ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTRBGCZEEHUPLSK..HRIS..MTNORS..SM..................JBDM Ver 0.1.63 (23 May 2017) - 2100000/02947718EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATIONB120171213EP14305770.1201405232016052520161018enenen20171213201750201511252015482017121320175020170626

H01R 4/48 20060101AFI20141105BHEP

deFederbelastete AnschlussklemmeenSpring loaded clamping connection terminalfrBorne de connexion de serrage à ressortEP-A1- 1 213 791EP-A1- 2 466 689DE-A1- 3 302 372DE-U1-202013 100 740US-A1- 2010 267 292Barbero, AndreaVia Perlasca 11G25086 RezzatoITPirlo, LuigiVia Togni 725078 VestoneITPoli, MassimilianoVia Terzago 325080 Calvagese Della RivieraITConzadori, RemoVia Maddalena di Canossa25018 MontichiariITBerker GmbH & Co. KG100086156B34435 JK/LMKlagebach 3858579 SchalksmühleDENuss, Laurentet al100027972Cabinet Nuss 10, rue Jacques Kablé67080 Strasbourg CedexFRALATBEBGCHCYCZDEDKEEESFIFRGBGRHRHUIEISITLILTLULVMCMKMTNLNOPLPTRORSSESISKSMTR20151125201548

The present invention is related to the field of electrical connection means, in particular plug-in connection means, able to establish an electrical and mechanical link with a wire on similar conductor without needing an additional specific positive action of the user (by using a tool or acting on a clamping means for example).

More particularly, the invention concerns a spring loaded clamping connection terminal, and an electrical connection device incorporating at least one such terminal.

Numerous constructions of such connection terminals are already known in the state of the art, such as the ones disclosed in DE 20 2013 100740 U1, EP 2 466 689, US 2010/0267292 A1, DE 3302372 A1, US 5 494 456, EP 0 831 557, US 8 591 271, US 2013/0072072 and DE 197 10 306 for example. DE 20 2013 100740 U1 discloses a spring clamping connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1.

Now, these known connection terminals are working in a satisfactory way with fairly rigid wires and conductors. But, they are not well suited for flexible wires or conductors as the engagement or triggering action, which leads to the electrical and mechanical connection, requires the transmission of a considerable pushing force along the wire or conductor. Such a force transmission is not possible with a non rigid wire, such as for example a multistrand or multi-filament wire.

Additionally, the mechanical link, usually by clamping, is established near the front end of the wire and thus is only secured by a very short length of wire, which can slip or can disaggregate into separate and loose filaments (in case of multistrand wire), thus jeopardizing the mechanical connection link.

Furthermore, the unlocking of the previously mentioned known connection terminals usually requires the use of a tool to undo the connection.

It is an aim of the invention to overcome at least the firstly mentioned drawbacks, preferably both.

To that end, the invention concerns a connection terminal of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 improved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description and drawings of embodiments of said invention given as non limitative examples thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A and 1B are elevational side views of a spring clamping connection terminal according to an example, with the spring loaded arm respectively in its released extended state (figure 1A) and in its locked retracted state (figure 1B) upon action of the reset lever;
Figures 2A and 2B are elevational side views, at an other scale, of a clamping arrangement which is part of the connection terminal of figures 1A and 1B;
Figures 3A and 3B are perspective view of a pair of clamping arrangements made as a single integral element (and made of a single metal piece), with the spring loaded arms in their free extended position (figure 3A) and in their locked retracted position (figure 3B);
Figures 4A to 4C are views (figure 4A: side view / figures 4B and 4C: perspective views) of a connection terminal according to the invention comprising a clamping arrangement shown in figures 3A and 3B and a reset lever, the wire being introduced to nearly its maximum engagement length, but without having triggered the clamping arrangement;
Figure 4D is a view similar to figure 4A before introduction of the wire to be clamped in the connection terminal;
Figures 5A and 5B are partial perspective sectional views of a connection terminal according to the invention, lodged in its insulated casing and comprising a clamping arrangement as shown in figures 3A and 3B, the wire having triggered the clamping arrangement and the bare end of the wire being clamped by the spring loaded arm associated to the channel receiving the wire;
Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the wire clamped in the connection terminal shown in figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side view of a connection terminal according to an example and comprising a clamping arrangement as shown in figures 2A and 2B, the wire being about to be introduced into the channel of the terminal, and,
Figure 8 is a transparent perspective view (through the external housing) of an electrical connection device incorporating several connection terminals according to the invention, connected to either male or female plug-in connectors, and provided with reset means as shown in figure 1.
Figures 1 to 7 show partly or entirely at least one spring loaded clamping connection terminal 1.

Said connection terminal 1, which is of the plug-in type, comprises a housing or cage 2 for receiving the bare end portion 4 of an electrical cable, conductor or wire 3 (rigid or flexible) and lodging at least one clamping arrangement 5.

Said arrangement comprises a spring force loaded arm 6 automatically movable between a retracted position wherein said arm 6 is located outside a passage or channel 7 following a wire insertion opening 2' of said housing 2, and allows obstacle free introduction of said bare end portion 4 into said passage or channel 7, and an extended position in which said arm 6 is at least partly located in said passage or channel 7 and is able to come into contact under elastic constraint with the end portion 4 of an electrical conductor or wire 3 received within said passage or channel 7 (and thus securing the insertion of said end portion 4).

Said clamping arrangement 5 also comprises:

means 8, 9 for locking said arm 6 in its retracted position, by engagement with a respective anchoring site 9,
trigger means 10 able to release the spring loaded arm 6 from its locked retracted position and being physically activatable by the end portion 4 of said wire or conductor 3,
a contact part or surface 11 on said trigger means 10, to be hit or pressed on by the extremity 4' of the bare end portion 4 of the electrical conductor or wire 3 in order to release the spring loaded arm 6 from its locked retracted position (a free access to part 11 through the passage 7 existing for the wire 3 when the arm 6 is retracted).

As can be seen on figures 5 and 6, such a connection terminal is usually located within an electrically insulated housing.

According to the invention, the trigger means 10 is located and arranged after or beyond the arm 6 and the site 9, in the direction D of insertion of the wire or conductor 3, and consists of a lever arm extending in said direction D, the contact part 11 consisting of a free end portion of said lever arm 10.

By moving the contact part 11 significally beyond the location of the arm 6 and the site 9, at the end of a lever arm, the invention provides simultaneously two main advantages, namely:

when the trigger means 10 are activated by the extremity 4' of the end portion 4, and thus release the spring loaded arm 6, an important part of said bare end 4 is already situated beyond the arm 6 and the clamping free end 6' will enter into contact with the end portion 4 at a location quite set back from the extremity 4';
the lever arm construction of the triggering means 10 allows to generate an increased action force, sufficient to free the spring loaded arm 6 from is locked state, even when the level of the pressure force applied through the end portion 4 of the wire 3 is not very high (flexible wire).

By comparing for example figure 1A with figure 1B, or figure 2A with figure 2B, one can recognise that the spring loaded arm 6 performs (under spring load) a pivoting movement when released from its locked retracted position through the action of the trigger means 10.

According to a feature of the invention, the arm 6 can be provided with a latching part 8 able to come into engagement with the respective anchoring site 9, preferably by clinging or clipping, in order to keep and to lock said arm 6 in its retracted position against the spring constraint, said mutually cooperating part 8 and site 9 forming together the locking means of said arm 6.

As shown on the enclosed figures, the lever arm 10 can be operatively, preferably through a force transmission or physical link, connected to the anchoring site 9 and extends beyond said site 9 in the direction D, so as to be able to displace said site 9 against a spring force and to undo the clinging or clipping engagement of the latching part 8 of the spring loaded arm 6 with said anchoring site 9, upon application of a sufficient minimal pressure or force on to said contact part 11 of the lever arm 10 located at a significant distance from said site 9 in the direction D.

Thus, the lever arm 10 acts on the anchoring site 9 in order to release the locked spring loaded arm 6, and not on said arm 6 itself.

In compliance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping arrangement 5 is made of a single metallic strip forming the spring loaded arm 6 and a mounting frame 12 to which said arm 6 is continuously and materially connected through an elastical bendable strip portion 13 which provides the spring force load to said arm 6, said spring force being sufficient to clamp the end portion 4 of the conductor or wire 3 through said arm 6 against an opposite wall 7' of said passage or channel 7, possibly provided with a notch 7" or a similar protruding counter-clamping means able to cooperate with the arm 6 to lock the wire or cable in the passage 7 and secure the electrical contact between the end portion 4 and the conductive housing or cage 2.

The mounting frame 12 itself is rigidly mounted and fixed the housing or cage 2, as can be seen in figures 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

The conductive cage 2 itself can also be made from a bended metal strip, possibly together with other parts of the connection terminal.

Preferably, the mounting frame 12 incorporates the anchoring site 9 and the corresponding latching part 8 is provided at the free end 6' of the spring loaded arm 6.

As best shown in figure 3A, the free end 6' of the arm 6 can be provided with two features (hook 8 - edge 6") fulfilling two different functions, namely possible locking engagement with the anchoring site 9 and possible clamping of the bare end portion 4 of the wire 3.

As a practical construction of the clamping arrangement 5, the mounting frame can be composed of two branches or wing parts mutually arranged in an upside down L-shape or capital gamma-shape configuration with two branches 12' and 12" connected by a first curved elastically bendable portion 13, wherein the end of a first branch 12' is continuously connected through a second curved elastically bendable portion 13 to the spring loaded arm 6 and the free end 12'" of the second branch 12" is provided with the anchoring site 9, preferably in the form of a slot or an aperture, and in that the latching part 8 at the free end 6' of the spring loaded arm 6 consists of a fastening hook or a bent finger, the mounting frame 12, the curved or bent portion 13 and the arm 6 thus forming in the locked retracted position of said arm 6 a closed loop configuration.

The first curved bendable portion 13 provides the elastic constraint which has to be overcome in order to displace the anchoring site 9 and liberate the locked spring loaded arm 6 whose latching part is engaged with said site 9.

As seen in figures 3A and 4B, the latching part 8 and the anchoring site 9 are located with a lateral shift so as to free the insertion channel or passage 7 when the arm 6 is retracted. Advantageously, the latching part 8 consists of a bent fastening hook extending from the free end 6' of the arm 6 and the anchoring site 9 consists in a lateral cut-out, in the shape of a slot, of the second branch 12" of the mounting frame 12.

The other part of the free end 6' forms the clamping edge 6" (preferably sharp) of the arm 6, which pushes the clamped wire 3 towards the notch 7" when said arm 6 is released.

According to a very advantageous constructive feature of the invention, the trigger means 10 are an integral part of the clamping arrangement 5, the clamping arrangement 5 and the trigger means 10 being preferably made of a same single metal strip.

More precisely, said trigger means 10 can consist, when considered in the direction D, of an upside down L-shaped or capital gamma-shaped lever arm, with a first branch 14 continuously and materially connected to the clamping arrangement 5 in the region of its means 9 for locking the spring loaded arm 6 in its retracted position and with a second branch 14' forming or comprising a contact part 11 to be hit or pressed on by the end portion 4 of an electrical conductor or wire 3 inserted in the passage or channel 7 provided for in the housing or cage 2, the lever arm 10 showing a stiffness sufficient to transmit pressure forces to the clamping arrangement 5 in order to move the anchoring site 9 and to disengage the locking means 8, 9.

The pressure force applied in the direction D on the contact part 11 by the end portion 4 of the wire 3 will be increased by the lever structure of the triggering means 10 and will force the mounting frame 12 to bend at the first curved portion 13 and the anchoring part 9 will be moved upon a virtual pivoting axis X located in said portion 13 (see figure 2B), so as to disengage the hook 8.

Most preferably and as illustrated in particular in figures 2 and 3, the arm 6 with its latching part 8, the elastic intermediate curved portion 13, the mounting frame 12 with the anchoring site 9 and the trigger means forming lever 10 with its contact part 11 are all made of a single metal strip through bending and cutting operations, the lever arm 10 being formed as an extension of the free end 12'" of the second branch 12" prolonging beyond the anchoring site 9.

The strip portion forming the lever arm 10 can also extend laterally as at least one side wall 10', in order to define a more narrow end section 7'" of the introduction channel 7 for the wire 3. Said section 7'" helps guiding precisely the end portion 4 of the wire towards the contact part 11 and can also provide lateral support for said end portion 4, able to avoid deformation of the same.

As can be best seen on figures 3A, 3B, 4B and 4C, the free end 6' of the arm 6 can comprise side by side a latching means 8 and a clamping edge 6".

The latching means 8 are aligned with the corresponding anchoring site 9 and the clamping edge 6" is aligned with the end section 7'" of the passage 7, leading to the contact wall or wing 11 located at the free end of the trigger lever 10.

