Patent ID: 7148785

Claim:
A circuit protection device suitable for surface mounting on a substrate, comprising (1) a laminar PTC resistive element which (a) is composed of a conductive polymer composition, (b) has a first major surface having a first surface area and second major surface having a second surface area, and (c) has a periphery; (2) a first electrode attached to the first surface of the PTC element; (3) a second electrode attached to the second surface of the PTC element; and (4) a first electrical terminal comprising an electrically conductive material, having a first periphery and a first surface area, and comprising (a) a first attachment portion (i) having an attachment surface with a first surface area, and (ii) at least part of which is attached to the first electrode, (b) a first flexible portion (i) which is connected to the first attachment portion, (ii) at least a part of which is free of attachment to the first electrode, (iii) at least part of which lies within the periphery of the resistive element, and (iv) which has a first surface area, and (c) a first connection portion which connects the first attachment portion and the first flexible portion, the first attachment portion being substantially coplanar with both the first flexible portion and the first connection portion prior to installation on the substrate.