AU676960B2 - Combination telephone network interface and cable televisionapparatus and coaxial cable module - Google Patents

Description

1 P100/011 28/5/91 Rogulation 3,2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: KEPTEL, INC.

Pina Schneider, Eric J. Hermsen, and Frank S. Siano CALLINAN LAWRIE, 278 High Street, Victoria, Australia Kew, 3101, Invention Title: "COMBINATION TELEPHONE NETWORK INTERFACE AND CABLE TELEVISION APPARATUS AND COAXIAL CABLE MODULE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- ~II r COMBINATION TELEPHONE NETWORK INTERFACE AND CABLE TELEVISION APPARATUS AND COAXIAL CABLE MODULE Background of the Invention This invention relates to combination apparatus for connecting incoming telephone company wiring or lines to telephone subscriber premises wiring or lines and for connecting incoming broad band or coaxial cable signals such as incoming cable television signals to receiving means for receiving such signals such as for example the television set of a telephone company subscriber or customer.

This invention further relates to a broad band or coaxial cable module such as for example a cable television module for being mounted, for example removably mounted, to telephone network interface apparatus through which one or more incoming telephone lines can be connected to one or more telephone subscriber's or telephone customer's telephones. The example module is for connecting incoming cable television signals to a television set, for example a television set belonging to one of the telephone S' company subscribers or customers.

Numerous telephone network interface apparatus are known to the art for being mounted at a multiple dwelling such as an apartment house or condominium and which telephone network interface apparatus are for connecting one or more incoming telephone lines, typically a plurality of incoming telephone lines, to one or more telephone subscriber's or customer's telephones located at various apartments or condominiums comprising the multiple dwelling. Also known to the art are telephone network interface apparatus including one or more individual subscriber -lA- I I I I line modules, typically a plurality of such modules, with each individual subscriber line module for connecting one incoming telephone company line to one of the telephone customer's telephones. Such individual subscriber line modules, as known to the art, provide a demarcation point between a telephone subscriber's or customer's line and an incoming telephone line to facilitate the determination of whether a fault exists on the telephone customer or subscriber's line or the incoming telephone company line. Such telephone network interface apparatus and the individual subscriber line modules, as is also known to the art, are typically located in a common area, such as the basement of the apartment house or condominium, whereby a telephone repairman can make a ready determination of whether or not such fault exists on the telephone subscriber's line or the incoming telephone line whether the telephone subscriber or customer is home or not; such :.individual subscriber line module also permits the telephone customer or subscriber to make the determination of whether a fault S exists on the telephone customer or subscriber's line or the incoming telephone company line. Examples of such telephone I. network interface apparatus and individual subscriber line modules are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,945,559, patented July 31, 1990, entitled TELEPHONE NETWORK INTERFACE APPARATUS, and U.S. Patent No.

S. 4,979,209, patented December 18, 1990 entitled INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIBER LINE MODULE; Thomas J. Collins et al. are inventors of both patents and both patents are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. These patents are incorporated herein by -2- I a L reference as if fully reproduced herein and U.S. Patent No.

4,979,209 is referred to hereinafter as the "'209 patent." Cable television signals, by way of example, are typically transmitted to a multiple dwelling over an optical fiber line which terminates at an optical network unit typically located curbside to the above-noted multiple dwelling. Typically a plurality of coaxial cables run from the optical network unit to the above-noted individual apartments or condominiums to connect the incoming cable television signals directly, or through a cable television channel selector, to the individual television sets of the cable television customers residing in the apartments or condominiums. Should one of such television sets fail to provide a television picture and audio signals or sound, a question arises in the mind of the television customer as to whether the television set is not working e or whether cable television signals are not being received. The television customer typically calls the cable television company Sand reports the failure and then arrangements must bu made to coordinate the time at which a cable television repairman can come to the television customer's apartment or condominium with the time Sat which the television customer is home. This is particularly S: difficult due to the fact that Zable television repairmen typically Swork 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 and television customers, including husbands and wives, typically also work 8:00 or 9:00 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for apparatus for interconnecting, by way of example, a television customer's 111~ 1 television set to incoming cable television signals which provides a demarcation point between such television set and the source of such cable television signals to permit a cable television repairman to make a reasonable determination as to whether or not the failure of the television set to provide a television picture and sound is due to the television set not working or the failure to receive incoming cable television signals, and to permit such cable television repairman to make such determination while the television customer is not present at the apartment or condominium.

