DIN rail attachment method and apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6431909
  • Patent Number
    6,431,909
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, September 28, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 13, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A detachable securement apparatus for a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail has first and second mounting flanges extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section. The apparatus has a body, a securement assembly and a release assembly. Extending from the body, the securement assembly has first and second interface members each including a contact region configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively. The release assembly is configured for removing the holding force on both the first and second mounting flanges to allow vertical removal of the body. The release assembly has an engagement member coupled to the body and to the first and second interface members, and is engagable on a side of the body. A method of attachment and detachment with flanges of a rail mount assembly includes springably coupling first and second sides of a conductive mounting member to the first and second flange, laterally engaging a release actuator coupled to the mounting members, and simultaneously releasing the first and second sides of the mounting member from the flanges.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field Of The Invention




The present invention relates generally to the field of securement structures for aligning terminal blocks, input/output devices and other electrical components within enclosures and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a self-locking, clip-in structure that can easily and quickly be mounted and removed straight on and off of a standard support rail, and that can be adapted for use as a terminal block or other device support.




2. Description Of The Related Art




A number of systems have been developed and are currently in use for mounting small components, particularly electrical components, in enclosures. Such systems include various conduit and rail structures useful for channeling wires to and from the components in a neat and orderly manner, facilitating installation and servicing. One popular system of this type is based upon a standard set of flanged rails that can be cut to a desired length and attached via screws to the interior of an enclosure. The rails, commonly referred to as “DIN” rails, have either inwardly or outwardly projecting raised flanges along their length for receiving the components. The components, including a wide array of modular elements such as terminal blocks, input/output modules, dip switches, small motor drives, contactors, circuit breakers, overload relays, communication/control modules, and so forth, feature corresponding structures designed to interface with the rail flanges to hold the components securely in place during installation and use.




Known component mounting structures include screw-down and screwless styles. Screw-down structures generally clip into place along the DIN rail and may be slid along the rail for positioning. A screw held over one of the rail flanges is then driven into the flange to anchor the component in place. In addition to the cost of the screw and associated holding elements, a disadvantage of these structures is the need to independently secure each component via the screw. This process is not only time consuming, but may result in misalignment on the rail due to twisting of the component under the influence of the screw-down torque. In many applications, therefore, the screwless mounting arrangements are often preferable.




The DIN rail attachment mechanism most commonly used is one with a fixed catch on one side and a moveable catch or snap on the opposite side. These arrangements typically include a component module having a hook-shaped rigid foot that is slipped over a first of the rail flanges, and a deformable leg that is then snapped over the opposite flange to secure the component to the rail. Because the modules are typically made of a moldable plastic material due to its good electrical insulation capabilities, metallic clips and the like are often provided in the rail interface features to bind the component more securely in place on the rail. For removal, the deformable leg may be bent free of the rail flange and the component may be removed by unhooking the rigid foot from the opposite flange. For these approaches, since one catch is fixed, DIN rail removal requires that the device must translate about 0.03-0.05 inches relative to the DIN rail after prying the opposite side. In many cases, a combined translation and rotational motion of the device relative to the DIN rail is required for removal.




In recent years a new generation of modular control and communication products has evolved for motor starter and other applications. These products being modular in nature, must make electrical connections to each other and may be DIN rail mounted within an enclosure. The electrical connections between modules could be achieved with separate plug-in connectors, but this approach would be very inefficient and costly. An effective method utilized to make these connections is to first design the modular housings such that they slide into each other from the top via a dovetail slot arrangement. Electrical connections are then made with mating contacts between the opposite housings that slide into contact as the two housings slide together.




The sliding dovetail arrangement produces an effective method for mechanical and electrical connections between modular housings but presents a major challenge for DIN rail mounting. Because with this approach the housings must slide off the DIN rail vertically with no lateral translation or rotation, traditional DIN rail release mechanisms will not work. Therefore, for the sliding dovetail approach to be effective, both catches or snaps must be released simultaneously. This then allows the module to be pulled straight off the DIN rail while sliding along adjacent modules on either side. An additional requirement of communication/control modules is that an electrical connection be made to the DIN rail for grounding and EMI noise issues.




