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US 2014/0179171 A1Published application
Universal mount contact block with reversible protected wiring terminals
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorsSorin I. Mortun, Rui Chris Zhong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reconfigurable contact block usable for at least DIN rail and panel mount applications. The contact block's wiring compartments have reversible wiring terminals and reversible, interchangeable protective covers. Lateral wiring ports in each cover guide inserted wires to the covered terminal, and an axially facing cover opening provides tool access to the terminal.
Claims20
A contact block comprising:
- a casing having an axially facing front end, an axially facing rear end, first and second opposite sides and internal switching contacts;
- a first wiring compartment located at the first side of the casing and having an open front end and an open rear end;
- a first switch conductor extending laterally into and substantially dividing said first wiring compartment into front and rear wiring chambers;
- an axially extending first wiring terminal in one of said wiring chambers connected to said first switch conductor;
- and
- a first cover removably attached to said casing over said first wiring compartment,
- said first cover including at least one lateral wiring port axially offset from said first switch conductor and an axially facing access opening near said wiring port, said first cover and said casing having substantially biaxially symmetrical mating portions that enable reversible attachment of said first cover to said casing in either of two orientations so that the wiring chamber in which said first wiring terminal is located is accessible by a wire through said wiring port and said first wiring terminal is accessible by a tool through said access opening.
4 more elements
A contact block for DIN rail and panel mounting, comprising:
- a casing having an axially facing front end, an axially facing rear end, a first side and a second side;
- first and second stationary contacts within said casing;
- a movable contact assembly that can be actuated from said front end for making and/or breaking an electrical connection between said first and second stationary contacts;
- first and second wiring compartments located respectively at said first and second sides, each wiring compartment having an open front end and an open rear end;
- first and second terminals located respectively in said first and second wiring compartments, each terminal comprising a laterally extending switch conductor electrically connected to its respective stationary contact and substantially dividing its respective wiring compartment into front and rear wiring chambers, and an axially extending terminal screw in one of said wiring chambers connected to said switch conductor;
- first and second covers removably attached to said casing respectively over said first and second wiring compartments;
- at least one attachment point at said front end for mounting the contact block to a panel;
- and
- at least one attachment point at said rear end for mounting the contact block to a DIN rail or a DIN rail adapter,
- wherein each of said covers comprises at least one lateral wiring port axially offset from its respective switch conductor and an axially facing access opening near said wiring port, and said covers and said casing have substantially biaxially symmetrical mating portions that enable reversible attachment of said covers to said casing in either of two orientations so that the wiring chamber in which said terminal screw is located is accessible by a wire through said wiring port and said terminal screw is accessible by a tool through said opening.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.