Multiple spark gap protective device

Claim 1

A multiple apark gap protective device for protecting solid state circuitry associated with cathode ray tubes from high voltage discharges, in combination with a cathode ray tube having a plurality of pins on the base thereof and an insulating socket body containing therein a plurality of contacts connected to said circuitry and adapted to engage said pins, said device comprising: an insulating substrate having a keyed central aperture surrounded by a circular configuration of a plurality of lesser apertures equal in number to pins on said cathode ray tube, each said lesser aperture being substantially triangular in plan view with an apex of said triangles directed radially inwardly of said substrate; a metallic plate fixed to said substrate and having a central aperture of larger dimension than said circular configuration of lesser apertures in said substrate and a plurality of radially inwardly directed projections aligned with at least some of said lesser apertures of said substrate and extending over said lesser apertures in cantilevered fashion; and a ground strap one end of which is fixed to said metallic plate and the other end of which is connected to ground potential, said device being mounted between said tube and said socket with said pins passing through said lesser apertures closely adjacent said inwardly directed apexes whereby a plurality of spark gaps are formed between said projections and the pins of a cathode ray tube.