Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

A CLAMPING DEVICE FOR ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING A COMPONENT ONTO A DIN RAIL;

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WHOSE ADDRESS IS UNIT 402, ICC-DG TECHNOLOGY PARK, SR. NO. 191-192 (P), PIMPRI, PUNE – 411018, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

A CLAMPING DEVICE FOR ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING A COMPONENT ONTO A DIN RAIL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a DIN rail mounting clamps and more particularly to a clamping device for engaging and disengaging an electrical and/or electronic and/or electromechanical component onto the DIN rail.
BACKGROUND OF THE IVENTION
A Deutsches Institut für Normung rail (DIN rail, hereinafter) is a metal rail of a standard EN 60715 which is widely used for mounting a large number of electrical, electronic, and/or electromechanical components or devices, like contactors, relays, circuit breakers, industrial controllers, terminal blocks inside equipment racks. A rail is an elongated rail or track that may be bolted or otherwise mounted to a surface such as a wall of control panel or cabinet. One or more component(s) may then be mounted onto the rail.
Generally locking device, mounting device, clamping device, rail clip or some kind of adaptor are used for engaging and disengaging of component from the rail. Such devices are configured to be clamped to the rail may include a permanent latch that is configured to engage one side of the rail and a flexible or spring-loaded latch that is configured to engage an opposing side of the rail. In order to remove the device from the rail, a user often needs to use a tool such as a screwdriver to disengage the clamping feature before removing the device from the DIN rail.
In many cases, such devices utilize an excessive number of parts, making the device relatively expensive and complicated to manufacture.
Further, the known devices lack ease of operation and do not enable visibility or identification of the status of engagement and disengagement with the rail.
Therefore, there is a need for a clamping device for DIN rails that addresses at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a DIN rail clamping device that permits a user to engage or disengage a component relative to a rail with a smaller number of parts and without the assistance of additional tools.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a clamping device for engaging and disengaging a component onto a DIN rail, comprises a housing, the housing having a top section, a middle section and a bottom section, the middle section has an indented profile to accommodate the rail therein. A top clamp configured to be positioned on the top section, the top clamp having a frame, the frame having a first resilient structure positioned therein, the first resilient structure having a first engaging hook configured to engage with an upper flange of the rail, the first resilient structure abuts a fixed plate positioned within the top section, the top clamp has an arm mounted on the top of the frame. A bottom clamp configured to be positioned on the bottom section, the bottom clamp having a second resilient structure, the second resilient structure having a second engaging hook configured to selectively engage with a lower flange of the rail. A lever configured to be mounted on the top of the housing, the lever is pivotably connected to the arm of the top clamp, wherein the lever is pivotably moved between a closed state and an open state to engage and disengage the first engaging hook with the upper flange of the rail, wherein the second engaging hook is push engage or disengage with the lower flange of the rail.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the fixed plate arrests the upward movement of the first resilient structure.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first engaging hook of the top clamp engages or disengages with the upper flange of the rail in response to force caused on the first resilient structure against the fixed plate.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the open state of the lever is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position to slide the arm and the frame upwards such that the first resilient structure is compressed to reduced length against the fixed plate to disengage the first engaging hook with the upper flange of the rail.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the closed state of the lever is moved from the vertical position to the horizontal position to slide the arm and the frame downwards such that the first resilient structure extends to original length to engage the first engaging hook with the upper flange of the rail.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the resilient structure has a zigzag profile.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the resilient structure is made up of plastic material.
In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the clamping device in detail, it is to be understood that the clamping device is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the clamping device.
It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the clamping device. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the clamping device for engaging and disengaging a component onto a DIN rail according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2a is a front view of the DIN rail of Figure 1;
Figure 2b is a side view of the DIN rail of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of a housing of the clamping device of Figure 1;
Figure 4a is a schematic view of a top clamp the clamping device of Figure 1;
Figure 4b is a schematic view of a lever of the clamping device of Figure 1;
Figure 4c is a schematic view of a bottom clamp of the clamping device of Figure 1;
Figure 5a is a schematic front view of the clamping device of Figure 1 in an open state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5b illustrates a schematic rear view of the clamping device of Figure 5a in the open state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5c illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the clamping device of the Figure 5a in the open state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6a illustrates a schematic front view of the clamping device of Figure 1 in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6b is a schematic rear view of the clamping device of the clamping device of Figure 6a in the closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6c is a schematic sectional side view of the clamping device of Figure 6a in the closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a schematic view showing a series of multiple clamping devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Throughout the drawing, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention as defined by the description. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a clamping device (100) for engaging and disengaging a component onto a DIN rail (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the component may include but not limited to an electrical device, an electronic device, an electromechanical device, a terminal block, a contactor, a relay, a circuit breaker, an industrial controller and the like. The clamping device (100) is mounted on the rail (10). The clamping device (100) allows a user to engage and disengage the component with the rail (10).
