Modular distributing frame for supporting telephone connector blocks

• US 6,384,330 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Porta Systems Corp. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Porta Systems Corp. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Squillante, Alan J., Ray, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinkins, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US09/540,927
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/54, 174/61, 174/17.R, 385/134, 385/135, 361/823, 361/827, 379/325, 379/326, 379/327
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/14 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames

Abstract

A modular distributing frame for supporting telephone connector blocks for single person front jumper administration. The connector blocks are mounted in vertical columns having vertical troughs on both sides. Horizontal troughs are located at the top, bottom and an intermediate location while being in the same plane as the vertical troughs.

Claims

1. A modular distributing frame for supporting a plurality of telephone connector blocks which interface inside and outside cable pairs through wire jumpers electrically coupled to the plurality of telephone connector blocks, said frame comprising:

a base forming a lower trough which runs substantially horizontally;

a plurality of posts for supporting the plurality of telephone connector blocks, each of said posts having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said base;

an upper trough connected to said second end of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally; and

a plurality of longitudinal troughs, each of said longitudinal troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said lower trough and said upper trough.

2. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 1, wherein:

said lower trough has a first side wall;

said upper trough has a third side wall; and

each of said longitudinal troughs has a bottom panel,

with said third side wall and said bottom panels defining a plane with said first side wall being arranged to intersect said plane at said first end of each of said plurality of posts.

3. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of posts has a rectangular tubular cross section.

4. A modular distributing frame for supporting a plurality of telephone connector blocks which interface inside and outside cable pairs through wire jumpers electrically coupled to the plurality of telephone connector blocks, said frame comprising:

a base forming a lower trough which runs substantially horizontally;

a plurality of posts for supporting the plurality of telephone connector blocks, each of said posts having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, said first end being connected to said base;

a center trough connected to said intermediate portion of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally;

an upper trough connected to said second end of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally;

a plurality of bottom troughs, each of said bottom troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said lower trough and said center trough; and

a plurality of top troughs, each of said top troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said center trough and said upper trough.

5. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 4, wherein:

said center trough has a second side wall;

said upper trough has a third side wall;

each of said bottom troughs has a first bottom panel; and

each of said top troughs has a second bottom panel, with said second and third side walls defining a plane and said first and second bottom panels being arranged in said plane.

6. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 5, wherein said lower trough has a first side wall that is arranged to intersect said plane at said first end of each of said plurality of posts.

7. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 5, wherein at least one of said plurality of posts has a rectangular tubular cross section.

8. A modular distributing frame for interfacing inside and outside cable pairs through wire jumpers electrically coupled to the frame, said frame comprising:

a base forming a lower trough which runs substantially horizontally;

a plurality of posts for supporting the plurality of telephone connector blocks, each of said posts having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said base;

an upper trough connected to said second end of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally;

a plurality of longitudinal troughs, each of said longitudinal troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said lower trough and said upper trough; and

a plurality of telephone connector blocks arranged between and connected to a pair of said plurality of posts;

each of said blocks having a first face that is located in a second plane that intersects said lower trough and having a plurality of connectors located on said first face for electrically coupling the jumper wires.

9. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 8, wherein at least one of said blocks includes an electrically coupled protector field having a second face that is located in a third plane that is parallel to said second plane.

10. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 8, wherein:

said lower trough has a first side wall;

said upper trough has a third side wall; and

each of said longitudinal troughs has a bottom panel,

with said third side wall and said bottom panels defining a plane with said first side wall being arranged to intersect said plane at said first end of each of said plurality of posts.

11. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 8, further comprising a plurality of subframes, wherein each of said blocks is connected to one of said plurality of subframes which is connected to a pair of said plurality of posts.

12. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 11, wherein at least one of said blocks includes an electrically coupled protector field attached to said subframe, said protector field having a second face that is located in a third plane that is parallel to said second plane.

13. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of subframes have a similarly configured mounting arrangement whereby each subframe is interchangeable for attachment to said posts.

14. A modular distributing frame for interfacing inside and outside cable pairs through wire jumpers electrically coupled to the frame, said frame comprising:

a base forming a lower trough which runs substantially horizontally;

a plurality of posts, each of said posts having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, said first end being connected to said base;

a center trough connected to said intermediate portion of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally;

an upper trough connected to said second end of each of said posts and running substantially horizontally;

a plurality of bottom troughs, each of said bottom troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said lower trough and said center trough;

a plurality of top troughs, each of said top troughs being connected to one of said plurality of posts while running substantially vertically and intersecting said center trough and said upper trough; and

a plurality of telephone connector blocks arranged between and connected to a pair of said plurality of posts;

each of said blocks having a first face that is located in a second plane that intersects said lower trough and having a plurality of connectors located on said first face for electrically coupling the jumper wires.

15. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 14, wherein at least one of said blocks includes an electrically coupled protector field having a second face that is located in a third plane that is parallel to said second plane.

16. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 15, wherein said lower trough has a first side wall that is arranged to intersect said plane at said first end of each of said plurality of posts.

17. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 14, wherein:

said center trough has a second side wall;

said upper trough has a third side wall;

each of said bottom troughs has a first bottom panel; and

each of said top troughs has a second bottom panel, with said second and third side walls defining a plane and said first and second bottom panels being arranged in said plane.

18. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 14, further comprising a plurality of subframes, wherein each of said blocks is connected to one of said plurality of subframes which is connected to a pair of said plurality of posts.

19. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 18, wherein at least one of said blocks includes an electrically coupled protector field attached to said subframe, said protector field having a second face that is located in a third plane that is parallel to said second plane.

20. A modular distributing frame as defined by claim 19, wherein each of said plurality of subframes have a similarly configured mounting arrangement whereby each subframe is interchangeable for attachment to said posts.