In accordance with an other important feature of the invention, the connection terminal 1 comprises an integrated or incorporated reset and/or clamping release means 15 able to displace the spring force loaded arm 6 from its extended position into its retracted one, against the spring force, the locking means 8, 9 providing an automatical locking of said arm 6 in its retracted position when said position is reached, a reset means 15 being associated with and acting on one or several arm(s) 6.

As shown on figures 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the reset means 15 consists in an electrically insulated lever mounted through a hinged link 16 onto said housing or cage 2 (the bearings can be formed on said cage 2) and comprising i) a pushing part 15" able to contact the spring loaded arm 6 over all its pivoting movement between its retracted position and its extended position and ii) a pressing part 15', in the shape of a push button for contact with a finger of a user.

The pushing part 15" may define a contact and gliding profile 15"' allowing the free end 6' of the spring loaded arm 6 to press against and simultaneously slip along it while pushed in its locked position (figures 1 and 7).

It should also be noted that the hook 8 automatically engages the anchoring slot or cutout 9, when the arm 6 is sufficiently bent by the electrically insulated lever and positioned in the right place.

In practice, as most electrical lines have two wires, the connection terminal 1 may comprise at least two clamping arrangements 5 arranged side by side, each incorporating corresponding trigger means 10 and being associated with a respective passage or channel 7 for reception of the end portion 4 of a conductor or wire 3.

Of course, each one of the clamping arrangement 5 of a pair of coupled arrangements 5 can have its own separate reset means 15 acting only on the one arm 6 it is associated with.

Nevertheless, in an efficient, simple and cost effective alternative embodiment of the invention, a same reset means 15, such as a plastic lever hinged with the cage or housing 2, may be associated with and able to act simultaneously on the two spring loaded arms 6 of a pair of clamping arrangements 5, preferably contacting the arms 6 in a region approximately aligned with their latching means 8. Thus, the pressing area of the lever on the arm 6 will be located laterally outside the region where the wire passes.

As can be seen on figure 4C, in a side-by-side location of a pair of clamping arrangements 5 (forming a double clamping arrangement), the same lever will be pressing on pressing areas of the arms 6 located next to each other (approximately in the connection region between the latching means 8 and the arms 6 (see figure 4D).

Also as a matter of simplification and costs savings, the invention can provide that when the clamping arrangements 5 are grouped in pairs, both arrangements 5 of each pair are preferably made from one single metal strip.

As can be seen on figures 4 and 8, the housing or cage 2 may comprise an opening 2' allowing the passage of the pushing part 15" of the lever, said opening 2' being closed by said pushing part 15" and covered by the pressing part 15'. To prevent unwanted disconnection of a clamped wire 3 of a pair of wires, the lever 15 comprises means preventing mutual engagement of the locking means 8, 9 upon actuation of said lever when a conductor or wire 3 is present in the passage 7 and clamped by the concerned arm 6.

According to the invention, the means 16' preventing mutual engagement of the locking means 8, 9 consist of means using the presence of at least one wire in the passage 7, or in at least one passage 7 in case of a same reset means 15 associated with several passages 7, to limit the displacement of the reset means 15 so that it cannot reach the position wherein an automatical mutual engagement of the locking means 8, 9 takes place.

More precisely, and as illustrated in figures 4, 5 and 6, the insulated pivoting lever is provided, at or near its free end opposed to it hinged end, with a projecting portion 16', such as a wall or a wing part, extending in a parallel manner to and in the same direction that the pushing part 15", the free edge of said projecting portion 16' contacting a conductor or wire 3 located within a concerned passage 7 and stopping the pivoting displacement of said lever before its pushing part 15" is able to displace the concerned spring loaded arm 6 sufficiently to cause mutual engagement of the locking means 8, 9.

Figure 6 shows with S1 the stroke allowed to the lever (from its resting position when no pressure is applied to its pressing part 15') until the wall 16' contacts the wire 3 (or its bare end portion 4 within the insulated housing 17'). S2 illustrates the stroke of the lever which would be necessary to cause mutual engagement of the locking means 8, 9.

In relation to an additional feature, the invention may provide the pressure of the projecting portion 16' of the lever (preferably integrally formed with it) on a conductor or wire 3 clamped by the spring loaded arm 6 within a corresponding passage 7 causes its bare end portion 4 engaged by the arm 6, and possibly by a corresponding counterclamping means, to be released in order to allow the extraction of said considered conductor or wire 3.

Thus, a sufficient pressure applied by the projecting portion 16' onto the bare end portion 4 may disengage it from the notch 7" and also bent it downwards so as to release it from the grip of the spring loaded arm 6 resting against it (by it edge 6").

The invention also encompasses an electrical connection device 17, as a separate component or an integral part, comprising an external housing 17' made of non-conductive material.

According to the invention, said device 17 comprises at least one spring clamping connection terminal 1 as described herein before, said or each terminal 1 being possible electrically linked to a male or female plug-in socket 18, 18'.

An example of such a device 17 is partly shown on figure 8, wherein one double connection terminal 1 is connected through its conductive housing 2 to a pin connector 18 (top part of the device 17 on figure 8) and two double connection terminals 1 are connected through their conductive housing 2 to respective female plug-in clamp connectors 18' (bottom part of the device 17 on figure 8).

Spring clamping connection terminal comprising a housing or cage for receiving a bare end portion (4) of an electrical rigid or flexible cable, conductor or wire (3) and lodging at least one clamping arrangement (5) which comprises a spring force loaded arm (6) automatically movable between a retracted position wherein said arm (6) is located outside a passage or channel (7) following a wire insertion opening (2') of said housing (2), and allows obstacle free introduction of said bare end portion (4) into said passage or channel (7), and an extended position in which said arm (6) is at least partly located in said passage or channel (7) and is able to come into contact under elastic constraint with said bare end portion (4) of said electrical conductor or wire (3) received within said passage or channel (7), thus securing the insertion of said end portion (4) of the considered conductor or wire (3), wherein said clamping arrangement (5) also comprises: means (8, 9) for locking said arm (6) in its retracted position, by engagement with a respective anchoring site (9),

trigger means (10) able to release the spring loaded arm (6) from its locked retracted position and being configured to be physically activated by the bare end portion (4) of said wire or conductor (3),

a contact part or surface (11) on said trigger means (10), to be hit or pressed on by an extremity (4') of the bare end portion (4) of the electrical conductor or wire (3) in order to release the spring loaded arm (6) from its locked retracted position,

wherein said trigger means (10) is located and arranged beyond the arm (6) and the site (9), in a direction (D) of insertion of the wire or conductor (3), and consists of a lever arm extending in said direction (D), the contact part (11) consisting of a free end portion of said lever arm (10),

