CA2177185C - Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring - Google Patents
Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiringInfo
- Publication number
- CA2177185C CA2177185C CA002177185A CA2177185A CA2177185C CA 2177185 C CA2177185 C CA 2177185C CA 002177185 A CA002177185 A CA 002177185A CA 2177185 A CA2177185 A CA 2177185A CA 2177185 C CA2177185 C CA 2177185C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- modular
- modular jack
- crimp
- twisted
- cable
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Fee Related
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- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
Abstract
A hand-held tool for providing a crimping operation to terminate building wiring. The tool has cooperating first and second hand-held jaw members which define an opened position and a closed position; a modular jack receiving portion associated with said first jaw member for receiving portions of a crimp type modular jack; and an anvil section associated with the second jaw member having contact element driving portions spaced apart a distance. The contact element driving portions are capable of engaging, moving and compressing adjacent ones of a plurality of spaced contact elements of the crimp type modular jack into electrical contact with end portions of individual ones of a plurality of twisted-pair wires when the first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from the open position to the closed position. The anvil section also has a knuckle driving portion capable of inelastically deforming and forcing the knuckle of the crimp-type modular jack into engagement with the end portions of the plurality of twisted-pair wires forming a strain relief mechanical retention of the individual ones of the plurality of twisted-pair wires when the first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from the opened position to the closed position.
Description
21 77~85 Thls appllcatlon ls a dlvlslonal of Canadlan patent appllcatlon Serlal No. 2,042,489 flled May 13, 1991.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The lnventlon relates to a wlrlng dlstrlbutlon system uslng connectors, tools and methods for provldlng the mechanlcal and electrlcal lnterconnectlon between twlsted-palr wlrlng. More partlcularly, the lnventlon relates to a modular bulldlng wlring system lncludlng connectors and tools that provlde slmpllfled and efflclent termlnatlons for twlsted-palr wlrlng and the methods for formlng such lnterconnectlons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Twlsted-palr cable partlcularly ln bulldlng wlrlng systems provldes a transmlsslon medlum for communlcatlon of data or other slgnals at hlgh speeds, wlth great rellablllty and for relatlvely low cost. It wlll be understood by those skllled ln the art to whlch thls lnventlon pertalns that the term "twlsted-palr" cable refers to a plurallty of electrlcally conductlng wlres housed wlthln an lnsulatlve outer coverlng wlth each palr of wlres carrylng dlfferentlal slgnals and twlsted together to dlmlnlsh extraneous nolse or crosstalk whlch otherwlse reduces the lntegrlty of the slgnal.
In addltlon, the term "bulldlng wlre" refers to any twlsted-palr conductors that have a sufflclently long length that 2l 77las -would preclude other wiring types such as flat conductors due to the deterioration of ~ignal integrity over ~uch length. Building wiring typically connects a central computer to a plurality of remotely located user terminals and is routed between the central computer and the various user terminals by placlng it in locations such as in the walls or ceiling of a building.
In general, all of the twisted-pair wires used in bullding wiring are bundled together and surrounded by a cover thereby forming a substantially round cable.
Since all of the twisted-pairs of wire~ are arbitrarily collected or bundled together, each of the individual wires achieves a random orientation between the point of origin and the point of termination. When the distal end of the cable is termlnated, the individual wire conductors are disoriented with respect to their position at the point of origin and accordingly must be manipulated into an ordered sequence as prescribed by the terminating connector used. In addition, the individual wires comprising the twisted-pair cable are typically solid for improved transmission of information over long distances.
The flexibility found in stranded wire is unnecessary since buildlng wire is not exposed to as much strain or stress .
In contrast, when a cable i8 used in an external office space and the length of the transmission line i9 relatlvely short, the wire conductors comprising the transmission cable are placed in flat wire. In this arrangement, the individual wire conductors remain ordered within the flat housing at any point along the length of the cable between the point of origin and the point of 2 1 77 1 ~5 termination. In addition, the wire conductors used in flat cable for connecting data equipment are typically stranded to reduce fatigue from constant movement.
Known building wiring distributiQn systems have concentrated bundles Oe twlsted-pair wires to carry ~ignals from a central computer through the walls or ceiling of a building to a wall faceplate. For example, twenty-five pairs of wires are frequently bundled together and surrounded by a protective covering or sheath to form a ~ingle trunk cable of building wiring. The signals transmitted over building wiring can originate from virtually any source for example, computer mainframes, minicomputers, data storage systems or other data units.
Typically, this active equipment is located a substantial distance from the point o~ termlnation such as across a large room or on a different floor of a building. The point of termination is usually a wall panel or faceplate which receives the building wiring and pe~mit~ connection of external data equipment such as individual user terminals to the building wiring. Flat cable typically links such external data equipment to the point of termination at the wall panei.
In actual practice, a specified wallplate is not directly connected by building wire to a central or mainframe computer but rather the building wire is terminated and reconnected at various intermediate patch panels or punch blocks. Each one of these intermediate points at which the building wire i9 terminated and reconnected is referred to as a layer of connection. The patch panel is connected to the mainframe computer by building wiring and provides a point of distribution for signals carried by the building wiring ~rom the mainframe ~177185 computer. Punch blocks consolidate wires from individual wallplateg 80 that these individual wires can be connected to the patch panel by a trunk cable.
Patch panels have connection points comprising fixed numbers of certain types of hardwired connectors which are not easily changed. These connectors are dedicated to a speciflc type of mating connector or wiring configuration. The type of mating connector suitable for these connectors is predetermined according to the constructlon of the patch panel. Accordlngly, lf all the connectors are being used or if a dlfferent type of connector is required, an entirely new prewired patch panel must be installed to provide approprlate connectors or alternatively extenslve rewiring of the patch panel is required.
The front side o~ the patch panel has connectors for accessing building wlrlng carrying informatlon from the mainframe computer. Other connectors access building wiring carrying information ultimately to wallplates.
Patch cords are used to connect between these individual connectors to make a final connectlon between the computer and the wallplates.
The back of the patch panel i8 conflgured to accept connectors which terminate a plurality of twisted pair wires of buildlng wiring. Some of these connectors terminate bullding wiring which is carrying informatlon from a mainframe computer to the patch panel. Other connectors terminate building wiring which is carrying information from the patch panel to punch blocks and ultlmately to wallplates.
2 1 77 1 ~S
suildin9 wiring used for sending information to user terminals from the back of a patch panel typically terminates at a punch block. The punch block concentrates all the terminated wires into a single connector which S usually contains thirty-six pins for terminating thirty-six wires or fifty pins ~or terminating fifty wires.
These individual wires are punched to the punch block, which make~ rewiring difficult. Individual wallplates are connected to this punch block wlth cables containing a smaller number of wires.
A typical sequence of cables and connections from a mainframe computer to a user terminal begins at the computer. A first building wire trunk cable having a thirty-six pin or fifty pin connector on both ends of the trunk cable connects the computer to the back of a patch panel. Patch cords used on the eront of the patch panel appropriately connect building wires Oe the flrst trunk cable to a second trunk cable. The second building wire trunk cable connects the back of the patch panel to a punch block. At the punch block, indivldual connections are made from one end of the second trunk cable to individual wallplates thereby linking a selected output of the computer to a selected wall plate.
Whenever existing building wiring distribution systems are reconfigured, specified individual wires are separated from the other wires of the trunk cable and are grouped together. An additional connector is used to terminate and reroute this group of wires. Because the additional connector creates a new point of connection, an additional punch block or an additional printed circuit (PC) board with an appropriate mating connector is necessary to interconnect the rerouted group of wires with 217~185 other points of connection further downstream within the wiring distribution system. In some cases, the original punch block contains unused connection points so that the punch block can be stripped down, and the group of wires can be reinstalled at increased time, cost and complicatlon.
Other types Oe building wiring sy~tems use multiple layers of connection panels with hardwired modular components. In known jack panel mounting systems, a modular plug snaps into a board-mounted modular jack held in place at a point of termination at a wall panel.
This forms a first layer of connection. The board typically has 16 board-mounted modular jacks, with eight of the modular jacks hardwired to a first thirty-six pin connector on the back of the board.
The first thirty-six pin connector connects a thirty-six wire building cable to a second thirty-six pin connector which i9 attached to a second set of eight board mounted modular ~acks held by a second jack panel. A
third jack panel holds another eight board mounted modular jacks having a thirty-six pin connector at the back. This thirty-~ix pin connector is connected to the computer by another thlrty-slx wire cable. Patch cable connected between selected modular jacks of the second jack panel and selected modular jacks of the third patch panel connects the central computer outputs to specifled terminatlon points. This arrangement requires at least three layers of jack panels or intermediate points of inter-connectlon.
In known modular wiring distribution systems, mod~lar jack connectors typically termlnate twisted-pair bulldlng cable at a polnt of termination such as a wall 2 1 77 1 ~5 plate to peemit connection to external data devices. Each modular jack includes a portion defining a complementary cavity formed wlthin a side wall of the modular jack. A
modular plug terminating the ~lat cable fits within the complementary cavity to form the electrical interconnection. In thls way, data communication is provided to and between different data units.
Although widely used as a data carrying media, the installation and maintenance requirements of known modular building wiring systems have posed practical difficulties. Principal among these difficulties is the interconnection between two twisted-pair cables. Such difficulties also arlse in a twisted-pair cable to flat cable interconnection. In general, office spaces which have changing equipment configurations fre~uently encounter these problems.