Figure 2(a) and 2(b) shows a schematic view of the DIN rail (10) according to the present invention. The DIN rail (10) is a standard EN 60715 type DIN rail (10) that is widely used for mounting electrical, electronic, and/or electromechanical components or devices, like contactors, relays, circuit breakers, industrial controllers, terminal blocks inside equipment racks. In the known embodiment, the rail (10) has a symmetrical flange (11, 12) defined on either side thereof. The flange (11, 12) assists in holding clamping device in place. However, the rail (10) is not restricted to symmetrical flange (11, 12) and the DIN rail (10) may have an asymmetrical flange which can be employed in other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure depending upon the nature of application.
Figure 3 shows a housing (110) of the clamping device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing (110) has a top section (111), a middle section (112) and a bottom section (113). The middle section (112) has an indented profile to accommodate the rail (10) within. The housing (110) further comprises a fixed plate (114) positioned within the top section (111). The bottom section (113) has a lower wall (115) positioned at the lower end of the bottom section (113). The top section (111) and bottom section (113) may be made of any shape and size to accommodate a top clamp and a bottom clamp respectively.
Referring to Figure 4(a)- 4 (b), a schematic view of a top clamp (120) of the clamping device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The top clamp (120) is mounted on the top section (111) of the housing (110). The top clamp (120) has a frame (123) comprising a first resilient structure (122). In an embodiment, the first resilient structure (122) has a zigzag profile. In an embodiment, the first resilient structure (122) is made up of plastic material. However, it is understood that the resilient structure (122) may be made of other resilient materials in other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The first resilient structure (122) has a first engaging hook (121) connected at a first end thereof. The first engaging hook (121) is configured to engage and disengage with an upper flange (11) of the rail (10). The first resilient structure (122) has a second end that abuts the fixed plate (114) positioned within the top section (111) of the housing (110). The fixed plate (114) is enclosed within the frame (123). The fixed plate (114) arrests the upward movement of the first resilient structure (122). The first engaging hook (121) of the top clamp (120) engages or disengages with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10) in response to force caused on the first resilient structure (122) against the fixed plate (114). The top clamp (120) has an arm (124) mounted on the top of the frame (123). A lever (140) is pivotably connected with the arm (124) of the top clamp (120). The lever (140) is adapted to be moved between a vertical position and a horizontal position to selectively engage and disengage the first engaging hook (121) of the top clamp (120) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10), such that, when the lever (140) is in the vertical position, it disengages from the upper flange (11) of the rail (10) and when the lever (140) is in the horizontal position, it engages with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10). The vertical position of the lever (140) indicates an open state, and the horizontal position of the lever (140) indicates a closed state. A schematic view of the lever (140) of the clamping device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 (b).
Figure 4(c) shows a schematic view of the bottom clamp (130) of the clamping device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bottom clamp (130) is mounted at the bottom section (113) of the housing (110). The bottom clamp (130) comprises a second resilient structure (132). The second resilient structure (132) has a first end that is connected to a second engaging hook (131). The second resilient structure (132) has a second end that abuts the lower wall (115) of the housing (110). In an embodiment, the second resilient structure (132) has a zigzag profile. In an embodiment, the second resilient structure (132) is made up of plastic material. However, it is understood that the second resilient structure (132) may be made of other resilient materials in other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. The second engaging hook (131) configured to engage and disengage with a lower flange (12) of the rail (10).
The first engaging hook (121) is configured to engage or disengage the upper flange (11) of the rail (10) and the second engaging hook (131) is configured to engage or disengage the lower flange (12) of the rail (10) during engaging or disengaging the clamping device (100) on the DIN rail (10)
The lever (140) is pivotably moved between the closed state and the open state to selectively engage or disengage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the DIN rail (10).
