Patent Description:
A conventional terminal device or wire pressing terminal has an insulation case (generally made of plastic material), a metal component (or so-called electrical conductive component) and a leaf spring conductor (or so-called metal leaf spring). The metal component and the leaf spring conductor are enclosed in the insulation case to press and electrically connect with or release a conductive wire plugged in the terminal device so as to control the conductive wire to connect with a preset grounding rail. Such conventional terminal device is a technical means widely applied in various fields.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a typical conventional rail terminal structure employing the above technical means. The conventional rail terminal structure includes a case body <NUM> and a grounding member <NUM> received in the case body <NUM>. Wire plug-in sockets <NUM> for conductive wires to plug in and operation holes <NUM> are formed on the case body <NUM>. A push member <NUM> is disposed in the operation hole <NUM>. A tool can be extended into the operation hole <NUM> to operate the push member <NUM> so as to drive an internal conductive component <NUM> and help in connecting the conductive wire plugged in the wire plug-in socket <NUM> with the grounding member <NUM> or disconnecting the conductive wire from the grounding member <NUM>. An elastic first section <NUM> and an elastic second section <NUM> respectively extend from two lateral sides of the grounding member <NUM>. An elastic holding system is formed between the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM> for holding a preset grounding rail (not shown). An extension end section of the first section <NUM> is formed with a hook-like tail section <NUM>. In addition, the case body <NUM> has a lower section <NUM> in a position corresponding to an outer lateral side of the first section <NUM>. An inner side of the lower section <NUM> (in adjacency to one side of the first section <NUM>) is formed with a cavity <NUM> for receiving the tail section <NUM>. A hook-like foot section <NUM> outward extends from an outer side of the lower section <NUM> (distal from one side of the first section <NUM>). An insertion socket <NUM> is formed between the foot section <NUM> and an outer surface of the lower section <NUM>, which is open to outer side on one single side. A tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) can be extended into the insertion socket <NUM> to outward pull and extend the foot section <NUM> and the lower section <NUM>, whereby the tail section <NUM> is driven via the cavity <NUM>. Accordingly, the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the grounding member <NUM> are expanded relative to each other so that the grounding member <NUM> can hold or release the grounding rail.

However, in the above structure, in consideration of the convenience in (one-way) demolding of the case body <NUM> in the manufacturing process, the insertion socket <NUM> of the lower section <NUM> is designed with an opening <NUM> open to outer side on one single side (for demolding). Therefore, the foot section <NUM> is simply connected with a lateral side of the outer surface of the lower section <NUM>. In this case, the tool (the flat-blade screwdriver) is quite apt to slip out of the insertion socket <NUM> through the elastically expanded opening <NUM>. This is a shortcoming in application. Moreover, the strength of the entire structure is poor.

As a result, in practical application, when the tool (the flat-blade screwdriver) is extended into the insertion socket <NUM> to apply an operation force, the side of the periphery of the insertion socket <NUM> with the opening <NUM> has weaker structural strength and is easy to deform. Therefore, the opening <NUM> will be elastically expanded. Also, due to improper operation or after long-term used, the foot section <NUM> is often twisted, deformed or damaged.

In order to improve the above shortcomings, some manufacturers utilize 3D printing processing technique to produce the case body <NUM>. By means of such processing means without any mold for molding the case body <NUM>, a sink only with an upper opening is formed between the foot section <NUM> and the outer surface of the lower section <NUM> of the case body <NUM>. Interconnection sections are connected between both the two lateral sides of the sink corresponding to the foot section <NUM> and the outer surface of the lower section <NUM>. Therefore, the structural strength of the periphery of the sink is enhanced to avoid deformation and damage of the foot section <NUM> after forced. Also, when the tool (the flat-blade screwdriver) is extended into the sink to apply an operation force, the tool (the flat-blade screwdriver) is uneasy to slip out of the sink. This effectively improves the above shortcoming in application. However, the 3D printing processing means not only is relatively time-consuming and troublesome, but also is unbeneficial to mass production. In addition, the 3D printing processing cost is quite high as a whole. With respect to the rail terminal product, the 3D printing processing means fails to meet the principle of economic benefits in manufacturing process.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide the rail holding structure of the rail terminal of the present invention to improve the shortcomings of the conventional rail holding structure of the rail terminal.

