Protector module for telephone line junction box

A circuit protection module for interposing along an array of conductors and adapted to receive thereinto and contain protector elements for circuit surge protection electrically connectable to respective circuits of said conductors to provide grounding for voltage surges therealong band being of the type having an active electrode exposed along a bottom thereof and a ground electrode therearound spaced a known distance from said active electrode, comprising:

• housing means including cavities extending thereinto from an insertion face thereof and adapted to receive thereinto respective ones of said protector elements, a ground means having an exposed portion adjacent each said cavity and extending along said insertion face and at least to each said cavity, and said housing means further including at least a first contact member retained in each one of said cavities isolated from said ground means;
• each said first contact member including first and second contact sections, said first contact section extending upwardly into said cavity and substantially transversely thereacross on a bendable spring arm, thereby being adapted to be engaged by an active electrode of a said protector element and deflected downwardly upon full insertion of a said protector element in said cavity and said second contact section adapted to be electrically connected to a respective said conductor;
• said exposed portion of said ground means to be electrically engaged by a ground electrode of each said protector element upon full insertion into a respective said cavity and adapted to be connected to external ground means;
• and
• a ground contact member disposed in at least one said cavity including a spring arm initially spring biased against said first contact section of said first contact member and deflectable out of engagement upon full insertion of a said protector element into said cavity, said ground contact member including a ground section in continuous engagement with said ground means,
• whereby upon connecting a respective said conductor to said second contact section of said first contact member and securing a said protector element fully into a respective said cavity, said first contact section of said first contact member is electrically engaged by said active electrode connecting said protector element to said conductor for surge protection of the circuit, and said first contact member is connected to ground in the absence of a fully inserted protector element in said cavity.