Mounting bracket and ground bar for a connector block
First Claim
1. In a modular connecting block system for termination of wires, wherein connector modules having a plurality of terminals facing a front and rear side thereof are insertable within a mounting bracket for mounting of said connecting block, said bracket including a plurality of support posts aligned on either side of said bracket for retaining said connector modules, a ground bar apparatus for attachment to said bracket, said ground bar apparatus comprising:
- a unitary metallic strip formed into three distinct sections including,first and third sections including fastening means for fastening to said support posts of said bracket to thereby electrically couple said ground bar to said bracket, anda second section perpendicularly coupled between said first and third sections, said second section including a ground bus adapted to electrically couple with circuit protection modules installable in a front and rear side of said connector modules, wherein said fastening means of said first and third sections is adapted to couple to front facing and rear facing ends of said support posts of said bracket.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hinged mounting bracket and attachable ground bar used in conjunction with a telephone wire termination block. The mounting bracket is adapted to accept modular connectors in order to form any size connecting block. The hinged bracket consists of two pieces, a bracket base and a front flap which receives the modular connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the front flap is coupled to the base by a hinge which enables the bracket to rotate open so that rear terminals of the modular connectors may be easily accessed. The ground bar is attachable to the front or rear of the mounting bracket in order to provide a ground for gas tube circuit protectors that may be inserted into the modular connectors. The ability to secure the ground bar to the mounting bracket in a variety of orientations provides additional flexibility for all types of wiring schemes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ground bar couples to support posts on the mounting bracket utilizing a force fit insertion. A tab on the ground bar creates a bias against the support posts to retain the ground bar in a fixed position. Individual circuit protection modules are adapted to be received on the ground bar which establishes a positive seat connection.
94 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a modular connecting block system for termination of wires, wherein connector modules having a plurality of terminals facing a front and rear side thereof are insertable within a mounting bracket for mounting of said connecting block, said bracket including a plurality of support posts aligned on either side of said bracket for retaining said connector modules, a ground bar apparatus for attachment to said bracket, said ground bar apparatus comprising:
a unitary metallic strip formed into three distinct sections including, first and third sections including fastening means for fastening to said support posts of said bracket to thereby electrically couple said ground bar to said bracket, and a second section perpendicularly coupled between said first and third sections, said second section including a ground bus adapted to electrically couple with circuit protection modules installable in a front and rear side of said connector modules, wherein said fastening means of said first and third sections is adapted to couple to front facing and rear facing ends of said support posts of said bracket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22)
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11. A combination mounting bracket and ground bar apparatus for use with modular connectors for termination of wires, said modular connectors having terminals on a front and rear facing side thereof for accepting said wires and said connectors being adapted to receive circuit protection modules for protecting equipment coupled to said telephone circuits, said combination comprising:
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a mounting bracket including a plurality of receptacle areas for receiving said modular connectors, said receptacle areas each including a pair of outwardly projecting support posts adapted to retain said connectors, and a grounding bar attachable to said support posts of said mounting bracket, said grounding bar including fastening means adapted to attach to a front facing and rear facing side of said bracket, wherein said grounding bar upon attachment is oriented proximate said connector modules, whereby said circuit protection modules couple to said ground bar to establish a discharge path therefor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification