Mounting arrangement for electrical components and electrical component cases adapted to be used therewith

This invention relates to mounting blocks for receiving electrical components encased in individual cases. The mounting blocks include a plurality of openings and the electrical component containers include a pair of tabs which are adapted to releasably hold the cases on the mounting block. A binding post module is also disclosed for use with the mounting block, the binding post module also including a pair of tabs which allow the module to be releasably engaged with the apertures in the mounting blocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to mounting arrangements for releasably 
holding electrical components contained in individual cases to a mounting 
block, and more particularly the invention is related to mounting blocks 
useful for holding any number of loading coils encased in individual 
cases. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,302 issued to A. E. Graves on Oct. 19, 1954 and U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,691,294 issued to Joseph T. Charles on Sept. 12, 1972 
illustrate two prior art mounting arrangements for holding individual 
electrical components. The Charles patent deals with a case for enclosing 
loading coils typically used in telecommunications systems, however it is 
has certain disadvantages in that the coils must be mounted such that the 
leads therefrom exit the case from only one angle. In the present 
invention the mounting blocks and the electrical cases for use with the 
mounting blocks have specifically been designed to allow the cases to be 
installed and in a fashion such that the lead outs may come to the front 
or the rear of the mounting block. Hence when the mounting block is used 
in a location with limited access to the rear of the mounting block, all 
the cases may be inserted such that the leads will come out toward the 
front or if the mounting space is not particularly cramped, some of the 
cases may be oriented such that the leads will come out toward the rear of 
the mounting blocks. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the present invention mounting blocks are provided which include a 
plurality of generally rectangular, spaced apart openings which are 
adapted to receive electrical component cases having a spaced apart pair 
of integral tabs thereon. The mounting block includes the C-shaped channel 
into which mounting bolts may be inserted to attach the block to a 
suitable mounting standard. In instances in which the mounting block may 
be desired to be used for terminating in common electrical conductors, a 
special binding post module is provided which may be releasably snapped 
into mounting block. The releasable snapping arrangement between the 
component cases and the mounting blocks allow any desired number of cases 
to be inserted into the blocks. 
Another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the 
generally rectangular apertures in the mounting block are oriented at 
45.degree. from the longitudinal axis of the block and also are orientated 
in criss-cross pairs so that the component containers may be placed 
back-to-back on opposite sides of the block. In addition, the retaining 
tabs on the cases are also orientated at an angle such that the 
combination of the angular orientation of the retaining tabs and the 
rectangular slots on the mounting blocks allow the electrical cases to be 
snapped into the mounting blocks such that the electrical leads from the 
cases may either face forward or rearward as the user desires. 
An alternative mounting block is also shown which is constructed of two 
symmetrical half sections. Each of the half sections includes a series of 
generally rectangularly shaped openings adapted to receive the electrical 
cases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Now referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated mounting block 1 shown in an 
enlarged perspective view with the top portion of the block broken away to 
better illustrate the detail with respect to the openings for receiving 
mounting tabs of the cases for the electrical components. The electrical 
component cases 2 are shown with relationship to the mounting block 1, 
some of the cases 2 being snapped into place on the block and others shown 
in the spaced apart relationship of mounting block 1 to illustrate how 
retaining tabs 3 will fit into the openings of mounting block 1. In the 
particular arrangement of mounting block 1 shown in FIG. 1, referring to 
the component case 2 in the upper left hand portion of the figure, 
retaining tabs 3 of the component case 2 will snap into one aperture in 
mounting block 1 and be held into place by a pair of ridges 4 in mounting 
block 1. A second pair of ridges 5 are located near the opposite side of 
mounting block 1 and are oriented at an angle of approximately 90.degree. 
from the first pair of ridges 4. The pairs of ridges 4 and 5 are formed by 
first producing generally rectangular openings through the mounting block 
1, those openings being oriented at 90.degree. from each other and each 
oriented at an angle of 45.degree. from the longitude and axis of block 1. 
