Abstract:
The invention relates to a device ( 10.1 ) for connecting a web ( 25 ), comprising a pair of limbs ( 11, 12 ), the first two limb ends ( 13 ) being fixed to a support ( 30 ) while the remaining two limb ends ( 14 ) spring back and produce spring ends ( 14 ) for the purpose of connecting a web ( 25 ). In order to obtain a simpler and reliable connection, it is proposed that the two spring ends of the pair of limbs ( 11, 12 ) are connected to each other by means of a loop ( 20 ), the inside of the loop ( 24 ) serving to accommodate the web ( 25 ). When the web is connected, the loop ( 20 ) encompasses the cross section of the web and maintains it between its spring ends ( 14 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to a device for electrically or mechanically connecting a web. In a first field of application of this invention, the device is used to make electrical connections. In this case, the web is a current-carrying electrical conductor. In another field of application, the device is used as a fastener for a functional part. 
     Such a device is known from DE 19 16 468 A1. Here the pair of sidepieces consists of arc-shaped contact elements, the outer ends of which are supported against wall projections of a housing made of insulating material, whereas the inner ends of the elements are connected to each other by the integral U-shaped loop. To establish the desired contact, a plate, functioning as a plug-in element, is inserted into the loop. The end surface of the plate meets the bottom of the loop and carries the loop along until the two spring ends of the contact elements grip the plate between them. After contact has been established, the plate projects out of the opening of the loop, whereas the areas of the spring elements beyond an inflection point are deformed. The contacting force exerted on the plate by the contact elements then decreases somewhat, with the result that the plate retains itself in the loop. 
     BE 448 645 A shows a way in which wires can be attached to a piece of sheet metal, which can be either flat or bent into a hood-like shape. For this purpose, double-walled areas of the sheet are bent outward into flanges. An axial opening or a radial slot is formed between the double walls of the flanges, into which an electrical wire can be introduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is based on the task of improving the device of the type indicated above in such a way that it becomes possible to connect a web in a more reliable manner either for the purpose of making electrical contact or for the purpose of fastening a functional part. 
     The web is pushed into the interior of the loop by a pressing means. The pressing means acts on the two spring ends of the pair of sidepieces and by the exertion of pressure narrows down the opening of the loop lying between the two spring ends behind the inserted web. What takes place is a crimping process, where the pressing means represents the active part of a crimping tool. The pair of sidepieces and the loop present between them represent the passive part of this crimping tool. After the crimping operation, the loop surrounds almost the entire circumference of the web present in the interior of the loop. After crimping, the opening of the loop is closed to such an extent that the web present in it can no longer escape. The pressing means of the crimping tool brings about the permanent deformation of the pair of sidepieces. 
     When the device is being used in its first application, i.e., as a device for establishing electrical contact, the web is a current-carrying electrical conductor, e.g., in the form of an uninsulated wire. When electrical contact is established, there is no damage to the wire. The large contact surface between the wire and the loop, which wraps almost completely around the wire, ensures a low transition resistance. The wire is held in place by the automatic retaining action of the loop. Through suitable selection of the material, of the surface condition of the clamping sidepieces, and of the shape of the loop, a wide range of variation is available for establishing electrical contact. 
     Additional measures and advantages of the invention can be derived from the subclaims, from the following description, and from the drawings. The drawings show several exemplary embodiments of the two applications of the invention mentioned above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-6  show the use of the invention for making electrical contact, whereas  FIGS. 7-11  show the use of the invention for fastening an electrical functional part: 
         FIG. 1  shows part of a bus bar, on which a plurality of inventively designed pairs of clamping sidepieces is arranged; 
         FIG. 2 , on an enlarged scale, shows a pair of clamping sidepieces on the bus bar of  FIG. 1  in the resting state, in which the wire is still outside the loop; 
         FIG. 3  shows a view similar to that of  FIG. 2 , except that contact has now been established, the wire having been introduced into the loop; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the contact state illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5 , in a view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , shows a first variant of the device functioning as an electrical connector, this device having been provided with a thrust pad; 
         FIG. 6  shows a second variant of the device according to  FIG. 3 , where a latching connecting is provided between the loop and the resilient pad; 
         FIG. 7  shows a plan view of a device for use as a fastener, namely, in a resting state similar to that of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8 , in a view analogous to that of  FIG. 3 , shows the fastener of  FIG. 7  after the connection has been established, where the web of a functional part is anchored in the loop; 
         FIG. 9  shows a preliminary stage of the production of a functional part for  FIG. 8  in the form of a plate with edges, which are to be bent over in the next step of the process, where several semi-finished products are stamped out from a metal strip and then merely separated and bent over at the edges; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of two cooperating plate-shaped housing parts according to the prior art, which are replaced according to the invention by a fastener according to  FIG. 7  and a by functional part according to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a shield housing according to the prior art formed out of the two housing parts of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a completed housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As said above,  FIGS. 1-6  deal with a first application of the inventive device, in which it is used to establish an electrical connection with a current-carrying wire.  FIGS. 1-4  show a first exemplary embodiment  10 . 1 . Here several devices  10 . 1  are arranged at the edge of a bus bar  30 . A voltage is present during operation. As can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , the fixed ends  13  of the clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  are seated on the two arms  31 ,  32  extending from the bus bar  30 . The end  13  of the sidepiece is referred to in brief in the following as the “fixed end”. The other ends  14  of the clamping sidepieces are designed to move elastically with respect to each other and are therefore called the “spring ends”. The spring ends  14  of the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  are connected to each other by a loop  20 . 
     The loop  20  has essentially the shape of a “U” and merges with the two spring ends  14  by way of two S-shaped transitions  21 ,  22 , which curve in opposite directions. The distance  15  between the two fixed ends  13  is much larger than the distance  16  between the two spring ends  14 . As a result, the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  form an angle with each other. The clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  are essentially linear, and when at rest they enclose an angle  17 . 1  in the area of their spring ends  14 ; in the exemplary embodiment shown here, this angle is approximately 110°. The two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  slant toward each other with mirror symmetry. The plane of symmetry  26  between the two sidepieces  11 ,  12  is shown in  FIG. 2  in dash-dot line. The auxiliary line in  FIG. 2  shows the rest position  14 . 0  of the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12 , i.e., the position which is present when the wire  25  is still outside the loop  20 . 
     As can also be seen in  FIG. 2 , the web to be connected consists here of an electrical conductor in the form of an uninsulated wire  25 . The wire  25  is brought into the area of the opening  23 . 1  of the loop  20  and then, by the exertion of pressure by means of a pushing tool  19 , is introduced into the interior of the loop  24 . The direction in which the wire  25  is introduced is illustrated by the thrust arrow  18  in  FIG. 2  and lies in the plane of symmetry  26 , which bisects the angle  17 . 1  between the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12 . The result of introducing the wire can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     When we compare the contact state of  FIG. 3  with the resting state of  FIG. 1 , we see that the profile defining the inventive device  10 . 1  has been deformed in several ways. The two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  now slant much more directly toward each other and enclose a larger angle  17 . 2  between them. In  FIG. 3 , the spring ends of the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  are located in a crimped state marked by the auxiliary line  14 . 1 . The corresponding resting position  14 . 0  of  FIG. 2 , however, is also shown in dash-dot line in  FIG. 3 . When, proceeding from the state shown in  FIG. 2 , the wire  25  is moved into its crimped state shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring ends of the clamping sidepieces are pressed toward each other by a compression distance  38 . In  FIG. 3 , not only the S-curves  27  have become more sharply curved at the two transitions  21 ,  22  but also the bending points  33  have become deformed, namely, the points present between the fixed ends  13  and the two arms  31 ,  32  of the bus bar  30 . 
     The shape of the loop  20  has also changed considerably in the crimped state of  FIG. 3 . The original U-shape has become an upside-down O-shape. The loop opening  23 . 2  in the crimped state of  FIG. 3  is smaller than the opening  23 . 1  present in the resting state of  FIG. 2 . The open width of the loop opening has become smaller. The loop encompasses a larger circumferential area  28  of the introduced wire  25 ; the loop can extend around as much as 315°. Because the open width  23 . 2  is smaller than the diameter  29  of the wire  25 , the wire  25  could even be said to retain itself in the interior  24  of the loop  20  when in the crimped state. It is no longer possible for the wire  25  to escape from the device  10 . 1 . 
     The deformation of the loop  20  which occurs on transition from the resting position  14 . 0  of  FIG. 2  to the crimped state  14 . 1  of  FIG. 3  can be described as a “crimping” of the loop. The pair of sidepieces  11 ,  12  acts as the first part of a two-part crimping tool, which passively participates in the previously described pressure  18  of  FIG. 2 , which is exerted on the two spring ends  14 . The second, active part of the crimping tool is a pressing means  19 , which exerts the described pressure  18  on the two sidepieces  11 ,  12 . For this reason, it is possible to consider the pair of sidepieces  11 ,  12  as the “passive part” of this two-part “crimping tool”. The upper part of the device  10 . 1  is a combination of a crimping element, namely, the loop  20 , and a crimping tool, namely, the pair of sidepieces  11 ,  12 , which are integrally connected to the loop  20 . Because of the crimping-and-control function of the sidepieces  11 ,  12  in the area of the loop  20 , the active crimping tool needed to complete the tool system, namely, the pressing means  19 , can be of very simple design, e.g., a hammer or a pushing tool. 
     The inventive device  10 . 1 , as previously mentioned, is designed as an integral part of the bus bar  30 . It is made simply by stamping out a hollow profile  34  and the intermediate notches  43  in the edge zone of the plate-shaped bus bar  30 , as can be seen most clearly in  FIG. 1 . In the crimped state of  FIG. 3 , the spring-like elasticity of the material provides a clamping force, which acts on the wire  25  and tries to reverse the previously described bending at the bending points  33 ,  27  and the deformations in the area of the loop  20 . The result is that the large areas of the loop and of the circumference of the wire  25  are pressed against each other. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show two additional variants  10 . 2  and  10 . 3  of the inventive device. The reference numbers used to designate the parts here are the same as those used for the first exemplary embodiment  10 . 1 , and to that extent the previous description also applies here. Only the differences need to be discussed. 
     The difference in  FIG. 5  is that a thrust pad  36  of elastomeric material is provided in the bottom area  35  of the stamped-out opening  34 . When the crimped state shown in  FIG. 5  is present, the loop  20  is pressed against the thrust pad  36 , which leads to additional deformation of the loop  20 . The deformation of the thrust pad  36  leads to the generation of a restoring force by the thrust pad  36 , illustrated by an arrow  37 , which has the effect of increasing the force pressing the loop and the wire  25  held in it against each other. As a result, the electrical contact produced in the device  10 . 2  is improved. 
     In the variant  10 . 3  of  FIG. 6 , the special feature is that at least one latching connection  40  is provided, which additionally secures the crimped state of the two clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  and increases the force being exerted on the circumferential area of the wire  25  even more. In the present case, the latching connection  40  is double-sided, consisting of a latching projection  41  on the circumference of the loop  20  and a stationary opposing latching element  42 . The latching projection  41 , as in the present case  10 . 3 , can be integrated into the circumferential profile of the loop  20 . Another possibility is to design the latching projection  41  as a separate part and to attach it to the loop  20 . The key point in the case of the device  10 . 3  of  FIG. 6 , however, is that, during the compressive movement  38  of the clamping sidepieces  11 ,  12  already described in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the latching projection  41  must move along with the loop  20 . 
     The opposing latching element  42  consists of an undercut, which, as also shown in  FIG. 6 , is incorporated into a resilient pad  39  in the stamped-out opening  34 . This resilient pad  39  can supplementally provide the restoring force  37 , which were described in conjunction with the thrust pad  36  of the device  10 . 2  of  FIG. 5 . The crucial point in any case, however, is that, during the compressive movement  38 , an interaction takes place, during which the opposing latching element  42  and/or the latching projection  41  become elastically deformed until the crimped state  14 . 1  of  FIG. 6  occurs and the latching projection  41  grips under the opposing latching element  42 . Then the wire  25  is secured in the interior of the loop  20 . Optimal contact is achieved between the wire  25  and the device  10 . 3 . The difference between the thrust pad  36  and the resilient pad  39  is that the resilient pad  39  has the latching element  42 . 
     As previously mentioned,  FIGS. 7-9  illustrate an application of the inventive device  10 . 4  as a fastener for a functional part  60 , which can be seen in  FIG. 8 . This fastener  10 . 4  is largely the same as the electrical connecting device  10 . 1  of  FIGS. 1-4 . For this reason, the reference numbers and terms used there also apply to  FIGS. 7 and 8  for the fastener  10 . 4 . To that extent the previous description also applies here. It is sufficient to discuss only the differences. 
