ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY CONNECTORS

Description

[0001] This invention relates to electrical conductivity connectors and has particular, but not exclusive, application to metal enclosures for housing electrical or electronic equipment, of the form comprising a skeleton frame structure with a plurality of panels secured thereto. Such enclosures, often called 'racks', may be adapted to be wall-mounted, or may be free-standing.

[0002] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical conductivity connector comprises a conductive member for connection to a metal enclosure of multi-panel form, a plurality of leads, each lead being permanently secured at one end thereof to the conductive member, and each lead being provided at the opposite end thereof with respective attachment means for electrically connecting the conductive member to a respective panel or frame member of the enclosure, the attachment means each carrying a respective captive fastener.

[0003] Such conductivity connectors allow conductivity to be established throughout the metal enclosure.

[0004] The conductive member is preferably of planar form, with a fixing hole, enabling the conductive member to be fixed to the enclosure frame, (or other suitable part of the structure), by use of a screw, or onto a stud.

[0005] The respective first ends of the leads are preferably secured to the periphery of the conductive member, which is preferably provided with laterally spaced-apart pairs of integral clamping jaws.

[0006] Although the captive fastener could be a screw, preferably the fastener is a nut assembly.

[0007] Each captive nut assembly preferably comprises a nut provided with an integral axial extension of reduced lateral dimensions compared with the diameter of the nut, the axial extension extending through a hole in a connector tag and being captively connected at the free end thereof to a washer positioned on the opposite side of the tag from the nut.

[0008] Preferably the connection between the free end of the axial extension and the washer, and the dimensions of the axial extension, are arranged such that, on initial supply of the conductivity connector, the nut is capable of being turned freely relative to the washer and tag, to reduce the tendency of the tag from being turned round when the nut is tightened onto the tag.

[0009] The axial extension is preferably an integral tubular extension of the nut.

[0010] The free end of the axial extension is preferably deformed radially outwards to define an annular retaining rib that is received in a counterbore to the bore of the washer.

[0011] The retaining rib is preferably formed by a swaging operation which is controlled to permit rotation of the washer relative to the axial extension.

[0012] The tag preferably carries a pair of clamping jaws by which said other end of the lead is secured to the tag.

[0013] The washer is preferably provided with gripping formations at least on the side that engages with the tag.

[0014] The invention, according to a second aspect, also comprises the combination of a metal enclosure and a plurality of said electrical conductivity connectors.

[0015] The combination may be of kit form whereby the enclosure comprises a flat pack.

[0016] Alternatively the metal enclosure may be supplied to an installer as a pre-assembled unit, but without connection of the connectors that are to be secured to removable panels. (The panels are generally removed during installation of the electrical/electronic items.) Said one ends of the leads are preferably pre-assembled to the enclosure, whereby the leads are available in the unit in the correct locations, ready for said other ends of the leads to be secured to the panels once the electrical installation has been performed, and the panels are ready for assembly to the framework.

[0017] We are aware of previous proposals for captive nuts on cables, for example in patent specifications no. US 5842894, FR 2758910A and DE 2606043A.

[0018] Further attention is drawn to document: REYNOLDS K: 'EARTHING FOR SAFETY & PERFORMANCE' DESIGN ENGINEERING,GB,MORGAN-GRAMPIAN LTD. LONDON, 1 October 1985, pages 93-94,97, ISSN: 0308-8448, which is considered to represent the most relevant state of the art concerning the invention of claim 1 and which discloses: an electrical conductivity connector comprising a plurality of leads for connection to a metal enclosure of multi-panel form, each lead being provided at an end thereof with respective attachment means for electrically connecting the leads to respective panels or frame members of the enclosure, the attachment means each carrying a respective captive fastener.

[0019] The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective, and of exploded form, of a metal enclosure for housing electronic components (not shown),

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of an electrical conductivity connector for use with the enclosure of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view in perspective, and partly in section, of one of the lead attachment means of the connector of Figure 2.

[0020] The metal enclosure 1 of Figure 1 comprises a skeleton frame structure 2 with a plurality of side 3, top 4 and bottom 5 panels releasably secured thereto.

[0021] The enclosure 1, which houses electronic (or electrical) equipment (not shown), is mounted on castors 6 so that it may be moved over a floor 7. The enclosure is demountable, having been assembled from a kit comprising a flat pack. The panels 3, 4, 5 may be painted.

[0022] Figures 2 and 3 together illustrate an electrically conductivity connector 10 comprising one of eight used to earth or ground the enclosure 1 of Figure 1.

[0023] The connector 10 comprises a conductive member 11 of planar form for connection to the frame structure 2 of Figure 1. The conductive plate 11, which is of substantially segmental form, has a substantially central hole 12, for demountably fixing the plate to the frame structure 2, by use, for example, of a screw, or onto a stud fixed to the frame structure.

[0024] Common ends 13a of the three flexible conductivity leads 13 shown, are firmly secured, by crimping jaws 14 depending from lugs 15 formed on the perimeter 16 of the plate member 11.

[0025] The other end 13b of each conductivity lead 13 carries an individual captive nut assembly 20 whereby the lead is demountably securable to a screw-threaded stud 21 mounted on the inner surface of an associated panel. (In this example, a side panel 3.)

[0026] The stud 21 is secured to panel 3 by welding 22 of the stud disc 21', and co-operates with a nut 23 which releasably clamps a lead crimping tag 24 disposed between the nut 23 and a captive washer 25. The washer 25, (see Figure 2), has serrated upper and lower surfaces 26, 27. The nut 23 has a serrated lower surface 23'. The lead attachment tag 24 has a fixing hole 28 in the tag ring 24' whereby the tag is received by the stud 21.

[0027] The external screw thread on the stud 21 and the co-operating internal screw thread on the nut 23 are not shown in Figure 3.

[0028] The nut 23 is formed with an integral tubular extension 29 the lower end of which has been deformed outwardly by swaging to hold captive the washer 25. Washer 25 is provided in its underside with a counterbore 32 to the main bore 33 of the washer, and the axial height of the deformed portion 31 is less than the depth of counterbore 32. The swaging of portion 31 is performed in a controlled manner such that on completion the nut, with extension 29, is capable of being turned freely relative to tag ring 24' and washer 25.

[0029] Once the nut 23 has been tightened on stud 21 to grip tag ring 24', the serrations 26, 27 on washer 25 and those on the nut lower surface 23' hold the tag ring 24' and nut 23 in a shake-proof manner.

[0030] The conductivity leads 13 may of varying length, in order to suit assembly requirements.

[0031] As an alternative to a captive nut assembly 20, a captive clamping screw may be used to demountably secure a lead 13 to an enclosure component.

[0032] When the enclosure component is a panel, an internally threaded boss could be welded to the panel to receive the screw.

[0033] For a typical enclosure, such as enclosure 1, the complexity of achieving earth continuity may be reduced from 84 to 8 components, using connectors 10 according to the present invention.

[0034] The enclosure 1 is provided with a good earth, as shown at 30 in Figure 1.

[0035] The invention also improves assembly by substantially eliminating the opportunity to wrongly assemble, or omit components.

[0036] Nuts 23 or equivalent components are preferably formed so that special tools are needed to mount or demount them in place.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the invention enables the preparation of the leads, the sub-assembly of the termination and the crimping of these components into a single assembly with the main attachment plate to be mechanised to reduce costs.

[0038] The integrity of the resulting assembly is also improved by practically eliminating the opportunity for the installer to misassemble or omit components.

Claims

1. An electrical conductivity connector comprising a conductive member (11) for connection to a metal enclosure (1) of multi-panel (3, 4) form, a plurality of leads (13), each lead being permanently secured at one end (13a) thereof to the conductive member, and each lead being provided at the opposite end (13b) thereof with respective attachment means (24') for electrically connecting the conductive member (11) to a respective panel (3, 4) or frame member of the enclosure, the attachment means (24) each carrying a respective captive fastener (23).

2. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conductive member (11) is of planar form, with a fixing hole (12), enabling the conductive member to be fixed to the enclosure frame, or other suitable part of the structure, by use of a screw, or onto a stud.

3. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the respective first ends of the leads are secured at the periphery of the conductive member (11) which is provided with laterally spaced-apart pairs of integral clamping jaws (14).

4. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the captive fastener is a nut assembly (20).

5. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein each captive nut assembly (20) comprises a nut (23) provided with an integral axial extension (29) of reduced lateral dimensions compared with the diameter of the nut, the axial extension extending through a hole (28) in a connector tag (24') and being captively connected at the free end thereof to a washer (25) positioned on the opposite side of the tag from the nut.

6. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connection (31) between the free end of the axial extension (29) and the washer (25), and the dimensions of the axial extension, are arranged such that, on initial supply of the conductivity connector, the nut (23) is capable of being turned freely relative to the washer (25) and tag (24'), to reduce the tendency of the tag from being turned round when the nut is tightened onto the tag.

7. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the axial extension is an integral tubular extension (29) of the nut (23).

8. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the free end of the axial extension is deformed radially outwards to define an annular retaining rib (31) that is received in a counterbore (32) to the bore (33) of the washer (25).

9. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retaining rib (31) has been formed by a swaging operation which is controlled to permit rotation of the washer (25) relative to the axial extension (29) prior to fully tightening of the nut (23).

10. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the connector tag (24') carries a pair of clamping jaws (24) by which said opposite end (13b) of the lead is secured to the tag.

11. An electrical conductivity connector as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the washer (25) is provided with gripping formations (26, 27) at least on the side that engages with the tag.

12. A combination of a metal enclosure and a plurality of electrical conductivity connectors as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein the combination is of kit form whereby the enclosure comprises a flat pack.

14. A combination of a metal enclosure and a plurality of electrical conductivity connectors as claimed in claim 12 wherein the metal enclosure is in a pre-assembled state suitable for supply to an installer, but without connection of the fasteners that are to be secured to removable panels, said conductive members being pre-assembled to the enclosure, whereby the leads are available in the unit in the correct locations, ready for said other ends of the leads to be secured to the panels once the electrical installation has been performed.

Ansprüche

1. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder, der folgendes aufweist: ein leitfähiges Element (11) zum Verbinden eines Metallgehäuses (1) mit Vielfachplattenform (3, 4), eine Vielzahl von Leitungen (13), wobei jede Leitung an einem Ende (13a) davon an dem leitfähigen Element permanent befestigt ist und jede Leitung an dem gegenüberliegenden Ende (13b) davon mit entsprechenden Anbringungseinrichtungen (24') zum elektrischen Verbinden des leitfähigen Elements (11) mit einem entsprechenden Platten- (3, 4) oder einem Rahmenelement des Gehäuses versehen ist, wobei die Anbringungseinrichtungen (24) jeweils ein entsprechendes unverlierbares Befestigungselement (23) tragen.

2. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, wobei das leitfähige Element (11) eine planare Form mit einem Befestigungsloch (12) hat, das die Befestigung des leitfähigen Elements an dem Gehäuserahmen oder einem anderen geeigneten Teil der Konstruktion unter Verwendung einer Schraube oder auf einem Zapfen ermöglicht.

3. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei die jeweiligen Enden der Leitungen an dem Außenumfang des leitfähigen Elements (11) befestigt sind, das mit seitlich beabstandeten Paaren von integralen Spannbacken (14) versehen ist.

4. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das unverlierbare Befestigungselement eine Mutternordnung (20) ist.

5. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 4, wobei jede unverlierbare Mutteranordnung (20) eine Mutter (23) aufweist, die mit einer integralen axialen Verlängerung (29) mit verringerten seitlichen Dimensionen im Vergleich zu dem Durchmesser der Mutter versehen ist, wobei die axiale Verlängerung durch ein Loch (28) in einer Anschlußfahne (24') verläuft und an dem freien Ende davon mit einer Beilegscheibe (25) unverlierbar verbunden ist, die an der der Mutter gegenüberliegenden Seite der Anschlußfahne positioniert ist.

6. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Verbindung (31) zwischen dem freien Ende der axialen Verlängerung (29) und der Beilegscheibe (25) und die Dimensionen der axialen Verlängerung derart ausgebildet sind, daß bei Erstlieferung des leitfähigen Verbinders die Mutter (23) imstande ist, relativ zu der Beilegscheibe (25) und der Anschlußfahne (24') frei gedreht zu werden, um die Tendenz der Anschlußfahne zu verringern, herumgedreht zu werden, wenn die Mutter an der Anschlußfahne festgezogen wird.

7. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 5 oder Anspruch 6, wobei die axiale Verlängerung eine integrale rohrförmig Verlängerung (29) der Mutter (23) ist.

8. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, wobei das freie Ende der axialen Verlängerung radial nach außen verformt ist, um eine ringförmige Festlegerippe (31) zu bilden, die in einer Gegenbohrung (32) zu der Bohrung (33) der Beilegscheibe (25) aufgenommen wird.

9. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Festlegerippe (31) durch einen Stauchvorgang geformt worden ist, der gesteuert ist, um eine Drehung der Beilegscheibe (25) relativ zu der axialen Verlängerung (29) vor dem vollständigen Festziehen der Mutter (23) zuzulassen.

10. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 9, wobei die Anschlußfahne (24') ein Paar von Spannbacken (24) trägt, durch die das gegenüberliegende Ende (13b) der Leitung an der Anschlußfahne befestigt ist.

11. Elektrisch leitfähiger Verbinder nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 10, wobei die Beilegscheibe (25) mit Greifausbildungen (26, 27) zumindest an der Seite versehen ist, die mit der Anschlußfahne in Eingriff gelangt.

12. Kombinationen aus einem Metallgehäuse und einer Vielzahl von elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindern nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.

13. Kombination nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Kombination in Form eines Teilesatzes ist, wobei das Gehäuse eine Flachgehäuse aufweist.

14. Kombination aus einem Metallgehäuse und einer Vielzahl von elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindern nach Anspruch 12, wobei das Metallgehäuse in einem vormontierten Zustand ist, der zur Lieferung an einen Monteur geeignet ist, jedoch ohne Verbindung der Befestigungselemente, die an abnehmbaren Platten zu befestigen sind, wobei die leitfähigen Elemente vorher an dem Gehäuse angebracht sind, so daß die Leitungen in der Einheit an den richtigen Stellen verfügbar und dafür bereit sind, mit den anderen Leitungsenden an den Platten befestigt zu werden, nachdem die elektrische Installation ausgeführt worden ist.

Revendications

1. Connecteur à conductivité électrique, comportant un élément conducteur (11) destiné à être connecté à une enceinte métallique (1) formée de plusieurs panneaux (3, 4), une pluralité de fils conducteurs (13), chaque fil conducteur étant fixé de manière permanente à une première extrémité (13a) de celui-ci sur l'élément conducteur, et chaque fil conducteur étant muni au niveau de son extrémité opposée (13b) de moyens de fixation respectifs (24') pour connecter électriquement l'élément conducteur (11) à un panneau respectif (3, 4) ou à un élément de châssis de l'enceinte, les moyens de fixation (24') supportant chacun une fixation captive respective (23).

2. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément conducteur (11) est d'une forme plane, muni d'un trou de fixation (12), permettant à l'élément conducteur d'être fixé sur le châssis d'enceinte, ou sur une autre pièce adaptée de la structure, par l'utilisation d'une vis, ou sur un plot de contact.

3. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les premières extrémités respectives des fils conducteurs sont fixées au niveau de la périphérie de l'élément conducteur (11) qui est munie de paires espacées latéralement de mâchoires de serrage en un seul bloc (14).

4. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la fixation captive est un assemblage à écrou (20).

5. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 4, dans lequel chaque assemblage à écrou captif (20) comporte un écrou (23) muni d'un prolongement axial en un seul bloc (29) ayant des dimensions latérales réduites par comparaison au diamètre de l'écrou, le prolongement axial s'étendant à travers un trou (28) situé dans une cosse de connecteur (24'), et étant connecté de manière captive au niveau de son extrémité libre à une rondelle (25) positionnée sur le côté opposé de la cosse par rapport à l'écrou.

6. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la connexion (31) entre l'extrémité libre du prolongement axial (29) et la rondelle (25), et les dimensions du prolongement axial, sont agencées de telle sorte que lors de l'alimentation électrique initiale du connecteur à conductivité, l'écrou (23) est capable d'être tourné librement par rapport à la rondelle (25) et à la cosse (24'), pour réduire la tendance de la cosse à être tournée lorsque l'écrou est serré sur la cosse.

7. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans lequel le prolongement axial est un prolongement tubulaire en un seul bloc (29) de l'écrou (23).

8. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, dans lequel l'extrémité libre du prolongement axial est déformée radialement vers l'extérieur pour définir une nervure de retenue annulaire (31) qui est reçue dans un contre-alésage (32) par rapport à l'alésage (33) de la rondelle (25).

9. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la nervure de retenue (31) a été formée par une opération de martelage qui est commandée pour permettre une rotation de la rondelle (25) par rapport au prolongement axial (29) avant un serrage complet de l'écrou (23).

10. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, dans lequel la cosse de connecteur (24') porte une paire de mâchoires de serrage (24) par l'intermédiaire desquelles ladite extrémité opposée (13b) du fil conducteur est fixée sur la cosse.

11. Connecteur à conductivité électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 10, dans lequel la rondelle (25) est munie de formations de préhension (26, 27), au moins sur le côté qui vient en prise avec la cosse.

12. Combinaison d'une enceinte métallique et d'une pluralité de connecteurs à conductivité électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.

13. Combinaison selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle la combinaison est sous forme de kit, de sorte que l'enceinte comporte un boîtier plat.

14. Combinaison d'une enceinte métallique et d'une pluralité de connecteurs à conductivité électrique selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle l'enceinte métallique est dans un état pré-assemblé, adaptée pour être fournie à un installateur, mais sans connexion des fixations qui doivent être fixées sur des panneaux amovibles, lesdits éléments conducteurs étant pré-assemblés sur l'enceinte, de sorte que les fils conducteurs sont disponibles dans l'unité aux emplacements corrects, prêts pour que lesdites autres extrémités des fils conducteurs soient fixées sur les panneaux une fois que l'installation électrique a été effectuée.

Drawing