wherein the connection terminal (1) also comprises an integrated clamping release means (15) able to displace the spring force loaded arm (6) from its extended position into its retracted one, against the spring force, the locking means (8, 9) providing an automatical locking of said arm (6) in its retracted position when said position is reached, said reset means (15) being associated with and acting on one the spring loaded arm (6),

connection terminal (1) characterized in that the reset means (15) consists in an electrically insulated lever mounted through a hinged link (16) onto said housing (2) and comprising a pushing part (15") able to contact the spring loaded arm (6) over all its pivoting movement between its retracted position and its extended position and a pressing part (15'), in the shape of a push button for contact with a finger of a user and

in that the lever comprises means preventing mutual engagement of the locking means (8, 9) upon actuation of said lever when a conductor or wire (3) is present in the passage (7), and clamped by the concerned arm (6),

in that the means (16') preventing mutual engagement of the locking means (8, 9) consist of means able to use the presence of at least one wire in the passage (7), or
in at least one passage (7) in case of a same reset means (15) associated with several passages (7), to limit the displacement of the reset means (15) so that it cannot reach the position wherein an automatical mutual engagement of the locking means (8, 9) takes place; and
in that the insulated pivoting lever forming the reset means (15) is provided, at or near a free end of said reset means (15) opposed to it hinged end, with a projecting portion (16'), such as a wall or a wing part, extending in a parallel manner to and
in the same direction than the pushing part (15"), a free edge of said projecting portion (16') configured to contact a conductor or wire (3) located within a concerned passage (7) and stopping the pivoting displacement of said lever (15) before its pushing part (15") is able to displace the concerned spring loaded arm (6) sufficiently to cause mutual engagement of the locking means (8, 9).

Connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring loaded arm (6) performs a pivoting movement when released from its locked retracted position through the action of the trigger means (10) and in that said arm (6) is provided with a latching part (8) able to come into engagement with the respective anchoring site (9), by clinging or clipping, in order to keep and to lock said arm (6) in its retracted position against the spring constraint, said mutually cooperating part (8) and site (9) forming together the locking means of said arm (6).

Connection terminal according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lever arm (10) is operatively, through a force transmission or physical link, connected to the anchoring site (9) and extends beyond said site (9) in the direction (D), so as to be able to displace said site (9) against a spring force and to undo the clinging or clipping engagement of the latching part (8) of the spring loaded arm (6) with said anchoring site (9), upon application of a sufficient minimal pressure or force on to said contact part (11) of the lever arm (10).

Connection terminal according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping arrangement (5) is made of a single metallic strip forming the spring loaded arm (6) and a mounting frame (12) to which said arm (6) is continuously and materially connected through an elastical bendable strip portion (13) which provides the spring force load to said arm (6), said spring force being sufficient to clamp the end portion (4) of the conductor or wire (3) through said arm (6) against an opposite wall (7') of said passage or channel (7), provided with a notch (7") or a similar protruding counter-clamping means able to cooperate with the arm (6) to lock the wire or cable in the passage (7) and secure the electrical contact between the end portion (4) and the conductive housing or cage (2).

Connection terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting frame (12) incorporates the anchoring site (9) and in that the corresponding latching part (8) is provided at a free end (6') of the spring loaded arm (6).

Connection terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that the mounting frame (12) of the clamping arrangement (5) is composed of two branches or wing parts mutually arranged in an upside down L-shape or capital gamma-shape configuration with two branches (12' and 12") connected by a first curved elastically bendable portion (13), wherein an end of a first branch (12') is continuously connected through a second curved elastically bendable portion (13) to the spring loaded arm (6) and a free end (12'") of the second branch (12") is provided with the anchoring site (9), in the form of a slot or an aperture, and in that the latching part (8) at the free end (6') of the spring loaded arm (6) consists of a fastening hook or a bent finger, the mounting frame (12), the curved or bent portion (13) and the arm (6) thus forming in the locked retracted position of said arm (6) a closed loop configuration.

Connection terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that the latching part (8) and the anchoring site (9) are located with a lateral shift so as to free the insertion channel or passage (7) when the arm (6) is retracted, the latching part (8) consisting of a bent fastening hook extending from the free end (6') of the arm (6) and the anchoring site (9) consisting in a lateral cut-out, in the shape of a slot, of the second branch (12") of the mounting frame (12).

Connection terminal according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the trigger means (10) are an integral part of the clamping arrangement (5), the clamping arrangement (5) and the trigger means (10) being made of a same single metal strip.

Connection terminal according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the trigger means (10) consists, when considered in the direction (D), of an upside down L-shaped or capital gamma-shaped lever arm, with a first branch (14) continuously and materially connected to the clamping arrangement (5) in the region of its means (9) for locking the spring loaded arm (6) in its retracted position and with a second branch (14') forming or comprising a contact part (11) to be hit or pressed on by the end portion (4) of an electrical conductor or wire (3) inserted in the passage or channel (7) provided for in the housing or cage (2), the lever arm (10) showing a stiffness sufficient to transmit pressure forces to the clamping arrangement (5) in order to move the anchoring site (9) and to disengage the locking means (8, 9).

Connection terminal according to claims 6 and 9, characterized in that the arm (6) with its latching part (8), the elastic intermediate curved portion (13), the mounting frame (12) with the anchoring site (9) and the trigger means forming lever (10) with its contact part (11) are all made of a single metal strip through bending and cutting operations, the lever arm (10) being formed as an extension of the free end (12"') of the second branch (12") prolonging beyond the anchoring site (9).

Connection terminal according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises at least two clamping arrangements (5) arranged side by side, each incorporating corresponding trigger means (10) and being associated with a respective passage or channel (7) for reception of the end portion (4) of a conductor or wire (3).

Connection terminal according to claims 11, characterized in that a same reset means (15), such as a plastic lever hinged with the cage or housing (2), is associated with and able to act simultaneously on the two spring loaded arms (6) of a pair of clamping arrangements (5), contacting the arms (6) in a region aligned with their latching means (8).

Connection terminal according to claims 11 or 12, characterized in that when the clamping arrangements (5) are grouped in pairs, both arrangements (5) of each pair are made from one single metal strip.

Connection terminal according to anyone of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises an opening (2') allowing the passage of the pushing part (15") of the lever, said opening (2') being closed by said pushing part (15") and covered by the pressing part (15').

Connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure of the projecting portion (16') integrally formed with the lever on a conductor or wire (3) clamped by the spring loaded arm (6) within a corresponding passage (7) is configured to cause the bare end portion (4) of the conductor or wire (3) engaged by the arm (6), and by a corresponding counterclamping means, to be released in order to allow the extraction of said considered conductor or wire (3).

Electrical connection device, as a separate component or an integral part, comprising an external housing made of non-conductive material, characterized in that said device (17) comprises at least one spring clamping connection terminal (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 15, said or each terminal (1) being possible electrically linked to a male or female plug-in socket (18, 18').

Anschlussklemme mit Federklemmung, umfassend ein Gehäuse oder Rahmen zur Aufnahme eines blanken Endabschnittes (4) eines starren oder flexiblen Stromkabels, -leiters oder Drahtes (3) und mindestens eine Klemmanordnung (5), die einen federgespannten Arm (6) aufweist, der automatisch zwischen einer eingezogenen Stellung, in der der genannte Arm (6) außerhalb eines Durchgangs oder Kanals (7) in Fortsetzung einer Drahteinsetzöffnung (2') des genannten Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist, und ein ungehindertes Einsetzen des genannten blanken Endabschnittes (4) in den genannten Durchgang oder Kanal (7) erlaubt, und einer ausgestreckten Stellung, in der sich der genannte Arm (6) mindestens teilweise im genannten Durchgang oder Kanal (7) befindet und in der Lage ist, unter elastischer Spannung mit dem genannten blanken Endabschnitt (4) des genannten Stromleiters oder Drahtes (3) in Kontakt zu kommen, der im genannten Durchgang oder Kanal (7) aufgenommen ist, um so das Einsetzen des genannten Endabschnittes (4) des betrachteten Leiters oder Drahtes (3) zu sichern, wobei die genannte Klemmanordnung (5) ebenfalls umfasst: Mittel (8, 9) zum Verriegeln des genannten Armes (6) in seiner eingezogenen Stellung durch Eingriff mit einer entsprechenden Verankerungsstelle (9),

Freigabemittel (10), die in der Lage sind, den federgespannten Arm (6) aus seiner verriegelten eingezogenen Stellung freizugeben und dafür eingerichtet sind, durch den blanken Endabschnitt (4) des genannten Drahtes oder Leiters (3) betätigt zu werden,

ein Kontaktteil oder -fläche (11) am genannten Freigabemittel (10), das geeignet ist, von einem Ende (4') des blanken Endabschnittes (4) des Stromleiters oder Drahtes (3) gestoßen oder gedrückt zu werden, um den federgespannten Arm (6) aus seiner verriegelten eingezogenen Stellung freizugeben,

wobei das genannte Freigabemittel (10) sich in Richtung (D) des Einführens des Drahtes oder Leiters (3) hinter dem Arm (6) und der Stelle (9) befindet und angeordnet ist und aus einem Hebelarm besteht, der sich in der genannten Richtung (D) erstreckt, wobei der Kontaktbereich (11) aus einem freien Endabschnitt des genannten Hebelarms (10) besteht,

wobei die Anschlussklemme (1) ebenfalls ein integriertes Klemmungslösemittel (15) umfasst, das geeignet ist, den federgespannten Arm (6) aus seiner ausgestreckten Stellung gegen die Federkraft in seine eingezogene zu versetzen, wobei das Verrriegelungsmittel (8, 9) für eine automatische Verriegelung des genannten Armes (6) in seiner eingezogenen Stellung sorgt, wenn die genannte Stellung eingenommen wird, wobei das genannte Rückstellmittel (15) mit dem federgespannten Arm (6) verbunden ist und auf ihn einwirkt,

Anschlussklemme (1) gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass das Rückstellmittel (15) in einem elektrisch isolierten Hebel besteht, der durch eine Gelenkverbindung (16) am genannten Gehäuse (2) angebracht ist und einen Schiebeteil (15") umfasst, der in der Lage ist, mit dem federgespannten Arm (6) über dessen gesamte Schwenkbewegung zwischen seiner eingezogenen Stellung und seiner ausgezogenen Stellung in Kontakt zu stehen, und einen Drückteil (15') in Form eines Druckknopfes für den Kontakt mit einem Finger eines Benutzers, und

dadurch, dass der Hebel Mittel umfasst, die das Eingreifen der Verriegelungsmittel (8, 9) miteinander bei Betätigung des genannten Hebels verhindern, wenn ein Leiter oder Draht (3) sich im Durchgang (7) befindet und durch den betreffenden Arm (6) festgeklemmt ist,

dadurch, dass das Mittel (16'), das das Eingreifen der Verriegelungsmittel (8, 9) miteinander verhindert, aus Mitteln besteht, die in der Lage sind, die Anwesenheit mindestens eines Drahtes im Durchgang (7), oder im Fall eines und desselben Rückstellmittels (15), das mehreren Durchgängen (7) zugeordnet ist, in mindestens einem Durchgang (7) zu nutzen um die Verschiebung des Rückstellmittels (15) zu begrenzen, so dass es nicht die Stellung erreichen kann, in der ein automatisches wechselseitiges Eingreifen der Verriegelungsmittel (8, 9) stattfindet, und

dadurch, dass der isolierte Schwenkhebel, der das Rückstellmittel (15) bildet, am oder nahe dem freien Ende des genannten Rückstellmittels (15), seinem angelenkten Ende entgegengesetzt, angeordnet ist, mit einem vorstehenden Teil (16'), wie einer Wand oder einem Flügelteil versehen ist, das sich parallel zum und in derselben Richtung wie der Drückteil (15") erstreckt, wobei eine freie Kante dieses vorstehenden Teils (16') dafür ausgebildet ist, mit einem Leiter oder Draht (3) in Kontakt zu stehen, der sich innerhalb eines betroffenen Durchgangs (7) befindet und die Schwenkbewegung des genannten Hebels (15) anhält, bevor sein Drückteil (15") in der Lage ist, den betroffenen federgespannten Arm (6) ausreichend zu versetzen, um ein Eingreifen der Verriegelungsmittel (8, 9) miteinander zu bewirken.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der federgespannte Arm (6) eine Schwenkbewegung ausführt, wenn er aus seiner verriegelten eingezogenen Stellung durch die Wirkung der Freigabemittel (10) freigesetzt wird, und dadurch, dass der genannte Arm (6) mit einem Einschnappteil (8) versehen ist, das in der Lage ist, mit der entsprechenden Verankerungsstelle (9) durch Einrasten oder -schnappen in Eingriff zu gelangen, um den genannten Arm (6) in seiner eingezogenen Stellung gegen die Federkraft zu halten und zu verriegeln, wobei die genannten miteinander zusammenwirkenden Elemente Teil (8) und Stelle (9) zusammen das Verriegelungsmittel des genannten Armes (6) bilden.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hebelarm (10) über eine Kraftübertragungs- oder physische Verbindung mit der Verankerungsstelle (9) wirkverbunden ist und sich in der Richtung (D) über die genannte Stelle (9) hinaus erstreckt, um in der Lage zu sein, die genannte Stelle (9) gegen eine Federkraft zu versetzen und den Einrast- oder - schnappeingriff des Einschnappteils (8) des federgespannten Armes (6) mit der genannten Verankerungsstelle (9) bei Ausübung eines ausreichenden Mindestdruckes oder -kraft auf den genannten Kontaktteil (11) des Hebelarmes (10) zu lösen.

