Cross-connection module providing for uninterruptible transmission during servicing

In a cross-connection of a service cable to a distribution cable for telecommunications transmission to a customer, a system for connection of secondary wires to the distribution cable in addition to connection of primary wires thereto, comprising:

• a housing defining at least one pair of silos defining terminal-receiving cavities therein;
• a pair of first terminals disposed in respective said terminal-receiving cavities, each including a first contact section adapted to be terminated to a respective conductor of a distribution cable and a second contact section adapted to be terminated to a respective primary conductor wire of a service cable;
• a pair of actuators each movably affixed to respective said silos to enclose a said first terminal therein, each said actuator including a wire-receiving aperture thereinto aligned with said second contact section of said first terminal, each said actuator being movable from a first position to a second position relative to said silo, and each said actuator adapted to move one of a said primary wire and a said first terminal to terminate them together in electrical engagement;
• a pair of second terminals mountable onto respective said actuators, each said second terminal including a first contact section adapted to be inserted through a respective opening of said actuator to become electrically engaged with a said first terminal, and further including a second contact section adapted to be terminated to a secondary conductor wire;
• and
• a pair of caps each affixed onto a respective said actuator and enclosing a respective said second terminal therewithin, each said cap including a wire-receiving aperture thereinto aligned with said second contact section of said second terminal;
• each said cap and associated actuator including cooperating locking sections permitting said cap to be moved in a first direction with respect to said actuator from a first position to a second position relative thereto, to terminate a said secondary wire to said second terminal and engaging said locking sections locking said cap in a terminated position with respect to said actuator and said second terminal, and
• each said actuator thereafter being movable in a second direction from said second position to said first position relative to said silo by movement of said cap thereon in said second direction, for untermination of said primary wire and carrying said second terminal and said secondary wire terminated thereto in said second direction, all while said secondary wire remains terminated to said second terminal and said first contact section of said second terminal remains in electrical engagement with said first terminal assuring an electrical connection of said secondary wire to a corresponding conductor wire of said distribution cable during untermination of said primary wire.

In a cross-connection of a service cable to a distribution cable for telecommunications transmission to a customer, a system for connection of secondary wires to the distribution cable in addition to connection of primary wires thereto, comprising:

• a housing defining at least one pair of silos defining terminal-receiving cavities therein;
• a pair of first terminals disposed in respective said terminal-receiving cavities, each including a first contact section adapted to be terminated to a respective conductor of a distribution cable and a second contact section adapted to be terminated to a respective primary conductor wire of a service cable;
• a pair of actuators each rotatably affixed to respective said silos to enclose a said first terminal therein, each said actuator including a wire-receiving aperture thereinto aligned with said second contact section of said first terminal, each said actuator being rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to said silo, and each said actuator adapted to move one of a primary wire and a said first terminal to terminate them together in electrical engagement;
• a pair of second terminals mountable atop respective said actuators, each said second terminal including a first contact section adapted to be inserted through a respective slot of said actuator to become electrically engaged with a said first terminal, and further including a second contact section adapted to be terminated to a secondary conductor wire;
• and
• a pair of caps each affixed atop a respective said actuator and enclosing a respective said second terminal therewithin, each said cap including a wire-receiving aperture thereinto aligned with said second contact section of said second terminal;
• each said cap and associated actuator including cooperating locking sections permitting said cap to be rotated in a first direction with respect to said actuator from a first position to a second position relative thereto, to terminate a said secondary wire to said second terminal and engaging said locking sections locking said cap in a terminated position with respect to said actuator and said second terminal, and
• each said actuator thereafter being rotatable in a second direction from said second position to said first position relative to said silo by rotation of said cap thereatop in said second direction, for untermination of said primary wire and carrying said second terminal and said secondary wire terminated thereto in said second direction, all while said secondary wire remains terminated to said second terminal and said first contact section of said second terminal remains in electrical engagement with said first terminal assuring an electrical connection of said secondary wire to a corresponding conductor wire of said distribution cable during untermination of said primary wire.

A cross-connection assembly for providing an array of cross-connection sites in close proximity to each other, comprising:

• a plurality of housing modules each having a selected plurality of housing sections for respective electrical terminals permitting connection of conductors thereto;
• and
• a base frame providing a plurality of locations for respective ones of said housing modules and providing for securing of said housing modules thereto;
• said base frame and said housing modules including cooperating polarizing sections permitting affixing of said housing modules to said base frame only in a particular orientation during assembly, assuring that said housing sections of each housing module are commonly oriented with respect to housing sections of other housing modules assembled to said base frame to facilitate later connection of said conductors to said terminals within said housing sections, all enabling modular assembly and facilitating selective disassembly of a particular housing module from said base frame during termination of conductors of a stub cable to respective said terminals to define a cable harness.