Appeal No. 1999-0304
Application No. 08/520,606
connected to a crash sensor and between the input terminal and
ground. The grounding element responds to a signal from the
crash sensor to ground the input terminal causing excess
current to flow through and break the fusible link cutting off
current to the junction box. Claim 1 is illustrative of the
claimed invention, and it reads as follows:
1. An electric current distribution system,
particularly for powering a plurality of loads such as lamps,
motors, and ignition systems in automotive vehicles,
comprising:
a junction box (5) having
an input terminal connected with an electric power source
(1;3) for providing power to said junction box, and a
plurality of output terminals electrically coupled to the
input terminal and connected respectively with said loads (7)
for providing power to said loads,
a fusible link (4) connected between the input terminal
of the junction box (5) and the power source (1;3), and
earthing means (10;12) comprising a grounding element
connected between the input terminal and ground and acting in
response to a direct signal from a crash sensor to immediately
earth the input terminal of the junction box (5) causing
excess current to flow through and break the fusible link (4)
cutting off power to the input terminal, the output terminals
and said loads.
The prior art references of record relied upon by the
examiner in rejecting the appealed claims are:
2
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