Patent US3873757A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications circuit protector
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-08
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A waterproof protector housing includes a circular base with an upstanding wall thereabout and a circular flange within the wall and spaced therefrom to define inner and outer chambers. Electrical protection devices can be mounted on standoffs within the inner chamber and screws within the outer chamber mount the housing to a support. Service wires access the protection devices through a wire entrance through the wall and flange which is sealed against moisture by a grommet or a suitable gel or both to provide a reusable entrance. A cover mounts over the base and includes a sealing gasket thereon which is compressed against the top of the flange by a cam-locking action to completely seal the inner chamber from the outer chamber or environment when the cover is installed.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Richard Berke
- 👤 Ritter John Alan De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/06; H05K5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A communications circuit protector comprising, in combination: an insulative base having a first wall thereabout; a second wall joined to said base and spaced inwardly from said first wall to define inner and outer chambers within said second wall and between said first and second walls, respectively, said first and second walls having aligned openings therethrough to define a wire entrance into said inner chamber; means within said inner chamber for mounting protector devices therein; a sealing means sealing said entrance and adapted to receive wires therethrough to access said inner chamber while providing a seal about said wires to prevent moisture from passing through said entrance; a flange joining said walls along the top edges thereof and including first and second openings therethrough, said first openings being adapted to receive mounting means therethrough for passing through said outer chamber and mounting said base; and a cover having locking means thereon engaging said second openings in said flange for fastening said cover to said base, said cover including a seal contacting said top edge of said second wall to seal said inner chamber from said outer chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A communications circuit protector comprising, in combination: an insulative base having a first wall thereabout; a second wall joined to said base and spaced inwardly from said first wall to define inner and outer chambers within said second wall and between said first and second walls, respectively, said first and second walls having aligned openings therethrough to define a wire entrance into said inner chamber; means within said inner chamber for mounting protector devices therein; a sealing means sealing said entrance and adapted to receive wires therethrough to access said inner chamber while providing a seal about said wires to prevent moisture from passing through said entrance; a flange joining said walls along the top edges thereof and including first and second openings therethrough, said first openings being adapted to receive mounting means therethrough for passing through said outer chamber and mounting said base; and a cover having locking means thereon engaging said second openings in said flange for fastening said cover to said base, said cover including a seal contacting said top edge of said second wall to seal said inner chamber from said outer chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second opening includes a cam surface along an edge thereof, and said locking means comprises a flange depending from said cover and slideably fitting within said second opening to permit rotation of said cover with respect to said base, said flange including a lip thereon engaging said cam surface so that said cover can be drawn toward said base by rotating said cover to move said lip along said cam surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a grommet of flexible material mounted within said entrance and having a plurality of pierced locations therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a plug of flexible, dielectric gel sealing said entrance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a grommet of flexible material and a plug of flexible dielectric gel mounted in said entrance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cover includes first and second flanges depending therefrom substantially in alignment with said first and second walls, respectively, and said seal comprises a gasket of flexible material mounted about the bottom edge of said second flange and contacting said top edge of said second wall to be compressed between said edges of said second flange and said second wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said protector devices comprises upstanding studs having threaded holes therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A communications circuit protector comprising, in combination: an insulative base having an upstanding wall integrally formed thereabout to define an inner chamber, said wall having an opening therethrough to define a wire entrance into said inner chamber; first mounting means within said inner chamber for mounting protector devices therein; sealing means sealing said wire entrance and adapted for receiving wires therethrough to access said inner chamber while providing a seal about said wires; second mounting means about the exterior of said wall for mounting said base to a support without requiring access to said inner chamber; a cover adapted for mounting over said base and forming a seal with said wall to seal said inner chamber; and means detachably mounting said cover to said second mounting means over said base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A communications circuit protector comprising, in combination: an insulative base having an upstanding wall integrally formed thereabout to define an inner chamber, said wall having an opening therethrough to define a wire entrance into said inner chamber; first mounting means within said inner chamber for mounting protector devices therein; sealing means sealing said wire entrance and adapted for receiving wires therethrough to access said inner chamber while providing a seal about said wires; second mounting means about the exterior of said wall for mounting said base to a support without requiring access to said inner chamber; a cover adapted for mounting over said base and forming a seal with said wall to seal said inner chamber; and means detachably mounting said cover to said second mounting means over said base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |