FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13) TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
SPRINGLESS DIN CLIP DEVICE FOR SWITCHING
DEVICES
APPLICANT:
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No. 278,
Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra . INDIA.
PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION:
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to electrical power supply and switching devices such as isolators, residual current circuit breaker, and miniature circuit breakers and particularly to mounting devices for the switching devices on a DIN rail. More particularly the present invention relates clip mechanism for locking and unlocking the switching devices on the DIN rail.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally in construction of equipment and installations, it is conventional to mount switching devices such as isolators, residual current circuit breaker, and miniature circuit breakers on DIN rail or top-hat rails. The switching devices and their housings have an insertion region for mounting the switching devices on the DIN rail. One type of mounting rail is the "DIN" type standard, also known as the "DIN rail," as defined by the European Standards DIN EN 50022, Specification for Low Voltage Switchgears and Control Gear for Industrial Use. The Top Hat Rails with 35 mm wide is used for Snap-On Mounting of the switching devices. The DIN rails have either inwardly or outwardly projecting raised flanges along their length for receiving the switching devices.
[0003] In a current scheme, the switching devices are mounted on the DIN rail with help of a DIN clip. Traditionally the DIN clip includes either metal spring or plastic spring. The springs are generally assembled in their housing by inserting the spring

through an opening at the rear end of the DIN clip by forcing the walls of the housing. The spring loaded bolts generally have an actuation opening for the insertion of a screwdriver so that the bolt can be pulled back against the spring force of the spring. Thus the switching device can be removed from the DIN rail. At the same time, the spring-loaded bolts ensure that the attached switching device doesn't unintentionally detach or be removed from the DIN rail. Further the housing remains open at the rear end of the DIN clip and results in a risk of the spring being extracted from its housing, when a non-axial strain is applied on the spring. Such non-axial strain is frequently encountered during the assembling or disassembling of the switching devices on the DIN rail. Moreover the spring tends to get rust in long run causing breakage and replacement of the spring.
[0004] In the light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to provide a DIN clip without a spring for mounting the switching devices on the DIN rail to overcome problems discussed above. In particular, there is a need for the DIN clip with a design for easy attachment and removal of the mechanism of the switching devices from the DIN rail. Further there is a need for the DIN clip with a unique shape and configuration for mounting the switching devices on the DIN rail. Moreover there is yet another need to reduce the accidental disengagement of the switching devices from the DIN rail by keeping the DIN clip intact with the DIN rail.
[0005] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary object of the invention is to develop a DIN clip for mounting switching devices on DIN rail, by preventing the use of spring in the DIN clip to mount the switching devices on the DIN rail.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to develop a DIN clip for locking switching devices on DIN rail and unlocking the switching devices from the DIN rail quickly.
[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to develop a DIN clip for mounting switching devices on the DIN rail and to reduce accidental disengagement of the switching devices from the DIN rail by keeping the DIN clip intact with the DIN rail.
[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to develop a DIN clip for mounting switching devices on DIN rail and for easy attachment and removal of the switching devices from the DIN rail.
[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to develop DIN clip with a unique shape and configuration in a low production cost solution for mounting switching devices on DIN rail.

[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The various embodiments of the present invention provides a DIN clip for mounting switching devices on the DIN rail, by preventing the use of spring in the DIN clip in mounting the switching devices on the DIN rail. The DIN clip locks switching devices on the DIN rail and unlocks the switching devices from the DIN rail.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a springless DIN clip device has a base frame provided with a recess. A locking projection and a stay put locking feature are arranged in the recess. Atleast one guide rail is provided in the recess. A tapered projection is provided at one edge of the base frame. The locking projection formed in the recess is made to engage with the housing of the switching device in a resilient manner to latch the switching device with the rail on which the switching device is mounted. The locking projection acts as a spring like structure so that the projection is deflected to disengage the switching device from the rail.
[0014] The base frame has a rectangular structure. The recess in the frame is a rectangular slot. The locking projection is formed at the inner edge of the one side wall of the frame to protrude horizontally towards the opposite side wall. The locking projection is formed in a triangular shape. The locking projection is mounted with a

