Electrical connectors – Including handle or distinct manipulating means – Randomly manipulated implement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-08-28
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Including handle or distinct manipulating means
Randomly manipulated implement
C439S358000, C439S948000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280236
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of telephone wire connector blocks and distribution systems, and specifically to a connector and a test device for testing wiring connected to the connector.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In a telephone network, a network cable from the central office is generally connected to a junction box, such as, for example, a building entrance protector (BEP) or network interface unit (NIU) located at the customer site, where the individual telephone lines are broken out line-by-line. The network cable, which consist of a plurality of tip-ring wire pairs that each represent a telephone line, is typically connected to a connector block containing an array of individual connectors that forms a part of the BEP. Such connectors may be, for example, mini rocker tool-less insulation displacement (IDC)-type connectors, such as, for example, those sold by A.C. Egerton, Ltd. Other connectors used for telephony wiring applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,699 to Vachhani et al., dated May 5, 1987, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,264 to Ellis, dated Oct. 5, 1971.
The customer telephone equipment is coupled through such an IDC connector to, for example, a central office telephone line. The connector generally has a top section that includes two wire insertion holes and a housing within which a pair of spaced-apart terminal strips are disposed. The wire insertion holes each accommodate one wire of a tip-ring wire pair. The top section pivots about a generally hinged fixed axis located on the side opposite the wire insertion holes and has a movable clasp for maintaining the top section in its closed position.
To open the top section, a user releases the clasp member and pivots the top section to its open position. When the top section is in its open position, the terminal strips do not intersect the wire insertion holes, but when the top section is in its closed position, the terminal strips intersect the wire insertion holes. Therefore, to establish an electrical and mechanical connection between the wires and the terminal strips, a user first opens the top section (i.e., pivots the top section to its open position), inserts the pair of wires, and then closes the top section. Upon closing the top section of the connector, the wires are brought into electrical and mechanical contact with the terminal strips. To remove the wires and/or break the electrical connection, the process is reversed.
To verify the integrity of a telephone line, the telephone line may be tested at the connector using a bridge clip, test probe or other common test gear. The bridge clip includes a body, at least a first test prong and a second test prong connected to the body, and lead wires for connecting the first and second test prongs to a testing device, such as a voltmeter or telephone test set. Two test channels sized to accommodate a test prong of a bridge clip are formed in the housing of the connector and a portion of a respective one of the pair of terminal strips is disposed in each of the test channels. The test prongs or test leads are spaced apart and constructed to be received within the channels.
Testing is typically performed by inserting the test prongs of a bridge clip into the test channels of the connector until each of the test prongs contacts an outside edge of a respective one of the pair of terminal strips housed within the housing to make an electrical connection. If a current flow is detected, or a dial tone is heard, depending on the test methodology, then a loop condition exists for that particular tip-ring wire pair, and the integrity of the line is verified. If no loop condition is found, either an electrical open or short exists in telephone line or a connection to or in the terminal block is defective.
Prior art test prongs typically consist of flexible metallic strips that are bent inwardly at one location so as to bias the free end of the test prong against the terminal strip. One example of such a bridge clip is A.C. Egerton part no. RBC2210. After repeated use, however, one or both of the test prongs can bend outwardly at the point where the test prong is connected to the test body or where the angle of test prong is bent. In either case, the test prong no longer retains its original shape. In this case, the connection made with the prior art test prong is not reliable because the entire depth of the test channel is sized to accept the test prong at its widest point. Therefore, when the craftsperson inserts the test probes of the bridge clip into the test channels to perform the test with the testing device, the test prongs can move within the test channels. And, because any movement of the bridge clip can cause the testing prongs to break the electrical connection with the terminal strips, thereby causing a false test reading, the craftsperson must affirmatively hold the bridge clip to the connector to ensure a secure electrical connection.
Further, the prior art connector testing systems do not prevent the user from inadvertently overinserting the test prongs to a position where the prongs cause damage to the connector. When correctly inserted into the test channels of the prior art connector, the prior art bridge clip body is spaced apart from the top portion of the connector. Therefore, the prior art mini-rocker connector testing systems provide no indicator or signal to the craftsperson when the test prongs of the bridge clip are properly positioned within test channels of the connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed at overcoming shortcomings in the prior art. A connector testing system in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a bridge clip having a body and a test lead connected thereto, a connector having a top portion and a housing, and an electrically conductive terminal strip disposed within the connector. The housing has a test channel formed therein. The top portion includes a stop positioned to prevent the test lead from being overinserted into the test channel. In this manner, when testing the connector, the craftsperson inserts the bridge clip test lead until the bridge clip abuts the stop of the connector. At this point, the craftsperson stops inserting the test lead into the test channel thereby protecting the interior connector components from damage due to overinsertion. The stop is preferably sized to prevent further insertion of the bridge clip test lead when the test lead is properly positioned within the test channel and makes an electrical connection.
Further, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the connector housing includes a side wall having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion. The side wall forms one side of the test channel, which has an upper section adjacent the upper portion of the side wall, a middle section adjacent the middle portion of the side wall, and a lower section adjacent the lower portion of the side wall. The middle and lower portion of the side wall are formed by an angled shoulder, which is preferably formed with the side wall. The shoulder guides the test probe from the upper section of the test channel to the lower section of the test channel. The width of the lower section of the test channel is sized to accept the test lead tip so that when the test lead tip is in the lower channel, the test lead is stabilized within the test channel. As such, the test lead is less likely to wobble in the test channel and cause intermittent contact between the test lead and the terminal strip.
In this way, the testing system provides a reliable way of preventing overinsertion of the test lead and provides a test lead stabilizer that assists the test lead in making continuous electrical contact with the terminal strip of the connector during testing procedures.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale,
Abrams Neil
Avaya Technology Corp.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
LandOfFree
Testing system with bridge clip, and connector having a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Testing system with bridge clip, and connector having a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Testing system with bridge clip, and connector having a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2492920