Known twisted-pair modular connectors couple the conducting wlre ends Oe the twisted pair cable to the connector. Methods for terminating twisted-pair cable within jack assemblies utilize an insulation displacement contact termination. The individual wires comprising the cable are sequentially placed on respective fork or barrel terminals of the jack assembly and thereaeter punched or pressed into the jack assembly, one at a time, using a specialized tool. The conducting portions Oe the individual wires are brought into actual contact with complementary contacting portions within the connector.
With this mode of connection, it is necessary to manipulate and capture the individual wire conductors at a closely controlled location, because positioning Oe the conductor has a critical impact on the desired efficiency Oe the electrical interconnection. Accordingly, such connectors tend to require an inordinate time to align and thereafter insert individual wires of the cable with respective receiving portions of the connector. Further, such connectors tend to misalign upon the applicat~on of rotational, longitudinal, or lateral forces.
Known methods for terminating twisted-pair cable with modular plug assemblies are quite simllar or the same as methods for terminating flat cable. Such methods employ a crimping technique wherein a relatively small portion of the outer covering layer is removed from the diRtal end of the cable. Thereafter, the wires are ordered and placed within the plug assembly by hand. The covering layer i9 likewise placed within the plug connector assembly and is grasped therein when the crimp operation i9 completed to provide strain relief for the cable. Such methods are suitable for flat cable, where the individual exposed wires remain ordered after removal of a small portion of the covering layer. However, building wiring poseY the additional practical problem of manipulating and ordering the individual wires with only small portions of the wire exposed.
Stlll further problems in known building wire systems frequently arise when the system is reconfigured or equipment upgraded or changed. For example, when interconnections are changed at a termlnal location such a~ a wallplate, the existing jack assembly terminating the twisted-pair cable i9 routinely replaced with a new modular jack assembly. However, the twisted-pair cable must again be termlnated with the new modular jack assembly. Moreover, any system reconfiguration using this method of termlnation requires a significant amount of installation time.
2 1 77 i 85 Twisted-pair modular connectors in general are susceptible to longitudinal forces on the conducting portion~ of the twisted-pair cable. Retention Oe the individual wire conductors forming the interconnection is therefore another frequent problem. Each wire conductor must be secured to prevent relative movement of the wire and mating connector since virtually any movement adversely effects the quality of the interconnection. The physical attachment of the cable, however, must avoid the application of undue stress on the cable or the individual wire conductors which causes eventual breakage of the wire conductors due to stress fatigue.
Accordingly, known types of building wiring systems and connectors, while performing satisfactorily under certain circum~tances, are overly complex and di~ficult to install, maintain and modify. The assembly and maintenance of multiple layers having complex mechanical parts associated with such systems involve considerable wasted e~fort owing to installation of intermediate layers of interconnection. The connectors used requlre alignment of the individual wire conductors within the connector and completing the mechanical termination o~ the cable. Moreover, known methods and devices for termination are quite time consuming and labor intensive because each wire is handled and terminated individually. In addition, a relatively high level of training is required to determine appropriate routing of the building cable and ~ield termination of the distribution components.
~3 ~7778 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the obJect of the present lnventlon to provide a new hand-held crlmplng tool.
Accordlng to the lnvention there ls provlded a hand-held tool for provldlng a crlmplng operatlon to termlnate bulldlng wlrlng havlng a plurallty of twlsted-palr wlres surrounded by an outer layer except for the end portlon thereof wlth a crlmp-type modular ~ack, sald crimp-type modular ~ack haivng a plurallty of spaced contact elements, an lnelastlcally deformable knuckle, a head sectlon, and a tall sectlon, sald end portlons of sald plurallty of twlsted-palr wires belng placed withln sald crimp-type modular ~ack, said head sectlon havlng a face end wlth a plug lnsertlon aperture for receiving a plug, each of sald plurality of spaced contact elements havlng an actlve contact portlon dl~posed wlthln sald plug lnsertlon aperture for engaglng a correspondlng ~ 2 ~ 7 7 1! 8 $
el.ectri.cally conductive terminal in said plug to form an e]ectrical interconllection said tool comprising~ cooperating first and second hand-held jaw members for defining an opened position and a closed position; a modular jack receiving portion associated witll said first jaw member for reeeiving ~a:~d head section and at ].east a portion of said tail section of said crimp-type modu].ar jack; an anvil section associated with said second jaw member having contact element driving portions spaced ~part a distance, said conta~t element driving portions being capabl.e of engaging, moving and compressing a-ljacent ones of said plurality of spaced contact elements of said crimp-type modular jack into electrieal. contact witll said end portions of said individual ones of said plurality of twi~sted pair wires whell said first and second hand-lleld jaw meml)ers are movecl from said open pOSitiOI) to said closed pOSitiOIl said anvil section also havillg a knuckle driving po~tion hei.ng capable of inelastically deforming and forcing said knllckle of said crimp-type modular jack into engagement witll sai.d end portions of said plurality of twisted-pair wires forming a strain relief mechanical retention of said i.ndividual ones of said plurality of twisted-pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be made to the emhodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and descrihed . ~ 68061-231F
~ a 1 7 7 1 8 5 below hy way of example of tlle inverltiorl:
In the drawillgs:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the devices of the present invention shown relative to an n-posit:ion panel.
Figure 2 shoW6 one embodiment of tlle present illvention which includes a plurality of coup]ers and cah]es termillated witll crimp modular plllg~.
-~ 68061-231F
.
1~217718 5 Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention which includes a cable terminated with crimp modular jacks.
Figure 4 illustrates a ribbon cable terminated at one end in a junction box having a plurality of cables terminated with crimp modular jacks.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modular jack assembly forming one half of an electrical connection as well as a complementary mating modular plug assembly which forms the electrical connection.
Fig. 6 is a section view of the modular jack assembly of Fig. 5 taken along the lines 6-6.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modular plug for terminating wiring using the crimping method according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a coupler assembly for interconnecting a pair of modular plugs showing one mating end.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the coupler assembly shown in Fig. 8 showing a complementary mating end.
Fig. lO is a section of the coupler assembly shown in Fig. ~ taken along the lines lO-10.
Fig. ll is a perspective view of a crimping tool showing crimping die therein for crimping the modular jack of Fig. 5.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in certain in~tances, details may have been omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention.
~ 2 ~ 7 ~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a building wiring distribution system having a plurality o~ twisted-pair wires. In accordance with the inverltion, modular termination devices and di~crete cables provide a complete building wirlng system that is ea~ily maintained and easily altered. The present invention reduces not only maintenance costs but also reduces by at least one the number of layers o~ connecting panels used in prior art systems. The invention has particular application in data communication networks wherein electrical connection is made between and to data units. Bundled twisted-pair wiring is used in such arrangements since signal integrity must be maintained over large distances to provide communication between units.
The pre~ent invention also relates to termination devices and methods ~or terminating twisted-pair cable used in the wiring distribution system. In accordance with the invention, a crimping method is provided for terminating modular jack connectors as well as modular plug connectors within the building wiring scheme. The invention provides a solderless connection by securing and crimping the individual wires o~ building cable without its ~urrounding covering layer. In this way, a durable and e~ficient mechanical and electrical interconnection is made to the individual wires. Further, a modular coupler assembly is provided for interconnecting a modular plug terminating a first twisted-pair cable with a complementary modular plug terminating a second twisted-pair cable or even flat cable.
, ~,~
? ~17718 ~
The term "modular jack" is used herein in its generic sense to denote, for example, a modular jack ("modular jack") known to those skilled in the art as having a key slot centrally located within the plug receiving aperture. The term "modular jack" also denotes a modified modular jack ("MMJ") having an eccentrically located keyed slot within the plug-receiving aperture, and customarily used in conjunction with Decnet~ arrangements.
However, the term "MMJ" will denote any modified modular jack. Simllarly, the term "modular jack" will denote a modular jack of the specific keyed type of jack connector deacribed above.
Likewise, the term "modular plug" is used in its generic sense to denote in one instance a modular plug ("MP") having a keyed portion centrally located for reception within a modular jack. The term "modular plug"
also denotes a modified modular plug ("MMP") having an eccentrically located keyed portion ~or reception within an MMJ. However, the terms MP and MMP will denote modular plugs of the specific types described above.
Fig. 1 shows modular termination components according to the pre~ent invention spaced relative to an external n-position wall panel lO (n indicates the number of receiving apertures). The modular components include a crimp modular jack 12 for terminating building wiring 13, a crimp modular plug 14 ~or terminating building wiring 15, a modular coupler 16, and a modular plug 18 of the type known in the art for terminating a flat cable 20. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the components shown in Fig. l is just an example of many combinations which may be used in accordance the invention.
~ 2~7718 g The wall panel 10 in one embodiment has eight receiving apertures 22A-H and a front panel 24. Each receiving aperture 22A-H contains upper engagement tracks 26A-H (not shown) and lower engagement tracks 28A-H. The upper and lower engagement tracks 26A-H and 28A-H are used to engage the locking tabs and seating tabs, respectively, of a variety of components including the crimp modular jack 12 and the modular coupler 16, the details and structure of which are described in greater detail herein.
When the crlmp modular jack 12 is inserted within the receiving aperture 22F, a seating tab 30 engages the lower engagement track 28F and an interlocking tab 32 engages the upper engagement track 26F ( not shown). The interlocking tab 32 includes a flexible blade 36 which permits the interlocking tab 32 to be forced downward during engagement with the upper engagement track 26F, thereby providing a secure yet easily changed mounting system ~or the n-position panel 10. When the modular jack 12 is secured within the receiving aperture 22F, a ~ace surface 42 of the modular jack 12 is flush with the front panel surface 24. As the crimp modular jack 12 is in~erted lnto the receiving aperture 22F, stop ~ur~ace~ 44 and 46 of the modular jack 12 abut a back wall 48 of the wall panel 10 to securely fit the modular jack 12 within the wall panel aperture 22F.
