Robert J Sweatt

US Patent:

47362693, Apr 5, 1988

Filed:

Dec 19, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/943971

Inventors:

John M. Amein - Duluth GA
Floyd J. Garner - Snellville GA
E. Walton Horne - Decatur GA
Raymond A. Levandoski - Doraville GA
Charles McGonigal - Grayson GA
Robert L. Sweatt - Tucker GA

Assignee:

American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Technologies, Inc. - Berkeley Heights NJ

International Classification:

H02H 906
H02H 902

US Classification:

361128

Abstract:

A protector module (30) for protecting the conductors of a telephone loop cludes a pair of protector assemblies (40-40') which are supported within a common housing (32). A gas tube voltage protection subassembly (42) of each protector assembly is connected electrically to a grounding subassembly (44) for causing current associated with excessive voltage surges to be conducted to ground. A first electrode includes a portion which extends through annular dielectric and metallic members and an opening of an open-ended metallic container (93) to engage a shunting element (62) of a current protection subassembly (41). The superimposed annular members are held in engagement with the first electrode at a substantially constant pressure by axial forces applied by turned-in portions (109--109) of a side wall of the metallic container. The shunting element is supported at one end of the line pin in an initial position by a fusible material. A spring (43) between the container of the voltage protection subassembly and the housing maintains the voltage protection subassembly in engagement with the shunting element.