Patch cord insertion detection and light illumination capabilities

• US 8,708,724 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2013
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Patel, Satish I., Wiemeyer, James E., Maranto, Keith S., Baber, Brad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne, Jean F
• Application Number:
  US13/858,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20130217249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/441, 439/490, 439/488, 439688-669
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/465 Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6625 with capacitive component
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/149 Wireguides in connector blocks

Abstract

A patch cord for an intelligent patching system is provided. The patch cord is a ten-wire patch cord having a patch panel plug and a switch plug. The patch panel plug contains ninth and tenth wire contacts that interface with ninth and tenth wire contacts of an intelligent patch panel port. The switch plug is provided with a plunger-style switch that enables the intelligent patch panel to determine when the switch plug is plugged into a switch port. The switch plug is also provided with LED'"'"'s and circuitry that controls the LED'"'"'s.

Claims

1. A communication cord for use in a communication system, comprising:

a communication cable including at least one communication channel and a plurality of patch cord management conductors;

a first connector connected to one end of said communication cable, said first connector having a plurality of patch cord management contacts each connected to a respective said plurality of patch cord management conductors;

a second connector connected to another end of said communication cable, said second connector having a make before break switch connected to said plurality of patch cord management conductors, and

at least one indicator connected to said make before break switch wherein at least one indicator includes a first indicator and a second indicator, first indicator and said second indicator indicates a plurality of states of said communication cord, and said plurality of states includes at least one of a) only said first connector connected to the system, b) only said second connector connected to the system, c) both said first connector and said second connector connected to the system, and d) neither said first connector nor said second connector connected to the system.

2. The communication cord of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator includes a visual format of at least one of flashing, occulting, steady-on, steady-off, and combinations flashing, occulting, steady-on, and steady-off.

3. The communication cord of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator includes an LED.

4. The communication cord of claim 1, wherein said make before break switch includes a plunger activator.

5. The communication cord of claim 1, wherein said at least one communication channel is at least one of a copper channel, a fiber optic channel and an hybrid copper-fiber optic channel.

6. A communication system, comprising:

an intelligent patch panel;

communication equipment; and

a communication cord connected at one end to said intelligent patch panel and at another end to said communication equipment, said communication cord including a communication cable having at least one communication channel and a plurality of patch cord management conductors, said communication cord further including a first connector connected to one end of said communication cable, said first connector having a plurality of patch cord management contacts each connected to a respective said plurality of patch cord management conductors, a second connector connected to another end of said communication cable, said second connector having a make before break switch connected to said plurality of patch cord management conductors, at least one indicator connected to said make before break switch wherein at least one indicator includes a first indicator and a second indicator, first indicator and said second indicator indicates a plurality of states of said communication cord, and said plurality of states includes at least one of a) only said first connector connected to the system, b) only said second connector connected to the system, c) both said first connector and said second connector connected to the system, and d) neither said first connector nor said second connector connected to the system.

7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said at least one indicator includes a visual format of at least one of flashing, occulting, steady-on, steady-off, and combinations flashing, occulting, steady-on, and steady-off.

8. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said at least one indicator includes an LED.

9. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said make before break switch includes a plunger activator.

10. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said communication equipment is a switch.

11. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said at least one communication channel is at least one of a copper channel, a fiber optic channel and an hybrid copper-fiber optic channel.

12. The communication system of claim 6, wherein said at least one indicator provides a guided installation of said communication cord to at least one of said intelligent patch panel and said communication equipment.