There also exists a need in the art, by way of example, for such cable television apparatus providing such demarcation point and which permits the television customer to make a reasonable determination as to whether or not the failure of the television set to provide a television picture and sound is due to the S television set not working or the failure to receive incoming cable television signals. If the determination indicates that the failure is due to the customer's television set not working, the customer has the television set repaired or replaced and avoids a service call from the cable television repairman and its needless attendant cost.

There further exists a need in the art for combination apparatus for connecting one or more incoming telephone company lines to one or more telephone subscribers' or customers' lines and for connecting, by way of example, incoming cable television signals to a cable television set which may be, for example, the television set of a telephone customer or subscriber.

II

Summary of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to satisfy the foregoing needs in the art.

Combination apparatus satisfying the foregoing needs and embodying the present invention may include a housing to which are mounted telephone connecting apparatus for connecting at least one incoming telephone line with a telephone subscriber premises line and, by way of example, cable television connecting apparatus for connecting incoming cable television signals with a television set; the telephone connecting apparatus may provide a demarcation point to facilitate determination of whether a fault exists on the incoming telephone line or the subscriber premises line and the cable television connection apparatus may provide a demarcation point or points for facilitating determination of whether the S failure of a television set to provide a picture and sound is due eo oJ to the television set not working or the failure to receive incoming cable television signals.

Cable television module, by way of example of a broad band or coaxial cable signal module, satisfying the foregoing needs and embodying the present invention may be mounted, e.g. removably, to the above-noted telephone network interface apparatus such as disclosed in the '209 patent and which module is for connecting a cable television customer's television set, which cable television customer may also be a telephone customer or subscriber, with incoming cable television signals. The module provides a demarcation point, or demarcation points, for permitting the cable I I I television customer and/or a cable television repairman, to make a reasonable determination as to whether the failure of the television set to provide a television picture and audio signals or sound is due to the television set not working or the failure to receive incoming cable television signals. By mounting the cable television module to such telephone network interface apparatus, which apparatus as noted above is typically mounted in a common area such as the basement of an apartment house or condominium, the cable television repairman can have access to the demarcation point for making the above-noted determinations whether the television customer is at home or not.

Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a cable television module embodying the present invention mounted to telephone network interface apparatus substantially the same as that disclosed in the ooote: '209 patent; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cable Stelevision module embodying the present invention and which module is shown in the assembled condition; FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the cable television S: module of FIG. 1 shown in the disassembled condition; FIG. 4 is a reverse side view, in perspective, of the module housing shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of a portion of FIG.

1 also showing an individual subscriber line module mounted to the telephone network interface apparatus laterally of and in close -6- ~1111 -1 I i -IPproximity to a cable television module of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cable television module embodying the present invention and which module is shown in the assembled condition; and FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the cable television module of FIG. 5 shown in the disassembled condition.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to FIG. i, it will be understood that the telephone network interface apparatus indicated by general numerical designation 10 is substantially the same as the telephone network interface apparatus disclosed in the '209 patent and also indicated by general numerical designation 10. Telephone network interface apparatus of FIG. 1 differs from that of the '209 patent in that it includes an upwardly extending module mounting or retaining member indicated by general numerical designation 11. For convenience of eei 3 reference, the structural elements of the telephone network i:: apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the same structural elements of the telephone network interface apparatus disclosed in the '209 patent have been given the same numerical designations as in the '209 patent and, although the '209 patent has been incorporated herein by reference, for convenience of reference a brief description of the primary structural elements of the telephone network interface apparatus 10 will be presented as well as a brief explanation of the functions of such primary structural elements.

