[0001] The present invention generally relates to branch connectors designed for establishing
an electrical connection between a first cable, or feeder cable, which cable is generally
already installed, and a second cable, or branch cable, to be connected to said feeder
cable.
[0002] These types of branch connectors are notably used in the field of electrical connections
to a buried feeder cable in a building which must be supplied with electrical power.
A process is already known from American patent n°
US4527854 for connecting the bifurcation conductors to the cores of an electrical cable under
voltage, according to this process the cable cores are separated by a spacer part,
and contact parts provided with contact points, blades, or similar means, are connected
to the bifurcation conductors and are brought into a conduction connection with the
cable cores by a clamping ring, this process providing positioning of the contact
parts apart from the clamping ring in a predetermined common plane of a transverse
section of the cable, between the cores, the bifurcation conductors being previously
or subsequently connected to the contact parts, as well as the subsequent transfer
of the clamping ring to a position encircling the contact parts and the compression
of the cable cores against the contact parts by clamping together the parts of the
clamping ring.
[0003] The contact parts are retained by snapping into the predetermined positions by means
of the spacer part introduced between the cable cores. To this end, these contact
parts have feet shaped appendages made from electrically conducting material and which
are provided with the aforementioned blades, points, or similar means, whereas the
spacer part has a twin channel profile with longitudinal edges, the mutual distance
of which essentially corresponds to the width of the appendages.
[0004] This type of connector is preferred as it allows, due to the fact that the contact
parts snap into place between the conductors of the feeder cable, a maximum contact
zone to be targeted between the contact parts and the conductors of the feeder cable.
[0005] However, this type of embodiment does not take into account the fact that the conductors
(cores) of the feeder cable are, in practice, generally twisted, which means that
they do not extend parallel to each other and that, locally, they extend obliquely
relative to the extension axis of the feeder cable by itself. Consequently, when this
type of branch connector is used with this type of cable, the contact between the
contact parts and the conductors of this cable is far from being optimal, mainly due
to the presence of the spacer part which extends, in the assembled condition, between
the contact parts, over the entire width of the cable and along a certain length,
and thus hinders said contact parts from intimately bearing against the adjacent conductors
of the cable by following their respective inclines.
[0006] Furthermore, the clamping means implemented on this type of connector are relatively
numerous and some of them are difficult to access when the branch connector has to
be installed on a cable located in a trough.
[0007] Another connector which is as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and comprises branching
elements integral with the connector and which are placed above the conductors of
the feeder cable, is disclosed by
FR 2901415.
[0008] The purpose of the invention is to propose a branch connector of the same type, but
which has improved performance in terms of the electrical contact and which also provides
other advantages.
[0009] In general, the purpose of the invention is a branch connector for connecting each
of the conductors of a feeder cable to each of the conductors of a branch cable, including
two jaws made from insulating material, designed for placing the connector onto the
feeder cable and connected together by translation using clamping means designed for
clamping said jaws onto the conductors of the feeder cable, and several branching
elements designed for connecting the conductors of the feeder cable to the conductors
of the branch cable with metal contact parts designed for establishing an electrical
connection between a conductor of the feeder cable and a conductor of the branch cable
connected to the branching element, each branching element including a body, made
from insulating material, characterized in that the body has a projecting section,
which section is also made from insulating material, and by which the branching element
is designed to engage laterally between the two jaws in order to define a receptacle
with each of the adjacent jaws, which receptacle is designed for the insertion of
a conductor of the feeder cable, and a metal contact part per receptacle which is
partly superposed on said projecting section.
[0010] As the branching element is provided with a projecting section made from insulating
material to which the contact part is superposed, the use of a spacer part is not
necessary. In this way, the branching element allows the incline to be followed in
the best possible manner relative to the horizontal of the one or more associated
conductors, due to the fact that the principle cable is twisted, and as a result,
establishes an optimal electrical contact.
[0011] According to specific provisions, possibly combine:
- each branching element includes a secondary jaw also made from insulating material,
which jaw is mounted in a mobile manner to the body by means of second clamping means
and defines with this body at least one receptacle designed for the insertion of a
conductor of the branch cable.
- the first and second clamping means respectively include a first and a second threaded
rod assembled in a detachable manner in a cross wise layout and in that the principal
jaws and the branching elements are respectively engaged with each of said first and
second threaded rods.
- one of the threaded rods includes a means of passage for the other rod for assembly,
preferably that of the branching elements.
- the means of passage is an eyelet.
- the other rod is in the form of a bolt.
- the first and second clamping means include programmed torque limiting nuts, designed
to co-operate with the threaded rods.
- the branch connector further includes a vertical separator provided with means forming
a passage for each of the threaded rods.
- the separator has the general form of a wedge.
- the separator includes a longitudinal body tapering, viewed in a transversal direction,
toward its free ends.
- each branching element is mounted for free rotation on the associated threaded rod
and has a projection with at least one boss and the vertical separator has a recess
for engagement of an associated boss, configured so as to limit the rotation of the
branching element, preferably by 10° either side of a horizontal plane.
- there are two branching elements, each generally oriented at a right angle relative
to the principal jaws.
- each branching element defines, with its associated secondary jaw, two receptacles,
each of which is designed for the insertion of a conductor of the branch cable, and
in that it defines a receptacle with each of the principal jaws designed for the insertion
of a conductor of the feeder cable and, consequently, includes two metal contact parts
each interfering with a receptacle of the branching element and an adjacent receptacle
for the conductor of the feeder cable.
- each branching element includes a plate from which projects, on one side, two parallel
walls which together delimit two receptacles for the insertion of the conductors of
the branch cable and, on the opposite side, a projecting section holding the section
of the one or more contact parts designed to co-operate with a conductor of the feeder
cable, the plate being open for the passage of each contact part with a view to allowing
said part to interfere with an associated receptacle for the insertion of a branch
conductor via another section.
