Title of Invention

A DEVICE FOR SETTING THE CONTACT POSITION OF CONTACT POINTS OF A CONTACT COMPONENT IN A DISTRIBUTION FRAME OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Abstract

Device for setting the contact position of plug-in contact points of a distribution component Contact components (4) of the distribution frame have rear contact points (16) for plugging on a contactor assembly (12). The contact points are usually closed when the contactor assembly (12) is withdrawn, so that the incoming and outgoing lines are connected together. By plugging a spreader plug (18) in between the contact springs (15) of the contact component (4), the contact points (16) can be opened so wide that the incoming and outgoing lines (17) are electrically separated and are interconnected only via the contactor assembly which is plugged in later. The switching position of the contact points (16) is thereby permanently altered in a simple way without changing the contact components (4).

Full Text

GR 97 P 1010 - 1 - Description Device for setting the contact position of plug-in contact points of a distribution component The invention relates to a device for setting the contact position of contact points of a contact component in a distribution frame of a telecommunications system, it being possible for mating contacts of a contactor assembly to be plugged onto the contact points. WO 91/1429 has disclosed a contact component for distribution frames of telecommunications systems, in which incoming and outgoing lines are connected to two parallel rows, situated one above the other, of connecting elements which are connected via contact springs to contact points which are arranged at the rear and onto which a contactor assembly can be plugged. When the contactor assembly is withdrawn, the incoming and outgoing lines can be interconnected via the closed contact points. If a contactor assembly is plugged in, the connection is produced via the contactor assembly. This means that a contact connection is possible between the incoming and outgoing lines both with and without the plugged-on contactor assembly. However, various users require that no contacts be possible when the contactor assembly is withdrawn, and this can be realized with changed contact springs or housing parts of the contact component. It is the object of the invention to be able to supply a contact component with open contact points in conjunction with a low outlay on modification. This object is achieved by the invention in accordance with claim 1. The invention renders it possible to make use of identical contact components for both application variants of the contact component with open or closed - 2 - contact points. The open switching state is produced solely by a simple additional part in the form of the spreader element which is inserted into the contact component and spreads apart the contact points. The spreader element can be kept so wide that all the contact points of the contact component are opened simultaneously. The spreader element can already be inserted into the contact components in the course of the production and preassembly of the contact components at the manufacturer's premises. However, it is also possible to codeliver the spreader elements separately and leave it to the customer to adapt the switching position for the contact points. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims: The spreader plug can be reliably anchored in the contact component with low outlay by means of the development according to claim 2. The latching noses can be constructed as simple projections on the spreader plug by means of the development according to claim 3. The compliance required for latching is supplied by the deflectability of the contact springs. The spreader plug can be plugged into the contact component from the same side as the contactor assembly by means of the development according to claim 4, the plug-in tongues projecting into holding chambers for the contact springs. The opening according to claim 5 can be constructed, for example, as a continuous transverse slot against the inside of which the transverse web of the spreader plug bears. The remaining free part of the slot is still so deep that contact can be made reliably with the mating contacts of the contactor assembly. The spreader pin according to claim 6 is particularly suitable for contact components in which the contactor assembly is inserted into the contact - 3 - component from the side in the direction of the contact row. The round pin according to claim 7 constitutes a simple spreader element which is easy to insert. The development according to claim 8 renders it possible for the spreader element to be constructed so long that it extends over the entire width of the contact component and operates all the contact springs. However, it is also possible for the spreader element to be of appropriately shorter construction for the purpose of operating a subset of the contact springs. The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments represented in the drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a distribution block with contact components and contactor assemblies, Figure 2 shows a plan view of a contact component with a spreader plug before insertion into the contact component, Figure 3 shows a section along the line III-III in Figure 2, Figure 4 shows the parts according to Figure 3 after the insertion of the spreader plug into the contact component, Figure 5 shows the parts according to Figure 4 with a plugged-on contactor assembly, and Figure 6 shows another contact component similar to Figure 4 with a spreader element constructed as a spreader pin. Figure 1 shows a distribution block 1 with a supporting part 2 in which blade-like wire guides 3 and contact components 4 are stacked one above another in the manner of a sandwich. The wire guides 3 have arcuately curved wire-guidance channels 5 in which incoming and outgoing lines (17, Figure 2) can be guided from side walls 6 to an operating side 7 of the distribution block. The contact components 4 are provided on this side with insulation-piercing - 4 - connecting devices 8 into the clamping slots of which the incoming and outgoing lines can be pressed by means of a connecting tool 9 in a contact-making fashion. The insulation-piercing connecting devices 8 are connected to contact parts which form in the interior of the contact components isolating contacts which can be interrupted by means of breaker plugs 10 which can be plugged in from the front. On their rear 11 situated opposite the operating side 7, the contact components 4 have contact points for a contactor assembly 12 which can be inserted laterally into the distribution block 1. This contactor assembly is provided along its front 13 facing the contact component 4 with mating contacts 14 which can be plugged in between the contact points of the contact components 4 in accordance with the prescribed direction of the arrow. According to Figures 2 and 3, the contact component 4 is provided with contact springs 15 which form the contact points 16 for plugging on the contactor assembly 12 along the rear 11 of the contact component 4. The contact springs 15 are connected with insulation-piercing connecting devices 8 which are arranged along the operating side 7 and to which incoming and outgoing lines 17 are connected. In the state represented, the contact springs 15 make contact with one another in pairs at the contact points 16, with the result that electric connection is made in each case between an incoming and an outgoing line 17. A spreader element constructed as a spreader plug 18 can be inserted in accordance with the arrows represented into the contact component between the contact springs 15. The spreader plug 18 is of comb-like construction and has plug-in tongues 20 which project in the direction of the contact component 4 and can be inserted into holding chambers 21 for the contact springs 15 in the contact component 4. Fitted on the plug-in tongues are latching noses 22 which can be snapped into slot-like cutouts 23 in the contact - 5 - springs 15. The contact component has a slot-like opening 24 which extends in the direction of the row of contact points 16 and is open toward the rear 11. According to Figure 4, the spreader plug 18 is plugged into the contact component 4 so far that the transverse web 19 of the spreader plug 18 bears against the base of the opening 24. In this case, the latching noses 22 are latched into the cutouts 23 in the contact springs 15, and thereby secure the spreader plug 18 in its functional position. The spreader plug 18 is now located between the rows of contact springs and spreads the latter apart so far that the contact points 16 of each pair 15 of contact springs are separated. Consequently, the electric connection between the incoming and outgoing lines 17 is interrupted without this requiring a change to the contact components 4. Said component can now be delivered without additional arrangements either with or without the spreader plug, that is to say closed or open contact points 16. According to Figure 5, a contact web 2 5 of the contactor assembly 12 is inserted into the opening 24 in addition to the spreader plug 18. This contact web 25 includes the mating contacts 14, which make contact with the contact points 16 of the contact springs 15. In the process, the latter are spread apart even further, thus ensuring contact is made reliably. The transverse web 19 of the spreader plug 18 is kept so narrow that the contact web 25 can be plugged sufficiently far into the opening 24, in order to obtain an adequate contact overlap. The contactor assembly 12 is provided with surge voltage protectors 26 which are connected to a row of mating contacts 14. They are capable of discharging to ground high overvoltages in the subscriber lines leading outward. The contactor assembly 12 further has fuses 27 via which the two rows of the mating contacts are electrically connected. In the event of an overcurrent, the fuses cause an open circuit between the incoming and outgoing lines 17 (Figure 3). - 6 - According to Figure 6, the housing of the contact component 4 is provided with a transverse bore 2 8 which extends parallel to the opening 24 in the immediate vicinity thereof. The spreader element is constructed here as a round pin 2 9 which is inserted into the transverse bore 2 8 from the side and whose diameter is kept so large that the contact springs 15 are spread apart. As a result, the contact points 16 are separated in a fashion similar to Figure 4. GR 97 P 1010 - 7 - Patent Claims 1. A device for setting the contact position of contact points (16) of a contact component (4) in a distribution frame of a telecommunications system, the contact component (4) being provided with two rows of connecting elements (for example 8), which are situated opposite one another in pairs and can be interconnected, for incoming and outgoing lines (17) , the connecting elements (for example 8) being connected to contact springs (15) on whose free outer end there are constructed the contact points (16) onto which mating contacts (14) of a contactor assembly (12) can be plugged, it being possible to interconnect the incoming and outgoing lines (17) directly via the contact points (16) or the inserted contactor assembly (12), and the contact points (16) being held in open or in closed position when the contactor assembly is not inserted, characterized in that the device is constructed as an insulating spreader element (for example 18) which can optionally be plugged in so deeply between the contact springs (15) that the contact points (16) for the contactor assembly (12) remain free and are held in open position, and that the switching distance between the open contact points (16) is smaller than the corresponding distance between the mating contacts (14) of the contactor assembly (12). 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spreader element is constructed as a spreader plug (18) which can be inserted into the contact component (4) in the longitudinal direction of contact springs (15) and latched. 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the spreader plug (18) has latching noses (22) which can be latched into slot-like cutouts (23) in the contact springs (15) . 4. The device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spreader plug (18) , which is constructed like a comb, is provided with plug-in - 8 - tongues (20) which can be inserted between the contact springs (15) and which are interconnected by means of a common transverse web (19) . 5. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the contact points (16) the contact component (4) has for the mating contacts (14) of the contactor assembly (12) a slot-like opening (24) whose depth is dimensioned such that it holds the transverse web (19) of the spreader plug (18) and the mating contacts (14) of the contactor assembly (12). 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spreader element is constructed as a spreader pin (for example 29) which can be inserted between the contact springs (15) in the transverse direction thereof. 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the spreader pin is constructed as a round pin (29) which is guided in a transverse bore (28) in the contact component (4). 8. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spreader element can be produced with different widths for cooperation with a differing number of contact springs.

Documents:

00059-cal-1998 abstract.pdf

00059-cal-1998 claims.pdf

00059-cal-1998 correspondence-1.1.pdf

00059-cal-1998 correspondence.pdf

00059-cal-1998 description(complete).pdf

00059-cal-1998 drawings.pdf

00059-cal-1998 form-1.pdf

00059-cal-1998 form-2.pdf

00059-cal-1998 form-3.pdf

00059-cal-1998 form-5.pdf

00059-cal-1998 gpa.pdf

00059-cal-1998 indian patent specification.pdf

00059-cal-1998 others.pdf

00059-cal-1998 priority document others.pdf

00059-cal-1998 priority document.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-abstract.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-acceptance publication.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-claims.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-correspondence.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-description (complete).pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-drawings.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-examination report.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-form 1.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-form 2.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-form 3.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-form 6.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-gpa.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-letter patent.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-specification.pdf

59-cal-1998-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf