Abstract: A surge protector for an electrical line is disclosed. The surge protector includes a pair of conductive pins respectively connectable to electrical lines. A first pin is soldered to a lead from a gas tube surge arrester. The lead is further fixed adjacent to the first pin and then attached to the second pin. A ground bracket having an opening is positioned between and connected with the other side of the surge arrester. As an electrical surge travels through the lines, the gas tube surge arrester begins to spark over, shunting overload conditions to the ground bracket. As the temperature begins to build, the solder flows, causing an open condition in which the surge arrester disconnects from the first pin, thereby eliminating the destructive effects of a prolonged electrical surge on the lines.

Abstract: In a mounting bracket for a connector block of the type having an elongated wall and a plurality of spaced fingers extending therefrom, each of the fingers has a portion shaped to support the connector block. An insulation is provided along at least one surface of one or more of the fingers and a conductor is supported in spaced relation to the fingers upon or within the insulation. The conductor has an exposed contact at, below, or generally proximate the portion of the finger which supports the connector block. Also, the bracket may be used with a connector block of the type including a body and at least one end cap supported on the body. The end cap houses a plurality of terminals with conductive contacts extending therefrom into the body. A conductive power bus including a rail, a plurality of fingers, and a leaf-spring tail is coupled to the connector block, with the power bus positioned clear of electrical contact with the terminals or the conductive contacts.

Abstract: A latch for securing the cover to the housing of a network interface device including a shaft having a bayonet-type projection at its tail end rotatable to lock with one of two tabs fabricated as part of the housing, and with a stop projection at its opposite end to capture the shaft within the cover. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing, the cover, the tabs and the shaft are all constructed of a substantially plastic composition, and with a controlled rotation of ±90° from the quiescent insertion of the shaft for locking and unlocking the network interface device in allowing for automated manufacture and assembly of the interface device in telephone and data equipment test accessing port.

Abstract: In a connector block of the type including a body and at least one end cap supported on the body, the end cap housing a plurality of terminals with conductive contacts extending therefrom into the body. A conductive power bus including a rail, a plurality of fingers and a leaf-spring tail is coupled to the connector block, with the power bus positioned clear of electrical contact with the terminals or the conductive contacts. The power bus rail is seated within the connector block between the body and the end cap. The power bus fingers extend within the body from the rail and are positioned between the conductive contacts. The power bus leaf-spring tail extends external of the body. The connector block can cooperate with a suitably configured mounting bracket having a power bus and plural fingers which terminate in electrical contacts to transfer power therebetween to energize subsystems such as protector circuits that may be coupled to the connector block.