Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-03
2001-11-13
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315595
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to electrical connectors and in particular to terminal blocks for connecting incoming telephone cables to individual drop lines.
BACKGROUND ART
Terminal blocks are commonly used in telephone distribution lines. For example, a telephone cable will lead from the telephone company system to a terminal block. The terminal block has a base with a number of connection stations, for example 10 to 15. Each station has a separate electrical connector which will connect one twisted-pair of wires in the incoming telephone cable to one of the drop lines which lead to one of the individual telephone sets. The wires from the incoming telephone cable are prewired into the stations of the base. Each station has two holes for insertion of the two wires from one of the drop lines. Normally, the station will have an installation displacement terminal (referred to as “IDC) registering with each of the holes. An IDC terminal allows the operator to insert the ends of the drop line into the holes in the station without stripping the insulation from the ends. The IDC terminal has a slit with two sharp edges that are biased toward one another. The wires are pressed through the slit toward the base, making contact without the need for stripping.
When installing distribution terminals, it is not uncommon for the telephone company cable to have more capacity initially than will be required by individual drop lines. For example, the incoming cable may have a capacity for 15 sets of drop lines, but only eight will be initially used, although it is possible in the future that the rest will be needed. The company installing the distribution terminal may install a terminal block that has 15 separate stations to match the full capacity of the cable even though only eight are being used. Later, when the others are going to be used, the drop lines can simply be inserted into the stations. However, a larger terminal block than initially needed is more expensive. If the company elects to install a smaller terminal block, it may find that it later has to replace the smaller terminal block with a larger one.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In this invention, the distribution terminal has a plurality of bases. Each of the bases has a platform and two lateral sides on opposite edges of the platform. Mating connectors are on each of the lateral sides of the bases for securing a number of the bases together, side-by-side. The bases can thus be assembled to a desired number to match the incoming telephone cable.
Each of the bases has three electrically conductive penetrators extending through the platform. Two of the penetrators have terminal ends for connection to a twisted-pair of wires of the incoming telephone cable. The third penetrator is connected to a ground. A module may be secured to each of the bases over the platform. Each module has a pair of electrical contacts, preferably IDC clips. Each clip engages one of the penetrators when the module is secured to the base. Each of the modules has a pair of holes adjacent to the clips for receiving ends of the drop wires. An actuator for each of the modules pushes the drop wires into engagement with the clips.
The base is preferably made up to match the full capacity of the feed cable coming from the telephone company. Modules are installed only as needed. If the base has the capacity for 12 drop wire pairs, and only eight are needed, then only eight modules will be provided. Later, if additional modules are needed, they are simply snapped into place to the empty bases.
In the preferred embodiment, each of the actuators has a plunger for pushing the drop wires into engagement with the IDC clips. The plunger moves relative to the housing of the module as the module remains stationarily attached to the base. Rotating a screw in one direction causes the plunger to move toward the base.
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AMP Quiet Front Terminal Blocks Catalog 8982257; 12/93.
Raychem Pedestal Terminal Blocks Product Information; 12/93.
Raychem Pole Mounted Terminal Product Information; 12/92.
Raychem Site Terminated Module Installation Instructions; 07/94.
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Cwiren Casimir Z.
LaPorte Richard
Paradis Roger L.
Corning Cable Systems LLC
Nguyen Son V.
Sircus Brian
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