Electrical connectors – With contact preventer or retractable cover part – Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-10
2001-05-08
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With contact preventer or retractable cover part
Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227886
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to connectors for use in telecommunication systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The telecommunications and data management industries utilize connective hardware for general building wiring, premises distribution systems, local area networks, and other network applications. The connective hardware known as the
110
Connector Systems has become a standard of the industry because of the reliable gas-tight connection provided by the
110
Insulation Displacement Connector. This miniature quick-connect terminating system is listed or approved by Underwriters Laboratories, the Canadian Standards Association, and the Australian Standards Association. The
110
Connector Systems have gained type approval from such countries as the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and others.
The
110
Connector System consists of field-wired cable termination apparatus that is used to organize and administer cable and wiring installations. The main cross-connect is typically located in the equipment room and provides termination and cross-connection of network interface equipment, switching equipment, processor equipment, and backbone (riser or campus) wiring. The horizontal cross-connect is typically located in the telecommunications closet and provides termination and cross-connection of horizontal (to the work area) and backbone wiring. Cross-connects provide efficient and convenient routing and rerouting of common equipment circuits to various parts of a building or campus.
The
110
Connector Systems enable cable and wiring installations to be handled by technical or non-technical end user personnel. Line moves and rearrangement for the cabling termined at a cross connect can be performed with patchcords (plug-ended jumpers) or cross-connect wire. The patchcords are used where the highest system integrity is required.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the
110
Connector System now include a new wiring block support structure known as a cable organizer
12
that replaces the old style wiring block. A conductor termination array (index strip)
14
is mounted upon the cable organizer
12
. A cable cover
16
is juxtaposed with the cable organizer
12
to cover cable routing and provide a smooth surface to facilitate pulling out patchcord plugs. The cable organizer
12
elevates the index strip
14
to expand the jumper trough space between adjacent cable organizers. A plurality of connecting blocks
18
are plugged into the index strip
14
as needed. The patchcords are then plugged into the connecting blocks to make the desired connections and/or rearrangements.
The
110
patchcords are available now in two versions. The old version is a forward-engaging patchcord
20
that uses a forward-engaging plug
22
as shown in FIG.
2
. This plug
22
engages the connecting block
18
in the direction of arrow
24
. Hemispherical buttons
19
on the connecting blocks
18
and corresponding mating holes
23
in the plugs
22
form a detent latch to keep the patchcord
20
engaged. To prevent an accidental disconnection, and when deliberately removing a patchcord
20
, a high force is required to overcome the detent latch retention. The patchcord
20
is then typically pulled out through a series of cordage holding troughs. When pulling the forward-engaging patchcord
20
out though a trough, the connection opening
21
faces away from the pulling direction, as shown by arrow
25
in FIG.
2
.
The new version jumper is a reverse-engaging patchcord
26
that uses a reverse-engaging plug
28
as shown in FIG.
3
. The connection opening
29
of the reverse-engaging plug
28
is opposite to that of the forward-engaging plug
22
. The reverse-engaging plug
28
is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,604 entitled Patch Cord Connection System issued on Feb. 17, 1998 and is incorporated herein by reference. Plug
28
engages the connecting block
18
in the direction of arrow
30
. Plug
28
is unplugged in the direction of arrow
32
, and withdrawn from the trough by pulling in the direction of arrow
30
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a reverse-engaging patchcord plug, for use in connection with a wiring block assembly having a connecting block. The patchcord plug comprises a body extending between opposite first and second ends. The body has a channel facing toward the body second end. At least one connector is mounted within the channel. A conductor cord is attached to the connector and projects from the body second end, for conducting signals to the connector.
A cover is attached to the body, and extends between opposite proximal and distal ends. The cover is moveable between a first cover position covering the channel and a second cover position uncovering the channel. The cover has a first surface facing outward in the first cover position and an opposite second surface facing inward in the first cover position.
Thus, in the first cover position, the plug will be pulled through a trough without snagging on adjacent wiring. In the second cover position, the plug will slide in a direction of engagement to engage the connecting block and thereby allow signals to be conducted between the connector and the connecting block.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5718604 (1998-02-01), Conorich et al.
Product Application Guide,110 Connector Systems for Premises Application, Issue 4, Apr. 1994.
Baker Frank P.
Case Richard L.
Conorich Theodore A.
Ivan William J.
Abrams Neil
Avaya Technology Corp.
Duverne J. F.
Gibbons Del Deo Dolan Griffinger & Vecchione
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