Patent ID: 7806716

Claim:
A plug-in combination of appliances for protection against overvoltages, comprising a socket-type lower part and at least one plug-in module, the plug-in module accommodating an overvoltage protection element and contact elements arranged in the plug-in module, the socket-type lower part accommodating counter contact elements arranged in the lower part, at least one of the plug-in module and the socket-type lower part having complementary guide rails or guide grooves for the controlled insertion or sliding-on and fixing of the plug-in module, characterized in that functionally separated mechanical catch or snap-in elements respectively providing a catch or snap-in function are provided, the mechanical catch or snap-in elements acting between the plug-in module and the socket-type lower part, regardless of the forces which keep the contact elements and counter contact elements positively or non-positively connected with the plug-in module when the plug-in module is inserted into the lower part, with the catch or snap-in function being cancelled without any mechanical auxiliary means when a replacement of the plug-in module is desired; wherein the plug-in module comprises a carrier unit with a bottom group, with several large-area contact elements being arranged on the bottom group, the bottom group further comprising a trough-type lower side and stop edges, stop faces, or stop pins extending downwards from the trough-type lower side towards the socket-type lower part; and wherein the carrier unit is enclosed by a hood, the hood having a hinge face at two opposite sides, the hinge face continuing into a pressure plate having an end and catch projections or catch cams provided at the end which fulfil the catch or snap-in function with respect to the lower part when the plug-in module is inserted into the lower part, and further a spring-type mechanical energy store is provided between the lower part and the plug-in module, wherein the spring-type mechanical energy store, upon insertion of the plug-in module into the socket-type lower part, is biased and upon cancelling the catch or snap-in function releases mechanical energy for removing the plug-in module from the socket-type lower part.