Structured cabling system and method

• US 20050178573A1
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hellerman Tyton Data Limited (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Hellerman Tyton Data Limited (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: James, Jason Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,375,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/50.600
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/076 for multi-conductor cables

Abstract

A structured cabling system comprises a plurality of data cables (6A-6F), one end of each cable being secured to a jack of a multiple jack assembly (1) and the other end of each cable being secured to an individual jack (9A-9F) located within a protective enclosure (11). The individual cables are mechanically secured to at least the protective enclosure (11) and/or a strain relief member (8) within the cable bundle is secured to the protective enclosure (11). The entire assembly may be pre-formed under factory conditions and delivered to an installation site. The multiple jack assembly (1) may then be secured, preferably by snap-fitting, to a rack assembly and the protective enclosure (10) may be used to draw the entire cable length to the required position. Once the cable is in position the protective enclosure (10) is discarded and the jack secured to their final use positions. In an alternative embodiment the protective enclosure forms a housing for jacks (9A-9F) in their final use position and may, for example, be snap-fitted to a floor box for this purpose.

Claims

1. A structured cabling system comprising a plurality of cables each terminated to a multiple jack assembly which includes an individual jack for each of the data cables;

an individual jack terminated to each data cable at the end thereof remote from the jack module; and

a protective enclosure surrounding the terminations to the individual jacks to protect hem from accidental damage during installation.

2. A structured cabling system according to claim 1 wherein the assembly of data cables is connected to the protective enclosure by a mechanical connection which permits the cable to be pulled by pulling the protective enclosure without imposing strain on the electrical connections between the individual data cables and the individual jacks.

3. A structured cabling system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the assembly of data cables is connected to the housing of the multiple jack assembly by a mechanical connection which permits the cable to be pulled by pulling the housing of the multiple jack assembly without imposing strain on the electrical connections between the individual data cables and the jacks of the multiple jack assembly.

4. A structured cabling system according to any preceding claim including a strain relief element mechanically secured to the protective enclosure and/or the multiple jack assembly housing.

5. A structured cabling system according to any preceding claim comprising means for securing the multiple jack assembly to a housing.

6. A structured cabling system according to claim 5 wherein said securing means comprise snap-fit means.

7. A structured cabling system according to claim 6 wherein said snap-fit means are releasable to release the multiple jack assembly from the housing.

8. A structured cabling system according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the securing means comprises an adaptor which is push-fitted into the housing from the front thereof and which includes means for inter-engaging with fastening means on the multiple jack assembly for securing multiple jack assembly to the housing.

10. A structured cabling system according to any preceding claim wherein the protective enclosure provides a mounting for the individual jacks in their final use configurations.

11. A structured cabling system according to claim 10 including latch means on the protective enclosure to enable it to be snap-fitted into engagement with a floor or wall box.

12. A structured cabling system according to any preceding claim wherein the protective enclosure is a further multiple jack assembly substantially identical to the first multiple jack assembly.

13. A method of installing a structured cabling installation comprising:

pre-forming in a factory environment a plurality of structured cabling systems according to any preceding claim;

transporting the pre-formed structured cabling systems to the site of the required structured cabling installation;

installing each structured cabling system so that the multiple jack assembly thereof is located at a first desired location and the remote end thereof is located at a second desired location;

securing the multiple jack assembly to a rack; and

securing the individual jacks to their required final use position.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of securing each multiple jack assembly to a housing comprises offering up the multiple jack assembly from the rear of the housing and securing it to the housing.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of securing the multiple jack assembly to the housing comprises securing the multiple jack assembly by means of snap-fit connectors, preferably releasable snap-fit connectors.

9. A structured cabling system wherein the inter-engaging means comprises releasable snap-fit latches.