Patch cord tester

• US 4,491,781 A
• Filed: 07/12/1982
• Issued: 01/01/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred O., Eugene, Lane, Oregon Mercer
• Original Assignee: Fred O. Mercer
• Inventors: McClintic, Terry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krawczewicz, Stanley T.
• Application Number:
  US06/397,593
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51, 324/54, 340/650, 340/651, 340/652
• US Class Current: 324/543
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

A tester unit for testing a patch cord to determine if a short, or a break in either of the conductive paths in the patch cord, exists. The tester unit includes a pair of jacks adapted to receive the plugs of a patch cord, and reverse connections of contacts in these jacks with the poles of an internally carried battery means.

Claims

1. A patch-cord tester unit comprising:

a frame and battery means with positive and negative poles mounted on said frame,

a pair of electrically powered jacks mounted on said frame, each jack having a first contact for making contact with one type of contactor in the plug of a patch cord and a second contact for making contact with another type of contactor in the plug of a patch cord,

a pair of electrically powered signal devices,

a conductor means connecting one battery pole directly to the first contact of one jack and the second contact of the other jack, and

a conductor means connecting in series the other battery pole, one signal device, and the second contact of said one jack, and connecting in series the other battery pole, the other signal device, and the first contact of said other jack.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a housing, said battery means and conductor means are mounted within the housing, and said signal devices are discernable outside the housing.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said electrically powered signal devices are electrically powered light emitting devices.

4. A tester unit for testing a patch cord having plugs at opposite ends and a pair of conductors interconnecting the plugs comprising:

a housing and battery means mounted within said housing having positive and negative poles,

a pair of jacks mounted on wall portions of said housing, each accessible to a plug inserted thereinto exteriorly of the housing, each jack having a first contact for making contact with one type of contactor in the plug of a patch cord and a second contact for making contact with another type of contactor in the plug of a patch cord,

a pair of signal devices mounted on wall portions of the housing discernable from the exterior of the housing,

and conductor means within said housing establishing, for at least one jack, a series connection between one pole and one of the contacts of the jack and a series connection between the other pole, a signal device and the other contact of the jack,

said conductor means further establishing, with the plugs at the opposite ends of a patch cord properly received by the respective jacks, and with the pair of conductors in of the patch cord having proper integrity, a series connection between the poles of the battery means which includes one conductor in the patch cord and one signal device, and a series connection between the poles of the battery means which includes the other conductor of the patch cord and the other signal device.