Patent Description:
It is known to have a terminal block configured for receiving an accessory that can be a marker or a marker holder. It is also known to have a receptacle device built in the terminal block to secure the accessory in a removable way.

This provision allows easily mounting and dismounting of the accessory. However, the receptacle device should have a cooperating assembly that is compatible with all kind of complementary cooperating means of the accessories. This feature could imply constraints on the geometry or on the size of the accessory. In addition, it could be impossible to accommodate existing accessories with cooperating means that are not compatible with the cooperative assembly of the receptacle device. Document <CIT> discloses a terminal block accepting a variety of identification plates that has recessed corner surfaces for trapping plate edges and outer edges protruding over recesses.

The present invention aims to solve all or some of the disadvantages mentioned above.

The present invention is a receptacle device according to independent claim <NUM>.

This provision allows plugging first accessory or second accessory on the same receptacle device according to similar orientations. Indeed, the first central plane and the second central plane are parallel which means that both accessory are extending transverse to the planes in mounted position.

In addition, the protrusions of the first type and the protrusions of the second type extend according to different directions that respectively cooperate with corresponding cooperating means extending outwards and inwards.

According to an aspect of the invention, the two protrusions of the first type comprise a first protrusion of the first type and the two protrusions of the second type comprise a first protrusion of the second type, the receptacle device having a common recess wherein the first protrusion of the first type and the first protrusion of the second type are extending towards each other transversally to the first central plane.

This enables to simplify the geometry of the receptacle device as the spatial configuration of the common recess engenders two protrusions. According to an aspect of the invention, the first protrusion of the first type and the first protrusion of the second type are facing each other transversally to the first central plane.

The common recess also serves as marker that helps a user to correctly position the first accessory or the second accessory with respect to the receptacle device.

According to an aspect of the invention, the two protrusions of the first type comprise a second protrusion of the first type and the two protrusions of the second type comprise a second protrusion of the second type, the receptacle device having a recess of the first type wherein the second protrusion of the first type is formed and having a recess of the second type wherein the second protrusion of the second type is formed.

In other words, the distance between the two protrusions of the first type and the distance between the two protrusions of the second type are different. This enables to have accessories of different length to be installed on the same receptacle device.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device is provided with a separating wall extending parallel to the first central plane on which the second protrusion of the first type and the second protrusion of the second type are formed. The separating wall defines the recess of the first type and the recess of the second type.

According to an aspect of the invention, the two protrusions of the first type and the two protrusions of the second type are extending according to a longitudinal plane that is transverse to the first central plane.

This provision enables to install the first accessory and the second accessory at a same level so that they have a similar appearance on the receptacle device although their cooperating means are different.

According to the invention, the first cooperating assembly and/or the second cooperating assembly have at least one supporting surface extending transverse to the first central plane and configured to be in contact with the first accessory or the second accessory in mounted position, the receptacle device further having an access recess extending transversally to and deeper than the supporting surface, the access recess being configured to at least partially face the first accessory or the second accessory in mounted position transversally to the supporting surface.

In other words, the access recess is configured to engender a free space under the first accessory or under the second accessory in mounted position. The access recess can be used to dismantle the first accessory or the second accessory.

According to the invention, the protrusions of the first type and the protrusions of the second type are extending in an area transversally to the first central plane, said area being defined by a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension, the access recess extending at least partly outside the lateral dimension.

The access recess is configured to access the first accessory or the second accessory from the side for easy dismounting, for example with a tool such as a screwdriver. According to an aspect of the invention, the lateral dimension is transverse and in particular parallel to the longitudinal dimension. The area is in particular a rectangle.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device comprises two symmetrical access recess with respect to a transverse plane extending transversally to the first central plane.

This provision enables to have access to the first accessory or the second accessory from both sides. The transverse plane is extending transversally to the longitudinal plane.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device comprises two symmetrical parts with respect to the transverse plane, said two symmetrical parts being configured to be attached to each other.

