Contact clip for an electrical contact to a rail

Abstract

A contact clip (1) for making an electrical contact with a rail (2) comprises an elongated base portion (10), a hook portion (11) extending from the base portion (10) on a first side (5) and having a curved segment (12) bent so as to form a hook groove (12'), a counter-portion (13) extending from the base portion (10) on a second side (6) and forming a first abutment surface (14) facing the first side (5), wherein the hook portion (11) and the first abutment surface (14) can engage the rail foot (7) from opposite sides (5', 6'), wherein the hook portion (11) forms a stop surface (15) facing the second side (6) and positioned between the base portion (10) and the curved segment (12), creating a positioning reference for the rail foot (7), wherein the stop surface (15) is formed by a stop protrusion (16) protruding both with respect to the base portion (10) and with respect to the hook portion (11) or to the curved segment (12) adjacent to said stop protrusion (16).

Description

“Contact clip for an electrical contact to a rail”DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention has as its object a contact clip to make an electrical connection to a rail, in particular to a railway rail.

[0002] In order to ensure the continuity of traction voltage and of signal transmission along railway lines during maintenance or repair interventions on certain rail sections, it is often necessary to short-circuit the two adjacent rail sections, that is to say to electrically connect the rail sections upstream and downstream of the repair location so as to bypass the latter.

[0003] Such electrical connection occurs by means of an electrical cable whose ends are connected to the rail foot, for example by means of a contact clip made of steel which forms a first hook-shaped end suitable to be forced onto a first free edge of the rail foot, and a second end with one or more abutment surfaces (for one or more different rail sizes) facing the first end and suitable to abut against a second free edge of the rail foot opposite the first free edge, to stop the contact clip in a position of engagement with the rail. In such position of engagement the first hook-shaped end is pushed onto the rail foot, pressing against the surface thereof and thus achieving an excellent electrical contact. Due to the fact that the thickness of the rail foot increases from its free edge towards the rail web and due to the shape of the contact clip, during the application of the contact clip onto the rail foot, the hook-shaped end is elastically widened generating a reaction force which elastically clamps the clip against the rail foot and ensures an elastically preloaded contact.

[0004] The application of the contact clip onto the rail foot requires considerable force and is therefore performed manually by means of violent hammer blows on the contact clip, or with the aid of specific applicators which push the contact clip onto the rail foot. Similarly, the removal of the contact clip from the rail is carried out manually by means of hammer blows on the end of the clip opposite the hook, or by means of a specific application / removal device.

[0005] In order to ensure a certain and visually verifiable positioning, the contact clips of the prior art (figure 12) comprise, in addition to the one or more abutment surfaces 100 formed (in the form of steps) by the second end portion, also a stop surface 101 on the side of the first hook-shaped end. The contact clips are known to be manufactured by forging or hot deformation and the stop surface 101 is made by means of a forging or by shear deformation of the entire section of the clip indicated by the two vertical arrows in figure 12. This operation moves the hook-folded portion upwards and, with the same admissible overall dimension, reduces the vertical space available to make the hook portion. Since it is not admissible to increase the lateral overall dimension of the mounting clip beyond strict limits dictated by safety requirements, as a consequence, in the prior art, the radius of curvature of the hook portion isso small that with the clip applied onto the rail, the deformation of the hook portion can reach the yield limit of the steel, with consequent permanent plastic deformation and reduction of the elastic contact force in the event of re-use of the clip, in addition to the risk of damage and formation of cracks.

[0006] Furthermore, in the contact clips of the prior art, the abutment surfaces 100 of the second end portion are made as steps with rounded or chamfered corners 102’. This is irrelevant for large-size rails in which the rail foot is inclined with respect to the step and will not be able to reach the bottom of the corners 102’ of the steps. Conversely, with small rails the rail foot would tend to insert itself fully into the corner 102’ of the lowest step, but does not find a certain position due to the rounded chamfer / f illet.

[0007] The clips of the prior art (figure 12) have a central portion 103 in the form of a continuously curved beam to favour a certain and defined coupling to the rail foot also in an elastically deformed configuration. This necessary (according to the current technical conviction) shape however requires more complex and costly forging dies.

