Mechanical and electrical connection between an extruded metal profile and a cast metal member

• US 4,961,712 A
• Filed: 10/18/1989
• Issued: 10/09/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schroff GmbH (nVent Electric Plc)
• Original Assignee: Schroff GmbH (nVent Electric Plc)
• Inventors: Joist, Michael, Gunther, Hans-Ulrich, Schwenk, Hans M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PIRLOT, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/423,047
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 439/387, 439/388, 439/860, 439/868, 439/883, 439/436-441, 439/98, 439/99, 439/92, 439/420
• US Class Current: 439/436
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0413 for tubes using the innerside thereof F16B7/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/17 with spring member on the pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/62 Connections between conductors of different materials; Connections between or with aluminium or steel-core aluminium conductors H01R4/68 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/927 Conductive gasket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical and electrical connection between an extruded metal profile and a cast metal member. The cast member is provided with a peglike projection which is adapted to the interior configuration of the extruded profile and is insertable into the extruded profile. In order to realize a connection which is reliable even under mechanical stresses, which does not interfere with the subsequent lacquering and burn-in processes and which, moreover, is invisible, the invention provides that a spring of a hardness greater than both the extruded profile and the cast member is disposed between mutually facing faces of the extruded profile and the cast member. Barbs are shaped onto the cast member so as to engage in both components.

Claims

1. A mechanical and electrical connection between an extruded metal profile and a cast metal member, with the cast member being provided with a peg-like projection adapted to the interior configuration of the extruded profile and insertable into the extruded profile, comprising at least one spring having a greater hardness than the extruded profile said cast member being disposed between mutually facing faces of the extruded profile and the projection, said spring including shaped-on barbs which claw into the extruded profile and the projection.

2. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the extruded profile is composed of an aluminum alloy.

3. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the extruded profile is configured as an open profile and is provided with undercuts for a form locking retention of the projection transversely to its insertion direction.

4. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the cast member is a zinc pressure-cast component.

5. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the casting slopes of the projection extend in such that in an region of the extruded profile, the projection is centered in the extruded profile and a play of the projection within the extruded profile increases toward the end of the projection.

6. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the projection is provided with a recess for accommodating the spring.

7. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance between the faces of the extruded profile and of the projection corresponding responding with the spring is larger than said spring when compressed into a block and smaller than the thickness of said spring when not under load.

8. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein due to its material and/or its surface coating, the spring is insensitive to corrosion.

9. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 8, wherein the spring is manufactured of a steel band.

10. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the barbs are formed by a plurality of open-edged recesses at least on one longitudinal side of the spring when seen in the insertion direction of the projection, with the lands remaining between the spaced recesses being rotated in the same direction about axes extending transversely to the insertion direction of the projection.

11. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 10, wherein the recesses are shaped in such that the tips of the barbs enclose an angle of no more than 90°

.

12. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 10, wherein the recesses are each bounded by a circular arc of at least 180°

.

13. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 10, wherein the lands are rotated relative to the spring by an angle of no more than 45°

.

14. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the spring includes a securing arm equipped with the barbs, a holding arm spaced from the securing arm and extending approximately parallel thereto and a connecting web connecting the securing arm with the holding arm.

15. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 14, wherein the spring is pushed onto the projection of the cast member in a locking manner and thereafter the projection together with the spring is inserted into the extruded profile.

16. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 1, wherein the cast member is provided with projections at both ends, the projections extending in the same direction at a right angle from a basic body.

17. A mechanical and electrical connection as defined in claim 12, wherein said angle is between 10°

and 30°

.