Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-09
2001-05-29
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238235
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrical connector and cable assemblies and particularly to an organizer which reduces or eliminates cross-talk between twisted wire pairs of modular plug assemblies commonly used in the transmission of high frequency or telecommunication signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Data communication networks and systems generally transmit data at high rates over a plurality of circuits that include multi-pair data communication cable, such as electrically distinct twisted wire pairs. At high transmission rates, each wiring circuit itself both transmits and receives electromagnetic radiation so that the signals flowing through one circuit or wire pair may couple with the signals flowing through another wire pair. The unintended electromagnetic coupling of signals between different pairs of conductors of different electrical circuits is referred to as cross-talk. The problem of cross-talk increases as the frequency of the transmitted signals increases.
In telecommunication systems, twisted wire pairs are often terminated in modular plugs. For example, modular plugs for telephone use are very commonplace and must meet the electrical performance requirements of industry standards, such as IEC 603-7. A problem with such modular plugs is that although cross-talk between twisted wire pairs in the cable leading to the plug is generally at negligible or at least tolerable levels, an intolerable amount of cross-talk between the wires can exist in the plug. One of the reasons for this is that insertion of the twisted wire pairs into the plug and electrical connection of the wires to electrical contacts in the plug generally requires that the wires be untwisted for a certain length, thereby leaving the wires prone to cross-talk.
Connectors are known which try to eliminate or reduce the problem of cross-talk between twisted wire pairs of modular plug assemblies. An example of such a plug assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,647 to Rohrbaugh et al. Another example is a plug assembly manufactured by Hubbell Incorporated, Stonington, Conn., USA, under the name PAIR LOCK stable-twist plug assembly, described in the January 1999 catalog of Hubbell Premise Wiring. This plug assembly is purported to maintain pair twist much farther into the plug, thereby reducing the level of cross-talk. However, this plug assembly is only applicable for flat cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a novel organizer which reduces or eliminates cross-talk between twisted wire pairs of modular plug assemblies. The organizer includes an elongate body having a cable receiving end and a terminal receiving end. A plurality of wire-receiving passages are formed in the elongate body, and separated from each other by electrically conductive portions in the body. Wire pairs of a multi-pair communication cable may be easily inserted into the cable receiving ends of the wire-receiving passages, and the wire pairs become automatically arranged at the terminal receiving ends for insertion into a terminal receiver, such as in accordance with the standard arrangement of IEC 603-7 modular plugs. The cable organizer substantially reduces or even eliminates cross-talk between the wire pairs by providing an electrically conductive barrier between the wire pairs up until the wire pairs are actually inserted into the terminal receiver.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cable organizer including an elongate body having two opposite ends, one called a cable receiving end and the other called a terminal receiving end, and a plurality of wire-receiving passages formed in the elongate body and separated from each other by electrically conductive portions in the body, each wire-receiving passage extending from the cable receiving end to the terminal receiving end and being open at both ends, each wire-receiving passage being adapted for guiding therethrough a plurality of wires of a multi-pair communication cable from the cable receiving end to the terminal receiving end, and being adapted for arranging a plurality of wires of a multi-pair communication cable at the terminal receiving end for connection with a modular plug.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the wire-receiving passages has a different cross-section at the cable receiving end than at the terminal receiving end.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two of the wire-receiving passages are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other at the cable receiving end.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two of the wire-receiving passages are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other at the terminal receiving end.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least two of the wire-receiving passages are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other at the cable receiving end, but are arranged differently with respect to each other at the terminal receiving end.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the wire-receiving passages is coordinately positioned with respect to another of the wire-receiving passages differently at the cable receiving end than at the terminal receiving end.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the wire-receiving passages has a ramp formed therein at the terminal receiving end.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the wire-receiving passages has a bifurcation formed therein at the terminal receiving end, the bifurcation being adapted to separate two wires of a multi-pair communication cable.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the plurality of wire-receiving passages includes at least four wire-receiving passages, a first wire-receiving passage being positioned on an upper surface of the elongate body, a second wire-receiving passage being positioned on a lower surface of the elongate body, a third wire-receiving passage being positioned on a left side surface of the elongate body, and a fourth wire-receiving passage being positioned on a right side surface of the elongate body.
Additionally longitudinal axes of the first and second wire-receiving passages are generally coplanar and parallel to each other at the cable receiving end.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention longitudinal axes of the third and fourth wire-receiving passages are generally coplanar and parallel to each other at the cable receiving end.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention longitudinal axes of the third and fourth wire-receiving passages are generally coplanar at the terminal receiving end.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention longitudinal axes of the first and second wire-receiving passages are generally coplanar and parallel to each other at the cable receiving end, longitudinal axes of the third and fourth wire-receiving passages are generally coplanar and parallel to each other at the cable receiving end, and a plane of the first and second wire-receiving passages is generally perpendicular to a plane of the third and fourth wire-receiving passages.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the elongate body includes pins adapted to align attachment of the elongate body to a modular plug.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a plurality of wires of a multi-pair communication cable are disposed in the wire-receiving passages from the cable receiving end to the terminal receiving end.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a modular plug is provided, wherein the plurality of wires of the multi-pair communication cable are connected to
Gurevitz Dmitry
Shavit Amir
Shifris Pinchas
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Rit Technologies Ltd.
Sircus Brian
Zarroli Michael C.
LandOfFree
Cable organizer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cable organizer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cable organizer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2494160