[0008] A further drawback of the contact clips of the prior art consists in the forged shape of the contact surface 104 against which the cable lug of the electrical cable is screwed. This forged contact surface 104 does not ensure a planar contact support with continuous electrical contact interface nor a certain position / orientation of the cable lug with respect to the contact clip.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a contact clip having features such as to overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0010] Particular objects of the invention include:

[0011] - reduce the deformations and bending stresses of the hook portion with the same overall dimension, in particular limiting or reducing the lateral overall dimension, of the contact clip,

[0012] - improve a certain positioning of the rail foot in the steps of the contact clip which form the abutment surfaces and the stop surface,

[0013] - configure the contact clip so as to be able to simplify the forging dies with the same functionality of the contact clip,

[0014] - improve the mechanical and electrical connection between the cable lug and the contact clip.

[0015] At least some of the objects are achieved by means of a contact clip according to claim 1 . The dependent claims relate to advantageous and preferred embodiments.

[0016] According to an aspect of the invention, a contact clip 1 for making an electrical contact with a rail 2, for example railway, comprises:

[0017] - an elongated clip body 3, for example made of forged steel, extending between a first side 5 (longitudinal end) and a second side 6 (longitudinal end) corresponding to respective opposite sides 5’, 6’ of a rail foot 7 of the rail 2, and having an upper side 8 intended to face from the bottom upwards towards the rail foot 7, and a lower side 9 opposite the upper side 8 and intended to face, for example, towards a ballast, wherein the clip body 3 forms:

[0018] - an elongated base portion 10 extending in a longitudinal direction 4,

[0019] - a hook portion 11 extending from the base portion 10 on the first side 5 and having a curved segment 12 bent with respect to the base portion 10 towards the upper side 8 and towards the second side 6 so as to form a hook groove 12’ facing the second side 6,

[0020] - a counter-portion 13 extending from the base portion 10 on the second side 6 and forming at least a first abutment surface 14 facing the first side 5,

[0021] so that the opposite sides 5’, 6’ of the rail foot 7 can be engaged one by the hook portion 11 and the other by the abutment surface 14,

[0022] wherein the hook portion 11 forms a stop surface 15 facing the second side 6 and positioned between the base portion 10 and the curved segment 12, to create a geometric reference for positioning the rail foot 7 in the longitudinal direction 4,

[0023] wherein the stop surface 15 is formed by a stop protrusion 16 in a border / transition region 17 of the hook portion 11 with the base portion 10, and the stop protrusion 16 protrudes towards the upper side 8 both with respect to the base portion 10 and with respect to the hook portion 11 or to the curved segment 12 adjacent to said border / transition region 17.

[0024] In this way the curved segment 12 extends from the border / transition region 17 without any initial offset towards the upper side 8, with respect to the base portion 10.

[0025] In other words, reasoning in terms of extension space of the curved segment 12 with the same vertical overall dimension of the contact clip 1 , in the border / transition region 17 a lower surface 38 of the clip body 3 extends from the base portion 10 into the curved segment 12 without any step towards the upper side 8.

[0026] This makes it possible to exploit the entire vertical overall dimension of the contact clip 1 to make the curved segment 12, obtaining greater radii of curvature and reduced bending stresses with the same widening displacement of the hook portion 11 (comparison Figures 12, 13).

[0027] Brief description of the figures

[0028] In order better to understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, some exemplary, non-limiting embodiments will be described below, with reference to the figures, wherein:

[0029] figure 1 is a perspective view of a contact clip according to an embodiment,

[0030] figure 2 is a side view of the contact clip in figure 1 ,

[0031] figure 3 is an exploded view of the contact clip in figure 1 (in part) with a cable lug and fastening members,

[0032] figure 4 is a view of the contact clip in figure 1 (in part) with a cable lug and fastening members assembled,

[0033] figure 5 shows the contact clip in figure 1 applied to a rail foot of small size,

[0034] figure 6 is a sectional view of a detail of figure 5,

[0035] figure 7 shows the contact clip in figure 1 applied to a rail foot of larger size,

[0036] figure 8 is a sectional view of a detail of figure 7,

[0037] figure 9 is a top view of the contact clip in figure 1 ,

[0038] figure 10 is a side view of a contact clip according to a further embodiment,

[0039] figure 11 is a top view of the contact clip in figure 10,

[0040] figure 12 schematically shows a contact clip of the prior art,

[0041] figure 13 shows a detail of figure 1 for comparison purposes with the prior art represented in figure 12.

