Patents by Inventor Stephan Fehling

Stephan Fehling has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12126130
    Abstract: A spring-loaded terminal is designed as a direct plug-in terminal for connecting a conductor. The terminal includes a busbar for contacting the conductor, a clamping spring for retaining the electrical conductor in the terminal, and a retaining spring for latching the clamping spring in an open position so that the conductor can be inserted into a contact area. The clamping spring has a pivotable clamping leg and a clamping edge. The retaining spring has a pivotable pivoting leg having at least one retaining device as a first latching device. The clamping leg has a corresponding latching device cooperating with the retaining device of the pivoting leg in a latching state of the clamping leg. The clamping leg is adjustable from the latching state by displacing the electrical conductor into a clamping state in which the clamping leg is unlatched from the retaining device and presses the electrical conductor with the clamping edge of the clamping leg against the busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Walter Hanning, Michael Herrmann, Heike Schmidtpott, Andreas Rutz, Michael Lenschen, Karlo Stjepanovic
  • Patent number: 12021339
    Abstract: A spring terminal, in particular a direct plug-in terminal, for connecting a conductor such as a flexible stranded conductor includes a housing with a chamber and an insertion channel for inserting the conductor into the chamber. A busbar and/or a clamping cage are arranged in the housing and a clamping spring is arranged in the chamber and acts as a pressure spring. The clamping spring includes a clamping limb, said clamping limb releasable out of a latching state by a pusher having a latching edge on which the pusher can be latched in the interior of the housing on a latching hook of the busbar or another element arranged in the housing in a latching state. The pusher holds the clamping spring in a latched manner in the open position, wherein the latching edge of the pusher can be released from the latching state by an opposite movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Karlo Stjepanovic, Walter Hanning, Heike Schmidtpott
  • Patent number: 11552413
    Abstract: A spring force terminal such as a direct plug-in terminal for connecting a flexible stranded conductor includes a housing having a chamber and a plug-in channel for the conductor into the chamber. A busbar or a clamping cage are provided and a clamping spring arranged in the chamber acts as a compression spring for fixing the electrical conductor on the busbar or the clamping cage in the region of a clamping point. The clamping spring has a clamping leg pivotable around a pivot axis, which is adjustable from a latching state in which it is latched in a latching position into a clamping state in which it is unlatched from the latching position and presses the electrical conductor against the busbar or the clamping cage. The latching state is produced by pressing on the clamping leg in the conductor insertion direction using a pusher wherein the clamping leg is releasable from the latching state using two different actuatable adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Michael Herrmann, Walter Hanning, Constantin Classen
  • Patent number: 11424558
    Abstract: A connection device for the connection of a conductor end includes a housing having a slotted link, a busbar section having a slotted link aligned with the housing slotted link, an d clamping spring assembly rotatably connected with the housing and operable between an open position and a contact position with the conductor end. A rotary lever assembly including a rotary lever element is operably connected with the clamping spring assembly. The rotary lever element has a cam section and a control curve section on which the clamping spring assembly slides during movement into the contact position. A clamping device is arranged on the cam section and is retained by the housing and busbar slotted links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling, Stefan Fischer, Frank Hackemack, Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 11411328
    Abstract: A connection device for the connection of a conductor end includes a housing, a busbar section arranged in the housing, and a clamping spring assembly rotatably connected with the housing and operable between an open position and a contact position in contact with the conductor end. A rotary lever assembly is operably connected with the clamping spring assembly. The clamping spring assembly includes at least one clamping spring having clamping and actuating limbs arranged at an acute angle and connected by a bending region bearing against a spring carrier. The clamping spring assembly is preferably preassembled on the spring carrier for insertion in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling, Stefan Fischer, Frank Hackemack, Andreas Rutz, Jörg Münstermann, Marco Waldhoff
  • Patent number: 11387580
    Abstract: A spring force terminal such as a direct plug-in terminal for connecting a flexible stranded conductor includes a housing having a chamber and a plug-in channel for the conductor into the chamber. A busbar or a clamping cage are provided and a clamping spring arranged in the chamber acts as a compression spring for fixing the electrical conductor on the busbar or the clamping cage in the region of a clamping point. The clamping spring has a clamping leg pivotable around a pivot axis, which is adjustable from a latching state in which it is latched in a latching position into a clamping state in which it is unlatched from the latching position and presses the electrical conductor against the busbar or the clamping cage. The latching state is produced by pressing on the clamping leg in the conductor insertion direction using a pusher wherein the clamping leg is releasable from the latching state using two different actuatable adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Michael Herrmann, Walter Hanning, Constantin Classen
  • Patent number: 11322860
    Abstract: A connection device for the connection of a conductor end includes a housing having a slotted link, a busbar section having a slotted link aligned with the housing slotted link, an d clamping spring assembly rotatably connected with the housing and operable between an open position and a contact position with the conductor end. A rotary lever assembly including a rotary lever element is operably connected with the clamping spring assembly. The rotary lever element has a cam section and a control curve section on which the clamping spring assembly slides during movement into the contact position. A clamping device is arranged on the cam section and is retained by the housing and busbar slotted links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling, Constantin Classen, Marco Waldhoff
  • Patent number: 10658766
