Wireless access point installation on an outlet box

• US 7,785,138 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Martich, Mark E., Bonnassieux, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/969,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20050152306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,141 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 439/527, 439/533, 439/211, 439/218, 439/367, 439/929, 439/404, 439/535, 174/53, 200/297
• US Class Current: 439/535
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

An access point device and system that offers Wi-Fi access and is easily integratable into its environment is provided. The access point device and system is advantageously well suited for integrating operative aspects of a Wi-Fi access point in a wall using, for example, standard switch and outlet boxes and/or standard wall plates. The access point device and system can advantageously be well suited for incorporating a wiring structure such as, for example, a 110 block or the like, suitable for use in connecting to a wired network. Further, the access point device and system may beneficially permit the integration of complementary connections within the access point including, for example, data, voice, video, CATV or other like connection types.

Claims

1. A wireless access point adapted to communicate with a wired network having at least one service cable with a free end accessible in proximity to a standard outlet box defining an outlet box interior region, comprising:

a. a housing having a first plate defining a first plane, a second plate defining a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane and an intermediate housing region extending between the first plane defined by the first plate and the second plane defined by the second plate;

b. electronic circuitry providing communication functionality positioned within the housing in the intermediate housing region;

c. a pair of antennae adapted for Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) communications positioned within the housing in the intermediate housing region; and

d. at least one jack in electrical communication with the electronic circuitry, the at least one jack being mounted with respect to the housing;

wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted with respect to the standard outlet box with (i) the second plate positioned external to the outlet box interior region and mounted with respect to the standard outlet box, (ii) the first plate also positioned external to the outlet box interior region, and (iii) the at least one jack positioned within the outlet box interior region for electrically connecting the electronic circuitry to the accessible free end of the service cable of the wired network at a conductive junction positioned within the outlet box interior region.

2. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second plate defines a mounting plate of the housing configured and dimensioned to permit the wireless access point to be installed with respect to the outlet box, and the first plate defines a cover plate of the housing detachably engaged with the mounting plate such that the intermediate housing region is defined within the housing between the cover plate and the mounting plate.

3. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intermediate housing region is positioned outside the outlet box interior region when the housing is mounted with respect to the standard outlet-box.

4. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one jack is positioned behind the mounting plate.

5. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing includes vent openings disposed adjacent the intermediate housing region for venting heat therefrom.

6. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 5, wherein the vent openings are defined in the cover plate.

7. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one antenna of the pair of antennae is mounted with respect to the cover plate.

8. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mounting plate of the housing is configured and dimensioned to permit the wireless access point to be mounted to at least one predefined workstation gang box selected from the group consisting of a single gang box, a double gang box, a triple gang box, and a multiple gang box.

9. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mounting plate of the housing is configured and dimensioned to permit the wireless access point to be mounted to at least one selected from the group consisting of an electrical box having a rectangular pattern, and an electrical box having a circular pattern.

10. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second plate defines a front face facing the first plate, a rear face facing away from the first plate, and a mounting opening extending through the second plate, and wherein the at least one jack is mounted with respect to the second plate adjacent the mounting opening.

11. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one antenna of the pair of antennae is a diversity antenna.

12. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one cable management structure positioned with respect to the first and second plates within the housing.

13. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 12, wherein the cable management structure is positioned to minimize RF interference stemming from electrical components associated with the wireless access point.

14. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 13, wherein the electronic circuitry includes one or more cables, the pair of antennae, and a printed circuit board.

15. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 12, wherein the cable management structure includes one or more cable guide structures configured to direct cable connected to the antennae within the housing of the wireless access point device.

16. A wireless access point assembly for connecting to a wired network, comprising:

a. electronic circuitry defining a wireless access point;

b. a housing with

i. a first plate defining a first plane, and a second plate defining a second plane that is substantially parallel to said first plane;

wherein an intermediate housing region is defined between the first plane defined by the first plate and the second plane defined by the second plate, said housing containing the electronic circuitry;

ii. a pair of antennae adapted for Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) communications positioned within the housing in the intermediate housing region; and

iii. at least one jack mounted with respect to said second plate extending through the housing and positioned outside said intermediate housing region; and

c. an outlet box defining an internal box region;

d. a cable connected at one end to the wired network and terminating in the internal box region of the outlet box at the other end,

wherein the wireless access point is installed with respect to the outlet box with the at least one jack positioned in the internal box region to connect to the other end of the cable and the intermediate housing region is positioned outside the internal box region.

17. A wireless access point assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein the second plate defines a mounting plate of the housing configured and dimensioned to permit the wireless access point to be installed with respect to the outlet box, and the first plate defines a cover plate of the housing detachably engaged with the mounting plate such that the intermediate housing region is defined within the housing between the cover plate and the mounting plate.

18. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one jack is positioned behind the mounting plate.

19. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein the housing includes vent openings disposed adjacent the intermediate housing region for venting heat therefrom.

20. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 19, wherein the vent openings are defined in the cover plate.

21. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one antenna of the pair of antennae is mounted with respect to the cover plate.

22. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein the box is selected from the group consisting of a single gang box, a double gang box, a triple gang box, and a multiple gang box.

23. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one jack is in electronic communication with the access point circuitry.

24. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein the second plate defines a front face facing the first plate, a rear face facing away from the first plate, and a mounting opening extending through the second plate, and wherein the at least one jack is mounted with respect to the second plate adjacent the mounting opening.

25. A wireless access point in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one antenna of the pair of antennae is a diversity antenna.

26. A wireless access point in communication with a wired network having a cable with an end connected to the wired network and a free end extensible into an outlet box, comprising:

a. a back plate defining a mounting plate configured and dimensioned to interface with a corresponding front face of the outlet box for purposes of installing the wireless access point with respect thereto, and a cover plate disposed in front of the mounting plate detachably mounted with respect to the back plate, wherein an intermediate housing region is defined between the cover plate and the back mounting plate;

b. a pair of antennae adapted for Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) communications positioned in the intermediate housing region; and

c. at least one jack mounted with respect to the back plate extending through the mounting plate to a position behind the mounting plate to enable connection of the wireless access point to the free end of the cable contained within the outlet box.