Abstract: A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities includes: a plurality of end devices; at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports; a plurality of cables for selectively interconnecting the connector ports on the patch panels with respective end devices; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a display associated with the tracing modules configured to display the connectivity of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports, and having an RFID reader and RF antennas associated with the connector ports. A plurality of patch cords are configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. Each connector of a respective patch cord includes an RFID tag. The RFID tags for a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier stored therewithin. The RF antenna associated with a connector port emits RF signals that cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier. Each RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when the respective patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective one of the connector ports.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A protective cable cover separates cable routing from patchcords and cross-connect wire in a wiring trough, and includes a printed wiring board that provides a means for mounting electronic circuitry and components. The cable cover is placed over the cable conductors on a wiring block cable organizer. A circuit designation strip and row marking pads are provided to designate rows and circuit connections. A strike engages a latch on a patchcord plug to releasably retain the plug in engagement with the wiring block. Mounting holes are formed integral with the cable cover to engage latches on the cable organizer for releasably mounting the cable cover on the cable organizer.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible plastic membrane which supports embedded components such as light emitting diodes and plastic pressure switches, and conductors on a plastic ribbon which connects the embedded light emitting diode and plastic pressure switch to a connector. The flexible plastic membrane supports an adhesive which enables it to be stick to the surface of the module faceplate. The inventive structure is more economical to build and install than presently used mechanical spring loaded push switches and light emitting diodes as they must be physically mounted to the face plate and hardwired when the module is manufactured. In addition, the inventive structure can be replaced in the field when a fault develops without disturbing or disconnecting the optical fiber connected to the front or rear of a module.

Abstract: An electrical connector terminal includes a planar wire connecting portion formed to connect with an outside wire lead, the connecting portion defining a first plane. A shoulder portion of the terminal has a planar first section extending from a first side of the connecting portion, and the first section defines a second plane that is normal to the first plane of the connecting portion so that the terminal is held stable when mounted on a wiring board and the first section of the shoulder portion is restrained by an outside part located out of the first plane of the wire connecting portion. An elongated mounting portion or tail is formed to fit axially in a terminal opening in the wiring board. The tail is joined to a free end of the first section of the shoulder portion remote from the wire connecting portion, and the second plane of the first section includes the axis of the mounting portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible plastic membrane which supports embedded components such as light emitting diodes and plastic pressure switches, and conductors on a plastic ribbon which connects the embedded light emitting diode and plastic pressure switch to a connector. The flexible plastic membrane supports an adhesive which enables it to be stick to the surface of the module faceplate. The inventive structure is more economical to build and install than presently used mechanical spring loaded push switches and light emitting diodes as they must be physically mounted to the face plate and hardwired when the module is manufactured. In addition, the inventive structure can be replaced in the field when a fault develops without disturbing or disconnecting the optical fiber connected to the front or rear of a module.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible plastic membrane which supports embedded components such as light emitting diodes and plastic pressure switches, and conductors on a plastic ribbon which connects the embedded light emitting diode and plastic pressure switch to a connector. The flexible plastic membrane supports an adhesive which enables it to be stick to the surface of the module face plate. The inventive structure is more economical to build and install than presently used mechanical spring loaded push switches and light emitting diodes as they must be physically mounted to the face plate and hardwired when the module is manufactured. In addition, the inventive structure can be replaced in the field when a fault develops without disturbing or disconnecting the optical fiber connected to the front or rear of a module.

Abstract: An electrical connector terminal includes a planar wire connecting portion formed to connect with an outside wire lead, the connecting portion defining a first plane. A shoulder portion of the terminal has a planar first section extending from a first side of the connecting portion, and the first section defines a second plane that is normal to the first plane of the connecting portion so that the terminal is held stable when mounted on a wiring board and the first section of the shoulder portion is restrained by an outside part located out of the first plane of the wire connecting portion. An elongated mounting portion or tail is formed to fit axially in a terminal opening in the wiring board. The tail is joined to a free end of the first section of the shoulder portion remote from the wire connecting portion, and the second plane of the first section includes the axis of the mounting portion.

Abstract: A wiring block mounting bracket for mounting a conductor termination array and wiring block on an industry standard 19 inch Terminal Frame System. For telecommunications and data management systems, the wiring block mount allows the mounting of one to four termination arrays only, without the need for a back panel.

Abstract: A twenty eight pair cabling system comprises a conductor termination array having twenty-eight pairs of termination ports. The termination array is able to engage seven four-pair cable conductors and seven four-pair connecting blocks. Row marking surfaces have been moved, making room for expanding the prior art termination array by three port pairs. The termination array and cable organizer assembly is the same length as the old wiring block, resulting in increased wiring density.

Abstract: A reverse-engaging patchcord plug has a rearward-facing connector channel, and is used in connection with a wiring block assembly. A cover pivots between two positions. In the first position covering the channel, the hook-shaped channel will not snag on wiring while being pulled out of troughs. A detent releasably retains the cover in the first position. In the second position uncovering the channel, the plug will engage the connecting block to allow signals to be conducted between them. A latch is attached to the plug. With the cover in the second position, the latch has a hook that engages a strike attached to the wiring block assembly for retaining the plug on the wiring block assembly. The latch is resilient, requiring minimal applied force to secure and release.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connecting (IDC) terminal that accepts two insulated wires in a single slot for the making of an electrical connection. The IDC portion of the terminal, which cuts into the insulation of the wire to establish contact, is designed with large flat spring contacts about a centrally located slot, wherein the contacts displace torsionally when normal forces placed on the terminals exceed a fixed load. The torsional displacement is enabled by the inclusion of a widened slot proximate a base portion of the terminal. The widened slot in combination with an angular orientation of the terminal contained within an insulated connector module housing enables the contacts to twist to away from one another. This displacement effect allows for larger gauge and more than one conductor to be inserted into the terminal without permanently yielding the beam contacts of the terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high density connector for providing electrical connection between a circuit pack and backplane. The connector is formed from at least two modules, each coupled to a different surface of the circuit board and having a different array of connection types.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for electrically coupling stocked circuit boards using conductive polymer interconnect material and a spacer element. In one embodiment, coaxial connection is provided by means of an array of wires within undulating metal envelopes. In another embodiment, pins are provided within holes in a plastic spacer. In a third embodiment, wires are laid on a substrate and successive laminations are built up to form the spacer element. In a fourth embodiment, wire arrays are extrusion molded within thermoplastic sheets which are laminated to form the spacer element.

Abstract: A plurality of optical fibers (14-14E) are interconnected by using connectors each comprising an optoelectronic device (13-13E) adapted to be connected to an end of each optical fiber for converting optical signals to electrical signals and for converting electrical signals to optical signals. Each connector has a first contact (12-12E) having a cylindrical plug end and a cylindrical socket end located on a common axis and a transverse conductor (21) extending transversely to the axis (20) from the first contact and connected to the optoelectronic device of the connector. The plug end of each contact is adapted to fit snugly within the socket end of another first contact, whereby all of the contacts may be connected and arranged along the common axis. Each of the contacts is free to rotate with respect to other contacts to which it is connected; this permits the various optical fibers to extend in different radial directions from the axis.