Abstract: A device and method for providing overvoltage and overcurrent protection to equipment and personnel that come in contact with electrical lines, particularly telecommunications lines. The overvoltage protection is provided by connecting overvoltage protectors between conductors of the telecommunications line, or between each of the conductors and ground. The overcurrent protection is provided by solid-state bidirectional, resettable, fold-back type current limiters that limit maximum current flow at a predetermined level. These current limiters are arranged in line to the conductors of the telecommunications line and in series with equipment that are connected to the telecommunications line. The overvoltage protectors and the current limiters can be combined to form an integrated protection device, or they can be packaged as separate and distinct devices.

Abstract: A gas tube protector module is provided that provides sneak current protection in addition to voltage surge protection. The module has two pairs of terminals with one pair for connection to outside plant and the second pair for connection to the inside wiring. The module has a gas tube with leads connected to the first pair of terminals. Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistors are disposed electrically between the lead and the second pair of terminals such that the PTCs are in series between the outside plant and the inside wiring.

Abstract: A surge protector is provided that has a gas tube and at least one MOV that is coordinated with the gas tube such that the MOV interacts with the gas tube to lower the impulse breakdown voltage of a gas tube of a type that has a wide range of DC breakdown voltages across a population of the gas tubes. The gas tube is a generally cylindrical three element gas tube and the MOVs are disposed at opposite ends of the gas with fusible elements maintained in position by a clip. A population of the gas tubes has a range of breakdown voltages and the clamping voltage of the MOVs is set within this range such that the MOV will interact with any gas tube with a breakdown voltage in the population range to divert a surge to ground.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device utilizing network termination modules for interconnecting telephone company wiring to the wiring of respective subscribers incorporates an improved organization of elements to reduce the cost of such elements; to facilitate their use; and to improve the flexibility and compactness of the organization. The device incorporates an improved hinge arrangement for use with the internal security closure that permits ready removal of the closure to facilitate servicing the installed equipment. A novel ground bus organization comprising an assemblage of bus sections of uniform length arranged to accommodate the length of stack of network termination modules housed in the device reduces the variety of ground buses required to accommodate module stacks of various size.

Abstract: A grommet is provided having an outer peripheral portion and a central portion having different patterns on opposing surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the outer peripheral portion and the central portion are fabricated from different materials.

Abstract: Telecommunications overvoltage protectors are sealed from environmental degradation by a gel. The gel is inserted in such a way as not to interfere with moving parts or air gaps in the protectors.

Abstract: This invention discloses a network termination module comprising a base structure having a means for grounding. Mounted on the base structure is an intermediate structure which contains a telephone jack and also a pair of line terminals for connection to telephone company wiring. A terminal strip is mounted above the intermediate structure, the terminal strip containing subscriber terminals for connection to a subscriber's wiring. Mounted above the terminal strip is an openable cover containing a telephone plug which mates with the telephone jack. The line terminals are electrically connected to the telephone jack. There is a protector element disposed in the base structure which is electrically connected to the means for grounding.

Abstract: A network termination module for telephone network interface apparatus is provided with a selectively operable latching device for a lock securing the security cover over the subscriber terminals. With the latching device in a position to engage the security cover lock, the cover can be opened only by keying open the lock and removing it. On the other hand, an authorized person can, upon opening the telco cover of the apparatus, expose the latching device whereby it can be displaced to enable opening of the security cover without unlocking or removing the lock.

Abstract: This invention discloses a telephone network interface enclosure comprising a telephone company compartment having a cover therefor and a telephone subscriber compartment having a cover therefor. A network termination module containing a protector element is disposed in the network interface enclosure. One end of the network termination module is secured in the telephone subscriber compartment while the other end is secured in the telephone company compartment.

Abstract: A telephone protector includes a rigid plastic packaged solid state switch which is clamped to prevent the switch from bursting to an open circuit condition.

