US 5,627,721 A · Protector cartridge for modular connector blocks

Abstract

A surge protection cartridge adapted for use with a double-sided modular connector block system. The protector cartridge advantageously mounts in the front or rear of a connector module of the connector block in a variety of orientations in order to protect an entire row of terminations on the block. Two L-shaped brackets adapted to couple to a mounting bracket of the connector block form an internal ground bus within the protector cartridge. The brackets include a series of cantilever connecting clips which couple directly to the surge protection devices. Spring contacts having similar cantilever clips couple the remaining leads of the surge protection devices and the terminals of the connecting block which are to be protected. Each individual spring contacts is seated within an individual insulated well of the cartridge housing. The feature maintains a substantial insulation resistance between adjacent terminals of the housing and advantageously prevents shorting between adjacent terminal leads caused by the collection of moisture. A set of protrusions within the cartridge housing corresponding to the wells engage the spring contacts to force correct seating position. An exclusion feature attached to the cartridge housing ensures that only protection cartridges having a sufficient number of protection devices may be inserted within certain sized connector modules.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A surge protection device for use in a modular connecting block system, wherein connector modules having terminals on front and rear sides thereof are insertable into a mounting bracket to form a connecting block, and wherein said connector modules are adapted to receive voltage limiting circuit protection devices on said front and rear sides of said connector modules for protecting individual pairs of said terminals, said connector modules including a plurality of receptacles corresponding to said individual pairs of said terminals for insertion of said protection devices, said device comprising:

a plurality of conductive terminals adapted for insertion into said receptacles of said connector modules to thereby couple with individual terminals of said connector modules;
an insulated housing adapted to securably mount said plurality of terminals within said housing, said housing further being adapted to accept a plurality of surge protection means for coupling with said plurality of terminals;
and
a ground bus insertable within said insulated housing and being adapted to couple with said surge protection means and said mounting bracket to thereby provide an electrical discharge path, said device being symmetrical about a central vertical axis and being insertable in said front or rear side of said connector modules in either orientation of a 180 degree rotation about said axis, thereby adaptively mounting within a single one of said connector modules to protect each pair of said terminals therein.

1 more element

A voltage surge protection apparatus for use in a modular connecting block system, wherein connector modules having connecting terminals on front and rear sides thereof are insertable into a mounting bracket to form a double sided connecting block, said connector modules including a plurality of apertures on both said from and rear sides adapted for insertion of circuit protection modules, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of contacts, each of said plurality of contacts corresponding to an individual one of said connecting terminals on said connector module, said contacts being adapted for insertion into receptacles of said connector module to thereby couple to respective ones of said connecting terminals and respective terminals of a surge protection means,
a ground bus including a first and second L-shaped member oriented opposite one another in a rectangular configuration, said ground bus including a first fastening means for coupling to support posts of said mounting bracket and second fastening means for coupling to a ground terminals of said protection means, and
a common insulated cartridge housing for housing said surge protection means, said cartridge housing also being adapted to securably seat said plurality of contacts and said ground bus therein, wherein said apparatus is insertable in said front or rear side of said connector modules to thereby provide circuit protection to all contacts of a single connector module.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protector cartridge for modular connector blocks

Life of this patent

Protector cartridge for modular connector blocks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20