Protective console unit for electrical or optical connectors

Details Protective console unit for electrical or optical connectors Protective console unit for electrical or optical connectors

1999-04-26

2001-03-13

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Supporting means comprising face plate or closure member for...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06200160

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to faceplate panels for mounting electrical or optical connectors.
2. Description of the Known Art
Connector panels in the form of faceplates for mounting wire or fiber optic cable connectors, are generally known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,439 (Mar. 17, 1992) which discloses a wall plate having jack-release slots in side walls of an opening in the plate, so that a jack connector mounted in the opening can be released by inserting a tool in the slots.
Faceplates are also known in which connectors can be mounted to face at an angle of, e.g., 45 degrees with respect to the normal direction of the faceplate. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,395 issued Apr. 27, 1999, entitled “Multi-Position Jack Frame”, and assigned to the assignee of the present application and invention. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,254 (Nov. 8, 1994), and 3,813,640 (May 28, 1974); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/534,218 filed Sep. 26, 1995, entitled “Flush Mounted Outlet”, which is also assigned to the assignee of the present application and invention.
When the known face plates panels are mounted flush with a surrounding surface, and outside connectors are mated to corresponding connectors mounted in the panels, the outside connectors are typically in a position where they can be struck by objects which pass near the mounted faceplates. Such objects may cause the outside connectors to interrupt their connection with the associated mounted connectors, or, worse, to break apart irreparably. Environments where this condition is exacerbated include, but are not limited to, college computer laboratories where data jack panels are typically mounted at desktop height. Outside plug connectors engaging jacks mounted in the panels are known to be struck frequently by student books and book bags.
Accordingly, there is a need for a unit capable of mounting electrical or fiber optic connectors so that the connectors are readily accessible to outside mating connectors, and the mated outside connectors are physically protected from nearby objects. Such a connector mounting unit should also be compatible with existing cable raceways, with minimal work needed for installation of the mounting unit in situ.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a connector console unit includes a base wall having at least one connector opening dimensioned and arranged for mounting a first connector within the opening so that, when mounted, the first connector is accessible to an outside connector. A protective hood or wall surrounds a portion of the perimeter of the base wall, wherein the protective wall extends a determined height above the base wall. When mounted in the connector opening, the first connector is accessible to the mating connector from a direction that is clear of the protective wall, and the protective wall is formed and arranged to prevent objects near the console unit from striking the outside connector when mated to the first connector.
In one embodiment, the base wall has, e.g., four connector positions or openings aligned with one another in a row, and a mounting portion of the base wall in which the connector openings are formed is inclined at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) with respect to the surrounding portion of the base wall, thus reducing the need for bending of approaching wires or cables associated with mating connectors.
According to another aspect of the invention, a unitary faceplate for communication connectors includes a faceplate body defining a base surface having a front side and a rear side, and the base surface forms a connector mounting portion. The connector mounting portion has a number of openings that extend between the front and the rear sides of the base surface, and each opening is formed to support a connector disposed at the rear side of the base surface. The faceplate body forms a protective hood that extends around a portion of the front side of the base surface, and the hood projects in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the base surface.
The connector mounting portion may be generally recessed to define an acute angle with respect to a surrounding region of the base surface, so that a connector supported in an opening in the mounting portion is accessible for connection to a mating connector aligned at the front side of the base surface at a corresponding angle with respect to the base surface.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3813640 (1974-05-01), Carissimi
patent: 4603931 (1986-08-01), Ruffman
patent: 5096439 (1992-03-01), Arnett
patent: 5302140 (1994-04-01), Arnett
patent: 5362254 (1994-11-01), Siemon et al.
patent: 5419721 (1995-05-01), Lignelet
patent: 5897395 (1999-04-01), Arnett
patent: 5899761 (1999-05-01), Crane et al.
patent: 6051786 (2000-04-01), Gretz
Lucent Technologies Inc., on-line catalog SYSTIMAX Series MGS200 Series GigaSPEED Information Outlet Product Review Sheets, 2 pages.
Lucent Technologies Inc., on-line catalog SYSTIMAX Series MPS 100E Modular Information Outlet Product Review sheets, 2 pages.

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