Next, each end of the openings is slightly enlarged part way through block 
1 to leave the first pair of ridges 4 adjacent to one side of mounting 
block 1 and the second pair of ridges 5 adjacent to the opposite side of 
mounting block 1. The pair of openings which make up the criss-cross pair 
at each location of the block may be viewed as generally rectangular and 
having an increased dimension part way through the block which forms a 
base area 6, for example, for the first pair of ridges 4 associated with 
generally rectangular opening. In a like manner, the second generally 
rectangular opening yields ridges 5 and base areas 10 associated 
therewith. With the criss-cross arrangement of the openings in the 
mounting block 1, one component case 2 may be inserted as shown in the 
upper left hand corner of the figure and retaining tabs 3 will snap into 
mounting block 1 with ridges 4 holding the retaining tabs 3 into place and 
hence holding case 2 onto the mounting block 1. As shown in FIG. 1, when 
the upper left hand component case 2 has been snapped into place, 
retaining tabs 3 will extend inward from the associated ridges 4 and come 
to rest adjacent base areas 6. 
The center criss-cross opening in the mounting block 1 illustrates how the 
retaining tabs 3 fits into the space adjacent base area 6, since a 
component case 2 has been snapped into mounting block 1 from opposite side 
and is being retained in this position by retaining tab 3. Component case 
2 adjacent to the middle opening of mounting block 1 and spaced apart from 
the center opening, has the retaining tabs 3 shown in dotted line 
relationship to illustrate how this second component case 2 may be snapped 
into the mounting block 1 and held into place by virtue of the second pair 
of ridges 5 adjacent to the near side of mounting block 1. Thus it will be 
appreciated that with a criss-cross arrangement of openings in the 
mounting block with the corresponding pair or ridges associated with each 
of the openings, a component case 2 may be mounted from either side and 
two cases mounted in the same area but on opposite sides of the block at 
the same time. 
One of the unique features of the mounting arrangement of the present 
invention is that the cases 2 may be snapped into the mounting block 1 
with the electrical leads facing either forward or rearward. Furthermore, 
this may be accomplished with for example the cases on opposite sides of 
the block occupying the same general location, one case having its leads 
facing forward and the other facing to the rear. This unique advantage is 
accomplished by first having the pair of rectangular openings in the 
mounting block 1 arranged such that each of the openings, and hence the 
ridges 4 and 5, oriented at an angle of 45.degree. from the longitudinal 
axis of the block 1. Also, on component cases 2 it will be noted that 
retaining tabs 3 are rotated at an angle of approximately 45.degree. from 
the X and Y axis of component case 2. Thus, with leads 15 extending from 
component case 2 in a line along the X axis, as viewed in FIG. 1, case 2 
in the upper left hand corner of the figure be snapped into mounting block 
1 oriented as shown in the figure. Another case 2 may then be installed on 
the opposite side of block 1 in the upper most opening with its electrical 
leads 15 extending either forward or rearward. To visualize this, if it is 
desired to have leads 15 of a second case 2 extend outward, toward the 
front of mounting block 1; then this second case 2 would be oriented in 
the manner that case 2 with top 11 open is illustrated and then be snapped 
in such that retaining tabs 3 would intersect with the second pair of 
ridges 5. With respect to the upper left hand case 2, this could be 
visualized by rotating that case 2 180.degree. about the X axis which 
would result in retaining tabs 3 falling into the same relative position 
as those of case 2 in the near side of figure toward the middle of 
mounting block 1. To mount a case with the leads leading to the rear of 
mounting block 1, this can be visualized by looking at case 2 in the upper 
left hand corner of the figure and with a case in this relative position 
rotating it 180.degree. about the Y axis which would result in a leads 15 
exiting toward the rear of the mounting block 1 and retaining tabs 3 
falling into position to snap into the second pair of ridges 5. Thus from 
the foregoing it will be appreciated that with the particular arrangement 
if mounting block 1 and cases 2, cases 2 may be oriented so that all the 
leads come out toward the front of the block or the rear of the block 1 or 
in any alternative fashion with some toward the front and some toward the 
rear. 
Mounting block 1 includes a channel 7 along the rear edge thereof, this 
channel providing a means to hold mounting means to secure the block 1 to 
a mounting standard, as shown in FIG. 1, one anticipated arrangement would 
be to add to the mounting block a bolt 8 having a head 9 adapted fit 
within the channel 7. With this arrangement, the bolts may be moved to fit 
into desired mounting holes in a mounting standard and the block held into 
place by attaching a suitable nut or other fastening means to the bolt 8. 
Referring to FIG. 1, a better view of component case 2 is illustrated in 
the right hand portion thereof wherein one of the cases 2 is shown with 
its top 11 removed, with a portion of the top 11 cut away to reveal the 
interior of case 2. Case 2 principally comprises a floor 12 with 
integrally molded retaining tabs 3 and sidewall portions 13 which rise 
upward from floor 12. To facilitate emergence of electrical leads from the 
case 2, a plurality of notches 14 have been added to the sidewall along 
one edge. In the preferred embodiment, case 2 is molded of a resilient, 
thermo plastic material, this material being sufficiently resilient to 
allow retaining tabs 3 to flex when they are pressed into place in the 
openings. When case 2 is used to hold a loading coil, the loading coil 
would be placed into the case with the leads extending out through notches 
14. Next the case would be filled with an epoxy type of material to 
hermetically seal the loading coil and prevent its deterioration from 
temperature and humidity affects. Finally, top 11 would be placed over 
case 2 and cemented into place with a suitable adhesive. 
Now referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a mounting block assembly 16 
in accordance with the present invention. Mounting block assembly 16 is 
composed of a pair of symmetrical half sections 17 including a plurality 
of generally rectangularly shaped openings 18. It will be noted that 
openings 18 are oriented at an angle of approximately 45.degree. from the 
longitudinal axis of half sections 17. In order to allow the retaining 
tabs to snap through the openings 18 and not interfere with the opposite 
half section 17, each half section 17 includes a rib portion 19 which 
extends around the perimeter of the half section and transversely across 
each half section 17. With these ribs 19 on each half section 17, a space 
is provided so that the tips of retaining tabs 3 will not interfere with 
the opposite half section. It will also be noted that a pin 20 is included 
in the upper transverse rib 19 and a socket 21 is included in the lower of 
the two transverse cross ribs 19 so that when the two half sections are 
placed together the pin and socket arrangement provide for properly 
aligning the symmetrical half section 17. Each of the symmetrical half 
sections 17 also include a channel 22 for receiving the head of a suitable 
mounting means such as bolts 23 so that when the mounting block assembly 
16 is fastened together, bolts 23 may serve to support mounting block 16 
on a suitable mounting standard. Each of the symmetrical half sections 17 
includes a plurality of apertures 24 through which suitable fastening 
means, such as rivets 25, may be passed to secure the two half sections 
together. When assembled, the mounting block assembly 16 performs the same 
functions and cooperates with cases 2 to provide a mounting arrangement 
for holding any number of component cases 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1. 
An alternative construction for the mounting arrangement of the present 
invention is specifically contemplated in which mounting block 1 and 
symmetrical half sections 17 are made from a resilient material. Cases 2, 
and hence the integral retaining tabs 3, would then be constructed from a 
relatively rigid material. With this material combination, the mounting 
block 1, or half section 17, would flex upon snapping case 2 into the 
opening rather than having retaining tabs 3 primarily flexing upon 
insertion. 
Now referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a binding post module 26 
adapted to be releasably snapped into mounting block 1. Modules 26 include 
a pair of retaining tabs 27 in a spaced apart relationship which are 
adapted to be received by mounting block 1 or mounting block 16. Retaining 
tabs 27 are molded as an integral part of module 26 and extend from the 
base portion 28 of module 26. On the opposite side of base portion 28 from 
which the retaining tabs 27 are located a pair of integrally molded 
upstanding posts 29 extending from base portion 28, posts 29 including 
electrically conducting screw terminals 30 molded as a part thereof. To 
provide a post for electrical connection a threaded nut 31 may be added to 
secure the electrical conductors to the screw terminal 30. It should be 
noted that the retaining tabs 27 are positioned on the binding post module 
26 in the same relationship with respect to the overall module as the 
retaining tabs 3 are with respect to the component cases 2, and thus a 
multiplicity of alignment arrangements may be provided between the binding 
post module 26 and the mounting blocks 1 or 16.