(19)
(11) EP 1 986 274 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC

(43) Date of publication:
29.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/44

(21) Application number: 07712572.2

(22) Date of filing: 08.02.2007
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01R 9/26(2006.01)
H01R 4/38(2006.01)
H01R 4/20(2006.01)
H01R 43/042(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/ES2007/070029
(87) International publication number:
WO 2007/090921 (16.08.2007 Gazette 2007/33)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 10.02.2006 ES 200600306
01.08.2006 ES 200602080

(71) Applicant: GARCÍA-MAURIÑO DELAS, Fernando
08193 Bellaterra Barcelona (ES)

(72) Inventor:
  • GARCÍA-MAURIÑO DELAS, Fernando
    08193 Bellaterra Barcelona (ES)

(74) Representative: Barlocci, Anna 
ZBM Patents Zea, Barlocci & Markvardsen C/ Balmes, 114 - 4º
08008 Barcelona
08008 Barcelona (ES)

   


(54) CONNECTION BLOCK FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS AND HAND TOOL FOR FOR DEFORMING THE TERMINAL POINTS OF ELECTRICAL CABLES


(57) Connection block for electrical conductors which comprises a first port (12) for an input conductor, a second port (13) for an output conductor, and a single tightening terminal (4) for the ends or leads of said input and output conductors, such that said ports open, in an opposed and offset arrangement, into said tightening terminal (4). The connection block is further provided with means (18, 19) for fastening the input conductor terminal lead in the first port, opposing the return movement of said terminal lead out of said port. A hole (16), which inlet has a cross-section that is larger than that of a terminal lead to be deformed, usually that of the output conductor, determines the outer shape of said terminal lead when being manually pushed into the inside of the hole.




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a hand tool for deforming terminal leads of electric cables and a connection block for electrical conductors preferably provided with said terminal leads, that includes a socket to be removably fitted on a support member, either alone or forming a connection strip by parallelly assembling several connection blocks, a first port for an input conductor and a second port for a output conductor. The connection block is optionally provided with one of such tools.

BACKGROUND ART



[0002] The use of terminal or end leads for covering the ends of electric cables to be connected through connection blocks or strips is usual.

[0003] Normally said terminal leads have a front conductive portion for the wire cables and a rear insulating portion for the cable sheath. Usually the diameter of the rear portion is larger than that of the front portion.

[0004] Terminal leads have generally a cylindrical configuration and a cross-section according to that of the cable to be connected. However, terminals in connection strips or blocks have different cross-sections, for fitting or inserting the terminal leads, such as square, rectangular, with curve and straight surfaces, etc., the cross-section in the port of terminal leads being usually different from the circular cross-section in the existing terminal leads, which notably hinders the insertion of said terminal leads into the port of the connection blocks, with the operator often being forced to use pliers for pressing and deforming the terminal leads in order to provide them with such a form that they can be inserted into the connection block, with the involved difficulties and defects in the result.

[0005] In addition, since generally the conductive front portion of the terminal lead has thinner walls, so that they are better adapted to the cable wires and the electrical contact of the cable and the terminal lead is facilitated, it is common for the operator to cause an excessive deformation of the terminal lead which prevents the conductor from being inserted into the terminal.

[0006] These connection blocks are used for making low-voltage electrical panels and usually they are arranged side by side, forming connection strips or boards which are ready to receive the cables to be connected without the installer having to handle the inner installation in the panel. These connection blocks comprise an insulator body provided with a socket that is removably fitted on a support member in the electrical panel.

[0007] The connection blocks usually include two connection terminals, for the input and output cables or conductors respectively, and a conductor bridge between the terminals. Normally, one of the terminals is intended for connection of a input conductor from the panel, that connects with the inner installation made in a factory or workshop, and the other terminal is intended for connection of an output conductor for the outer installation, that is carried out by the installer in the place where the electrical panel is to be installed.

[0008] The input and output conductor leads are generally provided with terminal or end leads for preventing the cable wires from being messy or scattered.

[0009] The wiring of the inner installation is well defined and controlled, since it is made at the workshop. However, wiring in the outer installation depends on the requirements and circumstances of each application. For this reason, the connection block must be designed for a predictable maximum use capacity, which is related to the cross-section of the larger cable to be connected.

[0010] For several reasons, it is relatively frequent for the connection block input conductor to have a cross-section that is smaller than that of the block output conductor, and this forces the use of connection blocks with one of the terminals being over sized with respect to the input conductor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a conductor connection system for electrical panels that simplifies the operator's labor and improves the connection features.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, a hand tool for deforming terminal leads of electrical cables includes a hole which inlet cross-section is greater than that of the terminal lead to be deformed, for loosely inserting the front portion of said terminal lead in the axial direction, and which walls are, at least in one length, converging into the inside thereof and form the outer shape of the terminal lead when being manually pushed into the hole.

[0013] Preferably, the walls of the hole are, at least in one length, gradually converging into the inside thereof, that is, said walls are progressively converging and do not have any sudden narrowings. The terminal lead is thus progressively deforming along the hole and the pushing force on the terminal lead into the hole can be adjusted and reduced.

[0014] In one embodiment, at least in one length of the hole, at least one of the walls of the hole is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the hole, while at least another of the walls of the hole is converging into the inside thereof. Thus, straight and converging wall lengths or sub-lengths can be alternated (parallel to the axial direction of the hole).

[0015] One possibility is that the walls of the hole are, at least in one length, alternately converging into the inside thereof, which allows for different embodiments: for example, in each sub-length there may be provided a single converging wall (which is changed in the next sub-length) or in successive sub-lengths there may be straight and converging walls alternated two by two. In any event, it is achieved that the terminal lead is not deformed by all sides simultaneously, but alternately or successively.

[0016] The configuration of the tool makes the deformation of the terminal lead to be regular and the cross-section is decreasing in the front portion thereof, which facilitates the electrical cable terminal lead to be easily inserted into a connection terminal port.

[0017] The contour of the variable cross-section of the hole may comprise straight and curved segments, or a combination thereof. Terminal leads can be thus obtained having a cross-section that is suitable for the different existing connection terminals.

[0018] Preferably, the walls of the hole define, at least in one length, a substantially frusto-pyramidal shaped gap. The frusto-pyramidal shape provides a rectangular or square shaped decreasing section in the front portion of the terminal lead, which is particularly suitable for most connection terminals.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cross-section of at least one length of the hole is substantially constant. This length, if provided downstream the decreasing cross-section length, allows inserting the entire front portion of the terminal lead into the hole without the outer end thereof being squashed more than it should.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, a connection block for electrical conductors comprises a single tightening terminal for the inner and outer connector ends, so that said first and second ports open, in an opposed and offset arrangement, into said tightening terminal, which comprises a hold-down plate and a clamp, so that, when the two conductors are connected, their ends are overlapping and blocked between the hold-down plate and the clamp.

[0021] The use of one of the clamp and hold-down plate assemblies and the conductor bridge between the terminals of the conventional connection blocks is thus avoided, with the resulting material savings. In addition, direct contact is provided between the input and output conductors, allowing current to flow therethrough without any intermediate elements, which may be necessary to size or which may have overheating problems. The offset arrangement of the two ports allows insertion of the end of one conductor into the terminal does not block insertion of the end of another conductor. Of course these operations are facilitated, and contact between the two conductors is improved, if conductors are provided with terminal leads.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first port comprises a lug in the form of a harpoon or the like preventing input conductor terminal lead, and therefore said input conductor, from being released out of the first port.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connection block comprises a slot intersecting the first port, and a removable tab that is inserted into the slot until being fitted into the first port and it opposes the return movement of the input cable terminal lead outwards the first port.

