CA1144268A - Electrical connectors and assemblies therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to improved modular inter-face connectors and connector assemblies incorporating such modular connectors. A continuing problem with present con-nectors and connector assemblies is that a wide variety of assembly component parts are necessary to meet different connection requirements inasmuch as different connector assemblies, such as adapters, bridging assemblies, data sets, junction assemblies, and the like, having non-inter-changeable components are required for various different connection purposes. The present invention is designed to provide a slidingly mountable modular connector capable of easy installation and replacement coupled with reliable operation. The modular connectors of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a support member in at least two alternate orientations and to be retained at any position between two spaced shoulders of the support member. In addition, the modular connector is preferably an integrally molded plastic unit configured to permit its fabrication in a single-action mold. In one embodiment, the interface con-nector further includes a removable comb member which separates and aligns the active portions of the connector contact elements and prevents access through the entrance aperture of the connector to the free ends of the contact elements. In another embodiment, the interface connector includes an integral comb structure and embossments disposed on the connector housing for engaging and mounting at least one bus bar member to the housing adjacent the comb structure.

Description

IMPROVBD ELECTRICAL CONNECTO~S
.
. .. AND ASSEMBLIES THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
ml8 invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to improved modular inter-face connectors and connector assemblie~ lncorporatlng such modular connectors. Specifically, the present invention relates to improved modular Jack connectors whlch are slidably mountable in varlous orientatlons in a support : ......... 10 member which likewise ls mountable in various orlentations and con~lgurations withln connector assembly enclosure~.
These variable arrangements permit use of easlly assem-blable and interchangeable connector assembly component .. . .. .parts to facllltate e~fl¢lent interconnection of remote 1~ 8ignal 8tations, such as indivldual telephone recelvers, to central slgnal processlng system~, such as telephone signal equipment.
ACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART ...
Historically, telephone installatlon and repalr 20 has requlred the services of a skilled telephone techniclan to perform customized on-site wlring, spllcing, and assembly, ; as-well..as interconne~tion o~ non-matlng components t~rough.
the exercise of personal ingenulty. Moreover, the proli~er-ation of different species of telephone connector hardware 25 has requlred that technlclans be famlliar with the pecu-~ liarities-in~-~ir-ing~equlrements for a wide variety of connectors, adapters, and various other c.onneator assemblles, and that the telephone companles malntain correspondlngly large part inventories. In an.attempt to reduce rising il4~Z68 labor and part inventory C08t8J con~lderable emphaal~ haa been ~ocused on the development o~ standardized or modu-larlzed telephone cable~, connectors, adapters and other connector as~emblies 80 that lnstallations may readlly be made by a less skllled technician and in some cases by the customer himsel~.
One form of modular connector that ha8 been de-veloped in response to this need 18 disclosed.ln U.S. Patent No. 4,070,548. This particular connector is in-the rorm of 10 a modular ~ack and may be slidably mountable to a support plat~orm or the like. Slmilar modular ~ack connectlons are -. becomlng standard telephone ~ystem components and are dis-closed in the Federal ~ommunications Commlsslon Regulations published in the Federal Register, Monday, July 12, 1976.
Wh~le such slidingly mountable modular ~acks have proven useful, thelr mounting features limit the orlentatlon and . arrangement capabilities of a plurality o~ such modular : .~acka wlthln a ~ingle connector assembly, thereby llmltlng : the range of flexibllity affordable to connector assemblies incorporatlng such prior connectors. In an attempt to over-come such limitations, a ~r,ap-in modular ~ack connector was developéd as well-as-a var.iety of adapter and bridglng connector assemblies-incorporating such-snap-in-connectors~
for lnterconnecting at least one multl-conductor cable en-: 25 gaged to a remote signal station, such as a single telephone unlt, to a.central signal processing system, such-a~ tele-phone signal equlpmçnt or a telephone-central of~lce. In additlon, such connector assemblies can take the ~orm of modem~ and data sets whereln impedance networks are included wlthln the-connector assembly for controlllng the attenua-tlon-level~ between the remote signal statlons and the central signal processing...system.
A dlstinct problem with the above referenced snap-in modular connectors, however, is that either the assembly enclosure components-which receive the connectors must be .. .. .~.. . .preciaely ~odified, .~r. the..sidewalls of the modul~r connector~
~ mu~t be ~lexlble, both of which are hlghly undesirable.
Furthermore, to provide flexlbility in the connector side-walls, the snap-in connector module must be undesirably _3 lengthened.
As 1B clear rrom the above, then, a contlnulng problem with present connectors and connector assemblles is that a wlde variety of assembly component parts are still - 5 necessary to meet different connectlon requirements inas-much as different connector assembiles, such a~ adapters, brldging assemblies, data sets, ~unctlon assemblies, and the like, having non-lnterchangeable components are requlred for v~rious different connection purposes. The present inventlon 1~ designed to achieve the goal of provlding a slldlngly mountable modular connector capable of ~abrication ln a slngle-actlon mold as well as easy installation and replacement coupled wlth reliable operatlon. Furthermore, the modular connector of the lnvention and the assoclated connector assemblies lncorporating the ~ame may be creatively arranged to provlde a wlde range of flexibillty in the inter-facing connectlons wlth exlstlng telephone system equlpment and suitability for new lnstallatlons, whlle slmultaneously retaining simplicity in installation and a relatlvely modest lnitial manufacturlng cost. Speclfically, the present in-ventlon 18 designed to provlde a unlversal connector mount-lng arrangement whereby the lmproved modular connectors of ; the invention-may-be arranged and mounted wlthin a-variety of connector assembly arrangements 80 as to interconnect any number of remote signal statlons to a plurallty of con-ductors leading to a central slgnal processing system whlle providing the capability of lncludlng impedance networks in such interconnections.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
3 Therefore, the present invention ls dlrected to an lmproved modular interface connector whlch meets the afore-mentloned requlrements and overcomes the above-described deficiencies and problems of prior modular ~ack connectors, and to novel connector assemblies incorporating such im-proved interface connectors to provide a wide varlety of system appllcatlons for lnterconnecting one or more multi-conductor cables leading to remote signal stations with a plurality of conductors electrically coupled to telephone signal equipment.

~i44268 It is therefore one object of the present in-vention to provide an improved modular interface con-nector and associated connector assemblies incorporating one or more of the modular connectors in unique arrays that facilitate simplified and highly flexible inter-connection to varied configurations of telephone system equipment.
It is another object of the present invention --~ to provide an improved modular interface connector hav-; 10 ing a universal mounting structure which permits slid-able mounting of the connector to a support member in a variety of orientations and configurations to enable use of interchangeable and easi,ly assemblable connector assembly parts, thereby facilitating efficient inter-connection of one or more multi-conductor cables coupled to remote signal stations to a plurality of conductors connected to a central signal processing system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved interface connector having a ' 20 removable barrier structure whereby the contact elements of the conductor may be mounted in the connector fol-lowed by insertion of the barrier structure to prohibit access to the free ends of the contact elements from the connector housing aperture.
,, 25 It is yet another object of the present inven-tion to provide an improved modular interface connector wherein each connector is slidably mountable along any ' position between two spaced shoulders of a support mem-ber and may be retained in any such selected position by means integral with the connector, and wherein the connector housing, mounting structure and retention means all comprise an integral molded plastic unit con-figured to permit fabrication thereof in a single-action mold.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved modular interface connector having means for readily press-mounting a bus bar member against the connector housing for engagement with selec-tive contact elements of the connector.
S~

. . . .

i~42~8 Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an electrical connector adapted to be mounted in a support member, the connector having a housing including a front wall having an aperture therein, a back wall, and a plurality of sidewalls defining a cavity for re-ceiving a mating electrical connector through the aper-ture, and including a plurality of contact elements mounted on the housing and having active contact por-tions including free ends projecting into the cavity for electrical engagement with the mating electrical connector, and having barrier means releasably engageable with the housing and insertable within the cavity for separating and aligning the active portions of the con-tact elements, and for preventing access through the aperture to the free ends of the active contact por-ions, and further including means for mounting the con-nector housing in the support member.
The connector housing of the invention in-cludes an improved mounting structure which permits the connector to be slidably mounted between spaced shoul-ders of a support member. The mounting structure in-cludes a first mounting means disposed on one pair of oppositely facing sidewalls for slidably mountlng the connector housing in the support member at any selected position between the shoulders. The first mounting means are configured such that when the connector is mounted therewith, the central axis of the connector cavity which is normal to the plug entrance aperture is aligned in a first direction relative to the plane defined by the shoulders, which is also generally the plane defined by the support member. Second mounting means are also disposed on a pair of oppositely facing connector sidewalls for slidably mounting the housing in the support member at any selected position between the shoulders. The second mounting means are con-figured such that when the connector is mounted there-with, the central axis of the connector cav1ty is aligned in a second direction relative to the plane of 1~44f~68 -5a-the shoulders which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In addition, each of the first and second mounting means includes integral retention means for firmly maintaining the housing in any selected posi-tion between the pair of shoulders.
In preferred form, the first and second mounting means each include mounting channels disposed opposite each other on oppositely facing sidewalls and are adapted to slidably receive the shoulders of the support member thereln, the support member preferably belng a printed cir-cult board or the like. The first mountlng direction is preferably substantially parallel to the plane of the shoulders while the second direction is substantially per-pendicular to the plane. The retention means preferably lnclude integral proJection members disposed wlthin the mountlng channels and are adapted to biasly engage and firmly malntaln the shoulders Mithin the channels. The connector houslng, mountin~ means and retention means all preferably comprise an lntegral plastic molded unit configured to permit fabricatlon of the unit in a single-action mold.
me modular in-terface connector of the present lnvention may also include a removable barrier member which ' i~ preferably in the form of a comb member having a plur-ality of teeth for separating and allgning the active con-tact portions of the contact elements within the connector cavity and for preventing access through the entrance aper-ture of the cavity to the free ends of the active contact portion~. The comb member i8 adapted to be releasably en-- 20 gageable with the housi~g--t~-permit prior moun-ting-of---the --contact elements wlthin the connector housing.
In another embodlment, the~modular-lnterface con-ne¢tor of the inventlon may lnclude an integral comb member - and a removable insert member for mounting the contact elements to the connector housing. In additlon, a plurallty of embossments are disposed on the connector houslng for engaglng-and mounting a pair of bus bar members to the hou~ing-a~aeent the lntegral comb member for electrically shorting selective contact Qlements to create electrlcal clrcults therebetween.
The invention further provide~ a connector assembly - incorporating the above-descr~ed modular interface''con--~''' nector for electrically connectlng at least one multi-conductor cable to selected ones of a plurallty of con-'35 ductors electrically coupled to telephone signal equipment, - - -- - eaeh multl-conductor cable-having a modular connector com-ponent on one end thereof. The connector assembly lncludes an enclosure defined by a plurality of wall members~ and a removable support member is supported within the enclosure .

'` il~4Z68 and lncludes at least one palr o~ spaced mountlng shoulders.
In one form of the lnvention, the removable suppvrt member is a printed clrcuit board havlng at least one recessed portlon the.rein, the.-oppos-ing side edges of the recessed portion formlng the spaced mounting shoulders.
The connector assembly also lncludes at least one ; of the improved modular lnterface connectors slldably mounted in the support member a-t-any selected posltlon between the shoulders of one of the palr of mounting shoulders, the cen-. lO tral axi~ of the interface connector's cavity belng either .~ perpendlcular to or parallel with the plane of the support - member. Each modular ¢onnector ls adapted to receive-the modular connector component which terminates one multi-conductor cable. The assembly finally includes circuit means for electrlcally connectlng each of the contact ele-ments of each interface connector to selected ones of the plurality of conductors coupled to telephone signal equip-ment. In one form of the lnvention, the support member is a printed circuit board with the circuit thereof forming a -20 portion of the circuit mea~s.
The plurality of: enclosure wall members preferably include a bottom wall member and a plurality o~-sldewall members supported substan~,ially perpendicular thereto. In -one form Or the inventlon, means are provided for mounting the support member substantlally parallel to and spaced from the bottom wall member wlth the central axls of the interface connector cavities being aligned either perpendicu-- -- lar to-or parallel.wlth the-support member. When the cavl----ties are allgned parallel with the support member, at least one enclosure wall member includes at least one aperture for aIignment with each connector cavity to provide access -- ther~to for engagement wlth the modular connector~component of one multl-conductor cable.
~n one form of the above connector assembly, the clrcult means include multiple contact menas whlch are - electrically engageable wlth the plurallty of conductors coupled to telephone signal equipment and selectively con-nected to the contact elements of each of the interface connectors. The multlple contact means may take the ~orm of a termlnal oontact strip mounted to the lnner surf&ce of the enclosure bottom wall, of a plurallty of terminal contaot elements dlsposed on a printed clrcult board support member, . . .or of a modular.multiple.contact connector component mounte.d to the support member and which is engageable wlth a mating - connector component whlch termlnates the plurallty of con-~` ductors connected to telephone signal equlpment.
. . The present lnventlon also provides yet another electrical connector assembly embodiment for selectlvely . IO lnterconnecting at least one remote signal statlon havlng a predetermined signal characteristic to a central signal .processlng system. m is connector assembly embodiment ln-cludes an enclosure defined b~ a plurallty of wall members J~ lncludlng a bott~m wall member and a plurality of sldewall members. Disposed wlthln the enclosure are first multiple contact means which include a flrst plurality of con-tact elements electrically engageable wlth the central slgnal processlng system. A support member ls releasably mounted ; within the enclosure spaced from and substantlally parallel ~,. ~,..i.. ..~.0- to the lnner.-..sur~aee of one ~f ~he sldewall members,.whl~h---, - sldewall member includes an openlng to provlde access to the support member. Second multlple-contac-t:.means are-mounted.
to-the support member wlthln the enclosure and include a : seaond plurality-of-contact elements whlch are ele-ctrically engageable with the remote signal station, access.to the ~econd multlple contact means belng provlded by the openlng in the one sidewall member. In one form of this embodiment, J~ 'Li _-_ the-:second-multiple---contaet~means -lnclude-a pluralitiy-of --the modular lnterface connectors of the present invention.
A plurallty of lntermedlate multlple contact means are also dlsposed within the enclosure with each of the intermediate multlple contact means 1ncluding a third plurali~y of~con- - =
tact elements. At least one lmpedance network is provlded, each belng adapted for selectlve and independent connectlon to the thlrd plurallty of contact elements of one of the - intermedlate--multlple-contact means. Flnally, circuit means are disposed withln the enclosure for lnterconnectlng selected ones of the first, second and third plurality o~
contact elements for interconnecting a respective given one ~ - .

42~8 g of the remote slgnal statlons to the central slgnal procesa-lng ~ystem as a respective glven one of the thlrd plurallty o~ contact elements 19 coupled to one o~ the impedance net-works.
: 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
e novel features which are belleved to be charac-terlstic of the present invention are set forth in the -' -- appended cla-lms. ~The lnvention itsel~, however, together with further ob~ects and attendant advantages thereo~, wlll become apparent and best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the - - accompanying drawlngs, setting forth by way of lllustratlon ~ and example certain embodiments of the invention in the several ~lgures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
- Figure l,ls a front perspective view of one embodi-ment of a ~odular interface connector o~ the present inven-tlon and lllustratlng a typical mating connector component therefor;
--2~ -- - Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the modul&r---lnterrace connector illustrated--in Figure l;
Flgure--3-ls--a-rear--elevatlon-viéw o~ the-modular ' interrace connector.illustrated in Figure 2;
- '' ' - ~~~' Figure 4 is-a ~r-ont elevatlon view o~ the interface 25- connectcr-illustrated in Figure 2;
Flgure 5 is a-cross-sectional view taken:substan-tlally along line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view simllar to Flgure 2 but illustrating the removable-comb member cf the 3 connector in a disengaged position;
Flgure 6A is a rear elevation view of the removable comb member illustrated in.Flgure 6;
Figure 7 ls a front-perspectlve view illustrating the interface connector embodiment of Figure l slidably mounted to a support-member in a ~irst position;
Figure 8 -is a view similar-to-Figure 7'but illus-trating the lnter~ace connector mounted to a support member in a second position;
Figure 9 is a front perspective view slmilar to .

~1~4Z68 Flgure 8 but illustrat~ng the inter~ace ¢onnec~or mounted to a support mem~er in a third position;
Figure 10 is a front perspective vlew of another embodlment of a modular interface connector of the present inventlon and lllustratlng a typlcal matlng connector com-ponent therefor;
Figure 11 18 a rear perspective view of the inter-face connector illustrated in Figure 10;
. Figure 12 is a rear perspectlve view similar to Figure 11 but illustrating a bus bar member engaged to the rear wall of the interface connector;
- Figure 13 i8 a front perspective view of the inter- .
face connector of Figure 10 slidably mounted to a support member in a flrst-posltion;
Figure 14 ls a view slmilar to Figure 13 but illus-. . . trating the lnterface connector mounted to a support member in a second positicn;
Flgure 15 ls a perspective view ~ one embodiment of a connector assembly of the present lnvention lncorporat-ing the slldingly mountable.;'~nterface connector of Figure 1 therein and illustrating a cover in spaced relation thereto;
Figure 16 ls an exploded perspectiv.e view-of the connector assembly of Figure 15 illustrating the assembling . rela~ionships of the component parts thereof;
Figure 17 is a top plan view of a second.embodlment of a connector assembly of the present invention and illus-tratlng terminal strips mounted to the bottom wall thereo~;
- - Figure 17A is a-front-perspective vlew of the con~
nector assembly embodiment illustrated in Figure 17 wlthout the termlnal strips and showlng a cover in spaced relatlon thereto;
Flgure -18 is an e~ploded front perspectlve view of the connector assembly embodlment of Figure 17 without the terminal strips;
3~ Figure 19 is a top plan view of yet another con-- -neet-or assembly-embod~ment-of the.present ~nvention simi-lar --to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 17 but including three modular interface connectors incorporated therein;
. Figure ~0 is an exploded front perspective view o~
, r .

;8 the embodiment illu~trated in ~igure 19 but wlthout the termlnal strips;
Figure 21 is a top plan view of another connector assembly embodiment of the present lnventlon lllustrating 5 an impedance network having a æingle impedance clrcult as a support me~ber for the modular connector;
Fi~3ure 22 is a top plan vlew of another connector assembly embodiment. of the present lnvention simllar to Figure 21 but illustrating an impedance network havlng 10 selectively alternate impedance clrcults as the support member for the- modular connector;
;~ Flgure 23 ls a perspective view o~-still another connec-tor assembly of the present-lnvention lncorporating a plurality of the ~nodular- interface connectors of Figure 10 15: and 'illustrating a cover in spaced re-lation- thereto;
Figure 24 ls a front elevation view of the connec-tor assembly of Figure 23;
Figure 25 is a~front elevation vlew- similar to Figure 24-and illustrating the cover mounted to the-connector ,4ssembly; and - -Figure 26 ls a front elevation viaw similar to Figure.25 ~but illustrating an. alternate form !of the. connec--tor assembly.
. . .i - DE~AILED DESCRIPTIQN OF l~IE INV~NTION-25 . The presenb invention- is directed to an -improved modular-interface connector: and connector. assemblies there-for. Referring.now to.Flgures.1-5,.a modular interface - connector 10 is--.shown-in ~he form of a-~modular ~ack and .is adapped for mating-engagement-with a^modular connector 3 component 12 constructed in the form of a plug and terminat-ing a multi-conductor cable 13. me plug 12 and the baslc struotu~e.-.of.the -~ack:-10-'are known in the art and are.
described .in.the previously referenced..patents, and..Federal . Communications Commission's Regulations. Speciflcally, the-connector 10 includes a housing ll having a front wall:
- - - 14-, a--back-wal-1--16,-- and a- plurality -of~sidèwalls 18, 20, 22 and 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 20 forms a top wall.while the sidewall 24 forms-a bottom wall.
The plurality of walls 14-24 define an interior cavity 26.

~1~426~3 which i8 accessible tl~rough an aperture 28 dlsposed in the front wall 14. The cavity 26 is slzed and shaped to receive and mate with the plug 12 along a central axis 30 which ls normal to the aperture 28. As descrlbed in greater detail below, the houslng 11 and it~ component parts are pre~erably an integral molded plastic structure whlch i8 con~igured in ~uch a manner as to permit its fabrication in a single-action mold as opposed to a double, side action mold of the prior art.
The connector 10 includes a plurality of contact elements 32 with each contact element 32 including a terminal portion 34 and an actlve contact portion 36 having a free end 37. In the illustrated ~orm of Figures 1-5, there are preferably six contact elements 32. Each terminal portion 34 is supported within a longitudinal socket 38 disposed in the top wall 20, and each active contact port~on 36 projects into the cavity 26 in the manner described below. A plural-ity of grooves 40 are formed at the forward end of each top wall 20 along a portion of the front wall 14. Each groove 40 origina~es at-the ~orward end of one socket 38 and extends downwardly toward the bottom wall 24 to communi-cate-with the-cavity~26. Each groove 40 functions as a guide for a contact element 32 as well as forms a ledge 41 - ~ - which is utilized as a~fulcrum when bending the contact element 32 as de~cribed below.
Re~erring more particularly to Figure 5, the con-tact elements 32 are mounted in the connector 10 by first terminating the conductors 42 to the terminal portions~34 and then lnserting the straight elongated active contact portions 36a through the sockets 38 until they pro~ect out-wardly from the front wall 14. The free end 37 of each active contact portion 36a is then bent downwardly and rearwardly against the ledge 41 toward the back wall 16, as illustrated at 36b, until the active contact portion 36 35- pro~ects angularly into the cavity 26 tow~rd the back wall - - 16. This procedure i&~ followed for all six contact element~
32 with the grooves 40 providing initial guidance of and separation between the plurality of contact elements 32.
A comb structure, to be described in greater detail below~

provldes addltlonal separation of the actlve contact por-tlons 36 wlthin the cavlty 26.
Referrlng more partlcularly to Flgures 2, 3, 6 and 6A, the back wall 24 of the connector 10 lncludes an aper-ture 44 whereln a barrler member ln the form Or a removablecomb member 46 læ disposed. The comb member 46 is releasably engageable.wlth the houslng ll and functlons to-æeparate and allgn the free ends Or the actlve contact portlons 36 withln the cavlty 26 as well as to prevent-adce~s-to the free ends`37 of.the~active contact portlons 36 through the aperture 28. More partlcularly, the back wall 16 includes a.palr-o~ dependlng side elements 48, 50,which-lnclude at their lower ends a pair of lnwardly pro~ect-ing :knobs 52, 54.
An.inner surface,.56 is:,formed within the:cavity 26 spaeed from thè back wall-16. The-back wall`l6, the-knobs~52, 54:
and.-the-lnner-surface 56 deflne a palr of channels 58, 60 which;slidably receive,the--.,comb member,46.
The:.comb~member,46-preferably.includes two-elon~
gated side-elements.62, 64'which--are--interconnected:by a ... ,, , 20,,comb,66.. ,The_lowep-portions-,of the~sider-elements--62,' 64' are--sufficiently-resillent for-blased movement toward,each.
other~and^include:,a,.pair.~.-of:outwar.dly~pro~e¢ti.ng knobs.-68,-70`:dlsppsed toward the-lower.ends:thereof. The,elongated ..,,slde,elements 62, 64:are--.s-lzed-~-and shaped,for.inserti-on,into 25., the-.-channels~58, 60.~,As.the-side-elements-62:64 move,longi-t~dinally,~within the::channels,-:58, 60,~ the..knobs-:52j 54:~
engage-the knobs 68,:,70 and~bias the side elements-toward each o*her until-the.,knobs-68, 70 sllde-over and neæt above-the-knobæ~.~52j, 54.. The-:comb.member i~ thus-,,maintainedlin.an .
30' engaged position within the ~houæing ll,by the:nested engage-ment'of the.knobs 68, with the. kno.bæ 52j 54. To-disengage.
-- the comb:,membe-r.-46'from.the houæing 11, the-lower~portions of.the;.-~ide:,ele.ments.62,,64'are.biased-~toward each other untll the kn-obs 68, 70 are moved past-the knobs 52, 54--whilè,the.-comb.member 46-is-slidably.moved.out.of~engagement with the channels--58, 60.
The,comb 66 includes-a base~member.72 and a plur-ality of-teeth 74 pro~ecting upwardly therefrom.subætan-tially parallel with'the side,.elements 62, 6~. The~-teeth 74 are spaced a sufflcient distance so that each active contact portion 36 passes ~nto a slot 76 between the teeth 74 as the comb member 46 is inserted into the housing 11, the teeth 74 separatlng and alignlng the active portlon 36.
The comb member 46 is slzed and shaped such that the free end portlon 37 of each active contact element 36 ls blasly engaged agalnst the base member 72 ln a slot 76 when the comb member 46 1~ ful-ly engaged wlthin the housing 11. This results ln the free end 37 of the active contact portlon 36 being disposed rearwardly of the comb member 46. In this manner, the teeth 74 prevent access to the free ends of the actlve contact portions 36 from the direction of the aperture 28. Thls feature of the invenklon not only insures against lnadvertent shorting of the contact elements 32 by separating and alignlng the active contact portions 36, but also pro-vldes a slgnificant safety factor by preventing the insertion of a finger or other foreign ob~ect into the cavlty 26 beyond the free ends 37 of the active contact portions 36, whereln lodging or withdrawal of the ob~ect would cause -20 in~ury thereto as well as distort-or otherwise damage the contact elements.
Prior known comb arrangements for modular ~ack connectors have generally been integral structures. The comb-member 46, however, is releasably engageable wlth the 25 houslng 11 to facllltate easy-and e~flclent installatlon of the contact elements 32 ln the houslng 11 as well as forma-tlon of the bent active contact portions 36. If the comb structure i8 i ntegral with the housing 11, easy insertion and formation of the contact elements 32 is extremely dlffl-30 cult unless an alternate connector structure is utillzedwherein the contact elements 32 may be mounted to and formed wlthln-a separate structural member which in turn is sub-sequently mounted to the housing 11, such as in the embodi-ment described below. However, the remov~ble comb structure 35 as lllustrated in Figures 1-5 has been found to be less expenslve to manu~acture as well as providing an easy method of constructing the modular ~ack 10 and overcomes the prior problem of interference by an integral comb member during formation of the contact elements 32 in the cavity 26.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1-4 and 7-9, the connector 10 1B slidably mountable to a support member 78 ln a varlety of posltlons and ln at least two orlentations - relatlve to the plane o~ the support member. This.provide~
a unlversal mounting structure whereby a number of mounting arrangements may-be achieved between the connector 10 and the support member 78, thereby permitting a wide variety of connector assemblies to be constructed~in-aacordance with deslred functional requirements as described in greater detail below, To achieve such a unlversal mounting arrange-- ment, the connector 10 includes a first mountlng structure 80,disposed on a palr of oppositely facing connector side-wallæ, and a second mounting structure 82 also disposed on a pair of,oppositely,faclng connector sldewalls. Depending upon the desired overall construction and size of~ the con-: nector 10, the first and second mounting structures 80 and82 may be disposed:,on the-~same or different pairs of oppo-sitely facing sldewalls.
In the illustrated,embodiment of Figures 1-4 and 20.' 6--9,- the-first and second-mounting means 80:, 82-are dl-s~osed-on the same palr of oppositely faclng sldewalls 18 and 22 and are--adapted to:permit~connector 10~-to be.slidably,mounted , at-any selected posltiQn between a pair of shoulders 84',, ~ and 86 dlsposed in the- s-upport-member 78. In the-preferred form, the support member 78 conslsts of a-f,lat board member-having at'-léast-one,and-preferably a:plurality-of:recessed ,, portions--or-notches 88, each:recessed p,ortion 88 havlng a ~- -~--- pair of ~pposed side edges-forming the shoulders 84--and 86,. ..
e:isupport member 78'may.-be.-ln..the.form-Or~,a.simp~e support board member, a.prlnted circult boardj or-an lmpedance net---work--having one or more clrcuits thereon. In addltlon, , ' ' the.recessed portion--88:'may be:slzed so-as-to-~recelve-one :~ or a plurality of'the connectors 10.
The first-mounting structure 80 preferably lncludes 35- a-..pair.of channels 90 and 92,disposed, respectively, on the .' -- oppositely faclng-sidewa~ls 18 and 22. Each channel 90, 92 ls preferably ln the form of a groove in its respective ~ sidewall 18, 22 extending between the respectlve front and ,, back walls 14 and 16, the width of each groove being ~ust ., ., , , .
.
.. . .

