Protector unit

Claim 2

A protector unit comprising an input terminal, an output terminal, a ground terminal, a carbon block means for shunting voltages exceeding a preselected voltage level on said input terminal to said ground terminal, and a cage of conductive material about said carbon block means in electrical contact with said ground terminal and adapted for providing a current path between said input terminal and said ground terminal, said path normally being in an open condition, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT: said unit includes a bimetallic disk in electrical contact with said input terminal and responsive to currents through said input terminal in excess of a preselected current level to deflect into engagement with said cage to close said path.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including heat generating means between said input terminal and said output terminal and responsive to currents between said input and output terminals for generating heat proportional to the level of said currents whereby said bimetallic disk is responsive to currents between said input terminal and said output terminal or said ground terminal for closing said path.

Claim 4

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said heat generating means comprises a coil of resistance wire.

Claim 5

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bimetallic disk comprises a contoured disk having a first surface contacting said carbon block means on a first end thereof, said first surface comprising a convex surface in its normal configuration with respect to said carbon block means, said cage having a recessed end with respect to said first end of said carbon block means to prevent contact with said disk in said normal configuration, said disk being responsive to said currents to change said convex surface to a concave surface which contacts said recessed end of said cage and closes said path between said input terminal and said ground terminal.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including means for resetting said disk to said normal configuration after said current is removed.

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said resetting means comprises a plunger contacting said cage on the end thereof opposite said recessed end, said plunger being responsive to a force thereon to move said cage with respect to said carbon block means and apply a force to said disk.

Claim 8

A protector unit comprising in combination: a housing; a base adapted for mating with said housing, said base including at least one of each of input, output and ground terminals; signal transmitting means between said input terminal and said output terminal for transmitting signals therebetween; a carbon block arrangement including a spark gap betweeen said input terminal and said ground terminal for shunting volTages on said input terminal which exceed a preselected threshold voltage to ground; and a normally open-circuit conductor means in parallel with said carbon block arrangement between said input and said ground terminals, said conductor means including a bimetallic disk and a cage of conductive material about said carbon block arrangement and having a recessed end with respect to a first end of said carbon block arrangement, said bimetallic disk having a convex surface in its normal configuration electrically contacting said first end and electrically insulated from said recessed ends, said disk being responsive to currents through either said signal transmitting means or said carbon block arrangement to change said convex surface to a concave surface which contacts said recessed end to close said conductor means and ground said input terminal when said currents exceed a preselected threshold.

Claim 9

A protector unit comprising in combination: a housing; a base adapted for mating with said housing, said base including at least one of each of input, output and ground terminals; signal transmitting means between said input terminal and said output terminal for transmitting signals therebetween; a carbon block arrangement including a spark gap betweeen said input terminal and said ground terminal for shunting volTages on said input terminal which exceed a preselected threshold voltage to ground; and a normally open-circuit conductor means in parallel with said carbon block arrangement between said input and said ground terminals, said conductor means including a bimetallic disk and a cage of conductive material about said carbon block arrangement and having a recessed end with respect to a first end of said carbon block arrangement, said bimetallic disk having a convex surface in its normal configuration electrically contacting said first end and electrically insulated from said recessed ends, said disk being responsive to currents through either said signal transmitting means or said carbon block arrangement to change said convex surface to a concave surface which contacts said recessed end to close said conductor means and ground said input terminal when said currents exceed a preselected threshold.