[0024] Advantageously, the tab end to be inserted into the first port is U-shaped, such that, with the tab is inserted into the first port, the input cable is flanked by the arms of the U.

[0025] In one embodiment, the arms of the U are converging, at least in one length, for defining an inner narrowing, such that the input cable is better clamped by the tab.

[0026] Whether it is with the lugs or the tab, these means for fastening the input conductor terminal lead in the first port allow the input conductor to be fastened to the connection block, leaving both operator's hands free for comfortably carrying out the connection of the output conductor in the second port.

[0027] Preferably, the terminal is of the indirect tightening type and it comprises a screw that can be accessed from the outside of the connection block, so that the hold-down plate is fixed in the connection block and the clamp and the screw cooperate for tightening the ends of the input and output conductors against the hold-down plate, although the terminal could be of the direct tightening type, so that the screw would act as a hold-down plate and tightening would be done directly on the conductor ends. The advantage of indirect tightening is that the conductors or their terminal leads are not damaged by screw turning, since tightening thereon is carried out by the fixed hold-down plate.

[0028] Advantageously, the connection block is provided with at least one input conductor segment that is fastened to the first port. The manufacturer of the electrical panel can be thus supplied with the input cable already coupled to the connection block. The input conductor terminal lead may be provided with a ribbing, made by pressure, for increasing friction with the input cable end being covered by this, so that said ribbing prevents the conductor from leaving out the terminal lead before the connection terminal is pressed by this. The same ribbing serves for rubbing the output conductor terminal lead when the two terminal leads are tightened in the connection terminal. Preferably, the connection block comprises a hole which inlet cross-section is larger than that of a terminal lead to be deformed, for loosely inserting the front portion of said terminal lead in the axial direction, and which walls define a substantially frusto pyramidal-shaped gap. Said gap has the features and advantages of the hand tool described for deforming electric cable terminal leads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



[0029] One embodiment of the invention will be described below by way of a nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view a tool for deforming terminal leads;

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the tool in Fig. 1 taken along line A-A';

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a terminal lead when being inserted into and deformed in a hole of the tool;

Fig. 4 is a front view of a deformed terminal lead;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a terminal lead once deformed and inserted into a terminal a block in a connection block or strip;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a tool for deforming terminal leads having a similar configuration to that of the covers or spacers attached to the connection blocks or strips;

Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of a connection block with two conductors fitted in a terminal for being tightened;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 but with no conductors;

Fig. 9 is a sectional front view taken along line B-B' in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the block in Figure 8;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 but corresponding to a further embodiment and

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the embodiment in Fig. 11.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT



[0030] Figs. 1 to 6 relates to a hand tool for deforming electric cable terminal leads, and Figs. 7 to 12 relate to a connection block for electric cables provided with terminal leads containing one of such tools, although if the cables are not provided with terminal leads, they would be referred to as conductor ends instead.

[0031] A tool for deforming terminal leads according to the invention comprises a body or matrix 1 provided with a hole 2 having a port 21 for insertion of the terminal lead 31 to be deformed, and which inner walls 22 are converging toward the bottom or the opposite end of the port 21. The terminal lead 31 includes a front portion 33 (receiving the bared end of a cable 3) and an enlarged rear portion 32 (for covering the cable sheath).

[0032] In the figures, the inner walls 22 define a gap with a general frusto pyramidal configuration having a square cross-section, although such cross-section may take on any shape according to the ports in the existing connection blocks.

[0033] Neither is it necessary for all he walls 22 in the hole 2 to be converging simultaneously into the inside thereof, but straight walls (parallel to the hole axial direction) and converging walls can be combined in different lengths.

[0034] Once the terminal lead 31 has been positioned onto a conveniently peeled off end of an electrical cable 3, said terminal lead is inserted into the hole 2 of the tool and it is pushed axially for obtaining a radial deformation in the front portion of the terminal lead, so that a configuration similar to that in the gap defined by the inner walls 22 in the hole 2 can be taken on. Converging sides 33 to the front end of the terminal lead 31 are formed in the front portion of the terminal lead.

[0035] By virtue of the obtained decreasing cross-section, this deformation of the terminal lead allows it to be comfortably inserted into the corresponding port of a connection block, as shown in Fig. 5, for subsequently tightening and fixing of the cable 3 in its terminal 3.

[0036] The tool body or matrix may take on different geometric shapes, such as for example those of the connection blocks (Fig. 5), end stops, covers or insulating partitions that are usually attached to the connection blocks or strips, etc., as shown in Fig. 6.

[0037] Of course the tool body can take on further configurations, such as that of a screwdriver handgrip or any other tool used normally in assembling electrical installations, or it may be merely formed with a block suitable for providing comfortable grip and transport.

[0038] It can be also provided that the tool body comprises several holes having different cross-sections and sizes to enable deformation of terminal leads suitable for different diameters of electric cables.

[0039] Now referring to Figs. 7 to 12, a connection block comprises a body of insulating material having a socket 11 at its rear portion for being fastened to a standard section member, and it is provided with respective ports at their sides for conductors to be connected, a first port 12 for an input conductor 5 and a second port 13 for an output conductor 3. Said ports are in an opposite and offset arrangement and extending into a housing 14 where a terminal 4 for connecting and fastening both conductors is received.

[0040] The body of the connection block comprises, in the front portion thereof, a hole 15 for gaining access to a screw 41 for tightening the terminal 4, which also includes a clamp 43 and a hold-down plate 42 embedded into the connection block just in front of the position of the terminal lead (or end) 51 of the input conductor 5 once inserted into its port 12. Once placed in position, said terminal lead 51 is fastened between the clamp 43 and the hold-down plate 42 under pressure by the screw 41, acting on the hold-down plate 42. In this case, tightening of the terminal 4 is of the indirect type, but if the hold-down plate is omitted, tightening would be of the direct type on the part of the screw 41.

[0041] The connection block comprises, at its front portion and that adjacent to the hole 15, a shaping hole or gap 2, by way of a tool for deforming terminal leads, having a generally frusto pyramidal shape for the shaping of the terminal lead 31 (where applicable) in the output conductor 3.

[0042] The first port 12 for the input cable extends inwardly into a housing 17 having, in its front contour, lugs 18 in the form of a harpoon or the like for blocking the terminal lead 51 of the input conductor 5, as well as the conductor itself inside the port 12.

[0043] Alternatively (Figs. 11 and 12), the connection block comprises a slot intersecting the first port 12, and a removable tab 19 that is inserted into the slot until being fitted into the first port 12 and it opposes the return movement of the terminal lead 51 of the input cable 5 outwards the first port 12.

[0044] The end of the tab 19 that is inserted into the first port 12 is U-shaped such that, with the tab 19 being inserted into the first port 12, the input conductor 5 is flanked by the arms of the U. Said arms are converging near their ends and define a narrowing in the gap of the U in that area, such that the input conductor is covered and better fastened. The cross-section of the inner portion of the U is according to the input conductor 5, usually circular, for being better adapted thereto.

[0045] The connection block is ready to receive an input conductor 5 with a terminal lead 51 having a square or rectangular cross-section provided with a deformation that prevents insertion of the outer conductor 3 from being interfered in the housing area 14 of the terminal 4, said terminal lead 51 being positioned at the front portion of said housing 14.

[0046] The second port 13, for the output conductor 3, is offset toward the rear portion of the connection block, such that the front end of the terminal lead 31 of the output conductor 3 is arranged in the rear portion of the housing 14 of the terminal 4, and it is in immediate contact with the adjacent end of the terminal lead 51 of the input conductor 5.

[0047] The clamp or moving frame 43 comprises a thread that is coupled to the screw 41, so that when tightening the screw, the terminal leads (or the ends) of the two conductors are pressed by said clamp against the hold-down plate 42 (or directly against the screw 41, in its case).

[0048] Although in the present specification only particular embodiments of the invention have been depicted and described, those skilled in the art will be able to made modifications and replace technical features with equivalent ones, depending on the requirements in each case, without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0049] It is, for example, apparent that shapes or materials can be varied to a certain extent while meeting the operating requirements of the invention.


Claims

1. Hand tool for deforming terminal leads of electric cables, characterized in that it comprises a hole (2) which inlet has a cross-section that is larger than that of a terminal lead to be deformed, for loosely inserting the front portion of said terminal lead in the axial direction, and which walls are, at least in one length, converging into the inside thereof and determine the outer shape of the terminal lead when being manually pushed into the hole (2).
 
2. Hand tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walls of the hole (2) are, at least in one length, gradually converging into the inside thereof.
 
3. Hand tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein, at least in one length of the hole (2), at least one of the walls of the hole is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the hole, while at least another of the walls of the hole is converging into the inside thereof.
 
4. Hand tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the walls of the hole (2) are, at least in one length, alternately converging into the inside thereof.
 
5. Hand tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the contour of the variable cross-section of the hole (2) comprises curved segments
 
6. Hand tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the contour of the variable cross-section of the hole (2) comprises straight segments
 
7. Hand tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the walls (22) of the hole (2) define, at least in one length, a generally frusto pyramidal shaped gap.
 
8. Hand tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of at least one length of the hole (2) is substantially constant.
 
9. Connection block for electrical conductors preferably provided with terminal leads, which comprises a socket (11) for being removably fitted on a support member, either alone or forming a connection strip by parallelly assembling several connection blocks, a first port (12) for an input conductor and a second port (13) for an output conductor, characterized in that it further comprises a single tightening terminal (4) for the ends of said input and output conductors, so that said first (12) and second (13) ports open, in an opposed and offset arrangement, into said tightening terminal (4), which includes a hold-down plate (42) and a clamp (43), such that, when connecting the two conductors, their ends are overlapping and blocked between the hold-down plate (42) and the clamp (43).
 
10. Connection block as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first port (12) comprises lugs (18) in the form of a harpoon or the like preventing the terminal lead of the input conductor, and therefore said input conductor, from being released out of the first port (12).
 
11. Connection block as claimed in claim 9, wherein it comprises a slot intersecting the first port (12), and a removable tab (19) that is inserted into the slot until being fitted into the first port (12) and it opposes the return movement of the input cable terminal lead outwards the first port (12).
 
12. Connection block as claimed in claim 11, wherein the end of the tab (19) that is inserted into the first port (12) is U-shaped, so that, with the tab (19) being inserted into the first port (12), the input conductor is flanked by the arms of the U.
 
13. Connection block as claimed in claim 12, wherein, at least in one length, the arms of the U are converging such that an inner narrowing is defined.
 
14. Connection block as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 13, wherein the terminal (4) is of the indirect tightening and it includes a screw (41) that can be accessed from the outside of the connection block, so that the hold-down plate (42) is fixed to the connection block and the clamp (43) and the screw (41) cooperate to tighten the ends of the input and output conductors against the hold-down plate (42).
 
15. Connection block as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 13, wherein the terminal (4) is of the direct tightening, so that the screw (41, 42) acts as a hold-down plate and tightening is carried out directly on the conductor ends.
 
16. Connection block as claimed in any of the claims 10 to 15, wherein it includes at least one segment of the input conductor that is fastened to the first port (12).
 
17. Connection block as claimed in any of the claims 9 to 15, wherein it comprises a hole (16) which inlet has a cross-section that is larger than that of a terminal lead to be deformed, for loosely inserting the front portion of said terminal lead in the axial direction, and which walls define a generally frusto pyramidal shaped gap.
 




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