Abstract: A splitter assembly is provided that comprises a terminal block for mounting to a main distribution frame and a splitter circuit for combining/splitting POTS signals and xDSL signals onto/from a single wire pair. The terminal block is pivotally mounted to a housing and the splitter circuit is on a card that is located in the housing. The terminal block may be mounted to the same housing that contains the splitter card. The POTS line contacts, xDSL line contacts and combined line contacts of the splitter circuit are connected to respective pairs of terminals in the terminal block.

Abstract: An interface for connection between incoming telephone lines and the customers equipment has a base for mounting on a support surface, with terminals for connection of incoming telephone lines and one or more plug-in positions for plug-in modules. Protectors are positioned in the modules. Each module has a modular jack. An intermediate cover fits over and is attached to the base, covering also the modules but with one or more apertures for access to the jack or jacks. The conductors from the customers equipment either terminate in modular plugs which insert directly into the jacks or terminate in spade terminals which are connected to terminals on the intermediate cover. In the latter case, a short interconnect cable connects at one end to these terminals and at the other end has a modular plug for insertion into a jack. An outer cover extends over the intermediate cover and the modular jack or jacks.

Abstract: An interface for use with telecommunications systems, at a customers premises, comprises a module for connection to the incoming telephone lines and having a modular jack for plugging in of the customers lines. Conveniently the module is a plug-in arrangement, and incorporates line protectors. Back-up protectors can also be provided. The module can also connect to, and also incorporate circuits for providing services such as automatic number identification and similar services.

Abstract: A gas tube overvoltage protector has two opposed electrodes sealed in a tubular dielectric housing, the outer ends of the electrodes extending from the housing. The inner ends of the electrodes define a primary gap at sub-atmospheric pressure. The lower electrode has an extension of reduced diameter on its outer end. An auxiliary gap is formed by pushing on a metal cap over the lower end of the dielectric housing, with a thin flexible dielectric member between the cap and the outer end of the bottom electrode, the extension extending through the dielectric member and cap. One or more apertures in the thin dielectric member define the auxiliary gap, between metal cap and bottom electrode. A further feature is that the cage, within which the protector is positioned, has one or more legs preformed such that their lower ends are pushed into positive contact with the metal cap when assembled into a closed ended hollow cap for assembly into a protector block.

Abstract: A connector assembly designed to be mounted on a telephone main distribution frame includes a connector base having a plurality of rows of channels formed on one face by ledges extending between elongated edges of the connector base, a ground plate having a conductive side and an insulating side and a plurality of pedestals. A first set of terminals extends through the pedestals, the ground plate and the connector base into the channels, and a second set of terminals extends through the pedestals, the ground plate and the connector base so as to project from the ledges such that the first and second sets of terminals maintain the connector base, ground plate and pedestals together.

Abstract: A protector module for use in protecting telephone lines includes an insulating base with two sets of line pins and a ground pin extending from one side of the base. Disposed on the other side of the base is a pair of spaced apart line contacts with one of the line contacts being coupled to one set of line pins and the other line contact being coupled to the other set of line pins and a ground clip assembly coupled to the ground pin and disposed between the line contacts. The ground clip assembly mounts a three electrode gas tube arrester having a pair of line electrodes and a ground electrode such that one of the line contacts is coupled to one of the line electrodes by a fusible element and the other line contact is coupled to the other line electrode by another fusible element.

Abstract: A protector module for use in mounting a gas tube arrester or carbon arrester assembly in a telephone central office protection system has an insulating base and a conductive case or cover. The base has a channel with a projecting stop on one side, in which channel is disposed a portion of a line contact. Another portion of the line contact extends through the base and is positioned against an upstanding wall located at one end on the other side of the base, in which side the gas tube arrester or carbon arrester assembly is disposed. The case is secured about the other side and the upstanding wall by a plurality of spherical projections on the base which lodge in holes in the case. When the case is so positioned on the base, a line electrode of the gas tube arrester or carbon arrester assembly makes electrical contact with the line contact and a ground electrode of the gas tube arrester or carbon arrester assembly is coupled to the case.

Abstract: A connector block for interfacing incoming telephone lines to telephone central office switching equipment includes a generally rectangular elongated mounting panel having a plurality of sockets arranged in groups in horizontal rows and vertical columns across a major portion of the width of the panel. Each of the socket groups mounts a generally rectangular plug-in protector assembly in such a manner that the long side of the protector assembly is generally parallel to the horizontal rows of socket groups. Adjacent to and associated with each two rows of the socket groups is a group of cross-connect pin terminal holes. Integrally formed with the edge of the mounting panel adjacent the groups of cross-connect pin terminal holes is a fanning strip having a flange portion transversely extending from the panel through which flange portion extends a plurality of openings to permit access between the front and back of the panel.