Telephone interface security lock

• US 5,497,416 A
• Filed: 04/16/1993
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siecor Puerto Rico Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Siecor Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Butler, Walter K. III, Cote, Mark P., Kroll, Thomas W., Napiorkowski, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/047,566
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 379/399, 379/412, 379/445, 379/397, 379/442, 379/327, 379/428, 379/429, 439/304, 439/133
• US Class Current: 379/413.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/028 Subscriber network interface devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/146 with line protection means

Abstract

A network termination module for telephone network interface apparatus is provided with a selectively operable latching device for a lock securing the security cover over the subscriber terminals. With the latching device in a position to engage the security cover lock, the cover can be opened only by keying open the lock and removing it. On the other hand, an authorized person can, upon opening the telco cover of the apparatus, expose the latching device whereby it can be displaced to enable opening of the security cover without unlocking or removing the lock.

Claims

1. A network termination module for attachment to a telephone network interface apparatus, comprising:

a base structure;

means in said base structure for connecting telco wiring thereto;

means in said base structure for connecting subscriber wiring thereto;

a movable cover adapted to enclose said subscriber wiring connecting means;

means for attaching a padlock to said cover for securing said cover to said base structure;

a locking member mounted on said base structure for movement between a first position and a second position, and

a locking finger on said locking member operative, when said locking member is in said first position, to obstruct said locking member and said padlock and, when said locking member is in said second position, to free said locking member from said padlock.

2. A network termination module according to claim 1 including a slide guideway formed in said base structure, and in which said locking member comprises a body slidable in said guideway between said first position and said second position, said locking member being formed with said locking finger thereon to overlie said padlock when said locking member body is slidingly moved to said first position and to be retracted from said padlock when said locking member is slidingly moved to said second position.

3. A network termination module according to claim 2 in which said guideway includes a portion formed as a T-slot and said locking member body includes a portion having a sectional shape to conform to that of said slot for preventing relative vertical movement between said body and said guideway.

4. A network termination module according to claim 3 including spring means for biasing said locking member body into snug engagement with said slot.

5. A network termination module according to claim 4 in which said spring means are integrally formed on said locking member body.

6. A network termination module according to claim 5 in which said spring means comprises a flexible finger depending from said locking member body, said flexible finger being operative to engage the adjacent surface of said guideway for imparting an upward bias to said body.

7. A network termination module according to claim 2 including abutment means cooperatively formed on said body and said guideway operative to limit the extent of movement of said body along said guideway between said first and second positions.

8. A network termination module according to claim 7 in which said abutment means comprises oppositely-acting cooperating pairs of shoulders on said body and in said guideway, respectively, for limiting the extent of movement of said body in opposite directions in said guideway.

9. A network termination module according to claim 8 in which said guideway contains a sliding surface having oppositely facing shoulders at longitudinally spaced locations therealong and said locking member body contains shoulders for cooperation with said guideway shoulders and longitudinally spaced a distance greater than the spacing between said guideway shoulders whereby said locking member is movable longitudinally along said guideway between said first and second positions.

10. A network termination module according to claim 9 in which said locking member body contains a first depending projection having a face forming a shoulder cooperative with a first shoulder located at the end of said guideway to define said lock member first position.

11. A network termination module according to claim 10 in which said locking member body contains a second depending projection longitudinally spaced from said first depending projection and having a face oppositely directed therefrom forming a shoulder cooperative with a second shoulder in said guideway longitudinally spaced from said first shoulder therein to define said lock member second position.

12. A network termination module according to claim 11 in which said guideway includes a portion formed as a T-slot and said lock member body includes a portion having a sectional shape to conform to that of said slot for preventing relative vertical movement between said body and said guideway, said second depending projection on said body comprising a flexible finger operative to engage the adjacent surface of said guideway for imparting an upward bias to said body within said slot.

13. A network termination module according to claim 1 in which said telephone network interface apparatus includes a pivotably mounted telco cover that, when closed, is operative to isolate telco wiring in said apparatus from subscriber wiring therein, said telco cover, when closed, extending across said locking member to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

32. A network termination module according to claim 1 including a pivot pin securing said locking member to said base structure for pivotal movement of said locking member between said first position and said second position.

14. A network termination module for attachment to a telephone network interface apparatus, comprising:

a base structure including a plurality of upstanding sides and a top defining a substantially hollow body;

a shroud containing means for connecting telco wiring disposed adjacent one end of said top;

subscriber terminals disposed on said top intermediate said shroud and the top other end;

a movable cover of a size to overlie said subscriber terminals pivotably connected to said top other end;

means for attaching a padlock to said cover for securing said cover to said base structure;

a locking member mounted on said shroud for movement between a first position and a second position; and

a locking finger on said locking member operative when said locking member is in said first position to be received in said cover to obstruct said locking member and said padlock and, when said locking member is in said second position, to free said locking member from said padlock.

15. A network termination module according to claim 14 including a slide guideway formed in said shroud, and in which said locking member comprises a body slidable in said guideway between said first position and said second position, said locking member being formed with said locking finger thereon for overlying said padlock when said locking member body is slidingly moved to said first position and said locking finger is received in said cover and to be retracted from said padlock when said locking member is slidingly moved to said second position and said locking finger is retracted from said cover.

16. A network termination module according to claim 15 in which said guideway includes a portion formed as a T-slot and said locking member body includes a portion having a sectional shape to conform to that of said slot for preventing relative vertical movement between said body and said guideway.

17. A network termination module according to claim 16 including spring means for biasing said locking member body into snug engagement with said slot.

18. A network termination module according to claim 17 in which said spring means are integrally formed on said locking member body.

19. A network termination module according to claim 18 in which said spring means comprises a flexible finger depending from said locking member body, said finger being operative to engage the adjacent surface of said guideway for imparting an upward bias thereto.

20. A network termination module according to claim 15 including abutment means cooperatively formed on said locking member body and said guideway operative to limit the extent of movement of said body along said guideway between said first and second positions.

21. A network termination module according to claim 20 in which said abutment means comprises oppositely-acting cooperating pairs of shoulders on said locking member body and in said guideway, respectively, for limiting the extent of movement of said body in opposite directions in said guideway.

22. A network termination module according to claim 21 in which said guideway contains a sliding surface having oppositely facing shoulders at longitudinally spaced locations therealong and said locking member body contains shoulders for cooperation with said guideway shoulders and longitudinally spaced a distance greater than the spacing between said guideway shoulders whereby said locking member is movable longitudinally along said guideway between said first and second positions for selectively inserting said locking finger into said cover and retracting it therefrom.

23. A network termination module according to claim 22 in which said locking member body contains a first depending projection having a face forming a shoulder cooperative with a first shoulder in said guideway to define said first position of said lock member placing said locking finger in received relation in said cover.

24. A network termination module according to claim 23 in which said locking member body contains a second depending projection longitudinally spaced from said first depending projection and having a face oppositely directed therefrom forming a shoulder cooperative with a second shoulder in said guideway longitudinally spaced from said first shoulder therein to define said second lock member position disposing said locking finger retracted from said cover.

25. A network termination module according to claim 24 in which said guideway includes a portion formed as a T-slot and said lock member body includes a portion having a sectional shape to conform to that of said T-slot for preventing relative vertical movement between said body and said guideway, said second depending projection on said body comprising a flexible finger operative to engage the adjacent surface of said guideway for imparting an upward bias to said body within said slot.

26. A network termination module according to claim 15 including means on said cover forming a receiver for said locking finger when said locking member is disposed in said first position, said receiver means including an endpiece having a top wall overlying said locking finger to limit displacement of said locking finger, whereby movement of said cover in an opening direction is obstructed.

27. A network termination module according to claim 26 in which said locking finger contains transversely extending projections for enlarging the bearing surface between said locking member and said receiver means top wall.

28. A network termination module according to claim 27 in which said receiver means includes inturned flanges disposed in subjacent, spaced relation from said top wall, said flanges being positioned to engage said locking finger projections for obstructing movement of said cover in an opening direction when said padlock is installed.

29. A telephone network termination module according to claim 15 in which said shroud contains spaced openings extending perpendicularly with respect to said guideway on opposite sides thereof;

and line terminals disposed in said openings for connecting telco wiring to said base structure.

30. A network termination module according to claim 14 in which said telephone network interface apparatus includes a telco cover operative, when closed, to overlie the locking member of said network termination module attached to said apparatus to prevent access to said locking member;

and means for pivotally mounting said telco cover with respect to said apparatus for opening said cover and exposing said locking member.

31. A network termination module according to claim 30 in which said telco cover, when closed, overlies said locking member and said line terminal openings in said shroud.

33. A network termination module according to claim 14 including a pivot pin securing said locking member to said shroud for pivotal movement of said locking member between said first position and said second position.

34. A network termination module according to claim 33 in which said pivot pin is secured to the upper surface of said shroud to define a pivot axis perpendicular thereto, and said locking member receives said pivot pin intermediate its ends to permit pivotal movement thereabout.

35. A network termination module according to claim 34 in which said locking member is formed with a locking finger at one end and an operating tab at the other end thereof.

36. A network termination module according to claim 15 including a padlock retainer member disposed on said security cover for reception of the bail of said padlock, said retainer member including a lock retainer arm extending over said padlock bail and having a substantially hollow endpiece positioned to receive said locking finger when said locking member is in said first position.

37. A network termination module according to claim 36 including a pair of oppositely extending projections on said locking finger;

and flange means located on said retainer member endpiece to engage said projections during pivoted movement of said cover with said locking member in said first position and said padlock is installed.

38. A network termination module according to claim 37 in which said flange means comprises a pair of flanges extending oppositely inwardly from a lower portion of said endpiece to a position below and slightly rearward of said locking finger projections with said locking member in said first position.