Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Supporting plural – independent coupling parts
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-08-14
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Supporting plural, independent coupling parts
C439S557000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273752
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to modular multimedia adapter interconnect panels that can be installed in a wide variety of different fiber optic or telecommunications enclosures and patch panels and that can support a multitude of different adapters or connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular connector panels having a panel with panel openings into which electrical and/or fiber optic connectors can be located and having abutments spaced from panel openings for resiliently latching the connectors in place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical and optical circuit enclosures and patch panels for telecommunications and other systems must have mountings for supporting the connectors for coupling and electrical wires and fiber optic cables interconnecting the various parts of each system. Conventional mountings are specifically constructed for specific types of connectors. Different connectors require different mountings and interconnect panels
The use of different mountings for different connectors requires additional expense for separate manufacturing, inventories and installations. Further, the conventional mountings require considerable space for a given number of connectors, particularly when a number of differently configured connector panels are required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a modular connector panel which can be used to support wide variety of electrical and fiber optic connectors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular connector panel which efficiently supports a number of different connectors and which can be efficiently mounted in a ganged manner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular connector panel which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use, and which is of rugged construction.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modular connector panel which allows flush mounting of jacks and adapters for interconnecting fiber optic and electrical connectors.
The foregoing objects are basically obtained by a modular connector panel comprising a planar panel, a plurality of openings extending through the panel in an aligned array, and support members with abutments. The support members extend from a panel surface, and have near ends connected to the panel and remote ends spaced from the panel. The abutments extend laterally from the remote ends of the support members and parallel to the panel, such that abutment surfaces on the abutments face the panel. The abutments are arranged in pairs with each pair being aligned with the respective panel opening.
A connector can be coupled by engaging one pair of abutments and extending in the respective panel opening. This arrangement allows the panel to support a wide variety of electrical and fiber optic connectors in an efficient manner to avoid separate manufacturing and inventories of different connector panels. Additionally, multiple panels can be easily and efficiently gagged side-by-side in an enclosure or patch panel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2160713 (1939-05-01), Bentley
patent: 3944176 (1976-03-01), Danko
patent: 4163882 (1979-08-01), Baslow
patent: 4386252 (1983-05-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 6086415 (2000-07-01), Sanchez et al.
Fournier Steven O.
Martin Dale D.
Montgelas Rudolph A.
'Hubbell Incorporated
Bicks Mark S.
Goodman Alfred N.
Luebke Renee
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