Patent Publication Number: US-2009217494-A1

Title: Retaining Clip for Releasable Fixing of Modules Strung Together on a Distributor Bar

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of the German patent application DE 10 2005 062 191.0 filed on Dec. 23, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a retaining clip for releasable fixing of a plurality of modules strung together on a distributor bar for forming a module series, whereby the distributor bar has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional geometry with a first and a second leg as well as a back wall and the first and the second leg have a plurality of recesses. 
     In the manufacture of electrical distributors, modules, for example, electrical and/or electronic modules or the like strung together on a distributor bar, are fixed on both sides with known end pieces onto the distributor bar and tightened with attachments screws with a torque wrench. In this manner, a lateral displacement of the module series formed from a plurality of modules on the distributor bar is avoided. If necessary, the attachment screws are secured additionally with a fixing wire from unwanted release. The mounting of the known end pieces is therefore laborious. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aim of the present invention to provide a retaining clip, which may be attached easily and quickly to the distributor bar and which simultaneously is secured from unintended release. 
     This aim may be achieved by a device with the features of patent claim  1 . Embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention the retaining clip has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional geometry with a first and a second retaining clip leg as well as a connecting bar between the first and the second retaining clip leg, whereby the first and the second retaining clip leg each have at least a detent, which are lockingly engageable and snappable, respectively, from the exterior into respectively two opposite recesses of the distributor bar, such that the retaining clip, by attachment onto the distributor bar is lockable with this for securing the modules of the module series from lateral displacement in a longitudinal direction of the distributor bar, leading to a fast and simple mounting. Securing of the retaining clip against unintended release by a fixing wire may be eliminated, whereby the mounting effort, compared to the known end pieces that may be attached by screwing, is simplified. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the retaining clip contemplates that an underside of the connecting bar of the retaining clip in the state of being snapped together with the distributor bar rests substantially on respective ends of the first and second legs of the distributor bar and engages over the distributor bar in this manner, whereby the detents may be inserted into the corresponding recesses of the distributor bar in a substantially positive-locking manner. 
     In this manner, a fixed seating of the retaining clip on the distributor bar is permitted. 
     A further exemplary embodiment contemplates that the retaining clip is releasable again from the distributor bar by pushing apart the retaining clip legs. 
     In this manner, the retaining clip with a handle is releasable from the distributor bar. 
     According to the features of a further exemplary embodiment of the retaining clip, the detents each have at least two beveled detent surfaces. 
     This embodiment ensures an easy locking of the retaining clip into the recesses of the distributor bar. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment, the connecting bar has at least sectionally a different material thickness, in particular an inclined cut. 
     As a result of this structure, the retaining clip may be inserted also onto distributor bars, in which the first and second legs are formed of different lengths. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connecting bar has different widths, in order to make possible in the longitudinal direction of the distributor bar length equalization. 
     In this manner, length equalization, in particular with the stringing-together of modules of different widths on the distributor bar, with both-sided attachment of the module series with the retaining clip of the present invention, may take place. To this purpose, the retaining clips each may be made to be stepped with different, standardized width dimensions. In this connection, it is sufficient to vary the widths of the connecting bars. The width of the retaining clip may remain unchanged. Alternatively, the length equalization also may take place by correspondingly wide “blind” or “dummy” modules. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment variation, the connecting bar has at least one recess, in particular at least one bore. 
     A suitable fixing tool, in particular, a screwdriver or the like, may be guided through the bore in the connecting bar for screwing on the distributor bar onto a corresponding subconstruction, so that a premature snapping out of the retaining clip or retaining clips is not possible. This is particularly important when the lengths of the module series—including the retaining clip or both retaining clips—corresponds approximately to the length of the distributor bar and the attachment screws for screwing on of the distributor bar to the subconstruction were covered by the connecting bars of the retaining clip or retaining clips. The through-going bore in this connection may have a cylindrical or oval cross section (elongated hole). 
     According to the features of a further exemplary embodiment, the retaining clip is formed as one piece with a plastic material. 
     This embodiment first permits a sufficient electrical insulation. In addition, the manufacture of the retaining clips is simplified, for example, in an injection molding method. Further, the use of the plastic material makes possible a resilient-elastic structure of the retaining clip leg, so that the retaining clips engaged on the distributor bar may be removed easily from this, by simply pushing apart of the retaining clip legs as needed. It is particularly preferable if the retaining clip is formed with a fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic plastic material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a distributor bar with a retaining clip of the present invention for securing a module series from displacement in the longitudinal direction of the distributor bar; 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlarged cross-sectional representation through the retaining clip; and 
         FIG. 3  shows an embodiment variation of the retaining clip. 
     
    
    
     The same constructive elements have the same reference numerals, respectively, in the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a distributor bar  1  with a module series  2  disposed thereon. The module series  2  is formed in the exemplary embodiment shown with a total of five modules  3 . The modules  3  may be any electrical and/or electronic components, for example. The distributor bar  1  has a first leg  4  and a second leg  5 . The first and the second legs  4 ,  5 , are connected to one another by a back wall  6 , so that the distributor bar  1  has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional geometry. 
     In the first and second legs  4 ,  5 , a plurality of recesses  7  are positioned. The recesses  7  each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional geometry, but also may have a geometry deviating from this and may be square-shaped, for example. 
     In an end region  8  of the distributor bar  1 , the retaining clip  9  of the present invention is disposed, that is, snapped onto the distributor bar  1  or locked onto this. The retaining clip  9  serves, in particular, for avoiding displacement of the module series  2  in a longitudinal direction  10  of the distributor bar  1 . 
     The retaining clip  9  has a first retaining clip leg  11 , a second retaining clip leg  12 , a well as a connection bar  13  connecting the first and second retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  in the rear. For attachment of the module series  2 , the retaining clip  9  is simply attached onto the distributor bar  1  and releasably snapped together with the recesses  7 . By pushing apart or spreading apart the first and second retaining clip legs  11 ,  12 , the retaining clip  9  may be released again from the distributor bar  1  as needed. 
     The connecting bar  13  has a width  14 . The retaining clip leg  11 ,  12  in the shown, preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1  has approximately the same width as the connecting bar  13 . 
     The width of the retaining clip leg  11 ,  12  as well as the width of the detents, covered in  FIG. 1 , arranged on the inner side on the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  generally is selected, such that it is somewhat less than a length  15  of the recesses  7  for ensuring the ability to be snapped together with the corresponding recess  7  in the distributor bar  1 . 
     The width of the retaining clip leg  11 ,  12  also may be selected to differ from the illustration of  FIG. 1 , however, to be larger or smaller than the width  15  of the recesses  7 , so long as the detents covered in the representation of  FIG. 1  have a width, which corresponds approximately to the length  15  of the recesses  7 , in order to permit the most fixed engagement as possible of the detents with the recesses  7  of the distributor bar  1 . 
     The width  14  of the connecting bar  13  is largely independent from the width of the retaining clip leg  11 ,  12  and can, if necessary, have a larger or also smaller width in comparison to the length  15  of the recess  7  or the width of the retaining clip leg  11 ,  12 . 
     The illustration of  FIG. 1  shows the retaining clip  9  in the state of being snapped together with the distributor bar  1 . In this connection, the retaining clip  9  contacts substantially the ends  16 ,  17  of the first and the second leg  4 ,  5  of the distributor bar  1  and the hidden detents are engaged in the corresponding recesses  7  of the distributor bar  1 . For releasing the retaining clip  9  from the distributor bar  1 , the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  are pushed apart or spread apart, until the retaining clip  9  may be removed from the distributor bar  1 . 
     A variation in particular of the width  14  of the connecting bar  13 , independent from the width of the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  and the detents location thereon is of interest when modules  3  with different width dimensions are combined for forming a module series  2  and are strung together on the distributor bar  1  and the retaining clip  9  without mechanical play should follow up to the outermost module  3  of the module series  2  (length equalization in the longitudinal direction of the distributor bar). To this purpose, the retaining clip  9  is manufactured with preferably stepped, standardized width dimensions, in particular with different widths  14  of the connecting bar  13  and with the mounting of the module  3  to the distributor bar  1  held ready. The width of the retaining clip leg  11 ,  12  may remain unchanged in this regard or also may be adapted to the respective width  14  of the connecting bar  13 . 
     Instead of using retaining clips  9  with connecting bars  13  of different widths, also “dummy” or “blind” modules (intermediate pieces) with correspondingly stepped, standardized width dimensions, however, without a specialized electrical and/or electronic function, may be disposed in this for performing the length equalization in the longitudinal direction  10  of the distributor bar  1  or the module series  2 . 
     The use of retaining clips  9  with in particular connecting bars  13  of different lengths or the use of “dummy” modules, that is, of intermediate pieces with no further functionality—apart from length equalization—makes possible the use of the retaining clips  9  of the present invention on both sides of the module series  2  formed on a distribute bar  1 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an enlarged cross-sectional representation through a retaining clip. 
     The first retaining clip leg  11  forms together with the second retaining clip leg  12  as well as the connecting bar  13  the retaining clip  9  of the present invention with the substantially U-shaped cross-sectional geometry. In end regions  18 ,  19  of the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12 , detents  20 ,  21  are disposed. The detents  20 ,  21  preferably have a trapezoid cross-sectional geometry with respective beveled detent surfaces  22  to  27 . The slightly beveled (inclined) detent surfaces  22  to  27  facilitate the snapping together with the recesses  7  of the distributor bar  1 . 
     The connecting bar  13  has in the region of the first or the second retaining clip leg  11 ,  12 , respectively, a different material thickness  28 ,  29 . In this manner, the retaining clip  9  may be snapped onto a distributor bar  1  with legs  4 ,  5  of different height. Departing from the representation in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connecting bar  13  may have an approximately constant material thickness  28 ,  29  over its entire longitudinal extension. Based on the different material thickness  28 ,  29 , an inclined cut  31  exists beneath the underside  30  of the connecting bar  13 . In the state of being locked together with the distributor bar  1 , the underside  30  of the retaining clip  1  rests essentially on the ends  16 ,  17  of the first and second legs  4 ,  5  of the distributor bar  1  and the detents  20 ,  21  are engaged in the corresponding recesses  7  of the distributor bar  1 . The detents  20 ,  21  may extend over the entire, end-sided width of the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  or have a smaller width. In the interest of the most fixed seating of the retaining clip  9  on the distributor bar  1  as possible, the detents  20 ,  21  have a width, which corresponds approximately to the width of the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12 . Alternatively, the detents  20 ,  21  may have a smaller width than the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12 . For an optimal seating of the retaining clip  9 , the width or the height of the detents  20 ,  21  should correspond approximately to the length  15  or a height of the recesses  7  in the distributor bar  1 . 
     The connecting bar  13  has one or more recesses, not shown in detail, in a preferred embodiment, in particular, in the form of through-going cylindrical bores or oval bores (slots). A suitable attachment tool, for example, a screwdriver or the like, may be guided through the bore in the connecting bar for attaching the distributor bar to a subconstruction, not shown in the figures, by attachment screws, so that a premature snapping out of the retaining clip or the retaining clips no longer is necessary. This situation may occur, in particular, when the length of the module series—including the retaining clip or retaining clips on both sides—corresponds approximately to the total length of the distributor bar and the attachment screws for fixing the distributor bar on the substructure are covered by the connecting bars of the retaining clip or retaining clips. 
     The retaining clip  9  preferably is formed with a plastic material, in particular, with a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic or duroplastic material, in order to achieve, for one, a sufficient elasticity for spreading apart or pushing part the retaining clip legs  11 ,  12  upon snapping of and to permit a easy snapping together capability of the retaining clip  9  with the recesses  7  in the distributor bar  1 . The use of a plastic material for manufacturing the retaining clip  9  ensures, on the other hand, a sufficient electrical insulation. 
     As a result of the fast and, if necessary, again releasable snapping together ability of the retaining clip  9  of the present invention with the distributor bar  1 , substantial facilitation of mounting and time savings are provided, compared with known end pieces for distributor bars, which must be secured by screwing on onto the distributor bar  1 . 
     An additional securing from unintended release of the retaining clip  9  from the distributor bar  1 , which takes place with the known end pieces, for example, with a fixing wire guided through the attachment screws, may be eliminated without substitution, whereby further facilitation of mounting is provided. 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment variation of the retaining clip of the present invention. 
     A retaining clip  32  has a connecting bar  33  for connecting a first and second retaining clip leg  34 ,  35 . In contrast to the previously described embodiment of the retaining clip  9 , this embodiment variation has two detents  36 ,  37  and  38 ,  39  on each of the first and second retaining clip legs  36 ,  37  on the ends  40 ,  41  of the retaining clip legs  34 ,  35 . The retaining clip legs  34 ,  35  further have, respectively, slots  42 ,  43 . The slots  42 ,  43  make possible, upon snapping on of the retaining slip  32  to the distributor bar  1 , among other things an independent movement of the detents  36  through  39  in relation to one another. In addition, the slots  42 ,  43  impart the retaining clip legs  34 ,  35  with a higher flexibility. The slots  42 ,  43  in the retaining clip legs  34 , extend from the ends  40 ,  41  to a depth  44  in the respective retaining clip leg  34 ,  35 . This depth may amount to ⅔ of the height  45  of the retaining clip legs  34 ,  35 . 
     Departing from the embodiment variation shown in  FIG. 3 , the number of detents on the retaining clip legs may be greater than two. In addition, also more than one slot per retaining clip leg may be provided. 
     It should be noted that the term ‘comprising’ does not exclude other elements or steps and the ‘a’ or ‘an’ does exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. 
     It should be noted that the reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. 
     REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST 
     
         
           1  distributor bar 
           2  module series 
           3  module 
           4  first leg (distributor bar) 
           5  second leg (distributor bar) 
           6  back wall (distributor bar) 
           7  recess 
           8  end region (distributor bar) 
           9  retaining clip 
           10  longitudinal direction (distributor bar) 
           11  first retaining clip leg 
           12  second retaining clip leg 
           13  connecting bar 
           14  width (connecting bar) 
           15  length (recess) 
           16  end (first leg) 
           17  end (second leg) 
           18  end region 
           19  end region 
         detent 
           21  detent 
           22  detent surface 
           23  detent surface 
           24  detent surface 
           25  detent surface 
           26  detent surface 
           27  detent surface 
           28  material thickness 
           29  material thickness 
           30  underside (connecting bar) 
           31  recess (beveled) 
           32  retaining clip 
           33  connecting bar 
           34  first retaining clip leg 
           35  second retaining clip leg 
           36  detent (first retaining clip leg) 
           37  detent (first retaining clip leg) 
           38  detent (second retaining clip leg) 
           39  detent (second retaining clip leg) 
           40  end 
           41  end 
           42  slot 
           43  slot 
           44  depth (slot) 
           45  height (retaining clip leg)