# US 9,520,692 B2 · Audio visual faceplate with integrated hinged termination method for circular connector

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- Number: US 9,520,692 B2
- Document ID: US9520692B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/607,142
- Filed: 2015-01-28
- Published: 2015-08-06
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-31
- Assignees: Panduit Corp.
- Applicants: Panduit Corp.
- Inventors: Joshua A. Valenti; Robert E. Fransen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520692B2

## CPC

- H01R 43/28: for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26
- H01R 4/2416: the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
- H01R 13/447: Shutter or cover plate
- H01R 4/22: End caps, i.e. of insulating or conductive material for covering or maintaining connections between wires entering the cap from the same end
- Y10T 29/49174: Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A communication system has a support and a communication connector attached to the support wherein the connector assembly has a termination lever. The system can further include a wire cap connected to a plurality of cable conductors. The wire cap can include a cover cap. The cover cap latches to the connector assembly when the wire cap and the plurality of cable conductors is terminated to the communication connector assembly. The support can be one of a faceplate, a patch panel, a surface mount box, or a media distribution unit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A communication system, comprising:
a support;
a communication connector assembly connected to the support, the connector assembly including a termination lever having an opening; and
a communication cable having a plurality of wires and a wire cap assembly wherein the opening of the termination lever is configured to engage the wire cap assembly for terminating the communication cable to the communication connector assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The communication system of claim 1, wherein the wire cap assembly includes a cover cap.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The communication system of claim 2, wherein the cover cap latches to the connector assembly when the wire cap assembly and the communication cable is terminated to the communication connector assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The communication system of claim 1, wherein the support further includes a mounting surface for mounting the communication connector assembly, the communication connector assembly includes a port for receiving the wire cap assembly and the communication cable, and a central axis of the port is non-normal to the front surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The communication system of claim 4, wherein the central axis of the port is approximately 45° to the front surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The communication system of claim 4, wherein the communication connector assembly further includes a plurality of isolated quadrants within the port.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The communication system of claim 1, wherein the wire cap assembly includes at least one pair of a primary hook and a respective secondary hook for at least one of the plurality of cable conductors, the at least one pair having the primary hook oriented opposite to the respective secondary hook and inhibiting a respective connected conductor release.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The communication system of claim 1, wherein the wire cap assembly includes a divider crossbar.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The communication system of claim 8, wherein the divider crossbar includes cable posts.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The communication system of claim 1, wherein the support is at least one of a faceplate, a patch panel, a surface mount box, or a media distribution unit.

### Claim 11

A method of connecting a communication cable to a communication connector assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
wire mapping a plurality of conductors into a wire cap assembly;
inserting the wire cap assembly through an opening of a termination lever of the communication connector assembly;
pressing a termination lever of the communication connector assembly; and
terminating the plurality of conductors into the communication connector assembly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the terminating step connects each of the plurality of conductors to respective ones of a plurality of insulation displacement contacts.