While existing screwless DIN rail mounting structures provide an attractive solution to the problem of quickly and easily attaching components in desired rail locations, they are not without drawbacks. As noted above, existing mechanisms require considerable translational and/or rotational movement of the device to remove it from the DIN rail, and often lack a sufficient securement force to prevent lateral motion of the device. The requisite rotational movement may be disadvantageous in many applications. Furthermore, existing devices are often difficult to remove from the DIN rail due to this requisite rotational movement and the considerably high spring force in the deformable leg. For example, removal may be complicated where there is limited space, or where the point of access is limited. Due to the rotational movement, existing mechanisms also preclude the possibility of the sliding dovetail approach, discussed above, for attaching adjacent DIN rail devices. Existing DIN rail mounting structures also lack grounding mechanisms for electrical coupling to the DIN rail. As discussed above, existing structures are generally made of plastic, while only a limited amount of metal may be used in the hook shaped foot to enhance the securement force.




There is a need, therefore, for an improved arrangement for mounting components along DIN rails. The arrangement should be of a straightforward design that can be easily manufactured and assembled on the rail. In particular, there is a need for a DIN rail mounting structure that provides a straight attachment and removal mechanism. In accordance with this straight on/off mechanism, there is a further need for a grounding mechanism to complete an electrical connection to the DIN rail, an electrical-mechanical coupling mechanism for an adjacent module, and a superior holding force to prevent lateral movement while minimizing the number of different parts in the overall product.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present technique features a detachable securement apparatus configured for a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail has a first and second mounting flange extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section. The apparatus has a body, a securement assembly and a release assembly. Extending from the body, the securement assembly has first and second interface members, each including a contact region configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively. The release assembly is configured for removing the holding force on both the first and second mounting flanges to allow vertical removal of the body. The release assembly has an engagement member coupled to the body and to the first and second interface members, and is engagable on a side of the body.




The technique also features a module mounting system for removably mounting to a mounting rail, wherein the rail has first and second mounting flanges extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section. The system includes a securement assembly and a vertical release assembly. The securement assembly has first and second spring-forced feet configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively. The vertical release assembly includes a lateral actuator configured for simultaneously releasing the spring-forced feet from the mounting rail to allow vertical removal of the body.




A method is also contemplated for attachment and detachment with a rail mount assembly. The method includes springably coupling first and second sides of a conductive mounting member to the first and second flange of a mounting rail, respectively. The method also includes laterally engaging a release actuator coupled to the mounting member. The method also includes simultaneously releasing the first and second sides of the mounting member from the first and second flange, respectively.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of two slidably coupled modules having removable head assemblies, wherein one module is removably mounted to a DIN rail assembly, and the other module is vertically detached from the DIN rail assembly;





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the module and head assembly coupled to the DIN rail assembly;





FIG. 3

is an exploded perspective view of the module and the head assembly;





FIG. 4

is an exploded perspective view of the head assembly, illustrating the a first and second housing section, the snap spring and the actuator;





FIG. 5

is a partially exploded perspective view of the head assembly, illustrating the insertion of the snap spring and the actuator into the second housing section;





FIGS. 6

is a side view of the second housing section illustrating the orientation of the actuator and the snap spring in a relaxed state, wherein the head assembly has not been released from the DIN rail assembly;





FIG. 7

is a side view of the second housing section illustrating a partially engaged actuator and snap spring, wherein the head assembly is partially disengaged from the DIN rail assembly; and





FIG. 8

is a side view of the second housing section illustrating a fully engaged actuator and snap spring, wherein the head assembly is fully disengaged from the DIN rail assembly.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS




Turning now to the drawings,

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a DIN rail assembly having a base


12


and flanges


14


extending outwardly in an inverted L-shape from opposite sides of the base


12


. A module


16


is coupled to the DIN rail assembly


10


via a head assembly


18


, which snaps-on and secures to the flanges


14


. The head assembly


18


permits attachment to the DIN rail assembly


10


by either a vertical motion, snapping-on to both flanges


14


simultaneously, or by a slight rotational motion, snapping-on to one flange


14


at a time. For removal, the head assembly


18


advantageously allows vertical disengagement from the DIN rail assembly


10


. Thus, the head assembly


18


may be removed without any rotation or sliding along the flanges


14


.




