Wire Or Cable Distribution Patents (Class 379/326)
  • Patent number: 5903438
    Abstract: Enclosure for electrical switching equipment including electrical control or display devices (21) supported on a wall (23) of the enclosure, being accessible from the outside, a processing or control unit (20) for these devices which is housed inside the enclosure, and an electrical interface device (1) between the devices (21) and the unit (20), the interface device (1) being composed of a housing (10) comprising a body (11) that houses a printed circuit board and encloses a row of connection terminals (30) and a connector (61) to connect the printed circuit board to the devices (21) and to unit (20) respectively, characterized in that the interface device (1) comprises an attachment part (12a) installed on the inside of the enclosure wall (23) close to the devices (21), and the terminals (30) on the device (1) are of the quick fit type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deschamps, Francis Schmit
  • Patent number: 5898129
    Abstract: A rack mountable cable distribution enclosure. The cable distribution enclosure includes a tray that slides forwards and backwards out of the cable distribution enclosure. The tray includes an adapter plate bracket which receives a plurality of adapter plates. The adapter plate bracket holds up to 12 adapter plates, each of which holds a variety of adapters. In fiber optic cable applications, each adapter plate can hold 6 duplex adapters, or 12 fibers, providing a density of 144 fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventors: Conrad L. Ott, Robert C. Carlson, Jr., Charles Maynard
  • Patent number: 5867372
    Abstract: A frame structure for mounting telecommunications equipment including a frame, a plurality of sealing covers, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of wire protective sleeve. The frame having a base, two support frames, and an upper frame. A receiving recess is provided to accommodate transmission conductors (optic cables, electric cables or lead wires) of telecommunications equipment. A positioning recess formed between the plate bodies at the upper and lower covers of the inner side of the sealing covers and the fastening plates allows the sealing covers to be mounted over the edge of the inner lateral plates of the opening of the receiving recess on the support frames. A fastener is then passed into a hollowed hole of the outer lateral plate on the sealing cover and further into a fastening hole, with the plate body of the sealing cover being pressed downwardly. A press element is then pressed into a fastener body to secure the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wu-Ming Shie
  • Patent number: 5832073
    Abstract: A configurable I/O panel assembly includes an upper and a lower I/O panel (connector plate), and a cover plate. A plurality of upper I/O panels is provided, from which the upper I/O panel is selected. Similarly, a plurality of lower I/O panels is provided, from which the lower I/O panel is selected. The cover plate is selected from a plurality of cover plates. Openings are formed in the upper and lower I/O panels for receiving cable connectors. Typical connectors include, but are not limited to, 50-pin connectors, RS-232 connectors, 9-pin D-sub connectors, RJ-45 jacks and BNC connectors. Grounding and other signal conditioning circuitry for the connectors are provided to protect against EMI radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Hannigan, Paul Bonomo, Ronald R. Carleton
  • Patent number: 5760551
    Abstract: An automatic rearrangement and distribution device for telecommunication and data lines with connection terminals for exchange office and subscriber lines and a remote controllable connection device having a gripping element. To automate a re-arrangement and distribution device provided with connection blocks, the connection terminals are disposed in connection blocks radially directed relative to a central axis. The connection device is swingable in central axis, and a gripping element is disposed radially displaceably at the connection device. For connecting the rearrangement and distribution device to copper cables as well as to fiber-glass cables, without modifications being required, the control paths at blocks for fiber-glass and for copper cable applications have identical lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Krone Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Claus Sander, Ingo Dohnke, Hans-Ulrich Paasch, Ulrich Warmbold, Gunter Hegner, Hans-Joachim Faika
  • Patent number: 5655912
    Abstract: A system for better organizing telephone termination tasks--off work site--for later use at the job site, comprises:(i) a single colored planar backboard support member dedicated to particular type of termination task, and defining a first upper broad surface and a second under broad surface terminating in a series of vertically depending parametric end walls; (ii) one or more rows of spools attached to the first upper broad surface of the backboard support member off-site to provide for proper cable management routing therebetween at the job site, (iii) a series of terminal wiring blocks arranged in rows and/or columns mounted on the backboard support member off site, each of the wiring blocks including a planar base and a series of rows of upright fingers for effecting a selected termination purpose at a job site, and (iv) a series of fastening assemblies attached to and between the under surface of the base of each of the wiring blocks and the first upper broad surface of the planar backboard support membe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: William E. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 5652784
    Abstract: A telephone advertising service provides a short advertising message through a telephone receiver as a telephone call is initiated. The advertising message is stopped after a predetermined run time, and an invitation-to-dial tone is added. The advertising message is stopped when a subscriber starts to dial numbers. The method provides the advertising messages in lieu of invitation-to-dial tones. Differentiated subscribers are individually provided with distinct advertising messages. Subscribers are distinguished by characteristics of exchange number, monthly call volume, call type, geographical location and time of day. The advertising messages are provided by a message system rack connected to a digital or analog telephone exchange. Each rack has plural message recorders and plural cards connected to multiple users. Software controls a connection network. Subscriber lines are sampled to sense when a call is being initiated and to signal to a controller that a telephone call is being initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Publitel Internacional, S.A.
    Inventors: Georgina Borbon Blen, Randolph H. Steinvorth
  • Patent number: 5576603
    Abstract: An automatic distribution device for telecommunication and datalines, comprising connection terminals for exchange and subscriber cables and comprising a remotely controllable connection device with a grip element. In order to automate a distribution device provided with terminal blocks, the connection terminals are disposed in terminal blocks oriented radially to a central axis, the connection device is pivotably supported in the central axis and the grip element can radially be swung out from the connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Krone Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Claus Sander
  • Patent number: 5553136
    Abstract: A modular device for connecting telephone company wiring and subscriber telephone wiring in a telephone network interface apparatus, the modular device having a replaceable protection and/or electronics unit, a plug-actuated switchable socket or a switch connected to an external socket for providing a point of demarcation between the telephone company wiring and the subscriber wiring, wire termination mechanisms for terminating and unterminating the telco and subscriber wiring at the network interface apparatus without the use of tools and slidable security covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: TII Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl H. Meyerhoefer, Thomas J. Smith, Adolfo M. Escobar, Robert J. Cannetti
  • Patent number: 5459644
    Abstract: A self-closing main distributing frame of any shape, (e.g. rectangular) which increases its capacity by growth in the vertical direction. The frame includes a stack of self-closing horizontal planes, or shelves, open to the outer face, and supported by brackets attached to vertical members on the interior face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Warburton
  • Patent number: 5037167
    Abstract: In order to protect electrical and fiber optic cables in a central telephone office terminal equipment frame, the cables are controlled and managed so as to be releasably retained in a service loop within a fiber management panel. The releasable retention is performed by a stretched extension spring selected, dimensioned and stretched in such a manner with respect to the diameter of the cables that each cable can be gently but firmly retained when pressed into the gap between adjacent coils. The retention spring permits emergency release of the cable in the event of mishandling of the equipment by service personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Alcatel NA, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Beaty
  • Patent number: 4907263
    Abstract: A drain ground structure for use with telephone connector blocks interconnecting shielded conductor pairs in installations requiring maximum noise and induced current suppression. The structure includes an elongated coil spring capable of frictional engagement with the ground wire of the shielded conductor cable between adjacent convolutions. To prevent the development of induced current in the spring itself, a metallic shorting bar is positioned parallel to the axis of the spring, the bar having lanced tabs which extend laterally from the plane of the bar and are engaged between the convolutions of the spring at periodic intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Porta Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Helmuth Neuwirth
  • Patent number: 4797124
    Abstract: A connector body or assembly which provides a modular jack housing for a plurality of plug retainers and plugs. In one arrangement, the body has in addition to the modular jack housing, another body part having two spaced rows of electrical terminals with the terminals of one row electrically connected through the body with terminals of the other row to provide the connector element. One of the rows is connectible by wiring to plug retainers to be mounted in the modular jack housing. In another arrangement, a mounting means on the other body part is provided for mounting part of a mating connector onto the body. This connector part is wired to plug retainers to be mounted in the modular jack housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Laurence A. J. Beaulieu, Alex G. Cristescu
  • Patent number: 4794490
    Abstract: A cable termination assembly includes a heavy duty mounting bracket which is adapted to safely suspend a single or a plurality of heavy cables therefrom or easily and safely terminate a single or a plurality of conduits or pipes to an enclosure. The mounting bracket includes at least one opening that is connected to a free edge of the bracket by a slot. A cable termination device includes a body having a threaded end and a collar thereon. A retaining ring is threadably mounted on the body threaded end and cooperates with the collar to capture the bracket therebetween. A retainer is mounted adjacent to the mounting bracket to engage the cable termination device collar to prevent that collar from rotating as the termination device retaining ring is threadably moved against the mounting bracket. The slot is sized so wires associated with the cable termination device can be moved therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Barry M. Epstein
  • Patent number: 4761811
    Abstract: A networking system to interconnect computer terminals with a host computer, the system being capable of carrying data bits at high frequencies and being capable of readily having its interconnection pattern changed. The system includes a plurality of composite cables for transmission of the data bits, one such cable for each such computer terminal, each of the cables including at least two sets of twisted pair data lines and an associated drain line, each set of data lines being within a shielding sleeve, and said sleeves being isolated from one another. A distribution wiring board for interconnecting the cables with the host computer, the wiring board including a punch down block with multiple sets of aligned punch-down connectors for connecting the wires in the sets and the drain wires to the wiring board, means for grounding the drain wires, and a data board for changing the local area network formed by the cables and the computer terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Maurice F. Zetena, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4752107
