Electric distribution center

An electrical distribution center of the type in which at least one fuse element is adapted to be electrically connected to incoming and outgoing electrical wires and wherein plural fuse elements are adapted to be positioned in adjacent relation, each fuse element comprising:

• a support member having a defined periphery and a support surface;
• plural spaced grooves defined in and extending transversely entirely across said support surface, said grooves having generally rectangular transverse cross-sections;
• plural slidable conductors having rectangular transverse cross-sections slightly smaller than the rectangular cross-section of said grooves, each slidable conductor being positioned within a respective groove for slidable movement therein transversely of said support surface, said slidable conductors each having a length which is shorter than the length of said grooves and an underside facing into the grooves in which the slidable conductor is positioned;
• plural stationary conductors, one for each slidable conductor, each stationary conductor being disposed in slidable contact with the underside of a respective slidable conductor and extending transversely of said support surface to a length greater than the length of said slidable conductors;
• wherein said slidable conductors are each slidable to a position in its respective groove wherein the slidable conductor extends transversely beyond the periphery of said support member and into a groove of a support member of a fuse element positioned transversely adjacent each said fuse element;
• adjustable securing means for receiving respective further conductors slidably extended transversely from and beyond grooves in a support member of an adjacent fuse element and selectively pressing received further conductors into secure mechanical and electrical contact with said stationary conductors;
• and
• plural fuse holder means, each including an electrically conductive base member having means for selectively engaging said stationary and slidable conductors in secure electrical and mechanical contact.

An electrical distribution panel comprising:

• a support member having defined length and width dimensions;
• plural fuse holder elements secured to and spaced lengthwise along said support member;
• plural input power receiving terminals disposed proximate one end of said support member;
• plural spaced grooves defined in and extending transversely across the entire support member, wherein each of said fuse holder elements overlay a portion of a respective groove;
• plural slidable conductors, each positioned for longitudinally slidable movement in a respective one of said plural grooves, said slidable conductors each having a length which is shorter than the length of said grooves and having an underside facing into said respective grooves;
• plural stationary conductors, one for each slidable conductor, each disposed in contact with the underside of a respective slidable conductor, each stationary conductor having a dimension along said grooves which is greater than the length of said slidable conductors;
• wherein said slidable conductors are each slidable into a position in its respective groove wherein the slidable conductor extends transversely beyond the periphery of said support member and into a support member of a fuse element positioned adjacent each fuse element;
• and
• adjustable securing means for receiving respective further conductors slidably extended transversely from and beyond grooves in a support member of an adjacent fuse element and selectively pressing the received further conductors into secure mechanical and electrical contact with said stationary conductors.