Patent ID: 7658653

Claim:
A connector arrangement for connecting one of a plurality of plug-in electrical function control modules ( 10 a - 10 e ) with a pair of insulated electrical conductors (C), comprising: (a) a universal terminal block ( 1 ) including a generally horizontal rectangular body formed of synthetic plastic insulating material, said body including a pair of end portions, and an intermediate portion arranged between said end portions, said intermediate body portion having a horizontal top surface containing a downwardly extending open-topped chamber ( 9 ) contained between a pair of vertical side walls ( 29 , 30 ); (b) a pair of electrical terminals ( 5 , 6 ) mounted in recesses contained in the end portions of said terminal block body on opposite sides of said chamber for connection with the bare ends of conductors C) respectively introduced downwardly into said recesses via openings ( 8 ) contained in said body top surface; (c) a pair of upwardly-extending stationary electrical contacts ( 11 , 12 ) mounted in the bottom of said chamber; (d) bus bar means ( 13 ) connecting said contacts with said terminals, respectively; (e) a plurality of function control modules ( 10 a - 10 f ) each of which is selectively insertable into said chamber, each of said function control modules including a pair of module contacts ( 31 , 32 ) arranged for respective electrical engagement with said stationary contacts when said function control module is in a fully inserted condition relative to said chamber; (f) locking means for normally locking to said universal terminal block body a function control module arranged in said chamber in said fully inserted position, said locking means comprising: (1) a locking lever ( 27 ) having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion: (2) connecting means ( 26 ) connecting said intermediate portion of said locking lever to said function control module so as to permit swinging movement of said locking lever relative to said module: (3) said connecting lever first end having a catch hook portion ( 28 ) biased toward locking engagement with at least one corresponding keeper surface ( 38 a ) arranged within said terminal block chamber when said function block module is arranged in a fully inserted position in said chamber; and (g) manually operable release means for releasing catch hook portion from said keeper surface, thereby to permit removal of said function control module from said chamber, said release means including an operating tab portion ( 41 ) arranged at the other end of said locking lever.