Combination telephony and cable jack interface

• US 6,981,892 B1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bradley Kostelnik
• Original Assignee: Bradley Kostelnik
• Inventors: Kostelnik, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US10/855,455
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 439/536, 439/677, 439/639, 174/66
• US Class Current: 439/536
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A combination phone and cable jack interface includes a base member, a faceplate, and a mechanism for selectively toggling a telephony jack connection between a telephony service provider and a cable service provider. The toggling mechanism includes a first port electrically coupled to a cable service provider network. A second port is electrically coupled to a telephony service provider network. The toggling mechanism further includes a jumper cable electrically coupled to the first port and removably connectable to the second port. The jumper cable includes a plurality of wires connected to a plurality of corresponding wires associated with the cable network. The jumper cable is disposed partially exterior of the base section so that a user can toggle the interface between cable and telephone modes.

Claims

1. A combination phone and cable jack interface, said interface comprising:

a base member having a substantially planar rear portion and a plurality of sidewalls integral therewith and extending orthogonally therefrom, said base member defining a cavity therein;

a faceplate having substantially planar front and rear portions, said faceplate further having a perimeter equal to a perimeter of said base member for enclosing said cavity, said faceplate further having a plurality of apertures formed therein for receiving fastening members therethrough so that said faceplate can be removably secured to said base member; and

means for selectively toggling a telephony jack connection between a telephony service provider and a cable service provider so that a user can obtain telephony service from either service provider without needing to remove said jack from a wall outlet and internally rewiring the telephony jack connection, said toggling means comprising

a first port electrically coupled to a cable service provider network, said first port for interfacing an external telephony line with the cable network,

a second port electrically coupled to a telephony service provider network, said second port for interfacing an external telephony line with a telephony network, and

a jumper cable electrically coupled to said first port and being removably connectable to said second port wherein the external telephony line receives telecommunication signals from the telephony network when said jumper cable is electrically coupled to said second port and receives telecommunication signals from the cable network when said jumper cable is removed from said second port.

2. The interface of claim 1, wherein said jumper cable comprises:

a plurality of wires connected to a plurality of corresponding wires associated with the cable network.

3. The interface of claim 1, wherein said jumper cable is disposed partially exterior of said base section so that a user can readily toggle said interface between cable and telephony operating modes.