# US 2018/0324963 A1 · Clamping module for securing to a support rail > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0324963 A1 - Document ID: US20180324963A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/773,817 - Filed: 2016-11-04 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-04 - Assignees: Selectron Systems AG - Applicants: Selectron Systems AG - Inventors: Christian WÄLTI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180324963A1 ## CPC - H05K 5/0204: {Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings} - H01R 9/2608: {Fastening means for mounting on support rail or strip (H01R9/2691 takes precedence; for switch or other electrical device H02B1/042)} - H01R 25/142: {Their counterparts} - H02B 1/0526: {locking or releasing devices actuated from the front face of the apparatus} - H05K 7/1474: {Mounting of modules, e.g. on a base or rail or wall} - H05K 5/0221: {Locks; Latches} - H05K 5/0226: {Hinges} - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02B: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER ## Abstract The invention relates to a clamping module for securing to a support rail, which has a housing, a bracing device and at least one retaining claw arranged thereon. The at least one retaining claw can be brought into a securing position on the support rail and clamped there by means of the bracing device, in order to detachably secure the clamping module to the support rail. According to the invention, the clamping module has a signal device, comprising at least one signal element arranged in the housing, which signal element can be moved along a predetermined movement path by placing the clamping module onto a support rail. Using the position of the signal element on the movement path, it can be identified from outside the housing whether the clamping module is correctly arranged on the support rail. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clamping module for securing to a support rail, the clamping module comprising: a housing; a bracing device; at least one retaining claw arranged on the bracing device, wherein the at least one retaining claw is movable into a securing position on the support rail for bracing there by the bracing device to secure the clamping module in a releasable manner to the support rail; and a signal device with at least one signal element arranged in the housing and movable along a predetermined movement path as a result of the clamping module being positioned on the support rail, wherein the position of the signal element on the movement path enables the ability to ascertain, from outside the housing, whether the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clamping module of claim 1, wherein the signal device includes two signal elements which enable the ability to ascertain a correct arrangement of the clamping module from outside the housing at two different positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clamping module of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal element is a signal pin one end of the pin projecting into a region of a surface of the housing when the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The clamping module of claim 1, wherein the bracing device includes a pulling element, on which the at least one retaining claw is pivotably arranged. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The clamping module of claim 4, wherein the bracing device includes a pressure-exerting plate, which butts against the support rail when the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The clamping module of claim 5, wherein, to secure the clamping module to the support rail, the pulling element is bracable against the pressure-exerting plate, whereby, at least one retaining claw is braced on the support rail. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The clamping module of claim 6, wherein the pulling element is braced against the pressure-exerting plate by a tensioning element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clamping module of claim 1, wherein the support rail is a top-hat rail. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The clamping module of claim 1, wherein the housing contains electronic components. ### Claim 10 A module system comprising: a plurality of electronic modules arranged beside one another on a support rail; and a clamping module for securing to the support rail, wherein the clamping module includes a housing, a bracing device, at least one retaining claw arranged on the bracing device, wherein the at least one retaining claw is movable into a securing position on the support rail for bracing there by the bracing device to secure the clamping module in a releasable manner to the support rail, and a signal device with at least one signal element arranged in the housing and movable along a predetermined movement path as a result of the clamping module being positioned on the support rail, wherein the position of the signal element on the movement path enables the ability to ascertain, from outside the housing, whether the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail, wherein the clamping module is arranged on at least one side of the electronic modules arranged beside one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The clamping module of claim 7, wherein the tensioning element is a tightening screw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the signal device includes two signal elements which enable the ability to ascertain a correct arrangement of the clamping module from outside the housing at two different positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one signal element is a signal pin one end of the pin projecting into a region of a surface of the housing when the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the bracing device includes a pulling element, on which the at least one retaining claw is pivotably arranged. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the bracing device includes a pressure-exerting plate, which butts against the support rail when the clamping module is arranged correctly on the support rail. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein, to secure the clamping module to the support rail, the pulling element is bracable against the pressure-exerting plate, whereby, at least one retaining claw is braced on the support rail. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the pulling element is braced against the pressure-exerting plate by a tensioning element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the support rail is a top-hat rail. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the housing contains electronic components. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the tensioning element is a tightening screw.