Integrated wall plate assembly and premise wiring system incorporating the same
DCFirst Claim
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1. A modular wall plate assembly mountable within a wall structure, said assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket defining a face thereon;
at least one signal interface extending outward from said face; and
a cable lead extending generally rearwardly from said mounting bracket, said cable lead comprising a plurality of conductive lines therein such that a proximal end of said plurality of conductive lines are in electrical communication with said at least one signal interface, and a distal end of said cable lead terminates in a modular quick-connect coupling to achieve tool-free electrical connection to a runner cable that is part of a premise wiring system such that upon modular electrical connection of said assembly to said runner cable, said at least one signal interface can carry an electronic signal to and from said runner cable, wherein the length of said cable lead is such that said quick-connect coupling defines a substantially farthest rearward projection of said assembly that is rearwardly cantilevered such that said quick-connect coupling comprises a termination with which to facilitate flexibly moveable connection to said runner cable once signal coupling is established therebetween.
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Abstract
A wall plate for premise wiring. The wall plate is preterminated with a quick-connect coupling to enable fast connection and disconnection with a complementary quick-connect coupling on a wire configured to carry an electrical signal, such as digital or analog audio, visual or related signal. The wall plate may include numerous signal interfaces for audio, visual or combination audio/visual application. By including all of the components into a modular package, installation and removal of the wall plate for premise wiring upgrades is enhanced.
54 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A modular wall plate assembly mountable within a wall structure, said assembly comprising:
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a mounting bracket defining a face thereon; at least one signal interface extending outward from said face; and a cable lead extending generally rearwardly from said mounting bracket, said cable lead comprising a plurality of conductive lines therein such that a proximal end of said plurality of conductive lines are in electrical communication with said at least one signal interface, and a distal end of said cable lead terminates in a modular quick-connect coupling to achieve tool-free electrical connection to a runner cable that is part of a premise wiring system such that upon modular electrical connection of said assembly to said runner cable, said at least one signal interface can carry an electronic signal to and from said runner cable, wherein the length of said cable lead is such that said quick-connect coupling defines a substantially farthest rearward projection of said assembly that is rearwardly cantilevered such that said quick-connect coupling comprises a termination with which to facilitate flexibly moveable connection to said runner cable once signal coupling is established therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A premise wiring system comprising:
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a wall plate assembly comprising; a modular wall plate mountable within a wall structure, said wall plate comprising; a mounting bracket; at least one signal interface extending outward from said mounting bracket; and a cable lead extending generally rearwardly from said mounting bracket, said cable lead comprising a plurality of conductive lines therein such that a proximal end of said plurality of conductive lines are in electrical communication with said at least one signal interface, and a distal end of said cable lead terminates in a modular quick-connect coupling, wherein the length of said cable lead is such that said quick-connect coupling defines a substantially farthest rearward projection of said assembly; and at least one runner cable comprising a plurality of conductive lines therein, said runner cable defining said signal source and comprising a quick-connect coupling on at least one end thereof such that upon engagement of said quick-connect coupling of said runner cable to said quick-connect coupling of said cable lead, a signal transmitted through said runner cable and said cable lead is also conveyed through said at least one signal interface, wherein said distal end of said cable lead is rearwardly cantilevered such that said quick-connect coupling comprises a flexible termination with which to facilitate moveable connection to said runner cable once signal coupling is established therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of connecting premise wiring to a wall plate assembly, said method comprising:
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arranging at least one runner cable in said premise wiring to include a quick-connect coupling at a terminus thereof; and connecting said quick-connect coupling to a complementary quick-connect coupling situated on said assembly, said assembly comprising; a mounting bracket defining a face thereon; at least one signal interface extending outward from said face; and a cable lead extending generally rearwardly from said mounting bracket, said cable lead comprising a plurality of conductive lines therein such that a proximal end of said plurality of conductive lines are electrically connected with said at least one signal interface, and a distal end of said cable lead terminates in a modular quick-connect coupling such that said runner cable and said assembly can be placed in electrical communication with one another without the need for a connecting tool, said distal end of said cable lead defining a cantilevered end such that said connecting defines a substantially non-rigid joining, thereby permitting a range of flexible movement between said quick-connect coupling and said complementary quick-connect coupling. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification