GB1604092A - Electrical connector coding strips - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CODING STRIPS (71) We, DALE ELECTRIC OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED, a British company, of Electricity Buildings, Filey, Yorkshire To 14 9PJ, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to coding strips for attachment to electrical connectors. More specifically the invention relates to coding strips for use with multi-way electrical connectors as used with plug-in module circuit boards.

Coding strips of this type are used with electrical connectors when a plurality of module circuit boards are required to be plugged in to an electrical installation. One example of this arises when a so-called 'mother board' is to have various module circuit boards attached to it, the various module boards being readily removable for easy maintenance. In order to prevent a module being plugged into the wrong connector of the installation, and yet still benefit from the economic advantage of using one standardised type of connector for all modules, coding strips attached to the modules and to the installation may be used. These coding strips are arranged so that one strip on a module can interconnect with a corresponding strip on the installation but with no other strip. Therefore only the correct module board can be plugged into its respective connector.

The present invention provides a coding member for use with an electrical connector which connector is arranged to be mounted on a surface of a carrying means, the member comprising a first portion provided with a plurality of projections and two further portions extending from the first portion so as to embrace three sides of the connector in use, and means for fixing the position of the member relative to the connector so as to mount both the member and the connector flush with the mounting surface of the carrying means.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has projections arranged linearly along the first portion. The further portions extend from the first portion substantially at right angles to the plane defined by the projections, and are each provided with a recess for receiving clamping means. The clamping means may be part of the attachment of the connector to a board, and a portion of the clamping means in this case engages each of the recesses and thus holds both the connector and the coding member to the board.

In order that the present invention be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a coding strip according to the invention for attachment to an electrical connector; Figure 2 is another view of the coding strip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the coding strip of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows three views of a coding strip retaining member, and Figure 5 is a view of a further coding strip for attachment to an electrical connector which interlocks with the coding strip shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown one of a co-operating pair of coding strips for use with an electrical connector such as that made according to DIN 41612 specification. The coding strip comprises a member I with coding projections 2 arranged longitudinally thereon. Only four projections are shown, two at each end of member 1, but any number may be provided, for example II or 16, the number being a function of the required coding capacity. At each end of member 1, there is provided a raised portion 3.

The projections 2 are proud with respect to the top of the raised portions 3. Extending from the end of the raised portions 3, and at right angles to the plane defined by the projections 2, are end pieces 4. Each end piece 4 is provided with a substantially rectangular recess 5 as shown in the end view of Figure 3.

The end pieces 4 are used to locate the coding strip with respect to a connector (not shown), the connector fitting snugly within the end pieces 4.

The coding strip is attached to the connector and clamped to the circuit board or other carrying means by any suitable arrangement.

The preferred arrangement is to use clamps which are attached to the connector using the existing holes in the connector and which extend over the end pieces 4. Preferably the clamps are received in the recesses 5 so as to positively locate them. The preferred form of clamp is illustrated in Figure 4 which shows three views of a retaining nut 6.

Retaining nut 6 comprises an arcuate portion 7 with a substantially rectangular portion 8 extending from its periphery and is provided with a screw threaded hole, although this is not essential, which is arranged to receive a bolt for mounting the electrical connector to the carrying means. The bolt is inserted through both the carrying means and the electrical connector and the nut 6 is positioned thereon in such a way that it holds the connector in place and additionally the extended rectangular portion 8 engages the recess 5 on the end piece 4 of the coding strip and holds the coding strip in place by a clamping action against the carrying means.

Thus by utilizing this means of mounting, no additional fixing components are necessary to attach the coding strip. The same effect can be achieved by providing a lug on each end piece 4 and which extends over the top of the connector.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a second coding strip for co-operation with the first coding strip shown in Figures 1 to 3. The second coding strip is attached to a second electrical connector which interlocks with the electrical connector referred to above. The second coxing strip comprises a substantially flat member 9 with projections 10 arranged thereon. The dimensions of member 9 are chosen such that the coding strip may be attached to the second connector, and fixing means, such as holes 11 are similarly dimensioned. Projections 10 are similar in number, size and shape to co-operating projections 2 on the first coding strip.

Coding is achieved by removing certain selected projections 2 from the first coding strip. The corresponding projections 10 are left in place on the second coding strip, but any projections corresponding to those remaining on the first strip are removed. Thus the two coding strips interlock and allow the two connectors to be plugged together. A number of identical connectors with individually coded strips can thus be used without risk of wrong connection.

The coding strips are conveniently moulded from a plastics material sufficiently strong and rigid so that the projections can survive attempted incorrect insertion but sufficiently brittle so that coding can be achieved by breaking off any unwanted projections.

Using a coding strips construction as shown in Figures 1 to 3 allows both the connector and the coding strip to be mounted flush with the surface of the carrying means.

