Patent ID: 6940021
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: H01H,H01R

Abstract:
1. An in-plane component adapter used with a terminal block of a type mountable at a rear surface on a laterally extending rail to present a substantially constant lateral thickness between left and right planar walls that may abut corresponding planar walls of adjacent terminal blocks mounted on the rail, the terminal block providing a plurality of terminals accessible at upper and lower edges of the terminal block for receiving electrical conductors communicating electrical signals to a socket of the terminal block, the socket for receiving a relay having relay pins insertable into the socket from a front surface of the terminal block, the component adapter comprising: an insulating housing having a width substantially equal to the lateral thickness of the terminal block; at least one component within the insulating housing having terminals; at least one conductive pin having a first end extending from a rear surface of the housing and receivable by the terminal block, having a portion within the housing to selectively attach to the terminals of the at least one component, and having a second end receiving a conductor from the relay at a front surface of the housing; and wherein the housing may be attached to the terminal block so that the housing lies substantially between planes of the left and right planar walls of the terminal block and wherein the housing includes upper and lower forward extending stabilizing means having inner surfaces aligned with and parallel to upper surface and lower surface of the relay so as to receive upper edge and lower edge of the relay therebetween when the conductor from the relay is received by the second end.