Printed circuit fuse assembly

• US 4,376,927 A
• Filed: 05/28/1981
• Issued: 03/15/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1978
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James D. Mcgalliard
• Original Assignee: James D. Mcgalliard
• Inventors: McGalliard, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Harold
• Application Number:
  US06/268,011
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 337/4, 337/292, 337/297, 337/293, 337/283, 337/284, 361/104, 361/400, 361/404, 361/408, 361/431, 361/41, 340/638, 340/639, 174/68.5, 357/41, 357/45, 219/517
• US Class Current: 337/297
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/266 with replacement of a fuse which is part of a printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/046 Fuses formed as printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/24 Means for preventing insertion of incorrect fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/263 with spare printed circuit fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/68 with built-in fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0263 High current adaptations, e.g. printed high current conductors or using auxiliary non-printed means; Fine and coarse circuit patterns on one circuit board H05K1/0293 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0286 Programmable, customizable or modifiable circuits by programmable non-printed jumper connections H05K3/222

Abstract

A circuit fuse assembly comprising a plurality of fuse elements which are simultaneously formed using printed circuit or through hole plating techniques and including means for easily substituting a different one of the plural fuse elements when the in-circuit fuse element burns out due to an overload current condition. In the preferred embodiment, the fuse assembly is (a) integrally formed with the printed circuit of the fused electrical apparatus and (b) formed with a common electrical connection such that a single electrical bridge of solder or other means enables substitution of a replacement fuse element. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a restorable printed circuit fuse for use in standard fuse holders, in-line plug connectors, conventional three prong plug connectors, edison bases, and plug-in triple outlets.

Claims

1. A circuit fuse assembly comprising:

an electrically insulating substrate;

a plurality of thin foil fuse elements bonded to said substrate and positioned in a substantially parallel orientation so as to be electrically insulated from each other;

each of said elements melting when a predetermined magnitude of electrical current passes therethrough; and

insulating means partially extending on at least one of said fuse elements adjacent one end of said substrate, said means being selectively removable to provide electrical contact to each of said fuse elements.

2. The circuit fuse assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said fuse elements includes a pair of land sections electrically connected by a neck portion, each of said pair of land sections being commonly positioned at opposite ends of said substrate.

3. The circuit fuse assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical insulating substrate comprises a square channel having one of said fuse elements formed on each side thereof.

4. The circuit fuse assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical insulating substrate comprises a thin flexible sheet which is wrapped around a cylindrical mandrel and maintained in position by two end caps.

5. The circuit fuse assembly of claim 4 wherein one of said end caps includes an indentation contact capable of piercing the said insulating means and providing electrical contact with said fuse element aligned with said indentation contact.

6. The circuit fuse assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrically insulating substrate includes a pair of extending sections adjacent opposite ends thereof, said extending sections insertable within a quick connect plug connector.