Termination module for use in an array of modules

• US 4,986,762 A
• Filed: 08/15/1989
• Issued: 01/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Keith, Roger H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/394,127
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/712, 439/713, 439/715, 439/534, 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22, 174/57, 361/340, 361/393, 361/413, 361/415
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3823 containing surplus lengths, internal fibre loops provisionally see also G02B6/444
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/444 Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2408 Modular blocks H01R9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A module for use in an array for modules for terminating transmission lines and making them readily accessible to connection to distribution lines, the modules comprising small rectangular bases having an end wall supporting a connector, and means affording the tilting movement of each module intermediate the ends of each base to move the end wall from a position aligned with the end walls of other modules to a position affording ready access to the connector of the tilted end wall.

Claims

1. A module for use in terminating a communication transmission line at a distribution panel comprising

a connector adapted to be connected to one end of a transmission line,

support means for supporting said connector, said support means comprising an end wall having two faces for supporting said connector in fixed position thereon and a rectangular base joined to said end wall at one end thereof and extending in a direction away from one face thereof, said base comprising an elongate narrow strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, means defining an axis transverse to said bottom surface for affording tilting movement of said base to move said end wall from a first normal position to a spaced position for affording easy access to said connector, said means defining said axis transverse to said bottom surface comprises a recess spaced from said end wall for receiving a rod about which said base may pivot, said recess including an offset area for receiving a said rod, and said base includes a portion extending away from said recess in a direction opposite said end wall defining stop means for limiting said tilting movement.

2. A module according to claim 1 wherein said elongate narrow strip is integrally molded with said end wall.

3. A module according to claim 1 wherein said end wall supports an optical fiber connector.

4. A module according to claim 1 wherein said end wall supports a telephone connector.

5. A module according to claim 1 wherein said end wall supports a coaxial connector.

6. A module according to claim 1 wherein said end wall supports a stereo receiver connector.

7. A plurality of transmission line termination modules positioned in side-by-side relationship, each module comprising

a connector adapted to be connected to one end of a transmission line, and

support means for supporting said connector, said support means comprising an end wall having two faces for supporting said connector in fixed position thereon and a rectangular base joined to said end wall at one end thereof and extending in a direction away from one face thereof, said base including means defining an axis transverse to said base for affording tilting movement of said base of each module to move said end wall of each module independently of the other modules from a first normal position aligned with the connectors of adjacent modules to a spaced position in relationship to said adjacent connectors for affording easy access to said connector for connecting or disconnecting a distribution line with said connector, and for returning said modules to said normal position.

8. An array according to claim 7 wherein said base of each of said modules are supported by rod means to afford the tilting movement and each said base is provided with means for receiving rod means intermediate its ends for affording the movement of said end wall.

9. A distribution panel for use in connecting transmission lines to connectors affording further distribution, said panel including a support plate, said support plate having a generally planar surface and means for defining a fulcrum, and a plurality of termination modules positioned in a side-by-side array on said plate and supported on said fulcrum for independent tilting movement, each module comprising

a connector adapted for connection to a transmission line, and

support means for supporting said connector, said support means comprising an end wall having four sides and two faces for supporting said connector in fixed position thereon, a base joined to one side of said end wall and extending in a direction away from one face thereof, said base including means affording tilting movement of said module independently of adjacent modules about said fulcrum and in relationship to other modules to position said end wall of said module in spaced relationship to the end wall of others of said modules in said array affording easy access to the connector for plugging and unplugging distribution lines to said connector and returning the connector to a normal position when the connection is completed.

10. A distribution panel according to claim 9 wherein said base is an elongate narrow strip integrally molded with said end wall.

11. A distribution panel according to claim 10 wherein said base is formed with stop means for limiting the tilting movement of said module.

12. A distribution panel according to claim 9 wherein said base is an elongate narrow strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having means remote from said end wall to receive said fulcrum for pivotal movement of said base, and cooperating means are provided on said base and on said plate for releasably restricting said tilting movement of said modules in a said array when said end wall of one module is in said side-by-side position in relationship to other said modules.

13. A distribution panel according to claim 11 wherein said means affording tilting movement of said end wall includes a recess in said bottom surface of said base and said stop means is formed by a portion of said bottom surface inclined toward said top surface and away from said recess and said end wall.

14. A distribution panel according to claim 9 wherein said base and said support means have cooperating means to restrict movement of a module when said modules are in the array and positioned in aligned relationship, said means affording movement equal to between one-half and four times the diameter of the connector.

15. A module according to claim 9 wherein said end wall of at least one module supports an optical fiber connector.

16. A module according to claim 9 wherein said end wall of at least one module supports a telephone connector.

17. A module according to claim 9 wherein said end wall of at least one module supports a television antenna connector.

18. A module according to claim 9 wherein said end wall of at least one module supports a phono-type connector.