    Abstract: A direct clamp terminal for connecting a conductor in the form of a flexible stranded conductor includes a housing with a chamber and an insertion conduit for inserting the conductor into the chamber. A bus bar or a clamping cage is provided in the housing and a clamping spring is located in the chamber and acts as a compression spring for securing the electrical conductor to the bus bar or the clamping cage in the area of a clamping point. The clamping spring has a clamping limb that can be pivoted about a pivoting axis and that can be shifted from a detent mode in which it is locked in a detent position into a clamping mode in which it is released from the detent mode and presses the electrical conductor against the bus bar or the clamping cage. The clamping limb can be released from the detent mode using two different shifting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Herrmann, Constantin Classen, Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling, Walter Hanning, Jens Oesterhaus, Marco Waldhoff, Herbert Fricke
  • Patent number: 10439305
    Abstract: A connection device for conductors has at least one double conductor connection for connecting two conductors. The conductor connections are formed as direct plug connections each having a metal clamping cage formed of a highly conductive material such as sheet metal. A clamping spring is mounted on each clamping cage. Each clamping cage serves as a spring support for a clamping spring and as a contact element for each conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling, Walter Hanning
  • Patent number: 10396476
    Abstract: A connection device for conductors has one or more single conductor terminals which are formed as direct plug connections. Each conductor terminal has a metal contact element such as a metal clamping cage, a spring support made of a non-conductive material such as plastic, and a clamping spring. Each of the spring supports is placed on at least one corresponding receiving element made of a non-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karlo Stjepanovic, Stephan Fehling
  • Patent number: 9263861
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Marco Waldhoff
  • Patent number: 8986033
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Timo Berger, Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Daniela Luecke-Janssen, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Michael Schnatwinkel, Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Gordon Opitz
  • Patent number: 8771004
    Abstract: A spring terminal for connecting the bare end of a conductor with a bus bar, including an insulated housing containing a chamber defined by a pair of planar parallel spaced vertical side walls, and an orthogonally connected vertical end wall. Mounted in the chamber are a vertical bus bar adjacent the end wall, and a U-shaped clamping spring that biases toward clamped electrical engagement with the bus bar the bare end of a vertical conductor that is inserted downwardly into the chamber. The clamping spring includes a stationary lower leg portion fixed to the housing, a pivotable body portion, and an upper clamping leg portion that engages the conductor, a locking arrangement serving to lock the body portion to the housing when the spring is in the clamping condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Walter Hanning, Dietmar Horn, Constantin Classen, Juergen Ziemke, Michael Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8764497
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Michael Schnatwinkel, Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Marco Waldhoff, Gerhard Eggert
  • Patent number: 8672703
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting the bare end of an insulated conductor with a circuit on a printed circuit board, including a horizontal printed circuit board having an electrical circuit thereon, an electrically conductive contact arrangement mounted on, and electrically connected with the circuit of, the printed circuit board, the contact arrangement including at least two spaced resilient contacts having adjacent end portions that are biased together, a housing formed from electrically insulating material and containing a conductor opening for receiving the conductor bare end; and a positioning arrangement operable by an actuating tool for positioning the conductor bare end in a clamped position between the contact end portions. When the contact arrangement is in the form of a pair of leaf spring contacts connected in a V-shaped manner, an adjusting device is provided for adjusting the space between the adjacent ends of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Constantin Classen
  • Patent number: 8579651
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a U-shaped metal clamping frame having vertical base and side walls defining a chamber, a stationary electrical contact mounted in the chamber, and a clamping spring arrangement arranged at least partially within the chamber for biasing toward the electrical contact the bare end of an insulated conductor that is axially inserted downwardly into the chamber. The clamping spring comprises a conductive leaf spring having a clamping leg that is inclined, when in the conductor clamping position, at a first acute angle relative to the insertion axis of the conductor. In one embodiment, the clamping leg is supported by an attachment arrangement including an attachment leg arranged at second acute angle relative to the insertion axis. In another embodiment, the clamping leg is integrally connected with the clamping frame, and with the frame base wall defining the stationary electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Walter Hanning, Stephan Fehling, Herbert Fricke
  • Publication number: 20130216304
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Marco Waldhoff
  • Publication number: 20130109252
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: WEIDMUELLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Michael Schnatwinkel, Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Marco Waldhoff, Gerhard Eggert
  • Publication number: 20130072072
    Abstract: A spring terminal for connecting the bare end of a conductor with a bus bar, including an insulated housing containing a chamber defined by a pair of planar parallel spaced vertical side walls, and an orthogonally connected vertical end wall. Mounted in the chamber are a vertical bus bar adjacent the end wall, and a U-shaped clamping spring that biases toward clamped electrical engagement with the bus bar the bare end of a vertical conductor that is inserted downwardly into the chamber. The clamping spring includes a stationary lower leg portion fixed to the housing, a pivotable body portion, and an upper clamping leg portion that engages the conductor, a locking arrangement serving to lock the body portion to the housing when the spring is in the clamping condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: WEIDMUELLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Fehling, Walter Hanning, Dietmar Horn, Constantin Classen, Juergen Ziemke, Michael Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20130027890
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: WEIDMUELLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Timo Berger, Stephan Fehling, Georg Kulturidi, Daniela Luecke-Janssen, Matthias Niggemann, Klaus Pueschner, Michael Schnatwinkel, Ralf Schumacher, Klaus Wohlgemuth, Gordon Opitz