Printed circuit spark gap protector for cathode ray tube

Claim 1

An arc discharge device comprising in combination a cathode ray tube having a plurality of pins on the base thereof; and a flexible insulating base, said flexible insulating base having a printed circuit pattern thereon, a printed circuit pattern on said insulating base, said printed circuit pattern including a common conducting element and a plurality of contacts uniformly spaced therefrom, said plurality fitting tightly over the pins of said cathode ray tube, said common conducting element and each of said plurality of contacts being so spaced as to discharge through said common conducting element when the potential thereacross exceeds a critical level; said common conducting element having an appendage adapted for connection to a source of reference potential to complete a capacitance discharge return circuit; and a keyed opening in said flexible insulating base for orientation of said device with respect to said plurality of pins on the base of said cathode ray tube, whereby a tube socket may be inserted on said pins over said flexible insulating base.