US3825867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical protectors and methods of assembling the same
Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1973-03-19
•
Granted: 1974-07-23
•
Expires: 1993-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Electrical protectors useful for protecting incoming line pairs in telephone main distributing frames including a pair of protector assemblies of redundant nature encased within common housing means. Each protector assembly includes two separate grounding paths through the provision of two spaced grounding contacts, circuit protective means for selectively providing at least one of the grounding paths, and first and second circuit contact means for providing a normal circuit current path through the assembly. Spring means, employed to maintain relative positions of assembly parts, are positioned between one grounding contact and the circuit protective means and comprise a portion of a first grounding path for the assembly. A projectible pin element is urged by the spring means toward direct engagement with the other grounding contact to establish a second grounding path for the protector assembly under particular circuit fault conditions. In one practice, current limiting means constitutes a portion of the normal circuit current path. In another practice, the normal circuit current path by-passes all parts of the circuit protective means. Circuit interruptive means are provided to remove a selected one of the circuit contact means from the normal current path to provide a detent position for the protector assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 T Georgopulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/14; H01H71/20; H01T; H01T4/00; H01T4/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
369 words
An electrical protector assembly for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions, comprising: housing means for supporting a desired orientation of said protector assembly and defining at least one internal cavity having an elongated dimension, grounding means for said assembly including at least first and second grounding contact surfaces positioned in said internal cavity and spaced from each other by substantially the length of said cavity, first circuit contact means for said assembly including at least a first contact surface positioned in said cavity, said first contact surface having an apertured portion thereof extending in closely spaced parallel relation to the first grounding contact surface of said grounding means, second circuit contact means for said assembly for cooperating with said first circuit contact means to establish a normal circuit current path thRough said assembly, said second circuit contact means including at least a first contact surface in a path of electrical conductive continuity with said first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, multi-element circuit protective means for said assembly positioned in said internal cavity generally between the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means and the second grounding contact surface of said grounding means, said protective means having at least a first element thereof directly engaging said apertured portion of the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, spring means for said assembly mounted in said internal cavity and urging said circuit protective means toward said first grounding contact surface and into engagement with said apertured portion of said first circuit contact means, respectively, said spring means being positioned in direct engagement with said circuit protective means and said second grounding contact surface, respectively, for providing a first grounding path, and circuit interruptive means for said assembly including at least one contact breaking surface movable between at least two positions with respect to said housing means, said contact breaking surface being effective to break the electrical conductive continuity between said first contact surfaces of said first and second circuit contact means when moved to a first of said two positions, and being electrically ineffective to break said electrical conductive continuity when moved to a second of said two positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
369 words
An electrical protector assembly for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions, comprising: housing means for supporting a desired orientation of said protector assembly and defining at least one internal cavity having an elongated dimension, grounding means for said assembly including at least first and second grounding contact surfaces positioned in said internal cavity and spaced from each other by substantially the length of said cavity, first circuit contact means for said assembly including at least a first contact surface positioned in said cavity, said first contact surface having an apertured portion thereof extending in closely spaced parallel relation to the first grounding contact surface of said grounding means, second circuit contact means for said assembly for cooperating with said first circuit contact means to establish a normal circuit current path thRough said assembly, said second circuit contact means including at least a first contact surface in a path of electrical conductive continuity with said first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, multi-element circuit protective means for said assembly positioned in said internal cavity generally between the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means and the second grounding contact surface of said grounding means, said protective means having at least a first element thereof directly engaging said apertured portion of the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, spring means for said assembly mounted in said internal cavity and urging said circuit protective means toward said first grounding contact surface and into engagement with said apertured portion of said first circuit contact means, respectively, said spring means being positioned in direct engagement with said circuit protective means and said second grounding contact surface, respectively, for providing a first grounding path, and circuit interruptive means for said assembly including at least one contact breaking surface movable between at least two positions with respect to said housing means, said contact breaking surface being effective to break the electrical conductive continuity between said first contact surfaces of said first and second circuit contact means when moved to a first of said two positions, and being electrically ineffective to break said electrical conductive continuity when moved to a second of said two positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said multi-element circuit protective means includes at least one projectible pin element actuable upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions, said pin element aligned with the opening of said apertured portion of said first circuit contact means and urged by said spring means when actuated to directly engage said first grounding contact surface of said grounding means for providing a second grounding path for said assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said multi-element circuit protective means includes current-limiting means, and said current-limiting means includes at least one wire strap of preselected current conducting capacity interconnected between the first contact surfaces of said first and second circuit contact means for providing