- each contact part has, as a single piece, a base extended by at least one tab extending
square relative to the base, both of which are preferably symmetrically disposed relative
to a median plane of the part, and the base, as well as the one or more tabs, includes,
on the sides opposite the parts, teeth for perforating the insulation of the conductor.
- the branch connector includes at least one block made from insulating material designed
to cover the perforation teeth of the one or more conductors of the branch cable and
to be perforated by said perforation teeth by the clamping force of the secondary
jaw.
- the branch connector includes means of intervention designed to elastically bias each
principal jaw toward its position for clamping a feeder cable conductor or each secondary
jaw toward its position for clamping a conductor of the branch cable, or even both.
- the means of intervention by elastic bias include, for each jaw, a plate performing
a spring function, which plate is perforated for passage of the clamping means associated
with this jaw and which is interposed between each jaw and the adjacent clamping means
acting thereon.
- with regard to the projecting section of the body of the branching element, the contact
part or each contact part is embedded in a hollow therein, the contact part and the
hollow having complementary shapes by which the contact part is retained on the branching
element.
- the branch connector includes means of coupling the first and second clamping means
to their respective jaws, preferably by a positive snap on connection and/or press
fitting.
[0012] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the
following description, provided by way of example, with reference to the appended
schematic drawings, wherein:
- figure 1 is a perspective view of a branch connector according to the invention;
- figure 2 is a longitudinal cut-out view of this connector, along line II-II of figure
1, the conductors of a feeder cable and a branch cable having been added highly schematically
by means of a dotted line relative to figure 1, whereas the foam blocks of the branching
elements have not been shown in this figure 2 for the sake of clarity;
- figure 3 is a perspective view of the clamping means and the plates which perform
a spring function, which comprise this branch connector according to the invention;
- figure 4 is a perspective view of a contact part of the connector according to the
invention;
- figure 5 is a perspective view of a branching element of the connector according to
the invention, without the jaw and contact parts which are normally fitted to this
element;
- figure 6 is a perspective view, similar to figure 5, with the jaw and the contact
parts fitted to the branching elements;
- figures 7 is a perspective view of a vertical separator also included in this connector;
- figure 8 is a side view of the aforementioned separator and of one of the branching
elements which is also included in the connector; and
- figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a branching element according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0013] In general, in the embodiments shown in these figures, and more specifically in figures
1 and 2, the branch connector 10 according to the invention includes two principal
jaws 11a, 11b, identical herein, made from insulating material, designed for connecting
this connector 10 to a feeder cable, connected together by translation using the first
clamping means described in further detail hereafter and designed to be clamped to
the conductors of this feeder cable; as well as two branching elements 12a, 12b, in
this case also identical and designed for connection of the conductors of the feeder
cable to the conductors of a branch cable.
[0014] Each branching element 12a, 12b, includes a body made from insulating material and
which has a projecting section 14a, 14b, which is also made from insulating material
and by which the branching element 12a, 12b, is designed to laterally engage between
the two principal jaws 11a, 11b, in order to define receptacles with said principal
jaws, which receptacles are designed for the insertion of the conductors of the feeder
cable.
[0015] In the embodiments more specifically shown in figures 1 to 8, there are four such
receptacles, numbered 15a-15d, each of which is designed to receive one of the four
conductors 16a-16d of a feeder cable, schematically represented by the dotted lines
in figure 2.
[0016] This involves, for example, the conductors of a low voltage cable including three
phase conductors plus a neutral conductor.
[0017] In practice, these conductors 16a-16d form, in this case, viewed in a transversal
direction, four complementary sectors each forming a quadrant.
[0018] In addition to the body 13a, 13b, each branching element 12a, 12b, also includes
a secondary jaw 17a, 17b, made from insulating material and which is distinct from
the principal jaws 11a, 11b.
[0019] Each of these secondary jaws 17a, 17b is mounted in a mobile manner onto the body
13a, 13b of the corresponding branching element 12a, 12b, under the control of second
clamping means, described in more detail hereafter, in order to define, with this
body 13a, 13b, at least one receptacle designed for the insertion of a conductor of
the branch cable.
[0020] As there are four conductors 16a-16d of the feeder cable, in the embodiment described
and shown, there are also four conductors of the branch cable (refer to numbered references
18a-18d in figure 2) and, consequently, the secondary jaws 17a, 17b form a corresponding
number of receptacles 19a-19d with the associated bodies 13a, 13b.
[0021] In order to establish an electrical connection between each conductor 16a-16d of
the feeder cable and a conductor 18a-18d of the branch cable connected to the branching
elements 12a, 12b, four metal contacts parts 20a-20d are provided for the respective
electrical connections.
[0022] As can be seen notably in figure 2, the four contacts parts 20a-20d, identical herein,
are each partly superposed on the projecting section 14a, 14b of the branching element
12a, 12b to which it is mounted, with a view, on the one hand, to interfering with
a receptacle 15a-15d of the principal conductor of the feeder cable and, on the other
hand, interfering by another section, with an adjacent receptacle 19a-19d of the branch
cable conductor.
[0023] In the embodiment more specifically shown in figures 1 to 8, the first and second
clamping means include, respectively, a first and a second threaded rod 21, 22, assembled
in a detachable manner in the form of a cross and on each of which the principal jaws
11a, 11b and the branching elements 12a, 12b are respectively engaged. These first
and second clamping means include, in addition, programmed torque limiting nuts 23a,
23b, 24, in this case there are three nuts which are designed to co-operate with the
threaded rods 21, 22.
[0024] Furthermore, a vertical separator 25 is provided to co-operate with the branching
elements 12a, 12b, as described hereafter.
[0025] As will be seen hereafter, the intervention means designed to elastically bias each
principal jaw 11a, 11b and each secondary jaw 17a, 17b toward its respective clamping
position on a conductor, are also provided on the branch connector 10 according to
the invention.
[0026] In the embodiment more specifically shown in figures 1 to 8, the rod 22, to which
the branching elements 12a, 12b are engaged, includes means for passage of the rod
21, in this case being shown in the form of an eyelet 26; figure 3.
[0027] This is, more specifically, a rod 22 made from forged steel, threaded either side
of the eyelet, at each free end and along a length which is sufficient for clamping
each secondary jaw 17a, 17b with a corresponding nut 23a, 23b. These nuts are identical
and each is in the form of a base nut including a control head 27a, 27b connected
by a break section 28a, 28b to a base 29a, 29b, which base is extended by a tapped
shaft 30a, 30b, for screwing the nut 23a, 23b to one of the ends of the threaded rod
22.
[0028] Each shaft 30a, 30b is terminated by a collar 31a, 31b at its free end for assembly
of the nuts 23a, 23b and respective secondary jaws 17a, 17b by positive snap-on connection.
It can also be seen that each control head 27a, 27b has a polygon shaped section,
which in this case is hexagonal, for activation from outside, whereas it is internally
hollow in the extension of the tapped shaft 30a, 30b in order to facilitate its detachment
from the assembly formed by the base and the tapped shaft under the effect of a predetermined
torque.
[0029] The nut 24 has the same structure as that of nuts 23a, 23b and will not therefore
be described in further detail herein. It is, in the same way as these nuts 23a, 23b,
herein manufactured from steel.
[0030] In practice it is screwed to the other threaded rod 21 which is in the form of a
round head bolt extended with a square 32, figure 3, the function of which will be
described hereafter.
[0031] As can also be seen in figure 3, the means of intervention by elastic bias include,
for each principal jaw 11a, 11b, a plate 33a, 33b providing a spring function, in
other words, a flexible pressure plate, and which is interposed, to this end, between
this jaw 11a, 11b, and an adjacent clamping means, which clamping means for jaw 11a,
is the nut 24, and, more specifically, its base 29c, and for jaw 11b, is the screw
head 21.
[0032] In practice, each of these plates 33a, 33b, in this case manufactured from steel,
has a central opening 34a, 34b for passage of the adjacent clamping means which act
thereon.
[0033] This central opening 34a, 34b is located at the centre of a removable section 35a,
35b of the plate 33a, 33b, which is generally oblong along the length of the plate
and which originates from a stamp of the plate 33a, 33b, in order to apply its spring
function to each of these plates 33a, 33b.
[0034] Each of these plates 33a, 33b is also arched along its width so as to co-operate
in an optimal manner by pressure against the external convex contour opposite the
associated jaw 11a, 11b. The central opening 34b has a square section for cooperating
with the square 32 of the screw 21 and thus prevent the rotation of the screw 21.
The two plates 33a, 33b are identical, except for the central opening 34a, provided
to allow the nut 24 to pass.
[0035] It can also be seen that the collar 31c at the free end of the tapped shaft 30c of
the nut 24 allows positive snap-on connection of this nut 24 and of the body of the
jaw 11a by means of cooperating shapes (not visible in the drawings), with the advantage
of pre-assembly of the parts and, consequently, easier final assembly. As previously
mentioned, the same applies to the collars 31a, 31b of the nuts 23a, 23b, which collars
are designed to co-operate with the annular projections 36a, 36b each forming a snap-on
notch in a corresponding shaft 37a, 37b of each secondary jaw 17a, 17b. This shaft
37a, 37b internally extends, in practice, the central opening which is arranged in
the body of each secondary jaw 17a, 17b for passage of the associated nut 23a, 23b.
[0036] Similarly, in order to couple each principal jaw 11a, 11b to the round head screw
21, a tapered ring 38a, 38b, taken from a mould of material with the body of the jaw
11a, 11b extends axially in the central bore 39a, 39b of each jaw receiving the clamping
means (screw and/or nut) in order to co-operate by press-fitting with this screw.
[0037] Furthermore, the means of intervention by elastic bias include, for each secondary
jaw 17a, 17b a plate 40a, 40b also performing a spring function and which is interposed,
to this end, between the jaw 17a, 17b and an adjacent clamping means, that is nut
23a or nut 23b and, more specifically, the base 29a, 29b of each nut.
[0038] In order to complete its spring function, each of these plates 40a, 40b is also slightly
arched in an idle state.
[0039] It should be noted in this respect that the secondary jaws 17a, 17b are shown in
figures 1 and 2, during clamping, whereas the principal jaws 11a, 11b are shown in
the maximum clamping position, the position in which the principal jaws penetrate
a section at their level, in the space formed between the branching elements 12a,
12b, the threaded rods 21, 22, respectively receiving the principal jaws 11a, 11b
and the branching elements 12a, 12b form, to this end, a right angle.
[0040] It can also be seen that each plate 40a, 40b associated with a secondary jaw 17a,
17b is housed in a cover 41a, 41b arranged on the back of said plate, the flat base
of the cover forming a bearing surface for the plate. Each of these plates 40a, 40b
also has a central opening 42a, 42b for the passage of the associated nut 23a, 23b
and may be coupled to its jaw using a captive link (not shown on the figures).
[0041] In order to be able to perform clamping in an optimal manner, both the principal
jaws 11a, 11b and the secondary jaws 17a, 17b are each provided, for each conductor,
with sharp-edged curved blades, which, in practice, in the case of the embodiment
shown in figures 1 to 9, involves four parallel rows 43a, 43b per principal jaw 11a,
11b and four parallel rows 44a, 44b per secondary jaw 17a, 17b (on opposite sides
of the shaft 37a, 37b).
[0042] These blades are designed to perforate the insulation of these conductors in order
to prevent any progressive loosening associated with creep in the material.
[0043] Opposite these blades each contact part 20a - 20d has, figure 4, in a single piece,
a base 45 extended by two tabs 46 extending square relative to this base 45, at the
longitudinal ends thereof, by being symmetrically disposed relative to a median plane
of the part. Each of these tabs 46 includes, on the sides opposite the part, teeth
47, 48 for perforating the insulation of the conductor for which it is designed to
establish an electrical connection.