Anschlussklemme nach irgendeinem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Klemmanordnung (5) aus einem einzigen Metallstreifen, der den federgespannten Arm (6) bildet, und einem Montagerahmen (12) besteht, mit dem der genannte Arm (6) durchgehend und durch einen elastisch biegbaren Streifenabschnitt (13) einstückig verbunden ist, der die Federkraft für den genannten Arm (6) sicherstellt, wobei die genannte Federkraft ausreicht, um den Endabschnitt (4) des Leiters oder Drahtes (3) durch den genannten Arm (6) an einer gegenüberliegenden Wand (7') des genannten Durchganges oder Kanales (7) festzuklemmen, die mit einer Kerbe (7") oder einem ähnlichen, vorstehenden Klemmgegenmittel versehen ist, das in der Lage ist, mit dem Arm (6) zusammenzuwirken, um den Draht oder das Kabel im Durchgang (7) zu verriegeln und den elektrischen Kontakt zwischen dem Endabschnitt (4) und dem leitenden Gehäuse oder Rahmen (2) sicherzustellen.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Montagerahmen (12) die Verankerungsstelle (9) umfasst und dadurch, dass der entsprechende Einschnappteil (8) an einem freien Ende (6') des federgespannten Armes (6) vorgesehen ist.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Montagerahmen (12) der Klemmanordnung (5) aus zwei Zweigen oder Flügelteilen besteht, die zueinander in Form eines umgekehrten L oder eines Gamma (Großbuchstabe) mit zwei Zweigen (12' und 12") angeordnet sind, die durch einen ersten gekrümmten, elastisch biegbaren Bereich (13) verbunden sind, wobei ein Ende eines ersten Zweiges (12') über einen zweiten gekrümmten, elastisch biegbaren Bereich (13) mit dem federgespannten Arm (6) verbunden ist und ein freies Ende (12'") des zweiten Zweiges (12") mit der Verankerungsstelle (9) in Form eines Schlitzes oder einer Öffnung versehen ist, und dadurch, dass der Einschnappteil (8) des freien Endes (6') des federgespannten Armes (6) aus einem Befestigungshaken oder einem gekrümmten Finger besteht, so dass der Montagerahmen (12), der gekrümmte oder gebogene Abschnitt (13) und der Arm (6) in der verriegelten, eingezogenen Stellung des genannten Armes (6) eine geschlossene Schleife bilden.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Einschnappteil (8) und die Verankerungsstelle (9) seitlich versetzt angeordnet sind, um den Einsetzkanal oder -durchgang (7) freizugeben, wenn der Arm (6) eingezogen wird, wobei das Einschnappteil (8) aus einem gekrümmten Befestigungshaken besteht, der vom freien Ende (6') des Armes (6) absteht, und die Verankerungsstelle (9) aus einer seitlichen Ausnehmung in Form eines Schlitzes aus dem zweiten Zweig (12") des Montagerahmens (12) besteht.

Anschlussklemme nach irgendeinem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Freigabemittel (10) integraler Teil der Klemmanordnung (5) sind, wobei die Klemmanordnung (5) und die Freigabemittel (10) aus demselben, einzigen Metallstreifen gefertigt sind.

Anschlussklemme nach irgendeinem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Freigabemittel (10) in Richtung (D) betrachtet aus einem Hebelarm in Form eines umgekehrten L oder Gamma (Großbuchstabe) besteht, mit einem ersten Zweig (14), der mit der Klemmanordnung (5) im Bereich ihres Mittels (9) zur Verriegelung des federgespannten Armes (6) in seiner eingezogenen Stellung durchgehend und einstückig verbunden ist, und mit einem zweiten Zweig (14'), der einen Kontaktbereich (11) bildet oder aufweist, der vom Endabschnitt (4) eines elektrischen Leiters oder Drahtes (3) gestoßen oder gedrückt werden soll, der in den Durchgang oder Kanal (7) eingesetzt wird, der im Gehäuse oder Rahmen (2) vorgesehen ist, wobei der Hebelarm (10) ausreichende Steifheit aufweist, um Druckkräfte auf die Klemmanordnung (5) zu übertragen, um die Verankerungsstelle (9) zu bewegen und die Verriegelungsmittel (8, 9) freizusetzen.

Anschlussklemme nach den Patentansprüchen 6 und 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Arm (6) mit seinem Einschnappteil (8), der elastische, gebogene Übergangsabschnitt (13), der Montagerahmen (12) mit der Verankerungsstelle (9) und der ein Freigabemittel bildende Hebel (10) mit seinem Kontaktteil (11) durch Biege- und Schneidvorgänge aus einem einzigen Metallstreifen gefertigt sind, wobei der Hebelarm (10) als Fortsetzung des freien Endes (12"') des zweiten Zweiges (12") geformt ist, der sich über die Verankerungsstelle (9) hinaus erstreckt.

Anschlussklemme nach den Patentansprüchen 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie mindestens zwei Klemmanordnungen (5) nebeneinander angeordnet umfasst, wobei jede entsprechende Freigabemittel (10) aufweist und einem entsprechenden Durchgang oder Kanal (7) zur Aufnahme des Endabschnitts (4) eines Leiters oder Drahtes (3) zugeordnet ist.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein und dasselbe Rückstellmittel (15), wie etwa ein Kunststoffhebel, der am Rahmen oder Gehäuse (2) angelenkt ist, den beiden federgespannten Armen (6) eines Paares von Klemmanordnungen (5) zugeordnet ist und in der Lage ist, gleichzeitig auf sie einzuwirken, indem es die Arme (6) in einem Bereich berührt, der mit ihren Schnappmitteln (8) ausgerichtet ist.

Anschlussklemme nach den Patentansprüchen 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Fall, dass die Klemmanordnungen (5) paarweise angeordnet sind, beide Anordnungen (5) jedes Paares aus einem einzigen Metallstreifen gefertigt sind.

Anschlussklemme nach irgendeinem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gehäuse (2) eine Öffnung (2') aufweist, die den Durchtritt des Schiebeteils (15") des Hebels erlaubt, wobei die genannte Öffnung (2') durch den genannten Schiebeteil (15") geschlossen und vom Drückteil (15') überdeckt wird.

Anschlussklemme nach Patentanspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Druck des vorstehenden Teils (16'), das mit dem Hebel einstückig geformt ist, auf einen Leiter oder Draht (3), der durch den federgespannten Arm (6) innerhalb eines entsprechenden Durchganges (7) festgeklemmt wird, dafür ausgelegt ist, den blanken Endabschnitt (4) des Leiters oder Drahtes (3), der vom Arm (6) und einem entsprechenden Klemmgegenmittel gehalten wird, dazu zu veranlassen, freigesetzt zu werden, um das Entnehmen des genannten betrachteten Leiters oder Drahtes (3) zu erlauben.

Elektrische Anschlussvorrichtung als getrenntes Bauteil oder eingefügter Bestandteil, umfassend ein äußeres Gehäuse aus nichtleitendem Werkstoff, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Vorrichtung (17) mindestens eine Anschlussklemme mit Federklemmung (1) nach irgendeinem der Patentansprüche 1 bis 15 umfasst, wobei die oder jede genannte Klemme (1) an einen Stecker oder eine Steckdose (18, 18') elektrisch angeschlossen sein kann.

Borne de connexion à serrage par ressort comprenant un boîtier ou une cage pour recevoir une partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) d'un câble, conducteur ou fil électrique rigide ou flexible (3), et logeant au moins un agencement de serrage (5) qui comprend un bras chargé par ressort (6) déplaçable automatiquement entre une position rétractée dans laquelle ledit bras (6) est situé à l'extérieur d'un passage ou canal (7) qui fait suite à une ouverture d'insertion de fil (2') dudit boîtier (2), et permettant l'introduction sans obstacle de ladite partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) dans ledit passage ou canal (7), et une position étendue dans laquelle ledit bras (6) est au moins partiellement situé dans ledit passage ou canal (7) et est apte à venir en contact sous contrainte élastique avec la partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) dudit conducteur ou fil électrique (3) reçu dans ledit passage ou canal (7), rendant ainsi sûre l'insertion de ladite partie d'extrémité (4) du conducteur ou fil (3) considéré, ledit agencement de serrage (5) comprenant également : des moyens (8, 9) pour verrouiller ledit bras (6) dans sa position rétractée, par engagement avec un site d'ancrage respectif (9),

un moyen de déclenchement (10) apte à libérer le bras chargé par ressort (6) de sa position rétractée verrouillée et configuré pour être activé physiquement par la partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) dudit fil ou conducteur (3),

une partie ou surface de contact (11) sur ledit moyen de déclenchement (10), destinée à être heurtée ou pressée par une extrémité (4') de la partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) du conducteur ou fil électrique (3) afin de libérer le bras chargé par ressort (6) de sa position rétractée verrouillée,

dans laquelle ledit moyen de déclenchement (10) est situé et agencé au-delà du bras (6) et du site (9), dans une direction (D) d'insertion du fil ou conducteur (3), et est constitué d'un bras de levier s'étendant dans ladite direction (D), la partie de contact (11) étant constituée d'une partie d'extrémité libre dudit bras de levier (10),

laquelle borne de connexion (1) comprend également un moyen de desserrage (15) intégré, apte à déplacer le bras chargé par ressort (6) de sa position étendue dans sa position rétractée contre la force du ressort, les moyens de verrouillage (8, 9) permettant un verrouillage automatique dudit bras (6) dans sa position rétractée lorsque ladite position est atteinte, ledit moyen de réinitialisation (15) étant associé à et agissant sur le bras chargé par ressort (6),

la borne de connexion (1) étant caractérisée

en ce que le moyen de réinitialisation (15) est constitué d'un levier isolé électriquement monté par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison articulée (16) sur ledit boîtier (2) et comprenant une partie de poussée (15") apte à venir en contact avec le bras chargé par ressort (6) sur tout son mouvement de pivotement entre sa position rétractée et sa position étendue et une pièce de pression (15') en forme de bouton-poussoir destinée au contact avec un doigt d'un utilisateur et

en ce que le levier comprend un moyen empêchant l'engagement mutuel des moyens de verrouillage (8, 9) lors de l'actionnement dudit levier lorsqu'un conducteur ou fil (3) est présent dans le passage (7) et serré par le bras (6) concerné,

en ce que le moyen (16') empêchant l'engagement mutuel des moyens de verrouillage (8, 9) est constitué d'un moyen apte à utiliser la présence d'au moins un fil dans le passage (7), ou dans au moins un passage (7) dans le cas d'un même moyen de réinitialisation (15) associé à plusieurs passages (7), pour limiter le déplacement du moyen de réinitialisation (15) de sorte qu'il ne puisse pas atteindre la position dans laquelle un engagement mutuel automatique des moyens de verrouillage (8, 9) a lieu ; et

en ce que le levier pivotant isolé formant le moyen de réinitialisation (15) est pourvu, à ou à proximité d'une extrémité libre dudit moyen de réinitialisation (15) opposée à son extrémité articulée, d'une partie en saillie (16'), telle qu'une paroi ou une partie formant aile, s'étendant parallèlement et dans la même direction que la partie de poussée (15"), un bord libre de ladite partie en saillie (16') étant configuré pour venir en contact avec un conducteur ou fil (3) situé dans un passage (7) concerné et arrêtant le déplacement pivotant dudit levier (15) avant que sa partie de poussée (15") ne puisse déplacer suffisamment le bras chargé par ressort (6) concerné pour provoquer un engagement mutuel des moyens de verrouillage (8, 9).

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le bras chargé par ressort (6) effectue un mouvement de pivotement lorsqu'il est libéré de sa position rétractée verrouillée par l'action du moyen de déclenchement (10) et en ce que ledit bras (6) est pourvu d'une partie de verrouillage (8) apte à venir en prise avec le site d'ancrage (9) respectif, par accrochage ou encliquetage, pour maintenir et verrouiller ledit bras (6) dans sa position rétractée contre la contrainte du ressort, ladite partie (8) et ledit site (9) qui coopèrent mutuellement formant ensemble les moyens de verrouillage dudit bras (6).

