US3840781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small plug-type surge protector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-02
•
Granted: 1974-10-08
•
Expires: 1993-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A small, efficient and inexpensive surge protector to protect delicate, transistorized equipment such as TV sets and the like. The surge protector comprises a plug incorporating one or more fuses and a firing device including a circuit having a Siemens tube, or other non-polarized gas filled tube. The surge protector is plugged into a wall outlet and the line cord from the device to be protected is plugged into the female contacts at the opposite end of the protector. When a voltage surge enters the protector, it passes through the fuses and activates the gas filled firing device, causing a near short circuit across the female contacts, protecting the load and melting one or both of the fuse elements. A neon indicator is utilized so that it is always readily apparent whether or not the surge protector is in operative condition.
Inventors
- 👤 D Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T4/00; H01T4/06; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A small plug-type surge protector adapted for easy assembly and repair comprising: a. a housing; b. first and second male contacts mounted in said housing in parallel spaced relationship, with the ends theReof extending through first and second perforations in a first end of said housing and adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet; c. first and second female contacts mounted in said housing in parallel spaced relationship and in alignment with a pair of first and second perforations in a second end of said housing; d. said first male contact and said first female contact each having a spring clip adapted to receive and frictionally engage a first tubular-type fuse; e. said spring clips being so configured that said first fuse may be axially shifted into and out of engagement therewith through a third perforation in said first housing end; f. means electrically connecting said second male and female contacts; g. each of said female contacts having, in electrical contact therewith, a laterally extending spring arm, said spring arms extending toward each other; and h. a firing device comprising a non-polarized gas filled tube frictionally engaged between and in electrical contact with said spring arms; whereby, when said surge protector is plugged into a wall outlet and when a load to be protected from voltage surges is plugged into said female contacts of said surge protector, a voltage surge will cause said firing device to fire and blow said first fuse before said surge reaches said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A small plug-type surge protector adapted for easy assembly and repair comprising: a. a housing; b. first and second male contacts mounted in said housing in parallel spaced relationship, with the ends theReof extending through first and second perforations in a first end of said housing and adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet; c. first and second female contacts mounted in said housing in parallel spaced relationship and in alignment with a pair of first and second perforations in a second end of said housing; d. said first male contact and said first female contact each having a spring clip adapted to receive and frictionally engage a first tubular-type fuse; e. said spring clips being so configured that said first fuse may be axially shifted into and out of engagement therewith through a third perforation in said first housing end; f. means electrically connecting said second male and female contacts; g. each of said female contacts having, in electrical contact therewith, a laterally extending spring arm, said spring arms extending toward each other; and h. a firing device comprising a non-polarized gas filled tube frictionally engaged between and in electrical contact with said spring arms; whereby, when said surge protector is plugged into a wall outlet and when a load to be protected from voltage surges is plugged into said female contacts of said surge protector, a voltage surge will cause said firing device to fire and blow said first fuse before said surge reaches said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surge protector of claim 1 including a pilot light connected across said female contacts, whereby said pilot light is on whenever said male contacts are engaged within a wall outlet and said fuse is in operative condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surge protector of claim 2 including a resistor in series with said pilot light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surge protector of claim 2 in which each of said female contacts has a connecting means to which said pilot light is connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The surge protector of claim 1 in which a. said second male contact and said second female contact each have a spring clip adapted to receive and frictionally engage a second tubular-type fuse; b. said spring clips being so configured that said second fuse may be axially shifted into and out of engagement therewith through a fourth perforation in said first housing end; and c. said means electrically connecting said second male and female contacts comprising said second tubular fuse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The surge protector of claim 5 including a pilot light and a resistor for said pilot light connected across said female elements so that said pilot light is on whenever said male contacts are engaged within a wall outlet and said fuses are in operative condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The surge protector of claim 6 in which said housing is comprised of a pair of identical halves, each half having cavities to receive said male contacts, said female contacts, said spring clips, said fuses, said firing device, said pilot light and said resistor; and means to hold said halves together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surge protector of claim 1 in which said housing is comprised of two identical halves, each half having cavities to receive said male contacts, said female contacts, said fuse, and said firing device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surge protector of claim 1 in which said firing device is a Siemens tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
An element for use in a surge protector of the type set forth in claim 1, said element comprising a body to be received in a suitable housing, a female contact extending from said body, a spring clip extending from said body and adapted to slidably receive a fuse, an extension on said body adapted to engage a firing device, and a connecting means on said extension for engaging a pilot light lead.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The surge protector of claim 1 in which said first fuse may be axially shifted out of engagement with said spring clips through said third perforation in said first housing end by passing an instrument through a third perforation in said second housing end so as to push said first fuse through said first perforation in said first housing end, said third perforation in said second housing end being in axiAl alignment with said third perforation in said first housing end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
The surge protector of claim 5 including third and fourth perforations in said second housing end coaxially aligned with said third and fourth perforations in said first housing end whereby said first fuse may be shifted out of engagement with its spring clips and through said third perforation in said first housing end by insertion of an elongated tool into said third perforation in said second housing end and similarly said second fuse may be shifted out of engagement with its spring clips and through said fourth perforation in said first housing end by insertion of said tool in said fourth perforation in said second housing end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |