Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-03-20
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203357
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains in general to a telephone network and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for installing non-bridged access lines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multiconductor communications cables have been deployed by telephone companies for many years throughout the world, and a number of compression and insulation displacement “quick connect” techniques have been employed to connect single conductor, multiconductor, and bridged telephone lines. One common practice is to leave “in place” bridged tap connections at the end of a distribution cable having multi conductors at voice frequencies to allow the distribution cable to be used at multiple subscriber addresses. However, with the recent deployment of high bandwidth communications services such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and Very-High-Data-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), bridged tap connections can adversely impact such high bandwidth communications services, and therefore must be removed at the time of installation of such services.
Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method for simultaneous installation of high frequency bandwidth communications services from a distribution cable to a subscriber and removal of a bridged tap. There is also a need to allow for simultaneous installation of two sets of electrical connections while removing the section of the distribution cable therebetween to allow installation of filters for ADSL and VDSL services while permitting the use of jumpers to extend the distribution line for future use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for installing non-bridged telecommunication access lines that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a connector for cutting and connecting an insulated cable having an insulation layer encasing at least one conductor that includes an upper member and a lower member adapted for receiving the upper member including means for establishing electrical connection with the conductor by penetrating the insulation layer, and means for severing the conductor, wherein the upper member and the lower member secure the insulated cable.
In one aspect of the invention, the connector includes a means for moving a first end of the severed cable relative to a second end of the severed cable.
In another aspect of the invention, the means for severing is disposed between the means for establishing electrical connection and the means for moving.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the means for establishing electrical connection comprises a plurality of pins capable of penetrating the cable.
In still another aspect of the invention, the means for moving includes a rigid member for applying a reactive force against the first end of the severed cable when a force is applied against the upper member and the lower member to connect the upper and lower members.
Also in accordance with the invention, there is provided a connector for cutting and connecting an insulated cable having an insulation layer encasing at least one conductor that includes an upper member and a lower member adapted for receiving the upper member including at least one insulation displacement connector to establish electrical connection with the conductor of the insulated cable, an instrument with a sharp edge to sever the conductor, and a rigid member to separate one end of the severed conductor from the other end of the severed conductor, wherein the upper member and the lower member secure both ends of the severed cable.
Additionally in accordance with the invention, there is provided a connector for cutting and connecting an insulated cable having an insulation and multiple conductors that includes an upper member, and a lower member adapted for receiving the upper member including a first plurality of insulation displacement connectors to establish electrical connection with at least one of the multiple conductors of the cable, a first blade for severing the cable, a rigid member to separate one end of the severed cable away from the other end of the severed cable, a second blade for severing the cable, the rigid member being disposed between the first blade and the second blade, and a second plurality of insulation displacement connectors to establish electrical connection with at least one of the multiple conductors of the cable, wherein the first plurality of insulation displacement connectors are electrically isolated from the second plurality of insulation displacement connectors.
Also in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of installing access lines to an insulated cable having an insulation layer encasing at least one conductor that includes splicing the cable to establish electrical connection with the conductor, severing the conductor, wherein the splicing and the severing steps are performed approximately simultaneously, and securing either end of the severed conductor, wherein the cable is secured during the splicing and the severing steps.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there includes a step of separating one end of the severed cable from the other end of the severed cable.
Additionally in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of installing access lines to a multiconductor cable having a bridged tap connected to the cable that includes splicing the cable to establish a first electrical connection with first access lines, splicing the cable to establish a second electrical connection with second access lines, severing the cable wherein the established first electrical connection is electrically isolated from the bridged tap and the established second electrical connection is connected to the bridged tap, and wherein the both splicing steps and the severing step are performed approximately simultaneously, and securing either end of the severed cable, wherein the severed cable is secured during the splicing steps and the severing step.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structures and methods particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof, as well as the appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3611262 (1971-10-01), Marley et al.
patent: 4326767 (1982-04-01), Silbernagel et al.
patent: 5961340 (1999-10-01), Littlejohn et al.
Harrison Warner George
Lovell John Winsor
Le Thanh-Tam
Sircus Brian
Suchyta Leonard Charles
Verizon Laboratories Inc.
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