Cap configured to removably connect to an insulation displacement connector block
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorJerome A. Pratt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cap including a width and configured to removably connect to an insulation displacement connector (IDC) block includes a body and a projection extending from the body. The projection is configured to engage with an aperture in the IDC block. At least one of the body or the first projection may be manipulated in order to adjust the width of the cap.
Claims23
A cap configured to connect to an insulation displacement connector (IDC) block, the cap having an adjustable width and comprising:
- a body including a pivot portion and a cover portion;
- and
- a first pivot projection attached to the body at the pivot portion and configured to engage with a first aperture in the IDC block, wherein at least one of the body and the first pivot projection is manipulable in order to adjust the width of the cap,
- wherein the first pivot projection is formed of a flexible material and disposed in a first position and wherein the first pivot projection is adapted to flex toward the body to a second position to decrease the width of the cap.
An insulation displacement connector (IDC) block comprising:
- a plurality of adjacent housings, each housing comprising:
- a cavity for receiving an IDC element;
- and
- a wall defining a part of the cavity and including an aperture;
- and
- a first cap connected to each housing and movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the housing, wherein at least one first cap is replaced by a second cap, the second cap including an adjustable width and comprising:
- a body including a pivot portion and a cover portion;
- and
- a pivot projection attached to the body, wherein at least one of the body and the pivot projection is manipulability in order to adjust the width of the second cap,
- wherein the pivot projection disposed on the second cap is formed of a flexible material and disposed in a first position and wherein the pivot projection of is adapted to flex toward the body to a second position to decrease the width of the second cap.
A kit comprising components for assembly into an insulation displacement connector (IDC) block, the kit comprising:
- a first modular cap including a first width and configured to pivotally connect to the IDC block, the first modular cap comprising:
- a first body;
- and
- a first pivot projection extending from the first body and biased away from the first body for pivotally connecting and engaging the first body to the IDC block,
- wherein the first projection of the first modular cap is formed of a flexible material and wherein the first pivot projection is adapted to flex toward the first body to decrease the width of the first modular cap;
- and
- a second modular cap including a second width and configured to pivotally connect to the IDC block, wherein the second modular cap having an adjustable width comprises:
- a second body;
- and
- a second pivot projection extending from the second body and biased away from the second body for pivotally connecting and engaging the second body to the IDC block,
- wherein the first modular cap is detachable from IDC block by compressing the first body in order to adjust the first width of the first cap,
- wherein the second pivot projection of the second modular cap is formed of a flexible material and is adapted to flex toward the second body to a second position to decrease the width of the second modular cap;
- and
- wherein the second modular cap is subsequently connected to the IDC block to replace the first modular cap by engaging the second pivot projection to the IDC block by compressing the second body in order to adjust the second width of the second cap.
A method of replacing a first cap pivotally connected to an insulation displacement connector (IDC) block, wherein the first cap includes a first body and a first pivot projection extending from the first body and biased away from the first body, the first pivot projection being connected to the first body and configured to engage with the IDC block, the method comprising:
- removing the first cap by disengaging the first pivot projection by compressing the first body and moving the pivot projection with respect to the IDC block, thereby resulting in a void in the IDC block;
- and
- subsequently replacing the first cap with a second cap, the second cap including a second body and second pivot projection extending from the second body and biased away from the second body, the second pivot projection being connected to the second body and configured to engage with the IDC block, wherein the second pivot projection of the second modular cap is formed of a flexible material and is adapted to flex toward the second body to a second position to decrease the width of the second modular cap and wherein the second cap is positioned in the void and connected to the IDC block by engaging the second pivot projection for pivotally connecting the second body to the IDC block with the IDC block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.