Modular telephone jack for multi-occupant dwelling

Abstract

The disclosure is directed toward a Multi-Occupancy Dwelling (MOD) telephone jack for use where different telephone connections could be reconfigured without the need for a telephone technician. In the description herein, the term “jack” is used to describe a receptacle, whereas in the industry, a combination of a receptacle and a plug is sometimes called a jack. The MOD jack is similar to the regulation jack (RJ), or it could be a different connection point. The MOD jack has a plurality of selectable connecting points. The MOD jack includes a rotary dial. The rotary dial is connected to at least one connection point on a first plate and further a plurality of connection points on a second plate. The first plate is connected to a plurality of connection points. By rotating the rotary dial to a selected position, a connection may be made with one connection point, whereby a receptacle is connected to a set of lines, for example, a pair of tip and ring leads that could establish a telephone connection with a central office. In case of a T-1, VOIP or an ISDN connection, it is understood that a set of four, six, or eight wire connections could be made using the same arrangement. In a further aspect, the disclosure is directed toward a modular MOD jack to connect a plurality of devices or service connections. These could be, for example, digital multiple line key phones, PABX extensions, data transmission units, fax machines, and signaling equipment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.