Abstract: A module latching arrangement for mounting and dismounting on a generally U-shaped support rail at least two module base bodies arranged orthogonally above and extending transversely across the support rail, each of the base bodies having a pair of bottom corner portions arranged on opposite sides of the support rail. At least one foot member is connected for horizontal longitudinal sliding movement relative to one of the base body corner portions relative to the adjacent support rail horizontal flange portion. A lateral displacement arrangement on the foot member is operable, when the foot member is displaced from a locked position toward an unlocked position relative to the support rail, to displace the first base body laterally away from an adjacent second base body mounted on the support rail. The foot member is latched in either a locked or an unlocked position relative to the base member.

Abstract: An electrical module includes a rectangular carrier frame adapted for vertical transverse mounting on a horizontal support rail, a housing for mounting an electrical component in an open-top chamber contained in the carrier frame, and a rectangular electrical connector mounted on and extending across the upper end of the carrier frame, thereby to enclose the component and afford electrical connection with upper terminals thereof. The connector is pivotally connected at one end with the carrier frame for displacement between open and closed positions, and a fastener device serves to lock the connector in the closed position to the carrier frame. Alternatively, the ends of the connector are removably fastened to the carrier frame. Lower terminals of the component are connected with lower contacts arranged at the bottom of the chamber for connection with corresponding lower contacts of adjacent modules mounted in stacked relation on the support rail.

Abstract: An electrical contact arrangement includes a planar conductive metal blank having sections that are foldable to define pairs of orthogonally arranged component contacts and bus blade contacts. Connected with a first pair of opposed side edges of a horizontal rectangular core section of the blank are a pair of rectangular component contact sections that are upwardly bent to define a pair of component contacts for receiving therebetween an electrical component, such as a printed circuit board. Connected with the orthogonally arranged second pair of opposed side edges of the core section are a pair of rectangular support sections that are bent downwardly, whereby a corresponding pair of bus blade contact sections connected with corresponding edges of the support sections extend in vertical parallel spaced relation to define a pair of bus blade contacts adapted for insertion between the downwardly bent support sections of a corresponding second electrical contact arrangement.

Abstract: A module latching arrangement for mounting and dismounting on a generally U-shaped support rail at least two module base bodies arranged orthogonally above and extending transversely across the support rail, each of the base bodies having a pair of bottom corner portions arranged on opposite sides of the support rail. At least one foot member is connected for horizontal longitudinal sliding movement relative to one of the base body corner portions relative to the adjacent support rail horizontal flange portion. A lateral displacement arrangement on the foot member is operable, when the foot member is displaced from a locked position toward an unlocked position relative to the support rail, to displace the first base body laterally away from an adjacent second base body mounted on the support rail. The foot member is latched in either a locked or an unlocked position relative to the base member.

Abstract: An electrical contact arrangement includes a planar conductive metal blank having sections that are foldable to define pairs of orthogonally arranged component contacts and bus blade contacts. Connected with a first pair of opposed side edges of a horizontal rectangular core section of the blank are a pair of rectangular component contact sections that are upwardly bent to define a pair of component contacts for receiving therebetween an electrical component, such as a printed circuit board. Connected with the orthogonally arranged second pair of opposed side edges of the core section are a pair of rectangular support sections that are bent downwardly, whereby a corresponding pair of bus blade contact sections connected with corresponding edges of the support sections extend in vertical parallel spaced relation to define a pair of bus blade contacts adapted for insertion between the downwardly bent support sections of a corresponding second electrical contact arrangement.

Abstract: An electrical module includes a rectangular carrier frame adapted for vertical transverse mounting on a horizontal support rail, a housing for mounting an electrical component in an open-top chamber contained in the carrier frame, and a rectangular electrical connector mounted on and extending across the upper end of the carrier frame, thereby to enclose the component and afford electrical connection with upper terminals thereof. The connector is pivotally connected at one end with the carrier frame for displacement between open and closed positions, and a fastener device serves to lock the connector in the closed position to the carrier frame. Alternatively, the ends of the connector are removably fastened to the carrier frame. Lower terminals of the component are connected with lower contacts arranged at the bottom of the chamber for connection with corresponding lower contacts of adjacent modules mounted in stacked relation on the support rail.

