Patent Publication Number: US-8986054-B2

Title: Clamp body for terminal

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2012 202 240.6, filed on Feb. 14, 2012. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal government funds were used in researching or developing this invention. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING INCLUDED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a clamping body for a terminal. 
     Clamping bodies for a terminal are known, which are formed as a stamped and pressed part, wherein the stamped and pressed part has a base and two lateral surfaces, particularly at a right angle, positioned on the base, wherein an opening is positioned on the base, in which a screw with a screw head is positioned in such a way that the screw head is positioned on the side of the base facing away from the lateral surfaces, and wherein one of the ends of the screws facing away from the screw head engages with a threaded hole of a retaining plate positioned between the lateral surfaces non-rotatably around the longitudinal axis of the threaded hole. In such clamping bodies for connecting an electrical conductor to a connecting contact, a circuit board or another electrical conductor, the electrical conductor is clamped through the retaining plate provided with the threaded hole being drawn against the base of the clamping body by means of the screw, and thereby clamping the electrical conductor between the retaining plate and the clamping body. 
     One problem with these types of terminals is that the retaining plate with the screwed in screw, in an open state, can move freely in the longitudinal direction of the screw. Therefore, a frequent occurrence is that the retaining plate, caused by the installation position or vibrations, for example, rests on the base of the clamping body and thus no space remains to insert the electrical conductor. In order to connect the electrical conductor, force must first be applied to push the retaining plate away from the base of the clamping body, which makes it much more difficult to connect. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     The current state of knowledge is as follows. 
     The object of the invention is therefore to improve a clamping body for a terminal and particularly to develop it to be user-friendly. 
     In particular, the invention provides a terminal clamping body that prevents the retaining plate from resting on the base of the clamping body. This allows for greater ease in connecting with a conductor as it does not require the user to apply force to push the retaining plate away from the base of the clamping body during connection. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, a clamping body for a terminal, which is formed as a stamped and pressed part, wherein the stamped and pressed part has a base and two lateral surfaces, particularly at a right angle, positioned on the base, wherein an opening is positioned on the base, in which a screw with a screw head is positioned in such a way that the screw is positioned on the side of the base facing away from the lateral surfaces, and wherein one of the ends of the screws facing away from the screw head engages with a threaded hole of a retaining plate positioned between the lateral surfaces non-rotatably around the longitudinal axis of the threaded hole, characterized by the fact that the clamping body features devices to position the plate at a distance from the base. Through these devices, the plate is held securely in an open position in the clamping body, as long as the screw is not actuated. It is thus ensured that the clamping body, independent of the mounting position, is ready to receive an electrical conductor without requiring additional handling by the user. The devices are configured in such a way that upon actuation of the screw, the devices can be overcome, and in particular, the plate can be moved to a smaller distance from the base, in order to securely clamp the inserted electrical conductor. The distance in which the retaining plate is positioned to the base is preferably greater than the diameter of the electrical conductor to be connected, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted without obstructions. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the devices are formed as at least one resilient element, which is positioned on one of the lateral surfaces. A resilient element can secure the retaining plate in the desired position and be formed in such a way that upon actuation of the screw, the spring action of the resilient element is overcome and the retaining plate can be moved in the direction of the base, wherein one or more of the resilient elements give way. 
     Particularly preferable is a resilient element positioned at each of the lateral surfaces in order to prevent the retaining plate tilting in the clamping body, and in particular to allow the positioning of the retaining plate essentially in parallel at a distance from the base. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the resilient element in the lateral surface is formed as a pressed element or as a stamped and pressed element, which allows particularly simple and economical manufacturing, because no additional elements need to be positioned in or on the clamping body. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the devices are formed as a protrusion positioned on one of the lateral surfaces. This essentially causes the retaining plate to be initially positioned and held on one side behind the protrusion, and when exercising force on the retaining plate by actuating the screw, the lateral surfaces springily give way, allowing the retaining plate to be pulled past the protrusion and towards the base of the clamping body. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a soldering pin is integrated with the clamping body or otherwise positioned in order to easily establish contact between the clamping body and a circuit board. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the disclosed clamping body further comprises a contact spring, integrated with the clamping body or otherwise positioned in order to easily establish contact between the clamping body and another electrical conductor or a plug contact. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the clamping body is connected or integrated with a second clamping body according to the invention in order to easily allow multiple electrical conductors to be connected or interconnected. 
     Preferably, the clamping body according to the invention is used in a terminal. In another preferred embodiment, a terminal is provided comprising the disclosed clamping body. In a more preferred example, the terminal also comprises an insulating housing to accommodate the clamping body and to protect the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first design example of a clamping body according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows the clamping body according to  FIG. 1  with screw and retaining plate in an open position, 
         FIG. 3  shows the clamping body according to  FIG. 2  with an electrical conductor inserted and the retaining plate in a clamping position, 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a second design example of a clamping body and 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a third design example of a clamping body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show a clamping body  10  with a base  12  with a side  12   a , which is hereinafter also referred to as the outer side, and a side  12   b , which is hereinafter also referred to as the inner side. Two lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  are positioned on the base essentially parallel to each other, which are particularly essentially positioned vertically on the base  12  and particularly on the inner side  12   b  of the base  12 . This results in an approximately U-shaped element. The free ends of the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  can be formed in an alternative style like in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in such a way that they are angled towards each other and preferably positioned essentially parallel to the base  12 , so that it results in a frame-like element. 
     An opening  16  is positioned in the base  12 , in which, as shown particularly in  FIG. 2 , a screw  20  can be inserted. The screw  20  is positioned in the opening  16  in such a way that a screw head  22  of the screw  20  rests on the side  12   a  opposite the lateral surfaces  14   a  in the base  12 , while a shaft  24  of the screw  20  protrudes through the opening  16  in the clamping body  10 . 
     Between the two lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b , a retaining plate  30  is positioned, which is approximately rectangularly formed, for example, and is positioned with two opposing lateral edges running parallel to the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b . The retaining plate  30  has a threaded hole  32  into which the shaft  24  of the screw  20  can be screwed. If the screw  20  is screwed into the threaded hole  32 , the retaining plate  30  is held between the two lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  non-rotatably around the longitudinal axis of the threaded hole  32 , so that it is pulled towards the base  12  of the clamping body  10  when the screw  20  is screwed into the threaded hole  32 . An electrical conductor  80 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , can be clamped between the inner side  12   b  of the base  12  and the retaining plate  30 . 
     The clamping body  10  is formed as a stamped and pressed part in order to allow for simple and economical manufacturing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a resilient element  40  is positioned in each of the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b . This is preferably stamped out of the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  and bent into the space clamped open by the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  and the base  12 . The resilient elements  40  are particularly formed in the manner of a flat spring. The resilient elements  40  particularly with their free end point towards the base  12 . 
     The resilient elements  40  prevent the retaining plate  30 , through vibration or the installation position for example, from approaching the base  12 . The resilient elements  40  are positioned on the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  in such a way that a gap remains between the retaining plate  30  and the base  12 , which in particular is larger than the diameter of the electrical conductor  80 , in particular to allow insertion of the electrical conductor  80  into the clamping body  10  in any installation position of the clamping body  10  without additional handling. The resilient elements  40  are sized in such a way that upon rotation of the screw  20 , which pulls the retaining plate  30  towards the base  12 , the force of the resilient elements  40  is overcome and it is possible to pull the retaining plate  30  in the direction of the base  12 , and thereby clamp the electrical conductor  80  between the retaining plate  30  and the base  12  (see  FIG. 3 ). The resilient elements  40  are thereby particularly driven back into the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b.    
     In an alternative design, protrusions can be positioned on the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b , which position the retaining plate  30  at a distance from the base  12 . Through the fact that the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  can be fitted with a resilient feature as opposed to the base  12 , it is still possible to pull the retaining plate  30  against the base  12  over the protrusions by tightening the screw  20 , wherein the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  outwardly give way. 
     As shown in the design example according to  FIG. 4 , such protrusions  50  can be positioned particularly on the resilient elements positioned in the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b . The protrusions  50  are formed in a dome shape, for example. The resilient elements  45  are preferably stamped out of the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b , but do not necessarily have to be bent out of the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b , because the protrusions  50  take over the positioning of the retaining plate  30 . The protrusions  50  can in particular be placed in the lateral surfaces  14   a ,  14   b  in an embossing process. 
     The design example according to  FIGS. 1 to 3  and the design example according to  FIG. 4  have a contact spring  70 , which is particularly integrally positioned on the clamping body  10 , and through which the electrically conductive contact can be produced between the electrical conductor  80  clamped by the devices of the retaining plate  30  and a plug contact, a circuit board or another electrical conductor. 
     Instead of—or, where appropriate, in addition to—the contact spring  70 , a soldering pin  60 , as shown in the design example according to  FIG. 5 , can be positioned on the clamping body  10 , preferably integrally. 
     In a further alternative design which is not shown in the figures, several clamping bodies can be connected to each other, particularly integrally, according to the previously described design examples, in order to connect two or more wires with each other. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Clamping body 
               12  Base 
               14   a  Lateral surface 
               14   b  Lateral surface 
               16  Opening 
               20  Screw 
               22  Screw shaft 
               24  Shaft 
               30  Retaining plate 
               32  Threaded hole 
               40  Resilient element 
               45  Resilient element 
               50  Protrusion 
               60  Soldering pin 
               70  Contact spring 
               80  Electrical conductor 
           
         
       
    
     The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable Equivalents.