David L Burden

US Patent:

40471438, Sep 6, 1977

Filed:

Jul 9, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/703875

Inventors:

David M. Burden - Columbus OH
Frank N. Malaney - Pataskala OH

Assignee:

Western Electric Company, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 8536

US Classification:

337239

Abstract:

Several embodiments of a circuit protective device are disclosed that rely on a unique, spring-biased housing that cooperates with a leaded fusible element to effect a reliable open-circuit condition in response to a predetermined overload condition. The leads not only provide the means for interconnecting the device with associated circuitry, but are specially configured to provide a simplified, inexpensive and reliable way of holding the assembled device together, in opposition to a predetermined closed-circuit tensional biasing force applied thereagainst by the housing, during normal operation. The leads may also advantageously be configured during the assembly of the device to provide the means for directly mounting the device on, and optionally (with pre-formed stops) in spaced relationship with, a circuit board. In several preferred embodiments, the fusible element comprises a leaded resistor of a type that is capable of fracturing when subjected to a predetermined overload condition and, thereby, producing a reliable open-circuit condition when separated into two sections by the force imparted thereagainst by the spring-biased housing.