post. The post is mounted on the horizontal surface of the locking projection to protrude vertically from the horizontal surface of the locking projection. The post is mounted with a small round head at the top to engage with a recess provided in the bottom surface of the housing of the switching device to mount the frame on the surface of the housing of the switching device and to lock the switching device with the rail, when the switching device is mounted on a rail. The locking projection is protruded normally during the locking condition of the switching device. The locking projection is deflected to release the post from the recess in the housing of the switching device to unlock the switching device from the rail.
[0015] The stay put locking feature is a projection attached to the opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot in the frame. The projection in the stay put locking feature is protruded horizontally towards a wall connecting the two opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot. The projection in the stay put locking feature has a wedge shaped projection mounted on the protruding edge to engage with a mating locking arrangement formed on the housing. The wedge shaped projection is protruded vertically from the horizontal surface of the stay put locking feature. The locking projection, stay put locking feature and the frame are formed with plastic material. The guide rails are provided at the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls in the frame to guide the mounting clip into the housing of the switching device.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the
art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom side perspective view of housing of a switching device showing locking positions for a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of cover and housing mounted with a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip in unlocked position with DIN rail according to one embodiment of the present invention
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of assembly of DIN clip, housing and cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip in locked position with DIN rail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of assembly of DIN clip locked with housing in stay put position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0027] The various embodiments of the present invention provides a DIN clip for mounting the switching devices on the DIN rail, by preventing the use of spring in the DIN clip to mount the switching devices on the DIN rail. The DIN clip locks the switching devices on the DIN rail and unlocks the switching devices from the DIN rail.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a springless DIN clip device has a base frame provided with a recess. A locking projection and a stay put locking feature are arranged in the recess. Atleast one guide rail is provided in the recess. A tapered projection is provided at one edge of the base frame. The locking projection formed in the recess is made to engage with the housing of the switching device in a resilient manner to latch the switching device with the rail on which the switching device is mounted. The locking projection acts as a spring like structure so that the projection is deflected to disengage the switching device from the rail.
[0029] The base frame has a rectangular structure. The recess in the frame is a rectangular slot. The locking projection is formed at the inner edge of the one side wall of the frame to protrude horizontally towards the opposite side wall. The locking projection is formed in a triangular shape. The locking projection is mounted with a post. The post is mounted on the horizontal surface of the locking projection to protrude vertically from the horizontal surface of the locking projection. The post is mounted with a small round head at the top to engage with a recess provided in the bottom surface of the housing of the switching device to mount the frame on the surface of the housing of the switching device and to lock the switching device with the rail, when the switching device is mounted on a rail. The locking projection is protruded normally during the locking condition of the switching device. The locking projection is deflected to release the post from the recess in the housing of the switching device to unlock the switching device from the rail.

[0030] The stay put locking feature is a projection attached to the opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot in the frame. The projection in the stay put locking feature is protruded horizontally towards a wall connecting the two opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot. The projection in the stay put locking feature has a wedge shaped projection mounted on the protruding edge to engage with a mating locking arrangement formed on the housing. The wedge shaped projection is protruded vertically from the horizontal surface of the stay put locking feature. The locking projection, stay put locking feature and the frame are formed with plastic material. The guide rails are provided at the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls in the frame to guide the mounting clip into the housing of the switching device.
[0031 ] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.l, The Din clip 1 is provided with a plastic anchor 2 and a guide 3. With help of the guide 3, the DIN clip is guided through housing of the switching devices while locking and unlocking the switching devices from DIN rail. The plastic anchor 2 gets locked into a locking position provided in the housing during the locking of the switching devices on the DIN rail. The plastic anchor 2 gets deflected which acts as spring during the unlocking of the switching device from the DIN rail.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom side perspective view of a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the DIN clip 1 provided with a plastic anchor 2 which is projected outwards and a hinge 4. The DIN clip is provided with a guide rail 3 through which the DIN clip is guided through the

