CA2077362C - Telecommunications service entry installation - Google Patents
Telecommunications service entry installation Download PDFInfo
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- CA2077362C CA2077362C CA 2077362 CA2077362A CA2077362C CA 2077362 C CA2077362 C CA 2077362C CA 2077362 CA2077362 CA 2077362 CA 2077362 A CA2077362 A CA 2077362A CA 2077362 C CA2077362 C CA 2077362C
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- junction box
- conductors
- box
- distribution box
- distribution
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- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
Abstract
A telecommunications service entry installation includes an entry box receiving a multiconductor cable. A Bix ® block within the entry box has conductors from the cable punched into it. Fusible links are also punched into the Bix block and extend to a male connector mounted on a side wall of the entry box to connect electrically the conductors of the cable to the male connector. A distribution box is located beside the entry box and has a female connector on one of its sides which mates with the male connector to connect electrically the two boxes. Conductors within the connector box extend from the female connector and are connected to some terminal contacts of a protector panel. A Bix ® block is also located in the distribution box and has conductors extending from the other terminal contacts of the protector panel punched into it. Other conductors are punched into the Bix ®
block and extend to telecommunications equipment. When plug-in protector assemblies are inserted into the sockets of the protector panel, the telecommunications equipment is connected electrically to the conductors of the cable.
block and extend to telecommunications equipment. When plug-in protector assemblies are inserted into the sockets of the protector panel, the telecommunications equipment is connected electrically to the conductors of the cable.
Description
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE ENTRY INSTALLATION
Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment and in particular to a telecommunications service entry installation.
Background Of The Invention Service entry installations in telecommunications systems to connect external telecommunications lines to internal telecommunications equipment are well known in the art. These installations are used to protect telecommunications equipment from overloads that may occur on the external telecommunications cables due to lightening strikes or other electrical faults.
Conventional installations have included a single housing divided into a number of isolated compartments. Usually the rear compartment of the housing defines the splice chamber in which the individual lines of the external telecommunications cable are separated. The front of the splice chamber is often in the form of a door which constitutes the back of a connection chamber. The separated conductors from the external telecommunications cable are connected to a multiconductor fuse assembly within the splice chamber before being passed through the door and electrically connected to a connector panel. The connector panel also has internal conductors connected to it which extend to telecommunications equipment. Fuses are plugged into the sockets of the connector panel to connect electrically the internal conductors to the external conductors and to provide additional protection to the telecommunications equipment.
Although these installations function satisfactorily, problems exist in that if an overload occurs on the external telecommunications cable and the fuse assembly in the splice chamber blows, the entire installation must be discarded and replaced even though sections of it may have been uninjured during the overload. This occurs because the splice chamber and the connection chamber are located in the same housing and are only separated by dividing walls. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved telecommunications service entry installation.
Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment and in particular to a telecommunications service entry installation.
Background Of The Invention Service entry installations in telecommunications systems to connect external telecommunications lines to internal telecommunications equipment are well known in the art. These installations are used to protect telecommunications equipment from overloads that may occur on the external telecommunications cables due to lightening strikes or other electrical faults.
Conventional installations have included a single housing divided into a number of isolated compartments. Usually the rear compartment of the housing defines the splice chamber in which the individual lines of the external telecommunications cable are separated. The front of the splice chamber is often in the form of a door which constitutes the back of a connection chamber. The separated conductors from the external telecommunications cable are connected to a multiconductor fuse assembly within the splice chamber before being passed through the door and electrically connected to a connector panel. The connector panel also has internal conductors connected to it which extend to telecommunications equipment. Fuses are plugged into the sockets of the connector panel to connect electrically the internal conductors to the external conductors and to provide additional protection to the telecommunications equipment.
Although these installations function satisfactorily, problems exist in that if an overload occurs on the external telecommunications cable and the fuse assembly in the splice chamber blows, the entire installation must be discarded and replaced even though sections of it may have been uninjured during the overload. This occurs because the splice chamber and the connection chamber are located in the same housing and are only separated by dividing walls. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved telecommunications service entry installation.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of the disadvantages associated with prior art telecommunications service entry installations.
Summary Of The Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating male and female connectors, one of said male and female connectors being on said junction box and the other of said male and female connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one said of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said male and female connectors into and out of mating engagement.
Summary Of The Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating male and female connectors, one of said male and female connectors being on said junction box and the other of said male and female connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one said of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said male and female connectors into and out of mating engagement.
Preferably, the releasable connection means is in the form of mating male and female multi-pin connectors with one of the connectors being on each of the boxes. It is also preferred that each of the boxes is releasably mounted on a back plate with at least one of the boxes being slidable laterally with respect to the other of the boxes to bring the male and female connectors into and out of mating engagement.
Preferably, the junction box has a Bix~ block in it which receives the conductors from the cable on one set of its terminals. Fusible links extend between the other set of the Bix~ block's terminals and the connector on the box to constitute the fuse means. It is also preferred that the distribution box houses a protector panel which allows selective ones of the conductors extending from telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to the connector box.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said mating connectors being on said junction box and the other of said mating connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and said distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said mating connectors into and out of mating engagement.
Preferably, the junction box has a Bix~ block in it which receives the conductors from the cable on one set of its terminals. Fusible links extend between the other set of the Bix~ block's terminals and the connector on the box to constitute the fuse means. It is also preferred that the distribution box houses a protector panel which allows selective ones of the conductors extending from telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to the connector box.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said mating connectors being on said junction box and the other of said mating connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and said distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said mating connectors into and out of mating engagement.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said connectors being on said junction box and the other of said connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, wherein said distribution box houses a protector panel, said protector panel having terminals with some of the terminals being electrically connected to the connector on said distribution box and the remainder of the terminals being connected to one set of terminals of second connection means, a second set of terminals of said second connection means being in electrical communication with said one set of terminals and receiving conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said protector panel allowing selected ones of said conductors from said telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to the mating connector on said distribution box.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned adjacent one another; and releasable connectors on said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, the interior of said junction box being accessible when said junction and distribution boxes are electrically connected.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable connectors on adjacent sides of said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other.
The present invention provides advantages in that in the event of an overload on the multiconductor cable, the fusible links vaporize to isolate the telecommunications equipment from the cable, while confining the fuse condition to the junction box. This maintains the remainder of the installation in working order. Also, since the junction box and the distribution box are easily separable, replacement of the junction box after the occurrence of a fuse condition is facilitated. Thus, in the event of such a fuse condition, only the junction box needs to be replaced.
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said connectors being on said junction box and the other of said connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, wherein said distribution box houses a protector panel, said protector panel having terminals with some of the terminals being electrically connected to the connector on said distribution box and the remainder of the terminals being connected to one set of terminals of second connection means, a second set of terminals of said second connection means being in electrical communication with said one set of terminals and receiving conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said protector panel allowing selected ones of said conductors from said telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to the mating connector on said distribution box.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned adjacent one another; and releasable connectors on said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, the interior of said junction box being accessible when said junction and distribution boxes are electrically connected.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable connectors on adjacent sides of said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other.
The present invention provides advantages in that in the event of an overload on the multiconductor cable, the fusible links vaporize to isolate the telecommunications equipment from the cable, while confining the fuse condition to the junction box. This maintains the remainder of the installation in working order. Also, since the junction box and the distribution box are easily separable, replacement of the junction box after the occurrence of a fuse condition is facilitated. Thus, in the event of such a fuse condition, only the junction box needs to be replaced.
Brief Description Of The Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a telecommunications service entry installation in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the telecommunications service entry installation illustrated in Figure 1 with individual boxes of the telecommunications service entry installation exposed;
Figure 3 is an enlarged, rear view of a portion of one of the boxes illustrated in Figure 2;
Figure 4a is an enlarged, front view of the box of Figure 3 in an engaged condition;
Figure 4b is an enlarged front view of the box of Figure 3 in a disengaged condition;
Figure 5 is a perspective view taken from the rear of the interior of the other box illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the telecommunications service entry installation illustrated in Figure 1.
Detailed Descriation Of The Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 6, a telecommunications service entry installation is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral 10.