The modular coupler 16 is similarly inserted into a receiving aperture 22A. A locking tab 50 and seating tab 52 of the modular coupler 16 enqage the upper engagement track 26A (not shown) and the lower engagement track 28A of the aperture 22. As with the modular jack 12, stop surfaces 54 and 56 of the modular coupler 16 (shown in Figs. 8-10) abut the back wall 48 of the wall ~ 2 ~ 77 ~8 g panel 10 to securely mate the modular coupler 16 within the wall aperture 22A. When inserted, the face 58 of the coupler 16 is flush with the front panel surface 24. The modular coupler 16 could just as easily be interchanged with the location of modular jack 12 within the receiving aperture 22~.
Twisted-pair cable may be terminated, for example at an exterior wall, with either the crimp modular jack 12 or a modular plug 14. This ~eature provides greater flexibility than known modular wiring systems which typically terminate twisted-pair cable using only modular jacks. The use of the modular coupler 16 provides an advantage ~or many wiring interconnections since modular plugs such as plug 14 may easily be inserted and removed therefrom. The modular coupler 16 is particularly well suited in wiring arrangements which accommodate frequent changing equipment con~igurations. However, these arrangements have a concomitant higher cost of installation since more components are used than in terminations of building wire using a modular jack 12.
Accordingly, the devices described herein may be utilized in many combinations depending on the particular application.
As seen in Fig. 1, a number o~ other connectors are frequently mounted in the n-position panel 10. A
video connector 60 permits video signals carried via cables 62 and 64 to be easily accessed through mounting as will be known to those skilled in the art. Also, should any receiving apertures 22A-H be unoccupied by connectors, a blank insert 66 can be received by the n-position panel i ._ ~ 68061-231F
~ ~77118 ~
10. The blank insert 66 not only closes off the receiving aperture 22H for a safety precaution but provides aesthetic feature~ as well.
Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the wiring distributlon system for building wiring of the present invention. A faceplate 68 ls permanently fixed to a wall and provldes the point of termination at which information is obtained such as from a mainframe computer 70. The faceplate 68 contains a plurality of receiving apertures 72A-C whose size and dimension is determined by the dimension of a particular type of jack or coupler. Each of the receiving aperture~ 72A-C contains an upper engagement track and a lower engagement track (not shown) of the type previously shown in Fig. 1 and whose function has been previously described herein. For instance, the receiving aperture 72A contains an upper and lower engagement track for receiving a first modular coupler 74.
The first modular coupler 74 has a front surface 76, a locking tab 78 and a seating tab 80. When seated, the front surface 76 is flush with the front ~urface of faceplate 68. The locking tab 78 and seating tab 80 engage the upper and lower engagement track~ as previously described. A firqt aperture 82 provides the point of terminatlon for external access by the user. In this instance the user accesses the computer with a cable 84 terminated with a modular plug 86.
Because the first modular coupler 74 has a locking tab 78 and a seating tab 80, the type of aperture 82 provided to the user can be easily changed by replacing the first modular coupler 74 with another modular coupler or modular jack connector. For instance, should the user require new equlpment using a difeerent type of plug, the - - -7 ~ 9 change is easily made without modification to or without any rewiring of the building wiring. Once the user has determined the appropriate type of modular coupler, the remaining connections to the computer 70 can be made.
A second aperture 88 in the flrst modular coupler 74 provides access for a modular plug. In this case a cable 90 has ends terminated in a first modular plug 92 and a second modular plug 94. The first modular plug 92 engages the second aperture 88 to provide a point of connection ~or the building wiring. The second modular plug 94 engages a second modular coupler 96, ldentical in construction to the first modular coupler 74. The second modular coupler 96 is held by a first n-position panel 98 having a plurality of receiving apertures 100A-N with upper and lower engagement slots as previously described.
The receiving apertures 100A-N provide points at which signals generated by the computer are be forwarded to selected faceplates.
A second n-position panel 102 contains long rectangular openings 104A-B for receiving a plurality of modular couplers 106 attached to a PC board 108. The PC
board 108 includes means for mounting the PC board 108 to the n-position panel. A ribbon cable 110 extends from the PC board 108 and electrically connects the plurality of modular couplers 106. The ribbon cable 110 terminates in a thirty-six pin connector 112 which connects to the computer 70.
To make a connection from the computer 70 to a selected faceplate, in this case the faceplate 68, a patch cable 114 is used. The patch cable 114 is terminated with a first modular plug 116 and a second modular plug 118.
By inserting the ~irst modular plug 116 into a selected ~. 2 ~
modular jack 106 and inserting the second modular plug 118 into a selected modular coupler 96, a final connection is made between the computer 70 and the faceplate 68.
Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the S present invention. Fig. 3 contains a number of elements common to both Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. They are the faceplate 68, the computer 70, the cable 84, the first n-position panel 98, the second n-position panel 102, and the ribbon cable 110 terminating in the thirty-six pin connector 112.
In this embodiment, the first modular coupler 74, the second modular coupler 96 and the cable 90 having ends terminated in the first modular plug 92 and the second modular plug 94, as seen in Fig. 2, are eliminated.
A cable 120 having a ~irst crimp modular jack 122 and a ~econd crimp modular jack 124 at either end provides an alternative mode of distribution. The crimp modular jack 122 snaps into the faceplate 68 and the receiving aperture 72A as previously described. The crimp modular jack 124 fits within the receiving aperture 100.
The ribbon cable 110 is terminated with a junction box 126 which has locking tab means on either side to engage the long rectangular opening 104A. Fig. 4 illustrates in greater speci~icity the ribbon cable 110 terminating in the junction box 126. As seen, the junction box 126 has a first side locking tab 128 and a second side locking tab 130 which is seated within the rectangular opening 104B to hold the junctlon box 126 as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the junction box 126 includes eight flat cables 132A-H with flat cable 132C illustratively terminated in a modified modular plug 134.
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,~
- 21 - ~3 ~77~8 ~
To make the final connection between the crimp modular jack 122 at the wallplate 68 and the computer 70, the modular plug 134 is seated in the crimp modular jack 124. Of course, modification to the wiring distribution systems disclosed in the aforedescribed examples will occur to those skilled in the art.
Figs. 5 and 6 show the assembled components of the crimp-type modular jack connector 12 also shown in Fig. 1 for forming one hal~ of an electrical connection and terminating a multi-conductor building cable 13 according to the present invention. The crimp-type modular jack 12 includes an interior cavity 138 accessible through a central aperture 140 which is sized and shaped to receive and mate with a modular plug 18. The modular plug 18 mates along a central axis 142 which is normal to the central aperture 140. In one application, the modular plug 18 terminates flat cable 20 for providing communication to data units (not shown) in an exterior space as is known to those skilled in the art.
In a typical wiring distribution system, the twisted-pair cable comprises a bundle of wire conductors, shown as conductors 144a through 144n housed in a substantially round outer covering 146. Such cable has a particular application where data is transmitted over relatively long distances or where signal integrity must be maintained regardless o~ distance. In many applications, the wire conductors 144 comprise three, four, or more twisted-pairs. It should be further understood that each of the wire conductors 144a through 14gn is typically fabricated of solid conducting wire enclo~ed in an insulative covering. While such wire is unable to withstand the stress and ~atigue of stranded ~ ~ 7 7 1 ~ g wire, it is ~uitable ~or use in selected wire applications where the wire is essentially immobile, for example, in building wiring.
Inasmuch as the cable covering 146 is typically substantially round, the individual wire conductors lose orientation between the point of origin and the point of termination of the cable 13. Accordingly, skilled personnel must order the individual wires in accordance with a desired sequence before placement in a connector to effect termination. It will be further appreciated that by removing a substantial portion of the outer covering 146 from the distal end of the twisted-pair cable 13, the wire conductors 144a through 144n are easily manipulated and ordered. Although the individual wires 144a through 144n no longer are enclosed in the outer layer 146, adequate durability of the wires and integrity of the system is maintained, particularly since the wiring is rarely handled.
The crimp modular jack 12 comprises a housing 148 having a front wall or face portion 42, and a plurality of sidewalls, illustratively shown as sidewalls 152 and 154. The sidewalls form a box-like head section 156 that i9 sized to ~it within a wall panel aperture 22 (shown in Fig. 1) to provide an efficient termination.
The wall 154 is a top wall and includes a snap-~it interlocking tab 32 including a flexible blade 36 to provide mating engagement with a wallplate aperture as described herein. The housing 148 further provides a seating tab 30 which coacts with the interlocking tab 32 to mate with the receiving wallplate aperture. The .~
._ 680~1-231F
- 23 - ~O 2 1 7 7 ~ ~ g modular jack 12 is preferably a molded plastic structure which is configured in such a manner to be fabricated in a unitary, one-piece mold.
The modular jack 12 includes a plurality o~
contact elements 158a through 158n dlsposed within respective longitudinal slots 160a through 160n formed in the head section 156. Each contact element includes a terminal knlfe portion 162 and an active contact portion 164 (shown in Fig. 6) with a distal end 166 (shown in Fig.
6). Each terminal knife portion 162 is also supported within respective longitudinal sockets 168, which are in communication with the longitudinal slots 160 and disposed in the top wall 154.
Figs. 5 and 6 also show a tail section 170 of the crimp modular jack 12. The tail section 170 includes a longitudinal passageway 172 for receiving the plurality of conducting wire elements 144a through 144n. The passageway 172 provides lateral and transverse allgnment for the wire elements threaded within the crimp modular jack 12. The tail section 170 also provides an inelastic plastic deformable tab or knuckle 174. The knuckle 174 is compressed and firmly engages the wire elements 144a through 144n between the knuckle portion 174 and a hou~ing stop surface 176 (Fig. 6) formed in the tail section 170.
The knuckle 174 engages the wire elements, rather than the covering layer 146, to provide a mechanical connection with adequate strain reliee ~or the termination. The strain relief provided by engaging the wire elements is actually greater than providing a mechanlcal connection by crimping the covering layer 146.
~"
- 24 - ~ ~ ~77~ g As best shown in Fig. 5, the tail section 170 includes outwardly protruding side walls 174 and 175.
Accordingly, when the crimp modular ~ack is inserted in a receiving aperture 22F Oe a wall panel 10, the protruding sidewalls 174 and 175 provide stop surfaces 44 and 46 for abutting the crimp modular ~ack 12 within the receiving aperture 22F (Fig. 1).
Fig. 7 shows in greater detail the crimp modular plug 14 of Fig. 1 for terminating twisted-pair cable 15 using the teachings of the present invention. The crimp modular plug 14 comprises a plastic unitary hou~ing 176 of the same size and shape as known modular plugs. A
longitudinal passageway 178 receives the individual wire conductors 180a through 180n, ordered for placement into desired longitudinal receiving slots (not shown). The individual wires are exposed from the cable covering layer 182.
A plurality of contact elements (not shown) are disposed within longitudinal sockets 184a through 184n formed in the top wall and extending to the face of the plug housing 176. As with the crimp modular jack 12 shown in Figs. 5-6, each of the contact elements comprises a knife portlon supported within the respective sockets 184a through 184n. The contact elements are compressed against the conducting portions of the individual wire conductors 180a through 180n to form an electrical interconnection as is well known to-those skilled in the art.
As described hereinbefore in connection with the crimp modular jack 12, the modular plug plastic housing 176 includes a deformable knuckle portion lB6 that is compressed against the individual wire portions 180a through 180n to securely grasp and control the wire -- 25 - ~ ~ ?77~8 ~
portions between the knuckle portion 186 and a housing stop surface (not shown). In this way, a mechanical interconnection is effected which provide~ superior strain relief to known methods of securing the covering layer 182 S within the housing 176.
Figs. 8-10 illustrate the coupler element 16 in accordance with the present invention. The coupler 16 comprises a substantially box-like housing 190 including a first end wall 58 with an aperture 194 for defining a cavity 196 of a size and dimension for receiving an MMP
such as the modular plug 14 ~Fig. 7). A second end wall 198 has an aperture 200 ~or deeining a second cavity 202 for receiving a complementary MMP. A plurality of sidewalls 204, 206, 208, and 210 also define the housing 190.
A plurality o~ terminal assemblies 211 disposed within the coupler housing 190 provide the electrical interconnection for modular plugs received within cavities 196 and 202. Each o~ the terminal assemblies 211 comprises a pair of contacting leg portions 211A and 211B
disposed with the receiving cavities 196 and 202, respectively, for engaging the contact elements of a modular plug inserted within the receiving cavities. The contactlng leg portions 211A and 211~ are electrically connected by a conducting member 21lC. It will be appreciated, however, that in another embodiment, the coupler element 16 may be configured to ~orm an MP-MP
termination or even an MP-MMP termination.
The coupler element 16 further includes a snap-fit interlocking tab S0 and a seating tab 52. The interlocklng tab 50 and the seating tab 52 coact to mate with the receiving wall panel aperture 22 (Fig. 1). In - - - -- 26 - ~ 21771~ ~
addition, the coupler element includes a plurality o~ tabs 212, 214, 216, and 218 extending outwardly Oe the sidewalls of the hou~ing 190 to provide stop surfaces 54 and 56 for seating the coupler 16 within the wallplate aperture 22A (shown in Fig. 1) upon insertion therein.
Fig. 11 shows a crimping tool 222 of the type well known to those ~killed in the art. However, it provide~ a very important feature that di~tinguishe~ it from known device~. A die 224 i~ provided with a receiving cavity 226 defined by sidewalls 228, 230 and 232. The size and dimension of the receiving cavity 226 is selected to receive the head section 148 as well as at least a portion o~ the tail section 170 of the crimp modular jack 12 shown in Fig. 5. The sidewalls of the die 224 are preferably fabricated of steel. An anvil section 234 is positioned relative to the receiving cavity 226 and includes a knuckle-driving portion 236 and spaced contact element driving portions (not shown).
To effect termination of a twisted-pa1r cable in the modular jack 12, the outer covering layer 146 is removed from the distal end portion of the cable 13. The plurality of conducting wire elements 144a through 144n is thereby removed. Preferably, approximately one or two inches of the covering layer 146 are removed.
Accordingly, the conducting wire elements are freely manipulated by the installer.
The exposed conducting wire elements 144a through 144n are arranged in accordance with a preselected sequence corresponding to the longitudinal insertion slots 160a through 160n in the modular jack 12. As will be ~ ~177~8 g appreciated by those skilled in the art, such a ~equence may, for example be color coded within the longitudinal sockets 168 of the modular jack 12.
The ordered conducting elements 144 are thereafter threaded within respective insertion slots 160a through 160n. In this operation, the conducting elements are simultaneously placed within the in~ertion slots 160.
The invention thereby eliminates the sequential placement Oe individual conducting wires into respective receiving slots or punching slots, one at a time, which is quite time consuming in operations where hundreds Oe terminations are typically made. In addition, actual crimping takes place independent of the outer covering.
Crimping the wire elements in this manner provides a strong engaging force acting on the wires and cable.
In order to perform a crimping operation to a modular jack connector, the crimp modular jack 12 with inserted wire8 (shown in Fig. 5) ls inserted within the receiving cavity 226 of the die 224 (See Fig. 11) with the knuckle portion 174 and longitudinal sockets 168 facing the anvil sectlon 234. The dimensions Oe the receiving cavity 226 are chosen to securely grasp and control the head section 148 and at least a portion o~ the tail section 170 so that a desired crimp is achieved.
Thereafter, the handles 238 and 240 of the crimp tool 222 are compre~sed inwardly to drive the anvil section toward the receiving cavity 226 and modular jack 12. In this way, the knuckle portion 174 Oe the crimp modular jack 12 is crimped or otherwise compressed radially transversely inward against the conducting wire elements. The dimensions and conditions o~ the knuckle portion 174 are controlled such that the knuckle portion 174 does not - -~ 2 11 7 7 li ~ 5 undergo undesired elongation. Some elongation of the knuckle portion 174, particularly along the wire surfaces, typically occurs, however. In addition, the contact elements 158 are compressed tran~versely inwardly to engage the conducting portions of the individual wires 144a through 144n. As with the insertion of the wire elements within the jack 12, all the conducting wires are mechanically and electrically terminated simultaneously.
Once the jack 12 has been crimped onto the wire elements, the connector assembly is ready for subsequent operations. These include placement of the modular jack assembly 12 within a wall panel 10 ~Fig. 1) and/or mating with a modular plug to form an electrical connection.
The method of termination of twisted-pair cable with a modular plug 14 operates in a similar manner. As with the modular jack 12, a portion of the outer covering layer 182 is removed from the distal end portion o~ the cable 15, thereby exposing the conductive wire elements.
The wire elements are simultaneously arranged for reception with desired longitudinal sockets within the modular plug 14. The contact elements in the plug 14 are thereafter compressed transversely inwardly onto the wire elements. Simultaneously, the knuckle portion 186 i~
compressed onto the wire elements to ~orm a mechanical connectlon without engaging the outer covering layer. In this way, a stronger crimp is formed than in methods which engage the covering layer in a significantly decreased amount of time necessary to perform termination. The modular plug 14 is therea~ter mated within a crimp MMJ, or an MMJ in an existing system. The modular plug 14 may also be inserted within a coupler 16 and thereafter interconnected with another modular plug.
it~ 68061-231F
- - -~ 2117718 5 From the description thus far provided, a wiring distribution system using twisted-pair connector devices that overcome the aforestated deficiencies in the prior art by providing simple crimp assemblie9 and couplers without the use of precise manipulation of the individual conducting wires or punching techniques has been described. It will be apparent that the proposed system may be used ln a number of applications and that a number of modifications can be made in the invention disclosed, particularly by those having the benefit of the foregoing teachings, without departing from the spirit of these principles. However, these features preferably are utilized together in the systems and assemblies described herein. Accordingly, while the invention disclosed herein has been described with reference to the presently contemplated best mode for practicing the invention, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
. 68061-231F
.. .
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The lnventlon relates to a wlrlng dlstrlbutlon system uslng connectors, tools and methods for provldlng the mechanlcal and electrlcal lnterconnectlon between twlsted-palr wlrlng. More partlcularly, the lnventlon relates to a modular bulldlng wlring system lncludlng connectors and tools that provlde slmpllfled and efflclent termlnatlons for twlsted-palr wlrlng and the methods for formlng such lnterconnectlons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Twlsted-palr cable partlcularly ln bulldlng wlrlng systems provldes a transmlsslon medlum for communlcatlon of data or other slgnals at hlgh speeds, wlth great rellablllty and for relatlvely low cost. It wlll be understood by those skllled ln the art to whlch thls lnventlon pertalns that the term "twlsted-palr" cable refers to a plurallty of electrlcally conductlng wlres housed wlthln an lnsulatlve outer coverlng wlth each palr of wlres carrylng dlfferentlal slgnals and twlsted together to dlmlnlsh extraneous nolse or crosstalk whlch otherwlse reduces the lntegrlty of the slgnal.
