Transmission line connectors with interchangeable module units
AssigneeChannell Limited
InventorAndrew Philip Charles Dooley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transmission wire connector includes a first wire contact member and a second wire contact member mounted in bores in a base unit wherein the first and second contact members may slide to make contact with an exchange linked wire, and a consumer linked wire respectively, the first and second wire contacts within the base unit being isolated from one another; together with a separable module unit cable of coupling with the base unit and providing direct or indirect electrical connection between the first and second contacts when the module unit is coupled to the base unit, the separable module unit being one of a plurality of such module units arranged to provide different functions to the connector or a wire it connects.
Claims18
A kit of parts comprising:
- (i) a transmission wire connector including a first wire contact member and a second wire contact member, each being mounted in a base unit thereby to make contact with an exchange linked wire and a consumer linked wire, respectively, the first and second wire contact members within the base unit being isolated one from the other, wherein the first and second wire contact members are mounted within a respective bore in the base unit, wherein at least one of the first and second contact members is movable within the respective bore so as to move into slidable engaging electrical contact with one of the exchange linked wire and the consumer linked wire,
- (ii) a plurality of separable module units, each module unit being configured to couple with the base unit and to provide direct or indirect electrical connection between the first and second wire contact members when the module unit is coupled with the base unit, the plurality of module units being arranged to provide different functions when coupled to the connector, the functions including an ability to respond to a test or control signal from the exchange, and at least one of:
- (a) a direct connection;
- (b) protection against an over current condition;
- and
- (c) protection against an over voltage condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.