EP0211741A1 - Block junction with lateral connection - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a junction block of the type comprising, in an insulating body (10), for the constitution of at least two junction terminals, a stirrup (25) common to said junction terminals, and, for each of these, a cable clamp (17 which, in engagement with a clamping screw (18), is disposed inside the bracket (25) and is thus suitable for ensuring the clamping of a conductor electric.

According to the invention, for each of the junction terminals, the clamping screw (18) is entirely disposed in the bracket (25).

Application to terminal blocks with lateral connection.

Description

The present invention relates generally to terminal blocks suitable for connecting two electrical conductors.

It relates more particularly to those of these terminal blocks which, according to the terminology adopted here for simple convenience, are with lateral connection, that is to say those of these terminal blocks for which the engagement of the conductors to be connected is made laterally, and therefore transversely relative to the clamping action necessary for their maintenance.

As is known, a junction block with lateral connection comprises, overall, in a body of insulating material, at least two junction terminals, which are in electrical connection with each other, and which include same each, for clamping an electrical conductor, a generally tubular part, commonly known as a stirrup, accessible from the outside of the body of insulating material by a lateral opening thereof, for engagement of said electrical conductor, and a clamp cable suitable for ensuring, under the control of a clamping screw, the application of said conductor against a wall of said stirrup.

Most often, to date, two separate stirrups are used, one per junction terminal, and there is associated with them, as cable clamp, a connecting bar, which, common to these two stirrups, extends from to each other, of these, and which, in addition to its function of cable clamp, also provides the necessary electrical connection between these stirrups.

Jointly, for each junction terminal, the clamping screw is engaged with a tapped hole in the bracket to which it is associated, and, while the latter is mounted movable along the axis of this clamping screw in a housing provided for him in the body of insulating material, said clamping screw is axially wedged with respect to this body of insulating material, while being free to rotate therein.

Thus, when, the stripped end of an electrical conductor being engaged in the stirrup of a junction terminal, between the connecting bar forming a cable clamp and the wall of said stirrup opposite to that to which the screw is engaged associated clamping, a screwing action is exerted on this clamping screw, said stirrup, forming a nut, is controlled in movement by the clamping screw, in the direction of the head thereof, until, by its said wall opposite to said clamping screw, it clamps said stripped end of said electrical conductor against said connecting bar forming cable clamp.

Such a provision has given and can still give satisfaction.

But it has drawbacks, which add to the cost, and which are as follows.

A first of these drawbacks is linked to the very constitution of the stirrups used, which, as appears from the above, must have, for the associated tightening screw, a tapped hole.

Most often, such a stirrup is made of cut sheet metal, and suitably folded, or of pressed sheet metal.

Tapping a hole in a piece thus formed is a delicate operation, which in practice is not capable of a rate of work comparable to that for example of stamping machines.

In other words, in the case of a stamped sheet metal stirrup, it is necessary either to envisage a significant loss of productivity, of the order of 50%, if such tapping is carried out continuously on the same processing line, at the following the corresponding stamping machine, or consider an expensive recovery of the treated parts, for parallel supply of two or more tapping stations upstream of such a stamping machine.

In addition, after stamping, the sheet metal of the stirrups concerned is found to be very hardened, and therefore have a relatively large hardness.

Consequently, the taps necessary for their subsequent tapping are inevitably subject to rapid wear, requiring their frequent change, to the detriment of the productivity of the assembly.

Finally, due to the relatively high hardness of the sheet to be worked, the formation of threads on the treated stirrups is done in more or less good conditions, the material of this sheet coming more or less to match the threads taps used.

It is not uncommon, under these conditions, to observe gaps in the desired tapping, and, even to the detriment of the productivity of the assembly, it is therefore necessary to carry out particularly severe manufacturing controls.

The difficulty remains the same if, instead of using two separate stirrups for the two junction terminals concerned, only a single stirrup, made of cut sheet metal, is provided, which, common to these two junction terminals, is fixed relative to to the body of insulating material, as is for example the case in the French patent application filed on December 18, 1969 under No. 69 43938 and published under No. 2,071,130.

It is indeed still necessary in this case to ensure the formation of two threaded holes on such a stirrup.

Admittedly, to overcome this difficulty, it has been proposed to massively constitute such a single stirrup, for example using a section of brass, easier to tap, as is for example the case in the patent. French which, filed on July 25, 1968, was issued under No 1,572,097, or in the French patent application filed on June 6, 1974 under No 74 19520 and published under No 2,234,675.

However, such an arrangement inevitably leads to a higher consumption of material, and this is all the more expensive since it is a relatively expensive material in this case.

In French patent No 1,231,072, this difficulty is eliminated by the fact that the tapped drilling necessary for the intervention of the tightening screw of each of the junction terminals is dissociated from the bracket, to be transferred to the greenhouse - corresponding cable.