[0042] Description of embodiments

[0043] According to an aspect of the invention, a contact clip 1 for making an electrical contact with a rail 2, for example railway, comprises:

[0044] - an elongated clip body 3, made of forged steel, extending between a first side 5 (longitudinal end) and a second side 6 (longitudinal end) corresponding to respective opposite sides 5’, 6’ of a rail foot 7 of the rail 2, and having an upper side 8 intended to face from the bottom upwards towards the rail foot 7, and a lower side 9 opposite the upper side 8 and intended to face, for example, towards a ballast.

[0045] The clip body 3 forms:

[0046] - an elongated base portion 10 extending in a longitudinal direction 4,

[0047] - a hook portion 11 extending from the base portion 10 on the first side 5 and having a curved segment 12 bent with respect to the base portion 10 towards the upper side 8 and towards the second side 6 so as to form a hook groove 12’ facing the second side 6,

[0048] - a counter-portion 13 extending from the base portion 10 on the second side 6 and forming at least a first abutment surface 14 facing the first side 5.

[0049] In this way, the opposite sides (or edges) 5’, 6’ of the rail foot 7 can be engaged one by the hook portion 11 and the other by the abutment surface 14.

[0050] The hook portion 11 forms a stop surface 15 facing the second side 6 and positioned between the base portion 10 and the curved segment 12, to create a geometric reference for positioning the rail foot 7 in the longitudinal direction 4.

[0051] The stop surface 15 is formed by a stop protrusion 16 in a border / transition region 17 of the hook portion 11 with the base portion 10, and the stop protrusion 16 protrudes towards the upper side 8 both with respect to the base portion 10 and with respect to the hook portion 11 or to the curved segment 12 adjacent to said border / transition region 17.

[0052] In this way the curved segment 12 extends from the border / transition region 17 without any initial offset towards the upper side 8, with respect to the base portion 10.

[0053] In other words, reasoning in terms of extension space of the curved segment 12 with the same vertical overall dimension of the contact clip 1 , and remaining within the strict limits of admissible lateral overall dimension, in the border / transition region 17 a lower surface 38 of the clip body 3 extends from the base portion 10 into the curved segment 12 without any step towards the upper side 8.

[0054] Description of the stop protrusion 16

[0055] According to an embodiment, the stop protrusion 16 forms:

[0056] - a stop flank facing the second side 6, at least substantially planar, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 4 or oriented in an upright direction with reference to the lower side 9 and upper side 8 (in the position of use), wherein the stop flank forms the stop surface 15,

[0057] - a rear flank 18, opposite the stop flank and facing into the hook groove 12’, wherein the rear flank 18 is oblique with respect to the stop flank so as to give the stop protrusion 16 a ramp profile (for example trapezoidal or triangular) ascending towards the second side 6.

[0058] This ramp configuration provides the stop surface 15 with a high mechanical support to withstand the contact force applied by the rail foot 7 and to transmit the contact force into the clip body 3, despite the stop surface 15 protruding with respect to the curved segment 12 and therefore being predictably less resistant than the stop surface 101 of the prior art (Figure 12).

[0059] Advantageously, a ramp plane 22 defined by the rear flank 18 intersects both the curved segment 12 and a terminal segment 23 of the hook portion 11 having inclination towards the lower side 9 and towards the second side 6, opposite to the inclination of the rearflank 18 (Figure 2).

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the ramp plane 22 also intersects a lug seat 24, formed in the terminal segment 23 (Figure 2).

[0061] These configurations optimise the distribution of the functions of the hook portion 11 with the objective of maximising the extension and radius of curvature of the curved segment 12 with the same external overall dimensions.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the stop flank extends towards the lower side 9 into a stop groove 19 formed between the stop protrusion 16 and the base portion 10 and extending over the entire width 20 (Figures 1 , 2) of the clip body 3 in the border / transition region 17. The stop groove 19 is lowered with respect to an upper surface 21 of the base portion 10 so as to allow a certain positioning of the rail foot 4 abutting against the stop surface 15 and the upper surface 21 , with insertion into the depth of the corner defined therebetween (Figure 6), unlike the uncertain positioning of the rail foot in the chamfered step corner 102 of the prior art (Figure 12).

