US 5,964,609 AGranted

Modular communication cabling arrangement

AssigneeHaworth, Inc.

InventorsHarold R. Wilson, Ross S. Johnson

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A modular communication system, particularly for interior space-dividing wall panels which are serially-connected together to define a plurality of adjacent workstations. The modular communication system is defined by a plurality of prefabricated modules, one of which is an elongate main distribution module mountable within a raceway which extends horizontally longitudinally of the panel. This elongate main distribution module, in one embodiment, has a length which approximately corresponds to the panel length, and has terminals or connectors at opposite ends so that a plurality of main distribution modules can be serially-connected to extend along a plurality of serially-connected panels. The main communication modules define a plurality of telecommunication links (i.e., paths), with each link preferably being defined by eight conductors (i.e., four pairs). The system also includes tap-off modules which cooperate with the main distribution modules to permit one (two in the preferred embodiment) link to be tapped off at a workstation for connection to communication equipment (i.e. a telephone and/or a computer). The tap-off module permits only the selected link or links to be tapped off and accessible at the workstation.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A modular telecommunication cabling arrangement for providing access to telecommunication links comprising:

a plurality of elongate main distribution modules which serially couple together, each of said main distribution modules including an elongate intermediate cable having a connector unit at each end thereof and a plurality of conductors extending therebetween, said conductors defining a plurality of telecommunication links extending longitudinally therethrough so as to carry signals between said connector units, each of said connector units having a plurality of recesses which are open on a first side and each include terminals therein that are connected to at least one of said telecommunication links;
said connector units on serially-adjacent ends of two said distribution modules being fixedly coupled together so that said recesses of said connector units on said adjacent ends are aligned one with the other, said terminals of said aligned recesses being engaged one with the other through said open sides for permitting said plurality of multi-conductor telecommunication links to be transmitted longitudinally along said two distribution modules, each pair of said aligned recesses defining an access port for accessing said at least one telecommunication link defined thereat;
each of said main distribution modules comprising a plurality of identical cable assemblies which are joined together to define said cable and said connector units, each said cable assembly including a cable section which defines at least one but less than all of said links and a connector cartridge at each opposite end of said cable section, each of said cartridges defining one of said recesses such that said terminals in said recess are in communication with said cable section, said cartridges at each of said opposite ends being aligned in elongate rows, said main distribution module including first and second joining means for respectively joining each of said rows of cartridges together at said opposite ends of said main distribution module to define said connector units respectively.

A telecommunication cabling arrangement comprising:

a plurality of serially-adjacent main distribution modules which have an elongate multi-conductor cable and a connector unit connected to one end of each said cable, said cable defining a plurality of telecommunication links to which said connector unit is connected, said connector units of an adjacent pair of said main distribution modules being removably joined together such that said respective links are connected therebetween;
said main distribution module comprising a plurality of cable sections which define said cable and each define at least one but less than all of said links, each of said cable sections including a cassette at one end thereof which defines an access opening and includes terminals which are connected to said conductors of said cable section and are accessible through said access opening;
said main distribution module further including a housing which is hollow so as to accommodate a plurality of said cassettes therein, said cassettes being received in said housing such that said access openings are accessible from said housing, said cassettes and said housing defining said connector unit wherein when said connector units of said adjacent pair of said main distribution modules are joined together, said access openings define a plurality of access ports which permit access to said terminals of said cassettes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/846,622Filed 30 Apr 1997 · continuation in part
Priority: 25 Jan 1995
Granted: 12 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

H01R 13/64
Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00: means for preventing incorrect coupling
H01R 12/7094
Coupling devices: with switch operated by engagement of PCB
H01R 25/003
Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more…
H01R 31/005
Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart: intermediate parts for distributing signals