The module


16


also includes a rail assembly


20


for engagement with an adjacent module


22


, which also includes the rail assembly


20


. The adjacent module


22


may be identical, similar, or entirely different from the module


16


, yet the rail assembly


20


advantageously provides a common mechanism to interlock multiple modules or desired devices. The rail assembly


20


includes a pair of rails


24


on a first side


26


of the module


16


, and a pair of grooves


28


on an opposite side


30


of the module


16


. Alternatively, the rail assembly


20


may have a single rail mechanism, multiple rails, or any other engagement mechanism allowing substantially linear engagement and interlocking between multiple modules or devices. The rails


24


are configured to slidably engage and interlock with the grooves


28


. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the grooves


28


of the module


16


slidably interlock with the rails


24


of the adjacent module


22


. The rail assembly


20


extends linearly along the module


16


from a top


32


of the module


16


to a base


34


of the module


16


, at which point the module


16


removably couples to the head assembly


18


. The rail assembly


20


advantageously allows slidable coupling to either side of the module


16


, thereby providing flexibility in the placement of the adjacent module


22


.




The rail assembly


20


is preferably configured for vertical alignment with the DIN rail assembly


10


, such that the adjacent module


22


may slidably engage the module


16


and slide along the rail assembly


20


, and vertically engage and snap-on to the DIN rail assembly


10


. This vertical alignment advantageously permits multiple modules (or other devices) to be slidably interlocked, while also allowing an individual module to be vertically removed from a group of modules attached to the DIN rail assembly


10


. The head assembly


18


, as discussed above, allows vertical attachment and removal from the DIN rail assembly


10


.




The head assembly


18


is released from the flanges


14


by engaging an actuator


32


, which has an engagement lip


34


exposed on a side


36


of the head assembly


18


. To engage the actuator


32


, a flat elongated member


38


(such as a flat head screwdriver) is inserted into the engagement lip


34


and rotated to laterally move the actuator


32


outwardly from the side


36


. Internally, this movement causes the head assembly


18


to release from both flanges


14


, thereby allowing the head assembly


18


(and module


16


or adjacent module


22


) to be vertically removed from the DIN rail assembly


10


, as described below.





FIG. 2

illustrates a perspective view of the module


16


coupled to the head assembly


18


. As illustrated, the head assembly


18


has resilient extensions


40


configured for springably engaging the flanges


14


of the DIN rail assembly


10


. The extensions


40


are disposed in pairs on inner faces


42


and


44


of the head assembly


18


. The extensions


40


, which may be of any number or size depending on the application, are advantageously spring loaded due to their inherent elasticity to provide a compressive force on the flanges


14


. This compressive force may also provide considerable resistance against lateral or sliding motion along the DIN rail assembly


10


.




The head assembly


18


also has a snap spring


46


, which has snap fingers


48


and


50


configured for snapping-on to the DIN rail assembly


10


. The snap fingers


48


and


50


are disposed adjacent the inner faces


42


and


44


, respectively, between pairs of the extensions


40


. The snap fingers


48


and


50


prevent vertical removal of the head assembly


18


until the actuator


32


is engaged, as discussed below. The snap fingers


48


and


50


may also provide considerable resistance against lateral or sliding motion along the DIN rail assembly


10


. Although

FIG. 2

illustrates the actuator


32


frontwardly disposed, the extensions


40


and the snap fingers


48


and


50


are configured to allow coupling of the head assembly


18


with the DIN rail assembly


10


either as illustrated, or rotated 180 degrees. Thus, the actuator


32


may be rearwardly oriented with respect to the DIN rail assembly


10


by rotating the head assembly


18


with respect to the module (or by rotating the entire module and head assembly). This may advantageously improve accessibility to the actuator


32


, or may be beneficial for other reasons.





FIG. 3

is a perspective exploded view of the module


16


and the head assembly


18


. The module


16


and the head assembly


18


are removably attachable via a pair of snap tabs


52


on the head assembly


18


and snap windows


54


and


56


on the module


16


. The snap windows


54


and


56


are disposed on tabs


58


and


60


, which extend outwardly from a base


62


of the module


16


. The head assembly


18


also has a pair of guide tabs


64


, which are insertable into guide channels


66


and


68


in the base


62


. The guide tabs


64


are advantageous as they guide the head assembly


18


onto the module


16


. The guide tabs


64


may also provide other benefits, such as resistance against torque. As illustrated, the head assembly


18


is symmetrically configured to permit coupling between the module


16


and the head assembly


18


at two positions, either as illustrated in

FIG. 3

or with the module


16


or head assembly


18


rotated 180 degrees.




