Abstract: A hand operated calculator is provided for estimating a length of a patch cord necessary to extend between any two of a plurality of connection locations of spaced apart frames in a distribution bay. The calculator includes three members which are movable relative to one another. Each of the members carries various indicia which when aligned indicate an optimum amount of patch cord necessary to extend between indicated connection locations of spaced apart frames.

Abstract: A fiber optic to electrical conversion unit includes front and rear modular design with rear card modules conditioning signals to be passed to front modules. A frame synchronization method transmits a stream of multiplexing frames and periodically inserts a synchronization word in the stream. Prediction of the next synchronizing word in the receiving unit reduces the need to search for a synchronization word in the stream. Loop current regulation in a two-wire loop between a central office and a PBX uses a transformer serially connected in the two-wire circuit with a regulation circuit which holds the current in the loop within a predetermined range to permit the transformer to be held to a relatively small size. High frequency noise bypassing is accomplished by forming capacitor loops from the power connection to the ground connection of the component near to the component.

Abstract: A clock recovery circuit includes a tuned-tank circuit for receiving RZ data signals, a comparator for converting an analog clock signal produced by the tuned-tank circuit to a digital clock signal, and a positive feedback of the digital clock signal to the tuned-tank circuit for self-regenerating the clock signal.

Abstract: An optical switch is disclosed including a first and second array of optical fibers held in axial alignment and relatively rotatable about an axis of rotation to effect optical coupling and decoupling of fibers of the opposing arrays. Terminal ends of fibers of the first array are set at a predetermined non-orthogonal angle relative to the axis of rotation. Terminal ends of fibers of the second array are set at an angle which is complementary to the non-orthogonal angle.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing which contains an optical fiber switch which is switched by rotating at least one member between first and second switch positions. An actuator is provided for rotating the member between the switch positions. The actuator includes a shaft connected to the switched member and a fixed magnet carried on the shaft. Electromagnetic elements are disposed on opposite sides of the fixed magnet. The electromagnets are energized to alternate a magnetic field and urge the fixed magnet to rotate and move the shaft in alternate rotational directions. A stop mechanism is provided to ensure accurate rotational positioning of the shaft.

Abstract: Electrical connector jacks of type having a first set of parallel fingers along one side of a cavity, which are provided with a second set of fingers contacting respective fingers of the first set within pockets in the jack body, modules for adding a second set of fingers to conventional jacks, and patch panels employing such jacks.

Abstract: An optical component for bidirectionally coupling an optical fiber with active devices for transmitting and receiving information in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The component comprises an integrally formed body molded of optical quality plastic and having two opposed ends, one of which is adapted to receive an optical fiber and the other the active devices. Between the two ends are symmetrically arranged ellipsoidal and planar reflecting surfaces which define a pair of double folded optical paths, one each from an active device to the optical fiber. The reflecting surfaces operate by total internal reflection and are arranged along with other body surfaces so that the component can be molded without the need for mold side action.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for bypassing high frequency noise from a component mounted to a circuit board provides that the component be connected to the power and signal ground planes of the PC board with respective signal traces and that bypass capacitors be connected between these signal traces between the component and the signal and ground planes.

Abstract: Front and rear modular conversion unit has a chassis including four side-walls and open and front rear ends. A motherboard printed circuit board mounted inside the chassis forms front and rear module insertion areas and has a plurality of connectors for receiving a cooperating mating connector, with the connecters mounted on both sides. Conversion card modules are mounted in the front end of the chassis and mate with the connectors to convert electrical signals to fiber optic signals. Rear card modules condition the electrical signals.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution frame is disclosed which includes a plurality of modular cabinets. The plurality of cabinets includes a connector cabinet having a front panel with sleeve adaptors for mounting a plurality of connector sleeves on said panel at an angle to said panel.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, having at least first and second original equipment electrically connected by at least a first existing conductor, a method is disclosed for adding intermediate equipment to the network. The intermediate equipment is connected to the first original equipment by at least a first replacement conductor and the intermediate equipment is connected to the second original equipment by at least a second replacement conductor. A method for adding uses a temporary circuit having at least first and second test conductors. The method includes the steps of electrically connecting first and second replacement conductors to the additional equipment. The first temporary conductor is electrically connected to the original conductor at a first point of connection. The second temporary conductor is electrically connected to the original conductor at a second point of connection. The second point of connection is disposed between the second original equipment and the first point of connection.

Abstract: An electrical to fiber optic conversion unit for use in a fiber optic transmission link includes a ferrous metal chassis with an open front end for receiving a plurality of conversion modules and power supply or test modules. The conversion module includes circuitry for converting electrical signals to fiber optic signals and is constructed of a multi-layer printed circuit board having top and bottom layers substantially covered with a non-current conducting chassis ground. The several internal layers of the conversion PC board include two signal layers for interconnecting components on the board, with the signal layers being separated by a power distribution layer and a interconnect layer for connecting components on opposite ends of the board. The multi-layer PC construction suppresses RF noise from the conversion module providing that the front panel of the module may be left uncovered while still achieving very low levels of RF emission.

Abstract: A device for transporting fiber, wires or cables from the rear of a chassis to the front includes an armature member mounted to pivot in a plane parallel to the top of the housing. The armature is pivotable between a first position in which a first end is proximate an aperture in the rear of the housing and a second position in which the end of said first arm proximate the front of the chassis. A second arm is provided to actuate the armature, with the second arm being accessible from the front of said chassis when said armature is in the first position. A signal carrying medium may thus be connected to the end of first arm and readily transported through to the front of the chassis.

Abstract: A wire distribution apparatus is disclosed and includes a wire termination module having a cross connect field and a protector field electrically wired to the cross connect field. The cross connect field includes a plurality of electrical contact points arranged in a predetermined array. A test member is provided for accessing test equipment to test signals carried by conductors connected to the cross connect field. The test member includes a housing which is releasably attachable to the module in a predetermined position. A plurality of electrical contact members are carried by the housing and have exposed contact ends arranged in a second array with the ends disposed to electrically engage the test contact points when the housing is attached to the module in a predetermined position. Electrical connectors are carried on the housing for electrically connecting circuit test equipment to the electrical contact members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ganged lamp socket device especially applicable for a bank of LED's. The apparatus includes a housing having a row of sockets with a groove and first pockets on one side of the row and a plurality of second pockets on the other side. A common terminal strip fits in the groove and first pockets, while a plurality of contact members fit in the second pockets. The apparatus is easily assembled using the common strip and plurality of contact members formed in a single conductive sheet. The strip is inserted in the groove and broken from the sheet and then the contact members which are held together by a carrier are inserted in the second pockets. The carrier is broken from the contact members and all items are pressed into place. The apparatus reduces the number of piece parts normally needed for this type of device and increases system reliability.

Abstract: A jack assembly is disclosed including a mount having a plurality of electrical contact members disposed in a predetermined array and a plurality of jacks. The jacks are releasably attachable to the mount. Each of the jacks includes a jack body formed of dielectric material. The body has an interior with a plurality of bores extending through the body in communication with the interior. The bores are sized to receive tip-and-ring plugs of known dimensions. A plurality of electrically conductive spring contacts are disposed within the chambers with first ends thereof presenting electrical contact points disposed in a predetermined array. A circuit board is attached to the body and has circuitry which includes a first and second plurality of circuit contact points. The first plurality of circuit contact points is disposed on the circuit board to make electrical contact with the electrical contact points of the spring contacts when the circuit board is connected to the body.

Abstract: The present invention organizes optical fibers from a trunk cable for connection to fibers from various distribution cables. The apparatus includes a housing having a plurality of trays swingable from a storage position inside the housing to an access position in front of the housing. Each tray includes a spool for holding excess fiber from the trunk cable and a spool for holding fiber from a pigtail cable. In addition, various routing paths are provided to include a path for holding excess fiber from a distribution cable of a pigtail cable leading to a distribution cable. Connections between the fiber of the trunk cable and the pigtain cable and between the pigtail cable and the jumper leading to the distribution cable are attached to the tray and readily movable between the storage and access position. The apparatus may also be used simply to store fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to connector apparatus comprising a jack (20) usable with either a conventional plug (400) terminating a coaxial cable (410) or a special plug (200) terminating a shielded, twisted pair cable (202). Such versatility was made possible by a full body first conductor (68) having spring contactors (130) which may be separated from grounding contact with barrel (36) of housing (32) by an insulator (216) of plug (200) includes a protruding insulator (216) for separating the contactors (130) and functioning the switching mechanism. Plug (200) also includes first and second conductors (212) and (214) for connection with second and first jack conductors (76) and (68), respectively. In addition, unique structures for pieceparts and assembly details resulting in various interlocking arrangements are disclosed with respect to the structure of jack (20) and plug (200).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ganged lamp socket device especially applicable for a bank of LED's. The apparatus includes a housing having a row of sockets with a groove and first pockets on one side of the row and a plurality of second pockets on the other side. A common terminal strip fits in the groove and first pockets, while a plurality of contact members fit in the second pockets. The apparatus is easily assembled using the common strip and plurality of contact members formed in a single conductive sheet. The strip is inserted in the groove and broken from the sheet and then the contact members which are held together by a carrier are inserted in the second pockets. The carrier is broken from the contact members and all the items are pressed into place. The apparatus reduces the number of piece parts normally needed for this type of device and increases system reliability.