    Abstract: A forward facing connectorized terminal block is provided which contains an array of wire wrap or insulation displacement terminals in a forward facing terminal field readily accessible for cross connection to the telecommunications wires. Connectorized cables from telecommunications equipment are plugged into mating connectors mounted on the terminal block and which are wired to the rear terminal portions of the terminal field. The terminal block is extremely compact and is easily attached and removed by a snap action mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Telzon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Gunell, Scott Hopper
  • Patent number: 4737985
    Abstract: A modular, high density cross-connect frame specifically adapted for central office application and forming a centralized distributing frame intended for patch and cross-connect circuits for digital equipment. The frame is dual-sided, with the patching and testing administration entirely on one side confined to an area readily manually and visually accessible to service personnel, with cross-connect administration confined to the opposite side. Internal connections are made using a vertically oriented cabling plane disposed between the two sides of the frame using a relatively few number of cables each having a large number of individual connectors which interconnect a first set of connector blocks with corresponding jack frame elements. A second plurality of connector blocks is disposed immediately opposite the jack frame elements, and relatively short length connectors are required to interconnect the jack frames with the second plurality of blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Porta Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Paul V. De Luca, Michael Shatzkin, Albert Atun
  • Patent number: 4694488
    Abstract: The present invention involves a modular distributing frame assembly for distributing telephone circuits. It includes a central office bay member which has a generally vertical hollow member with forward and rear surfaces. The forward surface has a plurality of alternating terminal blocks and interstices. Each terminal block communicates with the rear surface and provides appearances for office cables. The rear surface defines a vertical opening adapted to receive the office cables. The frame also includes an outside plant bay member with a generally vertical hollow member with forward and rear surfaces. The forward surface has a plurality of alternate terminal blocks and interstices. Each of the terminal blocks provides appearances for subscriber cables. The rear surface defines a vertical opening with a plurality of connector blocks mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Nils P. Mickelson, Jerauld C. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 4675769
    Abstract: The invention electronically identifies whether a computer module board is placed in the correct mechanical slot in a computer frame. A conductive line is connected to at least one electronic connector location in each mechanical slot in a computer frame. A computer module has open circuit electrical connectors which if put in the correct slot will mate with the locations in the slot in the frame which are connected to the conductive line. The other electrical connections which are used for identification are connected to a ground plane in the computer module board. A voltage source is connected through a resistor to a conductive line in the computer frame producing a high signal. If any computer module board engaged in a slot of the computer frame is in the incorrect slot, a low signal will be caused indicating the fault. The fault signal will be supplied to a power supply controller which prevents operating power from being provided to the computer boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Data General Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Marshall, Ulrich B. Goerke
  • Patent number: 4675895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of converting or cutting over from an old or existing telephone company main distribution frame to a new digital/electronic main distribution frame. A specially designed tool apparatus, which enables practice of the method, results in a cutover system wherein multiple splicing operation into a main feeder cable are avoided, such multiple splicing operations having proven to be costly and service affecting in the telephony industry. With the relatively inexpensive tool of the invention, the cutover process is greatly simplified and accomplished more efficiently.The present invention further includes an apertured cover apparatus and a pair lifter tool adapted for use in the above system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Telephony Progress, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Neail, Robert L. Bender
  • Patent number: 4670626
    Abstract: A cross-connect frame for digital signals transmitted at DS-1 and higher rates independent of signal format is disclosed. In its simplest form the frame includes a single chassis into which boards providing for either a mechanical or electronically controllable connection may be inserted. In either the mechanical or electronic form provisions for monitoring and patching are included. Multiple chassis may be connected together and in the electronic form a single circuit has the capability of controlling a multiplicity of chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Reliance Comm/Tec Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fisher, David J. Gehalo