection engages said input/output module and prevents movement of said input/output module relative to said terminal base in any direction except along the module insertion/removal axis;
• wherein said at least one module retaining projection and said at least one corresponding retaining slot extend along respective axes that lie parallel to the module insertion/removal axis;
• wherein said at least one module retaining projection comprises:
• (i) a support leg that projects outwardly from an upper wall of the terminal block and that extends parallel to the module insertion/removal axis;
• and,
• (ii) a transverse flange connected to an outer end of the support leg that is spaced from the upper wall of the terminal block.

A terminal base for an I/O device, said terminal base comprising:

• a terminal block including a plurality of wiring terminals adapted to be electrically connected to associated input/output device field wiring;
• a latch provided on said terminal block, said latch comprising:
• (i) a slot provided on said terminal block;
• and (ii) a latch body located in the slot and manually movable to and between an unlatched position and a latched position;
• wherein said latch body obstructs said slot when said latch body is located in said latched position and said latch body at least partially withdrawn from said slot to open said slot when said latch body is located in its unlatched position.