CATV tap-off unit with detachable directional coupler

• US 4,578,702 A
• Filed: 05/31/1984
• Issued: 03/25/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company LP (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American Television & Communications Corp. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Campbell, Wallace S. III
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/615,814
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 358/84, 358/86, 455/2, 455/3, 455/4, 455/5, 455/6, 174/59, 333/115, 333/127, 333/128, 333/136
• US Class Current: 725/149
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/482 particularly adapted for use in common antenna systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters

Abstract

A tap-off unit or signal transmission device for use in a cable TV system having a plurality of such tap-off units, each tap-off unit receiving cable TV signals from a feeder cable and distributing the signals to a plurality of homes. The tap-off unit has a signal coupler which facilitates removal from the tap-off unit of a circuitry unit and which minimizes the interruption of cable TV signals further down the feeder cable in the event of repair or maintenance of the circuitry unit.

Claims

1. A signal transmission device for use in a cable television system, said device connected in series between a first CATV feeder cable portion and a second CATV feeder cable portion, said device comprising:

a main housing having an input terminal for attachment to the CATV feeder cable portion and an output terminal for attachment to the second CATV feeder cable portion;

a connecting cable attached to the output terminal of said main housing for supplying signals received at the input terminal of said main housing to the output terminal of said main housing;

a chassis detachably mounted in said housing, said chassis having electronic circuitry mounted thereon; and

an at least partially detachable directional signal coupler for directionally electrically connecting said electronic circuitry, said input terminal, and said connecting cable when said chassis is mounted in said main housing, and for electrically connecting said input terminal and said connecting cable when said chassis is removed from said main housing.

2. The signal transmission device of claim 1, wherein said directional signal coupler includes a portion which is fixed to said chassis and a portion which is detachable from said fixed portion.

3. The signal transmision device of claim 1, wherein said detachable portion is a directional coupler.