Figures 5 and 6 shows various views of clamping device in the open state and the closed state respectively. In the open state, the lever (140) is in the vertical position such that the first engaging hook (121) is not engaged or urged against the upper flange (11) of the rail (10). In the closed state, the lever (140) is in horizontal position such that the first engaging hook (121) is engaged or urged against the upper flange (11) of the rail (10). The lever (140) is configured to be pivotably moved between the closed state and the open state to engage and disengage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10).
In operation, the lever (140) is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position in the open state such that the arm (124) and the frame (123) slide upwards, and the first resilient structure (122) is compressed to a reduced length against the fixed plate (114) for disengaging the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10). In operation, the lever (140) is moved from the vertical position to the horizontal position in the closed state such that the arm (124) and the frame (123) slide downwards and the first resilient structure (122) extends to original length to engage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10).
In operation, the second engaging hook (131) is push fitted to engage or disengage with the lower flange (12) of the rail (10). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second engaging hook (131) is received in the lower flange (12) of the rail (10), wherein the second resilient structure (132) is configured to urge the second engaging hook (131) against the lower flange (12) of the rail (10).
Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the plurality of clamping devices (100) are mounted on the rail (10). As shown in the figure a plurality of clamping devices can be mounted side by side to form a series of clamping devices (100), so that any size of component can be fixed on the DIL rail (10). In an embodiment, the housing (110) has at least two grooves (117), one at a top side and the other at a bottom side of a left side wall (118) of the housing. The grooves (117) facilitate assembling the plurality of the clamping devices (100) on the rail (10) such that a space between both grooves (117) of one of the clamping device (100) accommodates and tightly grips a right side wall (119) of the other clamping device (100).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the clamping device (100), is enclosed by a cover (116). The cover (116) ensures that the top clamp and bottom clamp of the present clamping device (100) does not interfere with the component mounted on the clamping device (100).
The clamping device of the present disclosure permits a user to engage or disengage the component relative to the rail without requiring tools and thus engaging or disengaging of the component onto the rail requires lesser efforts. The clamping device of the present disclosure requires a smaller number of parts thus it is simple in construction and easy to manufacture, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing cost. Further, the clamping device of the present disclosure provides ease of operation and enables to provide visibility or identification of the status of engagement and disengagement with the rail.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
, Claims:
1. A clamping device (100) for engaging and disengaging a component onto a DIN rail (10), the device comprising:
- a housing (110), the housing (110) having a top section (111), a middle section (112) and a bottom section (113), the middle section (112) has an indented profile to accommodate the rail (10) therein;
- a top clamp (120) configured to be positioned on the top section (111), the top clamp (120) having a frame (123), the frame (123) having a first resilient structure (122) positioned therein, the first resilient structure (122) having a first engaging hook (121) configured to engage with an upper flange (11) of the rail (10), the first resilient structure (122) abuts a fixed plate (114) positioned within the top section (111), the top clamp (120) has an arm (124) mounted on the top of the frame (123);
- a bottom clamp (130) configured to be positioned on the bottom section (113), the bottom clamp (130) having a second resilient structure (132), the second resilient structure (132) having a second engaging hook (131) configured to selectively engage with a lower flange (12) of the rail (10); and
- a lever (140) configured to be mounted on the top of the housing (110), the lever (140) is pivotably connected to the arm (124) of the top clamp (120),
wherein the lever (140) is pivotably moved between a closed state and an open state to engage and disengage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10),
wherein the second engaging hook (131) is push engage or disengage with the lower flange (12) of the rail (10).
2. The clamping device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed plate (114) arrests the upward movement of the first resilient structure (122).

3. The clamping device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first engaging hook (121) of the top clamp (120) engages or disengages with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10) in response to force caused on the first resilient structure (122) against the fixed plate (114).
4. The clamping device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the open state the lever (140) is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position to slide the arm (124) and the frame (123) upwards such that the first resilient structure (122) is compressed to reduced length against the fixed plate (114) to disengage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10).
5. The clamping device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the closed state the lever (140) is moved from the vertical position to the horizontal position to slide the arm (124) and the frame (123) downwards such that the first resilient structure (122) extends to original length to engage the first engaging hook (121) with the upper flange (11) of the rail (10).
6. The clamping device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resilient structure (122, 132) has a zigzag profile.
7. The clamping device (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the resilient structure (122, 132) is made up of plastic material.