Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing a precision clockplate with rotational bearing surfaces (e.g. pivot pins). The methods comprise providing an electrically conductive blank, conventionally machining oversize features comprising bearing surfaces into the blank, optionally machining of a relief on non-bearing surfaces, providing wire accesses adjacent to bearing surfaces, threading the wire of an electrical discharge machine through the accesses and finishing the bearing surfaces by wire electrical discharge machining. The methods have been shown to produce bearing surfaces of comparable dimension and tolerances as those produced by micro-machining methods such as LIGA, at reduced cost and complexity.

Abstract: A back-end variation control cap configured for use with a jack module including a plurality of insulation displacement connectors, the cap being configured for routing a plurality of twisted conductor pairs. The cap includes an upper portion, a bottom portion, a plurality of twisted pair channels extending between the upper portion and the bottom portion, and a pair of opposed end walls, each of the end walls including a plurality of wire constraints disposed thereon. Each wire constraint has opposed surfaces configured to retain one of the conductors and each twisted conductor pair extends through one of the twisted pair channels and the conductors of the twisted conductor pairs are disposed in the plurality of wire constraints such that each conductor is aligned with one of the insulation displacement connectors when the bottom portion is disposed adjacent the jack module.

Abstract: A communication jack that withstands insertion of a communication plug with which the jack is not configured to mate without being damaged. The communication jack comprises a wire board and a number of contact wires that extend above the wire board and that are electrically coupled to respective contact regions on the wire board at first ends of the contact wires. The contact wires having second ends that are freely disposed for making electrical connections with corresponding contact wires of a mating communication plug. Each of the freely disposed ends of the contact wires are cantilevered from respective fist ends of the contact wires such that the contact wires are capable of being deflected when the freely disposed ends wipe against respective contact wires of the mating communication plug.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting wire leads of a first cable to corresponding wire leads of a second cable. A terminal housing structure has a first base, and a second base facing opposite to the first base. First pairs of connector terminals are configured to connect with pairs of wire leads of the first cable, and second pairs of connector terminals are configured to connect with pairs of wire leads of the second cable. A wiring board captured between the first and second bases has sets of conductive terminal openings at corresponding locations in the board. The first pairs of connector terminals are mounted on one side of the board in first pairs of terminal openings, and the second pairs of connector terminals are mounted on the opposite side of the board in second pairs of terminal openings which are electrically connected to the first pair of openings. The sets of terminal openings are spaced apart sufficiently to avoid cross-talk between the pairs of connector terminals.

Abstract: A communication jack that withstands insertion of a communication plug with which the jack is not configured to mate without being damaged. The communication jack comprises a wire board and a number of contact wires that extend above the wire board and that are electrically coupled to respective contact regions on the wire board at first ends of the contact wires. The contact wires having second ends that are freely disposed for making electrical connections with corresponding contact wires of a mating communication plug. Each of the freely disposed ends of the contact wires are cantilevered from respective fist ends of the contact wires such that the contact wires are capable of being deflected when the freely disposed ends wipe against respective contact wires of the mating communication plug.

Abstract: A communication jack connector includes a wiring board having a front region, and a number of contact wires for engaging and making electrical connections with corresponding terminals of a conforming plug connector. The contact wires have free ends formed to be deflected resiliently in a direction toward the front region of the wiring board when engaging the plug connector. At least one clearance opening is formed in the wiring board at a location where the free end of a corresponding contact wire would otherwise contact an upper surface of the board when deflected by the plug connector. The clearance opening is dimensioned so that part of the free end of the contact wire deflects into the opening a certain distance from the upper surface of wiring board while the contact wire maintains sufficient resilient force to connect electrically with the corresponding terminal of the plug connector.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting wire leads of a first cable to corresponding wire leads of a second cable. A terminal housing structure has a first base, and a second base facing opposite to the first base. First pairs of connector terminals are configured to connect with pairs of wire leads of the first cable, and second pairs of connector terminals are configured to connect with pairs of wire leads of the second cable. A wiring board captured between the first and second bases has sets of conductive terminal openings at corresponding locations in the board. The first pairs of connector terminals are mounted on one side of the board in first pairs of terminal openings, and the second pairs of connector terminals are mounted on the opposite side of the board in second pairs of terminal openings which are electrically connected to the first pair of openings. The sets of terminal openings are spaced apart sufficiently to avoid cross-talk between the pairs of connector terminals.

Abstract: A communication jack connector includes a wiring board having a front region, and a number of contact wires for engaging and making electrical connections with corresponding terminals of a conforming plug connector. The contact wires have free ends formed to be deflected resiliently in a direction toward the front region of the wiring board when engaging the plug connector. At least one clearance opening is formed in the wiring board at a location where the free end of a corresponding contact wire would otherwise contact an upper surface of the board when deflected by the plug connector. The clearance opening is dimensioned so that part of the free end of the contact wire deflects into the opening a certain distance from the upper surface of wiring board while the contact wire maintains sufficient resilient force to connect electrically with the corresponding terminal of the plug connector.

Abstract: A transmission media patch panel modular cabinetry system for interconnecting transmission media includes at least one patch panel having a plurality of jacks mounted thereto with each of the jacks being configured to mate with a patch cord. First and second closet modules are attached to at least one of the patch panels. Each of the closet modules preferably incorporate an upright, a raceway, and an access channel, with each of the raceways formed adjacent at least one of the patch panels. The access channels, which are formed between the uprights, and the raceways are sized and shaped to pass transmission media therethrough. Doors for selectively providing access to the raceways also can be provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for retaining wires or cables inside a trough having base wall, and first and second side walls extending generally parallel to one another from the base wall. The arrangement includes one or more pairs of trapezoidal retainer plates supported on the side walls so that each pair of plates are in confronting relation to one another above the trough. Each retainer plate has a base portion, and an end portion forming an outside edge which defines an approximately 45-degree angle with respect to parallel side edges of the plate. The outside edges of each pair of confronting plates form a gap through which wires or cables can be inserted into or withdrawn from the trough. The gap forms an acute angle with respect to the side walls of the trough, so that inserted wires or cables will be retained by each pair of confronting retainer plates.

Abstract: A patch panel with reverse cordage exit patch cord incorporates a plurality of jacks, with each of the jacks having a plug-receiving cavity formed therein. The jacks are mounted to the patch panel so that their respective plug-receiving cavities are oriented away from the mounting surface to which the panel is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the patch panel incorporates patch cords with cordage extending from their respective patch cord plugs in a first direction. Each patch cord plug is adapted to matingly engage a plug-receiving cavity of a patch panel jack when the patch cord plug is inserted into the plug-receiving cavity in the first direction. Thus configured, the cordage of the patch cord is directed toward the mounting surface when the plug of the patch cord engages the plug-receiving cavity of the patch panel.

Abstract: A patch panel with pivoting bracket assembly is provided which reduces the tendency for optical fiber patch cords to entangle or snarl in front of the couplings of the patch panel. In a preferred embodiment, the patch panel incorporates a plurality of couplings, with each of the couplings configured to optically communicate with an optical fiber cable. Each of the couplings is moveable between a patching position and a stowed position so that, in the patching position, each of the couplings are configured to receive a patch cord connector in a first direction, thereby allowing the patch cord to optically communicate with an optical fiber cable. In the stowed position, the cables of patch cords engaging the couplings are directed toward the mounting surface in a second direction. Preferably, the first direction and the second direction are oriented toward the mounting surface. A method aspect of the invention is also presented.

Abstract: A patch panel with patch cord plug keyway incorporates at least one jack. The jack communicates with a transmission medium, such as a cable, with the jack including a plug-receiving cavity and a keyway. The plug-receiving cavity is configured to receive and securely mount the plug of a patch cord so that the transmission medium cooperating with the jack electrically communicates with the patch cord when the plug is in an engaged position. The keyway is formed through the jack and communicates with the plug-receiving cavity. Additionally, the patch cord plug incorporates a key which engages the keyway of the jack. So configured, the key assists a technician in aligning the patch cord plug with the plug-receiving cavity of a jack during patching operations. In a preferred arrangement, they key is formed on a rotatable lever which places the plug in a locking and unlocking orientation.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a strain relief apparatus includes a body member incorporating a first end for facing the cable-receiving end of a connector, a second end for facing away from the cable-receiving end of a connector, and a flap extending from the body member. The flap is movable between an unbiased position and a forwardly-displaced position so that in its unbiased position the flap is oriented in an overlying relationship with a trigger of the connector. In its forwardly-displaced position, the flap urges the trigger toward the bottom side of the connector such that the trigger urges a latch of the connector to its unlatched position. Preferably, the flap has a handle extending therefrom, with the handle being configured so that a technician can reposition the flap from its unbiased position to its forwardly-displaced position as well as manipulate the connector, such as during patching operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber buffer loop management system which may be incorporated into a conventional interconnection box and which comprises one or more spools or pins around which optical fiber buffer loops are loosely dressed. Strategically placed cover guards forming narrow insertion slots for the fibers are attached to the tops of the spools or pins to prevent the fibers from unraveling. By loosely dressing the fiber loops in the interconnection box, no excess slack exists in the portion of the loop running from the spool to the point at which the plug connector on the end of the buffer loop is connected to the coupling located inside of the interconnection box. Preferably, each of the buffer loops is loosely wrapped about two spools in a figure-of-eight configuration, which allows a buffer loop density approximately four times greater than that of the prior art systems to be achieved without bending the fibers beyond their minimum bend radii.

Abstract: A security system, for use with a chassis enclosing electrical circuitry and having a lid movable relative to the chassis to allow access to the electrical circuitry, including: (1) a plurality of switches, couplable to the electrical circuitry, that are configured to store a security code readable by the electrical circuitry and (2) a trip mechanism, coupled to the chassis, that alters the security code stored by the plurality of switches when the lid is moved relative to the chassis, whereby the electrical circuitry may detect that the lid has been moved by detecting that the security code has been altered.

Abstract: A back-end variation control cap configured for use with a jack module including a plurality of insulation displacement connectors, the cap being configured for routing a plurality of twisted conductor pairs. The cap includes an upper portion, a bottom portion, a plurality of twisted pair channels extending between the upper portion and the bottom portion, and a pair of opposed end walls, each of the end walls including a plurality of wire constraints disposed thereon. Each wire constraint has opposed surfaces configured to retain one of the conductors and each twisted conductor pair extends through one of the twisted pair channels and the conductors of the twisted conductor pairs are disposed in the plurality of wire constraints such that each conductor is aligned with one of the insulation displacement connectors when the bottom portion is disposed adjacent the jack module.