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A fixing device for fixing an electrical connection terminal to a support having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and defining a through hole of a first diameter. The fixing device comprises: a ring including a receiving portion partially defining an axial recess and insertabl

A fixing device for fixing an electrical connection terminal to a support having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and defining a through hole of a first diameter. The fixing device comprises: a ring including a receiving portion partially defining an axial recess and insertable in the through hole; a dowel including an insert portion axially insertable into the recess of the ring and a locking portion axially spaced from the insert portion, the dowel partially defining an axial bore including an internal thread, and in the locking portion the internal thread of the bore is a distorted locking thread; and a fixing screw including a threaded shank engagable with the dowel. Tightening of the fixing screw draws the insert portion of the dowel axially into the recess of the ring, thereby radially expanding the ring into press-fit engagement with the through hole.

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1. A fixing device for fixing an electrical connection terminal to a support having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and defining a through hole of a first diameter; the fixing device comprising a ring including a receiving portion partially defining an axial recess and insert

1. A fixing device for fixing an electrical connection terminal to a support having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and defining a through hole of a first diameter; the fixing device comprising a ring including a receiving portion partially defining an axial recess and insertable in the through hole of the support, anda dowel including an insert portion axially insertable into the recess of the ring and a locking portion axially spaced from the insert portion, the dowel partially defining an axial bore including an internal thread, and in the locking portion the internal thread of the bore is a distorted locking thread. 2. A fixing device according to claim 1 and further comprising a fixing screw including a shank and an external thread, the shank threadably engagable with the dowel. 3. A fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement of the external thread of the screw with the distorted locking thread of the bore in the locking portion causes locking of the screw in the dowel. 4. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the locking portion, the distorted locking thread has a multilobal, non-circular, helical shape. 5. A fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the distorted locking thread includes two diametrically opposite regions of reduced internal radius. 6. A fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the distorted locking thread includes three regions of reduced internal radius, the three regions angularly distributed at 120° to one another around an axis of the bore. 7. A fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the distorted locking thread includes four regions of reduced internal radius, the four regions arranged in pairs symmetrically on either side of a plane of symmetry which passes through the axis of the bore. 8. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion has been subjected to compression in an axial direction of the bore. 9. A fixing device according to claim 8, wherein the locking portion includes a radially transverse slot that promotes the compression of the locking portion in the axial direction of the bore. 10. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the insert portion of the dowel includes a substantially conical shaped outer surface. 11. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion of the ring has an inner surface which is one of substantially conically and cylindrically shaped. 12. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the insert portion of the dowel is located in the receiving portion of the ring, then the locking portion of the dowel projects axially outside the receiving portion. 13. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the dowel includes a wall radially defining the bore, and the wall in the insert portion defines a first thickness and in the locking portion the wall defines a second thickness less than the first thickness. 14. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the ring is made of a first material having a first hardness, and the dowel is made of a second material having a second hardness, and the second hardness is less hard than the first hardness. 15. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the ring is made of one of aluminium alloy and copper, and the dowel is made of one of aluminium alloy, titanium, and steel. 16. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the dowel further includes a shoulder operable for abutting against the ring in order to limit the insertion of the dowel into the ring. 17. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the ring further includes a shoulder operable for acting against the first side of the support in order to position the ring axially in the through hole with the locking portion of the dowel extending perpendicularly from the second side of the support. 18. A method for assembling an electrical connection terminal to a support having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and defining a through hole of a first diameter; the method comprising the steps of: Providing a fixing device comprising: a ring including a receiving portion partially defining an axial recess, anda dowel including an insert portion and a locking portion axially spaced from the insert portion, the dowel partially defining an axial bore including an internal thread, and in the locking portion the internal thread of the bore is a distorted locking thread;Inserting the insert portion of the dowel axially into the recess of the ring to form a preassembly;Mounting the preassembly to a setting tool by engaging the tool to the internal thread of the dowel;Positioning the preassembly in the through hole of the support from the first side so that the receiving portion of the ring is within the through hole and the locking portion of the dowel projects perpendicular from the second side of the support;Operating the tool and pulling the dowel axially toward the tool;Forcing the dowel deeper into the recess of the ring;Radially expanding the receiving portion of the ring by the action of the dowel moving deeper into the recess of the ring;Forming a press-fit connection between the ring and the support by the radial expansion of the receiving portion against the through hole; andDisengaging the tool from the preassembly by unscrewing the tool from the internal thread of the dowel. 19. A method for assembling an electrical connection terminal to a support according to claim 18 wherein the step of providing a fixing device further includes providing a fixing screw, including a shank and an external thread; and an electrical connection terminal; and the method further comprising the steps of: Inserting the fixing screw through the ring into the bore of the dowel;Screwing the fixing screw axially into the dowel;Capturing the electrical connection terminal between the fixing screw and the ring; andDeforming the locking portion of the dowel by the interaction of the screw thread and the distorted locking thread to form a loosening resistant connection between the dowel and screw.