This has indeed, like a nut, a tapped bore, but, unlike a real nut, this tapped bore is blind.

This cable clamp is in practice placed inside the stirrup, and the clamping screw with which it is associated is itself axially wedged with respect to the stirrup while being free to rotate relative to the latter, while the common connecting bar to the two junction terminals is found to be formed by the corresponding wall of said bracket.

However, in this French patent No 1,231,072, the stirrup does not by itself constitute a generally tubular part, that is to say a part whose four walls are in one piece with one another .

On the contrary, it is formed, on the one hand, of a part in the form of a gutter, and, on the other hand, of a median part, which, distinct from the previous one, is to be attached to it, with transverse pins to secure these two parts to each other.

This results in a certain complexity for the whole, and therefore an increase in costs.

A second difficulty, in the production of terminal blocks with lateral connection of the type concerned, relates to the mounting and assembly of the various parts in question.

This difficulty is all the more difficult since, to date, the clamping screws always extend at least partly outside the stirrup or stirrups concerned.

It is therefore necessary to orient the stirrup (s) appropriately relative to the body of insulating material, also to orient the associated connecting bar suitably in relation thereto when such a connecting bar is provided, engage this link bar (s) on this or these stirrups, and then either initiate the tightening of the clamping screws in this or these stirrups, adapt the corresponding cable clamps, and, finally, put the assembly in place in the body of insulating material, as is the case for the terminal block which is the subject of French patent No 69 43938 mentioned above, either put the stirrup (s) in place in the body of insulating material, initiate the tightening of the clamping screws on this or these stirrups, and, finally, attach the corresponding cable clamps to these clamping screws, as is the case for the terminal block covered by French patent No 1,572. 097 also mentioned above, or, again, carry out these operations or similar operations in a different order according to the constructive methods adopted.

In all cases, such an assembly requires the manipulation, in various directions, of a relatively large number of parts, and this manipulation is all the more difficult since these parts are initially individually floating with respect to each other and that moreover, their own orientation is difficult to spot.

As a result, this assembly is difficult to mechanize, and, in practice, the machines on which it is provided are subject to numerous operating incidents, to the detriment of their productivity.

Similarly, the assembly of the terminal block described in French patent No 1,231,072 mentioned above requires intervention laterally, for the installation of the pins securing to one another the two constituent parts of the bracket corresponding.

In all cases, also, special clamping screws are required, to adapt them to make suitable cable ties.

This is the case, for example, in French patent No 1,572,097, in which such a cable clamp is constituted by an insert at the end of the clamping screw, so that said clamping screw must have an annular groove near its end, and this is also the case in French patent No 69.43938, in which the associated cable clamp to a clamping screw extends between the head and the end thereof, so that this head must have a suitable profile and in practice be a low-cut head.

This is also the case in French patent No 1,231,072, in which the head of the clamping screw is also a low-cut head, this head having at its base a collar for its support on the underside of the part median concerned of the stirrup, however that, by its remaining portion, it crosses right through said median portion, thus extending essentially in the thickness thereof.

The present invention generally relates to a provision which makes it possible to avoid these difficulties and which also leads to other advantages.

More specifically, it relates to a terminal block with lateral connection, of the type comprising in a body of insulating material, for the constitution of at least two junction terminals, a bracket, which, fixed relative to said body in insulating material, is common to the two junction terminals, and which, laterally, at each of its ends, is accessible from the outside of said body of insulating material by a lateral opening thereof, for engagement of an electrical conductor, and, for each of the junction terminals, a clamping screw, which is axially wedged with respect to the stirrup while being free to rotate relative to the latter, and a cable clamp suitable for ensuring, under the control of said clamping screw, the application of said electrical conductor to a common connection bar to the two junction terminals, said cable clamp being disposed inside said bracket, being locked in rotation thereon, and by engaging with said clamping screw, c e terminal block being generally characterized in that, for each of the junction terminals, the clamping screw is entirely disposed in the stirrup common to them.

Preferably, the single stirrup used is a stirrup made of copper alloy, brass or bronze for example, or a stirrup made of sheet steel laminated with a more conductive surface sheet, such as a sheet of brass or copper for example , suitably cut and folded, such a stirrup then advantageously constituting by itself the associated connecting bar and thus assuming by itself, in addition to a mechanical function of resistance to tightening, an electrical function of connection between the two junction terminals.

Alternatively, it may however also be a stirrup made of sheet steel suitably cut and folded, with which it is associated, internally, independently, and in a manner known per se, a connecting bar made of more material conductor, such as a brass or copper strip for example, such a stirrup then essentially assuming only a mechanical function of resistance to tightening while the electrical connection function is provided by the associated connection strip.

Anyway, having to be entirely installed in the bracket, the clamping screw of each junction terminal can advantageously be in advance in engagement with the cable clamp with which it is associated, and the assembly of the assembly. this is facilitated.

For example, the positioning in the stirrup of each tightening screw-cable clamp assembly to be implemented can be done laterally.

The corresponding operations, which relate to simple parts, with clean orientation easy to locate, are advantageously relatively easy to mechanize.

This is a fortiori the case if, as a variant, the stirrup comprises transversely a window for its engagement with such a set of clamping screw-cable clamp, the mounting to be carried out then being akin to a simple stacking, in the same direction, of the various constituents required, the stirrup coming in a way covering each of the clamping screw-cable clamp assemblies previously placed in the body of insulating material.

In both cases, a rigorous positioning of the various parts in question relative to each other can be obtained.

In all cases also, simple, standard clamping screws, not involving any turning, and the production of which may result from a simple strike, can advantageously and economically be implemented.

Furthermore, being freed from any tapping, the holes which the stirrup must present to give access to the tightening screws of the two junction terminals can advantageously and economically result from a simple punching of this stirrup.

In addition, being able to be calibrated independently of the diameter of the threaded rod of the clamping screws, they can advantageously constitute by themselves selection elements imposing the choice of a suitable screwdriver for the action on the clamping screws, avoiding as well as an excessive tightening torque is applied to the latter at the risk of deterioration of the assembly.

Be that as it may, these bores in any case ensure by themselves a suitable guidance of such a screwdriver, so that it is possible to free from such guidance the wells which the body usually presents insulating to give access to the clamping screws, which economically simplifies the production of this body of insulating material.

As a corollary, the threaded bore which the associated cable clamps have preferably extends over the entire height of such a cable clamp, passing right through it, so that these cable clamps constitute real nuts.

In practice, it is advantageously simple sections of profile in brass or other material of moderate hardness.

The operations to be applied to such a profile are easily mechanizable.

Starting, for example, from a profile of quadrangular cross section, and for example square, it is possible, on the same machine, to successively proceed to the axial drilling of this profile, to its tapping, and to its cutting to the desired length , with, possibly, ultimately, placing a screw in each of the threaded section sections thus obtained.

Such a process is all the more economical since, for junction terminals of different characteristics, cable clamps of the same cross section and the same tapping diameter can be used, these cable clamps differing from each other only by their length along the terminal blocks to be fitted, and the corresponding clamping screws themselves differing only in the length of their threaded rod.

Finally, owing to the fact that, according to the invention, the clamping screws are entirely in the caliper, their head comes to bear energetically on the internal surface of the upper wall thereof when a clamping action is applied to them. applied.

In conjunction with the elastic deformation reaction then due to the stirrup, the friction resulting from this contact of the clamping screws with the internal surface of the upper wall of this stirrup is advantageously favorable to good resistance over time of these clamping screws.

In other words, the risks of inadvertent loosening thereof are advantageously minimized.

This is all the more so since, according to the invention, the support of the clamping screws on the upper face of the stirrup is made on a surface which develops in a circularly continuous manner around the corresponding bores, and which has so a notable circumferential development.

In short, it follows, overall, from the above, that, the conditions being equal elsewhere, the arrangement according to the invention advantageously leads to an overall reduction in costs and to obtaining particularly reliable and safe embodiments.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un bloc de jonction suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle, en perspective éclatée, de ce bloc jonction ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective, suivant la flèche III de la figure 2, de l'étrier mis en oeuvre dans ce bloc de jonction, représenté isolément, avant mise en place en son sein des ensembles vis de serrage-serre-câble devant l'équiper ;
• les figures 4, 5 sont, à échelle différente, des vues partielles en coupe de cet étrier, suivant respectivement les lignes IV-IV et V-V de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle en perspective, qui, reprenant pour partie celle de la figure 3, concerne l'étrier une fois qu'il y a été mis en place les ensembles vis de serrage-serre-câble correspondants ;
• la figure 7 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale du bloc de jonction suivant l'invention, suivant la ligne VII-VII de la figure 1, et avant serrage d'un conducteur électrique ;
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 7, après serrage de ce conducteur électrique ;
• les figures 9, 10 sont des vues en perspective qui, reprenant pour partie celles des figures 2, 3, se rapportent à une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 11 est, à échelle différente, une vue en coupe transversale de l'étrier mis en oeuvre dans cette variante de réalisation, suivant la ligne XI-XI de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 12 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 11 repéré par un encart XII sur celle-ci ;
• la figure 13 est, à l'échelle de la figure 12, une autre vue partielle en coupe transversale de cet étrier, suivant la ligne XIII-XIII de la figure 10 ;
• les figures 14, 15, 16 sont des vues qui, analogues, chacune respectivement, à celles des figures 1, 2, 3, se rapportent à une autre variante de réalisation.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of a terminal block according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial view, in exploded perspective, of this terminal block;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view, along arrow III of Figure 2, of the bracket used in this terminal block, shown in isolation, before placement within it of the clamping screw-cable clamp assemblies before equipping it;
• Figures 4, 5 are, on a different scale, partial sectional views of this stirrup, respectively on the lines IV-IV and VV of Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is a partial perspective view, which, partly taking that of Figure 3, relates to the bracket once it has been put in place the sets of tightening screws-cable clamp corresponding;
• Figure 7 is, on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view of the terminal block according to the invention, along the line VII-VII of Figure 1, and before tightening of an electrical conductor;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, after tightening of this electrical conductor;
• Figures 9, 10 are perspective views which, partly taking those of Figures 2, 3, relate to an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 11 is, on a different scale, a cross-sectional view of the stirrup used in this alternative embodiment, along line XI-XI of Figure 9;
• Figure 12 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 11 identified by an insert XII thereon;
• Figure 13 is, on the scale of Figure 12, another partial view in cross section of this stirrup, along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 10;
• Figures 14, 15, 16 are views which, analogously, each respectively, to those of Figures 1, 2, 3, relate to another alternative embodiment.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, a terminal block according to the invention comprises a body of insulating material 10 in the general form of a plate.