Abstract: This invention discloses a telephone network interface enclosure comprising a telephone company compartment and a telephone subscriber compartment. Disposed within the telephone company compartment is a metal grounding strip. There is a network termination module disposed within the telephone network interface enclosure. The network termination module is partially disposed in both the telephone company compartment and the telephone subscriber compartment. The network termination module contains a protector element, subscriber terminals and a means for grounding. The subscriber terminals are located in the telephone subscriber compartment. The means for grounding is located in the telephone company compartment. and is connected to the metal grounding strip.

Abstract: This invention discloses a network termination module which comprises a base structure having a means for grounding. Mounted on and above the base structure are a pair of insulation displacement terminals, a telephone jack and subscriber terminals. The insulation displacement terminals are electrically connected to the telephone jack. The network termination module also includes an openable cover which, in its closed position, establishes electrical connection between the insulation displacement terminals and the subscriber terminals, and, in its open position, breaks the electrical connection between the insulation displacement terminals and the subscriber terminals. The cover, in its closed position, also closes off access to the jack and to the subscriber terminals. Disposed within the base structure is a protector element which is electrically connected to the insulation displacement terminals. The protector element is also electrically connected to the means for grounding.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device comprises a base structure, a protector assembly disposed within the base structure and a cover on the base structure. The device also includes a telephone jack and terminals to which a telephone subscriber's wiring can be connected. The combination of the base structure, cover, telephone jack and terminals comprise a stand-alone unit which can be mounted in a variety of enclosures when installed at a telephone subscriber's premises.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device comprises a base structure, a protector assembly disposed within the base structure and a cover on the base structure. The device also includes a telephone jack and terminals to which a telephone subscriber's wiring can be connected. The combination of the base structure, cover, telephone jack and terminals comprise a stand-alone unit which can be mounted in a variety of enclosures when installed at a telephone subscriber's premises.

Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal comprises a clamp having an internally threaded tubular portion to accommodate a screw. An insulated telephone wire can be inserted into an aperture in the clamp. When the screw is screwed all the way into the clamp, a cylindrical blunt edge thereon will displace the insulation on the wire and make contact with the metal core of the wire. There is a sealing material in the terminal to seal around the point of contact. A well and axial hole in the screw can accommodate sealing material that is displaced by the screw.

Abstract: A five pin protector module for telephone circuits comprises two input pins, two output pins and a grounding pin, all on an insulative base. The electrical current path between each input pin and its respective output pin comprises an electrically conductive arm, a current responsive assembly and an electrically conductive helical spring. The module contains a bidirectional voltage sensitive switch which prevents input voltage surges from reaching the output but, instead, conducts them to a grounding member to which the grounding pin is attached.

Abstract: A five pin protector module for telephone circuits comprises two input pins, two output pins and a grounding pin, all on an insulative base. The electrical current path between each input pin and its respective output pin comprises an electrically conductive arm, a current responsive assembly and an electrically conductive helical spring. The module contains a bidirectional voltage sensitive switch which prevents input voltage surges from reaching the output but, instead, conducts them to a grounding member to which the grounding pin is attached.

Abstract: A solid state protector device is disclosed for protecting a consumer's solid state electronic circuits from abnormal voltage and current surges. The device comprises an enclosure made of electrically non-conductive material having front, rear, side, top and bottom walls. A protector circuit is disposed in the enclosure for protecting electronic equipment from abnormal current and voltage surges. The protective circuit has an input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal. An input connector for receiving an input circuit signal is disposed in the front wall of said enclosure and electrically connected to the input terminal of said protector circuit. An output connector for conducting said circuit signal to the electronic equipment to be protected is disposed in the front wall of said enclosure and electrically connected to the output terminal of said protector circuit. A plug is used for connection to an outside ground and is disposed in the rear wall of said enclosure.

Abstract: An electrical connector, especially for telecommunications, including an electrical insulating block, and an array of cavities disposed in the block. Female contacts are disposed in the cavities and there are corresponding exposed electrical connections attached to the female contacts. An electrically insulating coating of gel-like deformable polymeric silicone material is disposed on the block, in the cavities, and on the female contacts. The coating is deformable and penetratable at ambient temperatures whereby to provide for penetration thereof by mating electrical contacts and enabling an electrical connection between the female and male contacts.