Abstract: An electrical pin or socket terminal includes a vertical tubular body portion, and a spring clip portion connected with the upper end of the body portion. The spring clip portion includes two opposed electrical contacts at least one of which is resiliently biased toward the other. A separating arrangement is operable between a separated condition retaining the contacts in separated spaced relation for longitudinally receiving therebetween a conductor bare end, and a released condition in which the contacts are released for resilient electrical engagement with diametrically opposed surfaces of the conductor bare end. In one embodiment, the spring clip portion includes a pair of parallel spaced struts the upper ends of which are reversely bent toward each other. In another embodiment, a leaf spring electrical contact biases the bare conductor end against a stationary electrical contact.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a flat conductor component having a flat engagement portion, a conductive bus bar component having a flat engagement portion, and a conductive contact screw connecting the conductor and bus bar flat engagement portions in contiguous surface-to-surface electrical engagement. The contact screw has a pointed tip and is axially displaceable from a retracted position normal to and spaced from the flat conductor and bus bar engagement portions toward a connected position in which a pointed end of the screw penetrates or extends through openings in the bus bar and flat conductor engagement portions, and into a bore contained in a housing support surface. The housing support surface supports the flat engagement portions in either a horizontal orientation or a slightly inclined orientation relative to the horizontal upper surface of electrical panel component to which the flat conductor is connected and upon which the housing is mounted.

Abstract: An electrical pin or socket terminal includes a vertical tubular body portion, and a spring clip portion connected with the upper end of the body portion. The spring clip portion includes two opposed electrical contacts at least one of which is resiliently biased toward the other. A separating arrangement is operable between a separated condition retaining the contacts in separated spaced relation for longitudinally receiving therebetween a conductor bare end, and a released condition in which the contacts are released for resilient electrical engagement with diametrically opposed surfaces of the conductor bare end. In one embodiment, the spring clip portion includes a pair of parallel spaced struts the upper ends of which are reversely bent toward each other. In another embodiment, a leaf spring electrical contact biases the bare conductor end against a stationary electrical contact.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a flat conductor component having a flat engagement portion, a conductive bus bar component having a flat engagement portion, and a conductive contact screw connecting the conductor and bus bar flat engagement portions in contiguous surface-to-surface electrical engagement. The contact screw has a pointed tip and is axially displaceable from a retracted position normal to and spaced from the flat conductor and bus bar engagement portions toward a connected position in which a pointed end of the screw penetrates or extends through openings in the bus bar and flat conductor engagement portions, and into a bore contained in a housing support surface. The housing support surface supports the flat engagement portions in either a horizontal orientation or a slightly inclined orientation relative to the horizontal upper surface of electrical panel component to which the flat conductor is connected and upon which the housing is mounted.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a housing containing at least one open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary upwardly-directed knife device, and a rectangular carrier member arranged for downward insertion within the chamber, thereby to displace an insulated wire supported by the carrier member toward a position in which the knife device pierces the insulation layer and is brought into electrical engagement with the conductor contained therein. The carrier member includes a top surface containing a slot for receiving the tip of an operating tool that displaces the carrier member downwardly in the chamber, and a side wall containing at least one lug and slot arrangement by means of which the carrier member may be upwardly displaced upon lever-like operation of the tool in cooperation with a side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of the chambers arranged in one or more rows.

Abstract: A connector arrangement includes a housing containing at least one open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary upwardly-directed knife device, and a rectangular carrier member arranged for downward insertion within the chamber, thereby to displace an insulated wire supported by the carrier member toward a position in which the knife device pierces the insulation layer and is brought into electrical engagement with the conductor contained therein. The carrier member includes a top surface containing a slot for receiving the tip of an operating tool that displaces the carrier member downwardly in the chamber, and a side wall containing at least one lug and slot arrangement by means of which the carrier member may be upwardly displaced upon lever-like operation of the tool in cooperation with a side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing includes a plurality of the chambers arranged in one or more rows.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body that contains an open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary, upwardly-directed insulation-severing electrical contact, together with an operating member for displacing an insulated conductor laterally downwardly in the chamber. The operating member includes a flexible intermediate portion that permits the leading end of the operating member to be introduced initially downwardly into the chamber, and subsequently to be diverted upwardly relative to the connector body by a guide surface arranged at the bottom of the chamber. As the leading and trailing ends of the operating member approach their final positions relative to the connector body, the insulation layer of the conductor is severed by knife edges on the stationary contact, and the conductor is brought into electrical engagement contact with the contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body that contains an open-topped chamber in which is mounted a stationary, upwardly-directed insulation-severing electrical contact, together with an operating member for displacing an insulated conductor laterally downwardly in the chamber. The operating member includes a flexible intermediate portion that permits the leading end of the operating member to be introduced initially downwardly into the chamber, and subsequently to be diverted upwardly relative to the connector body by a guide surface arranged at the bottom of the chamber. As the leading and trailing ends of the operating member approach their final positions relative to the connector body, the insulation layer of the conductor is severed by knife edges on the stationary contact, and the conductor is brought into electrical engagement contact with the contact.