This body of insulating material 10 forms, at its base, a foot 11, by which it is for example adapted, as shown, to be attached to at least one determined type of rail or standardized profile, according to provisions which, not falling not of the present invention, and well known in themselves, will not be described in detail here, and, in its current part, it forms a superstructure 12, in which are arranged, side by side, in electrical connection one with the other, two junction terminals 13.

In a manner also known per se, each of these junction terminals 13 itself comprises, for the clamping of any electrical conductor, and, more precisely, of the previously stripped end of the conductive core thereof, a bracket 15, which is generally tubular, and which, laterally, is accessible from the outside of the body of insulating material 10 through an opening 16 thereof, and a cable clamp 17, which, under the control of a clamping screw 18, itself accessible from the outside of the body of insulating material 10 through a well 20 of the latter, is suitable for ensuring the application of said electrical conductor against a connecting bar explained later.

Overall, the junction terminals 13 thus formed are arranged in a housing 22 provided for them in the superstructure 12 of the body of insulating material. 10, and this housing 22 opens transversely, freely, on one of the main faces of this body of insulating material 10.

This housing 22 is therefore in the general shape of a bowl, open towards the outside, and, in service, it can be closed, either by the body of insulating material of a terminal block attached to the previous one, or by a plate of reported closure on it.

In the embodiments shown, it generally has a quadrangular outline.

The openings 16 and the wells 20, which are formed on the edge of the superstructure 12 of the body of insulating material 10, open internally into the housing 22 thus presented by the latter.

As regards, according to the terminology adopted here, a terminal block with lateral connection, the openings 16 are lateral openings, that is to say openings present on the lateral faces of the edge of the body of insulating material 10, said openings 16 extending generally substantially perpendicular to the axis of the associated wells 20, which themselves are present on the facet of the facade of said section.

As a corollary, the stirrups 15 are aligned along the axis of the lateral openings 16, and therefore substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wells 20.

In practice, these stirrups 15 are in one piece with one another.

In other words, they jointly form a single stirrup 25, common to the two junction terminals 13.

This single bracket 25 is fixed in the body of insulating material, and, laterally, at each of its ends, it is accessible from the outside of said body of insulating material by the corresponding lateral opening 16 thereof.

In the embodiments shown, the single stirrup 25 thus implemented is made of copper alloy or of sheet steel rolled with a surface sheet more conductive, such as brass or copper foil for example.

It therefore ensures by itself the necessary electrical connection between the junction terminals 13, without any specific connection bar being associated with it for this purpose.

In other words, in such a case, it then constitutes by itself such a connecting bar.

In cross section, the single stirrup 25 has a generally quadrangular outline, with rounded angles, and it is of width substantially equal to the depth of the housing 22 of the body of insulating material 10, for insertion into this housing 22 in the same thickness. said body of insulating material 10.

In plan, it also has a quadrangular contour, like that of the housing 22, for blocking therein.

In practice, the single stirrup 25 results from the folding of a strip of sheet metal leads so that the extreme strands of the latter close over one another.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the single stirrup 25 comprises, perpendicular to a wall 26, which, on the side of the wells 20 of the body of insulating material 10, forms the middle part thereof, and on either side of this wall 26, two side walls 27, 27 ', and, opposite said wall 26, it comprises, parallel to the latter, a wall 28 formed by superposition on one another two square returns 29, 29 ′ each extending said side walls 27, 27 ′ respectively.

These two square returns 29, 29 ′ are suitably secured to one another, for example by welding.

This is the case in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8.

Alternatively, they may as well be joined to one another by half-punching or any other means.

Anyway, walls 26, 27, 27 'and 28 of the single stirrup 25 thus formed are in one piece with each other.

The wall 26, which is the upper wall, comprises, for each junction terminal 13, to give access to the clamping screw 18 thereof, a bore 35, which is of circular outline, and whose diameter D1 is lower than that D2 of the control head 36 of this clamping screw 18, measured at the corresponding transverse end face thereof.

According to the invention, for each of the junction terminals 13, the clamping screw 18, which is axially wedged with respect to the single stirrup 25 while being free to rotate relative to the latter, is entirely arranged in this single bracket 25.

In practice, the cable clamp 17 which is associated with it is a nut, which, also arranged inside said single stirrup 25, while being locked in rotation thereon, is engaged with such a tightening screw 18 .

In addition, for each of the junction terminals 13, the control head 36 of the clamping screw 18 is taken between, on the one hand, the wall 26 of the single bracket 25 opposite the corresponding cable clamp 17, and, on the other hand, a shoulder 37 wedged axially with respect to said single stirrup 25.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in Figures 1 to 8, this shoulder 37 is formed by a recess of at least one of the side walls 27, 27 'of the single stirrup 25, and, in practice, of each of these.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stirrup 25 has, in elevation, a T-shaped contour, each of its side walls 27, 27 ′ having on its edge a recess 38, and, in correspondence, the contour of the housing 22 of the body of insulating material 10 is itself, in a complementary manner, in T.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in line with the control head 36 of the clamping screw 18 of each of the junction terminals 13, at least one of the side walls 27, 27 'of the single stirrup 25 locally forms a retaining spout 39 in the direction of the other.

In practice, in this embodiment, such a retaining spout 39 is provided on both of the side walls 27, 27 ′ of the single stirrup 25, and, as illustrated in FIG. 6 ′ for one of the lateral ends of this single stirrup 25, it results from a simple deformation of these lateral walls 27, 27 'made at the base of their recess 38.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, for each junction terminal 13, the single stirrup 25 comprises, internally, at least one rib 40 suitable for guiding the corresponding cable clamp 17.

In practice, in this embodiment, only such a rib 40 is thus provided for each junction terminal 13, and, affecting the side wall 27 of the single stirrup 25, resulting from a simple local stamping. of the latter, it runs over only part of the height of said single stirrup 25.

Finally, in the embodiment shown, each of the side walls 27, 27 ′ of the single stirrup 25 is affected, in its median zone, over part of its height from the wall 28 of such a single stirrup 25, of a slot 42, 42 ′ which also bites at least in part, substantially at mid-width, on said wall 28.

Jointly, the body of insulating material 10 has, in one piece, projecting from the bottom of its housing 22, a partition 43, which, over part of its height from its free edge, is extended by a tab 44.

In addition, taking into account the recess 38 which the lateral walls 27, 27 ′ of the single stirrup 25 have transversely, the bottom of the housing 22 of this body of insulating material 10 has, in correspondence, a groove 48, figures 2, 7 and 8.

Furthermore, the clamping screw 18 of each of the junction terminals 13 is a simple standard manufacturing screw, which, in addition to its control head 36, includes a threaded barrel 46, and the nut which constitutes the cable clamp 17 which associated with it is a simple section of profile, the external cross section of which is substantially quadrangular, and for example square, as shown, presenting, perpendicularly to the bottom of the housing 22 of the body of insulating material 10, a dimension slightly smaller than that separating from one another the walls 27, 27 'of the single stirrup 25, for sliding therebetween, and which, axially, has a tapped bore 47 suitable for its cooperation in screwing with said threaded barrel 46 d such a clamping screw 18.

Preferably, and as shown, this threaded bore 47 extends over the entire height of such a cable clamp 17, crossing it right through, which simplifies its manufacture.

During assembly, the cable clamps 17 are preassembled with the corresponding clamping screws 18, as shown in FIG. 2.

According to the arrows F in this FIG. 2, the clamping screw 18-cable clamp 17 assemblies thus formed are then engaged, laterally, in the single stirrup 25, at the corresponding lateral ends thereof, with insertion of the head of control 36 of the clamping screws 18 between the upper wall 26 of this single stirrup 25 and the recesses 37 of its side walls 27, 27 '.

After this engagement, which is practiced until the cable clamps stop 17 against the corresponding ribs 40 of the side wall 27 of the single stirrup 25, it is practiced the formation of retaining spouts 39 both on this side wall 27 and on the associated side wall 27 '.

The clamping screw 18-cable clamp 17 assemblies are therefore prisoners of the single stirrup 25, and therefore captive.

The single stirrup 25 thus equipped with clamping screw 18-cable clamp 17 assemblies is in turn engaged in the housing 22 of the body of insulating material 10, along arrow F 'in FIG. 2.

At the end of this engagement, the partition 43 of the body of insulating material 20 passes right through, by its extension 44, the single stirrup 25, in favor of the slots 42, 42 'of the side walls 27, 27' of that -this.

Preferably, it is then practiced, for example by hot crimping, any deformation on the corresponding end edge of this extension 44, for blocking the single stirrup 25 in the body of insulating material 10 and, thus, keeping it in place in it.

For the implementation of the terminal block thus obtained, it suffices, as is usual, and as shown schematically in broken lines in Figures 7, 8, to engage the previously stripped end 49 of an electrical conductor in each lateral openings 16 of the body of insulating material 10, until penetration into the corresponding lateral end of the single stirrup 25, perpendicular to the clamping screw 18 of the junction terminal 13 concerned, and to act in rotation on this clamping screw 18.

This clamping screw 18 being axially wedged on the single stirrup 25 by its control head 36, and this single stirrup 25 being itself wedged in the body of insulating material 10 by fitting into the housing 22 thereof, all rotation control of the clamping screw 18 causes an axial displacement of the cable clamp 17 along the height of the single stirrup 25 since this cable clamp 17 is locked in rotation on the latter.

Preferably, by an appropriate choice of the threads concerned, it is made so that a rotation to the right of the control screw 18 causes a displacement of the cable clamp 17 in the direction opposite to the control head 36 of this clamping screw 18, for tightening the stripped end 49 of the electrical conductor concerned against the wall 28 of the single stirrup 25 opposite to that 26 comprising the holes 35, FIG. 8, this wall 28, which is the wall or underside of the single stirrup 25, thus essentially forming by itself the bar of associated link.

Jointly, the control head 36 of the clamping screw 18 is supported by its front face, that is to say by its upper transverse face, on the internal surface of the wall 26 of the single stirrup 25, which is the wall or upper face of the latter.

As will be noted, when the clamping screw 18 is rotated, the screwdriver used for this purpose is correctly guided by the same drilling 35 corresponding to the single stirrup 25, this screwdriver having to pass through this drilling 35 to gain access to the control head 36 of this clamping screw 18.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9 to 13, which in practice corresponds to electrical and mechanical characteristics different from those to which the embodiment described with reference to preceding FIGS. 1 to 8 corresponds, it is the upper wall 26 of the single stirrup 25 which is formed by two square returns 29, 29 'from the side walls 27, 27'.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, these square returns 29, 29 ′ are stapled to each other.

For example, and as shown, in the return square 29, which is the outer one, is cut a tab 50, and, sufficiently extended for this purpose, it is engaged in an opening 51 made at least partly in the back to square 29 ′, which is inside, said opening 51 extending in practice also on the corresponding side wall 27 ′.

For the desired stapling, the tab 50 is also folded back under the square return 29 ', beyond the opening 51 which it crosses, FIG. 13.

Furthermore, in this variant embodiment, the shoulder 37 affecting at the same level each of the side walls 27, 27 'of the single stirrup 25 belongs to a bowl 55 resulting from a local stamping of such a side wall 27, 27'.

In practice, such a bowl 55 is thus provided for the control head 36 of each of the clamping screws 18, and, in FIGS. 9, 10, the traces of it can be seen externally.

At least at its base, such a control head 36, which in practice is generally frustoconical, has a diameter D'2 greater than the internal width D3 of the single stirrup 25, and it is forcibly engaged in said single stirrup 25 , by elastic deformation thereof, until it is housed in the bowl 55 provided hollow for it on the internal face of the side walls 27, 27 'thereof.

Such an arrangement advantageously ensures the captivity of the tightening screw 18-cable clamp 17 assemblies once these have been placed in the single stirrup 25, without it being necessary to provide thereon, as previously, any retaining spouts.

Finally, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, only the side wall 27 of the stirrup 25 is affected by a slot 42, the latter also biting widely on the bottom wall 28 of this single stirrup 25.

Unlike the previous embodiment, it is therefore necessary, in this case, to engage in a specific direction the single stirrup 25 in the housing 22 of the body made of insulating material 10.

However, for the rest, the arrangements and mounting are of the type described above.

In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the single stirrup 25 comprises, transversely, for each junction terminal 13, a window 57, for engaging with the clamping screw 18-cable clamp 17 assembly corresponding by simple transverse engagement, and no longer lateral, in relation to such an assembly, along arrow F ′ in FIG. 15.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the windows 57 thus presented by the single stirrup 25 according to the invention each have a generally quadrangular outline, and, affecting the single side wall 27 of this single stirrup 25, they extend each on the major part of this side wall 27, from the upper wall 26 of said single stirrup 25, in line, each respectively, with the holes 35 that this wall 26 presents.

Each window 57 has a passage area sufficient to wrap a set of tightening screws 18-cable clamp 17 and therefore allow the desired engagement of the single stirrup 25 on such an assembly.

