Abstract: An electrical connector includes a metal housing having at least one side wall, and first and second end walls cooperating with the side wall to define an open-topped chamber, an inverted generally U-shaped resilient contact having first and second leg portions introduced into the chamber adjacent the first and second end walls, respectively, and a bridging portion adjacent the open top of the metal housing, the housing side wall having a bent portion for supporting the resilient contact bridging portion, the resilient contact first leg portion being connected against coplanar movement relative to the housing first end wall. The resilient contact second leg portion is biased outwardly from the first leg portion, thereby to bias a conductor introduced within the housing chamber toward engagement with a bus bar defined adjacent the housing second end wall. The housing may be formed of an electrically conductive metal, such as copper.

Abstract: An electrical terminal block connector is provided for connecting a plurality of power supply conductors having a first cross-sectional area and a plurality of data input conductors having a smaller cross-sectional area with a plurality of output conductors having a uniform cross-sectional area. The connector includes a terminal block housing containing a chamber, first and second inlet openings communicating with the chamber for receiving the ends of the power conductors and the data conductors, respectively, and a plurality of outlet openings communicating with the chamber for connection with the ends of the output conductors, respectively. First and second connector devices are arranged in the chamber for connection with the ends of the power and data conductors, respectively, and a plurality of identical third connectors connected with the first and second connectors include tulip-shaped terminals that extend within corresponding outlet openings for connection with the output conductors, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a conductive bridge strap for electrically connecting together a plurality of selected bus bars respectively arranged in chambers contained in a row in the upper portion of a housing formed of synthetic plastic insulating material. Horizontal fastening screws bias the bus bars into respective engagement with conductors inserted downwardly into the chambers via top openings contained in a lid or cover for the housing, and resilient contacts are carried by the bottom portions of the bus bars for engagement by wires inserted upwardly into the chambers via bottom openings contained in the bottom of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, spaced portions of the conductive bridge strap defined by a vertical slot in the leg of the U-shaped bridge member extend within the respective chambers and are permanently secured to the associated bus bars, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical terminal adapted for connection with a conductor, comprising a hollow electrically conductive terminal containing a chamber receiving a U-shaped spring, and an opening for receiving a conductor that is biased by one leg of the spring into engagement with a given wall of the terminal chamber, the spring one leg having an operating tab portion that extends through a slot contained in the given terminal wall. A plurality of the terminals may be provided in an outer housing that is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic plastic material.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes an electrical terminal having a first stationary contact provided with insulation-piercing knife edges, and a second contact arrangement for connecting the terminal to a corresponding terminal on an adjacent terminal block assembly, the second contact arrangement including a male connector and a female jack connector that are arranged in opposite directions transversely of the terminal block body, thereby to afford connection with the corresponding terminal of an adjacent terminal block assembly mounted on a common support rail with the terminal block assembly.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes an actuator member that is displaceable relative to a terminal block housing to transport an insulated conductor toward the insulating penetrating knife edges of a stationary electrical contact mounted within the housing, characterized by the provision of a guide pin and guide groove arrangement for guiding the actuator member during the displacement thereof relative to the housing.

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes at each end a generally U-shaped support spring having leg portions that extend upwardly in straddling relation on opposite sides of the stationary resilient contacts at opposite ends of the bus bar, thereby to support the stationary contacts as insulated conductors are displaced by actuator members toward cutting engagement with knife edges on the adjacent ends of the reversely inwardly directed stationary resilient contacts.

Abstract: A locking device serves to lock an electronic module to a bank of terminal blocks, characterized by a body member having at least one pair of integral parallel spaced legs that extend downwardly within a corresponding T-shaped vertical groove contained in one end of a first one of the terminal blocks. The legs are resiliently biased apart and are provided at their free ends with hook or catch portions that extend laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the legs into corresponding locking recesses contained in opposite side walls of the groove, respectively, thereby to lock the body member with the bank of terminal blocks. The adjacent end of the body member contains a longitudinal chamber that slidably receives a locking member that is displaceable between retracted unlocked and extended locking positions relative to the body member.

Abstract: A connector for connecting at least one first conductor 5 with another conductor 50, including a connector body 2 having a first end containing a chamber 2a, and a second end containing a through bore 2b communicating with the chamber, a slide member 4 slidably mounted in the connector body chamber, the slide member containing a transverse bore 25 for receiving the first conductor, the slide member including at its end within the chamber a longitudinally projecting pin portion 18, and an electrical terminal 3 slidably mounted on the slide member pin portion, the slide member being slidably displaceable relative to the electrical contact from a first position in which a contact portion 9 of the terminal is remote from the transverse bore to permit the insertion of the first conductor therein, to a second position in which the contact portion extends across the transverse bore in electrical engagement with the first conductor, the free extremity of the contact being received by a corresponding opposed recess fo

Abstract: A terminal block assembly includes a plurality of terminal blocks at least one of which contains plurality of interconnected distributor bars having at least a pair of terminal assemblies electrically connected by a bridge member. Each terminal assembly includes a terminal having a resilient contact portion and a stationary base portion, and further includes a bus bar containing a plug-receiving gap. The bus bar is provided with a plug-in link projection adapted for insertion within the plug-receiving gap of a terminal contained in the next adjacent terminal block. In this manner, a pair of terminals contained within the same terminal block are electrically connected via the bridge members, and terminals contained in adjacent terminal blocks are electrically connected via the plug-in link projections.

Abstract: A modular control system for automated buildings includes an assembly of terminal blocks mounted as a unit on a mounting block for supplying electrical power and control signals to and from circuits contained in an electronics module mounted on a support rail, thereby to operate associated components of the building. The terminal block assembly includes symmetrical ground, power-supply, control-signal and end-support terminal blocks connected together as a unit. Signal feed-in occurs on both sides of an electronic module arranged on the terminal block assembly.

Abstract: A terminal block and removable electronic module assembly is provided having a movable disconnect member that is displaceable relative to the module between engaged and disengaged positions in which an electronic component carried by the module is electrically connected and disconnected, respectively, relative to terminals carried by the terminal block member. When the disconnect member is in the disconnect position, the electronic module may be tested by a test plug external of the module housing.

Abstract: An insulated terminal block body having a pair of electrical terminals (12, 12') connected by a conductive terminal bus bar (4) is provided with a removably connected overvoltage component (2) having a pair of parallel spaced conductive leads (8, 8') maintained by a pair of resilient members (6, 6') in frictional electrical contact with a portion of the bus bar and with a ground conductor, respectively. In a first embodiment, the ground conductor is a ground bar (5), and in second and third embodiments, the ground conduction comprises the support rail (3) upon which the terminal block body is mounted.