Removable support plate and electric apparatus for a power distributor device

• US 5,046,172 A
• Filed: 07/06/1990
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telemecanique (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Telemecanique (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Moreux, Alain, Thierry, Jean-Pierre, Nourry, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory D.
• Application Number:
  US07/548,713
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 361/331, 361/332, 361/391, 361/393-396, 361/399, 361/413, 361/415, 361/417, 361/419-420, 361/429
• US Class Current: 361/601
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/16 Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/0565 by means of an adapter carrying one or more apparatuses holders with sockets H01R33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 5/08 Connection boxes therefor

Abstract

A power distribution device is disclosed for electric apparatus, comprising a set of power bars housed inside an insulating case mounted fixedly in the central cavity of a profiled rail and a removable support element having a flat bottom bordered by two parallel lateral flanges provided with a hooking device for removably fixing the support element on the rail. The bottom of the support plate carries the electric apparatus, as well as a connector pluggable on the set of bars and having guide cheeks permitting plugging/unplugging by a translational movement remaining substantially perpendicular to the plane of the set of bars.

Claims

1. Power distributor device which comprises:

(i) a set of horizontal bars;

(ii) an insulating elongate case housing said bars and provided with a plurality of orifices located opposite said bars;

(iii) a profiled rail comprising a web and first and second lateral flanges, said web and said flanges delimiting a central space wherein said elongate case is fixedly engaged;

(iv) a removable support element having two vertical parallel flanges connected by a flat vertical bottom, said bottom having a front face and a rear face bearing at least an electrical apparatus and said parallel flanges being provided with first and second notches for removable engagement of said first and second flanges of said profiled rail by engaging said first notches on said first flange and by effecting thereafter a transversal rocking motion of said support element so as to engage said second notcher and said second flange;

(v) a removable electrical connector mounted with a clearance on said front face of the said bottom, said connector comprising;

removable contact members pluggable on said bars through said orifices of said case and electrically connected to said apparatus;

means for guiding said contact members in a direction perpendicular to said bars so as to allow plugging and unplugging of said contact members on said bars, during the rocking motion.

2. Power distributor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom and said parallel flanges of said support element delimit an inner volume lodging a compression spring in the form of a U-shaped wire whose two ends bear on said first lateral flange of said profiled rail for holding said support element in an engaged position.

3. Power distributor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear face of said bottom is provided with a top-hat rail to which said electric apparatus is clipped.

4. Power distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said top-hat rail comprises two flanges respectively provided with a coaxial perforation through which passes an insulating tube serving as channel for electric control conductors.

5. Power distributor device which comprises:

(i) a set of horizontal power bars;

(ii) an insulating elongate case housing said set of bars and provided with a plurality of orifices located opposite said bars;

(iii) a profiled rail comprising two lateral flanges and a web, which delimit a central space wherein said elongate case is fixedly engaged;

(iv) a removable support plate having two vertical parallel flanges connected by a flat vertical bottom, said bottom comprising a front face provided with a retainer hook and a rear face which supports at least an electrical apparatus, said vertical flanges being provided with notches for engagement of said lateral flanges of said profiled rail;

(v) a removable connecting piece formed of a small plate which has, mounted laterally thereon, two claws and which is provided with an opening in which is engaged said retainer hook;

(vi) two lateral shafts, axially aligned and respectively engaged under said claws;

removable contact member pluggable on said bars through said orifices of said case and electrically connected to said apparatus.

6. Power distributor device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said retainer hook which projects from said front face of said bottom, is formed by a folded portion of said bottom.