I I The telephone network interface apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a housing including a base 12, a telephone company cover 14, and a subscriber cover 16. Base 12 includes a bottom circumscribed by an upwardly extending wall 22 and the telephone company and subscriber covers 14 and 16 are mounted pivotally to the wall 22 as shown. The bottom 20 and wall 22 provide a compartment indicated by general numerical designation 28 and which compartment 28 is divided by the diagrammatical dividing line 33 into a telephone company compartment portion 31 and a telephone subscriber compartment portion 32. As taught in the '209 patent, the telephone company cover 14 is for being fastened only to the base 12 such as for example by a hex-headed screw, not shown, which is not easily removable by a subscriber and which requires a special type of tool not typically possessed by the subscriber but which tool is typically possessed by telephone company personnel to permit such telephone company personnel to unfasten the telephone company cover 14 from the base 12. The subscriber cover 16 is for being fastened only to the telephone company cover 14 such as for example by a screw not shown in FIG. i. Such fastening denies the telephone customer or subscriber access to the telephone company compartment portion 31 but permits the telephone subscriber to unfasten the subscriber cover 16 from the telephone company cover 14 to gain access to the telephone subscriber compartment portion 32 which permits the telephone customer to have access to the demarcation point provided by the telephone customer's individual subscriber line module as taught in the '209 patent. Such -8-

II

fastening of the covers 1"4 and 16 also permits telephone company personnel to unfasten the telephone company cover 14 from the base 12 to thereby gain access to both the telephone company compartment 31 and the subscriber compartment 32 as is also taught in the '209 patent. A ground buss 71 is suitably mounted in the telephone company compartment 31, such as by screws not shown, and the ground buss is connected to earth ground by suitable means not shown as taught in the '209 patent. The module mounting member 10 is mounted suitably to the bottom 20 of the base 12 such as by screws not shown, and extends upwardly therefrom generally along the dividing line 33. The module mounting or retaining member 11 includes a plurality of upwardly extending flexible members lla each provided with an outwardly extending tab llb for being received within a notch provided on the cable television modules S embodying the present invention or which tab llb is also for ooe: extending over and wedgedly engaging a portion of the individual subscriber line module 91 as shown in FIG. 6 and described in further detail below. The module mounting or retaining member 11 may be suitably mounted to the bottom 20 of the base 12 such as by eo screws not shown and may be made of a suitable plastic to provide the upwardly extending members llb with suitable flexibility and resiliency; the member 11 may be made suitably such as for example by injection molding. A plurality of upwardly extending inverted L-shaped members 110 are provided on the bottom 20. As described in detail below the members 110 cooperate with the tabs llb in mounting the cable television module 220 to the telephone network I L~r 1 IL-

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interface apparatus 10; members 110 are the members 110 shown in cross-sectional side view in FIG. 10 of the '209 patent.

A cable television module embodying the present invention and indicated by numerical designation 220 is shown mounted to the telephone network interface apparatus 10 in FIG. 1. Generally, the cable television module 220 includes a housing 222, a first female coaxial cable connector 224 interconnected by a length of coaxial cable 225 to a second female coaxial cable connector 226 and a ground bracket 228; the connectors 224 and 226 are externally threaded and such connectors and the ground bracket 228 are mounted to the housing 222 in a manner described in detail below and indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 3. Further generally, it will be understood that the female coaxial cable connector 224 is for being connected to the male coaxial cable connector 230 provided on S the end of the coaxial cable 232 extending partially into the telephone network interface apparatus 10 and which coaxial cable 232 is for carrying incoming cable television signals from a suitable source. The female coaxial cable connector 226 is for being connected to the male coaxial cable connector 234 provided on the end of the coaxial cable 236 extending partially into the telephone network interface apparatus 10 and which coaxial cable 236 is for being connected to a television set not shown. Upon such connections being made, the television set is connected to the incoming cable television signals.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, and first in particular to FIGS.

2 and 4, the housing 222 is provided with a first indentation 240 r I extending inwardly of the.top portion of the housing and a second indentation 242 extending inwardly into a top corner portion of the housing. As described in detail below, the indentation 240 facilitates removal or dismounting of the cable television module 220 from the telephone network interface apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) and the indentation 240 facilitates removal or dismounting of an individual subscriber line module, such as individual subscriber line module incicated by general numerical designation 91 in FIG.

6, from the telephone network interface apparatus 10 upon such individual subscriber line module 91 being mounted laterally of and in close proximity to the cable television module 220. The housing 222, FIG. 2, may be provided with members 261 and 262 providing a notch 264 therebetween for facilitating mounting of the module 220 to the telephone network interface apparatus 10 as described below.

As may be best understood by reference to FIG. 3, the female Scoaxial cable television coafector 226 may be mounted to the ground bracket 228 by threading and tightening the internally threaded nut 250 over the externally threaded connector 226, inserting the connector 226 through the opening 251 formed in the ground bracket 238, placing the washer 252 over the connector 226 and threading and tightening the internally threaded nut 253 over the externally threaded connector 226 to provide a sub-assembly indicated by general numerical designation 255 in FIG. 3. The housing 222, as may be understood from FIG. 3, is also provided at its lower oeooo forward portion with an upwardly extending slot 244 for receiving a portion of the ground bracket 228 and is provided in its left -11- I i I side portio,; as viewed ir FIG. 3, with an upwardly extending slot 246 fo, receiving the connector 226. The sub-assembly 255 is inserted internally of the housing 222, as indicated by the arrow 256 in FIG. 3, with the ground bracket 228 extending outwardly of the housing 222 through the slot 244 (FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 2 and with the female coaxial connector 226 extending outwardly through the slot 246 (FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the washer 257, FIG. 3, is placed over the connector 226 and the internally threaded nut 258, FIG. 3, is threaded over the connector 226, as shown in FIG. 2, and tightened to mount the sub-assembly 255 to the housing 222. It will be understood, from FIGS. 1 and 2, that the mounting of the connector 226 and ground bracket 228 to the housing 220 is in a manner such that the connector 226 and ground bracket 228 reside at least partially internally of the housing 220 and such that the connector 226 is available for being S connected to the coaxial cable 236, FIG. 1, extending into the telephone network interface apparatus 10. Thus, such mounting causes the female coaxial cable connector 226 to extend out of th.

housing 222 sufficiently to permit the connector 226 to L.

connected to the male connector 234 provided on the end of the coaxial cable 236 (FIG. 1) and such mounting also causes the ground go bracket 228 to extend out of the housing 222 sufficiently to permit the ground bracket to be suitably connected to the ground buss 71 in the telephone company compartment 31 to thereby connect the coaxial cable connectors 224 and 226 to earth ground.

-12- I Ir rnl Referring to FIG. 4, the lower rear portion the housing 222 of the cable television module 220 is provided with an outwardly extending member 248, and referring now to FIG. 5, the cable television module 220 is mounted removably to the bottom 20 of the telephone network interface apparatus 10 by pivoting the cable television module 220 leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 5 and by inserting the outwardly extending member 248 under one of the upwardly extending mounting members 110, as shown in FIG. 10 of the '209 patent, by manually bending or flexing the upwardly extending member lla' rightwardly as viewed in FIG. 5, by pivoting the cable television module 220 rightwardly to place the notch 264 (FIG. 2) under the tab lib' after which the member lla' is released to allow the member lla' to pivot leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 6 to permit the tab llb' to enter and wedgedly engage the notch 264. To remove or dismount the cable television module 220 from the telephone network interface apparatus 10, the above-described mounting procedure is reversed and it will be understood that the indentation 238 formed in the top portion of the housing 222 may receive a portion of the thumb or finger of a person to facilitate pivoting of the cable television module 220 as described above to facilitate mounting and/or dismounting of the module to and from the telephone network interface apparatus As noted above and as is shown in FIG. 5, an individual subscriber line module 91, such as individual subscriber line module 91 shown in FIGS. 12-17 of the '209 patent and described in detail therein, may be mounted laterally of and in close proximity -13-

