Electrical connectors – Contact tap between normally engaged coupling parts
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-27
2001-02-13
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Contact tap between normally engaged coupling parts
C439S189000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186808
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to telephone systems and local area network systems and more particularly, to an improved high density connector assembly for use within buildings for supplying a plurality of work areas with a selection of voice and data transmission links.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Commercial space is often provided as open floor areas. These are often divided into work areas (cubicals). The occupant of the commercial space typically determines the most efficient use of the floor space for its own needs and selects how the floor space is to be divided into smaller working areas through the use of portable wall panels and similar structures. So called “systems” furniture is used for dividing large floor spaces into smaller work areas (cubicals).
Systems furniture arrangements typically utilize interior upright space-dividing panels which connect together, serially, through two panel straight or angled connections, or through suitable three- or four-panel connections to define a large plurality of individual work areas. Such panels are typically less than floor-to-ceiling height and cooperate with other furniture components to define an equipped work area.
Each work area must be supplied with adequate electrical power and communication cabling. Various systems and components have been developed including modular electrical systems which cooperate with and which readily mount on the panels. This allows the panels to be reconfigured and allows the supply of power to the work areas.
Systems have been proposed to avoid the use of a large number of conventional four pair communication cables fed through floor conduits or ceiling clearance spaces to the various work areas. Examples of such prior art attempts include the systems and devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,277; 5,160,276 and 4,928,303.
Numerous systems have been proposed relating to power lines and systems furniture. Many of these systems include features which solve particular problems relating to power transmission and distribution with systems furniture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,609 discloses a multicircuit electrical system which is used with wall panels. The electrical system is a seven conductor system employing three live and three neutral conductors for defining three separate electrical circuits each having a separate neutral. A portable power tap unit (a receptacle unit) can be plugged into the power block for selective engagement with any one of the three circuits. Although this system provides great advantages with regard to power and selecting one of the various circuits at the location, after the wall panels are put into place, using the tap feature, the system involves a great many components and is particular to the power distribution problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,370 discloses another electrical system for use with interior space dividing walls. The system is prefabricated and includes elongate harnesses mounted within channels which extend interiorly of the space-dividing members. Adjacent harnesses are electrically joined by flexible electrical jumpers which create plug like connections with power blocks. This system provides significant advantages as to ease of use. However, the system again includes numerous components which adds significant expense. Additionally, the system again includes features which are directed toward power distribution and problems associated with power distribution.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a high density high performance transmission and connector system for telecommunications and data applications, wherein the connector provides a good physical and electrical connection such that transmission portions can be linked while maintaining high signal quality, even for high frequency applications and which system allows for a simple tapping of signals at the connector.
According to the invention, a telecommunications/data link and connector assembly is provided including a transmission cable comprising a plurality of transmission lines, a first interface end assembly and a second interface end assembly. The first interface end assembly comprises a first contact alignment body including a line connection end and an interface end. A first end plurality of contact elements is provided with each of the contact elements positioned and aligned by the first contact alignment body and extending from adjacent to the line connection end toward the interface end. Each of the first side contact elements is movable between a contact position and a non-contact position. Each of the first side contact elements includes a contact area and a line connection area for an electrical connection with a line. A first end shield housing is provided wherein the first contact alignment body is disposed in the first end shield housing in a locked position. The second interface end assembly has a second contact alignment body including a line connection end and an interface end. A second end plurality of contact elements is provided with each of the contact elements being positioned and aligned by the second contact alignment body and extending from adjacent to the line connection end toward the interface end. Each of the second side contact elements is movable between a contact position and a non-contact position, each of the second side contact elements including a contact area and a line connection area for an electrical connection with a line. A second end shield housing is provided wherein the second contact alignment body is disposed in the second end shield housing in a locked position. Each of the first end shield and the second end shield is substantially identical and matable. These end shields are also matable with a first end shield and a second end shield of a substantially identical telecommunications/data link and connector assembly. Contact elements carried by each the contact alignment body are in a contact position when an associated end shield is in a mated position. A tap is provided which is insertable between contact elements for tapping signals carried by the contact elements.
The tap includes a tap transmission line and connected contact portions. The tap contact portions make electrical contact with one of a first side plurality of contacts and a second side plurality of contacts elements.
A contact displacement means is provided for moving contacts between the contact position and the non-contact position allowing insertion of the tap between the first side plurality of contact elements and the second side plurality of contact elements. The contact displacement means includes a first contact opening device connected to the first side plurality of contact elements. The first contact opening device is engaged by the tap means for moving contacts between the contact position and the non-contact position allowing insertion of the tap between the first side plurality of contacts and the second side plurality of contacts. The contact displacement means preferably also includes a second contact opening device connected to the second side plurality of contacts and a tip of the tap means. The first contact opening device and the second contact opening device are for moving contacts between the contact position and the non-contact position.
The invention also includes a process of forming a telecommunications/data link and connector assembly including providing a contact alignment body with grooves for contacts and spaces for receiving wire side contact ends. The contacts are positioned in the grooves with wire contact ends extending into a wire and wire side contact end receiving spaces. A contact displacement member is provided connected to ends of the contacts at the interface end. A wire guide with a plurality of wire channels is also provided. The wire guide has a cable end with a small width and a contact alignment body end with a larger width. The wire guide channels each have a wire path of substantially identical length, extending from the cable side to the contact alignment body side. A cab
Johnson Ross S.
Pickles Timothy James
Snow Richard Herbert
Donovan Lincoln
Duverne J. F.
Krone GmbH
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
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