[0063] Description of the abutment surfaces 14

[0064] According to an embodiment, the first abutment surface 14 is at least substantially planar, oriented in an upright direction with reference to the lower side 9 and upper side 8 (in the position of use), preferably parallel to the stop surface 15.

[0065] This configuration ensures an engagement of the rail foot 7 from two opposite sides, with a hooking effect (with elastically preloaded and geometric coupling in vertical direction) on the first side 5 only, but without geometric coupling in vertical direction on the second side 6, facilitating a detachment of the contact clip 1 from the rail 2 by means of an initial disengagement, vertically downwards, of the counter-portion 13 from the second side (edge) 6’ of the rail foot 7.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the first abutment surface 14 ends towards the lower side 9 in an abutment groove 25 formed between (and connecting) the abutment surface 14 and the base portion 10 and extending over the entire width 20 (Figures 2, 10) of the clip body 3. The abutment groove 25 is lowered with respect to the upper surface 21 of the base portion 10 so as to allow a certain positioning of the rail foot 7 abutting against the abutment surface 14 and the upper surface 21 , with insertion into the depth of the corner defined therebetween (Figure 5), unlike the uncertain positioning of the rail foot in the chamfered step corner 102’ of the prior art (Figure 12).

[0067] According to an embodiment, the counter-portion 13 forms one or more further abutment surfaces 14’, 14” also facing the first side 5, preferably parallel to the stop surface15, and formed at longitudinal distances from the stop surface 15 and at heights (in direction towards the upper side 8) increasing with respect to the first abutment surface 14 and between one another, for example in the form of a sequence of steps, so as to be able to accommodate rail feet 7 of different sizes (but predetermined, e.g. S54, UIC54, UIC60) with a contact support in longitudinal direction 4 against the respective further abutment surface 14’, 14” of the second side 6 and a contact support downwards against a step surface 26 facing the upper side 8.

[0068] The further abutment surfaces 14’, 14” are not associated with grooves lowered with respect to the step surfaces 26, in order to save manufacturing costs, and since the inclination between the rail foot 7 and the step surfaces 26 positions the edge of the rail foot 7 in a position distant from a line of intersection (concave step corner) between the further abutment surface 14’, 14” and the respective step surface 26, making a lowered groove in this region superfluous.

[0069] Similarly to the prior art, the counter-portion 13 is inclined with respect to the base portion towards the upper side 8, allowing the making of the first abutment surface 14 and of the further abutment surfaces 14’, 14” in increasing sequence towards the upper side 8, without increasing the material thickness of the counter-portion 13.

[0070] Description of the base portion 10

[0071] According to an embodiment, the base portion 10 has an elongated profile of rectangular section (with rounded edges).

[0072] The width 20 (intended as dimension measured in a longitudinal direction of the rail 2 with the contact clip applied to the rail 2) of the entire clip body 3 can be constant, except for the chamfers of the edges.

[0073] Alternatively, in order to save material and lighten the contact clip 1 , in a central region 27 of the base portion 10 the width 20 is smaller than the width 20 of the hook portion 11 and of the counter-portion 13 (figure 11). The central region 27 does not significantly contribute to the electrical contact pressure between the contact clip 1 and the rail 2 and, even if thinned, retains sufficient mechanical resistance properties for the mechanical coupling between the contact clip 1 and the rail 2.

[0074] According to an embodiment, a central region 27 of the base portion 10 is lowered towards the lower side 9 with respect to more outer regions 27’ of the base portion 10 bordering with the hook portion 11 and the counter-portion 13, allowing an opening bending of the clip body 3 which elastically widens the distance between the stop surface 15 and the abutment surfaces 14, 14’, 14”, without the resulting raising of the central region 27 of the base portion 10 preventing the correct insertion of the rail foot 7 against the stop surface 15 and theabutment surfaces 14, 14’, 14”.

[0075] Since the making of an arcuate shape of the base portion 10 is complex and costly, for example due to the complexity of arcuate forging dies, it is advantageous to form at least a part 30, preferably of at least half of the length, of the base portion 10 as a straight bar (Figures 2, 10), preferably the part 30 adjacent to the hook portion 11.