I

to the cable television module 220 and it will be understood that the individual subscriber line module 91 is mounted to the apparatus 10 by inserting an outwardly extending member, such as member 114 as shown in FIG. 10 of the '209 patent under one of the upwardly extending mounting members 110 and by the tab llb" by the member lla" being received in a corresponding notch provided in the module 91 or by the tab 1lb" extending over a portion of the top 170 of the module 91. It will be further understood that the indentation 242 formed in the corner portion of the cable television housing 220 may receive a portion of the thumb or finger of a person to facilitate grasping of the individual subscriber line module 91 to facilitate the individual subscriber line module being pivoted leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 1 to facilitate its removal or dismounting from the telephone network interface e S apparatus It will be understood that the telephone network interface apparatus 10, cable module 20 mounted removably to the apparatus and the individual subscriber line module 91 mounted removably to the apparatus 10 comprise an embodiment of the combination S. apparatus of the present invention for connecting incoming telephone company wiring or lines to telephone subscriber premises wiring or lines and for connecting incoming cable television signals to a television set.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and to the demarcation points

S

referred to above, it will be understood that upon the television set of a cable television customer not working, which customer also -14- I II may be a telephone subscriber or customer, the customer may unfasten and open the subscriber cover 16 and disconnect the female coaxial cable connector 226 from the male coaxial cable connector 234 to prcvide a demarcation point between the customer's television set and the source of incoming cable television signals.

The customer may thereafter connect a second television set, such as for example a portable television set, to the female coaxial cable connector 226 and in the event that the second television set receives a television picture and sound, the customer may reasonably determine that the failure of the first television set to receive a television picture and sound is due to the first television set not working. On the other hand, upon the customer connecting the second television set to the female coaxial cable connector 226 and upon the failure of such second television set to provide a television picture and sound, the customer may make a Sreasonable determination that the fai l ure of the first television set to work is due to the failure to receive incoming coaxial cable signals. Also, a cable television repairman, which upon the Regional Bell Operating Companies being able also to provide cable 0S00 television signals in addition to telephone service may be also the telephone company repairman, may open the telephone company cover 14 and disconnect the female coaxial connector 224 and the male coaxial cable connector 230 to provide a demarcation point between ."the customer's television set and the incoming cable television signals. Such repairman may then connect suitable cable television signal test apparatus to the male coaxial cable connector 230 and in the event that such -test apparatus indicates reception of incoming coaxial cable television signals the cable television repairman may make a reasonable determination that the failure of the customer's television set to provide pictures and sound is due to the set not working. Alternatively, if such cable television signal testing apparatus does not indicate reception of incoming cable television signals a reasonable determination is made that the failure of the customer's television set to provide picture and sound is due to the failure to receive incoming cable television signals. The cable television repairman may also disconnect the female coaxial cable connector 226 and male coaxial cable connector 234 to provide a demarcation point therebetween and thereafter connect the cable television signal testing apparatus to the female coaxial cable connector 226 and make a determination, after having made the preceding described determination, as to whether or not e:om•: the cable television module 220 is working or not.

In the event that it is desired to connect or carry additional Sincoming cable television signals to the television set beyond the capacity of the coaxial cable 232 (FIG. 1) to carry cable television signals, an alternate embodiment cable television module of the present invention indicated by general numerical designation 320 and shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be utilized. Cable television Smodule 320 is the same as cable television module 220 except that cable television module 320 includes additional coaxial cable connectors 324 and 326 interconnected by a length of coaxial cable 325 and the housing 322 includes a second inwardly extending slot -16s i, I 346, FIG. 7, for receiving the connector 326, additionally the ground bracket 328 includes an opening 351 for receiving the connector 326. It will be understood that the coaxial cable connector 226 is mounted to the ground bracket 328 and to the housing 322 as described above with regard to housing 322, and it will be further understood that the coaxial cable connector 326 is mounted to the ground bracket 328 and the housing 322 by the internally threaded nuts 350, 362, and 365 and the washers 361 and 364 in the same manner that the connector 226 is mounted to the ground bracket 228 and housing 222 of FIGS. 2 and 3 as described above. It will be further understood by referring to FIG. 6 that upon such mounting the female coaxial cable 326 resides at least partially internally of the housing 322 and extends outwardly of the housing sufficiently to permit the connector 326 to be connected to a coaxial cable, not shown, which would extend into :the telephone subscriber compartment 32 of FIG. 1 and which would be connected to the television set. It will be further understood by reference to FIG. 5 that the coaxial cable connector 324 is made available for connection to an additional coaxial cable, not shown, Swhich would extend into the telephone compartment 31 of FIG. 1 and which would carry additional incoming cable television signals from a suitable source. Such connections would permit additional incoming cable television signals to be carried to the television set.

It will be further understood that the female connectors 324 and 326 of FIG. 1 may be disconnected from the male coaxial cable -17- Y connectors (not shown) of the coaxial cable described above for carrying the additional incoming cable television signals and for connecting such additional incoming cable television signals to the customer's cable television set to provide demarcation points in the same manner as described above with regard to the disconnection of the female connectors 224 and 226 from the male coaxial cable connectors 230 and 234.

Referring again to FIG. 7, it will be understood that the coaxial cable connectors 226 and 326 may be commercially available F type right angle female coaxial connectors, that the coaxial cable connectors 224 and 324 may be commercially available F type inline female coaxial cable connectors and that the lengths of coaxial cable 225 and 325 may be commercially available RG179 coaxial cable.

It will be understood that the cable television module S.described above and shown in the drawings is merely illustrative of a broad band signal or coaxial cable signal module of the present Sinvention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof.

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Claims (13)

1. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first and **second connectors provide demarcation points between said receiver .ooo.i and said incoming signals to facilitate the determination of whether the failure of said receiver to respond to said incoming signals is due to said receiver not working or due to the failure to receive said incoming coaxial cable signals. -19- I-
2. 4. Coaxial cable module for connecting coaxial cable signal receiving means other than a telephone to incoming coaxial cable signals, said module for being mounted to telephone network interface apparatus for connecting one or more telephone customer's telephones to one or more incoming telephone company lines, said telephone network interface apparatus provided with first mounting means and provided with a ground buss for being connected to earth ground, comprising: housing means provided with second mounting means for being connected to said first mounting means to mount said housing means to said telephone network interface apparatus; first and second coaxial cable signal connecting means mounted to said housing means, said first and second coaxial cable signal connecting means being interconnected to carry said incoming Scoaxial cable signals from said first connecting means to said 4*eo•* second connecting means; said first connecting means for being connected to a first conductor of coaxial cable signals extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, said first conductor for carrying said S incoming coaxial cable signals; said second connecting means for being connected to a second conductor of coaxial cable signals extending into said telephone .oteoi S network interface apparatus, said second conductor for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means; and a ground member mounted to said housing and connected to said first and second connecting means and for being connected to said I L-l ground buss to connect said first and second connecting means to earth ground. The module according to Claim 4 wherein said coaxial cable module also is for connecting additional incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means, wherein said module further comprises interconnected third and fourth coaxial cable signal connecting means mounted to said housing means, said third connecting means for being connected to a third conductor of coaxial cable signals extending into said telephone network interface apparatus and said third conductor for carrying said additional incoming coaxial cable signals, and said fourth connecting means for being connected with a fourth conductor of coaxial cable signals extending into said telephone network interface apparatus and said fourth conductor for carrying said additional incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means.
3. 6. The module according to Claim 4 wherein said first connecting means upon being disconnected from said first conductor provides a first demarcation point between said receiving means and *e said first conductor to permit a coaxial cable repairman to connect *o test apparatus to said first conductor and upon said incoming coaxial cable signals being indicated as received by said test apparatus a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to said receiving means not working and upon said test apparatus not receiving said incoming coaxial cable signals a determination is made that the -21- 161 failure of said receiving-means to respond to said signals is due to the failure to receive incoming coaxial cable signals.
4. 7. The module according to Claim 4 wherein said second connecting means upon being disconnected from said second conductor provides a demarcation point between said receiving means and a source of said incoming coaxial cable signals and upon second coaxial cable receiving means being connected to said second conductor and said second coaxial cable receiving means responding to said signals a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to said receiving means not working and upon said second coaxial cable receiving means not responding to a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to the Sfailure to receive said incoming coaxial cable signals.
5. 8. Coaxial cable module for being mounted removably to S telephone network interface apparatus which telephone network interface apparatus is for connecting at least one telephone customer's telephone to at least one incoming telephone company line, said module for connecting coaxial cable signal receiving means to incoming coaxial cable signals, comprising: e: eei housing means, a ground bracket, first and second coaxial Scable signal connecting means interconnected to carry said incoming signals from said first connecting means to said second connecting means, and first mounting means, said first mounting means for mounting said ground bracket and said second coaxial cable signal connecting means to said housing means in a manner such that at -22- .I least said ground bracket and said second coaxial cable signal connecting means reside at least partially internally of said housing means and such that said first coaxial cable signal connecting means is available for being connected to a first coaxial cable extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, and which first coaxial cable is for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals; said second coaxial cable signal connecting means extending outwardly of said housing means sufficiently to permit said second coaxial cable signal connecting means to be connected to a second coaxial cable extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, and which second coaxial cable is for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means; ~said ground bracket extending outwardly of said housing sufficiently to permit said ground bracket to be connected to a ground buss mounted on said telephone network interface apparatus and which buss is for being connected to earth ground, upon being connected to said ground buss said ground bracket for connecting a. a said first and second coaxial cable signal connecting means to a Searth ground; and said housing means provided with second mounting means for beiLg connected to third mounting means provided on said telephone network interface apparatus to mount said module removably to said apparatus and to facilitate removal of said module from said apparatus to permit said module to be readily replaced by a second coaxial cable module. -23- LL~
6. 9. The module acc-ording to Claim 8 wherein said first connecting means upon being disconnected from said first conductor provides a first demarcation point between said receiving means and said first conductor to permit a coaxial cable repairman to connect test apparatus to said first conductor and upon said incoming coaxial cable signals being indicated as received by said test apparatus a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to said receiving means not working and upon said test apparatus not receiving said incoming coaxial cable signals a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to the failure of said receiving means to receive said incoming coaxial cable signals. The module according to Claim 8 wherein said second connecting means upon being disconnected from said second conductor receiving ""provides a demarcation point between said receivingmeans and a source of said incoming coaxial cable signals and upon second coaxial cable receiving means being connected to said second connecting means and said second receiving means responding to said signals a determination is made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to said receiving means not working and upon said second receiving means not providing a determination being made that the failure of said receiving means to respond to said signals is due to the failure of said receiving means to receive said incoming coaxial cable signals. -24-
7. 11. The module according to Claim 8 wherein said module also is for connecting additional incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means, said module further comprising third and fourth coaxial cable signal connecting means interconnected to carry said additional incoming coaxial cable signals from said third connecting means to said fourth connecting means, said third and fourth connecting means for being mounted to said housing means by fourth mounting means in a manner such that said third connecting means is available for being connected to a third coaxial cable extending into said telephone network interface apparatus and in a manner such that said fourth coaxial cable signal connecting means resides at least partially internally of said housing means, said third coaxial cable for carrying said additional incoming coaxial cable signals, and said fourth coaxial cable signal connecting means extending outwardly of said housing means sufficiently to S. permit said fourth coaxial cable signal connecting means to be interconnected to a fourth coaxial cable extending into said S telephone network interface apparatus and which fourth coaxial cable is for carrying said additional incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means.
8. 12. Combination apparatus for interconnecting at least one Sincoming telephone company line with at least one telephone subscriber line and for interconnecting incoming coaxial cable signals with coaxial cable signal receiving means, comprising: a housing provided with a ground buss for being connected to earth ground; II I F telephone connecting .apparatus mounted in said housing and for interconnecting said incoming telephone company line with said telephone subscriber line; coaxial cable connecting apparatus mounted in said housing and for connecting said incoming coaxial cable signals with said receiving means; and ground connecting means for connecting said coaxial cable connecting apparatus to said ground buss.
9. 13. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said housing is provided with first mounting means and wherein said telephone connecting apparatus is provided with second mounting means and wherein said first and second mounting means are for mounting said telephone connecting apparatus removably to said housing, and S wherein said housing is provided with third mounting means and wherein said coaxial cable connecting means is mounted with fourth Smounting means and wherein said third and fourth mounting are for :.mounting said coaxial cable connecting means removably to said S: housing.
10. 14. Apparatus for connecting incoming coaxial cable signals to receiving means for receiving said signals, comprising: coaxial cable module for being mounted to telephone network interface apparatus through which at least one incoming telephone line may be connected to at least one telephone customer's telephone, the telephone network interface apparatus including first ground connecting means for being connected to earth ground, said module including a housing and first and second coaxial cable -26- I 1 connectors interconnected.to carry said coaxial cable signals from said first connector to said second connector, said first connector for receiving said incoming coaxial cable signals and said second connector for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means; and second ground connecting means for being connected to said first ground connecting means to connect said coaxial cable module to earth ground. Module means for connecting incoming broad band signals to receiving means for receiving said signals, said module for belng mounted to telephone network interface apparatus for connecting one or more telephone customer's telephones to one or more incoming telephone company lines, said telephone network .interface apparatus provided with first mounting means and provided Swith first ground connecting means for being connected to earth ground, comprising: housing means provided with second mounting means for being connected to said first mounting means to mount said housing means to said telephone network interface apparatus; .o first and second broad band signal connecting means at least one of which connecting means is mounted to said housing means, said first and second broad band signal connecting means being interconnected to carry said incoming broad band signals from said first connecting means to said second connecting means; said first connecting means for being connected to a first conductor of broad band signals extending into said telephone -27- network interface apparatus, said first conductor for carrying said incoming broad band signals; said second connecting means for being connected to a second conductor of broad band signals extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, said second conductor for carrying said incoming broad band signals to said receiving means; and second ground connecting means mounted to said housing and connected to said first and second connecting means and for being connected to said first ground connecting means to connect said first and second connecting means to earth ground.
11. 16. Coaxial cable module for being mounted removably to telephone network interface apparatus which telephone network S interface apparatus is for connecting at least one telephone *ii customer's telephone to at least one incoming telephone company line, said telephone network interface apparatus including first ground connecting means for being connected to earth ground, said module for connecting said coaxial cable signal receiving means ."located at a telephone customer's premises to incoming coaxial cablu signals, comprising: housing means, first mounting means, a ground bracket, and first and second coaxial cable signal connecting means interconnected to carry said incoming coaxial cable signals from said first connecting means to said second connecting means, said first mounting means for mounting said ground bracket and said second coaxial cable signal connecting means to said housing means in a manner such that at least said ground bracket and said second -28- coaxial cable signal connecting means reside at least partially internally of said housing means and such that said first coaxial cable signal connecting means is available for being connected to a first coaxial cable extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, said first coaxial cable for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals; said second coaxial cable signal connecting means extending outwardly of said housing means sufficiently to permit said second coaxial cable signal connecting means to be connected to a second coaxial cable extending into said telephone network interface apparatus, said second coaxial cable for carrying said incoming coaxial cable signals to said receiving means; :*taoo. said ground bracket extending outwardly of said housing sufficiently to permit said ground bracket to be connected to said first ground connecting means to connect said first and second S coaxial cable signal connecting means to earth ground; and said telephone network interface apparatus provided with 0. ,so S second mounting means and said housing means provided with third mounting means for being connected to second mounting means to S mount said module removably to said apparatus and to facilitate removal of said module from said apparatus to permit said module to be readily replaced by a second coaxial cable module.
12. 17. Combination apparatus for interconnecting at least one incoming telephone company line with at least one telephone subscriber line and for interconnecting incoming broad band signals with a broad band signal receiving means, comprising: -29- I I A a housing provided with first ground connecting means for being connected to earth ground; telephone connecting apparatus mounted in said housing and for interconnecting said incoming telephone company line with said telephone subscriber line; broad band signal connecting apparatus mounted in said housing and for connecting said incoming broad band signals with said broad band signal receiving means; and second ground connecting means for being connected to said first ground connecting means for connecting said broad band signal connecting apparatus to earth ground.
13. 18. Apparatus for connecting incoming coaxial cable signals to receiver of said incoming signals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. D A T E D this 16th day of December, 1994. KEPTEL, INC. By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE 00 I I- Abstract of the Disclosure Combination apparatus for connecting one or more incoming telephone company lines to one or more telephone subscriber premises lines and for connecting incoming broad band or coaxial cable signals such as cable television signals to a receiver of such signals such as a television set, and a module for being mounted to telephone network interface apparatus and for connecting incoming broad band or coaxial cable signals such as cable television signals to a receiver of such signals such as a television set. o eo S *0 S S* o*o III