[0044] These teeth 47, 48 for perforating the insulation respectively interfere, to this
end, with the receiving receptacles of the corresponding conductors 15a-15d and 19a-19d.
[0045] More specifically, each tab 46 is provided with two parallel rows 47 of three perforation
teeth extending along the longitudinal edges of each tab 46, whereas the base is provided,
in the extension of each tab 46, with a row 48 of four teeth forming a cradle for
the conductor of the branch cable with which the tab is designed to co-operate, that
is, a row 48 at each longitudinal end of the base 45.
[0046] In order to prevent any contact with an element under voltage, in this case each
contact part 20a-20d, blocks made from insulating material 49a, 49b are housed in
the receiving receptacles 19a-19d of the conductors of the branching elements 12a,
12b in order to cover the perforation teeth, the selected insulating material being
foam so as to be able to be perforated by these teeth under the clamping effect of
the corresponding secondary jaw 17a, 17b (see figure 1, this is the only figure which
shows these blocks for the sake of clarity).
[0047] As can be seen notably in figure 5, with regard to the projecting section 14a, 14b
of the body of each branching element 12a, 12b, each contact part 20a-20d is housed
in a hollow 49 which is arranged in this projecting section, the contact part 20a-20d
and the hollow 49 having complementary forms by which each contact part 20a-20d is
retained on its branching element 12a, 12b. In this case this is, for each tab 46
of the contact part 20a-20d, a hole 50 arranged therein (see figure 4) and which is
designed to be engaged on a stud of material 51 projecting from the base of the hollow
49 receiving the tab and two lugs 52 with an oblique abutment surface, opposite each
other in each hollow 49, so as to laterally tighten on each tab 46. The studs, as
well as the lugs, are made from a single piece with the branching element 12a, 12b
from a mould of plastic material.
[0048] The plastic material which constitutes the principal jaws 11a, 11b of the branching
elements 12a, 12b and the vertical separator 25 is, in this instance, made from 6.6
polyamide loaded with glass fibres.
[0049] Each body 13a, 13b, and branching element 12a, 12b further includes, in order to
define with the secondary jaw 17a, 17b associated with the receiving receptacles 19a-19d
of the conductors of the branch cables, a plate 53a, 53b from which projects, on one
side, the projecting section 14a, 14b, having the section of the contact part designed
to co-operate with a conductor of the feeder cable and, on the opposite side, two
walls 54a, 54b extending along the longitudinal edges of the plate 53a, 53b and which
are connected together, at a longitudinal end, by a transverse flange 55a, 55b.
[0050] At the opposite longitudinal end a guide tab 56a, 56b projects from the plate 53a,
53b and extends parallel to these longitudinal walls 54a, 54b at half distance from
each of these walls, and connects to each of them by a cradle 57a, 57b for the conductor
designed to be inserted in the receptacle 19a-19d that is formed by the longitudinal
wall 54a, 54b, the transverse flange 55a, 55b, the plate 53a, 53b and the tab 56a,
56b, each cradle 57a, 57b being generally located in alignment with the two cradles
formed in the teeth 48 for perforating the contact part 20a-20d.
[0051] This guide tab 56a, 56b is chamfered to form a sliding guide rail for the associated
secondary jaw 17a, 17b which includes, to this end, an additional rib 58 projecting
from the base of a cut 59 arranged in the secondary jaw 17a, 17b on each side thereof.
[0052] Each transverse flange 55a, 55b has, similarly, a rail 60a, 60b for guiding the opposing
rib 58a, 58b of the secondary jaw 17a, 17b, and which also forms, by projecting on
the internal surface of this flange, a section of a cradle 61a-61d in addition to
those formed by the contact part 20a-20d and the tab 56a, 56b with the longitudinal
walls 54a, 54b.
[0053] It can also be seen, in figures 5 and 6, that the plate has, on either side of the
projecting section, four parallelepiped openings 62 per branching element 12a, 12b,
for the passage of each of the tabs 46 of the contact parts 20a-20d, which parts are
placed against the plate 53a, 53b by the base 45.
[0054] The branching elements 12a, 12b also have a central bore 63a, 63b traversing, from
one end to the other, the projecting section 14a, 14b and the plate 53a, 53b and exiting
at one of its ends in a well 64a, 64b projecting from the internal surface of the
plate 53a, 53b and, at its opposite end, in a flared end section 65a, 65b.
[0055] A rib (not shown on the figures) also projects from the internal surface of each
plate 53a, 53b either side of each well 64a, 64b. It extends parallel to the longitudinal
walls 54a, 54b in order to form an abutment surface for the base 45 of each contact
part 20a-20d.
[0056] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 8, each branching element 12a, 12b is mounted
for free rotation on the associated threaded rod 22 and includes two bosses 66 which
project from the projecting section 14a, 14b.
[0057] The vertical separator, which in this case is in the shape of a wedge, includes,
in an additional manner, according to figures 7 and 8, a recess 67 for engaging a
boss 66 on each of the two opposing branching elements 12a, 12b.
[0058] As can be seen in figure 8, each of these recesses 67 is configured so as to limit
the rotation of the branching element 12a, 12b, preferably by 10
0 either side of a horizontal plane.
[0059] The vertical separator 25 also has a general configuration in the shape of an H,
the ends of the lateral branches of which penetrate, during assembly of the branch
connector, the recesses arranged in the principal jaws 11a, 11b, one of which can
be seen in figure 1 and is identified by reference 68.
[0060] The longitudinal body of the vertical separator 25 which forms this H-shape also
extends, viewed in a transversal direction, toward its free ends, as can be seen in
figure 7, in order to engage in an optimal manner between the conductors of the feeder
cable.
[0061] Its median section which connects the lateral branches of the H-shape is formed by
two parallel spacers 69, from each of which projects a well 70 which extends toward
the opposite well.
[0062] These wells 70 are designed for the passage of the threaded rod 21, whereas the free
space between them allows the passage of the threaded rod 22 and, more specifically,
its eyelet 26.