The telecommunications service entry installation includes a multiconductor cable 12 passing through a junction box 14 usually referred to in the telecommunications industry as a service entry panel. A protector or distribution box 16 (hereinafter referred to as "distribution box") is located beside the junction box 14 and is electrically connected to it as will be described. The two boxes 14 and 16 are mounted on a back plate 18 which itself can be mounted on a wall or other suitable support surface via fasteners (not shown) passing through slots 19 in the back plate 18.
The junction box 14 is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,023,397 to Tomes et al and assigned to Circa Telecommunications Inc., assignee of the present application. The junction box 14 includes a rear panel 20 and peripheral side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28. An inturned lip 30 is formed along the front edge of each side wall. A flange 31 is also formed on the side wall 26 below the lip 30 (see Figure 4a). A door 32 is hinged to the side wall 22 near its front edge so as to be spaced from the rear panel 20. The door 32 has a lock 34 on it which when turned with the door closed moves between the space defined between the lip 30 and the flange 31. A bolt 36 surrounded by a circular cup 38 is on the door 32 and is engageable with a threaded aperture 40 formed in the lip 30 on the side wall 26. The bolt 36 is accessible only with a specialized tool and is used to prevent unauthorized access to the junction box 14. To permit passage of the cable 12 into the junction box 14, each of the side walls 24 and 28 is provided with an aperture 42. The cable 12 is protected within the apertures 42 by grommets 44.
Each of the side walls 24 and 28 is made in two portions indicated by reference numerals 24a, 28a, 24b and 28b respectively. The portions 24a, 28a of side walls 24 and 28 are secured to the side wall 22 whereas the portions 24b and 28b of side walls 24 and 28 are secured to the side wall 28. The portions of each side wall meet along the centre line of the aperture 42 so that the junction box 14 may be removed from around the cable 12 without disturbing it. The side wall 22 is secured to the rear panel 20 by a flange 50 integrally formed with the side wall. Upstanding studs 52 on the rear panel 20 pass through slots 54 formed in the flange 50 and receive nuts 56 to secure the side wall 22 to the rear panel 20. Upstanding studs 58 are also provided on both portions of the side walls 24 and 28. The studs 58 pass through apertures formed in flanges 62 bridging the junction between the side wall portions. Nuts 64 engage the studs 58 to secure the side wall portions together.
The rear panel 20 has elongate slots 22a formed in it through which threaded studs 22b extending from the back plate 18 pass. Nuts 22c engage the studs 22b to secure the junction box 14 to the back plate 18.
When the nuts 22c are loosened, the junction box 14 is laterally slidable away from the distribution box 16 (see Figure 4b).
-$-Within the junction box 14 is located a Bix~ block 70 mounted on a rectangular support structure 72 (see Figure 3). The support structure 72 includes a top panel 74 and side walls 76, 78 80 and 82 about the periphery of the top panel 74. The rear edges of the side panels rest on the rear panel 20 to space the Bix~ block 70 from the rear panel 20. Flanges 84 extend outwardly from the rear edge of the side walls 76 and 80 at spaced locations and receive threaded studs 86 upstanding from the rear panel 20.
Nuts 88 engage the studs 86 to secure the support structure 72 within the junction box 14.
A pair of flanges 90 are also provided on side walls 76 and 80 near the top panel 74 and are generally in the same plane as the top panel.
The flanges 90 have threaded apertures 92 formed in them. A cover 94 overlies the support structure 72 to cover the Bix~ block 70 and includes flanges 96 which overlie flanges 90 when the cover 94 is in place. Screws 98 pass through apertures 100 in the flanges 96 and engage the threaded apertures 92 to secure the cover 94 on the support structure 72.
The cover 94 has a portion of one of its side walls removed (not shown) to permit conductors 103 extending from the cable 12 to pass. The conductors are punched into the upper row of terminals 70a of the Bix~ block 70. Similarly, the side wall 76 of the structure 72 adjacent side panel 26 has an aperture (not shown) formed in it so that fusible conductors 106 punched into the bottom row of terminals 70b of the Bix~ block 70 can pass. The fusible conductors 106 are bundled and held by straps 108 and terminate at a multi-pin, male connector 112 mounted on side wall 26 of the junction box 14.
The gauge of the fusible conductors 106 is selected based on the type of service supplying the telecommunications service entry installation 10.
