Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transport can be extended economically by a retrofit cabinet which can replace a standard telephone cross-connect cabinet or by placement of a new cross-connect cabinet. The retrofit cabinet or new cabinet incorporates within it a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). The inclusion of the DSLAM in the same cabinet with the cross-connect blocks avoids problems associated with real estate acquisition and approvals, avoids problems resulting from crosstalk, and avoids the necessity of replacing older feeder cabling that is incapable of carrying DSL signals. With pre-wired connections between the cross-connect blocks and the DSLAM electronics, it is possible to provide DSL transport to a subscriber by cross-connecting readily accessible terminals within the cabinet. The retrofit cabinet may also have additional feeder and distribution connection blocks for expansion of telephone service as well as DSL transports to new subscribers.

Abstract: Grounding apparatus for use in a telephone pedestal and the like and for use in selectively connecting and disconnecting electrically conductive shields of a telephone cable or the like to a ground rod. The grounding apparatus includes a ground block fixed to the front surface of a divider plate of the pedestal. The ground block also supports a cable ground bracket and connects the ground bracket to a ground rod. The ground bracket is adapted to facilitate grounding of the shields of service wires and the like.

Abstract: An electrical cable clamp for retaining a plurality of multi-conductor cables having electrically conductive sheaths in fixed disposition and for grounding the shields of those cables. The cable clamp includes a ground bracket comprised of a flat metal strip stamped to form a plurality of U-shaped open ended channels integrally joined together by a web. Each channel includes a rearward wall, and a pair of side walls extend forwardly from the rearward wall. A compression member is provided for compressing a plurality of cables together in electrically conductive relation and for forcing the cables against the rearward wall portions of the channels in electrical contact. The compression member includes a pair of spaced apart parallel legs slideably housed in the respective channels. The legs each include a free end having a jaw member extending between the side walls of the channels and adapted to engage cables and to force them against the rearward walls of the channels.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for joining service wires to selected wire pairs of a loop of telephone cable housed in a telephone closure or pedestal. The invention provides a splice housing adapted to be positioned in the pedestal and adapted to house a loop of the telephone cable. The splice housing also includes an integral divider plate portion adapted to support one or more terminal blocks in a variety of arrangements and combinations and also to support a disconnect block adapted to permit connection and disconnection of the cable shields to ground and a ground clamp adapted to permit connection of the cable shields to ground and to permit connection of the shields of the service wires to ground.

Abstract: A predetermined block system for use in outside underground utility distribution networks, such as networks for providing telephone service, includes factory installed cable stubs spliced into a main distribution cable and encapsulated at predetermined intervals along the length of the distribution cable. The free ends of each cable stub are attached to one side of a terminal block which is adapted to be mounted in an aboveground or flush to the ground closure. Service wires may then be attached to the other side of the block. The cable stub includes a pair of bond wires insulated from each other. At a splice opening formed in the distribution cable one bond wire is connected to a field side and the other bond wire is connected to the central office side of the cable shields of the distribution cable. The bond wires terminate at commonly grounded terminal posts in the terminal block. The common ground may be provided by a ground braid fastened to the closure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to the electrical connectors which are commonly known as cable bonding clamps. Cable bonding clamps are used for providing continuity of the conductive shielding of a communication cable at splice points so as to carry electrical current across the splice and to ground the conductive shield at termination points.

Abstract: A modular terminal for fast and secure installation of a wire pair insuring electrical isolation of each wire in utility interface equipment requiring a large number of such installing operations is supported by a boss of insulating material. A pair of continuous contact pins are each formed with two-pronged wire clamps having a wire-receiving slot between the prongs. The contact pins extend into the housing in spaced apart positions with the lower prongs seated on the boss and the wire-receiving slots for the pair opening in the same direction. A cap is seated on the upper prongs of the wire clamps and is fastened to the boss with a terminal screw that is advanced to simultaneously secure a pair of conductors held in the wire-receiving slots.

Abstract: A terminal block includes a printed circuit element which has conductive paths deposited on one of its surfaces, with each path extending from a terminal area surrounding an opening in the element to a centralized area. In one embodiment, the printed circuit element is a rigid board and terminals are mounted on the board and extend through each opening and project outwardly on the opposite surface of the board. The terminals are swedged at one end to physically retain them on the board and to electrically connect them to the conductive path. The rigid board is attached to an open box-like shell through which a cable carrying wire conductor extends and connects, interior to the block, to the conductive paths on the circuit board. In another embodiment, the circuit element is a flat, flexible sheet which is disposed against a support board provided with apertures aligned with the openings in the flexible sheet.