Abstract: A plug-actuated switchable electrical socket having at least one set of three electrical contacts, two of the three contacts being of a heavier wire gauge than the third contact, the insertion of a plug in the socket effecting a switching action between at least two of the three contacts.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus for connecting incoming and subscriber coaxial transmission lines and having a coaxial transmission line surge arrestor connected in series between the coaxial transmission lines, the surge arrestor comprising a gas discharge tube having a hollow conductive housing and a center conductor having a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of signal transmission, the interior surface of the hollow housing and the exterior surface of the center conductor being symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis, ratio of the inner diameter of the conductive housing to the outer diameter of the center conductor being varied within the gas discharge tube for matching the impedance of the surge arrestor to that of the transmission line.

Abstract: A wire termination device for terminating insulated wires using insulation displacement contacts. The device may employ a pivotally mounted lever with a curved slot for receiving a pin or may employ a pivotally mounted rocker arm, movement of the lever and rocker arm effecting termination of the insulated wire by forcing the wire into engagement with the insulation displacement contact.

Abstract: A network interface enclosure for mounting on a vertical surface and for enclosing network interface devices. The network interface enclosure has subscriber and telco covers that permit access to subscriber and telco compartments. The subscriber cover and telco cover are attached to the base of the network interface enclosure by detent mechanisms so that the covers generally hinge about the detent mechanisms and can be retained in a variety of open positions. The detent mechanisms are attached to the upper portion of the subscriber and telco covers so that the subscriber and telco covers are lifted upwardly to open. Particular constructions of detent mechanisms are disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature solid state overvoltage protection circuit for use on telephone lines using a solid state circuit arrangement connected between the tip terminal and the ground terminal and another solid state circuit between the ring terminal and the ground terminal. The first current path includes a bi-directional solid state thyristor having two terminals. One terminal of the thyristor is connected to the tip terminal and the other terminal is connected in series with a parallel pair of oppositely polarized semiconductor diodes connected to the ground terminal. A second current path is disposed between the ring terminal and the ground terminal and is identical to the first current path.

Abstract: A mounting clip with back-up overvoltage protection which is adapted to receive an overvoltage protection device has dielectric disposed between one terminal of the back-up overvoltage protection apparatus and the other terminal thereof is in electrically conducting contact with a terminal of the three terminal overvoltage protection device with a dielectric disposed between the grounding clip and two terminals of the overvoltage protection device; the mounting clip functioning as the second terminal of the back-up overvoltage protection apparatus.

Abstract: A combined overvoltage station protector apparatus with a maintenance termination and a half ringer circuit arrangement combined with an overvoltage surge arrester mounted in a single housing includes a hollow housing divided into a first section and a second section, with each having a top surface and an open bottom. A pair of input line terminals and a ground terminal are fixed to the top surface and extend inside the hollow housing first section. A pair of output line terminals are affixed in the top surface of the second section and extend within the hollow housing. A printed circuit board, disposed within the second section of the housing provides for interconnecting the electrical circuit components, which form the maintenance termination and the half ringer circuit arrangement. A housing assembly, disposed within the hollow housing first section, is connected to the housing ground terminal and is adapted to removably receive a surge arrester therein.

Abstract: A coaxial transmission line surge arrestor comprising a hollow conductive body having coaxial connectors mounted thereon and a gas discharge tube located inside the hollow metal body, the gas discharge tube having a hollow conductive housing and a center conductor having an axis parallel to the direction of signal transmission, the diameter of the center conductor being dimensioned for matching the impedance of the surge arrestor to that of the transmission line, the RF signal flowing through said gas discharge tube.

Abstract: A modular device for connecting telephone company wiring and subscriber telephone wiring in a telephone network interface apparatus, the modular device having a replaceable protection and/or electronics unit, a plug-actuated switchable socket or a switch connected to an external socket for providing a point of demarcation between the telephone company wiring and the subscriber wiring, wire termination mechanisms for terminating and unterminating the telco and subscriber wiring at the network interface apparatus without the use of tools and slidable security covers.