[0063] The branch connector 10 thus produced may be installed, in general, by implementing
the following steps:
- 1. Removing the outer sheath from the feeder cable;
- 2. Separating the conductors of the feeder cable 16a-16d in a first direction and
inserting the vertical separator 25 from below, between these conductors;
- 3. Separating the conductors of the feeder cable 16a-16d in the other direction with
a spacer tool on each side;
- 4. Inserting a branching element 12a, 12b from the side, with the threaded rod 22
between the conductors of the feeder cable;
- 5. Inserting the other branching element 12a, 12b from the side between the conductors
of the feeder cable;
- 6. Inserting the lower pressure plate 33b and the threaded rod 21 and the principal
lower jaw 11b from below through the conductors of the feeder cable and the eyelet
26 of the threaded rod 22;
- 7. Installing the upper pressure plate 33a with the principal jaw 11a on the threaded
rod 21 and clamping the connector to the feeder cable by means of the nut 24, until
its control head is broken;
- 8. Removing a secondary jaw 17a, 17b with its pressure plate 40a, 40b in order to
install two connectors 18a-18d of the branch cable and subsequently reinstalling this
jaw and its pressure plate and lightly hand tightening by means of a nut 27a, 27b;
- 9. Following the same installation process with the other branching element 12a, 12b;
- 10. Tightening the nuts 27a, 27b until their control heads are broken.
[0064] This type of branch connector 10 notably has the following advantages:
- 1. Ease of installation due to a minimum number of nuts to be clamped, these nuts
also being easily accessible for tightening (no concealed tightening);
- 2. The total number of parts is reduced to a minimum, which parts are advantageously
preassembled by means of the couplings described above;
- 3. Most of the parts are identical due to the symmetry of the branch connector, the
advantage of which is a reduction in the manufacturing costs;
- 4. The optimal contact of the contact parts with the conductors of the feeder cable
due to the insert between them and the possible rotation of the branching element
allowing them to follow the incline relative to the horizontal of the one or more
associated conductors;
- 5. Balanced clamping due to the assembly of the principal jaws and the branching elements
on two threaded rods assembled in the shape of a cross;
- 6. Compliance with the "IP2X" safety standards, even when installing the branch connector
in the first instance onto the principal conductor, as shown above.
[0065] In summary, the branch connector according to the invention is both easy and quick
to install, cheap to manufacture and is safe for the installer.
[0066] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the form of an embodiment described
and shown, but encapsulates all variants for completion and/or combinations of their
miscellaneous elements.
[0067] In particular, the threaded rod 22 provided with an eyelet 26 may be replaced by
two screws each associated with a nut, as shown in figure 9. This shows this type
of screw 122 designed to co-operate with a branching element 112, similar to those
previously described, that is, which is notably designed to house two contact parts
120a and 120b and to co-operate with a secondary jaw 117. A nut 127 is also provided
to co-operate by clamping with the screw 122.
[0068] As a variant, this screw 122 may be arranged to co-operate via its head with the
jaw 117, whereas the nut 127 will be arranged on the plate side of the branching element
112, for example, in the form of a captive nut.
[0069] The vertical arrangement of this type of screw may also be envisaged by implementing
jaws arranged either side of a central plate receiving the contact parts and against
which each of the jaws will be clamped using the screw and nut associated therewith.
[0070] In other words, the screw and its nut will be arranged, according to this embodiment,
perpendicular to the arrangement which it occupies in figure 9.
[0071] Furthermore, each contact part will be produced, according to this embodiment, without
right angles. The contact part will be simply constituted by a strip of metal provided
with perforating teeth at both of its longitudinal ends.
[0072] In a further embodiment, the rod with the eyelet may have the form of two parts cooperating
with each other in the same way as a forked assembly.
[0073] Contact parts may also be envisaged which have perforating teeth which are of different
heights, or even asymmetric jaws for receiving conductors with different sections.
[0074] If a three sector cable is used, for example, provision may also be made for blocking
one of the receptacles.
[0075] In addition, the means of intervention may also have the form of spring washers.
1. A branch connector (10) for connecting each of the conductors of a feeder cable to
each of the conductors of a branch cable, including two jaws (11a, 11b) made from
insulating material, designed for placing the connector onto the feeder cable and
connected together by translation using clamping means (21, 24) designed for clamping
said jaws onto the conductors of the feeder cable, and several branching elements
(12a, 12b) designed for connecting the conductors of the feeder cable to the conductors
of the branch cable with metal contact parts (20a - 20d) designed for establishing
an electrical connection between a conductor (16a - 16d) of the feeder cable and a
conductor (18a - 18d) of the branch cable connected to the branching element, each
branching element including a body, made from insulating material, characterized in that the body has a projecting section (14a, 14b), which section is also made from insulating
material, and by which the branching element is designed to engage laterally between
the two jaws (11a, 11b) in order to define a receptacle (15a, 15d) with each of the
adjacent jaws, which receptacle is designed for the insertion of a conductor (16a
- 16d) of the feeder cable, and a metal contact part (20a - 20d) per receptacle, which
is partly superposed on said projecting section.
2. The branch connector according to claim 1, characterised in that each branching element includes a secondary jaw (17a, 17b) also made from insulating
material, which jaw is mounted in a mobile manner to the body by means of second clamping
means (22, 27a, 27b) and defines with this body at least one receptacle (19a -19d)
designed for the insertion of a conductor of the branch cable.
3. The branch connector according to claim 2, characterised in that the first and second clamping means respectively include a first and a second threaded
rod (21, 22) assembled in a detachable manner in a cross wise layout and in that the principal jaws and the branching elements are respectively engaged with each
of said first and second threaded rods.
4. The branch connector according to claim 3, characterised in that one of the threaded rods includes a means of passage (26) for the other rod for assembly,
preferably that of the branching elements.
5. The branch connector according to claim 4, characterised in that the means of passage is an eyelet.
6. The branch connector according to claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the other rod is in the form of a bolt.
7. The branch connector according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the first and second clamping means include programmed torque limiting nuts (24,
27a, 27b), designed to co-operate with the threaded rods.
8. The branch connector according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that it further includes a vertical separator (25) provided with means forming a passage
for each of the threaded rods.
9. The branch connector according to claim 8, characterised in that the separator has the general form of a wedge.
10. The branch connector according to claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the separator includes a longitudinal body tapering, viewed in a transversal direction,
toward its free ends.
11. The branch connector according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that each branching element is mounted for free rotation on the associated threaded rod
and has a projection with at least one boss (66) and the vertical separator has a
recess (67) for engagement of an associated boss, configured so as to limit the rotation
of the branching element, preferably by 10° either side of a horizontal plane.
12. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that there are two branching elements, each generally oriented at a right angle relative
to the principal jaws.
13. The branch connector according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterised in that each branching element defines, with its associated secondary jaw, two receptacles,
each of which is designed for the insertion of a conductor of the branch cable, and
in that it defines a receptacle with each of the principal jaws designed for the insertion
of a conductor of the feeder cable and, consequently, includes two metal contact parts
each interfering with a receptacle of the branching element and an adjacent receptacle
for the conductor of the feeder cable.
14. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that each branching element includes a plate (53a, 53b) from which project, on one side,
two parallel walls (54a, 54b) which together delimit two receptacles for the insertion
of the conductors of the branch cable and, on the opposite side, a projecting section
(14a, 14b) holding the section of the one or more contact parts designed to co-operate
with a conductor of the feeder cable, the plate being open for the passage of each
contact part with a view to allowing said part to interfere with an associated receptacle
for the insertion of a branch conductor via another section.
15. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that each contact part has, as a single piece, a base (45) extended by at least one tab
(46) extending square relative to the base, both of which are preferably symmetrically
disposed relative to a median plane of the part and the base, as well as the or each
tab including, on the sides opposite the parts, teeth (47, 48) for perforating the
insulation of the conductor.
16. The branch connector according to claim 15, characterised in that it includes at least one block (49a, 49b) made from insulating material designed
to cover the perforation teeth of the one or more conductors of the branch cable and
to be perforated by said perforation teeth by the clamping force of the secondary
jaw.
17. The branch connector according to any one of claims 2 to 16, characterised in that it includes means of intervention (33a, 33b, 40a, 40b) designed to elastically bias
each principal jaw toward its position for clamping a feeder cable conductor or each
secondary jaw toward its position for clamping a conductor of the branch cable, or
even both.
18. The branch connector according to claim 17, characterised in that the means of intervention by elastic bias include, for each jaw, a plate performing
a spring function, which plate is perforated for passage of the clamping means associated
with this jaw and which is interposed between this jaw and the adjacent clamping means
acting thereon.
19. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that, with regard to the projecting section of the body of the branching element, the
contact part or each contact part is embedded in a hollow (49) therein, the contact
part and the hollow having complementary shapes by which the contact part is retained
on the branching element.
20. The branch connector according to anyone of claims 2 to 19, characterised in that it includes means (31a - 31c, 38a, 38b) of coupling the first and second clamping
means to their respective jaws, preferably by a positive snap on connection and/or
press fitting.
1. Zweigverbinder (10) zum Verbinden jedes der Leiter eines Speisekabels mit jedem der
Leiter eines Zweigkabels, der zwei aus einem isolierenden Material hergestellte Backen
(11a, 11b), die zum Anordnen des Verbinders auf dem Speisekabel ausgelegt und miteinander
verbunden sind durch eine Übersetzung verwendende Klemm-Mittel (21, 24), die zum Klemmen
der Backen auf die Leiter des Speisekabels ausgelegt sind, und mehrere Abzweigungselemente
(12a, 12b), die dafür ausgelegt sind, die Leiter des Speisekabels mit den Leitern
des Zweigkabels zu verbinden, einschließt, mit Metallkontaktteilen (20a-20d), ausgelegt
zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen einem Leiter (16a-16d) des Speisekabels
und einem Leiter (18a-18d) des Zweigkabels, die mit dem Abzweigungselement verbunden
sind, wobei jedes Abzweigungselement einen Korpus, hergestellt aus einem isolierenden
Material, einschließt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Korpus eine vorspringende Sektion (14a, 14b) hat, wobei die Sektion ebenfalls
aus einem isolierenden Material hergestellt ist und wodurch das Abzweigungselement
dafür ausgelegt ist, seitlich zwischen den zwei Backen (11a, 11b) in Eingriff zu kommen,
um mit jeder der benachbarten Backen einen Aufnahmeteil (15a, 15b) zu definieren,
wobei der Aufnahmeteil ausgelegt ist zum Einstecken eines Leiters (16a, 16b) des Speisekabels
und eines Metallkontaktteils (20a-20d) pro Aufnahmeteil, der teilweise auf der vorspringenden
Sektion aufgesetzt ist.
2. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Abzweigungselement eine sekundäre Backe (17a, 17b) einschließt, die ebenfalls
aus einem isolierenden Material hergestellt ist, wobei die Backe mit Hilfe von zweiten
Klemm-Mitteln (22, 27a, 27b) auf eine bewegliche Weise an dem Korpus angebracht ist
und mit diesem Korpus wenigstens einen Aufnahmeteil (19a-19d) definiert, der ausgelegt
ist zum Einstecken eines Leiters des Zweigkabels.
3. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste und das zweite Klemm-Mittel jeweils eine erste beziehungsweise zweite Gewindestange
(21, 22) einschließen, die auf eine lösbare Weise in einer kreuzweisen Auslegung zusammengebaut
sind, und dadurch, dass die Hauptbacken und die Abzweigungselemente jeweils mit jeder
der ersten beziehungsweise zweiten Gewindestange in Eingriff gebracht werden.
4. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine der Gewindestangen ein Durchgangsmittel (26) für die andere Stange zum Zusammenbau
einschließt, vorzugsweise diejenige der Abzweigungselemente.
5. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Durchgangsmittel eine Öse ist.
6. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die andere Stange die Form eines Bolzens hat.
7. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste und das zweite Klemm-Mittel programmierte Drehmomentbegrenzungsmuttern
(24, 27a, 27b), die zum Zusammenwirken mit den Gewindestangen ausgelegt sind, einschließen.
8. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er ferner ein vertikales Trennstück (25) einschließt, versehen mit Mitteln, die einen
Durchgang für jede der Gewindestangen bilden.
9. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Trennstück die allgemeine Form eines Keils hat.
10. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Trennstück einen Längskorpus einschließt, der sich, gesehen in einer Querrichtung,
zu seinen freien Enden hin verjüngt.
11. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Abzweigungselement zur freien Drehung auf der zugeordneten Gewindestange angebracht
ist und einen Vorsprung mit wenigstens einer Nase (66) hat und das vertikale Trennstück
eine Aussparung (67) zum Eingriff einer zugeordneten Nase hat, so konfiguriert, dass
die Drehung des Abzweigungselements, vorzugsweise um 10° auf jeder Seite einer horizontalen
Ebene, begrenzt wird.
12. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es zwei Abzweigungselemente gibt, wobei jedes im Allgemeinen in einem rechten Winkel
im Verhältnis zu dem Hauptbacken ausgerichtet ist.
13. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Abzweigungselement, mit seiner zugeordneten sekundären Backe, zwei Aufnahmeteile
definiert, deren jeder zum Einstecken eines Leiters des Zweigkabels ausgelegt ist,
und dadurch, dass es mit jeder der Hauptbacken einen Aufnahmeteil definiert, der zum
Einstecken eines Leiters des Speisekabels ausgelegt ist, und demzufolge zwei Metallkontaktteile
einschließt, die sich jeder mit einem Aufnahmeteil des Abzweigungselements und einem
benachbarten Aufnahmeteil für den Leiter des Speisekabels überlagern.
14. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Abzweigungselement eine Platte (53a, 53b) einschließt, von der aus, auf der
einen Seite, zwei parallele Wände (54a, 54b) vorspringen, die zusammen zwei Aufnahmeteile
zum Einstecken der Leiter des Zweigkabels begrenzen, und, auf der gegenüberliegenden
Seite, eine vorspringende Sektion (14a, 14b), welche die Sektion der einen oder mehreren
Kontaktteile hält, dafür ausgelegt, mit einem Leiter des Speisekabels zusammenzuwirken,
wobei die Platte offen für den Durchgang jedes Kontaktteils ist, im Hinblick darauf,
zu ermöglichen, dass sich dieser Teil mit einem zugeordneten Aufnahmeteil zum Einstecken
eines Zweigleiters über eine andere Sektion überlagert.
15. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder Kontaktteil, als ein einzelnes Teil, eine Basis (45) hat, die erweitert ist
durch wenigstens eine Lasche (46), die sich rechtwinklig im Verhältnis zu der Basis
erstreckt, wobei die beiden vorzugsweise symmetrisch zu einer Mittelebene des Teils
angeordnet sind und die Basis, ebenso wie die oder jede Lasche, auf den Seiten, die
den Teilen gegenüberliegen, Zähne (47, 48) zum Perforieren der Isolierung des Leiters
einschließen.
16. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er wenigstens einen Block (49a, 49b), hergestellt aus einem isolierenden Material,
einschließt, der dafür ausgelegt ist, die Perforationszähne des einen oder der mehreren
Leiter des Zweigkabels abzudecken und durch die Klemmkraft der sekundären Backe von
den Perforationszähnen perforiert zu werden.
17. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er Eingriffsmittel (33a, 33b, 40a, 40b) einschließt, die dafür ausgelegt sind, elastisch
jede Hauptbacke zu ihrer Stellung zum Festklemmen eines Speisekabelleiters hin oder
jede sekundäre Backe zu ihrer Stellung zum Festklemmen eines Leiters des Zweigkabels
oder sogar beide vorzuspannen.
18. Zweigverbinder nach Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel zum Eingriff durch elastisches Vorspannen für jede Backe eine Platte,
die eine Federfunktion ausführt, einschließen, wobei die Platte für einen Durchgang
der mit dieser Backe verknüpften Klemm-Mittel perforiert ist und zwischen diese Backe
und das auf dieselbe wirkende benachbarte Klemm-Mittel eingeschoben ist.
19. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, in Bezug auf die vorspringende Sektion des Korpus des Abzweigungselements, der Kontaktteil
oder jeder Kontaktteil in einem Hohlraum (49) in derselben eingebettet ist, wobei
der Kontaktteil und der Hohlraum komplementäre Formen haben, wodurch der Kontaktteil
an dem Abzweigungselement festgehalten wird.
20. Zweigverbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er Mittel (31a-31c, 38a, 38b) zum Koppeln der ersten und der zweiten Klemm-Mittel
an deren jeweilige Backen, vorzugsweise durch eine formschlüssige Schnappverbindung
und/oder Presspassung, einschließt.
1. Connecteur de dérivation (10) pour connecter chacun des conducteurs d'un câble d'alimentation
à chacun des conducteurs d'un câble de dérivation, englobant deux mâchoires (11a,
11b) composées d'un matériau isolant, configurées de sorte à placer le connecteur
sur le câble d'alimentation et connectées l'une à l'autre par translation par l'intermédiaire
de moyens de serrage (21, 24), configurés de sorte à serrer lesdites mâchoires sur
les conducteurs du câble d'alimentation, et plusieurs éléments de dérivation (12a,
12b), configurés de sorte à connecter les conducteurs du câble d'alimentation aux
conducteurs du câble de dérivation, avec des parties de contact métalliques (20a-20d),
configurées de sorte à établir une connexion électrique entre un conducteur (16a-16d)
du câble d'alimentation et un conducteur (18a-18d) du câble de dérivation, connectées
à l'élément de dérivation, chaque élément de dérivation englobant un corps, composé
d'un matériau isolant, caractérisé en ce que le corps comporte une section en saillie (14a, 14b), cette section étant également
composée de matériau isolant, l'élément de dérivation étant ainsi destiné à s'engager
latéralement entre les deux mâchoires (11a, 11b) en vue de définir un réceptacle (15a,
15b) avec chacune des mâchoires adjacentes, ce réceptacle étant adapté pour l'insertion
d'un conducteur (16a-16d) du câble d'alimentation, et d'une partie de contact métallique
(20a-20d) par réceptacle, superposée en partie à ladite partie en saillie.
2. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de dérivation englobe une mâchoire secondaire (17a, 17b), composée
également de matériau isolant, cette mâchoire étant montée de manière mobile sur le
corps par l'intermédiaire de deuxièmes moyens de serrage (22, 27a, 27b) et définissant
avec ce corps au moins un réceptacle (19a-19d) adapté pour l'insertion d'un conducteur
du câble de dérivation.
3. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les premier et deuxième moyens de serrage englobent respectivement des première et
deuxième tiges filetées (21, 22) assemblées de manière détachable dans une configuration
croisée, et en ce que les mâchoires principales et les éléments de dérivation sont respectivement engagés
dans chacune desdites première et deuxième tiges filetées.
4. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'une des tiges filetées englobe un moyen de passage (26) pour l'autre tige, en vue
de l'assemblage, de préférence celui des éléments de dérivation.
5. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de passage est un oeillet.
6. Connecteur de dérivation selon les revendications 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que l'autre tige a la forme d'un boulon.
7. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les premier et deuxième moyens de serrage englobent des écrous de limitation du couple
programmés (24, 27a, 27b) destinés à coopérer avec les tiges filetées.
8. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il englobe en outre un séparateur vertical (25), comportant un moyen formant un passage
pour chacune des tiges filetées.
9. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que le séparateur a une forme générale en coin.
10. Connecteur de dérivation selon les revendications 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que le séparateur englobe un corps longitudinal effilé vers ses extrémités libres, vu
dans une direction transversale.
11. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de dérivation est monté en vue d'une rotation libre sur la tige filetée
associée, et comporte une saillie avec au moins un bossage (66), le séparateur vertical
comportant un évidement (67) en vue de l'engagement dans un bossage associé, configuré
de sorte à limiter la rotation de l'élément de dérivation, de préférence de 10° de
chaque côté d'un plan horizontal.
12. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte deux éléments de dérivation, chacun étant en général orienté à angle droit
par rapport aux mâchoires principales.
13. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 12, caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de dérivation définit, avec sa mâchoire secondaire associée, deux
réceptacles, chacun étant destiné à l'insertion d'un conducteur du câble de dérivation,
et en ce qu'il définit un réceptacle avec chacune des mâchoires principales, adapté pour l'insertion
d'un conducteur du câble d'alimentation, et englobe par conséquent deux parties de
contact métalliques, interférant chacune avec un réceptacle de l'élément de dérivation
et un réceptacle adjacent pour le conducteur du câble d'alimentation.
14. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de dérivation englobe une plaque (53a, 53b) de laquelle débordent,
sur un côté, deux parois parallèles (54a, 54b), délimitant ensemble deux réceptacles
en vue de l'insertion des conducteurs du câble de dérivation, et, sur le côté opposé,
une section en saillie (14a, 14b) retenant la section de la ou des plusieurs parties
de contact, destinée à coopérer avec un conducteur du câble d'alimentation, la plaque
étant ouverte en vue du passage de chaque partie de contact, pour permettre l'interférence
de ladite partie avec un réceptacle associé en vue de l'insertion d'un conducteur
de dérivation à travers une autre section.
15. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, caractérisé en ce que chaque partie de contact comporte, sous forme d'une seule pièce, une base (45) étendue
par au moins une patte (46), s'étendant à angle droit par rapport à la base, les deux
parties étant de préférence agencées de manière symétrique à un plan médian de la
partie et de la base, la ou chaque patte englobant, sur les côtés opposés aux parties,
des dents (47, 48) pour perforer l'isolation du conducteur.
16. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce qu'il englobe au moins un bloc (49a, 49b) composé de matériau isolant, configuré de sorte
à recouvrir les dents de perforation du ou des plusieurs conducteurs du câble de dérivation,
et à être perforé par lesdites dents de perforation par l'intermédiaire de la force
de serrage de la mâchoire secondaire.
17. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 16, caractérisé en ce qu'il englobe des moyens d'intervention (33a, 33b, 40a, 40b) configurés de sorte à pousser
de manière élastique chaque mâchoire principale vers sa position adaptée pour serrer
un conducteur du câble d'alimentation, ou chaque mâchoire secondaire vers sa position
adaptée pour serrer un conducteur du câble de dérivation, ou même à assurer ces deux
actions.
18. Connecteur de dérivation selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'intervention par poussée élastique englobent, pour chaque mâchoire,
une plaque assurant une fonction de ressort, cette plaque étant perforée en vue du
passage du moyen de serrage associé à cette mâchoire, et étant agencée entre cette
mâchoire et le moyen de serrage adjacent agissant sur celle-ci.
19. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 18, caractérisé en ce que, en ce qui concerne la section en saillie du corps de l'élément de dérivation, la
partie de contact ou chaque partie de contact est encastrée dans un creux (49) formé
dans celle-ci, la partie de contact et le creux ayant des formes complémentaires,
la partie de contact étant ainsi retenue sur l'élément de dérivation.
20. Connecteur de dérivation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 19, caractérisé en ce qu'il englobe des moyens (31a-31c, 38a, 38b) pour accoupler les premier et deuxième moyens
de serrage à leurs mâchoires respectives, par encliquetage positif lors de la connexion
et/ou par justement par pression.