.

slightly greater than the thickness of the support member 78. HoweverJ the channel~ 90, 92 may al80 be formed in other manners, such as by a plurality of pro~ectlons or the llke.
me bottom sur~ace of each channel 90, 92 ln¢ludes a ralsed embossment 94 having inclined sides 95 and 96. Eac,h embossment 94 pro~ects outwardly from the bottom of the channels 90 and 92 for bias engagement again~t the shoulders 84 and 86 when the first mountlng structure 80 i5 engaged wlth the recessed portlon 88 of the support member 78. The embossments 94 are preferably sllghtly pllable and capable o~
cold ~lowlng when sub~ected to bias engagement between the shoulders 84 and 86. In this manner, the connector 10 may be slldably ad~us,ted to any position between the shoulder members 84 and 86 and be retained at that posit~on by the bias engage~ent between the embossments 94 and the shoulders 84, 86. It should be noted that the channels 90, 92 o~ the , first mountlng means 80 are preferabIy aligned along a line substantially parallel with the central axis 30 of the cavity 26. merefore, when the connector 10 is mounted to the support member 78 utillzing the flrst mounting structure 80, the central axis 30 is substantially parallel with the plane defined by the shoulders 84 and 86, which in the illustrated form 18 also the plane Or the support member 78.
The second mounting structure 82 also includes a palr of channels 9~ and 99 disposed on the oppositely facing sidewalls 18 and 22, respectlvely. The channels 98 and 99 are preferably aligned along lines substantially perpendlcu-lar to the central axls 30 of the cavity 26 and extend the entire width of sidewalls 18, 22 between the top wall 20 and the bottom wall 24. Unlike the channels 90 and 92, each channel 98 and 99 is preferably defined by a plurality of pro~ections 100, 102 and 104. The pro~ections 100 and 102 are spaced along the rear portion of the sidewalls 18 and 22, while the pro~ection 104 is aligned with the space between the pro~ections 100 and 102 alon~ the forward portion of the sidewalls 18, 22. In this manner, the pro~ections 100, 102 and 104 may all be formed on the sidewalls 18 and ' 22 by a single-action mold.

` ~1 4 4Z6 8 A spacer member 106 is dlsposed on the forward channel-formlng sur~ace o~ the pro~ectlon 100 and 1~ pro-vided to permlt two ~ignificantly different widths of support member8 78 to be di3posed between the channel-formlng ~ur-faces of the pro~ection 100 and the proJection 104. In addltlon, the spacer 106 ls also slightly pliable to accommo-date support members 78 of slightly variable thicknesses.
A pllable. tab 108 is disposed on the forward channel-forming surface of the pro~ectlon 102 and is adapted to biasly en-gage-the support member 78 when the channels 98 and 99 recelve a pair of shoulders 84 and 86, as illustrated in Figure 8.
To retain the connector 10 in its mounted position, the bottom- of each channel 98, 99J which is formed by the 15 outer surface of 'che respective sidewalls 18, 22, biasly engages the support member 78. To achieve such bias engage-'' ment, the surfaces 110 and 112 of each channel 98, 99 are lnclined to form a land surface 114 which is-disposed immedi-ately ad~acent the pro~ection 104. me.distance between respective land surfaces 114 of the directly opposite chan-nels 98 and 99 is sufficient to create a bias engagement between.the land.sur~aces.ll4 and the shoulders ll6, 118.of the recessed portion 120 in-the support member 78. Each land surface 114- i8 preferably slightly pliable and capable 25': o~ cold flowing- toaccept the shoulders 116 and 118. The land surfa¢es 114: fun¢tion in the same manner as the--emboss-ments=94 of'the firs.t.mounting structure 80 .and thereby-" '' constikute--retenti~- means::.for firmly maintaining the con-.
nector-10 in its selected: po~ition -between the-shoulders -30 116 and 118.
As seen in Figure 8, the. channels 98 and 99 are formed'to accept a.pair of.'shoulders 116, 118 wherein the-. connector 10 is.in~erted-entirely within the support member 78. As seen in Figure 9, however, the connector 10 may be raadily inserted into a.recessed portion 120' which includes shoulders 116' and 118''substantially shorter in length than the shoulders of the embodiment of Figure 8. Nonethe-less, the connector 10 may be readily inserted therewithin and maintained in place by the bias engagement between the " ~144Z68 shoulder~ 116' and 118' and the land surfaces 114 as well as the ~las engagement created by the proJection~ 100 and 104 agalnst the ~upport member 78. It should be noted that a mounting bar 122 is also provided on the bottom sur~ace 5 24 of the connector 10 and ls adapted for engagement wlth the support member 78 between the shoulder~ 116 and 118.
The mountlng bar 122 stabilizes the houslng 11 relatlve to the support member 78 to insure proper support of the con-nector 10 within the support member 78. In addition, the 10 recessed portion 120 may be o ~ sufficient length to mount :~ a plurality of connectors 10 therein along their second - mounting ~tructures 82, one atop the other (see Figures 23 and 24).
Referring..now to. Figures 10-12, a .second embodiment 15 of the present lnvention is illustrated in the form of a modular interface connector 10 '. The conaector 10 ' includes a housing 11' having a.front wall 14', a back wall 16', and a plurality of sidewalls 18', 20 ', 22 ' and 24', all of which define an interior cavity 26' having a central axis 30 '.
- 20 Access to the cavity 26' is provided through an aperture 28' in the front wall 14'. The cavity 26' is sized and shaped to receive and matingly engage a standard plug connector component 12' which terminates a multi-conductor ¢able 13. - In-the illustrated form, the cavity 26' includes 25 a keyway 124 which is adapted to receive a key member 126 dispo~ed.on the plug 12 '. The keyway 124 and key member 126 prevent improper alignment and engagement of the plug 12' wlth the cavity 26'.
The modular connector 10' includes a plurality of 30 and pre~erably eight contact element~ 32 ' which are sub-stantially-identical in size and shape to the contact elements-.32 o~ the previously described connector 10. Each of the contact elements 32 ' includes a terminal portion (not illustrated) and an active contact portion having a free 35 end 37 '. In this particular embodiment, the top wall 20 ' - - includes a removable insert 128 which is releasably engage-able within a chamber 130 located in the wall 20'. The insert 128 includes a plurality of longitudinal cavities 38', the terminal portion of each contact element 32' being , ~L~4~:68 mounted withln one such cavity 38'. In this manner, the contact elements 32' are removable from the houslng 11' as a unit, the active contact portlons of the elements 32 ' pro-~ectlng angularly into the cavity 26' when the insert 128 is disposed within the chamber 130.
The houslng 11~ also includes an integral comb member 132 disposed in the back wall 16'. The comb member 132 functions in the same manner as the comb member 46 of the previous embodiment and thus separates and aligns the 10 active contact portions of the contact elements 32' within the cavity 26 ' while preventing access to the free end3 37' from the aperture 28 l . In preferred form, the comb member 132 includes a base portion 134 and a plurality of spaced teeth 136 pro~ectlng upwardly ~herefrom. The contact l~-elements 32' are shaped whereby-the-free end-portions 37' thereof extend between the teeth 136 and are biased against the base 134. This arrangement permits the contact elements 32' to be mounted within the removed insert member 128, the actlve portions thereof being angularly formed in the 20 same manner as illust-rated ln the previous embodiment. - -After mounting and formatlon of the contact elements 32l, the:insert member 128 is inserted,-into the chamber 130 with the active portions of the contact elements 32' being aligned between the teeth 136. By this arrangementJ the contact 25-element~ 32' may be easily formed and mounted in the con-nector 10' without interference by the integral comb member--132, Disposed:along the back wall 16~ are a plurality of bosses ,138, 140 and 142 pro~ecting outwardly therefrom.
30 In the illustrated formj the boss 142 includes an upward extension 144. The bosses 138-142 permit quick locking engagement of the bus bar members 146 and 148 with the housing-~ll' by the mere pressing of the members 146J 148 against the respective bosses 138-142J the extension 144 35-insuring proper separation of--the bus bar members 146 and 148. When the bus bar members 146 and 148 are to be usedJ
two of the four contact end portions 37a' on each side of the extension 144 are lengthened relative to the free end portions 37l a sufficient amount to permit biased engagement . - .

1~4~'~68 of the lengthened free end portions 37a' with a bus bar member 146 or 148. Thus, two of the ~ree end portions 37a' on each slde of the exten3ion 144 are shorted thereby com-pletlng an electrlcal circult wlthout the presence of the plug 12' ln the cavity 26'. Thls operatlng mode of the connector 10' is utllized when a connector 10' is electri-cally connected ln series with a telephone unit or the like so that a contlnuous clrcult is avallable through the con-nector 10' by way of the bus bar members 146 and 148 regard-less of the matlng condltion of the plug 12' with theconnector 10'.
Prior mountlng arrangements for bus bar or shorting bar members are of sufficient complexity or size so that only those modula~ connectors wherein it is specifically intended to utilize such bus bars would be molded to include locking members therefor. The bosses 138, 140, 142 and 144 are of sufficiently small size so that their addition to the connector 10' ls of minor expense. In addition, the bosses 138-14~ permit easy and rapid engagement and mounting of the bus bar members 146 and 148 to the housing 11' at the face of the comb member 132. Thus, considerable expense is eliminated by requirlng the molding of only one type of housing for the connector 10' wherein the bosses 138-144 are inclu~edJ whereas prior modular connectors required the molding capability for two types of connector housings.
Each connector 10' also includes a first mounting structure 80' and a second mounting structure 82' disposed on respective opposing sidewalls for mounting the connector 10' ln a variety of positions and in at least two orienta-tions relative to a support member 150. The first mountingstructure 80' is preferably substantially identical to the first mounting structure 80 of the previous embodiment and preferably includes a pair of mounting channels 90' and 92' disposed, respectively, on the oppositely facing sidewallY
18' and 22'. Each channel 90', 92' is preferably in the form of a groove in its respective sidewall 18', 22' extend-ing between the respective front and back walls 14' and 16', the width of each groove being slightly greater than the thickness of the support member 150. However, the channels .

'Z68 90~, 92' may also be formed ln other manners, such as by a plurallty of pro~eotions or the like.
me bottom surface of each channel 90', 92~ also includes a raised embossment 94' havlng lnclined slde por-tions 95', 96'. Each embossment 94' ls adapted for blas -.
engagement agalnst the shoulders 84', 86' of the support member 150 when the first mountlng structure 80' is engaged within the recessed portion 88'. The embossments 94' are preferably slightly pliable and capable of cold flow when sub~ect to such bias engagement. As a result, the connector 10' may be slidably ad~usted to any posltion between the shoulder members 84', 86' and be retained at the selected posltion by the bias engagement between the embossments 94' and shoulders 84', 86'. Furthermore,- the channels 90', 92' are preferably aligned along a line substantially parallel wlth 't ~ the central axis 30' of the cavity 26'. Therefore, when the ¢onnector 10' is mounted to the support member 150 using the first mounting means 80', the central axis 30' is substan-tially parallel with the plane defined by the shoulders 84' 20 and 86', which in the illustrated form is also the plane of '. the support member 150.
The..second mounting structure 82' of this particular conne¢tor.embodiment includes a pair of channels 152 and 154 aligned directly opposite .each other along the opposing 25 sldewalls 20~ and 24 ~.J respectively. The :channels 152 and 154 are preferably aligned along lines substantially per-pendlcu}ar--to- the central axis-30' of the cavity 26' and . e~tend t~e entire width of the sidewalls 20' and 24' between : the-sidewalls 18' and 22'. Similar to the previously de-3 scribed embodi~ent, each channel 152, 154 i9 formed from a plurality of pro~ections 156, 158 and 160 disposed on the outer surface of the respective sidewall 20', 24'. The pro~ections 156 and 158 are disposed in a spaced relation along the central portion of each sidewall 20' and 24', 35 while each~pro~ectlon 160 ls aligned with the space between the pro~ections 156 and 158 toward the forward portion of each sidewall 20', 24'. In this manner~ the pro~ections 156, 158 and 160 may all be formed on the sidewalls 20' and 24' by a single-action mold as described below. Further-. . . . . .

more~ each pro~ectlon 160 is spaced from its associated proJectlons 156, 158 a dlstance slightly greater than the thickness of the ~upport member 150 to define the channel~
152 and 154 which snugly recelve the shoulders 84' and 86' to mount the connector 10' within the support member 150.
The bottom of each channel 152, 154, whlch i8 formed - by the outer surface of the re~pective sidewalls 20', 24', is adapted to biasly engage the support member 150. To achieve such bias engagement, the surfaces 162 and 164 of each channel 152, 154 are inclined to form a land surface 166 relative thereto, the land surface 166 being an exten-sion of the outer surface of the respective sidewall 20', 24' ar.d being disposed lmmedlately ad~acent the pro~ectlon 160. The land.surfaces 166 of the directly opposing channels 152 and 154 are spaced a suff~ient distance to create a . bias engagement between the surfaces 166 and the shoulders 84', 86' when the connector 10' is lnserted in the recessed portion 88'. The land surfaces 166 are preferably slightly piiable and capable of cold flow when engaging the shoulders 84~, 86'. The land surfaces 166 function ln the same manner as the embossments 94' of the first mounting structure ; 80' and thereby constitute retentlon means for firmly maln-talning the connector 10' at any longltudlnal posltlon be-tween the shoulders 84' and 86'.
Referrlng now to Figures 13 and 14, the palr of channels 90' and 92' and the palr of channels 152 and 154 are each adapted to raadily accept a palr of shoulders 84', 86' when the connector 10 is inserted entirely withln the support member 150. As seen ln Flgure 13, the connector 10 may be readlly lnserted lnto the recess 88' utlllzlng the : first mountlng structure 80~ so that the central axls 30' of the cavity 26' ls substantlally parallel to the support member 150. Referring to Flgure 14, the connector 10' may also be lnserted withln the support member 150 utlllzing the second mountlng structure 82' so that the central axls 30' of the cavity 26' is substantially perpendicular to the plane of support member 150. In addition, the recess :; portion 88' may be of sufficient length (see Figures 23-25) ; to accept a plurality of the conductors 10' utilizing their second mountlng means 82', one ad~acent the other. As can be appreclated rrom the description given below, the variety o~ orlentatlons and positlons Or the connectors 10 and 10' relative to thelr respective support members permlts the connectors 10 and 10' to be utilized in a wide variety o~
differi~g connector assemblies.
An important feature of the above-described modular lnterface connectors 10 and 10' is that each connector - housing 11 and 11', lncludlng its component parts exceptlng the contact ~lements 32, 32' and the removable comb member 46, is preferably an lntegrally molded unit configured to allow the fabrication thereof in a single-action mold.
Prior molded connectors generally included pro~ections or other component parts arranged such that a double-actlon mold which includes a-separate side actlon mold portion was requlred to mold the integral unit. However, all the lntegral component parts Or each housing 11 and 11' are arranged to permlt a single-action, split mold to be uti-lizéd in the fabrication of the housings 11, 11'. This ~ea-ture simplifies both the construction and operation of the - mold and increases the total production capability of each mold, since the amount Or time required to mold one unit ls less for the single-actlon-mold than la required for a double-action mold. Therefore, the connectors 10 and 10' - 25 can be fabricated more rapidly and at less cost than the prior slldable modular interrace connectors.
Furthermore, the above-described unique mounting constructions 80, 80', 82 and 82' provide-a diversiried mountlng capability in con~unctlon with a support member 78, 150. Thl8 mounting capability permits a wide variety o~
connector assemblies havlng different runctions to be con-structed from the same basic component parts, and this ~eature minimizes the manufacturing and assembly costs o~
such assemblles utlllzing the modular connector of the lnventlon, as descrlbed ln detail below.
Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, a connector - - assembly-170 is lllustrated lncorporating the modula~r interface connector of the present invention. The connector assembly 170 is utilized for electrically interconnecting .

one and pref`erably a plurality o~ multi-conductor cables coupled to remote signal stations, such as indlvldual telephone units, to a plurallty of conductors whlch are electrlcally coupled to a signal processlng sygtem such as telephone signal equlpment or a central telephone offlce.
In the lllustrated embodlment, the connector assem-bly 170 lncludes an enclosure 172 whlch is deflned by a plurallty of wall members lncluding sldewall members 174, 176, 178 and 180 projecting substantially perpendicularly from a bottom wall member 182~ A removable support member 184 is releasably mountable within the enclosure 172. To firmly support the member 184 within the enclosure 172, ledges 186 are provided along the inner surfaces of the sidewall members 176 and-180, and a plurality of posts 188, 189, l90 and 191 pro~ect upwardly from the bottom wall member 182 to engage the bottom surface of the support member 184. In this particular embodiment, the support member 184 is adapted to be mounted substantially parallel to the bottom wall member 182 and is sized and shaped to abut all four sidewall members 174-180. The support member 184 preferably includes a plurality of apertures 192 and 194 which are aligned with apertures in the posts 189 and 190 when the support member 184 is positloned within the enclo-sure 172. Any known means such as bolts or screws (not illustrated) may be utilized to firmly connect the support member 184 to the posts 189 and 190 through the apertures 192, 194.
The-support member 184 includes a plurality of notches or recessed portions 196 disposed along two side 3 edges 198 and 200 thereof for mounting a plurality o~
modular interface connectors constructed in accordance with the~present invention. While the recess portlon 196 may be ~ormed in any manner, it is preferred-that the portlons 196 be punched from a solid support member 184. Each recess portion 196 ~unctions in the same manner as the recessed portion 88 of the previously described connector embodiment and includes a pair of spaced shoulders 202 and 204 for slidably engaging the selected modular connector, which ln the illustrated embodiment is a modular connector 10. Each .

~i~4f268 modular connector 10 i~ preferably mounted within the support member 184 utilizing the second mount~ng struoture 82 90 that the central axis of the cavlty 26 thereof 1B ~ub~tantlally perpendlcular to the plane deflned by the shoulders 202 and 204 and the plane of the support member 184, the second mounting structure 82 belng engaged with the shoulders 202 and 204.
Disposed on the central portlon of the support member 184 is a multi-contact connector component 206, whlch in this particular embodiment is preferably an Ampheno ~ _ or 15~ ~er~ies connector component manufactured by Amphenol ~ .
North Amerlca Division of Bunker Ramo Corporation. The con-nector component 206 is securely mounted to the upper surface of the support member 184 and includes a plurality of contact elements 208. In preferred form, each contact element 208 is electrically connected by conductor or clrcuit mean~ (not lllustrated) to a single contact element 32 (Figure 5) of a connector 10. In this manner, all of the contact elements 32 of the connectors 10 mounted to the support member 184 are selectively electrically connected to the contact elements 208 of the connector component 206.
The plurality of conductors-coupled to a central slgnal processing system in the form of telephone signal equipment or a central telephone office (not illustrated) are terminated to another multi-contact connector component which is mateably engageable with the connector component 206. Thus, by engaging the two mateable multi-contact connector comporents, the conductors coupled--to telephone signal equlpment are selectively electrically connected to the contact elements 32 (Figure 5) o~ the modular con-nectors 10. As illustrated in Figure 1, a plurality of mating connector components 12 may be selectably engaged with the modular connectors 10, each connector component 12 terminating an electrical conductor 13 which is coupled to a remote signal station such as an individual telephone unit. Thus, the connector assembly 170 enables the selective interconnection of individual telephone units or remote signal stations having predetermined signal characteristics to a central signal processing system by selectively i~4'~68 , , interconnecting the connector 10 with the multiple-contact connector 206 and by selectlvely engaglng the plug8 12 wlth the connectors 10. It ~hould be noted that the conne¢tor assembly 170 is particularly suitable for u~e as a brldglng adapter assembly, although multlple contact connector mean~
other than connector 206 may be utlllzed ln asse~bly 170.
As illustrated ln Flgure 15, a cover 210 18 provlded for engagement wlth the upper edges of the sldewall member~
174-180. The cover 210 preferably lncludes a lower llp 211 to permlt firm lnterengagement of the cover 210 wlth the enclosure 172. Apertures 212, 213 and 214 are provlded ln a front wall 215 to permlt access by the varlous conductors to the connector component 206 and the modular connectors 10. Two elongated screws 216 pass through two apertures 217 15- dlsposed in the top portion of the cover 210 and pass through two apertures 218 ln the support member 184 for engagement wlth the posts 189 and 190 to firmly secure the cover 210-to the enclosure 172. Key-slots 219 are also provided ln-the bottom wall member 182 for mountlng the 20- a~sembly 170 on a vertlcal support such as a wall or the llke through the use of properly spaced screws or the like.
Referrlng now to Flgures 17, 17A and 18, another embodlment ~ the connector--assembly of the-present lnven--tion is lllustrated therein. In thls embodlment, a connector assembly 220- includes-an enc-losure--222 substantlally simllar to the encl-osure-172 of-the previous emb-odiment. The-enclosure 222 is defined by a plurality of wall members including sidewall members 224,- 226, 228 and 230 mounted substantiaily perpendlcular-to a bottom wall member 232.
3 - Support-ledges 234 are provided on the inner surfaces of the sldewall members-226 and 230, and a plurality-of support posts 236, 237, 238 and 239 pro~ect upwardly from the bottom wall member 232. The-structural differences- between the enclosures-222 and 172 (Figure 16) are--that the-sid~wall member 224 of the enclosure 222 include~--two spaced slots 240 a ngned substantially perpend~cular to the bottom surface 232, and that the sidewall member 228-includes a ; substantially square vlewing aperture 242 disposed centrally therein. me slots 240 and the aperture 242 are preferably .

-~ ~144Z68 centrally therein. The 810t8 240 and the aperture 242 are preferably formed by punching the ~olld sidewall members 224 and 228, respectively.
The enclosure 222 further includes a support member 244 which lncludes one recessed portion 246 having a palr of spaced shoulders 248 and 250 me support member 244 ls sized and shaped to be removably engageabIe wlth the ledges 234 and the post 239 to be positioned in the forward portion Or the enclosure 222 ad~acent the sldewall 228.
An aperture 252 is provided in the support member 244 and ls aligned with an aperture in the post 239, and a screw or bolt 254 passes through the aperture 252 into the post 239 to firmly secure the support member 244 wlthin the enclosure 222. A modular interface connector constructed in accor- -dance with the present inventlon is mounted within the recesæed portion 246 and is preferably in the form of an lnterface connector 10. In thls partlcular embodiment, the flrst mounting structure 80 of the connector 10 is engaged wlth the shoulders 248 and 250 to ~lidably mount the connector lO wlthin the recessed portion 246, the central axis of the cavity 26 being substantially parallel to the plane of the support member-244. As can be seen from-Flgures 17A and 18, the aperture 242 is po~itioned in the sidewall member 228 such that when the support member 244 and the mounted connector 10 are positioned within the enclosure 222, the aperture 28 of the connector 10 is aligned with the aperture 242 so that the central axis 30 of the connector - cavlty 26 ls substantially coaxial with the central axls of the aperture 242. In this manner, the cavity 26 is acces-sible ~rom the exterior of the enclosure 222 thereby permltting a mating plug 12 to be inserted lnto the cavity 26 through the apertures 242 and 28 from outslde the con-nector assembly 220.
The contact elements of the connector 10 mounted-ln .t~e enclosure 222 are selectably engaged with a plurallty of conductors (not lllustrated) coupled to a central slgnal processlng system, such as telephone signal equipment or a ; central telephone offlce. These conductors are provlded access to the interlor of the enclosure 22 through the slots "" ,~

240. Any known means may be utilized for electrically inter-connecting such conductors (not illustrated)with the con-tact elements of the connector 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 17, two terminal strips 256 and dis-posed along the bottom wall member 232, each terminal strip256 including a plurality of terminal contacts 258. ~he incoming conductors (not illustrated) are selectively inter-connected with the terminal contacts 258, and circuit means (not illustratea) are utilized to interconnect selected terminal contacts 258 with the contact elements of the connector 10, as described in more detail in the heretofore referenced patent applications.
The connector assembly 220 also includes a cover member 260 for interengagement with the enclosure 222 to protect the enclosure components from the environment. In this embodiment (Figure 17A), the cover 260 includes a top member 261 having a plurality of short wall members 262 projecting downwardly from the front and sides thereo~.
Each wall member 2~2 includes a lower lip portion 263 for engagement with the sidewall members 226, 228 and 230, - respectively. Disposed at the rear of the cover 260 is a back wall member 264 which depends downwardly from a rear e-xtension of the top member 261 and is spaced outwardly from and aligned substantiall~ parallel with the siflewall member 224 of the enclosure 222. The back wall member 264 includes forwardly projecting edge mem~ers 265 on the parallel ; depending edges thereof which extend between the back wall member 264 and the outer surface of the si~ewall member 224.
Notches 266 and 268 are provided along the bottom portions of the edge members 265 and the bottom outermost sections of the back wall member 264 to provide access to the slots 240 and the interior of the enclosure 222 for the con-ductors (not illustrated) coupled to telephone signal equip-ment. In addition, two apertures 270 are disposed in the top member 261 and are aligned with the posts 237 and 238 when the cover 260 is positioned on the enclosure 222.
Screws 272 are provided for securing the cover 260 to the posts 237 and 238 to maintain the cover firmly in place on the enclosure 222.
B

- ii44Z68 The particular connector assembly 220 illustrated in Figures 17, 17A and 18 i8 especially suitable as an adapter for connectlng a single multi-conductor cable secured to a telephone unlt and having a modular connector at the end thereof to non-modular telephone equlpment.
However, lt should be noted that circuit means other than the termlnal strips 256 may be utilized with the connector assembly 220 as lllustrated below.
Referrlng to Flgures 19 and 20, a connector assem-bly 280 is illustrated and constltutes a slight variatlon Orthe connector assembly 220. In the connector assembly 280, an enclosure 222' ls provlded having the same baslc structure of the enclosure 222 of Flgure 18. However, in the enclosure 222', a plurality of the apertures 242 are provided in the sldewall member 228'. Other than this one modification, the enclosure 222' is identical to the enclosure 222 described above. A support member 244' is removably mountable within the enclosure 222~ and includes a plurality of the recesses 246 dlsposed along one side edge 282 ad~acent the sidewall member 228'-. Each recess 24~ as in the previous embodiment, includes a pair of spaced shoulders 248 and 250 for recelv-ing a connector 10. Thus, in this particular embodlment the support member 244' lncludes three modular interface ~onnectors 10 slidably mounted thereto, the apertures 28 of the connectors 10 being allgned and facing the sidewall member 228'. The apertures 242 are positioned in the side-wall member 228' such that the apertures 28 of the connectors 10 are aligned with the apertures 242 when the support mem-ber 24~' is mounted withln the enclosure 222', the central 30 axis 30 of the cavities 26 being coaxial with the apertures 242. This arrangement provides access tothe cavities 26 of the connectors 10 through the apertures 242 for inter-connection with a plurality of plug connectors 12 (Figure 1) .
In this particular embodiment, the contact elements 32 (Figure 5) of the three connectors 10 are electrically engaged by any known circuit means to a plurality of con-ductors (not illustrated) coupled to telephone signal equipment~ slots 240 providing access to the enclosure 222'.

~ 4 ~'~ 8 -3o-Flgure 19 illustrates one embodlment o~ ~uch circuit means whereln two terminal strlps 256 are disposed on the bottom wall member ~32 as in the previously descrlbed connector assembly 2'20. In Figure 19, the contact elements 32 of the connectors connectors 10 are selectively engaged by any deslred clrcult means to the terminal contacts 258, while the lncoming conductors (not illustrated) are also selectively engaged to the termlnal contacts 258.
The connector assembly 280 of Figures 19 and 20 permlts the interconnection of a plurality o~ multl-conductor cables which are coupled to individual telephone units having predetermined signal characteristics to a central signal processing system. Thus, the connector assembly 280 is particularly adapted to ~unction as a bridging adapter wherein any desired multl-conductor cable may be readily interconnected with any selected incoming conductor simply by modifying the interengagement of the plugs 12 with the connectors 10.
Figure 21 illustrates yet another embodiment of a connector assembly constructed in accordance with the presen~ lnvention. In this particular embodiment, a connec-tor assembly 290 is provided having a removable support member 292 in the form of an impedance network with one network circuit. The imp~dance network 292 includes a 25 recessed pp~tion 294 at one end thereof having a pair of spaced shoulders 296 and 298 adapted for interengaging the first connector structure 80 of a connector 10. It should be noted that the connector 10' may also be utilized in the assembly 290 as well as in all the other descrlbed connec-30 tor assemblies of the present invention.
The connector assembly 290 includes an enclosure300 having a plurality of sidewall members 301, 302, 303 and 304 similar to the sidewall members of the previously described connector assembly embodiments. The sidewall 35 member 304 includes an aperture (not illustrated) disposed therein for alignment with the connector 10 in the support member 292 for engagement of a plug 12 with the connector 10. The conductor 13 terminated to the plug 12 (Figure 1) is coupled to an ~ndividual telephone unit and the contact ~ 6 8 elements 32 (~igure 5) Or the connector 10 are selectively electrlcally coupled to the clrcuit 293 of the l~pedance network 292 which is ln turn electrically coupled to at least one incoming conductor (not illustrated) leading to a central signal processing system vla the terminals 305, 306, 307 and 308 provided on the support member 292. The connector assembly 290 achieves the same basic ~unction as the connector assembly 220 except that the circuit means of the assembly 290 includes an impedance network in the form of the support member 292.
Referring to Figure 22, yet another connector assembly 310 is illustrated and is substantially similar to the connector assembly 290. However, the assembly 310 ; includes a support member 312 which is in the form of an impedance network fully mounted between the sidewalls 301, ; 303 and 304 and whlch includes two network circuits. The two.available circuits of the support member 312 are coupled to:the connector 10 and alternately available for use, and ; to the incoming conductors-(not illustrated) coupled to telephone signal equipment-through the terminals:314, 316, 318 and-320. A switch 322 is provided and.extends outwardly through the~sidewall.;member 304.for~selecting:.the desired network clrcuit.
- Re~erring.to.Figures 23-26, still another connector assembly.embodiment.~of the.present invention is.illustrated.
In this particular embodiment, a connector-assembly 330 is.
pr~vlded for selectively receiving a plurality of impedance networks.to permit selective-interconnection of a plurality o~.remote:signal.stations hav.ing predetermined signal 30: characteristics to-a central signal:processing system.
The connector assembly 330 includes an enclosure.
332 structured to selectively receive a plurality of dual.
circuit-impedance networks 334, which are ~unctionally the same-as the impedance networks 312 of Figure 22, and/or a plurality of single circuit impedance networks 336., which are ~unctionally~the same as the.impedance networks 292-of Figure 21. The enclosure 332 is also struc~ured to receive suitable electrical connectors for interconnecting a plur-ality of remote signal stat~ons to a central signal processing 1~4~268 system .
Brie~ly, each dùal clrcuit impedance network 334 i8 of the type whlch includes a first network circuit in-cluding a single impedance element 400 which may be utillzed for interconnecting a telephone remote signal stabion to a central signal processing system, and a second network clr-cuit taking the form of an impedance pad circuit having a plurality of lmpedance elements and whlch 19 suitable for interconnecting a modem or data set to a central signal processing system. The first network circuit's single lmpedance element 400 preferably consists of a one-quarter watt resistor. The second network circuit elements prefer-ably includes four.two-watt resistors 402, 404, 406, 408, a one-~watt---resistor 410~ and-a-capacitor 412. The components of the first and second network circuits are mounted on a substrate comprlslng a printed circuit board 414 which includes on its-underside a deposited lead pattern (not shown) interconnecting the component parts to form the second network circuit or pad clrcuit and interconnecting the first network circuit single impedance element 400 in circuit.
The impedance network also includes a switch 416 mounted on the board 414. The switch 416 is provided to selectively actuate the second network circult or pad circuit should that mode of operation be desired. The swltch 416 prefer-ably includes a control arm 418 which extends beyond theperiphery of the board 414.
The board 414 also carries external contacts (not illustrated) whiQh are coupled to portions of the impedance network circuits by the deposited lead pattern on the underside of the board 414. The external contacts are utilized for interconnecting a remote signal station to a central signal processing system in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.
Each single circuit impedance network 336 is the equlvalent of the first network circuit of the impedance network 334. More specifically, the impedance network 336 includes a single resistor 420 mounted on a substrate consisting of a printed circuit board 422. The circuit board 422 includes a deposited lead pattern 424 inter-' 'Z68 connectlng the reslstor 420 to external contacts (not illustrated) disposed on the board 422 for lnterconnecting a remote ~ignal station to a central signal proaessing ~ystem as described below.
The enclosure 332 is preferably defined by a plur-allty of sidewall members 338, 340, 342 and 344 and a bottom wall member 346. First multiple contact means 348 lnclude a first plurality of contact elements and are dispo~ed within the enclosure 332 for terminating a multl-conduator cable 350 which ls coupled to a central signal processing system, such as telephone signal equlpment or a telephone central offlce. In preferred form, the first contact means 348 lnclude two mateable multiple-contact connector components - 352 and 354, each having a plurallty o~ contact elements 15- (not illustrated) engageable with the contact elements of i its mating connector component. Preferably, the contact means 34~ constitute Amphenol 57 or 157 Series connector components or the like. The connector component 352 is ; mounted to the bottom wall member 346, and the connector component 354-is adapted to terminate-the conductors of the cable 350 and to be mounted to and engaged-wlth the connector component 352.
The enclosure 332 also includes a second multiple-contact means 356 havlng a second plurality of contact elements (not illustrated), and a~intermediate multiple-contact means 358 having at least one third plurality of contact-elements (not illustrated). .The intermedlate con-tact mean~ 358 includes a plurality of intermediate multiple-contact connectors 360 mounted to the bottom-wall member 346 3 ad~acent the sidewall member 342. Each of the intermediate conneGtors 360 preferably includes a rectangular body portion--361 and a base portion 362 which is secured to the bottom wall member 346 by screws 363 or ~ivet. Each body portlon 361 ls adapted to rece~ve an impedance network 334 or 336 and contains a third plurallty of contact elements for electrical engagement wlth the approprlate external contacts (not lllustrated) of the engaged impedance network 334, 336. Circuit means (not lllustrated) are also provided in the enclosure 332 for selectively interconnecting each , . .

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thlrd plurallty of contact elements in sald connectors 358 wlth the first plurality o~ contact elements in the connec-tor component 352. It should be noted that the switch arm 418 of each impedance network 334 proJects through a slot 366 in the sidewall member 338 ~or access outslde the enclo-.
sure 332.
To mount the second connector contact means 356 to the enclosure 332~ a pair of channel members 368 are disposed ~long the inside edges o~ the sidewall member 340 and are ~o adapted to slidingly receive a support member 370 thereln.
The channel members 368 are arranged to mount the support member 370 spaced from and parallel with the inner ~urface Or the sidewall member 340. The second contact means 3~6 are disposed on the suppor-t member 370 as-described below, and an opening 372 is located in the sidewall member 340 to provide access to the second contact means 356 from out-side the enclosure 332.
In one form of this embodiment~ as illustrated in Figures 23-25, the second contact means 356 consists of a 20 plurality of the modular interface connectors 10', although the connector 10 may also be readily utilized. The 3upport member 370 includes a plurality of recessed portions 374 each having a pair of spaced shoulders 376, 378 for slidably recelving the second mounting structure 82' of each connec-tor 10'. Each recessed portion 374 is preferably adaptedto receive at least two connectors 10' mounted ad~acent each other with their cavities 26 ' facing the opening 372. Thus, each connector 10' is accessible from outside the enclosure 332 for engagement with a plug 12 ' terminating a conductor 30 13 (Figure 10) coupled to a remote signal station such as an individual telephone unit. Circuit means (not illustrated) are provided in the enclosure 332 to electrically engage the second contact elements (not illustrated) of each connector 10' to the plurality of third contact elements of one 35 intermediate connector 360 to thereby electrically couple each connector 10' to the central signal processing system by way of an intermediate connector 360 and the first con-tact means 348. It should be noted that the support member 370 is removably engageable with the channels 368 to permit ^` 11~4~68 ~ub~titutlon of alternate forms of secon~ contact means 356 as described below.
The above embodiment ls particularly useful when interconnecting indivldual telephone unit conductors direct-ly to the cable 350. However, in certain instances the~ndivldual telephone unit conductors 13 (Figures 1 and 10) have already been interconnected to a single multl-conductor cable 375 through use of adapters such as those illustrated in Figures 15 and 20, although the signals therefrom have not yet been attenuated. To attenuate the signals from individual telephone units and to interconnect such units with a central signal processing system, an alternate form of the second contact means 356 is illustrated in Figure 26.
In this form of the invention, the contact means incl~des a multi-contact element connector component 377 mounted to a support member 379. The connector aomponent 377 is preferably an Amphenol 57 or 157 Series connector component which is mateable with another connector component (not illustrated) which terminates the cable 375 carrying the conductors coupled to the individual telephone units.
The support member 379 is slidably mountable in the channels 368 ~imilar to the support member 370, the contact elements 380 of the component 377 being accessible for mating engage-- ment through the opening 372 Circuit means are also pro-vided in the enclosure 332 for electrically interconnecting selected contact elements 380 with appropriate third plural-ities of contact elements of the intermediate connectors 360 ` to interconnect the connector component 377 with the first contact means 348 and a central signal processing sy.qtem.
Referring to Figures 23, 25 and 269 a cover 382 is provided for engaging the enclosure 332 to protect the - components thereof from environmental contamination and the like. The cover 382 preferably includes a top member 384 and a plurality of depending sidewalls 386, 388~ 390 and 392.
The sidewall 386 includes a notched opening 393 to provide an exit port ~rom the enclosure 332 for the cable 350. The sidewall 388 includes an opening 394 which cooperates with the opening 372 when the cover 382 is engaged with the enclosure 332 to provide access to the second contact means 356. In addltlon, an outwardly protruding llp member 395 i8 dlsposed on the lowermost edges o~ the sldewalls 386-392 to engage the enclosure sldewall members 338-344, respectlve-ly. FinallyJ to removably lock the cover 382 in posltlon on the enclosure 332, a palr o~ reslllent latch members 396, 397 are disposed, respectlvely, on the sldewalls 386 and 390 for latchlng engagement with a palr of catches 398 and 399 dlsposed on the sidewall members 338 and 342, respectively.
~ 10 The connector assembly 330 is pre-wired as dls-i cussed above and with the conductive lead pattern of the prlnted clrcuit board 414 interconnecting the varlous ele-ments thereon, all of the requirements found in the rules and-regulations, Appendix A-59, appearing in the Federal reglster, Vol. 4i, No. 134, dated Monday, July 12, 1976, will be satisfied. Also, those requirements are satlsfled àt the lnstant the circuit board 414 or 422 is interconnected with an intermediate connector 360. Therefore, the inter-connections between a remote signal statlon and a central signal processing system can be achieved with the present invention without on-site installation wir~ng.
The presentinvention, therefore, provides improved modular interface connectors and unique connector assemblies incorporatlng such improved connectors. The modular con-nectors o~ the invention include universal mounting struc-tures which permit the connectors to be slidably mounted in various configurations, orientations and arrangements to satisfy a number of diverse connection requirements. In addltion, the connectors of the invention and their mounting structures can be molded in a single-action mold to thereby reduce the costs of manufacture. Furthermore, a un~que comb structure and a slmplified bus bar mounting structure are provided which simplify the fabrication of the con-nectors and thereby further reduce the cost of manufacture.
The improved connector of the invention also permits the construction of a wide variety of improved connector assemblies utilizing a limited number of interchangeable component parts for interconnecting remote signal stations to a central signal processing system. Prior connector .

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-- ~lg4~8 asæemblies were generally indivldually unique for each speciflc lnterconnection requirement with very few lnter-changeable components. However, the connector assemblles of the present invention have the same baslc components which can be rearranged in dlfferent combinations to meet a multlpllcity of lnterconnectlon needs including adapters, brldging assemblles, modem or data Jacks, ~unction assemblles and varlous combinations thereof. Therefore, the present lnvention simplifles the construction of such connector asse~
blies by reducing on-site wlrlng requirements as well as slgnlficantly reduces the requirement of large, dlverse lnventories of assembly component parts.
It will be understood that the invention may be ; embodied ln other speclfic forms wlthout departlng from the spirlt or central characteristlcs thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered ln all respects as illustratlve and not restrictive, and the inventlon is not to be limited to the details given herein but may be modified within the scope of the appended clalms.

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Claims (15)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An electrical connector adapted to be mounted in a support member, comprising: a housing including a front wall having an aperture therein, a back wall and a plurality of sidewalls defining a cavity for receiving a mating electrical connector through said aperture, a plurality of contact elements mounted on said housing and having active contact portions in-cluding free ends projecting into said cavity for electrical engagement with said mating electrical connector; barrier means releasably engageable with said housing and insertable within said cavity for separating and aligning the active portions of said contact elements and for preventing access through said aperture to the free ends of said active contact portions; and means for mounting said connector housing in said support member.

2. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said barrier means comprises a comb member including a plurality of spaced-apart teeth projecting from a base por-tion, said teeth being adapted for insertion between said active contact portions as said comb member is inserted into said cavity.

3. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said contact elements are supported in contact mounting sockets disposed within one said sidewall, each said active contact portion projecting angularly from said one sidewall into said cavity toward said back wall, and wherein the base portion of said comb member is adapted for bias engagement against said active contact portions proximate the free ends thereof between said teeth when said comb member is fully inserted into said cavity.

4. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 2.
wherein the inner surfaces of two opposed sidewalls include guide slots for slidingly receiving and guiding said comb member during insertion into and removal from said cavity, said guide slots including locking members for releasably maintaining said comb member within said cavity.

5. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said housing and said mounting means comprise an integrally molded plastic unit configured to allow the fabri-cation of said unit in a single-action mold.

6. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said support member includes spaced-apart shoulders for mounting said connector therein, and wherein said mounting means comprises first mounting means disposed on a pair of oppositely facing sidewalls for slidably mounting said housing in said support member at any selected position between said shoulders and wherein the central axis of said cavity normal to said aperture is aligned in a first direction relative to the plane defined by said shoulders, and second mounting means disposed on a pair of oppositely facing sidewalls for slidably mounting said housing in said support member at any selected position between said shoulders and wherein the central axis of said cavity is aligned in a second direction relative to said plane and substantially perpendicular to said first dir-ection, said first and second mounting means each including retention means for firmly maintaining said housing in said selected position between said shoulders.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said retention means comprises embossments integral with said housing and adapted to biasly engage said shoulders to firmly maintain said shoulders within said mounting means.

8. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said first mounting means comprises a pair of mounting channels disposed along the outer surfaces of the respective pair of oppositely facing sidewalls and aligned directly opposite each other along lines substantially parallel with said central axis, said channels intersecting said front and back walls and slidably receiving said shoulders therein to mount said housing within said support member.

9. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said second mounting means comprises a pair of mounting channels disposed on the outer surfaces of the respective pair of oppositely facing sidewalls and aligned directly opposite each other along lines substantially perpendicular to said central axis, said channels intersecting the sidewalls adjacent the oppositely facing sidewalls of said second mounting means and slidably receiving said shoulders therein to mount said housing within said support member.

10. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said channels are defined by a plurality of projections disposed on the respective pairs of oppositely facing sidewalls, said retention means being disposed on the channel-forming surfaces of the projections forming each said channel and com-prising at least one pliable tab member disposed on said channel-forming surfaces for bias engagement against the shoulder inserted within said channel.

11. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said channels are defined by a plurality of projections disposed on the respective pairs of oppositely facing sidewalls, said retention means being disposed on the channel-forming surfaces of the projections forming each said channel and com-prising at least one pliable tab member disposed on said channel-forming surfaces for bias engagement against the shoulder inserted within said channel.

12. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein said housing, said plurality of projections and said at least one pliable tab member comprise an integrally molded plastic unit configured to allow the fabrication of said unit in a single-action mold.

13. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said mounting means further include a mounting bar projecting from one said sidewall for engagement with said support member between said shoulders to stabilize said housing relative to said support member.

14. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said support member comprises a printed circuit board, and wherein said shoulders comprise opposed side edges of a recessed portion disposed in said circuit board.

15. The electrical connector as described in Claim 8 or 9, wherein said retention means comprise integral embossments disposed within said mounting channels and adapted to biasly engage said shoulders to firmly maintain said shoulders within said channels at any said selected position.