To leave a clearance at the control head 36 of the clamping screws 18 and thus minimize its bulk in thickness, the side wall 27 ′ of the single stirrup 25 opposite to that 27 comprising windows 57, itself comprises, each arranged respectively in correspondence with said windows 57, in line with said control head 36 of said clamping screws 18, two openings 59.

Of limited amplitude compared to that of the windows 57, these openings 59 have, like these, a generally quadrangular contour in the embodiment shown, and, like them, they extend from the wall 26 of the single bracket 25 having the openings 35.

At the same time, in this variant embodiment, each clamping screw 18 has a non-threaded section 60 between its control head 36 and its threaded barrel 46, near this control head 36, and, by this non-threaded section, it is suitable for engaging with a collar 61 axially wedged with respect to the single stirrup 25.

In practice, this collar 61 is integral with the body of insulating material 10, and, in one piece with the latter, it projects from the bottom of its housing 22.

To engage with the corresponding clamping screw 18, and more precisely with the non-section threaded 60 thereof, by simple lateral engagement with respect to this clamping screw 18, such a collar 61 is opened by a slot 62.

To do this, it is in practice made up of two elastically deformable arms 63 which jointly define between them a housing 64 of diameter slightly smaller than that of the section of smaller diameter 60 of the corresponding tightening screw 18, and, by the slot 62, which, for its part, is of width less than said diameter, this housing 64 communicates with the outside, on the side of the outlet of said housing 22 of the body of insulating material 10.

To facilitate the engagement of the tightening screw 18 in the slot 62, which constitutes a sort of constriction, the elastically deformable arms 64 have facing each other, in the direction of this slot 62, facets obliques of engagement.

This is the case for both of the junction terminals 13.

Furthermore, in this variant embodiment, and as for the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, it is the bottom wall 28 of the single stirrup 25 which is formed by two square returns 29, 29 ′ of the side walls 27, 27 'thereof.

As described with reference to the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13, these square returns 29, 29 ′ are stapled to each other.

However, in the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, provision is therefore made for two tabs 50, each engaged in an opening 51, and folded back beyond the latter.

These openings 51, which each extend respectively in line with the corresponding windows 57, affect the side wall 27, while the tabs 50 form extensions of the square return 29 ′, the innermost one, of the side wall 27 ′.

As in the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13, only the side wall 27 of the stirrup single 25 has a slot 42 in the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16.

Finally, in this variant embodiment, the return to square 29 of the side wall 27 of this single stirrup 25 is extended, at right angles to the bottom, by a tongue 67, and, unlike the preceding arrangements, at its root, the internal partition 43 of the body of insulating material 10 extends over the entire width or depth of its housing 22, presenting, at a distance from this root, and over the rest of its height, a recess 68.

During assembly, and as before, the cable clamps 17 are first preassembled with the corresponding clamping screws 18, as shown in FIG. 2.

The assemblies thus made up of clamping screws 18 and cable clamps 17 are then engaged, by the non-threaded section 60 of such a clamping screw 18, on the collars 61 provided for them on the body of insulating material 10.

In practice, such an engagement is made substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the housing 22, along the arrow F 'in FIG. 15.

It involves a momentary elastic separation of the arms 63 each constituting the collars 61, before reclosing them on the corresponding tightening screw 18.

The single stirrup 25 is then put in place, also being engaged in the recess 22 perpendicularly to the bottom thereof, along the arrow F 'in FIG. 15.

Through its windows 57, this single stirrup 25 then engages jointly, both on the clamping screw 18-cable clamp 17 assemblies previously put in place, and on the partition 43 presented by the body of insulating material 10.

At the end of this engagement, the tongue 67 of the single stirrup 25 bears against the edge of this internal partition 43 of the body of insulating material 10.

Of course, provision may also be made, at the end of this engagement, to keep the single stirrup 25 in position in its housing 22, for example by welding, gluing or snap-fastening.

As will be noted, the assembly of the junction block thus formed is done by simple stacking, and, in this junction block, the single stirrup 25 by itself maintains the clamping screws 18.

As before, these are therefore still captive, and, with them, the corresponding cable ties 17.

As before, also, the clamping screws 18 are entirely arranged in the single stirrup 25, and, to gain access to their control head 36, it is necessary to pass through the corresponding holes 35 thereof.

As previously, finally, the control head 36 of each of its clamping screws 18 is taken between, on the one hand, the wall 28 of the single stirrup 25 opposite the corresponding cable clamp 17, and, on the other hand , a shoulder 37 wedged axially with respect to said single stirrup 25, this shoulder 37 being formed in this case by the upper transverse face of the corresponding collar 61.

These clamping screws 18 are therefore also wedged axially with respect to the single stirrup 25.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant embodiment and / or combination of their various elements.

In particular, for the electrical connection to be provided, it can be associated, internally, with the single stirrup used, and independently, a specific connection strip, made of conductive material, copper or brass for example, especially when this single bracket is simply made of sheet steel.

In all cases, it will be noted that, according to the arrangement according to the invention, the front or upper face of the clamping screws is best found in service, when electric conductors, duly in place, are tightened, at contact with the internal surface of the upper wall of the stirrup, said clamping screws then cooperating in abutment with said internal surface by, precisely, their so-called front face, and that, in the absence of any electrical conductor, this front face is below said internal surface of the upper wall of the stirrup.

In other words, it is entirely that the head of the clamping screws is caught between the upper wall of the stirrup and one or more shoulders axially wedged with respect thereto.

In other words, the front face of the head of the clamping screws extends inside the stirrup, that is to say of the volume delimited internally by the internal surface of the walls of the latter.

Claims (19)

1. Terminal block with lateral connection, of the type comprising, in a body of insulating material (10), for constituting at least two junction terminals (13), a generally tubular bracket (25), which, fixed by relative to said body of insulating material (10), is common to the two junction terminals (13) and which, laterally, at each of its ends, is accessible from the outside of said body of insulating material by a lateral opening (16) of the latter, for engagement of an electrical conductor, and, for each of the junction terminals (13), a clamping screw (18) which is axially wedged with respect to the stirrup (25) while being free to rotate relative to the latter, and a cable clamp (17) suitable for ensuring, under the control of said clamping screw (18), the application of said electrical conductor against a common connection strip at the two terminals of junction (13), said cable clamp (17) being disposed inside said stirrup (25), being locked in rotation thereon i, and being engaged with said clamping screw (18), characterized in that, for each of the junction terminals (13), the clamping screw (18) is entirely disposed in the common stirrup (25) to this one. 2. Junction block according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each junction terminal (13), the control head (36) of the clamping screw (18) is entirely caught between, on the one hand, the wall (28) of the stirrup (25) opposite the cable clamp (17), and, on the other hand, a shoulder (37) wedged axially with respect to said stirrup. 3. Terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that the front face, that is to say the upper transverse face, of the control head (36) of the clamping screw (18) extends to the inside of the caliper (25). 4. Terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that said shoulder (37) is formed by a recess of at least one of the side walls (27, 27 ') of the bracket (25). 5. Terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that, in line with the control head (36) of the clamping screw (18), at least one of the side walls (27, 27 ') of the 'caliper (25) locally forms a retaining spout (39) in the direction of the other. 6. Terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that said shoulder (37) belongs to a bowl (55) resulting from a local stamping of the side wall (27, 27 ') concerned of the stirrup (25) . 7. Terminal block according to claim 6, characterized in that the control head (36) of the clamping screw (18) has, at least at its base, a diameter (D'2) greater than the internal width ( D3) of the stirrup (25), and, housed in the corresponding bowl (55), it is forcibly engaged in said stirrup (25). 8. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that, to give access to the control head (36) of the clamping screw (18), the wall (26) concerned of the caliper (25) has a bore (35) of diameter (D1) smaller than that (D2) of said control head (36). 9. Terminal block according to claim 8, characterized in that, by a non-threaded section (60), the clamping screw (18) of each junction terminal (13) is engaged on a collar (61) integral with the body of insulating material (10). 10. Junction block according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, for each junction terminal (13), the stirrup (25) internally comprises at least one rib (40) suitable for guiding the greenhouse -cable (17). 11. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one (28) of the walls of the stirrup (25) being formed by two returns (29, 29 ') superimposed, said returns (29, 29 ') are stapled to each other. 12. Terminal block according to claim 11, characterized in that in one of said returns (29, 29 ') is cut at least one tab (50) which, engaged in an opening (51), is folded beyond this one. 13. Junction block according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, for each junction terminal (13), the stirrup (25) transversely comprises a window (57), for engaging with the '' set of clamping screw-cable clamp corresponding by simple transverse engagement with respect thereto. 14. Junction block according to claim 13, characterized in that, for each junction terminal, the wall of the stirrup (25) opposite to that comprising a window (57) itself has an opening (59) at right of the head (36) of the corresponding clamping screw (18). 15. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the stirrup (25) is of copper alloy, brass or bronze for example, or of sheet steel laminated with a surface sheet more conductive such as brass or copper foil for example, so that it constitutes by itself the associated connecting bar. 16. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the bracket (25) is made of sheet steel, and there is associated internally, independently, a connecting strip of material more conductive, such as brass or copper strip for example. 17. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the walls of the bracket (25) are in one piece with each other. 18. Terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the cable clamp (17) of a junction terminal (13) is a nut, its threaded bore (47) extending over its full height by crossing it right through. 19. Terminal block according to claim 18, characterized in that said nut is a single section of profile.

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