Terminal block cover with guided probe access
AssigneeSchweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
InventorGordon J. Tassell, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover for a terminal block a cover for a terminal block includes a cover plate that may be disposed over a number of terminals of the terminal block. The cover plate includes a first surface, a second surface configured to face the terminals, and a number of access holes extending between the first surface and the second surface. Each of the access holes enables access to a respective terminal through the cover plate. The cover plate also includes a number of probe guides extending from the second surface of the cover plate toward respective access holes. Each probe guide includes a channel that guides a probe to an operating position that enables the probe to analyze the respective terminal.
Claims19
A cover for a terminal block, comprising:
- a cover plate configured to be disposed over a plurality of terminals of the terminal block, wherein the cover plate comprises:
- a first surface;
- a second surface configured to face the plurality of terminals;
- and
- a plurality of access holes extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the plurality of access holes enables access to a respective terminal of the plurality of terminals through the cover plate;
- a plurality of probe guides extending from the second surface of the cover plate toward respective access holes of the plurality of access holes, wherein each probe guide of the plurality of probe guides comprises a channel configured to guide a probe to an operating position that enables the probe to analyze the respective terminal of the plurality of terminals;
- a first perimeter support;
- and
- a second perimeter support configured to couple to the first perimeter support around a perimeter of the terminal block, wherein the first perimeter support and the second perimeter support are configured to retain the cover plate over the plurality of terminals.
A terminal block assembly, comprising:
- a terminal block comprising a plurality of terminals configured to be coupled to a plurality of wires;
- a cover configured to be coupled to the terminal block, wherein the cover comprises a cover plate configured to be disposed over the plurality of terminals, and wherein the cover plate comprises:
- a main body having a plurality of access holes defined therethrough;
- and
- a plurality of probe guides extending from the main body, wherein each probe guide of the plurality of probe guides comprises a guide structure, wherein the guide structure is formed around a respective access hole of the plurality of access holes at a first end of the guide structure and defines a guide hole at a second end of the guide structure, opposite the first end, and wherein each probe guide of the plurality of probe guides is configured to direct a probe through the respective access hole, through the respective guide hole, and into contact with a respective terminal of the plurality of terminals;
- a first perimeter support;
- and
- a second perimeter support configured to couple to the first perimeter support around a perimeter of the terminal block, wherein the first perimeter support and the second perimeter support are configured to retain the cover plate over the plurality of terminals.
A cover for a terminal block, comprising:
- a cover plate configured to be disposed over a first terminal and a second terminal of the terminal block, wherein the cover plate comprises:
- a main body comprising a first access hole and a second access hole defined therethrough, wherein the first access hole is configured to align with the first terminal and the second access hole is configured to align with the second terminal;
- a first probe guide extending from a surface of the main body toward the first access hole;
- a second probe guide extending from the surface of the main body toward the second access hole, wherein the first probe guide and the second probe guide are each configured to guide a probe to an operating position and retain the probe in the operating position to enable the probe to analyze the first terminal or the second terminal, respectively, for a duration of a measurement operation;
- a first perimeter support;
- and
- a second perimeter support configured to couple to the first perimeter support around a perimeter of the terminal block, wherein the first perimeter support and the second perimeter support are configured to retain the cover plate over the plurality of terminals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.