To attach the head assembly


18


to the module


16


, the guide tabs


64


are aligned and partially inserted into the guide channels


66


and


68


, and then the head assembly


18


is pressed inwardly towards the base


62


until the snap tabs


52


securely snap-in to the snap windows


54


and


56


. Removal may be achieved by either pressing the snap tabs


52


inwardly, or prying the tabs


58


and


60


outward, and then pulling the head assembly


18


away from the module


16


. Again, the head assembly


18


may be rotated 180 degrees before attachment to the module due to the symmetrical orientation of the guide tabs


64


and snap tabs


52


.




The module


16


may also include a ground pin


70


for creating an electrical connection between internal components of the module


16


and the DIN rail assembly. The ground pin


70


is advantageously spring-loaded, and is configured to contact the snap spring


46


when the module


16


and the head assembly


18


are coupled.

FIG. 6

illustrates the ground pin


70


in contact with the snap spring


46


. Note also, as illustrated in

FIG. 4

, that the ground pin


70


is configured to extend through a slot


72


of the actuator


32


. The ground pin


70


maintains contact with the snap spring


46


, as the snap spring


46


moves, because of the spring-loaded mounting of the ground pin


70


. Although the ground pin


70


is illustrated as in direct contact with the snap spring


46


, the ground pin


70


may alternatively contact the snap spring


46


by an intermediate conductor mechanism, as desired in particular applications. Alternatively, the ground pin


70


may embody a fixed pin, rather than being spring-loaded, and then contact a spring mechanism in direct or indirect contact with the snap spring


46


. The ground pin


70


may be coupled to the module


16


as illustrated, or alternatively, it may be coupled to the head assembly


18


, and then springably contact a pad disposed on the module


16


. Note also that the ground pin


70


is centrally disposed on the module


16


, thereby maintaining the symmetry between the module


16


and the head assembly


18


, as discussed above. As discussed above, this central positioning of the ground pin


70


allows the head assembly


18


to be coupled to the module


16


at two positions, either in the position shown, or rotated 180 degrees.





FIG. 4

is an exploded perspective view of the head assembly


18


, illustrating housing sections


74


and


76


, the snap spring


46


and the actuator


32


. The housing sections


74


and


76


are aligned and coupled along ridges


78


on the housing section


74


and slots


80


on the housing section


76


. The ridges


78


and the slots


80


advantageously maintain the proper alignment and fit between the housing sections


74


and


76


, and may also provide additional stability and resistance to torque between the housing sections


74


and


76


. Although the ridges


78


and the slots


80


may be configured to securely attach the housing sections


74


and


76


, the illustrated embodiments include separate securement means. As illustrated in

FIG. 3

, the housing sections


74


and


76


are securely attached to one another by snap tabs


82


and


84


on the housing section


74


, which securely snap-in to snap windows


86


and


88


on the housing section


76


.




The snap spring


46


is illustrated in

FIG. 4

in a relaxed state


90


, wherein the snap spring


46


is bowed upward away from the snap fingers


48


and


50


. The snap spring


46


includes alignment tabs


92


and


94


for alignment with guides


96


and


98


of the housing section


76


, such that the snap spring


46


may be properly aligned within the housing section


76


. The alignment tabs


92


and


94


may be advantageous for proper installation of the snap spring


46


, to provide lateral stability to the snap spring


46


for limiting lateral movement of the snap spring


46


while in operation.




The actuator


32


has a tab


100


, a engagement surface


102


adjacent the tab


100


, a cam section


104


adjacent the spring contact surface


102


, a support rib


106


adjacent the cam section


104


, and a spring slot


108


beneath the support rib


106


.

FIG. 5

is a partially exploded perspective view of the head assembly


18


, illustrating the insertion of the snap spring


46


and the actuator


32


into the housing section


76


. The engagement surface


102


contacts a spring surface


110


on the snap spring


46


, enabling the actuator


32


to bias the snap spring


46


as the actuator


32


is engaged by the flat elongated member


38


(see, e.g., FIG.


1


). As the actuator


32


is laterally moved outwardly from the side


36


, the cam section


104


interacts with the housing section


76


and rotates, causing the engagement surface


102


to move downwardly towards the spring surface


110


. The actuator


32


and the snap spring


46


are securely, but removably, coupled inside the housing section


76


, because the snap spring


46


partially extends into the spring slot


108


. This coupling between the snap spring


46


and the spring slot


108


may provide additional stability, as it ensures proper alignment of the actuator


32


on the snap spring


46


during operation. Finally, the support rib


106


provides additional support and rigidity to the actuator


32


.





FIGS. 6-8

are side views of the housing section


76


illustrating the operation of the actuator


32


, and the interaction between the actuator


32


, the snap spring


46


, and the housing section


76


.

FIG. 6

illustrates the head assembly


18


fully attached to the DIN rail assembly


10


, prior to engaging the actuator


32


for vertical removal of the head assembly


18


. As illustrated, the position of the actuator


32


is maintained primarily by the snap-like interaction between the tab


100


and a ridge


112


, and by the wedge-like interaction between the spring surface


110


and the engagement surface


102


. The ridge


112


is disposed along a slot


114


in the housing section


76


, and removably catches or secures the actuator


32


when the actuator


32


is fully inserted within the housing section


76


. In addition, outward motion of the actuator


32


is opposed by the angular contact between the spring surface


110


and the engagement surface


102


. The engagement surface


102


is angled because the snap spring


46


is bowed upward to create a spring force against the actuator. Where the spring surface


110


contacts the engagement surface


102


, the actuator


32


has a wedge section


116


to oppose outward movement of the actuator


32


.




The snap spring


46


contacts the housing section


76


at pivots


118


and


120


of the housing section


76


, and removably secures to the DIN rail assembly


10


at ridges


122


and


124


of the snap fingers


48


and


50


, respectively. Accordingly, unless the actuator


32


is fully engaged, the ridges


122


and


124


prevent vertical removal of the head assembly


18


from the flanges


14


of the DIN rail assembly


10


. In addition, the ground pin


70


maintains continual contact with the snap spring


46


, and consequently maintains a continual electrical ground to the DIN rail assembly.





FIG. 7

illustrates the head assembly


18


attached to the DIN rail assembly


10


, but with actuator


32


partially engaged and outwardly moved by the flat elongated member


38


. As illustrated, the tab


110


has been laterally moved out of the ridge


112


, and the wedge section


116


has partially moved along the spring surface


110


. As the flat elongated member


38


is further rotated, causing outward movement of the actuator


32


, an upper surface


126


of the cam section


104


slides along an upper cam support


128


of the housing section


76


while a lower surface


130


of the cam section


104


slides along a lower cam support


132


. This movement causes the actuator


32


to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in the figure, causing the engagement surface


102


to move downward onto the spring surface


110


to depress the snap spring


46


towards a flattened state


134


. As the snap spring


46


is depressed, the snap spring


46


pivots and expands outwardly along the pivots


118


and


120


, causing the snap fingers


48


and


50


to also expand outwardly from the flanges


14


. This outward expansion of the snap fingers


48


and


50


moves the ridges


122


and


124


off of the flanges


14


, thereby releasing the head assembly


18


from the DIN rail assembly


10


. The head assembly


18


may then be vertically removed from the DIN rail assembly


10


.

FIG. 8

illustrates the actuator


32


fully engaged by the flat elongated member


38


, wherein the snap spring


46


has been fully depressed to the flattened state


134


and the head assembly


18


is ready for vertical removal.




While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown in the drawings and have been described in detail herein by way of example only. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A detachable securement apparatus configured for a mounting rail, the mounting rail having first and second mounting flanges extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section, the apparatus comprising:a body; a securement assembly having first and second interface members extending from the body, the first and second interface members each including a contact region configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively; and a perpendicular release assembly configured for removing the holding force on both the first and second mounting flanges to allow removal of the body from the mounting rail in a direction at least initially perpendicular with respect to the mounting rail, the release assembly having an engagement member coupled to the body and to the first and second interface members and engagable on a side of the body.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a base configured for coupling with a module assembly.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a coupling assembly for removably coupling with the module assembly.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a base snap assembly on a module side of the base, opposite the mounting rail, wherein the base snap assembly is configured for removably snap-fitting with a complementary snap assembly disposed on the module assembly.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base snap assembly comprises first and second snap-fit tabs disposed on opposite sides of the base and the complementary snap assembly comprises first and second complementary snap windows disposed on opposite sides of the module assembly.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the coupling assembly further comprises a support assembly configured for aligning the base with the module assembly, and for resisting rotational movement.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support assembly comprises first and second vertical tabs disposed on opposite sides of the base, the first and second vertical tabs configured for removably coupling with a first and second complementary cavity disposed on opposite sides of the module assembly.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the coupling assembly is symmetrically configured to permit coupling of the base with the module assembly at multiple angular positions.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multiple angular positions comprise a normal position and a rotated position wherein the base and the module assembly are rotated 180 degrees with respect to one another.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 1, the body further comprising a slidable coupling assembly for coupling the body to an adjacent unit having a second body, a second one of the securement assembly, and a second one of the perpendicular release assembly.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the slidable coupling assembly comprises interlockable slide assemblies symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the body and the adjacent unit, wherein the slidable coupling assembly is configured to allow vertical attachment and removal of the adjacent unit with the mounting rail.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securement assembly further comprises a spring section intermediate the first and second interface members.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securement assembly comprises an electrically conductive material.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securement assembly further comprising first and second tabs extending from opposite sides of the spring section, and the first and second interface members are disposed on the first and second tabs, respectively.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the securement assembly is substantially u-shaped.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second tabs include first and second ridges configured for snapping-on to the first and second mounting flanges, respectively, to secure the body to the mounting rail and prevent vertical movement of the body relative to the mounting rail.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second ridges are disposed on an inner side of the first and second tabs, and the mounting rail is configured for coupling with the securement assembly at an outer region of the first and second mounting flanges.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second ridges are disposed on an outer side of the first and second tabs, and the mounting rail is configured for coupling with the securement assembly at an inner region of the first and second mounting flanges.
  • 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a guide assembly for slidably guiding the engagement member to bias the securement assembly.
  • 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the engagement member comprises a cam section slidably coupled to the guide assembly.
  • 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the cam section is substantially u-shaped.
  • 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engagement member further comprises a locking ridge configured for removably snapping over a complementary ridge disposed on the body.
  • 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engagement member further comprises a lip section configured for laterally biasing the engagement member with a flat headed tool.
  • 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a head unit and a module assembly removably coupled to the head unit, wherein the head unit houses the securement assembly and the perpendicular release assembly.
  • 25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a spring-loaded ground pin assembly for grounding the module assembly to the mounting rail, wherein the spring-loaded ground pin assembly is configured for springably contacting a metallic section of the securement assembly extending to the mounting rail.
  • 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the metallic section is a u-shaped spring assembly having the first and second interface members disposed on opposite sides.
  • 27. A module mounting system for removable mounting to a mounting rail having first and second mounting flanges extending lengthwise along opposite sides of a support section, the system comprising:a securement assembly having first and second spring-forced feet configured to exert a holding force on the first and second mounting flanges, respectively; and a perpendicular release assembly having a lateral actuator configured to release the first and second spring-forced feet from the mounting rail to allow removal of the securement assembly from the mounting rail in a direction at least initially perpendicular with respect to the mounting rail.
  • 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a head unit housing the securement assembly and the perpendicular release assembly, the head unit having a snap-fit assembly for removably receiving and coupling with a module assembly.
  • 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a first module assembly removably coupled to the head unit, and a module interconnect assembly for vertically attaching and detaching the first module assembly and a second module assembly adjacent the first module assembly, the second module assembly including the module interconnect assembly.
  • 30. A method of attachment and detachment with a rail mount assembly, the rail mount assembly having a first and second flange disposed along opposite sides of an elongated support section, the method comprising the acts of:springably coupling first and second sides of a conductive mounting member to the first and second flange, respectively; laterally engaging a release actuator coupled to the conductive mounting member; and releasing the first and second sides of the conductive mounting member from the first and second flanges of the rail mount assembly, respectively, in a direction at least initially perpendicular with respect to the rail mount assembly.
  • 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the act of vertically raising an electronic module comprising the conductive mounting member from the first and second flanges.
  • 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising the act of coupling a module to the mounting member.
  • 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the act of grounding the module to the rail mount assembly by springably contacting the mounting member with a spring-loaded ground pin extending from the module.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
4171861 Hohorst Oct 1979 A
5249979 Deinhard et al. Oct 1993 A
5480310 Baum Jan 1996 A
5602363 Von Feb 1997 A
5775955 Graube et al. Jul 1998 A
5803772 Muller et al. Sep 1998 A
5907476 Davidsz May 1999 A
6172875 Suzuki et al. Jan 2001 B1