The distribution box 16 includes a rear panel 120 having an upturned lip 122 formed about its periphery. The rear panel 120 has apertures in it which receive upstanding threaded studs 121 on the back plate 18. Nuts 123 engage the studs 121 to secure the rear panel 120 to the back plate 18. Side walls 124 to 130 of the distribution box 16 pass over the upturned lip 122 and abut against the back plate 18. Side walls 126 and 130 _g_ have apertures 132 formed through them which align with threaded apertures 134 in the upturned lip 122. Screws 136 pass through the apertures 132 and engage the apertures 134 in the lip 122 to secure the side walls to the rear panel 120. A top panel 138 is integrally formed with the front edge of the side walls and has a centrally located aperture formed in it.
Within the aperture is located a protector panel 140 such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,044,962 to Tomes et al and assigned to the present assignee. The protector panel 140 is mounted within the distribution box 16 so that the front face 142 of the panel 140 is flush with the planar surface of the top panel 138. The protector panel 140 includes a mounting panel 144 and a rear face plate 146 removably secured to the back face of the mounting panel. The mounting panel 144 and the face plate 146 are formed of insulating, moulded plastic. An array of sockets 148 is formed through the mounting panel 144.
Within the sockets 148 are located terminal contacts 154. The rear end of some of the terminal contacts 154 pass through apertures formed in the rear face plate 146. The rear end of the other terminal contacts 154 terminate in grooves 156 formed in the back face of mounting panel 144 and are covered by the face plate 146. Ground conductors (not shown) extend along the grooves 156 and are soldered at one end to a bus bar 160 running along one side of the mounting panel 140. A ground conductor 162 extends from the bus bar 160 and is connected to an external ground connector 164 provided on side wall 124. A second ground connector 166 is also provided on the side wall and is electrically connected to ground connector 164 by a shielded conductor 168 within the distribution box 16.
A Bix~ block 170 running alongside the protector panel 140 is mounted on the distribution box 16 by screws 172 passing through the side walls. The bottom row of terminals 170k of the Bix~ block 170 is within the distribution box 16 and has conductors 174 extending from some of the individual terminal contacts 154 punched into its terminals. The other terminal contacts 154 receive conductors 176 extending from a female connector 178 on side wall 128. The female connector 178 mates with male connector 112 on side wall 26 to connect electrically the two boxes 14 and 16 respectively.
The top row of terminals 170b of the Bix~ block 170 has conductors 180 extending to telecommunications equipment (not shown) located at the telecommunications service entry installation 10 punched into its terminals. A conductor guide 182 runs along side the Bix~ block 170 to hold the conductors 180 punched into the Bix~ block 170 in place. A cover 186 is hingedly mounted on a flange 188 secured to the top panel 138 to cover the protector panel 140 and the Bix~ block 170. The cover has a flange 190 on it which allows a screw 192 to pass and engage with a threaded aperture 194 in the top panel. This allows the cover 190 to be secured in a closed condition (see Figure 1 ). A portion of the cover side wall is removed over the guide 182 so as not to interface with the conductors 180. When the cover 190 is in the open condition as seen in Figure 2, plug-in type protector assemblies 200 can be inserted into the sockets to connect electrically the conductors 180 to the conductors of the cable 12 when the female and male connectors 112 and 178 respectively are in mating engagement.
In use, when plug-in protector assemblies 200 are received in the sockets 148 of the protector panel 140, the conductors 174 extending between the terminal contacts 154 and the Bix~ block 170 and the conductors 176 extending between the terminal contacts 154 and the female connector 178 are electrically connected. When the male connector 112 is in mating engagement with the female connector, the telecommunications equipment is electrically connected to the conductors of the cable 12.
If an overload occurs on the cable 12, it is passed to the fusible conductors 106 via the conductors 103 of the cable and the Bix~ block 70.
When the overload exceeds the rating of the fusible conductors 106, the fusible conductors 106 vaporize thereby electrically isolating the junction box 14 from the distribution box 16. This ensures that the fuse condition is confined to the junction box 14. If this occurs, with the present design replacement of the junction box 14 is readily achievable and this is done by removing the nuts 22c from studs 22b and sliding the junction box 14 laterally away from the distribution box 16. This releases the male and female connectors 112 and 178 and thus, physically isolates the two boxes. The nuts 64 holding the flanges 62 to the side walls are then removed from the studs 58 and the conductors of the cable 12 are pulled from the Bix~ block 70. The nuts 56 fastening the flange 50 to the rear panel 20 are also removed from the upstanding studs 52. Once this is done, the junction box 14 can be removed from the back plate 18 and from around the cable 12 without disturbing the cable.
Replacement of the junction box 14 is achieved in the reverse order by connecting the side wall portions together via the flanges 62 to surround the cable 12 and by securing the flange 50 to the rear panel 20. The junction box 14 is then placed on the back plate 18 with the studs 22b passing through the slots 22a. The nuts 22c can then be engaged with the studs but the junction box 14 must be moved towards the distribution box 16 to mate the connectors 112 and 178 before the nuts 22c are tightened.
If the overload is not sufficient to vaporize the fusible conductors 106, but is significant, the plug-in protector assemblies 200 will act as fuses to isolate the telecommunications equipment from the conductors of the cable 12.
The present invention provides advantages in that if an overload occurs on the incoming cable 12 and the fusible conductors 106 vaporize, the fuse condition is confined to the junction box 14 which can be easily removed from the remainder of the telecommunications service entry installation 10 without requiring rewiring of the remaining installation and without disturbing the incoming cable. This overcomes the drawbacks associated with conventional telecommunications service entry installations wherein the entire installation must be replaced if a fuse condition occurs.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a telecommunications service entry installation in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the telecommunications service entry installation illustrated in Figure 1 with individual boxes of the telecommunications service entry installation exposed;
Figure 3 is an enlarged, rear view of a portion of one of the boxes illustrated in Figure 2;
Figure 4a is an enlarged, front view of the box of Figure 3 in an engaged condition;
Figure 4b is an enlarged front view of the box of Figure 3 in a disengaged condition;
Figure 5 is a perspective view taken from the rear of the interior of the other box illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the telecommunications service entry installation illustrated in Figure 1.
Detailed Descriation Of The Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 6, a telecommunications service entry installation is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral 10.
The telecommunications service entry installation includes a multiconductor cable 12 passing through a junction box 14 usually referred to in the telecommunications industry as a service entry panel. A protector or distribution box 16 (hereinafter referred to as "distribution box") is located beside the junction box 14 and is electrically connected to it as will be described. The two boxes 14 and 16 are mounted on a back plate 18 which itself can be mounted on a wall or other suitable support surface via fasteners (not shown) passing through slots 19 in the back plate 18.
The junction box 14 is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,023,397 to Tomes et al and assigned to Circa Telecommunications Inc., assignee of the present application. The junction box 14 includes a rear panel 20 and peripheral side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28. An inturned lip 30 is formed along the front edge of each side wall. A flange 31 is also formed on the side wall 26 below the lip 30 (see Figure 4a). A door 32 is hinged to the side wall 22 near its front edge so as to be spaced from the rear panel 20. The door 32 has a lock 34 on it which when turned with the door closed moves between the space defined between the lip 30 and the flange 31. A bolt 36 surrounded by a circular cup 38 is on the door 32 and is engageable with a threaded aperture 40 formed in the lip 30 on the side wall 26. The bolt 36 is accessible only with a specialized tool and is used to prevent unauthorized access to the junction box 14. To permit passage of the cable 12 into the junction box 14, each of the side walls 24 and 28 is provided with an aperture 42. The cable 12 is protected within the apertures 42 by grommets 44.
Each of the side walls 24 and 28 is made in two portions indicated by reference numerals 24a, 28a, 24b and 28b respectively. The portions 24a, 28a of side walls 24 and 28 are secured to the side wall 22 whereas the portions 24b and 28b of side walls 24 and 28 are secured to the side wall 28. The portions of each side wall meet along the centre line of the aperture 42 so that the junction box 14 may be removed from around the cable 12 without disturbing it. The side wall 22 is secured to the rear panel 20 by a flange 50 integrally formed with the side wall. Upstanding studs 52 on the rear panel 20 pass through slots 54 formed in the flange 50 and receive nuts 56 to secure the side wall 22 to the rear panel 20. Upstanding studs 58 are also provided on both portions of the side walls 24 and 28. The studs 58 pass through apertures formed in flanges 62 bridging the junction between the side wall portions. Nuts 64 engage the studs 58 to secure the side wall portions together.
