US 6,982,859 B1
Integrated overcurrent and overvoltage apparatus for use in the protection of telecommunication circuits
Stephen J. Whitney, Lake Zurich, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Littelfuse, Inc., Des Plaines, Ill. (US)
Filed on Aug. 28, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/649,195.
Application 09/649195 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/534277, filed on Mar. 24, 2000.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02H 3/22 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 361—111 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integral circuit protection device providing overcurrent and overvoltage protection for a circuit and configured to be connected to the circuit, comprising:
an overcurrent protection portion;
an overvoltage protection portion having an at least partially conductive surface; and
a plurality of terminals for connecting both the overvoltage and overcurrent protection portions of the integral circuit protection device to the circuit to be protected, wherein the at least partially conductive surface of the overvoltage protection portion serves as one of the plurality of terminals, wherein the circuit protection device is formed as a discrete component for mounting on a printed circuit board, and wherein the plurality of terminals contact a surface of the printed circuit board upon placement thereon.