In addltlon, the term "bulldlng wlre" refers to any twlsted-palr conductors that have a sufflclently long length that 2l 77las -would preclude other wiring types such as flat conductors due to the deterioration of ~ignal integrity over ~uch length. Building wiring typically connects a central computer to a plurality of remotely located user terminals and is routed between the central computer and the various user terminals by placlng it in locations such as in the walls or ceiling of a building.
In general, all of the twisted-pair wires used in bullding wiring are bundled together and surrounded by a cover thereby forming a substantially round cable.
Since all of the twisted-pairs of wire~ are arbitrarily collected or bundled together, each of the individual wires achieves a random orientation between the point of origin and the point of termination. When the distal end of the cable is termlnated, the individual wire conductors are disoriented with respect to their position at the point of origin and accordingly must be manipulated into an ordered sequence as prescribed by the terminating connector used. In addition, the individual wires comprising the twisted-pair cable are typically solid for improved transmission of information over long distances.
The flexibility found in stranded wire is unnecessary since buildlng wire is not exposed to as much strain or stress .
In contrast, when a cable i8 used in an external office space and the length of the transmission line i9 relatlvely short, the wire conductors comprising the transmission cable are placed in flat wire. In this arrangement, the individual wire conductors remain ordered within the flat housing at any point along the length of the cable between the point of origin and the point of 2 1 77 1 ~5 termination. In addition, the wire conductors used in flat cable for connecting data equipment are typically stranded to reduce fatigue from constant movement.
Known building wiring distributiQn systems have concentrated bundles Oe twlsted-pair wires to carry ~ignals from a central computer through the walls or ceiling of a building to a wall faceplate. For example, twenty-five pairs of wires are frequently bundled together and surrounded by a protective covering or sheath to form a ~ingle trunk cable of building wiring. The signals transmitted over building wiring can originate from virtually any source for example, computer mainframes, minicomputers, data storage systems or other data units.
Typically, this active equipment is located a substantial distance from the point o~ termlnation such as across a large room or on a different floor of a building. The point of termination is usually a wall panel or faceplate which receives the building wiring and pe~mit~ connection of external data equipment such as individual user terminals to the building wiring. Flat cable typically links such external data equipment to the point of termination at the wall panei.
In actual practice, a specified wallplate is not directly connected by building wire to a central or mainframe computer but rather the building wire is terminated and reconnected at various intermediate patch panels or punch blocks. Each one of these intermediate points at which the building wire i9 terminated and reconnected is referred to as a layer of connection. The patch panel is connected to the mainframe computer by building wiring and provides a point of distribution for signals carried by the building wiring ~rom the mainframe ~177185 computer. Punch blocks consolidate wires from individual wallplateg 80 that these individual wires can be connected to the patch panel by a trunk cable.
Patch panels have connection points comprising fixed numbers of certain types of hardwired connectors which are not easily changed. These connectors are dedicated to a speciflc type of mating connector or wiring configuration. The type of mating connector suitable for these connectors is predetermined according to the constructlon of the patch panel. Accordlngly, lf all the connectors are being used or if a dlfferent type of connector is required, an entirely new prewired patch panel must be installed to provide approprlate connectors or alternatively extenslve rewiring of the patch panel is required.
The front side o~ the patch panel has connectors for accessing building wlrlng carrying informatlon from the mainframe computer. Other connectors access building wiring carrying information ultimately to wallplates.
Patch cords are used to connect between these individual connectors to make a final connectlon between the computer and the wallplates.
The back of the patch panel i8 conflgured to accept connectors which terminate a plurality of twisted pair wires of buildlng wiring. Some of these connectors terminate bullding wiring which is carrying informatlon from a mainframe computer to the patch panel. Other connectors terminate building wiring which is carrying information from the patch panel to punch blocks and ultlmately to wallplates.
2 1 77 1 ~S
suildin9 wiring used for sending information to user terminals from the back of a patch panel typically terminates at a punch block. The punch block concentrates all the terminated wires into a single connector which S usually contains thirty-six pins for terminating thirty-six wires or fifty pins ~or terminating fifty wires.
These individual wires are punched to the punch block, which make~ rewiring difficult. Individual wallplates are connected to this punch block wlth cables containing a smaller number of wires.
A typical sequence of cables and connections from a mainframe computer to a user terminal begins at the computer. A first building wire trunk cable having a thirty-six pin or fifty pin connector on both ends of the trunk cable connects the computer to the back of a patch panel. Patch cords used on the eront of the patch panel appropriately connect building wires Oe the flrst trunk cable to a second trunk cable. The second building wire trunk cable connects the back of the patch panel to a punch block. At the punch block, indivldual connections are made from one end of the second trunk cable to individual wallplates thereby linking a selected output of the computer to a selected wall plate.
Whenever existing building wiring distribution systems are reconfigured, specified individual wires are separated from the other wires of the trunk cable and are grouped together. An additional connector is used to terminate and reroute this group of wires. Because the additional connector creates a new point of connection, an additional punch block or an additional printed circuit (PC) board with an appropriate mating connector is necessary to interconnect the rerouted group of wires with 217~185 other points of connection further downstream within the wiring distribution system. In some cases, the original punch block contains unused connection points so that the punch block can be stripped down, and the group of wires can be reinstalled at increased time, cost and complicatlon.
Other types Oe building wiring sy~tems use multiple layers of connection panels with hardwired modular components. In known jack panel mounting systems, a modular plug snaps into a board-mounted modular jack held in place at a point of termination at a wall panel.
This forms a first layer of connection. The board typically has 16 board-mounted modular jacks, with eight of the modular jacks hardwired to a first thirty-six pin connector on the back of the board.
The first thirty-six pin connector connects a thirty-six wire building cable to a second thirty-six pin connector which i9 attached to a second set of eight board mounted modular ~acks held by a second jack panel. A
third jack panel holds another eight board mounted modular jacks having a thirty-six pin connector at the back. This thirty-~ix pin connector is connected to the computer by another thlrty-slx wire cable. Patch cable connected between selected modular jacks of the second jack panel and selected modular jacks of the third patch panel connects the central computer outputs to specifled terminatlon points. This arrangement requires at least three layers of jack panels or intermediate points of inter-connectlon.
In known modular wiring distribution systems, mod~lar jack connectors typically termlnate twisted-pair bulldlng cable at a polnt of termination such as a wall 2 1 77 1 ~5 plate to peemit connection to external data devices. Each modular jack includes a portion defining a complementary cavity formed wlthin a side wall of the modular jack. A
modular plug terminating the ~lat cable fits within the complementary cavity to form the electrical interconnection. In thls way, data communication is provided to and between different data units.
Although widely used as a data carrying media, the installation and maintenance requirements of known modular building wiring systems have posed practical difficulties. Principal among these difficulties is the interconnection between two twisted-pair cables. Such difficulties also arlse in a twisted-pair cable to flat cable interconnection. In general, office spaces which have changing equipment configurations fre~uently encounter these problems.
Known twisted-pair modular connectors couple the conducting wlre ends Oe the twisted pair cable to the connector. Methods for terminating twisted-pair cable within jack assemblies utilize an insulation displacement contact termination. The individual wires comprising the cable are sequentially placed on respective fork or barrel terminals of the jack assembly and thereaeter punched or pressed into the jack assembly, one at a time, using a specialized tool. The conducting portions Oe the individual wires are brought into actual contact with complementary contacting portions within the connector.
With this mode of connection, it is necessary to manipulate and capture the individual wire conductors at a closely controlled location, because positioning Oe the conductor has a critical impact on the desired efficiency Oe the electrical interconnection. Accordingly, such connectors tend to require an inordinate time to align and thereafter insert individual wires of the cable with respective receiving portions of the connector. Further, such connectors tend to misalign upon the applicat~on of rotational, longitudinal, or lateral forces.
Known methods for terminating twisted-pair cable with modular plug assemblies are quite simllar or the same as methods for terminating flat cable. Such methods employ a crimping technique wherein a relatively small portion of the outer covering layer is removed from the diRtal end of the cable. Thereafter, the wires are ordered and placed within the plug assembly by hand. The covering layer i9 likewise placed within the plug connector assembly and is grasped therein when the crimp operation i9 completed to provide strain relief for the cable. Such methods are suitable for flat cable, where the individual exposed wires remain ordered after removal of a small portion of the covering layer. However, building wiring poseY the additional practical problem of manipulating and ordering the individual wires with only small portions of the wire exposed.
Stlll further problems in known building wire systems frequently arise when the system is reconfigured or equipment upgraded or changed. For example, when interconnections are changed at a termlnal location such a~ a wallplate, the existing jack assembly terminating the twisted-pair cable i9 routinely replaced with a new modular jack assembly. However, the twisted-pair cable must again be termlnated with the new modular jack assembly. Moreover, any system reconfiguration using this method of termlnation requires a significant amount of installation time.
2 1 77 i 85 Twisted-pair modular connectors in general are susceptible to longitudinal forces on the conducting portion~ of the twisted-pair cable. Retention Oe the individual wire conductors forming the interconnection is therefore another frequent problem. Each wire conductor must be secured to prevent relative movement of the wire and mating connector since virtually any movement adversely effects the quality of the interconnection. The physical attachment of the cable, however, must avoid the application of undue stress on the cable or the individual wire conductors which causes eventual breakage of the wire conductors due to stress fatigue.
Accordingly, known types of building wiring systems and connectors, while performing satisfactorily under certain circum~tances, are overly complex and di~ficult to install, maintain and modify. The assembly and maintenance of multiple layers having complex mechanical parts associated with such systems involve considerable wasted e~fort owing to installation of intermediate layers of interconnection. The connectors used requlre alignment of the individual wire conductors within the connector and completing the mechanical termination o~ the cable. Moreover, known methods and devices for termination are quite time consuming and labor intensive because each wire is handled and terminated individually. In addition, a relatively high level of training is required to determine appropriate routing of the building cable and ~ield termination of the distribution components.
~3 ~7778 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the obJect of the present lnventlon to provide a new hand-held crlmplng tool.
Accordlng to the lnvention there ls provlded a hand-held tool for provldlng a crlmplng operatlon to termlnate bulldlng wlrlng havlng a plurallty of twlsted-palr wlres surrounded by an outer layer except for the end portlon thereof wlth a crlmp-type modular ~ack, sald crimp-type modular ~ack haivng a plurallty of spaced contact elements, an lnelastlcally deformable knuckle, a head sectlon, and a tall sectlon, sald end portlons of sald plurallty of twlsted-palr wires belng placed withln sald crimp-type modular ~ack, said head sectlon havlng a face end wlth a plug lnsertlon aperture for receiving a plug, each of sald plurality of spaced contact elements havlng an actlve contact portlon dl~posed wlthln sald plug lnsertlon aperture for engaglng a correspondlng ~ 2 ~ 7 7 1! 8 $
el.ectri.cally conductive terminal in said plug to form an e]ectrical interconllection said tool comprising~ cooperating first and second hand-held jaw members for defining an opened position and a closed position; a modular jack receiving portion associated witll said first jaw member for reeeiving ~a:~d head section and at ].east a portion of said tail section of said crimp-type modu].ar jack; an anvil section associated with said second jaw member having contact element driving portions spaced ~part a distance, said conta~t element driving portions being capabl.e of engaging, moving and compressing a-ljacent ones of said plurality of spaced contact elements of said crimp-type modular jack into electrieal. contact witll said end portions of said individual ones of said plurality of twi~sted pair wires whell said first and second hand-lleld jaw meml)ers are movecl from said open pOSitiOI) to said closed pOSitiOIl said anvil section also havillg a knuckle driving po~tion hei.ng capable of inelastically deforming and forcing said knllckle of said crimp-type modular jack into engagement witll sai.d end portions of said plurality of twisted-pair wires forming a strain relief mechanical retention of said i.ndividual ones of said plurality of twisted-pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be made to the emhodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and descrihed . ~ 68061-231F
~ a 1 7 7 1 8 5 below hy way of example of tlle inverltiorl:
In the drawillgs:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the devices of the present invention shown relative to an n-posit:ion panel.
Figure 2 shoW6 one embodiment of tlle present illvention which includes a plurality of coup]ers and cah]es termillated witll crimp modular plllg~.
-~ 68061-231F
.
1~217718 5 Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention which includes a cable terminated with crimp modular jacks.
Figure 4 illustrates a ribbon cable terminated at one end in a junction box having a plurality of cables terminated with crimp modular jacks.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modular jack assembly forming one half of an electrical connection as well as a complementary mating modular plug assembly which forms the electrical connection.
Fig. 6 is a section view of the modular jack assembly of Fig. 5 taken along the lines 6-6.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modular plug for terminating wiring using the crimping method according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a coupler assembly for interconnecting a pair of modular plugs showing one mating end.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the coupler assembly shown in Fig. 8 showing a complementary mating end.
Fig. lO is a section of the coupler assembly shown in Fig. ~ taken along the lines lO-10.
Fig. ll is a perspective view of a crimping tool showing crimping die therein for crimping the modular jack of Fig. 5.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in certain in~tances, details may have been omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention.
~ 2 ~ 7 ~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a building wiring distribution system having a plurality o~ twisted-pair wires. In accordance with the inverltion, modular termination devices and di~crete cables provide a complete building wirlng system that is ea~ily maintained and easily altered. The present invention reduces not only maintenance costs but also reduces by at least one the number of layers o~ connecting panels used in prior art systems. The invention has particular application in data communication networks wherein electrical connection is made between and to data units. Bundled twisted-pair wiring is used in such arrangements since signal integrity must be maintained over large distances to provide communication between units.
The pre~ent invention also relates to termination devices and methods ~or terminating twisted-pair cable used in the wiring distribution system. In accordance with the invention, a crimping method is provided for terminating modular jack connectors as well as modular plug connectors within the building wiring scheme. The invention provides a solderless connection by securing and crimping the individual wires o~ building cable without its ~urrounding covering layer. In this way, a durable and e~ficient mechanical and electrical interconnection is made to the individual wires. Further, a modular coupler assembly is provided for interconnecting a modular plug terminating a first twisted-pair cable with a complementary modular plug terminating a second twisted-pair cable or even flat cable.
, ~,~
? ~17718 ~
The term "modular jack" is used herein in its generic sense to denote, for example, a modular jack ("modular jack") known to those skilled in the art as having a key slot centrally located within the plug receiving aperture. The term "modular jack" also denotes a modified modular jack ("MMJ") having an eccentrically located keyed slot within the plug-receiving aperture, and customarily used in conjunction with Decnet~ arrangements.
However, the term "MMJ" will denote any modified modular jack. Simllarly, the term "modular jack" will denote a modular jack of the specific keyed type of jack connector deacribed above.
Likewise, the term "modular plug" is used in its generic sense to denote in one instance a modular plug ("MP") having a keyed portion centrally located for reception within a modular jack. The term "modular plug"
also denotes a modified modular plug ("MMP") having an eccentrically located keyed portion ~or reception within an MMJ. However, the terms MP and MMP will denote modular plugs of the specific types described above.
Fig. 1 shows modular termination components according to the pre~ent invention spaced relative to an external n-position wall panel lO (n indicates the number of receiving apertures). The modular components include a crimp modular jack 12 for terminating building wiring 13, a crimp modular plug 14 ~or terminating building wiring 15, a modular coupler 16, and a modular plug 18 of the type known in the art for terminating a flat cable 20. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the components shown in Fig. l is just an example of many combinations which may be used in accordance the invention.
~ 2~7718 g The wall panel 10 in one embodiment has eight receiving apertures 22A-H and a front panel 24. Each receiving aperture 22A-H contains upper engagement tracks 26A-H (not shown) and lower engagement tracks 28A-H. The upper and lower engagement tracks 26A-H and 28A-H are used to engage the locking tabs and seating tabs, respectively, of a variety of components including the crimp modular jack 12 and the modular coupler 16, the details and structure of which are described in greater detail herein.
When the crlmp modular jack 12 is inserted within the receiving aperture 22F, a seating tab 30 engages the lower engagement track 28F and an interlocking tab 32 engages the upper engagement track 26F ( not shown). The interlocking tab 32 includes a flexible blade 36 which permits the interlocking tab 32 to be forced downward during engagement with the upper engagement track 26F, thereby providing a secure yet easily changed mounting system ~or the n-position panel 10. When the modular jack 12 is secured within the receiving aperture 22F, a ~ace surface 42 of the modular jack 12 is flush with the front panel surface 24. As the crimp modular jack 12 is in~erted lnto the receiving aperture 22F, stop ~ur~ace~ 44 and 46 of the modular jack 12 abut a back wall 48 of the wall panel 10 to securely fit the modular jack 12 within the wall panel aperture 22F.
The modular coupler 16 is similarly inserted into a receiving aperture 22A. A locking tab 50 and seating tab 52 of the modular coupler 16 enqage the upper engagement track 26A (not shown) and the lower engagement track 28A of the aperture 22. As with the modular jack 12, stop surfaces 54 and 56 of the modular coupler 16 (shown in Figs. 8-10) abut the back wall 48 of the wall ~ 2 ~ 77 ~8 g panel 10 to securely mate the modular coupler 16 within the wall aperture 22A. When inserted, the face 58 of the coupler 16 is flush with the front panel surface 24. The modular coupler 16 could just as easily be interchanged with the location of modular jack 12 within the receiving aperture 22~.
Twisted-pair cable may be terminated, for example at an exterior wall, with either the crimp modular jack 12 or a modular plug 14. This ~eature provides greater flexibility than known modular wiring systems which typically terminate twisted-pair cable using only modular jacks. The use of the modular coupler 16 provides an advantage ~or many wiring interconnections since modular plugs such as plug 14 may easily be inserted and removed therefrom. The modular coupler 16 is particularly well suited in wiring arrangements which accommodate frequent changing equipment con~igurations. However, these arrangements have a concomitant higher cost of installation since more components are used than in terminations of building wire using a modular jack 12.
Accordingly, the devices described herein may be utilized in many combinations depending on the particular application.
As seen in Fig. 1, a number o~ other connectors are frequently mounted in the n-position panel 10. A
video connector 60 permits video signals carried via cables 62 and 64 to be easily accessed through mounting as will be known to those skilled in the art. Also, should any receiving apertures 22A-H be unoccupied by connectors, a blank insert 66 can be received by the n-position panel i ._ ~ 68061-231F
~ ~77118 ~
10. The blank insert 66 not only closes off the receiving aperture 22H for a safety precaution but provides aesthetic feature~ as well.
Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the wiring distributlon system for building wiring of the present invention. A faceplate 68 ls permanently fixed to a wall and provldes the point of termination at which information is obtained such as from a mainframe computer 70. The faceplate 68 contains a plurality of receiving apertures 72A-C whose size and dimension is determined by the dimension of a particular type of jack or coupler. Each of the receiving aperture~ 72A-C contains an upper engagement track and a lower engagement track (not shown) of the type previously shown in Fig. 1 and whose function has been previously described herein. For instance, the receiving aperture 72A contains an upper and lower engagement track for receiving a first modular coupler 74.
