Patent ID: 6280216
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: H02B

Abstract:
A staggered clip assembly for providing electrical connection to a bus bar, the staggered clip assembly comprising:a first clip for slidably receiving an edge of the bus bar, the first clip including a first contact arm arranged for contacting a first side of the bus bar, and a second contact arm arranged for contacting a second side of the bus bar opposite said first side, said first and second contact arms extending a first distance from said edge;a second clip for slidably receiving said edge of the bus bar, the second clip including a third contact arm arranged for contacting said first side of the bus bar, and a fourth contact arm arranged for contacting said second side of the bus bar opposite said first side, said third and fourth contact arms extending a second distance from said edge, said second distance being less than said first distance;a third clip for slidably receiving said edge of the bus bar, the third clip including a fifth contact arm arranged for contacting said first side of the bus bar, and a sixth contact arm arranged for contacting said second side of the bus bar opposite said first side, said fifth and sixth contact arms extending said first distance from said edge; and,a fourth clip for slidably receiving said edge of the bus bar, the fourth clip including a seventh contact arm arranged for contacting said first side of the bus bar, and an eighth contact arm arranged for contacting said second side of the bus bar opposite said first side, said seventh and eighth contact arms extending said second distance from said edge;wherein said first, third, fifth, and seventh contact arms are formed from a first piece of electrically conductive material, a common root portion formed from said first piece of electrically conductive material, said first, third, fifth, and seventh contact arms extending from said common root portion, a first radius formed in said common root portion between said first and third contact arms and in said common root portion between said fifth and seventh contact arms; and a second radius, different than the first radius, formed in said common root portion between said third and fifth contact arms, said first and second radii being selected to provide substantially equal material stress within said electrically conductive material where said first, third, fifth, and seventh contact arms join said common root portion.