Electrical connectors – With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint – Curved conductor path
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-11-13
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint
Curved conductor path
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315598
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to enclosures such as outlet boxes for housing adapters/receptacles capable of providing connections between telecommunication transmission lines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Multimedia outlet boxes (e.g., surface/wall mount boxes and free standing boxes) typically house a plurality of telecommunications connectors (e.g., adapters, modular jacks, etc.) used to provide interconnections between telecommunication transmission lines. Different types of telecommunications connectors (e.g., modular jacks for receiving twisted pair plugs, BNC coax adapters, F-type adapters, RCA adapters or connectors, SC fiber adapters, ST fiber adapters, etc.) are frequently provided at the outlet boxes to allow the outlet boxes to be compatible with different types of transmission lines. This allows a single outlet box to be used to configure a work station area with various types of transmission lines for different applications.
Cable management is extremely important in the telecommunications industry. Effective cable management prevents cables from becoming intertwined and enhances signal transmission quality by ensuring that minimum bend radius requirements are maintained. The protection of connection regions from impact related damage and the prevention of contamination are other important considerations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to an outlet box adapted to be mounted on an enclosure. The outlet box includes a housing defining a connector access opening, and a connector holder mounted adjacent the connector access opening. The outlet box also includes a cradle having at least a portion that is located outside the housing and a cable management spool mounted in the cradle. At least a portion of the spool is located inside the housing and at least a portion of the spool is located outside the housing.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for securing a telecommunications outlet box to an enclosure. The outlet box includes a spool and a cradle for holding the spool. The method includes placing the spool in the cradle, placing the cradle at least partially in the enclosure, and placing the spool at least partially in the enclosure. The method also includes securing the housing to the enclosure with the cradle and the spool remaining at least partially positioned within the enclosure.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and exemplary only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
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“FL2000 System”ADC Telecommunications,pp. 1-40 (Jan. 1995).
“ODF-system MAXI Hög terminerlingskapacitet—Full flexibilitet”,Tyko Flex,4 pages (Nov. 27, 1996).
Brochure for the Panduit® Mini-Com® In-Wall Fiber Spool*, pp. B17-B18, (no date).
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Elliot Douglas G.
Johnson Jerry D.
Mattson Loren J.
ADC Telecommunications Inc.
Le Thanh-Tam
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Sircus Brian
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