housing of the switching devices during the locking and unlocking operations of the switching devices from DIN rail. The protruding part of the plastic anchor 2 gets locked into a locking position provided in the housing during the locking of the switching devices onto the DIN rail. The hinge 4 portion of the DIN clip 1 gets locked into a stay put position provided in the housing and thus, the DIN clip 1 remains in stay put condition with the housing.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of housing of a switching device indicating the locking positions for a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 3, locking position 7 is provided in the housing of the switching device, to receive the projected part of plastic anchor provided in the DIN clip. The plastic anchor of the DIN clip gets locked into the locking position 7 provided in the housing while locking the switching devices on the DIN rail. A stay put position 8 is provided in the housing of the switching device. The hinge portion of the DIN clip gets locked into the stay put position 8 and thus the DIN clip remains in stay put condition with the housing.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a cover and a housing of a switching device mounted with a DIN clip according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, the DIN clip 1 is inserted into the housing 5 of the switching device. Further the DIN clip 1 is covered with a cover 6 to form a complete assembly of the DIN clip 1, housing 5 and the cover 6. The complete assembly is mounted on a DIN rail for locking the switching devices onto the DIN rail assisted by the DIN clip 1.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a top side perspective view of the assembly of the DIN clip, housing and cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 5, The DIN clip 1, housing 5 and cover 6 of the switching device forms the complete assembly to be mounted on DIN rail. The assembly is mounted on the DIN rail for locking the switching devices on the DIN rail through the DIN clip 1.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip in the unlocked position with DIN rail according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 6, the assembly of the DIN clip 1, the housing 5 and the cover 6 of the switching device is mounted on the DIN rail 9. The DIN clip 1 stays in unlocked position with the DIN rail 9. The projected part of plastic anchor 2 provided in the DIN clip 1 deflects and acts as a spring during the unlocking of the switching device from the DIN rail.
[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a DIN clip in locked position with DIN rail according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 7, the assembly of DIN clip 1, the housing 5 and the cover 6 of switching device is mounted on the DIN rail 9 by click fitting the DIN clip 1 to the DIN rail 9. The DIN clip 1 stays in locked position with the DIN rail 9. A plastic anchor 2 provided in the DIN clip 1 stays at normal position when the switching device gets locked onto the DIN rail.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of assembly of DIN clip locked with housing in stay put position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

With respect to FIG. 8, a hinge provided in the DIN clip 1 gets locked 10 in a stay put position provided in the housing 5 of the switching device, thus the DIN clip 1 attains stay put condition in the housing 5. The DIN clip 1 is kept intact with the housing 5 of the switching device due to stay put condition attained by the DIN clip 1.
G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provides a DIN clip for mounting switching devices on the DIN rail, by preventing the use of spring in the DIN clip to mount the switching devices on the DIN rail. The DIN clip locks switching devices on the DIN rail and unlocks the switching devices from the DIN rail. The DIN clip reduces the accidental disengagement of the switching devices from the DIN rail by keeping the DIN clip intact with the DIN rail. The DIN clip facilitates the easy attachment and removal mechanism of the switching devices from the DIN rail. The DIN clip has a unique shape and configuration in a design resulting in a low production cost. Overall assembly is easy, less time consuming and safe to handle by a user.
[0040] Although the invention is described with the various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0041] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all
the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A springless DIN clip device for switching devices comprising:
A base frame;
A recess provided in the frame
A locking projection arranged in the recess;
A stay put locking feature arranged in the recess;
At least one guide rail provided in the recess; and
A tapered projection provided at one edge of the base frame;
Wherein the locking projection formed in the recess is made to engage with
the housing of the switching device in a resilient manner to latch the switching
device with the rail on which the switching device is mounted.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection acts as a spring like structure so that the projection is deflected to disengage the switching device from the rail.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base frame has a rectangular structure.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recess in the frame is a rectangular slot.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection is formed at the inner edge of the one side wall of the frame to protrude horizontally towards the opposite side wall.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection is formed in a triangular shape.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection is mounted with a post.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the post is mounted on the horizontal surface of the locking projection to protrude vertically from the horizontal surface of the locking projection.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the post is mounted with a small round head at the top to engage with a recess provided in the bottom surface of the housing of the switching device to mount the frame on the surface of the housing of the switching device and to lock the switching device with the rail, when the switching device is mounted on a rail.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection is protruded
normally during the locking condition of the switching device.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection is deflected to
release the post from the recess in the housing of the switching device to
unlock the switching device from the rail.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stay put locking feature is a projection attached to the opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot in the frame.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the projection in the stay put locking feature is protruded horizontally towards a wall connecting the two opposing inner surfaces of the rectangular slot.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein projection in the stay put locking feature has a wedge shaped projection mounted on the protruding edge to engage with a mating locking arrangement formed on the housing.
15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wedge shaped projection is
protruded vertically from the horizontal surface of the stay put locking feature.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection, stay put locking feature and the frame are formed with plastic material.
17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rails are provided at the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls in the frame.