Abstract: Disclosed is a combined RF/power tap unit. The power and RF portions are provided in separate compartments with a cover for the power compartment so that access to the internal RF circuitry is possible without disturbing the power compartment. The cover for the power portion extends beyond the sides of the compartment, and the compartment includes appropriate grooves and seals to protect the wire connections from the outside environment. Detents are provided in one side of the compartment to hold the drop wires, and ribs in the cover supply strain relief.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cable terminal with improved features. Drop wires are sealed by a flexible sheet with an array of slits provided on a major surface of a pair of plates. The slits are positioned and oriented so that when the plates are in a closed position, the sheet will overlap to produce a pair of angled slits at each drop wire location. The housing forming the terminal block enclosure and a portion of the cable housing is made from a single molded piece with holes for mounting different types of terminal blocks. The terminal block enclosure is covered by a door which provides moisture protection when closed. A spring attached to the door keeps it in an opened position while a craftsperson is working on the blocks. The cable housing includes end pieces which accommodate a number of different sealing options for the cable.

Abstract: The connector comprises a plastic holder which carries two wire leads and serves as a cap for the free end of a drop wire inserted thereunto. Two metal contacts received in slots in the holder are driven in by pliers action to pierce the insulation of the leads and drop wire and to each engage both the conductor of a respective lead and a respective conductor of the drop wire to thereby electrically connect these two conductors. Next, plastic covers for the contacts, hinged to and integral with the holder, are closed to become locked thereto. The connection is then adapted to serve as a plug for an aperture in a terminal box, and to be attached thereto by snap action, and to have its leads connected to terminals in the box.

Abstract: A compliant, synthetic material of predetermined thickness is inserted into the space between cables and the inner surface of a pedestal enclosure which houses the cables. The compliant material prevents moisture, rodents, and insects from entering the upper portion of the enclosure. Drainage slots are provided. A wire mesh pad or steel wool may be used instead of the compliant, synthetic material. A plurality of embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A pedestal closure for underground cable connections includes a rear member (10), splice support ladder (20), backboard assembly (30), and upper (40 and 80) and lower front members (50) all of which are composed principally of plastic material. The rear member (10) has several features molded into its structure to facilitate attachment of the before-described members thereto. In addition, an electrically conductive bond bar assembly (60) is attached to the rear member (10).The upper front member (40 and 80) is one of two types. One type is a standard upper front member (40) which has a tamper resistant latching member (402) which restricts unauthorized entry into the pedestal closure (3). The other type is a flood cover member (80), which is utilized in high water areas. The flood cover member (80) which is a polygonal-shaped member and is interchangeable with the standard member (40), fits over siderails (102) of the rear member (10).

Abstract: An automatic locking device (402) is disclosed that can be utilized to secure a first member (40) to a second member (10). The device includes a latching member (12) with an integral spring member (18), the latching member being attached to a bolt member (11). The bolt member (11) is inserted into the first member (40) and then is inserted in an opening (15) in the latching member (12). Thereafter, an E-shaped retaining ring (13) is attached to a shank end of the bolt member (11) to secure the bolt member (11) to the latching member (12). The spring member (18) is continuously biased via a projecting portion (410) in the first member (40). When the first and second members are properly engaged with one another, the latch member (12) enters a detent (116) in the second member (10) and retains the first member (40) securely in place. Thereafter, the bolt member (11) can be rotated to release the latching member (12) from the detent (116) facilitating detachment of the first member (40) from the second (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making an electrical cable (10) which includes a plurality of insulated conductors (11) bound together in close proximity to one another to form a cablecore. A sheet of insulative material (13) surrounds this cable core and this assembly in turn is further surrounded with a conductive shield (14). An insulative sheath (16) surrounds the entire assembly. Integral with the conductive shield are means (15) for providing shield continuity when the insulative sheath and conductive shield are entered.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical cable (10) which includes a plurality of insulated conductors (11) bound together in close proximity to one another to form a cable core. A sheet of insulative material (13) surrounds this cable core and this assembly in turn is further surrounded with a conductive shield (14). An insulative sheath (16) surrounds the entire assembly. Integral with the conductive shield are means (15) for providing shield continuity when the insulative sheath and conductive shield are entered.

Abstract: A telephone central office main frame system is disclosed in which jumper wire terminations are placed by an automatic mechanism in response to control signals. The terminals are laid out in vertical lines having troughs therebetween in which the jumper wires lie. By alternating rows of input and output terminals, a large degree of flexibility of interconnection is obtained. In particular, a rotating pick-up head secures a twisted jumper wire pair from a reel source, automatically terminates one end of the wire pair in one set of preselected terminals, runs the jumper wires through the trough to the vicinity of the other terminals and, finally, automatically terminates the other ends in the preselected terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for semiautomatic wiring of telephone cabinets is disclosed which is suitable for twisted pairs of telephone wires. A pair-indexing head having a plurality of dual threaded spinning index rotors is used to permit automatic mass-termination of the individual wires in slotted-beam connectors. By pulling the connector block and attached wires down the length of the electrical cabinet, indexing the tip and ring conductors at the desired length, providing clamps at both ends of the twisted pairs, and cutting the wires, an operator is able to take the wires, one pair at a time, with proper tip and ring orientation, and terminate them on the back wiring plane of the electrical cabinet. The connector is then dressed through a wiring channel to exit at one end of the wiring cabinet and provide an easy means for connecting the cabinet to external wiring.

Abstract: A seal is used to prevent the escape of gas from a gas pressurized plastic-jacketed, multi-conductor cable where the conductors of an unjacketed portion of the cable enter a cabinet of a terminal which is exposed to temperature cycling. The seal includes a sleeve made of an elastomeric material having one end which engages an end section of the cable jacket with the conductors of the unjacketed portion of the cable extending through the other end of the sleeve into the cabinet. The seal also includes a metallic tube which is disposed about the elastomeric sleeve with one of the end portions of the tube which is aligned with the cable jacket being in compressive engagement with the sleeve and jacket. A plugging compound in the other end portion of the tube and which is compliant with the sleeve material encapsulates the conductors and the other end of the sleeve which extends into the plugging compound.

Abstract: A customer service closure includes a base having a plurality of indentations on one side for facilitating the mounting of a variety of communications apparatus such as protective devices. On an opposite side of the base there is provision for mounting the closure on a number of structures such as walls, horizontal and vertical conduits, pedestals, and mounting posts. Protection against environmental contaminants is provided by a cover which is slidably engageable with the base. The cover and base further include provisions for securing them to one another to prevent unauthorized entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fully automatic fabrication of wiring harnesses is disclosed which is particularly suitable for twisted pairs of telephone wires. Such harnesses are fabricated using slotted-beam connector blocks for all terminations of the harness. Mass-termination to the slotted-beam connectors is accomplished with a pair-indexing head, a comb, and a presser head selectively terminating individual pairs of a bundle of pairs.An automatic connector block insertion station, harness lashing station, and a pair-cutting station, distributed along a moving connector block holding belt, permit continuous automatic harness production.