<CIT> disclosed a rail terminal comprising a housing and a grounding component, a conducting component and a metal elastic plate being assembled inside the housing; the grounding component having a long portion and a protruding pin for embedding the conducting component to form electric connection. In addition, the housing is configured with a hook-shaped foot area, and the foot area is formed with a connecting side to connect the external wall. <CIT> disclosed a rail terminal comprising a housing and a grounding component, a conducting connector being assembled inside the housing, the conducting connector cooperating with a screw to pivotally connect a wire; the grounding component being configured with a base portion and arms connected to the base portion, for assembling the conducting connector. In addition, the housing is configured with a hook-shaped foot area, and the foot area is formed with a connecting side to connect the external wall.

<CIT> disclosed a rail terminal comprising a housing, a conducting component and a metal elastic plate; in addition, the housing is configured with a hook-shaped foot area, and the foot area is formed with a connecting side to connect the external wall.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a rail holding structure of rail terminal according to claim <NUM>, which includes a case body and a grounding member received in the case body. Two lateral sides of the grounding member are at least partially connected in the case body to form an elastic holding system for holding a preset grounding rail. The case body is formed with two lower sections respectively corresponding to two sides of the grounding member. A hook-like foot section outward extends from at least one of the two lower sections. A first connection side and a second connection side are respectively disposed on two lateral sides of the foot section. The first and second connection sides are connected with an outer sidewall of the lower section to form a socket with an open top side. The first and second connection sides serve as two lateral stoppers between the foot section and the outer sidewall. Therefore, when a tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) is extended into the socket to outward pull and extend the foot section, the first and second connection sides enhance the structural strength of the periphery of the socket to avoid twisting or deformation of the foot section. Also, the first and second connection sides prevent the tool from slipping out of the socket during the force application process.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above rail holding structure of rail terminal, in which the first connection side has at least one set of first connection section and first hollow section, which are alternately arranged. The second connection side has at least one second connection section corresponding to the first hollow section. The second connection section has a configuration and a size identical to the configuration and the size of the first hollow section. Accordingly, a projection area of the first connection side in a transverse direction of the socket and a projection area of the second connection side in the transverse direction of the socket are staggered, whereby the demolding operation of plastic injection in manufacturing process can be conveniently performed.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide the above rail holding structure of rail terminal, in which the inner sides of the first and second connection sides are respectively formed with a first guide section and a second guide section in adjacency to the opening of the socket. The first guide section and the second guide section respectively are obliquely cut plane faces. The first and second guide sections serve to guide the tool to successfully slide from outer side into the socket.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Please refer to <FIG>. The rail holding structure of the rail terminal of the present invention mainly includes a case body <NUM> and a grounding member <NUM>. The surface of the case body <NUM> is formed with a recess <NUM> for receiving the grounding member <NUM> and multiple wire plug-in sockets <NUM> and operation holes <NUM>. The wire plug-in sockets <NUM> are for conductive wires to plug in. A push member (not shown) is disposed in the operation hole <NUM>. A tool B can be extended into the operation hole <NUM> to operate the push member so as to drive an internal conductive component (not shown) and help in connecting the conductive wire plugged in the wire plug-in socket <NUM> with the grounding member <NUM> or disconnecting the conductive wire from the grounding member <NUM>.

The case body <NUM> is respectively formed with two lower sections <NUM>, <NUM> in adjacency to two lateral sides of the recess <NUM>. A cavity <NUM> is at least formed in the lower section <NUM> (or the lower section <NUM>). A hook-like foot section <NUM> outward extends from a lateral side of the lower section <NUM> (or the lower section <NUM>). A first connection side <NUM> and a second connection side <NUM> are respectively disposed on two lateral sides of the foot section <NUM>. The first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> are respectively connected with an outer sidewall <NUM> of the lower section <NUM>. The first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> and the outer sidewall <NUM> and the foot section <NUM> define therebetween a socket <NUM> with an open top side. In addition, a projection area of the first connection side <NUM> in a transverse direction of the socket <NUM> and a projection area of the second connection side <NUM> in the transverse direction of the socket <NUM> are staggered. By means of such design, the demolding operation of plastic injection in manufacturing process can be conveniently performed.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner sides of the first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> are respectively formed with a first guide section <NUM> and a second guide section <NUM> in adjacency to the opening of the socket <NUM>. (The first and second guide sections <NUM>, <NUM> can be downward obliquely cut plane faces). The first and second guide sections <NUM>, <NUM> serve to guide the tool B to successfully slide from outer side into the socket <NUM>. In addition, the first connection side <NUM> has at least one set of first connection section <NUM> and first hollow section <NUM>, which are alternately arranged. The second connection side <NUM> has at least one second connection section <NUM> corresponding to the first hollow section <NUM>. The second connection section <NUM> has a configuration and a size identical to the configuration and the size of the first hollow section <NUM>. Accordingly, the projection area of the first connection side <NUM> in the transverse direction of the socket <NUM> and the projection area of the second connection side <NUM> in the transverse direction of the socket <NUM> are staggered.

In application of the above structure, as necessary, the first connection side <NUM> can alternatively have multiple sets of first connection sections <NUM> and first hollow sections <NUM>, which are alternately arranged. The second connection side <NUM> has multiple second connection sections <NUM> respectively corresponding to the first hollow sections <NUM>. The second connection sections <NUM> respectively have a configuration and a size identical to the configuration and the size of the first hollow sections <NUM>. Accordingly, the projection area of the first connection side <NUM> in the transverse direction of the socket <NUM> and the projection area of the second connection side <NUM> in the transverse direction of the socket <NUM> are staggered as a structural feature of the present invention.

An elastic first section <NUM> and an elastic second section <NUM> respectively extend from two lateral sides of the grounding member <NUM> to lateral sides of the two lower sections <NUM>, <NUM>. An elastic holding system is formed between the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM> for holding a preset grounding rail A. An extension end section of the first section <NUM> (or the second section <NUM>) is formed with a hook-like tail section <NUM>. The tail section <NUM> is inlaid in the cavity <NUM> of the lower section <NUM> (or the lower section <NUM>), whereby the first section <NUM> (or the second section <NUM>) can be elastically extended or retracted along with the move of the lower section <NUM> (or the lower section <NUM>).

In practical application of the present invention, when the first and second sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the grounding member <NUM> oppositely elastically hold the grounding rail A, the case body <NUM> is secured on the rail A with the grounding member <NUM>. In addition, the conductive wires plugged in the respective wire plug-in sockets <NUM> are electrically connected with the grounding rail A. When the tool B (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) is extended into the socket <NUM>, the first guide section <NUM> or the second guide section <NUM> serves to guide the tool B to successfully slide from outer side into the socket <NUM>. Then, the tool B outward pulls and extends the foot section <NUM> to drive the lower section <NUM> (or the lower section <NUM>). At this time, the first section <NUM> (or the second section <NUM>) and the second section <NUM> (or the first section <NUM>) are oppositely expanded, whereby the grounding member <NUM> can be detached from the grounding rail A.

In the above structure, the first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> serve as two lateral stoppers between the foot section <NUM> and the outer sidewall <NUM>. Therefore, when the tool B (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) is extended into the socket <NUM> to outward pull and extend the foot section <NUM>, the first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> enhance the structural strength of the periphery of the socket <NUM> to avoid twisting or deformation of the foot section <NUM>. Also, the first and second connection sides <NUM>, <NUM> prevent the tool B (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) from slipping out of the socket <NUM> during the force application process.

Claim 1:
A rail holding structure of rail terminal, comprising a case body (<NUM>) and a grounding member (<NUM>), the case body (<NUM>) being formed with an internal recess (<NUM>) for receiving the grounding member (<NUM>), wherein the case body (<NUM>) is formed with two lower sections (<NUM>, <NUM>) corresponding to two outer lateral sides of the grounding member (<NUM>), a hook-like foot section (<NUM>) outward extending from at least one of the two lower sections (<NUM>), at least one first connection side (<NUM>) and at least one second connection side (<NUM>) being respectively disposed on two lateral sides of the foot section (<NUM>), the first and second connection sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) being connected with an outer sidewall (<NUM>) of the lower section (<NUM>), whereby the foot section (<NUM>), the outer sidewall (<NUM>) and the first and second connection sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) together define therebetween a socket (<NUM>) with an open top side, wherein a projection area (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the first connection side (<NUM>) and a projection area (<NUM>) of the second connection side (<NUM>) are staggered with each other in a transverse direction of the socket (<NUM>).