Flush mount multiport connection box

• US 5,721,394 A
• Filed: 07/12/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Mulks
• Original Assignee: Robert Mulks
• Inventors: Mulks, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US08/678,985
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/531, 439/535, 220/3.3, 220/3.6, 174/48, 174/59, 174/58, 174/65 R, 174/65 G, 174/135
• US Class Current: 174/502
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4441 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/305 Cable entries
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/123 in thin walls

Abstract

A connection box for communications cabling, especially useful for fiber optic connections, which is capable of being mounted entirely within a standard depth wall or column framing. The box has a depth which is less than the depth of a standard office wall, open to the outside, and with an open bottom (as the box is mounted vertically in the wall). Cables enter the box, either through the open bottom or through a cable fitting, and are attached to a fitting on a removable connector module mounted to the box. A cover can be attached over the open side of the box, flush with the wall, concealing the interconnections.

Claims

1. A connector box for communications cables, for flush mounting within a wall having an outer surface and a depth, comprising:

a body comprising a back, three closed sides having a depth extending from the back, the depth of the sides being less than the depth of the wall, and an open fourth side, the fourth side being left open for the passage of cables therethrough;

b) means for mounting the body to the wall, flush with the outer surface of the wall, the body being substantially completely contained within the wall when the body is mounted;

c) at least one communication cable connector panel, each panel being removably mounted within the body and each panel having a plurality of communications connectors;

d) each communication cable connector panel being mounted within the body such that neither the at least one connector panel nor the connectors extend beyond the sides of the body.

2. The connector box of claim 1, in which the means for mounting the box comprise a flange extending substantially completely around the sides of the body, perpendicular thereto and extending outwards thereof.

3. The connector box of claim 1, in which the depth of the sides is no more than 3".

4. The connector box of claim 1, in which the at least one connector panel nearest the open fourth side of the body is mounted perpendicular to the back of the body such that the cables attached to the connectors on the at least one panel will pass nearly directly through the open fourth side of the body.

5. The connector box of claim 1, further comprising strain relief means for preventing one of the cables from being pulled out of one of said connectors on the at least one connector panel, mounted to the body.

6. The connector box of claim 5 in which the cables have a characteristic diameter, and the strain relief means comprises a panel, mounted on the back of the body, having a plurality of holes approximating the diameter of the cables, such that the cables are passed through the holes in the strain relief means, preventing said one of the cables from being pulled out of said one of the connectors on the at least one connector panel.

7. The connector box of claim 1, in which the at least one connector panel is mounted at an angle relative to the back of the body and parallel to the open fourth side of the body.