Screwless seizure bypass platform

• US 5,756,935 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NextLevel Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Balanovsky, Lev J., Gresko, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US08/541,014
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 174/52.1, 174/52.4, 174/59, 174/60, 361/661, 361/662, 200/16 B, 200/16 C, 200/16 D, 200/51 R, 200/51.09, 200/51.1, 333/100, 333/105, 333/132, 333/134
• US Class Current: 174/549
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/18 for television
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/46 comprising switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/547 Splitters
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes

Abstract

A screwless bypass for cable signal tap is provided to prevent interruption of a cable signal when the tap cover is removed. The bypass means comprises a flexible spring leaf, compressible collets and end terminals. Contacts are released so that the spring leaf contacts a pair of end terminals to complete a signal path between the ends of the tap.

Claims

1. A CATV line device comprising:

an input port;

an output port;

board mounted circuitry which electrically couples said input port to said output port, said board mounted circuitry removably mounted within said device; and

a bypass coupling member for electrically coupling said input port to said output port when said board mounted circuitry is removed, said bypass coupling member including a flexible spring means having first and second substantially curved contact means displaceable between a first position electrically coupling with said input and output ports and a second position electrically uncoupled with said first and second ports and the flexible spring means is grounded through contact with a surface of said CATV line device, said contact means being maintained in said second position when said board mounted circuitry is installed and said contacts being in said first position when said board mounted circuitry is removed.

2. The CATV line device of claim 1 wherein said line device is a multiple CATV tap.

3. The CATV line device of claim 1 wherein said spring means is a spring leaf means.

4. The CATV line device of claim 3 further comprising terminal means for coupling with said spring leaf means in said first position.

5. The CATV line device of claim 3 wherein said CATV line device is a multiple CATV tap.

6. The CATV line device of claim 3 further comprising binding collets for providing a friction coupling between said terminal means and said signal connectors, said binding collets have a plurality of expandable ends for receiving said signal connectors.

7. The CATV line device of claim 3 further comprising binding collets for providing a friction coupling between said terminal means and said signal connectors, said binding collets have a plurality of expandable ends for receiving said signal connectors.

8. The CATV line device of claim 7 wherein said collets are constructed of a flexible conducting material.

9. A method for modifying an existing CATV line device having a housing, board mounted circuitry, and contact terminals to maintain the integrity of a cable signal when board mounted circuitry is removed comprising the steps of:

removing said board mounted circuitry;

inserting a bypass coupling member into said housing, said bypass coupling member to be positioned behind said existing contact terminals, so that said contact ends of said bypass coupling member are placed substantially in alignment with said contact terminals to provide an adequate signal connection;

replacing said board mounted circuitry, whereby when said board mounted circuitry is subsequently removed, said cable signal is maintained by coupling of said bypass coupling member with said contact terminals.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said CATV line device is a multiple CATV tap.

11. A method for modifying an existing CATV line device having a housing, board mounted circuitry, and contact terminals to maintain the integrity of a cable signal when board mounted circuitry is removed comprising the steps of:

removing said board mounted circuitry;

inserting a bypass coupling member into said housing, said bypass coupling member including flexible spring means having contact ends to be positioned behind said existing contact terminals, so that said contact ends of said bypass coupling member are placed substantially in alignment with said contact terminals, and said flexible spring means being positioned to contact a surface of said CATV line device, thus grounding said flexible spring means; and

replacing said board mounted circuitry, whereby when said board mounted circuitry is subsequently removed, said cable signal is maintained by coupling of said contact ends with said contact terminals so that said spring leaf means conducts a CATV signal.

12. A two position bypass switching adaptor means selectively configured to fit within an existing CATV line device with board mounted circuitry and input and output ports comprising:

a bypass coupling member for electrically coupling said input port to said output port when said board mounted circuitry is removed, said bypass coupling member having first and second contact means displaceable between a first position electrically coupling with said input and output ports and a second position electrically uncoupled with said first and second ports, said contact means being maintained in said second position when said board mounted circuitry is installed and said contacts being in said first position when said board mounted circuitry is removed; and

engaging means for biasing said contact means between said first and said positions.

13. The two position bypass switching adaptor means of claim 12 wherein said CATV line device is a multiple CATV tap.

15. The two position bypass switching adaptor means of claim 12 further comprising:

terminal means positioned in alignment with said spring leaf means.

16. The two position bypass switching adaptor means of claim 12 wherein said engaging means includes a plurality of tabs disposed on said board mounted circuitry.

14. A two position bypass switching adaptor means selectively configured to fit within an existing CATV line device with board mounted circuitry and input and output ports comprising:

a bypass coupling member for electrically coupling said input port to said output port when said board mounted circuitry is removed, said bypass coupling member having first and second contact means displaceable between a first position electrically coupling with said input and output ports and a second position electrically uncoupled with said first and second ports, said contact means being maintained in said second position when said board mounted circuitry is installed and said contacts being in said first position when said board mounted circuitry is removed; and

engaging means for biasing said contact means between said first and second positions wherein said contact ends are positioned to contact a rear surface of said CATV line device in said second position.