     The fastener  10 . 4  is a stamped product consisting of sheet metal and can be divided into three pieces  44 ,  30 ′,  45 . On the central piece  30 ′ of the stamped product there is a head piece  44  with a design similar to that of the device  10 . 1  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the lower area of the central piece  30 ′ there is also a foot piece  45 , which is used to attach the fastener  10 . 4  to a base  50 , shown in  FIG. 8 . The base  50  in the present case consists of a circuit board with several through-holes  51 . Because a pair  47  of latching arms  46 , which forms the previously mentioned foot piece  45 , is used as the means of attachment for the fastener  10 . 4 , a pair  52  of these through-holes  51  is assigned to each pair of arms. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , not only the previously described head piece  44  but also all the rest of the fastener  10 . 4 , that is the central piece  30 ′ and the foot piece  45 , are designed with mirror symmetry to the plane  26  shown in dash-dot line in  FIG. 7 . 
     The central piece  30 ′ is a strip, which, during use as shown in  FIG. 8 , is essentially parallel to the top side  53  of the circuit board  50 . To attach it, the latching arm pair  47  is pushed into the associated pair  52  of through-holes  51  until the latching projections  48  on the free ends of the latching arms  46  emerge from the bottom side  54  of the base  50  and grip the circuit board at the edge of the associated through-holes  51 . Thus the fastener  10 . 4  is attached to the circuit board  50 . The central piece  30 ′ has support edges  49 , which, after the piece has been attached as shown in  FIG. 8 , rest on the top side  53  of the circuit board  50 . Through suitable profiling and arrangement of the latching arm pair  47  and the through-hole pair  52 , the fastener  10 . 4  can be attached to the circuit board  50  without play. 
     To attach the fastener  10 . 4  to the circuit board  50 , the two latching arms  46  must be temporarily bent elastically toward each other as they are being threaded through the two holes  51 , so that, afterwards, as described above, the latching projections  48  can establish their grip. This is made possible by tapered cutouts in the central piece  30 ′ at the points where the two latching arms  46  are attached. Thus better advantage can be taken of the springiness of the fastener material. In addition, the central piece  30 ′ has a bending point  55  created by a notch, which merges with the foot piece  45 . During the attachment procedure described above, this bending point  55  makes it easier for the two latching projections  48  to move toward each other as they pass through the through-holes  51 . 
     In the case of the fastener  10 . 4  as well, the head piece  44  is used for the connection of a web  25 ′ as shown in  FIG. 8 . This is accomplished in similar fashion by using a pushing tool  19  to exert pressure  18 , as described for the wire  25  of the first exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1-4 . In the case of the fastener  10 . 4  as well, a “crimping” operation takes place in the area of the loop  20 , as already described in conjunction with the first exemplary embodiment of the device  10 . 1 . The head piece  44  of the fastener  10 . 4  again has a double function, namely, the function of providing a crimping element in the area of the loop  20  and the function of providing a passive part of the “crimping tool” in the area of the two sidepieces  11 ,  12 . This passive crimping tool acts together with the active part of the crimping tool shown in  FIG. 8 , namely, a pushing tool  19  or the like. 
     In the present case, the web  25 ′ is a component of a housing  60 , which is intended to cover electrical components (not shown) mounted on the circuit board  50 . The housing  60  consists of a cover plate  61 , which, because of its good thermal conductivity, is also intended to dissipate the heat of the electrical components mounted inside the housing. The form of the housing  60  can be described most clearly on the basis of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a strip of material  56 , in which a continuous array of semi-finished products  60 ′ have been stamped out, from which the housings  60  themselves are then produced by separating and bending. Part of one of these housings is shown in  FIG. 8 . The semi-finished products  60 ′ are stamped out from the strip material  56  section by section and remain connected to the edge strips  57  of the metal strip  56  by metal bridges  58 , which are to be separated later. The later form of the housing  60 , which is to be used as a shield housing on the circuit board  50 , can already be seen even from the semi-finished product  60 ′. 
     What is later to become the housing  60  has, roughly speaking, the form of a shell, which is inverted for use. It can be divided into an essentially flat cover plate  61 , which is formed by the middle area of the stamped semi-finished product  60 ′ shown in  FIG. 9 , and the strips around the edges. The edge strips  62 ,  63  surrounding the cover plate  61  in the semi-finished product  60 ′ are bent over at a right angle in the next step of the process. Thus the edges  66 ,  67  of the bent-over edge strips  62 ,  63  come in contact with each other. After they have been bent, the two edge strips  62 ,  63  have the similar function of forming the side walls of the finished housing  60 . This can be seen to a partial extent in  FIG. 8 . In addition, the one edge strip  62  also has the function of forming plate webs  25 ′. 
     For this purpose, holes  65  are stamped out in the stamped semi-finished product  60 ′ at the transitions between the cover plate  61  and what is later to become the edge strips  62 . One or two holes  65  in the transition area between the cover plate and the adjacent edge strips  62  are sufficient. The edge strips  62  are also provided with edge notches  64 , which are aligned with the holes  65 , so that, between them, the previously mentioned plate webs  25 ′ are created. As  FIG. 8  makes clear, the plate webs  25 ′ start just below the bent edge  68  between the cover plate  61  and the edge strip  62 . Because these webs  25 ′ are formed out of the strip material of the housing  60 , they are rectangular in shape. 
     As previously mentioned, the fasteners  10 . 4  have the task, when in use, of attaching the housing  60  to the circuit board  50 . This is done by forming the previously mentioned plate webs  25 ′ in the plate material of the housing; when the attachment operation is to be performed, these webs are then introduced into the interiors  24 ′ of the loops shown in  FIG. 8  in the following special manner. 
     In the case of the fastener  10 . 4 , the interior  24 ′ of the loop does not have a smooth U-shape even in the resting state  14 . 0 ′ of  FIG. 7 . On the contrary, it is profiled. It has opposing lateral protrusions  59  and another elevation  69  at the bottom. The function of these protrusions  59  and elevations  69  can be seen in  FIG. 8 , which shows the crimped state  14 . 1 ′. There, as previously mentioned, the pair of sidepieces  11 ,  12  is pressed together by a tool  19  to such an extent that the angle  17 . 1 ′ of  FIG. 7  is stretched open. An angle  17 . 2 ′ of about 180° is formed. The squeezing-together of the spring ends of the two sidepieces  11 ,  12  can be limited by the contact of the crown  75  of the loop  20  with the bottom area  35  of the stamped-out hole  34  previously described on the basis of the first exemplary embodiment. As the two spring ends  14  undergo the flattening process, these ends can, as shown in  FIG. 8 , arrive in contact with each other as shown at zero opening  23 . 2 ′ of  FIG. 8  and thus close off the loop opening  23 . 1 ′, which previously existed between them as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the resting state  14 . 0 ′ of  FIG. 7 , the loop opening  23 . 1 ′ is large enough to allow the introduction of the plate web  25 ′. In  FIG. 7 , furthermore, the crown  75  of the loop is still a considerable distance  76  away from the bottom area  35  of the stamped-out hole  34 . 
     In the crimped state  14 . 1  of  FIG. 8 , the plate web  25 ′ is captured in the interior  24 ′ of the loop. That is, a material which is held in place in the flattened position of the sidepiece ends  14  by the protrusions  59  and elevation  69  is used for the fastener  10 . 4 . The two lateral protrusions  59  in the interior  24 ′ of the loop are pressed from opposite sides against the flat profile of the plate web  25 ′, whereas the outer end surface of the plate web  25  is supported against the elevation  69  at the bottom. As  FIG. 8  also shows, the inner boundary of the plate web  25 ′, i.e., the top narrow side  25 . 1 ′ which faces the hole  65  in the plate, serves as a contact surface for the flat-pressed sidepiece ends  14 . When the fastener  10 . 4  is in the crimped state  14 . 1  of  FIG. 8 , the plate web  25 ′ is held in place without play in the interior  24 ′ of the loop. 
     As  FIG. 9  illustrates, the inventive housing  60  is formed by a two-fold bending operation. That is, the transverse edge strip  62  is bent at the previously mentioned first bending edge  68  versus the cover plate  61 , and the longitudinal edge strip  63  is also bent in similar fashion. Thus a second bending edge  80  is also present, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . By bending over the edge strips  62 ,  63 , the previously mentioned one-piece housing  60 , which can be attached to the circuit board  50  by means of four fasteners  10 . 4  in the previously described manner as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , is obtained from the stamped semi-finished product  60 ′ of  FIG. 9 . The housing  60  uses less material than that of the prior art according to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , as will be described below, and it is also of simpler design, which means that it can be manufactured more quickly and installed more easily. 
     Although the fastener  10 . 4  is separate from the housing  60 , it is characterized by universal applicability. The inventive fastener  10 . 4  can be used as a means for connecting functional parts of any type to a base  50 . For example, it is possible to mount housings  60  of larger or smaller design to a base  50  by means of the same fastener  10 . 4 . The connection between the base  50  and the fastener  10 . 4  can also be established by means other than the pair  47  of latching arms described above. 
     As previously mentioned, a shield housing according to the prior art is more complicated than the invention, uses more material, and is more difficult to mount. This can be illustrated on the basis of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . A housing  70  according to the prior art which is analogous to the inventive housing  60  is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 10 , this known housing consists of two housing parts  71 ,  72 , which are similar to each other in design. Each housing part  71 ,  72  consists of its own cover plate  73 ,  77 , which has bent-over edge zones  83 ,  84  at opposite ends. It therefore has a U-shaped profile in cross section. Housing part  71  thus has two bending edges  81 , and housing part  72  has two bending edges  82 , which supplement each other. The bending edges  81  of the first housing part  71  are oriented transversely, whereas the bending edges  82  of the second housing part  72  are oriented longitudinally. Thus the first housing part  71  has a U-shaped longitudinal profile, and the housing part  72  has a U-shaped transverse profile. 
     The outside areas of the edges zones  83 ,  84  are provided with an array of fastening elements  74 , each of which consists of a plug-in part, which is designed to be inserted into a through-hole  51 , similar to those shown in  FIG. 8 , in a circuit board  50 . Each fastening element  74  has an expanded a section  86  of increased width, in which a cutout  85  is located. The expanded section is larger than the open diameter of the associated through-hole  51  in the circuit board  50 . Elastic strips  87 , which spread away each other, are thus formed on the long sides of the cutout  85 . These strips are squeezed together during installation in the circuit board through-hole  51 . Thus the fastening elements  74  are held in place in the circuit board through-holes  51 . The two halves  71 ,  72  of the housing are not securely attached to the circuit board in this way. In the case of the inventive fastener  10 . 4 , however, the installed position of  FIG. 8  is secured by the grip of the latching projections  48 . 
     It is true that, to facilitate the previously described bending along the edges  81 ,  82 , an array of holes  65  is also provided in the known housing parts  71 ,  72  of  FIG. 10 ; but, in contrast to the invention, these holes do not have a fastening function. The finished shield housing  70  of  FIG. 11  is achieved by inserting the two housing parts  71 ,  72  of  FIG. 10  into each other. The two housing parts  71 ,  72  are held together by complementary arms, which function as a locking tab  78  and an opposing locking tab  79 . When the two housing parts are put together, the locking tab  78  and the opposing locking tab  79  interlock with each other in pairs during the course of a highly labor-intensive operation. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           10 . 1  device for making clamping connections according to  FIGS. 1-4   
           10 . 2  first variant of the device ( FIG. 5 ) 
           10 . 3  second variant of the device ( FIG. 6 ) 
           10 . 4  alternative device for fastening, fastener ( FIGS. 7-9 ) 
           11  first clamping sidepiece ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 )—first part of a crimping tool 
           12  second clamping sidepiece ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 )—first part of a crimping tool 
           13  fixed end of sidepieces  11 ,  12 , fixed end ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           14  elastic end of sidepieces  11 ,  12 , spring end ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           14 . 0  resting position of  10 . 1 ,  10 . 3  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ) 
           14 . 0 ′ resting state of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 7 ) 
           14 . 1  crimped state ( FIG. 3 ) 
           14 . 1 ′ crimped state of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           15  distance between  13  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           16  distance between  14  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           17 . 1  angle between  11 ,  12  in the resting state ( FIG. 2 ) 
           17 . 1  angle between  11 ,  12  in the resting state ( FIG. 7 ) 
           17 . 2  angle between  11 ,  12  in the crimped state ( FIG. 3 ) 
           17 . 2 ′ angle between  11 ,  12  in the crimped state, flattened position ( FIG. 8 ) 
           18  thrust arrow of the exertion of pressure on  25  ( FIGS. 2 ,  8 ) 
           19  pressing means, pushing tool for  25 , second part of a crimping tool ( FIGS. 2 ,  8 ) 
           20  loop of  10 . 1 - 10 . 3  ( FIGS. 2 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) 
           21  first S-shaped transition of  20  to  11  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           22  second S-shaped transition of  20  to  12  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           23 . 1  loop opening in the resting state ( FIG. 2 ) 
           23 . 1 ′ loop opening in the resting state ( FIG. 7 ) 
           23 . 2  loop opening in the crimped state ( FIG. 3 ) 