[0076] Description of the lug seat 24

[0077] In a terminal segment 23 of the hook portion 11 a lug seat 24 is formed, comprising a flattened or planar electrical contact surface 28, preferably mechanically polished, facing the upper side 8, and a threaded hole 32 in the electrical contact surface 28 for accommodating a screw 33 which tightens the cable lug 29 against the electrical contact surface 28.

[0078] According to an embodiment (Figures 3, 4), the lug seat 24 further comprises at least one, preferably two, shoulders 34 or projections, protruding with respect to the electrical contact surface 28 and forming together with the cable lug 29 an anti-rotational geometric coupling which prevents a rotation of the cable lug 29 during the screwing of the screw 33.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the lug seat 24 forms a cavity 35 which accommodates, integrally in rotation, a tab 36’ of a washer 36 threadable onto the screw 33 and interposable between the head of the screw 33 and the cable lug 29, to prevent rotation of the washer 36 (Figure 4).

[0080] Furthermore, the washer 36 can form a second tab 36” foldable against a flank of the head of the screw 33 to prevent rotation of the screw 33 with respect to the washer 36 (Figure 4A).

[0081] The washer 36 thus configured performs an anti-unscrewing function of the screw 33 and, moreover, prevents or reduces the transmission of a screwing torque from the screw 33 to the cable lug 29.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the lug seat 24 is enlarged with respect to the width 20 in the remaining part of the hook portion 11 or of the clip body 3 (Figures 10, 11). This configuration allows an increase of the electrical contact surface 28, advantageously reducing the electrical contact resistance with the cable lug 29.

[0083] The terminal segment 23 of the hook portion 11 forms a further contact surface 37, rounded and facing the lower side 9, for an electrical contact of the contact clip 1 with the rail foot 7.

[0084] According to an embodiment, an outer surface 31 of the hook portion 10, facing the first side 5, has a bulging (convex) shape, both in a vertical section plane and in a horizontalsection plane (Figures 2, 9, 10, 11). This reduces surface damages (in particular eliminates notches at the corners), structural and visual, following the application of the contact clip 1 by means of strong hammer blows.

[0085] The contact clip 1 can be manufactured either by forging (intended by means of a closed die) starting from an elongated steel bar with round cross-section or by shaping (intended by means of an open die) starting from an elongated steel bar with rectangular or square cross-section.References in the figurescontact clip 1rail 2clip body 3longitudinal direction 4first side 5second side 6opposite sides (edges) 5’, 6’ of rail footrail foot 7upper side 8lower side 9base portion 10hook portion 11curved segment 12hook groove 12’counter-portion 13first abutment surface 14further abutment surfaces 14’, 14”stop surface 15stop protrusion 16border / transition region 17rear flank 18stop groove 19width 20upper surface 21 of the base portionramp plane 22terminal segment 23 of the hook portionlug seat 24abutment groove 25step surface 26central region 27 of the base portion outer regions 27’ of the base portion electrical contact surface 28 cable lug 29straight part 30bulging outer surface 31threaded hole 32screw 33shoulders 34cavity 35washer 36tab 36’second tab 36”further contact surface 37lower surface 38abutment surfaces 100stop surface 101step corner 102, 102’central portion 103contact surface 104

Claims

CLAIMS1. A contact clip (1) for making an electrical contact with a rail (2), such as a railway rail, for example, comprising:- an elongated clip body (3), extending between a first side (5) and a second side (6) corresponding to respective opposite sides (5’, 6’) of a rail foot (7) of the rail (2), and having an upper side (8) intended to face the rail (2) from the bottom upwards, and a lower side (9) opposite to the upper side (8), wherein the clip body (3) forms:- an elongated base portion (10) extending in a longitudinal direction (4),- a hook portion (11) extending from the base portion (10) on the first side (5) and having a curved segment (12) bent with respect to the base portion (10) towards the upper side (8) and towards the second side (6) so as to form a hook groove (12’) facing the second side (6),- a counter-portion (13) extending from the base portion (10) on the second side (6) and forming a first abutment surface (14) facing the first side (5),wherein the hook portion (11) and the first abutment surface (14) can engage the rail foot (7) on opposite sides (5’, 6’),wherein the hook portion (11) forms a stop surface (15) facing the second side (6) and positioned between the base portion (10) and the curved segment (12), to create a geometric reference for positioning the rail foot (7) in the longitudinal direction (4),wherein the stop surface (15) is formed by a stop protrusion (16) in a border region (17) of the hook portion (11) with the base portion (10), and the stop protrusion (16) protrudes towards the upper side (8) with respect to both the base portion (10) and the hook portion (11) or the curved segment (12) adjacent to said border region (17).