Abstract: A weatherproof telephone station protector module suitable for use exposed to the weather including a hollow housing with first and second sealed test terminals and a plurality of through apertures adapted to receive a plurality of insulated electrically conductive wires. A threaded bolt when rotated permits the top housing member to be received by the bottom housing member and at the same time provides the force necessary to sever the insulation of the electrically conducting wires thereby providing a shorting mechanism between insulated conductors placed in the apertures provided. The upper or top portion of the housing is retained by the lower or bottom portion of the housing so that the removal of the bolt would not cause the upper and lower or bottom housings to be separated. The lower housing additionally includes overvoltage surge protection together with fail-safe thermal overload protection.

Abstract: A miniature overvoltage protection device including a back-up air gap for use in miniature telephone modules and related equipment includes a generally U-shaped bracket adapted to receive an overvoltage protection device thereon and has a bracket insulating member with a dielectric disposed between the overvoltage protection device terminals and the ground provided on a U-shaped bracket in order to provide back-up air gap protection. In addition, it may include a thermally sensitive material to insulate the overvoltage protection device from the grounding bracket which is activated upon excessive heat occurring in the overvoltage protection device.

Abstract: A telephone station protector module suitable for exposure to weather includes an elongated lower hollow housing member has a longitudinal and a transverse axis. The top surface includes a pair of terminal assemblies with the front and rear surfaces parallel to the module's longitudinal axis and include an elongated through aperture and an open bottom. Each terminal assembly includes a pair of hollow rectangularly shaped upper housing members having a top surface with an aperture adapted to receive a threaded bolt. Two side surfaces parallel to the transverse axis are provided with a plurality of apertures suitable for receiving insulated wires therein. The other two parallel sides surfaces are provided with an outwardly extending protrusion for cooperating with the bottom member elongated aperture. The terminal assembly also includes a generally U-shaped conducting contact, which has a pair of arm portions and a base portion.

Abstract: A miniature station protector module for communication systems includes a hollow housing having a top surface and open bottom. A pair of line terminals and ground terminals are disposed in the housings top surface and extend inside the hollow housing, with the ground terminal disposed intermediate the pair of line terminals. A non-conductive printed circuit board with conductive paths thereon is affixed to the pair of line terminals and the ground terminal. A holding assembly is affixed to the ground terminal within the hollow housing and is adapted to receive a surge arrester therein. The surge arrester has at least a pair of electrodes and a ground terminal, with the ground terminal being an electrically conductive contact with the housing ground terminal, each one of the pair of surge arrester electrodes are in electrically conductive contact with one of the pair of line terminals. A protective housing circumscribes the surge arrester means and portions of the holding assembly means.

Abstract: A miniature station protector module for communication systems includes a hollow housing having a top surface and open bottom. A pair of line terminals and ground terminals are disposed in the housings top surface and extend inside the hollow housing, with the ground terminal disposed intermediate the pair of line terminals. A non-conductive printed circuit board with conductive paths thereon is affixed to the pair of line terminals and the ground terminal. A holding assembly is affixed to the ground terminal within the hollow housing and is adapted to receive a surge arrester therein. The surge arrester has at least a pair of electrodes and a ground terminal, with the ground terminal being an electrically conductive contact with the housing ground terminal, each one of the pair of surge arrester electrodes are in electrically conductive contact with one of the pair of line terminals. A protective housing circumscribes the surge arrester and portions of the holding assembly.

Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal connector for receiving an insulated wire therein suitable for use in a protective housing allows the simultaneous or separate use of a relatively wide range of insulated wires to be used therewith and permits a smaller diameter wire to be utilized in the same slot where a larger diameter wire was used previously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid state surge protectors, having thermally sensitive fusible fail short protection associated therewith, enclosed in a hollow housing which provides three terminals and is specifically designed to be the same volume as gas tube surge arresters presently in use so that it may readily be replaced in any assembly which utilizes a gas tube arrester at the present time.