Quick install pluggable terminal block
AssigneeSpeaker Snap LLC
InventorRichard H. Goren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A terminal block including a body, a plug, and a lever. The plug extends from the body to connect to an outlet. As the plug connects to an outlet, the plug is configured to receive an electrical pin and/or another conductor. In one example, the outlet and pin are part of an audio device. The body is configured to receive a wire and/or another conductor. The lever is configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the lever is configured to compress an internal spring to receive a wire. In the closed position, the lever is configured to release the spring such as to retain the wire.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a terminal block including
- a plug defining an opening configured to receive a pin,
- wherein the plug has a socket configured to electrically couple to the pin,
- a busbar electrically connected to the socket,
- a spring having a base resting against the busbar,
- wherein the spring has an arm with a leg that extends past the busbar and a fulcrum connecting the base to the arm,
- wherein the leg of the spring has an edge positioned on a side of the busbar that is opposite to where the base of the spring rests against the busbar,
- wherein the edge and the busbar define a gap,
- wherein the spring has a resting position and a compressed position,
- a lever configured to pivot to compress the spring to the compressed position,
- wherein the gap between the edge and the busbar becomes larger when the spring moves from the resting position to the compressed position,
- wherein the gap between the edge and the busbar is sized to receive a wire when the spring is in the compressed position,
- wherein the spring is biased to the resting position, and
- wherein the edge of the spring at the resting position is configured to press the wire against the busbar to electrically connect the wire to the pin.
A terminal block, comprising:
- a plug defining an opening configured to receive a pin;
- wherein the plug has a socket configured to electrically couple to the pin;
- wherein the socket includes at least two leaves oriented in an opposing manner to define a pin opening where the pin is received in the socket;
- wherein the leaves curve toward each other to form arches;
- wherein the arches of the leaves press against the pin when received in the socket;
- a busbar being configured to provide an electrical connection between a wire and the pin;
- a spring configured to selectively couple the wire to the busbar;
- and
- a lever configured to pivot to actuate the spring.
A system, comprising:
- a first terminal block including a first body, a first plug with a first socket, a first busbar electrically connected to the first socket, and a first spring configured to couple a first wire to the first busbar;
- wherein the first terminal block includes a first lever pivotally coupled to the first body to actuate the first spring;
- a second terminal block including a second body, a second plug with a second socket, a second busbar electrically connected to the second socket, and a second spring configured to couple a second wire to the second busbar;
- wherein the second terminal block includes a second lever pivotally coupled to the second body to actuate the second spring;
- wherein the first body has a member;
- wherein the second body defines a cavity;
- and
- wherein the first terminal block and the second terminal block is coupled together via the member being received in the cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.