Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-05
2002-08-06
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
C439S607070, C439S638000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06428330
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to network extenders, particularly enabling the connection of network units in a stack and more particularly to a three port extender by means of which a network unit such as a switch can be connected to two other similar or compatible units, the extender providing a cascade connection between the various units. The invention particularly concerns an improved construction of extender.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
It is known to dispose a multiplicity of network units such as hubs or switches that have a multiplicity of ports for the sending and reception of addressed data packets in a ‘stack’ which can be managed as a single logical entity. In principle, packets received at any of the active ports of any of the units in a stack can be sent from any of the active ports of the other units in the stack. The main purpose is to enable the provision of a unit which has a much larger number of ports than conveniently be provided on a single unit. A stack of units is normally provided with a cascade connection by means of which packets are conveyed between the units in the stack and by means of which control and status messages are passed between the units.
A particularly versatile form of cascade is the subject of Poulter et al. Ser. No. 09/662,158 filed Sep. 14 2000 and commonly assigned herewith. That patent application describes a ‘hot swap’ cascade in which the cascade connection includes at least one ‘T-piece’, that is to say a three-port extender of which a first port is connected to a respective unit in the stack and the other two ports are each connected either to another unit in the stack or to another extender, depending on the number of units provided in the stack. Internally the extenders are organised so that control messages and data packets can be passed up and down the cascade and so that irrespective of the state of the unit to which the first port is connected, there is a connection for control messages and data packets between the ‘other’ two ports.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in one particular form provides an improved three-port extender for use in a system as described in the foregoing co-pending application or in other similar contexts where a three-port connector is useful or appropriate. However, various features of the extender have utility in a broader context particularly where an extender has at least three ports and requires substantial logic and/or multiplexing arrangements so that signals are properly directed within the extender.
A particularly preferred form of the invention comprises a two-piece housing which have flanged and rebated peripheries so that the two pieces fit together to enclose a printed circuit board having the operative circuits of the extender. The circuits of the extender include a plurality of port connectors of which one extends through an end wall of one of the housing parts and of which at least two extend through an end wall of the other housing part. Preferably the housing parts are sputtered or otherwise coated with conductive material so as to form a Faraday cage. Fixing screws for securing the housing parts together extend through an end wall of one housing part to anchorage points in the other housing part and engage an apertured plate disposed against the end wall of the one housing part so that the metal fixing screws are maintained at the same potential as the cage and do not act as aerials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4418972 (1983-12-01), Benasutti
patent: 5227955 (1993-07-01), Le Bris et al.
patent: 5696669 (1997-12-01), Bassler et al.
patent: 6240101 (2001-05-01), Co et al.
patent: 2268668 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 2338155 (1999-12-01), None
patent: 2350032 (2000-11-01), None
patent: 2350530 (2000-11-01), None
Bayfield Richard N
Moran Paul J
Poulter Alan R
Tran Quang T
Whitfield David
3Com Corporation
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Patel Tulsidas
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