ELECTRICAL CONTACT MODULE AND HOUSING

• Main Author: MORGAN, DAVID D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 05.09.1989
• Edition: 4
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; LINE CONNECTORS

In order to provide a modular housing system for electrical contacts whereby contact banks of required size may be made up from common or modular parts, a contact module comprises a body adapted to be slidably received and located in a housing, and at least one contact received in an individual groove in the body so as to project from the body. The contact has a configuration co-operable with a corresponding formation in the groove to prevent longitudinal movement of the contact in the groove. As illustrated, the configuration is a slot formed in part of the contact to located on a corresponding abutment in the groove. The slot is shown associated with a resilient tongue adapted to engage the abutment to inhibit lateral movement of the contact. In use, the contact modules will be slid individually and in close contact into a housing, so that movement of the contact out of the grooves will be prevented, either by the housing itself or, in most cases, by the adjacent contact module body. By having the contact modules individually slidable and locatable in the housing, the individual contacts may be accessed, e.g, for changing, if required, without disturbing the adjacent contacts.