Connector module for local area network

• US 5,531,611 A
• Filed: 05/04/1994
• Issued: 07/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Wallgren, Robert L., Reed, Steven J., Wojtan, George R., Davies, Scott T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): HILL, JILL
• Application Number:
  US08/237,752
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540, 439/638-640, 439/650-655, 439/492-493
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks

Abstract

A connector module for use in a local area network having a plurality of workstations in connection with a hub, wherein each workstation is hard wired to a printed circuit board mounted in the module. The module further includes a wiring assembly connected to the board and a cable leading from the hub. The face of the panel includes a plurality of jacks mounted therein, which are also electrically connected to the printed circuit board. Initially, workstations are electrically connected to the hub through the wiring assembly, which is preferably a twisted pair flat cable. Alternately, the wiring assembly may be disconnected from the board, and an upgraded hub interconnected with the workstations through the jacks in the face of the module with minimal re-wiring required.

Claims

1. A connector module for use in a local-area network having a plurality of workstations in communication with a hub having a port associated therewith, said port being adapted for operative connection with a first end of a cable, said module being operative to interconnect at least one workstation to the hub, said module comprising:

a panel, having a face portion;

a first connector disposed within said face portion of said panel, said first connector being adapted for operative connection to a second end of said cable;

a printed circuit board mounted to said panel, having at least one electrically conductive path disposed thereon;

a second connector removably attached to said circuit board and electrically connected to said at least one path;

wiring means electrically interconnecting said first and second connectors; and

a third connector mounted on said printed circuit board and in electrical connection with said at least one path, said third connector being adapted for operative connection to said workstation, whereby connection of said workstation to said third connector electrically interconnects said workstation and said hub.

2. A connector module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth connector mounted in said panel, accessible through said face and in electrical connection with said at least one path, operative as a test port for said workstation.

3. A connector module according to claim 1, wherein:

said printed circuit board includes a plurality of said electrically conductive paths disposed thereon, said paths communicating with an edge terminal disposed on a card, said second connector being electrically connected to said terminal.

4. A connector module according to claim 1, wherein:

said second connector is separable from said at least one path, thereby electrically disconnecting said printed circuit board from said hub; and

a fourth connector is mounted in said panel in electrical connection with said at least one path and said third connector, said fourth connector being electrically connectable to a said hub, whereby said workstation is operatively connectable to said hub through said fourth connector.

5. A connector module according to claim 1, wherein:

said wiring means comprises a twisted pair flat cable having first and second ends; and

said first connector comprises a ribbon connector operatively secured to said first end of said cable and mounted to said face of said panel; and

said second connector comprises a card edge connector operatively secured to said second end of said cable and removably attached to said printed circuit board.

6. A connector module according to claim 5, wherein:

said twisted pair flat cable includes twenty five pairs of wires.

7. A connector module for selectively interconnecting a plurality of workstations to a first or second hub, each said hub having a port with cable means associated therewith, said module comprising:

a panel, having a face portion;

a first connector mounted to said panel, adapted for operative connection to said cable means associated with said first hub;

a printed circuit board mounted to said panel, having a plurality of electrically conductive paths disposed thereon;

a second connector removably attached to said circuit board and electrically connected to said plurality of paths;

wiring means electrically interconnecting said first and second connectors;

a plurality of third connectors mounted on said printed circuit board and in electrical connection with said plurality of paths, each said third connector being adapted for operative connection to one of said workstations, whereby connection of said workstations to said third connectors operatively interconnects said workstations and said first hub; and

a plurality of fourth connectors mounted to said panel and electrically connected to said plurality of paths, said fourth connectors being adapted for electrical connection to said cable means associated with said second hub, whereby disconnecting said second connector from said circuit board and connecting said fourth connectors to said cable means associated with said second hub operatively interconnects said workstations to said second hub.

8. A connector panel according to claim 7, wherein:

said fourth connectors are mounted to said face of said panel and accessible therethrough.

9. A connector module according to claim 7,

said wiring means comprises a twisted pair flat cable having first and second ends;

and

said first connector comprises a ribbon connector operatively secured to said first end of said cable and mounted to said face of said panel; and

said second connector comprises a card edge connector operatively secured to said second end of said cable and removably attached to said printed circuit board.

10. A connector module according to claim 9, wherein:

said twisted pair flat cable includes twenty five pairs of wires.