said electrical conductive continuity therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circuit protective means includes voltage protective means comprising first and second electrodes positioned in closely spaced relationship with each other so as to define a spark-gap therebetween, said first electrode being connected in electrical series with said first element which engages said apertured portion of said first contact surface and said second electrode being connected in electrical series with said spring means for providing an over-voltage protective grounding path for said selected circuit through said first grounding path for said assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first contact surface of said first circuit contact means directly abuts and is in electrical engagement with said first contact surface of said second circuit contact means for providing that said normal circuit current path through said assembly bypasses said voltage protective means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circuit protective means includes a projectible pin apparatus having a tubular sleeve within which to receive said projectible pin element, said tubular sleeve comprising said first element in contact with said first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, and said pin apparatus further having spacer means generally comprised of a low temperature meltable material, said spacer means being determinative of the extent of reception of said pin element into said tubular sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said assembly includes alarm Circuit contact means to be positioned in said cavity for engagement with said first grounding contact surface upon said actuated pin element engaging said first grounding contact surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first grounding contact surface includes a flexible end portion which is moved into engagement with said alarm circuit contact means upon said actuated pin element engaging said first grounding contact surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
331 words
In an electrical protector assembly useful for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions, housing means containing at least one elongated internal cavity, grounding means to be positioned in said cavity, first and second circuit contact means connectable in electrical series with each other so as to at least partially define a normal circuit current path through said protector assembly, multi-element circuit protective means to be positioned in said cavity and including at least an over-voltage protector device, spring means to be positioned in said cavity and being effective to retain said multi-element circuit protective means in said cavity, the improvement comprising at least a pair of space contact surfaces for said grounding means spaced apart within said cavity by substantially the elongated length of said cavity, a first contact surface for said first circuit contact means having a portion thereof extending in closely spaced parallel relation to one of the grounding contact surfaces, projectable pin means for said multi-element circuit protective means, said pin means abutting the said first contact surface and including a projectible pin element actuable upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions, said spring means being positioned in said cavity between said over-voltage protector device and the other of said grounding contact surfaces and directly engaging each thereof for establishing a first electrical grounding path for said assembly extending from said first contact surface through said over-voltage protector device, and said spring means being effective to urge said pin element when actuated into direct engagement with said one grounding contact surface for establishing a second electrical grounding path for said assembly extending from said first contact surface through said projectable pin means, and circuit interruptive means having at least one movable contact, said contact being effective to interrupt the series current path between said first and second contact means when moved to a first position and being effective to reconnect said series current path when moved to a second and electrically neutral position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
331 words
In an electrical protector assembly useful for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions, housing means containing at least one elongated internal cavity, grounding means to be positioned in said cavity, first and second circuit contact means connectable in electrical series with each other so as to at least partially define a normal circuit current path through said protector assembly, multi-element circuit protective means to be positioned in said cavity and including at least an over-voltage protector device, spring means to be positioned in said cavity and being effective to retain said multi-element circuit protective means in said cavity, the improvement comprising at least a pair of space contact surfaces for said grounding means spaced apart within said cavity by substantially the elongated length of said cavity, a first contact surface for said first circuit contact means having a portion thereof extending in closely spaced parallel relation to one of the grounding contact surfaces, projectable pin means for said multi-element circuit protective means, said pin means abutting the said first contact surface and including a projectible pin element actuable upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions, said spring means being positioned in said cavity between said over-voltage protector device and the other of said grounding contact surfaces and directly engaging each thereof for establishing a first electrical grounding path for said assembly extending from said first contact surface through said over-voltage protector device, and said spring means being effective to urge said pin element when actuated into direct engagement with said one grounding contact surface for establishing a second electrical grounding path for said assembly extending from said first contact surface through said projectable pin means, and circuit interruptive means having at least one movable contact, said contact being effective to interrupt the series current path between said first and second contact means when moved to a first position and being effective to reconnect said series current path when moved to a second and electrically neutral position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said circuit interruptive means comprises a dielectric detent actuator provided generally in the form of an elongated slide member supported by said housing means and movable between inner inserted and outer extracted positions with respect to said housing means, said actuator being additionally provided with an exteriorly accessible handle member useful for moving said actuator between said two positions, said movable contact comprises a dielectric contact member provided generally in the form of a relatively thin flange portion which is moved to said first position for providing a detent condition for said assembly, and which contact member is moved to said second and electrically neutral position when said actuator is moved to said inserted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second circuit contact means includes a first contact surface which is accessible for electrical connection to selected parts of said assembly within said cavity and is closely spaced to said first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, and said multi-element circuit protective means includes a current-limiting heat coil in the form of a continuously wound wire strap of a preselected electrical resistance, said heat coil being connected in electrical series with the first contact surfaces of said first and second circuit contact means for providing at least a first means for actuating said projectible pin element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said over-voltage protector device comprises a pair of closely spaced parallel oriented electrodes defining a spark-gap across which continuous arcing conditions will actuate said projectible pin element for providing a second means for actuating said projectible pin element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second circuit contact means includes a first contact surface which is accessible for electrical connection to selected parts of said assembly within said cavity and which directly engages the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means for providing a direct electrical switchthrough path for said assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
334 words
A method for assembling the electrical protector assembly of claim 9 comprising the steps of: positioning and grounding means on said housing means to insert said pairs of spaced grounding contact surfaces into a final position within said internal cavity, positioning said first circuit contact means on said housing means to insert said first contact surface thereof into a final position within said internal cavity, and selectively either firstly positioning said circuit interruptive means on said housing means to locate said movable contact thereof in said second position, secondly positioning said second circuit contact means on said housing means to locate the same in a final position with respect to said first circuit contact means, thirdly positioning said multi-element circuit protective means in said internal cavity with said projectible pin means directly abutting said first contact surface, fourthly positioning said spring means lengthwise in said internal cavity in an intermediate position with one end portion thereof directly abutting the over-voltage protector device of said multi-element circuit protective means, thereafter moving said spring means to a final and compressed position within said internal cavity for urging said projectible pin means into direct abutment with the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, or firstly positioning said multi-element circuit protective means in said internal cavity with said projectible pin means directly abutting said first contact surface, secondly positioning said spring means lengthwise in said internal cavity in an intermediate position with one end portion thereof directly abutting said over-voltage protector device, thirdly moving said spring means to a final and compressed position within said internal cavity for urging said projectible pin means into direct abutment with the first contact surface of said first circuit contact means, fourthly positioning said circuit interruptive means on said housing means to locate said movable contact thereof in said second position, and thereafter positioning said second circuit contact means on said housing means to locate the same in a final position with respect to said first circuit contact means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electrical protector assembly for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions comprising housing means, grounding means within said housing including at least a first grounding contact surface, first and second circuit contact means positionable within said housing to establish a normal circuit current path for said protector assembly, multi-element circuit protective means positionable within said housing generally between the first circuit contact means and said grounding means, said protective means electrically engaging one of said first contact means and said grounding means, spring means positionable within said housing for urging said circuit protective means toward the other of said first circuit means and said grounding means, said spring means being contained in a grounding circuit path for said electrical protector assembly, and circuit interrupTive means for said assembly including at least one contact breaking surface movable between at least two positions with respect to said housing means, said contact breaking surface being effective to interrupt electrical conductive continuity between said first and second contact means when said surface is moved to a first of said two positions, and being effective to reconnect said electrical conductive continuity between said first and second circuit contact means when said surface is moved to a second of said two positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electrical protector assembly for protecting a selected circuit against undesirable electrical transients and surge conditions comprising housing means, grounding means within said housing including at least a first grounding contact surface, first and second circuit contact means positionable within said housing to establish a normal circuit current path for said protector assembly, multi-element circuit protective means positionable within said housing generally between the first circuit contact means and said grounding means, said protective means electrically engaging one of said first contact means and said grounding means, spring means positionable within said housing for urging said circuit protective means toward the other of said first circuit means and said grounding means, said spring means being contained in a grounding circuit path for said electrical protector assembly, and circuit interrupTive means for said assembly including at least one contact breaking surface movable between at least two positions with respect to said housing means, said contact breaking surface being effective to interrupt electrical conductive continuity between said first and second contact means when said surface is moved to a first of said two positions, and being effective to reconnect said electrical conductive continuity between said first and second circuit contact means when said surface is moved to a second of said two positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical protector assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said circuit interruptive means includes handle actuating means accessible exteriorly of said housing means, said handle actuating means being movable to actuate said contact breaking surface between said two positions thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said grounding means includes a first grounding contact surface, said multi-element protective means includes a projectible pin element actuable upon the occurrence of predeterminable fault conditions and aligned to engage said first grounding contact surface when actuated, and said assembly further includes alarm circuit contact means positionable in said housing means for engagement with said first grounding contact surface upon said actuated pin element engaging said first grounding contact surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein said first grounding contact surface includes a flexible end portion which is moved into engagement with said alarm circuit contact means upon said actuated pin element engaging said first grounding contact surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |