ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND NETWORK INTERFACE MODULE

• US 20040147159A1
• Filed: 01/24/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Forsberg, Kevin, Dickens, James E., White, Isaac D. M., Urban, Blake R., Sawyer, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,773,294 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/409
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2412 actuated by insulated cams or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2491 Terminal blocks structurally associated with plugs or sockets

Abstract

A connector is disclosed for electrically connecting a conductor to a terminal. The connector has a body and an electrically conductive member. The body has a passage for positioning the conductor therein. The passage has an aperture to an outer surface of the body. The electrically conductive member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends through the aperture for crimping the conductor in the passage, and the second portion is for electrically connecting to the terminal. The electrically conductive member moves to disconect the second portion from the terminal while still crimping the conductor in the passage.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a connector for electrically connecting a conductor to a terminal, the connector having a body and a passage for positioning the conductor therein, the passage having an aperture to an outer surface of the body; and

the connector also having an electrically conductive member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending through the aperture for crimping the conductor in the passage, the second portion for electrically connecting to the terminal, the electrically conductive member moving to disconnect the second portion from the terminal while still crimping the conductor in the passage.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface module for a Network Interface Device, the network interface module providing a demarcation between a customer'"'"'s premises and a conductor of a network, the network interface module comprising a base, a cover for the base, and a terminal electrically connectable to a connector; and

the connector comprising means for electrically disconnecting the conductor from the terminal while retaining the conductor in the connector,

wherein the customer'"'"'s premises can be isolated and tested while the conductor is retained in the connector.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for disconnecting the conductor from the terminal comprises a stationary member, the stationary member causing the connector to release the conductor.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for disconnecting the conductor from the terminal comprises a stationary member disposed between the connector and an electrically conductive member, the stationary member contacting the electrically conductive member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the network interface module further comprises a modular jack connectable to the terminal.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface module for a Network Interface Device, the network interface module connecting a conductor between a customer'"'"'s premises and a network, the network interface module comprising a base, a cover for the base, and a terminal electrically connectable to a connector,

the connector having a first position for permitting electrical communication between the conductor and the terminal;

the connector having a second position for electrically disconnecting the connector from the terminal while retaining the conductor secured to the connector; and

the connector having a third position for electrically disconnecting the connector from the terminal and for releasing the conductor from the connector,

wherein the connector allows the customer'"'"'s premises to be isolated and tested while still retaining the conductor in the connector.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the network interface module further comprises a modular jack connectable to the terminal.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connector comprises a body and an electrically conductive member;

the body having a passage for positioning the conductor therein, the passage having an aperture to an outer surface of the body;

the electrically conductive member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending through the aperture for crimping the conductor in the passage, the second portion for electrically connecting to the terminal, the electrically conductive member moving to disconnect the second portion from the terminal while still crimping the conductor in the passage.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connector comprises a body and an electrically conductive member, and a stationary member stops the electrically conductive member from moving between the second position and the third position.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the stationary member comprises a rib in the cover.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive member contacts the stationary member to release the conductor from the connector.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a channel that contacts the stationary member to release the conductor from the connector.