This adds substantially to the rigidity of the structure without altering the position of the connector relative to the carrying means.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A coding member for use with an electrical connector which connector is arranged to be mounted on a surface of a carrying means, the member comprising a first portion provided with a plurality of projections and two further portions extending from the first portion so as to embrace three sides of the connector in use, and means for fixing the position of the member relative to the connector so as to mount both the member and the connector flush with the mounting surface of the carrying means.

2. A coding member according to claim 1 wherein said projections are linearly disposed along said first portion.

3. A coding member according to claim 2 wherein said further portions extend from said first portion substantially at right angles to the plane defined by the projections.

4. A coding member according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said means for fixing the member relative to the connector comprises a recess in each said further portion arranged to receive clamping means.

5. A coding member according to claim 4 further including said clamping means which comprises a member for attachment to the connector, said attachment member being provided with a portion for engaging said recess in each said further portion.

6. A coding member according to claim 5 wherein said attachment member is threaded to receive a bolt for mounting the attachment member is threaded to receive a bolt for mounting the connector.

7. A coding member according to any one of the preceding claims and being adapted for use with a connector according to DIN 41612 specification.

8. A coding member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing.

9. The combination of a coding member according to any one of the preceding claims with an electrical connector.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. shown), the connector fitting snugly within the end pieces 4. The coding strip is attached to the connector and clamped to the circuit board or other carrying means by any suitable arrangement. The preferred arrangement is to use clamps which are attached to the connector using the existing holes in the connector and which extend over the end pieces 4. Preferably the clamps are received in the recesses 5 so as to positively locate them. The preferred form of clamp is illustrated in Figure 4 which shows three views of a retaining nut 6. Retaining nut 6 comprises an arcuate portion 7 with a substantially rectangular portion 8 extending from its periphery and is provided with a screw threaded hole, although this is not essential, which is arranged to receive a bolt for mounting the electrical connector to the carrying means. The bolt is inserted through both the carrying means and the electrical connector and the nut 6 is positioned thereon in such a way that it holds the connector in place and additionally the extended rectangular portion 8 engages the recess 5 on the end piece 4 of the coding strip and holds the coding strip in place by a clamping action against the carrying means. Thus by utilizing this means of mounting, no additional fixing components are necessary to attach the coding strip. The same effect can be achieved by providing a lug on each end piece 4 and which extends over the top of the connector. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a second coding strip for co-operation with the first coding strip shown in Figures 1 to 3. The second coding strip is attached to a second electrical connector which interlocks with the electrical connector referred to above. The second coxing strip comprises a substantially flat member 9 with projections 10 arranged thereon. The dimensions of member 9 are chosen such that the coding strip may be attached to the second connector, and fixing means, such as holes 11 are similarly dimensioned. Projections 10 are similar in number, size and shape to co-operating projections 2 on the first coding strip. Coding is achieved by removing certain selected projections 2 from the first coding strip. The corresponding projections 10 are left in place on the second coding strip, but any projections corresponding to those remaining on the first strip are removed. Thus the two coding strips interlock and allow the two connectors to be plugged together. A number of identical connectors with individually coded strips can thus be used without risk of wrong connection. The coding strips are conveniently moulded from a plastics material sufficiently strong and rigid so that the projections can survive attempted incorrect insertion but sufficiently brittle so that coding can be achieved by breaking off any unwanted projections. Using a coding strips construction as shown in Figures 1 to 3 allows both the connector and the coding strip to be mounted flush with the surface of the carrying means. This adds substantially to the rigidity of the structure without altering the position of the connector relative to the carrying means. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A coding member for use with an electrical connector which connector is arranged to be mounted on a surface of a carrying means, the member comprising a first portion provided with a plurality of projections and two further portions extending from the first portion so as to embrace three sides of the connector in use, and means for fixing the position of the member relative to the connector so as to mount both the member and the connector flush with the mounting surface of the carrying means.

2. A coding member according to claim 1 wherein said projections are linearly disposed along said first portion.

3. A coding member according to claim 2 wherein said further portions extend from said first portion substantially at right angles to the plane defined by the projections.

4. A coding member according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said means for fixing the member relative to the connector comprises a recess in each said further portion arranged to receive clamping means.

5. A coding member according to claim 4 further including said clamping means which comprises a member for attachment to the connector, said attachment member being provided with a portion for engaging said recess in each said further portion.

6. A coding member according to claim 5 wherein said attachment member is threaded to receive a bolt for mounting the attachment member is threaded to receive a bolt for mounting the connector.

7. A coding member according to any one of the preceding claims and being adapted for use with a connector according to DIN 41612 specification.

8. A coding member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing.

9. The combination of a coding member according to any one of the preceding claims with an electrical connector.