GB2255694A - Convertible line jack unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A line jack unit is provided for terminating a communications network line and allowing connection of terminal equipment for different services and to different connection standards without interfering with the network line termination. The convertible line jack unit comprises a base unit 100 which provides a fixed line termination for the network line 102 and has a standard socket connector 105. Interchangeable, demountable modules 120, 130, each having a standard plug 123 for mating with the base unit socket 105 are provided with different service connectors 124, 134 according to the service or standard required by the terminal equipment to be connected e.g. data connector or telephone socket. A service user can select and change modules without risk of misconnection and without the need to reconfigure the network termination. <IMAGE>

Description

CQSVERTIBLE LINE JACK UNIT The present invention relates to a line jack unit for terminating a communications network, such as a telephone network, and for receiving a connector for terminal apparatus, such as a telephone.

Access to a communications network, such as a telephone or a computer network, is commonly provided via a line jack unit which usually also provides appropriate network termination when no terminal equipment is connected (for example, impedance matching). The line jack unit also most conveniently allows terminal equipment to be interchanged or disconnected when desired. The connector for a line jack in a given network is normally standardised to allow terminal equipment to be connected easily at any network access point. However, whilst a common standard may exist over a single network for a particular service, different networks frequently use different standards for line jack terminations. Different services, for example, data and voice transmission, also usually require different connection standards even when provided on the same network.

Changing a line jack unit involves disconnecting and reconnecting network lines to a line jack unit.

Consequently, in order to safeguard the integrity of the network a specialist engineer is normally required to perform this task. Indeed, in the case of telecommunications networks, statutory regulations generally prohibit such changes from being carried out by anyone except personnel authorised by the appropriate telecommunications authority.

The existence of different standards and the difficulties involved in changing line jack units restricts the portability of terminal equipment which could otherwise be used on more than one network or for accessing more than one service and limits the flexibility of the network and freedom of customer choice.

The object of the present invention is to provide a line jack unit which can be converted to accept different connector standards to eliminate or at least reduce the aforesaid problems.

According to the present invention, a communications network terminating unit comprises a base unit having a first connector for connection to a line of the network, and a demountable adaptor module, the module comprising a mating connector for connection to the first connector and a service connector to which terminal equipment may be connected, the service connector on the said module being adapted according to a particular service connector standard. The module is interchangeable with any like module also having a mating connector for connection to the first connector and a service connector adapted to the same or a different connector standard.

Such a network terminating unit has a base portion with a connector which, in use, is permanently connected to a network line, with interchangeability being provided by the demountable modules, each of which can be adapted to allow attachment of terminal equipment via a particular connector standard. Whenever a different item of terminal equipment is to be connected to the network then the module with the appropriate standard service connector can be connected to the first connector on the base without the need to disconnect the network line.

Conveniently, each module is held in position in the unit by a releasable retaining means. Such retaining means may include, for example, resilient clips or screws, snap-lock fittings, or any other functional equivalent. Preferably, the unit includes more than one first connector for connection to a network line such that a corresponding number of adaptor modules can be provided on the same unit. For example, a unit may have two first connectors, each connected to a voice and a data line of the network and one adaptor module for connecting a telephone and another for connecting data transmission equipment. Both would be interchangeable, thereby providing an in-built back-up facility as well as dual purpose access.

The unit may include means for indicating when a module is in an operative position connected to the network. Such indication reduces the risk of inadvertent misconnection of terminal equipment to a module which is not in an operative position.

Alternatively, or additionally, the unit may include means for preventing connection of terminal equipment to a module which is not in the operative position for connection to the network. For example, a shutter can be used to block off the terminal connector of any module not in an operative position.

Conveniently, such a shutter can be incorporated as part of a retaining means.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows plan and perspective views of a base unit and adaptor modules for one embodiment of a network terminating unit according to the present invention; Fig 2 shows corresponding plan and perspective views for an alternative embodiment of a network terminating unit according to the present invention; and Figure 3 shows exploded views of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure l(a) shows a base unit 100 with a line termination box 101 in which a network line 102 is connected to a terminal block 104. The line 102 is retained in place by a line clamp 103. From the terminal block 104, connections are shown to a connector socket 105. Various line termination components 106 are also illustrated. The components 106, termination block 104, connections and connector 105 are provided on a circuit board inside the box 101.

A cover 107 (shown as cut-away) protects various components in the box 101 whilst allowing access to the connector socket 105 when in place. The cover 107 is held in place by screws 108 and has slots 109 for twistlocks 122 for retaining plug-in modules 120, 130 in position when installed.

Figures l(b) and l(c) show plan views of two plugin adaptor modules 120, 130 which are used with the base unit 100. Features which are hidden from direct view are shown dotted in the drawings. Each module has a connector plug 123 which mates with the socket 105 in the base unit 100.

Connections are made from the plug 123 to a different service connection socket 124, 134 in each case. As for the base unit components, the plug 123, socket 134 and connections are conveniently provided on a circuit board which is fixed inside the module cover 121, 131. Any additional components which may be needed to adapt the line termination unit for a specific service can also be provided on the circuit board, space permitting, as is shown for components 125 in Figure l(b).

The service connection socket 124 in the first module 120 is illustrated as a data connector. The service connection socket 134 in the second module 130 is illustrated as a simple telephone socket. The network line 102 may carry data or voice services, and the interchangeable modules 120, 130, therefore, permit the user to select and change the service desired simply by swapping modules. This can be done by a non-specialist as the line termination is not interfered with and any changes in connections which may be necessary are already hard-wired in the relevant module.

It must be noted that the drawings here are illustrative only, and do not accurately represent the type of wiring connection and circuit components which may be required for a specific service in reality. For example, although it is possible to provide data and voice services over the same network line, regulatory restraints may require separate network lines to be used (as is currently the case in the United Kingdom). Thus, for access to data and voice services in such circumstances two network lines 102 would need to be appropriately wired into the terminal block 104 and connections in the base unit 100. Actual network lines may require fewer or more connections than illustrated, and the type of terminal block and of the various connectors can vary accordingly.

Figure l(d) gives . a perspective view of the interchangeable modules 120, 130 and the base unit 100, showing how straightforward it is to change over the modules.

In Figure 2, a dual service termination base unit 200 and corresponding interchangeable service modules 220, 230 are shown. Features which are the same as those in Figure 1 are similarly identified by the same numbers in subsequent figures. In this case, two connector sockets 105 are connected in parallel to the network line 102. The sockets and associated circuitry are provided on a circuit board 203 (shown as cut-away) which is mounted directly on the inside of the cover 202.This arrangement where all the necessary components are mounted on the cover plate has the added convenience that the box 201 can be standard so that only the cover plate need be changed if, say, a dual service termination was required in place of a single service termination. (In such circumstances, the embodiment of Fig 1 would be modified to have the socket 105 and associated circuitry mounted on the inside of the cover 107). The cover 202 is slotted to allow access to both sockets 105 and allows two modules to be retained via the appropriate slots 109 for the twist-locks 122.

Figures 2(b) and 2(c) show two adaptor modules 220, 230 each again provided with the connector plug 123 (shown dotted - connections not illustrated) and different service connection sockets 224, 234 in each case.

The data service connection module 230 is also shown with an indicator in the form of a light-emitting diode 235 which lights when the module is connected and the service is operative.

Figure 2(d) gives a perspective view of how the two modules are installed. Modules can be provided for all types of terminal equipment for which the network provides a service, allowing the user complete independent control over the combination to be selected.

For example, instead of having one telephone and one data socket as shown in Figure 2, a user may want two telephones. This would simply require two of the telephone modules 220. Alternatively, if one telephone was provided with a US (RJ45) type line connector and the other with a British (BT) line connector, then two modules, one with a socket for the US, one with a socket for the British, standard would be used. The combinations are clearly unlimited.

Whilst Figure 2 shows two sockets 105 both connected, in parallel, other configurations are possible. For example, one socket 105 may not be connected at all, but may be used only to retain a second module (eg. 230) whilst another module (eg. 220) is in the operational position on the other socket 105. This configuration might be used where only one service was required at a given time. To avoid misconnection the unit can be provided with means for preventing connection of terminal equipment to the module in the inoperative position. For this purpose, for example, the inoperative module can be retained in place by a clip which is arranged as a shutter to cover the relevant service socket 105 when holding the module in place.

Figure 3 shows exploded views of an alternative version of a dual service termination unit. Fig 3(a) is a front perspective view, and Fig 3(b) is a rear perspective view. In this embodiment, a standard line box 301 receives a network line 102 which is connected to a dual service cover plate 302 and held in place by a cable clamp 303 on the cover plate 302. Connections are made to terminal blocks 305 mounted together with the standard connector sockets 105 on a circuit board 304 on the inside of the cover plate 302. The cover plate 302 is fixed to the line box 301 by screws 108.

Two interchangeable service modules, 320, 330 are provided with the standard mating connector plugs 123 and individual service connection sockets 324, 334 mounted on circuit boards 321, 331 in the respective modules.

Screws 306 are used in this example to hold the modules on the cover plate 302.

Whilst dual service termination units are illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, line termination units can also be provided with more than two sockets 105 for use with further service modules, if desired.

It is not necessary for the various connectors to be electrical. A network line may be provided via one or more optical fibre cables. In these circumstances, the appropriate optical line termination is fitted. The sockets 105 and corresponding plugs 123, and the service connection sockets/plugs, therefore, can then be demountable optical connectors. Components for converting optical to electrical signals (and vice-versa) can also be included if required.

Claims (8)

1. A communications network terminating unit comprising a base unit (100) having a first connector (105) for connection to a line (102) of the network, and a demountable adaptor module (120), the module comprising a mating connector (123), for connection to the first connector (105) and a service connector (124) to which terminal equipment may be connected according to a particular service connector standard.

2. A communications network terminating unit according to claim 1 provided with more than one first connector (105) and adapted to receive a corresponding number of demountable adaptor modules (220,230) together on the base unit (200).

3. A communications network terminating unit according to claim 1 or 2 in which the service connector (124) is an optical connector.

4. A communications network terminating unit according to any preceding claim adapted to terminate an optical fibre network line (102).

5. A communications network terminating unit according to any preceding claim including components (106, 125) for converting optical signals to or from electrical signals.

6. A communications network terminating unit according to any preceding claim including means (235) for indicating when a module (230) is connected to a network line.

7. A demountable adaptor module (120, 130, 220, 2.30) for connection to a communications network terminating unit according to any preceding claim.

8. A communications network terminating unit substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.