The first modular coupler 74 has a front surface 76, a locking tab 78 and a seating tab 80. When seated, the front surface 76 is flush with the front ~urface of faceplate 68. The locking tab 78 and seating tab 80 engage the upper and lower engagement track~ as previously described. A firqt aperture 82 provides the point of terminatlon for external access by the user. In this instance the user accesses the computer with a cable 84 terminated with a modular plug 86.
Because the first modular coupler 74 has a locking tab 78 and a seating tab 80, the type of aperture 82 provided to the user can be easily changed by replacing the first modular coupler 74 with another modular coupler or modular jack connector. For instance, should the user require new equlpment using a difeerent type of plug, the - - -7 ~ 9 change is easily made without modification to or without any rewiring of the building wiring. Once the user has determined the appropriate type of modular coupler, the remaining connections to the computer 70 can be made.
A second aperture 88 in the flrst modular coupler 74 provides access for a modular plug. In this case a cable 90 has ends terminated in a first modular plug 92 and a second modular plug 94. The first modular plug 92 engages the second aperture 88 to provide a point of connection ~or the building wiring. The second modular plug 94 engages a second modular coupler 96, ldentical in construction to the first modular coupler 74. The second modular coupler 96 is held by a first n-position panel 98 having a plurality of receiving apertures 100A-N with upper and lower engagement slots as previously described.
The receiving apertures 100A-N provide points at which signals generated by the computer are be forwarded to selected faceplates.
A second n-position panel 102 contains long rectangular openings 104A-B for receiving a plurality of modular couplers 106 attached to a PC board 108. The PC
board 108 includes means for mounting the PC board 108 to the n-position panel. A ribbon cable 110 extends from the PC board 108 and electrically connects the plurality of modular couplers 106. The ribbon cable 110 terminates in a thirty-six pin connector 112 which connects to the computer 70.
To make a connection from the computer 70 to a selected faceplate, in this case the faceplate 68, a patch cable 114 is used. The patch cable 114 is terminated with a first modular plug 116 and a second modular plug 118.
By inserting the ~irst modular plug 116 into a selected ~. 2 ~
modular jack 106 and inserting the second modular plug 118 into a selected modular coupler 96, a final connection is made between the computer 70 and the faceplate 68.
Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the S present invention. Fig. 3 contains a number of elements common to both Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. They are the faceplate 68, the computer 70, the cable 84, the first n-position panel 98, the second n-position panel 102, and the ribbon cable 110 terminating in the thirty-six pin connector 112.
In this embodiment, the first modular coupler 74, the second modular coupler 96 and the cable 90 having ends terminated in the first modular plug 92 and the second modular plug 94, as seen in Fig. 2, are eliminated.
A cable 120 having a ~irst crimp modular jack 122 and a ~econd crimp modular jack 124 at either end provides an alternative mode of distribution. The crimp modular jack 122 snaps into the faceplate 68 and the receiving aperture 72A as previously described. The crimp modular jack 124 fits within the receiving aperture 100.
The ribbon cable 110 is terminated with a junction box 126 which has locking tab means on either side to engage the long rectangular opening 104A. Fig. 4 illustrates in greater speci~icity the ribbon cable 110 terminating in the junction box 126. As seen, the junction box 126 has a first side locking tab 128 and a second side locking tab 130 which is seated within the rectangular opening 104B to hold the junctlon box 126 as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the junction box 126 includes eight flat cables 132A-H with flat cable 132C illustratively terminated in a modified modular plug 134.
. ~
,~
- 21 - ~3 ~77~8 ~
To make the final connection between the crimp modular jack 122 at the wallplate 68 and the computer 70, the modular plug 134 is seated in the crimp modular jack 124. Of course, modification to the wiring distribution systems disclosed in the aforedescribed examples will occur to those skilled in the art.
Figs. 5 and 6 show the assembled components of the crimp-type modular jack connector 12 also shown in Fig. 1 for forming one hal~ of an electrical connection and terminating a multi-conductor building cable 13 according to the present invention. The crimp-type modular jack 12 includes an interior cavity 138 accessible through a central aperture 140 which is sized and shaped to receive and mate with a modular plug 18. The modular plug 18 mates along a central axis 142 which is normal to the central aperture 140. In one application, the modular plug 18 terminates flat cable 20 for providing communication to data units (not shown) in an exterior space as is known to those skilled in the art.
In a typical wiring distribution system, the twisted-pair cable comprises a bundle of wire conductors, shown as conductors 144a through 144n housed in a substantially round outer covering 146. Such cable has a particular application where data is transmitted over relatively long distances or where signal integrity must be maintained regardless o~ distance. In many applications, the wire conductors 144 comprise three, four, or more twisted-pairs. It should be further understood that each of the wire conductors 144a through 14gn is typically fabricated of solid conducting wire enclo~ed in an insulative covering. While such wire is unable to withstand the stress and ~atigue of stranded ~ ~ 7 7 1 ~ g wire, it is ~uitable ~or use in selected wire applications where the wire is essentially immobile, for example, in building wiring.
Inasmuch as the cable covering 146 is typically substantially round, the individual wire conductors lose orientation between the point of origin and the point of termination of the cable 13. Accordingly, skilled personnel must order the individual wires in accordance with a desired sequence before placement in a connector to effect termination. It will be further appreciated that by removing a substantial portion of the outer covering 146 from the distal end of the twisted-pair cable 13, the wire conductors 144a through 144n are easily manipulated and ordered. Although the individual wires 144a through 144n no longer are enclosed in the outer layer 146, adequate durability of the wires and integrity of the system is maintained, particularly since the wiring is rarely handled.
The crimp modular jack 12 comprises a housing 148 having a front wall or face portion 42, and a plurality of sidewalls, illustratively shown as sidewalls 152 and 154. The sidewalls form a box-like head section 156 that i9 sized to ~it within a wall panel aperture 22 (shown in Fig. 1) to provide an efficient termination.
The wall 154 is a top wall and includes a snap-~it interlocking tab 32 including a flexible blade 36 to provide mating engagement with a wallplate aperture as described herein. The housing 148 further provides a seating tab 30 which coacts with the interlocking tab 32 to mate with the receiving wallplate aperture. The .~
._ 680~1-231F
- 23 - ~O 2 1 7 7 ~ ~ g modular jack 12 is preferably a molded plastic structure which is configured in such a manner to be fabricated in a unitary, one-piece mold.
The modular jack 12 includes a plurality o~
contact elements 158a through 158n dlsposed within respective longitudinal slots 160a through 160n formed in the head section 156. Each contact element includes a terminal knlfe portion 162 and an active contact portion 164 (shown in Fig. 6) with a distal end 166 (shown in Fig.
6). Each terminal knife portion 162 is also supported within respective longitudinal sockets 168, which are in communication with the longitudinal slots 160 and disposed in the top wall 154.
Figs. 5 and 6 also show a tail section 170 of the crimp modular jack 12. The tail section 170 includes a longitudinal passageway 172 for receiving the plurality of conducting wire elements 144a through 144n. The passageway 172 provides lateral and transverse allgnment for the wire elements threaded within the crimp modular jack 12. The tail section 170 also provides an inelastic plastic deformable tab or knuckle 174. The knuckle 174 is compressed and firmly engages the wire elements 144a through 144n between the knuckle portion 174 and a hou~ing stop surface 176 (Fig. 6) formed in the tail section 170.
The knuckle 174 engages the wire elements, rather than the covering layer 146, to provide a mechanical connection with adequate strain reliee ~or the termination. The strain relief provided by engaging the wire elements is actually greater than providing a mechanlcal connection by crimping the covering layer 146.
~"
- 24 - ~ ~ ~77~ g As best shown in Fig. 5, the tail section 170 includes outwardly protruding side walls 174 and 175.
Accordingly, when the crimp modular ~ack is inserted in a receiving aperture 22F Oe a wall panel 10, the protruding sidewalls 174 and 175 provide stop surfaces 44 and 46 for abutting the crimp modular ~ack 12 within the receiving aperture 22F (Fig. 1).
Fig. 7 shows in greater detail the crimp modular plug 14 of Fig. 1 for terminating twisted-pair cable 15 using the teachings of the present invention. The crimp modular plug 14 comprises a plastic unitary hou~ing 176 of the same size and shape as known modular plugs. A
longitudinal passageway 178 receives the individual wire conductors 180a through 180n, ordered for placement into desired longitudinal receiving slots (not shown). The individual wires are exposed from the cable covering layer 182.
A plurality of contact elements (not shown) are disposed within longitudinal sockets 184a through 184n formed in the top wall and extending to the face of the plug housing 176. As with the crimp modular jack 12 shown in Figs. 5-6, each of the contact elements comprises a knife portlon supported within the respective sockets 184a through 184n. The contact elements are compressed against the conducting portions of the individual wire conductors 180a through 180n to form an electrical interconnection as is well known to-those skilled in the art.
As described hereinbefore in connection with the crimp modular jack 12, the modular plug plastic housing 176 includes a deformable knuckle portion lB6 that is compressed against the individual wire portions 180a through 180n to securely grasp and control the wire -- 25 - ~ ~ ?77~8 ~
portions between the knuckle portion 186 and a housing stop surface (not shown). In this way, a mechanical interconnection is effected which provide~ superior strain relief to known methods of securing the covering layer 182 S within the housing 176.
Figs. 8-10 illustrate the coupler element 16 in accordance with the present invention. The coupler 16 comprises a substantially box-like housing 190 including a first end wall 58 with an aperture 194 for defining a cavity 196 of a size and dimension for receiving an MMP
such as the modular plug 14 ~Fig. 7). A second end wall 198 has an aperture 200 ~or deeining a second cavity 202 for receiving a complementary MMP. A plurality of sidewalls 204, 206, 208, and 210 also define the housing 190.
A plurality o~ terminal assemblies 211 disposed within the coupler housing 190 provide the electrical interconnection for modular plugs received within cavities 196 and 202. Each o~ the terminal assemblies 211 comprises a pair of contacting leg portions 211A and 211B
disposed with the receiving cavities 196 and 202, respectively, for engaging the contact elements of a modular plug inserted within the receiving cavities. The contactlng leg portions 211A and 211~ are electrically connected by a conducting member 21lC. It will be appreciated, however, that in another embodiment, the coupler element 16 may be configured to ~orm an MP-MP
termination or even an MP-MMP termination.
The coupler element 16 further includes a snap-fit interlocking tab S0 and a seating tab 52. The interlocklng tab 50 and the seating tab 52 coact to mate with the receiving wall panel aperture 22 (Fig. 1). In - - - -- 26 - ~ 21771~ ~
addition, the coupler element includes a plurality o~ tabs 212, 214, 216, and 218 extending outwardly Oe the sidewalls of the hou~ing 190 to provide stop surfaces 54 and 56 for seating the coupler 16 within the wallplate aperture 22A (shown in Fig. 1) upon insertion therein.
Fig. 11 shows a crimping tool 222 of the type well known to those ~killed in the art. However, it provide~ a very important feature that di~tinguishe~ it from known device~. A die 224 i~ provided with a receiving cavity 226 defined by sidewalls 228, 230 and 232. The size and dimension of the receiving cavity 226 is selected to receive the head section 148 as well as at least a portion o~ the tail section 170 of the crimp modular jack 12 shown in Fig. 5. The sidewalls of the die 224 are preferably fabricated of steel. An anvil section 234 is positioned relative to the receiving cavity 226 and includes a knuckle-driving portion 236 and spaced contact element driving portions (not shown).
To effect termination of a twisted-pa1r cable in the modular jack 12, the outer covering layer 146 is removed from the distal end portion of the cable 13. The plurality of conducting wire elements 144a through 144n is thereby removed. Preferably, approximately one or two inches of the covering layer 146 are removed.
Accordingly, the conducting wire elements are freely manipulated by the installer.
The exposed conducting wire elements 144a through 144n are arranged in accordance with a preselected sequence corresponding to the longitudinal insertion slots 160a through 160n in the modular jack 12. As will be ~ ~177~8 g appreciated by those skilled in the art, such a ~equence may, for example be color coded within the longitudinal sockets 168 of the modular jack 12.
The ordered conducting elements 144 are thereafter threaded within respective insertion slots 160a through 160n. In this operation, the conducting elements are simultaneously placed within the in~ertion slots 160.
The invention thereby eliminates the sequential placement Oe individual conducting wires into respective receiving slots or punching slots, one at a time, which is quite time consuming in operations where hundreds Oe terminations are typically made. In addition, actual crimping takes place independent of the outer covering.
Crimping the wire elements in this manner provides a strong engaging force acting on the wires and cable.
In order to perform a crimping operation to a modular jack connector, the crimp modular jack 12 with inserted wire8 (shown in Fig. 5) ls inserted within the receiving cavity 226 of the die 224 (See Fig. 11) with the knuckle portion 174 and longitudinal sockets 168 facing the anvil sectlon 234. The dimensions Oe the receiving cavity 226 are chosen to securely grasp and control the head section 148 and at least a portion o~ the tail section 170 so that a desired crimp is achieved.
Thereafter, the handles 238 and 240 of the crimp tool 222 are compre~sed inwardly to drive the anvil section toward the receiving cavity 226 and modular jack 12. In this way, the knuckle portion 174 Oe the crimp modular jack 12 is crimped or otherwise compressed radially transversely inward against the conducting wire elements. The dimensions and conditions o~ the knuckle portion 174 are controlled such that the knuckle portion 174 does not - -~ 2 11 7 7 li ~ 5 undergo undesired elongation. Some elongation of the knuckle portion 174, particularly along the wire surfaces, typically occurs, however. In addition, the contact elements 158 are compressed tran~versely inwardly to engage the conducting portions of the individual wires 144a through 144n. As with the insertion of the wire elements within the jack 12, all the conducting wires are mechanically and electrically terminated simultaneously.
Once the jack 12 has been crimped onto the wire elements, the connector assembly is ready for subsequent operations. These include placement of the modular jack assembly 12 within a wall panel 10 ~Fig. 1) and/or mating with a modular plug to form an electrical connection.
The method of termination of twisted-pair cable with a modular plug 14 operates in a similar manner. As with the modular jack 12, a portion of the outer covering layer 182 is removed from the distal end portion o~ the cable 15, thereby exposing the conductive wire elements.
The wire elements are simultaneously arranged for reception with desired longitudinal sockets within the modular plug 14. The contact elements in the plug 14 are thereafter compressed transversely inwardly onto the wire elements. Simultaneously, the knuckle portion 186 i~
compressed onto the wire elements to ~orm a mechanical connectlon without engaging the outer covering layer. In this way, a stronger crimp is formed than in methods which engage the covering layer in a significantly decreased amount of time necessary to perform termination. The modular plug 14 is therea~ter mated within a crimp MMJ, or an MMJ in an existing system. The modular plug 14 may also be inserted within a coupler 16 and thereafter interconnected with another modular plug.
it~ 68061-231F
- - -~ 2117718 5 From the description thus far provided, a wiring distribution system using twisted-pair connector devices that overcome the aforestated deficiencies in the prior art by providing simple crimp assemblie9 and couplers without the use of precise manipulation of the individual conducting wires or punching techniques has been described. It will be apparent that the proposed system may be used ln a number of applications and that a number of modifications can be made in the invention disclosed, particularly by those having the benefit of the foregoing teachings, without departing from the spirit of these principles. However, these features preferably are utilized together in the systems and assemblies described herein. Accordingly, while the invention disclosed herein has been described with reference to the presently contemplated best mode for practicing the invention, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
. 68061-231F
.. .
Claims
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A hand help tool for providing a crimping operation to terminate building wiring having a plurality of twisted-pair wires surrounded by an outer layer except for the end portion thereof with a crimp-type modular jack, said crimp-type modular jack having a plurality of spaced contact elements, an inelastically deformable knuckle, a head section, and a tail section, said end portions of said plurality of twisted-pair wires being placed within said crimp-type modular jack, said head section having a face end with a plug insertion aperture for receiving a plug, each of said plurality of spaced contact elements having an active contact portion disposed within said plug insertion aperture for engaging a corresponding electrically conductive terminal in said plug to form an electrical interconnection, said tool comprising:
cooperating first and second hand-held jaw members for defining an opened position and a closed position;
a modular jack receiving portion associated with said first jaw member for receiving said head section and at least a portion of said tail section of said crimp-type modular jack;
an anvil section associated with said second jaw member having contact element driving portions spaced apart a distance, said contact element driving portions being capable of engaging, moving and compressing adjacent ones of said plurality of spaced contact elements of said crimp-type modular jack into electrical contact with said end portions of said individual ones of said plurality of twisted pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position, said anvil section also having a knuckle driving portion being capable of inelastically deforming and forcing said knuckle of said crimp-type modular jack into engagement with said end portions of said plurality of twisted-pair wires forming a strain relief mechanical retention of said individual ones of said plurality of twisted-pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position.
cooperating first and second hand-held jaw members for defining an opened position and a closed position;
a modular jack receiving portion associated with said first jaw member for receiving said head section and at least a portion of said tail section of said crimp-type modular jack;
an anvil section associated with said second jaw member having contact element driving portions spaced apart a distance, said contact element driving portions being capable of engaging, moving and compressing adjacent ones of said plurality of spaced contact elements of said crimp-type modular jack into electrical contact with said end portions of said individual ones of said plurality of twisted pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position, said anvil section also having a knuckle driving portion being capable of inelastically deforming and forcing said knuckle of said crimp-type modular jack into engagement with said end portions of said plurality of twisted-pair wires forming a strain relief mechanical retention of said individual ones of said plurality of twisted-pair wires when said first and second hand-held jaw members are moved from said open position to said closed position.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US54475490A | 1990-06-27 | 1990-06-27 | |
| US07/544,754 | 1990-06-27 | ||
| CA002042489A CA2042489C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002042489A Division CA2042489C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2177185A1 CA2177185A1 (en) | 1991-12-28 |
| CA2177185C true CA2177185C (en) | 1997-12-30 |
Family
ID=25674616
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002177187A Expired - Fee Related CA2177187C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
| CA002177186A Expired - Fee Related CA2177186C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
| CA002177185A Expired - Fee Related CA2177185C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
Family Applications Before (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002177187A Expired - Fee Related CA2177187C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
| CA002177186A Expired - Fee Related CA2177186C (en) | 1990-06-27 | 1991-05-13 | Wiring distribution system and devices for building wiring |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (3) | CA2177187C (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-05-13 CA CA002177187A patent/CA2177187C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-05-13 CA CA002177186A patent/CA2177186C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-05-13 CA CA002177185A patent/CA2177185C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2177186C (en) | 1997-10-07 |
| CA2177187C (en) | 1998-01-27 |
| CA2177185A1 (en) | 1991-12-28 |
| CA2177187A1 (en) | 1991-12-28 |
| CA2177186A1 (en) | 1991-12-28 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |