Abstract: A self-latching hinge includes a connector having an outer surface with at least one irregularity. A receiver is provided that includes an inner surface with at least one irregularity. By selectively moving the connector relative to the receiver the irregularity on the outer surface of the connector is engaged with the irregularity on the inner surface of the receiver for retaining the connector and retainer in a predetermined position. The receiver is designed to be hook-shaped and constructed of a pliable material for enabling the connector to be received within a recessed portion. In a preferred embodiment, the connector is cylindrical in shape and includes a plurality of dimples disposed on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a plug section pivotally attached to a jack section. The plug section includes a pair of terminals which form a portion of an insulation displacement connector. The upper end of each terminal has a pair of tines to which a wire may be connected. The terminals are installed into the plug section in the same direction as the direction of the downward forces applied to the tines of the terminals when connecting a wire thereto. The downward forces are borne by a stop shoulder on each terminal which engages an abutment on the plug section. This prevents the terminals from being inadvertently dislodged from the surrounding plug section. Thus, the terminals will remain properly positioned within the plug section when wires are forced onto the terminals.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable routing and storage device adapted to store a significant length of fiber-optic cable in a relatively small footprint while ensuring that a minimum bend radius is provided for the stored cable to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: An end cap for a telecommunications enclosure has a perimeter. The end cap has a plurality of cable receptacle tubes arranged around its perimeter. Each of the cable receptacle tubes has a plug at an end of the tube opposite the end cap. Each tube has a respective height. A first one of the tubes has the greatest height. Successive cable receptacle tubes on each side of the first tube decrease in height monotonically from the height of the first tube. The difference in height between two consecutive tubes is greater than or equal to a thickness of a blade used to cut the plug off of the tubes. The space between consecutive cable receptacle tubes is substantially less than a width of a blade used to cut the plug off of the tubes. The end cap may have a plane of symmetry passing through the highest cable receptacle tube. To use the end cap, the plug is cut off of the first (highest) cable receptacle tube. A cable is secured to the first tube.

Abstract: A grounding device connected to telecommunications equipment for providing protection against high voltage surges. The grounding device includes an electronic module clip having first and second legs and defining first and second current carrying branches. A discharge member is provided in contact with the clip for providing a discharge path to common ground for current carried by the clip as a result of a high voltage surge. The discharge member and clip are interfaced in a manner to reduce the magnetic force generated in the second leg by a voltage surge and preventing the deformation and separation of the discharge member from the clip.

Abstract: An end cap for a telecommunications enclosure has a plurality of cable receptacle tubes and a pair of pivotally mounted legs. The legs are mounted on an outside surface of the end cap. The legs are pivotable to positions in which they prevent the end cap from rolling. The legs can be pivoted to a position in which the legs fit within the perimeter of the end cap. Each leg may be shaped substantially as an arc of a circle, in which case the legs can be pivoted to a position where the legs fit in an annular region between the plurality of cable receptacle tubes and an outer edge of the end cap. Each leg includes a detente mechanism to maintain the leg in a desired position.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a base, a connector housing supported by the base, and at least one conductive terminal received within the connector housing. The conductive terminal includes a keyhole slot therein including a circular aperture and an elongated slot extending therefrom. The connector housing includes a handle having at least one wire-receiving passage therein, and is movable between a first position and a second position. An insulated wire is readily insertable and removable through the wire-receiving passage in the handle and the circular aperture in the conductive terminal when the connector housing is in the first position. When the connector housing is moved to the second position, the wire is moved from the circular aperture and forced into the elongated slot.

Abstract: An optical fiber organizer includes a plurality of optical fiber trays. Each tray has a top side for holding a fiber. Each tray has a hinge portion. The tray carrier has a plurality of sockets. Each socket is capable of receiving the hinge portion of a respective tray. Each tray has a first position on the tray carrier. The trays are stacked parallel to each other when the trays are in the first position. Each socket has an associated first detent, including a first boss below the socket, for maintaining its respective tray in the first position. Each socket has a second-position detent, including a second boss above the socket, for maintaining its respective tray in a second position about 90 degrees from the first position. The top side of one of the trays is exposed when at least one of the trays is in the second position. The hinge portion of the tray has a hole capable of receiving either the first boss or the second boss.

Abstract: A splice holder is provided for accommodating a plurality of splices of different sizes. The holder is formed with a base from which extend a plurality of splice holder elements, and a plurality of deflectable arms. The splice holder elements are each formed with a primary channel sized to receive and hold a fusion splice. Additionally, a secondary channel is defined between each pair of adjacent splice holder elements that is also sized to receive and hold a fusion splice. The primary and secondary channels are staggered to increase the number of splices the holder can accommodate without increasing the size thereof. Further, the arms are shaped to engage and latch onto array ribbon splices. With the combination of the splice holder elements and the arms, the splice holder can accommodate both fusion splices and array ribbon splices.

Abstract: A bridge for use in a junction box wherein the junction box receives a first wire pair coupled to a central office and at least two device wire pairs coupled to a local telephone device. The bridge includes a body and a first socket disposed in the body for receiving the first wire pair. At least two connector sockets are disposed in the body with each of the connector sockets being dimensioned and shaped so as to receive one device wire pair. A test socket is disposed in the body adjacent the first socket. A connecting wire pair is disposed in the body with the connecting wire having one end adjacent each of the two connector sockets. The test socket receives a second end of the connecting wire pair for coupling the connecting wire pair to the first wire pair inserted in the first socket. When each of the device wire pairs are inserted in one of the at least two connector sockets, each of the device wire pairs is coupled to the first wire pair.

Abstract: A grounding device connected to telecommunications equipment for providing protection against high voltage surges. The grounding device includes an electronic module clip having first and second legs for carrying high current of relatively short duration produced by a high voltage surge to ground. A discharge member is provided in electrical contact with the clip between the first and second legs for providing a discharge path through a mounting base to common ground for electrical current carried by the clip. The discharge member has first and second arms and a curved or bent region formed therebetween and having an opening directed toward and the base. This configuration of the discharge member causes the Lorentz force produced by a high voltage surge to be focused in the curved region which expands in a direction towards the electronic module clip to thereby ensure continued contact between the clip and discharge member.

Abstract: A surge protector for an electrical line is disclosed. The surge protector includes a pair of conductive pins respectively connectable to electrical lines. A first pin is soldered to a lead from a gas tube surge arrester. The lead is further fixed adjacent to the first pin and then attached to the second pin. A ground bracket having an opening is positioned between and connected with the other side of the surge arrester. As an electrical surge travels through the lines, the gas tube surge arrester begins to spark over, shunting overload conditions to the ground bracket. As the temperature begins to build, the solder flows, causing an open condition in which the surge arrester disconnects from the first pin, thereby eliminating the destructive effects of a prolonged electrical surge on the lines.

Abstract: A splice holder is provided to accommodate different size splices of fiber optic cables, including fusion splices and array ribbon splices. The splice holder is formed with a plurality of deflectable arms for engaging and latching onto the splices. The arms cooperate with walls to hold splices on the holder.

Abstract: The insulation displacement connector provides top access to facilitate insertion of conductors for interconnection with a sliding action. The top access slideable connector comprises a channel-shape conductive terminal having at least one key-hole opening and tails for wire wrapping, a channel-shape housing comprises an upper surface and an interior panel, both the surface and the panel each having at least one corresponding opening in axial alignment with the other and correspond to the key-hole and a base plate with a plurality of openings through some of which the terminal tails extend from. The housing receives the terminal and is slideable mounted onto the base plate with latching members. When the corresponding surface, panel and the larger part of the key-hole openings are in alignment, a conductor is inserted through the three corresponding openings.

Abstract: A wire connector block is provided formed with an abutment device, a retention device and a contact surface. The combination of these elements enables the wire connector block to be mounted to mounting surfaces of different thicknesses. The abutment device can be either a deflectable spring arm or a tiered rim. The retention device can be either a screw or a deflectable latch, whereas, the contact surface is defined on a portion of the base of the wire connector block.

Abstract: A splice holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The splice holder accommodates more splices than similar sized prior art splice holder by providing additional grooves. The splice holder comprises a plurality of parallel, spaced apart members extending from an integral base. Adjacent pairs of members defining a channel and interconnected passageway for retaining a splice. On each member between adjacent channels, a longitudinal groove located on a plane parallel to base and higher than channels and passageways is provided for retaining a splice, which increases the density of splices to be held on the splice holder.

Abstract: A cable-supporting cable port of an electrical or similar box comprises two mating hollow semi-cylindrical members. The two members join, when the box is closed to form a unified cable port through which various cables or wires travel. Each semi-cylindrical member comprises a sidewall. In the rear member, the sidewall defines an aperture. A barbed projection extends from an internal edge of the sidewall into the aperture. The edge and the barbed projection define a channel for accepting an intermediate portion of a tie strap which has been bent into substantially a U-shape. The barbed projection has a longitudinal portion and a substantially horizontal barb portion. The tie strap is secured about the longitudinal portion, and prevented from disengaging the projection by engaging the barb portion. In this manner, the cable is secured to the projection by tightening the tie strap. The cable is securely held in place, without requiring access to the rear of the cable port.

Abstract: A system for organizing optical fibers includes a pedestal, a bracket and a fiber splice tray. The pedestal has a longitudinal passage through it. The pedestal has at least one hole on its side surface. The hole penetrates from the longitudinal passage to an exterior of the pedestal. The bracket is mounted to the pedestal near the hole. The bracket is capable of receiving and storing a plurality of fiber splice trays. Preferably, the pedestal includes a plurality of holes located around its perimeter and a plurality of brackets located between respective ones of the plurality of holes. Each tray is movable between a vertical position for storage and a horizontal position for accessing a fiber on the tray. The assembly has a single base mounted on the pedestal below the plurality of holes, at a distance from the bottom of the pedestal; and a single cover that joins with the base to form a sealed enclosure around the plurality of brackets and the fiber splice trays.

Abstract: A splice holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The splice holder facilitates insertion and prevents accidental dislodgment of splices by providing a self locking feature. The splice holder comprises at least two spaced apart members in parallel alignment extending from a base. Adjacent pairs of members define a channel for retaining the splice. Each member comprises two spaced apart pliable and resilient sidewalls in parallel alignment and interconnected by a pliable and resilient tab near the upper ends of each sidewall with a portion of each sidewall extending above the tab to form a protrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with hinged members is provided. The apparatus is an elastomeric member affixed to hinged members on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis of rotation. The elastomeric member is affixed in a stretched state to facilitate the resilient return of the hinged members to a closed position. The elastomeric member occupies substantially the entire length of the hinge area. The elastomeric member bridges the hinge area between the two hinged members. Thus, the hinge area is protected against the entrance of stray wires or materials.