Abstract: A jack has a housing with terminals extending from opposite sides of a terminal support. Toggles coupled to the housing include passages for receiving cable wires. Closing the toggles engages the terminals and terminates wires inserted in the passages without using a special punch down tool. Viewing apertures in the toggles are connected to the wire passages and let a person see whether wires are fully inserted into the toggles for proper connection to the terminals. In some cases the toggles are pivotally coupled to the housing and adjacent the opposite sides of the terminal support, and insertion ends of the toggles face away from the jack plug opening. The jack can have a modular configuration or an integral mounting plate. A method for terminating wires includes inserting untwisted wire ends into the toggles and pivoting the toggles to intersect the wire ends with electrical terminals.

Abstract: Microduct coupling and termination devices are provided. One coupling system includes a support structure with first and second sides. Multiple couplers are configured to receive corresponding microducts on the first side. Each coupler includes a wall connected to the support structure, which defines a cavity for receiving a microduct on the support structure first side. Each coupler removably retains the microduct within the cavity and provides a seal between the wall and microduct. A port adapter has a base unit, a hinged cover, at least one cable port, and support structure with multiple couplers that receive and removably retain microducts. A microduct coupling panel has multiple couplers connected to a planar frame in a grid arrangement. A perimeter of the panel can removably couple with a corresponding coupling portion of at least one of a terminal enclosure and a port adaptor.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable network interface device includes a base unit defining an interior cavity. The device has a cable entrance port for a main fiber optic cable having a plurality of individual fiber optic cables and at least one cable exit port for at least one distribution fiber optic cable. The cable exit port includes a first portion of a retaining mechanism. The device includes a bulkhead connector retained to the base unit wherein the bulkhead connector is configured to connect the main cable to one of the one of the cables of the main cable to a distribution cable. The device includes a clampshell that engages the distribution fiber optic cable and transition a jacketing of the distribution fiber optic cable from an interior jacket to an exterior jacket wherein an exterior surface of the clampshell comprises a second portion of the retaining mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of a drop interface box (DIB) for interfacing between an optical network service provider's heavy jacketed drop cable and optical distribution cables at a premises. The DIB provides organized drop, feed and distribution fiber cable storage and routing in a manner which does not cross different cables types when additional cables are added, and which maintains minimum bend radius of the cables and inhibits cable strain. In exemplary embodiments, a hinged fiber storage panel includes spools, cable clips and integrated cable channels that maintain cable radius during transitions of cables from a storage side or plane of the panel to a connector side or plane of the panel.

Abstract: A device that replaces the traditional 66 block device has improved pair-to-pair wire isolation to facilitate the transmission of both POTS and xDSL signals. The device includes a non-conductive lower member and a non-conductive upper member that retain a plurality of pairs of electrically conductive stampings therebetween. Each of the pairs of stampings is positioned to be in electric contact with each other such that a signal can be transmitted from one stamping to the other stamping. The stampings are utilized to electrically connect external telecommunication wires to internal telecommunications wires. Each toggle of a plurality of toggles is independently and pivotally connected to the upper member and includes a through bore for accepting an end of a wire that is accessible to an installer when the toggle is in an open, un-terminated position. Each of the toggles are movable from the open, un-terminated position to a closed, terminated position.

Abstract: A communication line adapter assembly is used for converting an existing wall phone mounting plate into a filtered outlet jack for use with DSL lines. The adapter has a housing that fits over the existing studs of a wall plate for a wall phone, and has a spring loaded latch which latches the assembly in position when the adapter housing is mounted over the existing studs. The latch holds the head of a stud from being removed by preventing sliding of the stud along the mounting slots in the direction for release. A filter is carried on the adapter housing, and a cover plate that replicates the positioning of the telephone wall mounting studs is mounted over the adapter housing.

Abstract: A terminating tool for scribing a cleavage line on an optical fiber, which is made of a brittle material, the tool holds the fiber in two locations. A connector for the outer sleeve covering the fiber is supported at one location, and the other support includes a bar that compresses the fiber against an anvil through a resilient material. A scribing disc is mounted on a flexible arm and is slid transverse the fiber at a location so the disc engages a portion of the fiber periphery as the flexible arm deflects to permit the disc to move transversely to the fiber. A slide mounts the flexible arm carrying the disc, and the slide is moved through a second flexible link to reduce the transmission of unwanted motions to the slide, so that an accurate scribe line can be made on the fiber.

Abstract: A mounting block has a plurality of insulation displacement connectors or terminal clips, mounted in openings in the block in traverse rows which are evenly spaced along the length of the block. The block is a dielectric body of conventional shape having fanning strip sections at its opposite margins. The insulation displacement connectors or terminal clips are loosely received through holes in the block and have a pair of wire-receiving prongs that are symmetric about a central axis so that the terminal clips do not require a specific orientation relative to the center line of the block. The terminal clips each have a wire-retaining receptacle near the upper end and are slit so that a wire may be slid down and the wire insulation displaced for electrical connection to the terminal clip. The slit forms resilient arms that are tapered from an upper end downwardly.

Abstract: An electrical connector reduces cross talk between conductors carrying high frequency signals between input and output terminals. The connector has a lead frame with conductors that have generally parallel portions, but wherein some of the conductors have portions formed as out of the plane of the parallel portions as a hump. The humps have sections that provide spring contacts for engagement with a plug. The cross talk between specific conductors is further reduced by including capacitive coupling between selected conductors, and by positioning the conductors in desired locations relative to the conductors of other pairs of wires. The connector is provided with a load bar system for permitting easy coupling of the individual wires to input terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spring conductors used within modular jack assemblies. The spring conductors electrically connect with conductors residing on a multi-connector plug to connect communication equipment, digital or audio, to a transmission line. The spring conductors maintain connection with the conductors on the plug by a spring force inherent in the spring conductor. The present invention measures this spring force with a probe inserted into the modular jack assembly. The output of the probe being proportional to the spring force.

Abstract: A modular patch or wiring administration panel comprises an elongated support that fits into a standard rack used for telecommunications. The panel has a plurality of openings on the front side thereof, each of which is of size to receive a standard communications socket. The openings are divided into pairs by anchoring lugs positioned between the openings which are accessible from the rear side of the panel. A two port or opening module is provided and held in each of the supports, and each of the two port modules is made to accept a wide variety of line connection devices, either male or female, so that the same panel can have many variations of connections. The two port module permits movement of the module within the panel, for better space utilization. For example, an input jack and an output jack on the same module and on the same panel, and termination units are easily connected at the rear of each of the modules.

Abstract: A printed circuit or printed wire board has a resistor network thereon, wired through conductors that are arranged so that individual circuit paths for different resistor combinations pass onto one of a plurality of peripheral tabs on the printed circuit board. The tabs are joined to the main portion of the circuit board through a frangible connection which permits breaking off the tabs. The main circuit into which the board is to be connected is tested to determine the needed circuit characteristics, and all but one of the tabs on the board are removed to provide the required circuit connections for matching the printed wire board circuit to the main circuit. The breakaway tabs permit selecting a particular circuit impedance so that the board is matched to the main circuit in which it is connected. The board is primarily used for compensation of a communications network where the loop loss of a telephone system is set to the right value.

Abstract: A multiple dwelling interface box has a plurality of individual customer compartments to provide distribution to individual customers from one secure compartment housing communication company equipment. The box will contain up to six single or six two line modular customer interfaces. The invididual securable compartments are provided for easy invididual subscriber access on a panel or partition that hinges to provide access to the telephone company equipment, but which panel can be locked to prevent customer access to the communication company equipment.

Abstract: A telephone line demarcation unit separates the telephone company's property and wiring from those of the user and provides security for the telephone line connections and connectors. Compartments in the unit provide easy access for the user and further provides a selection of different types of connections or equipment that can be utilized. The telephone company terminals and test boards are separately compartmented so that the compartments can be separately sealed with seals to discourage tampering and provide evidence of tampering, and yet the user's portion of the interface box demarcation unit can be easily accessed for connecting a variety of telephone equipment.

Abstract: A modular coupler is used to interconnect two modular plug-ended telephone line cords. The coupler includes a first and a second section, each having a base and side walls extending along a length. The first section includes a center wall extending in a width direction between the side walls. A plurality of slots are oriented in a lengthwise direction across the center wall. The second section includes first and second forming walls extending in a width direction and separated by an aperture of sufficient size to receive therebetween the center wall of the first section. A plurality of slots extend in a lengthwise direction across the first and second forming walls and slope inward toward the aperture. A plurality of wires are positioned within the slots of the first and second forming walls. During assembly, the center wall is moved between the first and second forming walls to bend the wires toward the first section while clamping them within the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cable lashing machine for securing a fiber optic cable to a supporting strand. The cable lashing machine, which is movable along the supporting strand, has an elongated housing which has a central through bore extending the length of the housing for reception of the fiber optic cable and the supporting strand. A spinning head mounted on the elongated housing carries a coil of lashing line on a rotatable spool and pays out the line to wrap helically around the fiber optic cable and the supporting strand as the elongated housing is advanced along the supporting strand. A tension loading device places tension on the fiber optic cable as it passes through the central bore and as it is lashed to the supporting strand, with the amount of tension supplied being sufficient to maintain the fiber optic cable coextensive relative to the supporting strand.

Abstract: A wall plate is used for both a receptacle for a remote conventional telephone and for mounting a wall telephone by either detaching or attaching a pair of mounting posts. The wall plate is fastened to a support, such as a wall, and has a communication receptacle or jack located therein. A pair of plugs cover a pair of spaced-apart apertures in the wall plate when the wall plate is used with remote conventional telephones. To mount a wall telephone on the wall plate, the plugs are removed and detachable mounting posts are placed through the apertures and secured to a backing frame. The wall phone is mounted on the mounting posts and connected to the jack.