2. A contact clip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the curved segment (12) extends from the border region (17) without any initial offset towards the upper side (8), with respect to the base portion (10).

3. A contact clip (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the border region (17), a lower surface (38) of the clip body (3) extends from the base portion (10) into the curved segment (12) with no step towards the upper side (8).

4. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop protrusion (16) forms:- a substantially planar stop flank facing the second side (6), orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (4) or oriented in an upright direction with reference to the upper (8) and lower (9)sides, wherein the stop flank forms the stop surface (15),- a rear flank (18), opposite to the stop flank and facing the hook groove (12’), wherein the rear flank (18) is oblique with respect to the stop flank so as to give the stop protrusion (16) a ramp profile ascending towards the second side (6).

5. A contact clip (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stop flank extends towards the lower side (9) into a stop groove (19) formed between the stop protrusion (16) and the base portion (10) and extending over the entire width (20) of the clip body (3) in the border region (17), wherein the stop groove (19) is lowered with respect to an upper surface (21) of the base portion (10).

6. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first abutment surface (14) is substantially planar, oriented in an upright direction with reference to the upper (8) and lower (9) sides, or parallel to the stop surface (15).

7. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first abutment surface (14) ends towards the lower side (9) in an abutment groove (25) formed between the abutment surface (14) and the base portion (10) and extending over the entire width (20) of the clip body (3),said abutment groove (25) being lowered with respect to an upper surface (21) of the base portion (10).

8. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter-portion (13) forms one or more additional abutment surfaces (14’, 14”) facing the first side (5) and formed at longitudinal distances from the stop surface (15) and at mutually increasing heights with respect to the first abutment surface (14) and to each other, or in the form of a sequence of steps, so as to accommodate rail feet (7) of different size.

9. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (10) has an elongated profile with a rectangular section and rounded edges and having a constant width (20), except for the bevels of the edges.

10. A contact clip (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in a central region (27) of the base portion (10), the width (20) is less than the width (20) of the hook portion (11) and of the counter-portion (13).

11. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereina central region (27) of the base portion (10) is lowered towards the lower side (9) with respect to outermost regions (27’) of the base portion (10) bordering with the hook portion (11 ) and the counter-portion (13),wherein at least a part (30), or at least half the length, of the base portion (10) is formed as a straight bar.

12. A contact clip (1) according to claim 11, wherein said straight bar-shaped part (30) is adjacent to the hook portion (11).

13. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lug seat (24) is formed in an end segment (23) of the hook portion (11 ), said lug seat (24) comprising a planar, mechanically polished electrical contact surface (28) and a threaded hole (32) in the electrical contact surface (28) for accommodating a screw (33) which tightens the lug (29) against the electrical contact surface (28).

14. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lug seat (24) of the clip body (3) comprises at least one, or a plurality, of shoulders (34), protruding with respect to an electrical contact surface (28) and forming, together with the lug (29), an anti-rotational geometric coupling, which prevents the lug (29) from rotating.

15. A contact clip (1) according to claim 16, wherein the lug seat (24) forms a cavity (35) which accommodates, integrally on rotation, a first tab (36’) of a washer (36) threadable onto the screw (33) and interposable between the screw head (33) and the lug (29), to prevent the washer (36) from rotating,and wherein, optionally, the washer (36) forms a second tab (36”) foldable against a flank of the screw head (33) to prevent the screw (33) from rotating with respect to the washer (36).

16. A contact clip (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the lug seat (24) is enlarged with respect to the width (20) of a remaining part of the clip body (3) in the direction of the width (20).

17. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface (31) of the hook portion (10), facing the first side (5), has a bulging shape in both a vertical section plane and a horizontal section plane.

18. A contact clip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip body (3) is manufactured by forging from a steel bar.

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