           23 . 2 ′ zero opening of  24 ′ in the case of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           24  retaining area, interior of loop of  10 . 1  ( FIG. 2 ) 
           24 ′ retaining area, interior of loop of  10 . 4  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           25  web, wire ( FIGS. 2-6 ) 
           25 ′ web, plate web ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) 
           25 . 1 ′ top narrow side 
           26  plane of symmetry between  11 ,  12  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           27  S-curves, bending points ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ) 
           28  circumferential area of the contact of  25  ( FIG. 3 ) 
           29  diameter of  25  ( FIG. 3 ) 
           30  bus bar ( FIGS. 1-6 ) 
           30 ′ central piece of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 7 ,  8 ) 
           31  first arm for  13  of  11  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           32  first arm for  13  of  12  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7 ) 
           33  bending point between  13  and  31  and between  13  and  32  ( FIG. 2 ) 
           34  stamped-out area in  30  for  11 ,  12 ,  20 , hollow profile ( FIGS. 2-4 ,  7 ) 
           35  bottom area of  34  ( FIGS. 5 ,  7 ) 
           36  thrust pad of  10 . 2  ( FIG. 5 ) 
           37  arrow of the restoring force of  36  ( FIG. 5 ) 
           38  compression distance between  14 . 0  and  14 . 1  ( FIGS. 3 ,  6 ) 
           39  resilient pad for  42  ( FIG. 6 ) 
           40  latching connection  10 . 3  ( FIG. 6 ) 
           41  latching projection of  40  ( FIG. 6 ) 
           42  opposing latching element for  41  of  40  ( FIG. 6 ) 
           43  notch between  10 . 1  ( FIG. 1 ) 
           44  head piece of  10 . 4  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           45  foot piece of  10 . 4  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           46  latching arm for  45  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           47  pair of  46 &#39;s ( FIG. 7 ) 
           48  latching projection on  46  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           49  support edge on  30 ′ ( FIG. 8 ) 
           50  base for  10 . 4 , circuit board ( FIG. 8 ) 
           51  through-hole in  50  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           52  pair of through-holes ( FIG. 8 ) 
           53  top side of  50  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           54  bottom side of  50  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           55  bending point of  30 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) 
           56  metal strip, strip material for  60  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           57  edge strips of  56  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           58  metal bridge between  60 ′ and  57  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           59  lateral protrusion in  24 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) 
           60  functional part, housing ( FIG. 8 ) 
           60 ′ stamped semi-finished product for  60  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           61  cover plate of  60   
           62  transverse edge strip of  60 ,  60 ′ ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) 
           63  longitudinal edge strip of  60  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           64  edge notch in  60 ,  60 ′ ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) 
           65  hole in  62  ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) 
           66  lateral terminal edge of  62  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           67  lateral terminal edge of  63  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           68  first bending edge between  61 ,  62  ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 ) 
           69  bottom elevation in  24 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) 
           70  shield housing according to the prior art ( FIG. 11 ) 
           71  first housing part of  70  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           72  second housing part of  70  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           73  cover plate of  71  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           74  plug-like fastening element on  71 ,  72  ( FIGS. 10 ,  11 ) 
           75  crown of  20  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ) 
           76  distance between  75 ,  35  of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 7 ) 
           77  cover plate of  72  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           78  locking tab on  71  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           79  opposing locking tab on  72  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           80  second bending edge between  61 ,  63  ( FIG. 9 ) 
           81  transverse bending edge at  71  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           82  longitudinal bending edge at  72  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           83  edge zone of  71  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           84  edge zone of  72  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           85  cutout in  74  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           86  expanded section of  74 , flexible pressing-in zone ( FIG. 10 ) 
           87  pair of elastic strips in  86  ( FIG. 10 ) 
           88  inner half of  10 . 4  in  90  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           89  outer half of  10 . 4  ( FIG. 8 ) 
           90  interior of housing  60  ( FIG. 8 )