This provision allows an easy fabrication of the receptacle device as each part presents a complementary extruded form.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first cooperating assembly and/or the second cooperating assembly present a corresponding lateral blocking arrangement, said lateral blocking arrangement having two lateral abutments, each configured for blocking laterally a corresponding protrusion, both lateral abutments being diagonally opposed with regard to the longitudinal dimension.

In other words the two lateral abutments are located on opposed longitudinal sides of the area. This enables to block the corresponding cooperating assembly according to the lateral dimension.

According to an aspect of the invention, each lateral blocking arrangement has two lateral through holes, each configured for the lateral passage of a corresponding protrusion, both lateral through holes being diagonally opposed with regard to the longitudinal dimension. Preferably, each lateral abutment is in front of a corresponding lateral through hole.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device can comprise a unique part. Preferably, said unique part can be molded. The through holes enables to realize the receptacle device by molding.

According to an aspect of the invention, the protrusions of the first type and the protrusions of the second type each present a profile extending according to the lateral dimension.

The fact that the access recess is located on the side of the longitudinal dimension facilitates the dismounting of the first or second accessory as a user is able to push said accessory in alignment to the profiles and also transversally from under said accessory.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device is further configured for receiving in a mounted position a third accessory alternatively to the first accessory or the second accessory, the third accessory having third sized cooperating means, the receptacle device comprising a third cooperating assembly configured to receive the third accessory, the third cooperating assembly being provided with two protrusions of a third type that are symmetrical with regard to a third central plane and that are extending towards each other transversally to the third central plane, wherein the third central plane is parallel to the first central plane.

According to an aspect of the invention, the protrusions of the third type are extending in an offset plane parallel to the longitudinal plane. Preferably, the receptacle device has a central recess wherein the protrusions of the third type are included, in particular facing each other.

According to one aspect of the invention, the central recess is located between the common recess on one side and the first recess and second recess on the other side.

According to one aspect of the invention, the or each access recess are opening onto the central recess so as to engender a unique recess. Preferably, the or each access recess is defined by a corresponding inclined wall oriented toward the central recess and inclined with respect to the longitudinal plane.

According to an aspect of the invention, the third cooperating assembly also has a lateral blocking arrangement.

According to an aspect of the invention, each protrusion engenders a corresponding retaining wall configured to cooperate with a corresponding leg of the complementary accessory, said leg extending in an opposite direction with regard to the corresponding protrusion transversally to the first central plane.

The complementary accessory can be a first accessory, a second accessory or a third accessory.

According to an aspect of the invention, the receptacle device further comprises a sliding tunnel configured for cooperating with a pin of a sliding marker or marker holder, the sliding tunnel being provided with indexing elements arranged for maintaining the pin in a plurality of more or less inserted positions according to an extension direction of the sliding tunnel.

This provision allows having a further accessory that can be installed in a plurality of more or less inserted positions. According to one aspect of the invention, the extension direction of the sliding tunnel is transverse to the longitudinal plane.

Preferably, the sliding tunnel is formed in a bottom surface of the central recess. Thus, the sliding tunnel is geometrically distinct from the cooperating assemblies.

According to an aspect of the invention, each indexing element are located on both sides of the transverse plane without facing each other. This staggered construction enable to easily realize the receptacle device by molding.

The present invention, also concerns an accessory cooperation system comprising a receptacle device as described before and a first accessory, second accessory or a third accessory.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first accessory, the second accessory and/or the third accessory comprise a main body linking their two legs.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first accessory, the second accessory and/or the third accessory are markers each with an external label surface transverse to the first central plane or marker holder designed to cooperate with a separated marking element. Preferably, each marker can present an external label surface wherein a reference is written manually, printed or stuck.

The present invention further concerns a terminal block comprising a receptacle device as detailed before or an accessory cooperation system as detailed above, wherein the receptacle device is built in a face of the terminal block so as not to exceed said face transversally to said face.

This provision allows having a receptacle device formed in the terminal block without necessitating further space. According to an aspect of the invention, the terminal block comprises two parts mounted together according to the transverse plane. Preferably, said two parts are symmetrical with respect to the transverse plane.

The different aspects defined above that are not incompatible can be combined.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description that is set out below with reference to the appended drawing in which:.

In the following detailed description of the figures defined above, the same elements or the elements that are fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a receptacle device <NUM> is configured for alternatively receiving in a mounted position a first accessory <NUM> with first sized cooperating means <NUM>, a second accessory <NUM> with second sized cooperating means <NUM>, and a third accessory <NUM> having third sized cooperating means <NUM>.

The receptacle device <NUM> comprises a first cooperating assembly <NUM> configured to receive the first accessory <NUM>, the first cooperating assembly <NUM> being provided with two protrusions of a first type <NUM> that are symmetrical with regard to a first central plane <NUM> and that are extending towards each other transversally to the first central plane <NUM>.

The receptacle device <NUM> comprises a second cooperating assembly <NUM> configured to receive the second accessory <NUM>, the second cooperating assembly <NUM> being provided with two protrusions of a second type <NUM> that are symmetrical with regard to a second central plane <NUM> and that are extending opposite to each other transversally to the second central plane <NUM>.

The receptacle device <NUM> comprises a third cooperating assembly <NUM> configured to receive the third accessory <NUM>, the third cooperating assembly <NUM> being provided with two protrusions of a third type <NUM> that are symmetrical with regard to a third central plane <NUM> and that are extending towards each other transversally to the third central plane <NUM>.

The first central plane <NUM> is parallel to the second central plane <NUM> and to the third central plane <NUM>.

The two protrusions of the first type <NUM> comprise a first protrusion of the first type 17a and the two protrusions of the second type <NUM> comprise a first protrusion of the second type 23a, the receptacle device <NUM> having a common recess <NUM> wherein the first protrusion of the first type 17a and the first protrusion of the second type 23a are extending towards each other transversally to the first central plane <NUM>.

The first protrusion of the first type 17a and the first protrusion of the second type 23a are facing each other transversally to the first central plane <NUM>.

The two protrusions of the first type <NUM> comprise a second protrusion of the first type 17b and the two protrusions of the second type <NUM> comprise a second protrusion of the second type 23b, the receptacle device <NUM> having a recess of the first type <NUM> wherein the second protrusion of the first type 17b is formed and having a recess of the second type <NUM> wherein the second protrusion of the second type 23b is formed.

The receptacle device <NUM> is provided with a separating wall <NUM> extending parallel to the first central plane <NUM> on which the second protrusion of the first type 17b and the second protrusion of the second type 23b are formed. The separating wall <NUM> defines the recess of the first type <NUM> and the recess of the second type <NUM>.

The two protrusions of the first type <NUM> and the two protrusions of the second type <NUM> are extending according to a longitudinal plane <NUM> that is transverse to the first central plane <NUM>.

The protrusions of the third type <NUM> are extending in an offset plane <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal plane <NUM>. The receptacle device <NUM> has a central recess <NUM> wherein the protrusions of the third type <NUM> are included facing each other.

The first cooperating assembly <NUM>, the second cooperating assembly <NUM> and/or the third cooperating assembly <NUM> have at least one supporting surface <NUM> extending transverse to the first central plane <NUM> and configured to be in contact with the first accessory <NUM>, the second accessory <NUM> or the third accessory <NUM> in mounted position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the receptacle device <NUM> further has an access recess <NUM> extending transversally to and deeper than the supporting surface <NUM>, the access recess <NUM> being configured to at least partially face the first accessory <NUM>, the second accessory <NUM> or the third accessory <NUM> in mounted position transversally to the supporting surface <NUM>.

In other words, the access recess <NUM> is configured to engender a free space under the first accessory <NUM>, under the second accessory <NUM> or under the third accessory <NUM> in mounted position. The access recess <NUM> can be used to dismantle any accessory <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The protrusions of the first type <NUM> and the protrusions of the second type <NUM> are extending in an area <NUM> transversally to the first central plane <NUM>, said area <NUM> being defined by a longitudinal dimension <NUM> and a lateral dimension <NUM>, the access recess <NUM> extending at least partly outside the lateral dimension <NUM>.

The access recess <NUM> is configured to access the first accessory <NUM>, the second accessory <NUM> or the third accessory <NUM> from the side for easy dismounting, for example with a tool such as a screwdriver <NUM>. The lateral dimension <NUM> is transverse and in particular parallel to the longitudinal dimension <NUM>. The area <NUM> is in particular a rectangle.

The receptacle device <NUM> comprises two symmetrical access recess <NUM> with respect to a transverse plane <NUM> extending transversally to the first central plane <NUM>. The transverse plane <NUM> is extending transversally to the longitudinal plane <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the receptacle device <NUM> comprises two symmetrical parts <NUM> with respect to the transverse plane <NUM>, said two symmetrical parts <NUM> being configured to be attached to each other.

Alternatively, the receptacle device <NUM> can comprise a unique part, said unique part being molded.

The protrusions of the first type <NUM>, the protrusions of the second type <NUM> and the protrusions of the third type <NUM> each present a profile extending according to the lateral dimension <NUM>.

The central recess <NUM> is located between the common recess <NUM> on one side and the recess of the first type <NUM> and the recess of the second type <NUM> on the other side. Each access recess <NUM> are opening onto the central recess <NUM> so as to engender a unique recess. Each access recess <NUM> is defined by a corresponding inclined wall <NUM> oriented toward the central recess <NUM> and inclined with respect to the longitudinal plane <NUM>.

Each protrusion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> engenders a corresponding retaining wall <NUM> configured to cooperate with a corresponding leg <NUM> of the complementary accessory <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, said leg <NUM> extending in an opposite direction with regard to the corresponding protrusion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> transversally to the first central plane <NUM>.

The complementary accessory <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be a first accessory <NUM>, a second accessory <NUM> or a third accessory <NUM>.

An accessory cooperation system <NUM> comprises a receptacle device <NUM> as detailed before and a first accessory <NUM>, second accessory <NUM> or a third accessory <NUM>.

The first accessory <NUM>, the second accessory <NUM> and/or the third accessory <NUM> comprise a main body <NUM> linking their two legs <NUM>.

The first accessory <NUM>, the second accessory <NUM> and/or the third accessory <NUM> are markers each with an external label surface transverse to the first central plane as in <FIG> or a marker holder designed to cooperate with a separated marking element as in <FIG>.

Each marker can present an external label surface wherein a reference is written manually, printed or stuck.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a terminal block <NUM> comprises a receptacle device <NUM> as disclosed above, wherein the receptacle device <NUM> is built in a face <NUM> of the terminal block so as not to exceed said face <NUM> transversally to said face <NUM>.

The terminal block <NUM> comprises the two symmetrical parts <NUM> mounted together according to the transverse plane <NUM>. Said two parts <NUM> are symmetrical with respect to the transverse plane <NUM>.

According to a variant illustrated in <FIG>, at least one cooperating assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> present a corresponding lateral blocking arrangement <NUM>, said lateral blocking arrangement <NUM> having two lateral abutments <NUM>, each configured for blocking laterally a corresponding protrusion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Both lateral abutments <NUM> are diagonally opposed with regard to the longitudinal dimension <NUM>. In other words, the two lateral abutments <NUM> are located on opposed longitudinal sides of the area <NUM>.

Each lateral blocking arrangement <NUM> has two lateral through holes <NUM>, each being configured for the lateral passage of a corresponding protrusion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a cooperating assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Both lateral through holes <NUM> are diagonally opposed with regard to the longitudinal dimension <NUM>. Each lateral abutment <NUM> is in front of a corresponding lateral through hole <NUM>.

The receptacle device <NUM> further comprises a sliding tunnel <NUM> configured for cooperating with a pin <NUM> of a sliding marker or marker holder <NUM>, the sliding tunnel <NUM> being provided with indexing elements <NUM> arranged for maintaining the pin <NUM> in a plurality of more or less inserted positions according to an extension direction <NUM> of the sliding tunnel <NUM>.

The extension direction <NUM> of the sliding tunnel <NUM> is transverse to the longitudinal plane <NUM>. The sliding tunnel <NUM> is formed in a bottom surface <NUM> of the central recess <NUM>. Thus, the sliding tunnel <NUM> is geometrically distinct from the cooperating assemblies.

Each indexing element <NUM> are located on both sides of the transverse plane <NUM> without facing each other. This staggered construction enable to easily realize the receptacle device <NUM> by molding.

In view of the above, the design of the receptacle device <NUM> allows plugging three different types of accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to similar orientations. In addition, the protrusions of the first type <NUM> and the protrusions of the second type <NUM> extend according to different directions that respectively cooperate with corresponding cooperating means <NUM>, <NUM> extending outwards and inwards.

The common recess <NUM> enables to simplify the geometry of the receptacle device <NUM> as its spatial configuration engenders two protrusions 17a, 23a. The common recess <NUM> also serves as marker that helps a user to correctly position the first accessory <NUM> or the second accessory <NUM> with respect to the receptacle device <NUM>.

The distance between the two protrusions of the first type <NUM> and the distance between the two protrusions of the second type <NUM> are different. This enables to have accessories of different length to be installed on the same receptacle device <NUM>.

The fact that the access recess <NUM> is located on the side of the longitudinal dimension <NUM> facilitates the dismounting of the any accessory <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as a user is able to push said accessory in alignment to the profiles and also transversally from under said accessory <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Receptacle device (<NUM>) configured for alternatively receiving in a mounted position a first accessory (<NUM>) with first sized cooperating means (<NUM>) and a second accessory (<NUM>) with second sized cooperating means (<NUM>), the receptacle device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first cooperating assembly (<NUM>) configured to receive the first accessory (<NUM>), the first cooperating assembly (<NUM>) being provided with two protrusions of a first type (<NUM>) that are symmetrical with regard to a first central plane (<NUM>) and that are extending towards each other transversally to the first central plane (<NUM>),
- a second cooperating assembly (<NUM>) configured to receive the second accessory (<NUM>), the second cooperating assembly (<NUM>) being provided with two protrusions of a second type (<NUM>) that are symmetrical with regard to a second central plane (<NUM>) and that are extending opposite to each other transversally to the second central plane (<NUM>), wherein the first central plane (<NUM>) is parallel to the second central plane (<NUM>),
wherein the first cooperating assembly (<NUM>) and/or the second cooperating assembly (<NUM>) have at least one supporting surface (<NUM>) extending transverse to the first central plane (<NUM>) and configured to be in contact with the first accessory (<NUM>) or the second accessory (<NUM>) in mounted position, the receptacle device (<NUM>) further having an access recess (<NUM>) extending transversally to and deeper than the supporting surface (<NUM>), the access recess (<NUM>) being configured to at least partially face the first accessory (<NUM>) or the second accessory (<NUM>) in mounted position transversally to the supporting surface (<NUM>), and
wherein the protrusions of the first type (<NUM>) and the protrusions of the second type (<NUM>) are extending in an area (<NUM>) transversally to the first central plane (<NUM>), said area (<NUM>) being defined by a longitudinal dimension (<NUM>) and a lateral dimension (<NUM>),
characterised in that the access recess (<NUM>) extending at least partly outside the lateral dimension (<NUM>).