Ferrule-to-blade fuse adapter with a blown fuse indicator

• US 6,168,471 B1
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: May, Galen J., Santa Cruz, Cathy D.
• Original Assignee: May, Galen J., Santa Cruz, Cathy D.
• Inventors: May, Galen J., Santa Cruz, Cathy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US09/275,123
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 439/622, 439/621, 439/682, 337/241, 337/242
• US Class Current: 439/620.29
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/68 with built-in fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

The present invention is substantially an adapter which allows a typical prior art plug-in type fuse housing to be removably inserted within the adapter, so as the adapter and the plug-in fuse can be inserted within a typical automotive cartridge type fuse box, or the like.

Claims

1. Ferrule to blade fuse adapter comprising in combination:

a cartridge-type adapter housing having slots which accept a mini-sized-blade-type fuse, and said adapter housing having a blown fuse indicator light, whereby;

when said mini-sized-blade-type fuse has blown, said light lights up and simultaneously illuminates the mini-sized-blade-type fuse housing, whereby;

a user is visually notified that said mini-sized-blade-type fuse has blown and replacement is necessary.

2. Ferrule to blade fuse adapter comprising:

a cartridge-type adapter housing having slots which accept a standard sized blade-type fuse, and said adapter includes a blown fuse indicator light therein, whereby;

when said standard sized blade-type fuse has blown, said light lights up and simultaneously illuminates the standard sized blade-type fuse housing, whereby;

a user is visually notified that said standard sized blade-type fuse has blown and replacement is necessary.

3. Ferrule to blade fuse adapter comprising in combination:

a cartridge-type adapter housing having slots which accept a mini-sized-blade-type fuse, said adapter housing having slots which accept a standard sized blade-type fuse, and said adapter housing having a blown fuse indicator light, whereby;

said adapter is removably attachable to either said standard sized blade-type, or said mini-blade-type fuse, whereby;

when said fuse has blown, said light lights up and simultaneously illuminates the fuse housing, whereby;

a user is visually notified that said fuse has blown and replacement is necessary.