The rear panel 20 has elongate slots 22a formed in it through which threaded studs 22b extending from the back plate 18 pass. Nuts 22c engage the studs 22b to secure the junction box 14 to the back plate 18.
When the nuts 22c are loosened, the junction box 14 is laterally slidable away from the distribution box 16 (see Figure 4b).
-$-Within the junction box 14 is located a Bix~ block 70 mounted on a rectangular support structure 72 (see Figure 3). The support structure 72 includes a top panel 74 and side walls 76, 78 80 and 82 about the periphery of the top panel 74. The rear edges of the side panels rest on the rear panel 20 to space the Bix~ block 70 from the rear panel 20. Flanges 84 extend outwardly from the rear edge of the side walls 76 and 80 at spaced locations and receive threaded studs 86 upstanding from the rear panel 20.
Nuts 88 engage the studs 86 to secure the support structure 72 within the junction box 14.
A pair of flanges 90 are also provided on side walls 76 and 80 near the top panel 74 and are generally in the same plane as the top panel.
The flanges 90 have threaded apertures 92 formed in them. A cover 94 overlies the support structure 72 to cover the Bix~ block 70 and includes flanges 96 which overlie flanges 90 when the cover 94 is in place. Screws 98 pass through apertures 100 in the flanges 96 and engage the threaded apertures 92 to secure the cover 94 on the support structure 72.
The cover 94 has a portion of one of its side walls removed (not shown) to permit conductors 103 extending from the cable 12 to pass. The conductors are punched into the upper row of terminals 70a of the Bix~ block 70. Similarly, the side wall 76 of the structure 72 adjacent side panel 26 has an aperture (not shown) formed in it so that fusible conductors 106 punched into the bottom row of terminals 70b of the Bix~ block 70 can pass. The fusible conductors 106 are bundled and held by straps 108 and terminate at a multi-pin, male connector 112 mounted on side wall 26 of the junction box 14.
The gauge of the fusible conductors 106 is selected based on the type of service supplying the telecommunications service entry installation 10.
The distribution box 16 includes a rear panel 120 having an upturned lip 122 formed about its periphery. The rear panel 120 has apertures in it which receive upstanding threaded studs 121 on the back plate 18. Nuts 123 engage the studs 121 to secure the rear panel 120 to the back plate 18. Side walls 124 to 130 of the distribution box 16 pass over the upturned lip 122 and abut against the back plate 18. Side walls 126 and 130 _g_ have apertures 132 formed through them which align with threaded apertures 134 in the upturned lip 122. Screws 136 pass through the apertures 132 and engage the apertures 134 in the lip 122 to secure the side walls to the rear panel 120. A top panel 138 is integrally formed with the front edge of the side walls and has a centrally located aperture formed in it.
Within the aperture is located a protector panel 140 such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,044,962 to Tomes et al and assigned to the present assignee. The protector panel 140 is mounted within the distribution box 16 so that the front face 142 of the panel 140 is flush with the planar surface of the top panel 138. The protector panel 140 includes a mounting panel 144 and a rear face plate 146 removably secured to the back face of the mounting panel. The mounting panel 144 and the face plate 146 are formed of insulating, moulded plastic. An array of sockets 148 is formed through the mounting panel 144.
Within the sockets 148 are located terminal contacts 154. The rear end of some of the terminal contacts 154 pass through apertures formed in the rear face plate 146. The rear end of the other terminal contacts 154 terminate in grooves 156 formed in the back face of mounting panel 144 and are covered by the face plate 146. Ground conductors (not shown) extend along the grooves 156 and are soldered at one end to a bus bar 160 running along one side of the mounting panel 140. A ground conductor 162 extends from the bus bar 160 and is connected to an external ground connector 164 provided on side wall 124. A second ground connector 166 is also provided on the side wall and is electrically connected to ground connector 164 by a shielded conductor 168 within the distribution box 16.
A Bix~ block 170 running alongside the protector panel 140 is mounted on the distribution box 16 by screws 172 passing through the side walls. The bottom row of terminals 170k of the Bix~ block 170 is within the distribution box 16 and has conductors 174 extending from some of the individual terminal contacts 154 punched into its terminals. The other terminal contacts 154 receive conductors 176 extending from a female connector 178 on side wall 128. The female connector 178 mates with male connector 112 on side wall 26 to connect electrically the two boxes 14 and 16 respectively.
The top row of terminals 170b of the Bix~ block 170 has conductors 180 extending to telecommunications equipment (not shown) located at the telecommunications service entry installation 10 punched into its terminals. A conductor guide 182 runs along side the Bix~ block 170 to hold the conductors 180 punched into the Bix~ block 170 in place. A cover 186 is hingedly mounted on a flange 188 secured to the top panel 138 to cover the protector panel 140 and the Bix~ block 170. The cover has a flange 190 on it which allows a screw 192 to pass and engage with a threaded aperture 194 in the top panel. This allows the cover 190 to be secured in a closed condition (see Figure 1 ). A portion of the cover side wall is removed over the guide 182 so as not to interface with the conductors 180. When the cover 190 is in the open condition as seen in Figure 2, plug-in type protector assemblies 200 can be inserted into the sockets to connect electrically the conductors 180 to the conductors of the cable 12 when the female and male connectors 112 and 178 respectively are in mating engagement.
In use, when plug-in protector assemblies 200 are received in the sockets 148 of the protector panel 140, the conductors 174 extending between the terminal contacts 154 and the Bix~ block 170 and the conductors 176 extending between the terminal contacts 154 and the female connector 178 are electrically connected. When the male connector 112 is in mating engagement with the female connector, the telecommunications equipment is electrically connected to the conductors of the cable 12.
If an overload occurs on the cable 12, it is passed to the fusible conductors 106 via the conductors 103 of the cable and the Bix~ block 70.
When the overload exceeds the rating of the fusible conductors 106, the fusible conductors 106 vaporize thereby electrically isolating the junction box 14 from the distribution box 16. This ensures that the fuse condition is confined to the junction box 14. If this occurs, with the present design replacement of the junction box 14 is readily achievable and this is done by removing the nuts 22c from studs 22b and sliding the junction box 14 laterally away from the distribution box 16. This releases the male and female connectors 112 and 178 and thus, physically isolates the two boxes. The nuts 64 holding the flanges 62 to the side walls are then removed from the studs 58 and the conductors of the cable 12 are pulled from the Bix~ block 70. The nuts 56 fastening the flange 50 to the rear panel 20 are also removed from the upstanding studs 52. Once this is done, the junction box 14 can be removed from the back plate 18 and from around the cable 12 without disturbing the cable.
Replacement of the junction box 14 is achieved in the reverse order by connecting the side wall portions together via the flanges 62 to surround the cable 12 and by securing the flange 50 to the rear panel 20. The junction box 14 is then placed on the back plate 18 with the studs 22b passing through the slots 22a. The nuts 22c can then be engaged with the studs but the junction box 14 must be moved towards the distribution box 16 to mate the connectors 112 and 178 before the nuts 22c are tightened.
If the overload is not sufficient to vaporize the fusible conductors 106, but is significant, the plug-in protector assemblies 200 will act as fuses to isolate the telecommunications equipment from the conductors of the cable 12.
The present invention provides advantages in that if an overload occurs on the incoming cable 12 and the fusible conductors 106 vaporize, the fuse condition is confined to the junction box 14 which can be easily removed from the remainder of the telecommunications service entry installation 10 without requiring rewiring of the remaining installation and without disturbing the incoming cable. This overcomes the drawbacks associated with conventional telecommunications service entry installations wherein the entire installation must be replaced if a fuse condition occurs.
Claims (17)
1. ~A telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating male and female connectors, one of said male and female connectors being on said junction box and the other of said male and female connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one said of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said male and female connectors into and out of mating engagement.
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating male and female connectors, one of said male and female connectors being on said junction box and the other of said male and female connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one said of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said male and female connectors into and out of mating engagement.
2. ~An installation according to claim 1 wherein said male connector is on said junction box.
3. ~An installation according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said junction box is slidably laterally relative to said distribution box.
4. ~An installation according to claim 3 wherein said junction box has elongate slots therein receiving upstanding studs on said back plate, said junction box being slidable when fasteners on said studs are released.
-13-~
-13-~
5. ~An installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said junction box includes second connection means having one set of terminals receiving the conductors of said cable and a second set of terminals electrically connected to said one set of terminals and receiving fusible links, said fusible links extending to the connector on said junction box.
6. ~An installation according to claim 5 wherein said second connection means is a Bix ® block.
7. ~An installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said distribution box houses a protector panel therein including a plurality of terminals, some of the terminals of said protector panel being electrically connected to the connector on said distribution box and the remainder of said terminals of said protector panel being connected to one set of terminals of third connection means, a second set of terminals of said third connection means being in electrical communication with the one set of terminals of said third connection means and receiving conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said protector panel allowing selected ones of said conductors extending from said telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to the connector on said distribution box.
8. ~An installation according to claim 7 wherein said third connection means is a Bix ® block.
9. ~A telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said mating connectors being on said junction box and the other of said mating connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and said distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said mating connectors into and out of mating engagement.
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment; and releasable electrical connection means to connect electrically said junction box and distribution box and thereby connect electrically conductors of said cable to the conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said releasable electrical connection means including mating connectors, one of said mating connectors being on said junction box and the other of said mating connectors being on said distribution box, said junction box housing fuse means to isolate conductors of said cable from said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and said distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other of said junction box and distribution box to bring said mating connectors into and out of mating engagement.
10. ~An installation according to claim 9 wherein said junction box is slidable relative to said distribution box.
11. ~An installation according to claim 10 wherein said junction box has elongate slots therein receiving upstanding studs on said back plate, said junction box being slidable when fasteners on said studs are released.
12. ~An installation according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein said mating connectors include a male connector and a female connector and wherein said male connector is on said junction box.
13. ~An installation according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein said distribution box houses a protector panel, said protector panel having terminals with some of the terminals of the protector panel being electrically connected to the connector on said distribution box and the remainder of the terminals of said protector panel being connected to one set of terminals of second connection means, a second set of terminals of said second connection means being in electrical communication with said one set of terminals and receiving conductors from said telecommunications equipment, said protector panel allowing selected ones of said conductors from said telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to said mating connector on said distribution box.
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14. ~~A telecommunications service entry installation comprising:
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable connectors on adjacent sides of said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other.
a junction box for receiving a multiconductor cable;
a distribution box for receiving conductors from telecommunications equipment, said junction box and distribution box being positioned side by side; and releasable connectors on adjacent sides of said junction and distribution boxes to connect electrically said junction box and said distribution box and thereby connect conductors of said cable to conductors of said telecommunications equipment, said junction box including fuse means therein to isolate conductors of said cable from conductors of said telecommunications equipment in the event of a fuse condition and confine said fuse condition to said junction box, said junction box and said distribution box being releasably mounted on a back plate, one of said junction box and distribution box being slidable laterally relative to the other.
15. ~~An installation according to claim 14 wherein said junction box has elongate slots therein receiving upstanding studs on said back plate, said junction box being slidable relative to said distribution box when fasteners on said studs are released.
16. ~~An installation according to claim 14 or 15 wherein said distribution box houses a distribution panel allowing selected conductors from said telecommunications equipment to be electrically connected to conductors of said cable.
17. ~~An installation according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the interiors of said junction and distribution boxes are accessible when said junction and distribution boxes are electrically connected.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US91635992A | 1992-07-17 | 1992-07-17 | |
| US916,359 | 1992-07-17 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2077362A1 CA2077362A1 (en) | 1994-01-18 |
| CA2077362C true CA2077362C (en) | 2006-05-23 |
Family
ID=25437146
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2077362 Expired - Fee Related CA2077362C (en) | 1992-07-17 | 1992-09-02 | Telecommunications service entry installation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2077362C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2792038A4 (en) * | 2011-12-14 | 2015-11-11 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions | Service cable box |
-
1992
- 1992-09-02 CA CA 2077362 patent/CA2077362C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2792038A4 (en) * | 2011-12-14 | 2015-11-11 | Dirtt Environmental Solutions | Service cable box |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2077362A1 (en) | 1994-01-18 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |