Communication wiring system including a reconfigurable outlet assembly
First Claim
1. A communications wiring system comprising:
- a communications network interface device for routing a plurality of source signals from a plurality of types of electrical sources, wherein each source cable transmits a source signal from a predetermined electrical source, said communications network interface device comprising;
subdividing means for splitting each source signal into a predetermined number of subsignals, said subdividing means comprising a plurality of distribution conductors wherein each distribution conductor transmits a predetermined one of said subsignals; and
output means, responsive to said subdividing means, for arranging said plurality of distribution conductors into a plurality of cables wherein each cable includes a plurality of distribution conductors which transmit subsignals originating with a plurality of types of electrical sources; and
a plurality of reconfigurable outlet assemblies for selectably establishing electrical connection with the plurality of electrical sources via a respective cable, each reconfigurable outlet assembly comprising;
an outlet comprising connector means for positioning said distribution conductors of a respective cable in a predetermined order; and
a plurality of interchangeable electrical connectors adapted to be removably mounted to said connector means of said outlet, each said connector including means for establishing electrical connection with the distribution conductors of the respective cable which are connected to a predetermined electrical source such that each electrical connector establishes electrical connection with a predetermined electrical source, each electrical connector also including removal means for disconnecting said connector from the cable such that the electrical connector can be removed from said outlet such that another of said plurality of interchangeable electrical connectors can be mounted to said outlet to thereby establish electrical connection with other distribution conductors of the respective cable which are connected to another predetermined electrical source such that electrical connection is established with the other electrical source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications wiring system includes a communications network interface device for routing a plurality of source signals between respective ones of a plurality of types of electrical sources and a number of reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly selectively establishes electrical connection with predetermined ones of the electrical sources, via a cable. The communications network interface device receives and splits the source signals into a predetermined number of subsignals which are routed to respective reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly includes an outlet and a number of interchangeable electrical connectors, such as modular jacks, adapted to be removably mounted to the outlet for establishing electrical connection with a predetermined electrical source. In order to establish electrical connection with a different electrical source, a first electrical connector can be removed and a second electrical connector can be inserted therein. Accordingly, the communications wiring system of the present invention can be readily reconfigured by interchanging the electrical connectors to establish electrical connection with different electrical sources without rewiring.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A communications wiring system comprising:
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a communications network interface device for routing a plurality of source signals from a plurality of types of electrical sources, wherein each source cable transmits a source signal from a predetermined electrical source, said communications network interface device comprising; subdividing means for splitting each source signal into a predetermined number of subsignals, said subdividing means comprising a plurality of distribution conductors wherein each distribution conductor transmits a predetermined one of said subsignals; and output means, responsive to said subdividing means, for arranging said plurality of distribution conductors into a plurality of cables wherein each cable includes a plurality of distribution conductors which transmit subsignals originating with a plurality of types of electrical sources; and a plurality of reconfigurable outlet assemblies for selectably establishing electrical connection with the plurality of electrical sources via a respective cable, each reconfigurable outlet assembly comprising; an outlet comprising connector means for positioning said distribution conductors of a respective cable in a predetermined order; and a plurality of interchangeable electrical connectors adapted to be removably mounted to said connector means of said outlet, each said connector including means for establishing electrical connection with the distribution conductors of the respective cable which are connected to a predetermined electrical source such that each electrical connector establishes electrical connection with a predetermined electrical source, each electrical connector also including removal means for disconnecting said connector from the cable such that the electrical connector can be removed from said outlet such that another of said plurality of interchangeable electrical connectors can be mounted to said outlet to thereby establish electrical connection with other distribution conductors of the respective cable which are connected to another predetermined electrical source such that electrical connection is established with the other electrical source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communications network interface device comprising:
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input means for receiving a plurality of source cables which are communicably connected to predetermined ones of a plurality of types of electrical sources, wherein each source cable transmits a source signal from a predetermined electrical source; subdividing means, responsive to said input means, for splitting the source signal transmitted by each of said plurality of source cables into a predetermined number of subsignals, said subdividing means comprising a plurality of distribution conductors wherein each distribution conductor transmits a predetermined one of said subsignals; and output means, responsive to said subdividing means, for arranging said plurality of distribution conductors into a plurality of cables wherein each cable includes a plurality of distribution conductors which transmit subsignals originating with a plurality of types of electrical sources. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification