Three-way terminal block construction

Abstract

 A three-way terminal block construction comprises a central body including a cover and a bottom, said central body defining a plurality of separate seats or recesses adapted to hold therein the respective clamp elements and electrical coupling elements for providing a connection between said clamp elements, thereby causing said clamp elements to be connected by pairs to define electrically connected clamp element pairs, each of said pair being electrically insulated from the other clamp element pairs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-way terminal block construction.

[0002] Terminal block constructions including a plurality of paired clamp terminals including an inlet and an output are already known.

[0003] Since two outlets must be herein coupled or connected to each clamp terminal, then it is necessary to introduce the end portions of two electric cables into the same clamp element or terminal.

[0004] This operation is a rather difficult one, since it is necessary to precisely hold in their target positions the two electric cables, while operating a respective clamping or locking screw.

[0005] Moreover, also the operation for removing one only of said electric cables is difficult, since it would be necessary to disconnect both the electric cables and then reconnect the remaining cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a three-way terminal block construction, which is very simple and easy to be used.

[0007] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a terminal block construction which is very reliable and safe in operation.

[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a terminal block construction which is constituted by a small number of component elements and which, moreover, has a very compact structure.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a three-way terminal block construction, characterized in that said terminal block construction comprises a central body, including a cover and a bottom, said central body defining separated seats for holding therein clamp elements and electrically coupling elements for coupling said clamp elements, thereby causing said clamp elements to be electrically connected by pairs to define respective pair of electrically connected clamp elements, each said pair of said clamp elements being electrically insulated from the other clamp element pairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the terminal block construction according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view, in an exploded form, showing the main components of the terminal block construction according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a further bottom perspective view showing the body of the terminal block construction according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the inner side or face of the cover of the terminal block construction according to the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a further top plan view of the outer side or face of the bottom of the terminal block construction according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the terminal block construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a central body 2, including a cover 3 and a bottom 4, and designed for holding therein clamp elements and electrical coupling elements for coupling said clamp elements.

[0012] To that end, said central body 2 comprises a base 5, including a plurality of separating elements 5, defining respective separated electrically insulated seat or recess for receiving said clamp elements.

[0013] More specifically, said separating elements 6 define a first group or set of seats, for the inlet clamp terminals 7, and two groups or sets of side seats for receiving the respective outlet clamp elements 8 and 9.

[0014] The clamp elements are herein advantageously constituted by nickel plated brass bush elements, each including a locking screw 10, made of a galvanized steel material.

[0015] The inlet clamp elements 7, in particular, are coupled to the respective outlet clamp elements 8 and 9 through the electrically connecting elements 11, made of a brass/copper material.

[0016] Said electric coupling elements 11 comprise small shaped bars or round rods, thereby providing each a longitudinal portion 12 extending substantially parallel to the base 5 of the central body, and two end portions 13, perpendicular to the mentioned base, and adapted to contact the respective clamp elements.

[0017] The base 5 of the central body comprises a plurality of slots or recessed portions 14, designed for housing therein the longitudinal portions 12 of the electric coupling elements 11.

[0018] The cover 3 of the subject construction comprises a plurality of holes 15 for accessing the clamp terminal screw 10 and inner lugs 16 designed for locking at their desired positions said clamp elements, as the cover is locked on the central body.

[0019] The bottom 4 of the subject construction allows to electrically insulate from the outside the electric coupling or connecting elements 11, by tightly closing the recessed portions 14 of the base 5 housing said electric coupling elements 11.

[0020] The terminal block according to the present invention can be used in a simple and easy-quick manner; in fact, it is sufficient to engage the end portion of each electric cable 17 in the respective clamp element and lock it by screwing on the locking screw 10.

[0021] As disclosed, each terminal or clamp element comprises a seat or recess and an independent screw for the respective electric cable.

[0022] If one of the two outlets or outputs must be disconnected, then it will be sufficient to affect the related terminal or clamp elements, without interfering against the other clamp elements.

[0023] It has been found that the present invention fully achieves the above mentioned aim and objects.

[0024] In fact, the invention provides a three-way terminal block construction, that is including an inlet and two outputs, which is very compact, and in the meanwhile is very reliable and safe in operation.

[0025] It should be apparent that the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A three-way terminal block construction, characterized in that said terminal block construction comprises a central body, including a cover and a bottom, said central body defining separated seats for holding therein clamp elements and electrically coupling elements for coupling said clamp elements, thereby causing said clamp element to be electrically connected by pairs to define respective pair of electrically connected clamp elements, each said pair of said clamp elements being electrically insulated from the other clamp element pairs.

2. A terminal block construction, according to claim 1, characterized in that said central body comprises a central body base including a plurality of separating elements defining separated electrically insulated seats for said clamp or terminal elements.

3. A terminal block construction, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said separating elements define a first set of seats, for inlet clamp elements, and two sets of side seats, for the respective output clamp elements.

4. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said clamp elements comprise bush elements made of a nickel plated brass material, each including a locking screw made of a galvanized steel material.

5. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet clamp elements are coupled to said output clamp elements through electrically coupling elements made of a brass/copper material.

6. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrically coupling elements comprise bar or round rod elements, so shaped as to define each a longitudinal portion, extending substantially parallel to the base of the central body, and two end portions, perpendicular to said base and designed for contacting respective clamp or terminal elements.

7. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base of said central body comprises a plurality of slots or recessed or groove portions, designed for housing therein the longitudinal portions of said electrically coupling elements.

8. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover of said construction comprises a plurality of holes for accessing said clamp element screws, and inner lugs for locking said terminal or clamp elements, as said cover is locked on said central body.

9. A terminal block construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of said construction insulates from the outside environment said electric coupling elements, by tightly closing the recessed portion of said base housing said electrically coupling elements.

Drawing