Borne de connexion selon les revendications 1 et 2, caractérisée en ce que le bras de levier (10) est relié fonctionnellement, par une transmission de force ou une liaison physique, au site d'ancrage (9) et s'étend au-delà dudit site (9) dans la direction (D), de manière à être apte à déplacer ledit site (9) contre une force de ressort et à annuler l'engagement par accrochage ou encliquetage de la partie de verrouillage (8) du bras chargé par ressort (6) avec ledit site d'ancrage (9) lors de l'application d'une pression ou force minimale suffisante sur ladite partie de contact (11) du bras de levier (10).

Borne de connexion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que l'agencement de serrage (5) est constitué d'une seule bande métallique formant le bras chargé par ressort (6) et d'un cadre de montage (12) auquel ledit bras (6) est relié de manière continue et matérielle par une partie formant bande flexible élastique (13) qui fournit la force de ressort audit bras (6), ladite force de ressort étant suffisante pour serrer la partie d'extrémité (4) du conducteur ou fil (3) au moyen dudit bras (6) contre une paroi opposée (7') dudit passage ou canal (7), pourvue d'une encoche (7") ou d'un moyen de contre-serrage en saillie similaire apte à coopérer avec le bras (6) pour verrouiller le fil ou le câble dans le passage (7) et assurer le contact électrique entre la partie d'extrémité (4) et le boîtier ou la cage conducteur/trice (2).

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que le cadre de montage (12) comporte le site d'ancrage (9) et en ce que la partie de verrouillage (8) correspondante est prévue à une extrémité libre (6') du bras chargé par ressort (6).

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que le cadre de montage (12) de l'agencement de serrage (5) est constitué de deux branches ou parties formant aile disposées mutuellement dans une configuration en forme de L inversé ou en forme de gamma majuscule, avec deux branches (12' et 12") reliées par une première partie flexible élastiquement incurvée (13), dans laquelle une extrémité d'une première branche (12') est reliée de manière continue par une seconde partie flexible élastiquement incurvée (13) au bras chargé par ressort (6) et une extrémité libre (12"') de la seconde branche (12") est pourvue du site d'ancrage (9) sous la forme d'une fente ou d'une ouverture, et en ce que la partie de verrouillage (8) à l'extrémité libre (6') du bras chargé par ressort (6) est constituée d'un crochet de fixation ou d'un doigt coudé, le cadre de montage (12), la partie incurvée ou coudée (13) et le bras (6) formant ainsi, dans la position rétractée verrouillée dudit bras (6), une configuration en boucle fermée.

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que la partie de verrouillage (8) et le site d'ancrage (9) sont décalés latéralement de manière à libérer le canal ou passage d'insertion (7) lorsque le bras (6) est rétracté, la partie de verrouillage (8) étant constituée d'un crochet de fixation coudé s'étendant depuis l'extrémité libre (6') du bras (6) et le site d'ancrage (9) étant constitué d'une découpe latérale, en forme de fente, de la seconde branche (12") du cadre de montage (12).

Borne de connexion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de déclenchement (10) fait partie intégrante de l'agencement de serrage (5), l'agencement de serrage (5) et le moyen de déclenchement (10) étant constitués d'une seule et même bande métallique.

Borne de connexion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de déclenchement (10) est constitué, considéré dans la direction (D), d'un bras de levier en forme de L inversé ou de gamma majuscule, avec une première branche (14) reliée de manière continue et matérielle à l'agencement de serrage (5) dans la région de son moyen (9) pour verrouiller le bras chargé par ressort (6) dans sa position rétractée et avec une seconde branche (14') formant ou comprenant une partie de contact (11) destinée à être heurtée ou pressée par la partie d'extrémité (4) d'un conducteur ou fil électrique (3) inséré dans le passage ou canal (7) prévu dans le boîtier ou la cage (2), le bras de levier (10) présentant une rigidité suffisante pour transmettre des forces de pression à l'agencement de serrage (5) afin de déplacer le site d'ancrage (9) et de désengager les moyens de verrouillage (8, 9).

Borne de connexion selon les revendications 6 et 9, caractérisée en ce que le bras (6) avec sa partie de verrouillage (8), la partie incurvée intermédiaire élastique (13), le cadre de montage (12) avec le site d'ancrage (9) et le levier (10) formant moyen de déclenchement avec sa partie de contact (11) sont tous constitués d'une seule bande métallique par des opérations de cintrage et de découpage, le bras de levier (10) étant formé comme une extension de l'extrémité libre (12"') de la seconde branche (12") se prolongeant au-delà du site d'ancrage (9).

Borne de connexion selon les revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins deux agencements de serrage (5) disposés côte à côte, chacun comportant un moyen de déclenchement (10) correspondant et étant associé à un passage ou canal (7) respectif pour recevoir la partie d'extrémité (4) d'un conducteur ou fil (3).

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce qu'un même moyen de réinitialisation (15), tel qu'un levier en plastique articulé avec la cage ou le boîtier (2), est associé et apte à agir simultanément sur les deux bras chargés par ressort (6) d'une paire d'agencements de serrage (5), venant en contact avec les bras (6) dans une région alignée avec leurs moyens de verrouillage (8).

Borne de connexion selon les revendications 11 ou 12, caractérisée en ce que lorsque les agencements de serrage (5) sont groupés par paires, les deux agencements (5) de chaque paire sont réalisés à partir d'une seule bande métallique.

Borne de connexion selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisée en ce que le boîtier (2) comprend une ouverture (2') permettant le passage de la partie de poussée (15") du levier, ladite ouverture (2') étant fermée par ladite partie de poussée (15") et recouverte par la partie de pression (15').

Borne de connexion selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la pression de la partie en saillie (16') formée d'un seul tenant avec le levier sur un conducteur ou fil (3) serré par le bras chargé par ressort (6) dans un passage (7) correspondant est configurée pour amener la partie d'extrémité dénudée (4) du conducteur ou fil (3) en prise avec le bras (6), et par un moyen de contre-serrage correspondant, à être libérée pour permettre l'extraction dudit conducteur ou fil (3) considéré.

Dispositif de connexion électrique, en tant que composant séparé ou partie intégrante, comprenant un boîtier externe en matériau non conducteur, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif (17) comprend au moins une borne de connexion à serrage par ressort (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15, ladite ou chaque borne (1) pouvant être reliée électriquement à une prise enfichable mâle ou femelle (18, 18').

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This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

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