EP3363082A1 - Prise de communication à mécanisme obturateur et dispositif de gestion de fil - Google Patents

Prise de communication à mécanisme obturateur et dispositif de gestion de fil

Info

Publication number
EP3363082A1
EP3363082A1 EP16856027.4A EP16856027A EP3363082A1 EP 3363082 A1 EP3363082 A1 EP 3363082A1 EP 16856027 A EP16856027 A EP 16856027A EP 3363082 A1 EP3363082 A1 EP 3363082A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
door
wire
projection
doors
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP16856027.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3363082B1 (fr
EP3363082A4 (fr
Inventor
Charles Bragg
Darrell W. Zielke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Original Assignee
Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/883,267 external-priority patent/US9515437B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/135,870 external-priority patent/US9627827B2/en
Application filed by Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc filed Critical Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
Publication of EP3363082A1 publication Critical patent/EP3363082A1/fr
Publication of EP3363082A4 publication Critical patent/EP3363082A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3363082B1 publication Critical patent/EP3363082B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/60—Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement
    • H01R24/62—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
    • H01R24/64—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
    • H01R13/453—Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
    • H01R13/4536—Inwardly pivoting shutter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
    • H01R13/5804—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable comprising a separate cable clamping part
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
    • H01R13/6592—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members the conductive member being a shielded cable
    • H01R13/6593—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members the conductive member being a shielded cable the shield being composed of different pieces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
    • H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot
    • H01R4/2425—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates
    • H01R4/2429—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base
    • H01R4/2433—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed generally to communication outlets. Description of the Related Art
  • RJ-45 type outlets have several drawbacks.
  • such outlets each include an opening configured to receive a conventional RJ-45 type plug.
  • debris and/or foreign objects e.g., tools, fingers, etc.
  • a conventional RJ- 45 type outlet includes a carrier or terminal block with slots into which wires are pressed to terminate a cable.
  • Outlets and devices configured to prevent debris and objects other than a plug from being inserted into the plug-receiving opening are particularly desirable. Outlets to which cables may be more readily terminated are also desirable. The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and
  • An embodiment includes a first communication connector for use with a cable having at least one grounding component.
  • the first communication connector includes an electrically conductive housing door pivotably coupled to an electrically conductive housing having a door gripping portion.
  • the housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • a first one of the housing door and the door gripping portion has a projection configured to engage a different second one of the housing door and the door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position.
  • the first one is the housing door and the second one is the door gripping portion.
  • the projection is configured to electrically connect the housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding
  • the projection may be configured to help maintain the housing door in the open position before the projection engages the second one of the housing door and the door gripping portion.
  • the projection may have a spherical cap shape.
  • the housing door may be a first housing door and the projection may be a first projection.
  • the first communication connector includes an electrically conductive second housing door pivotably coupled to the housing.
  • the second housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the second housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • a third one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion has a second projection configured to engage a fourth one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion when the second housing door is in the closed position. The fourth one is different from the third one.
  • the second projection is configured to electrically connect the second housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing when the second projection engages the fourth one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion.
  • the door gripping portion may be a first door gripping portion and the housing may have a second door gripping portion.
  • the first housing door has a third projection configured to engage the second door gripping portion when the first housing door is in the closed position.
  • the second housing door has a fourth projection configured to engage the second door gripping portion when the second housing door is in the closed position.
  • the third and fourth projections are configured to electrically connect the first and second housing doors, respectively, with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing when the third and fourth projections are engaged with the second door gripping portion.
  • the first communication connector may include a plurality of wire contacts housed inside the housing and the first and second housing doors may define a throughway.
  • the plurality of wire contacts are configured to form electrical connections with a plurality of wires of the cable.
  • the throughway is configured to allow the cable to pass therethrough to position the plurality of wires to form electrical connections with the plurality of wire contacts.
  • the first and second projections may help ground performance of the first communication connector when the first projection engages the second one of the first housing door and the door gripping portion, and the second projection engages the fourth one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion.
  • the first and second projections may help prevent a portion of the cable positioned within the throughway from moving with respect to the housing when the first projection engages the second one of the first housing door and the door gripping portion, and the second projection engages the fourth one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion.
  • the first communication connector may include a wire manager having an open-ended passageway and a plurality of wire channels adjacent one end of the passageway. The passageway is aligned with the throughway and configured to receive the cable therein. The plurality of wire channels are configured to receive the plurality of wires and position the plurality of wires to form electrical connections with the plurality of wire contacts.
  • the first and second projections may be configured to help maintain the wire manager in a desired position with respect to the housing when the first projection engages the second one of the first housing door and the door gripping portion, and the second projection engages the fourth one of the second housing door and the door gripping portion.
  • An embodiment includes a second communication connector for use with a communication cable having at least one grounding component.
  • the second communication connector includes a pair of housing doors coupled to a housing having first and second door gripping members. At least one of the pair of housing doors is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the pair of housing doors is transitionable between open and closed positions. The pair of housing doors defines a throughway when in the closed position. The throughway is configured to allow the cable to pass
  • Each of the pair of housing doors has first and second projections.
  • the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors is configured to engage the first door gripping member when the pair of housing doors are in the closed position
  • the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors is configured to engage the second door gripping member when the pair of housing doors are in the closed position.
  • Engagement between the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the first door gripping member and engagement between the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the second door gripping member electrically connects the pair of housing doors with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.
  • the engagement between the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the first door gripping member and the engagement between the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the second door gripping member may help to prevent a portion of the cable positioned within the throughway from moving with respect to the pair of housing doors when the cable is terminated inside the housing.
  • the second communication connector may include a plurality of wire contacts positioned inside the housing, and a wire manager positioned partially inside the housing.
  • the wire manager has an open-ended passageway and a plurality of wire channels adjacent one end of the passageway.
  • the passageway is aligned with the throughway and configured to receive the cable therein.
  • the plurality of wire channels is configured to receive a plurality of wires of the cable and position the plurality of wires to form electrical connections with the plurality of wire contacts.
  • the engagement between the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the first door gripping member and the engagement between the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the second door gripping member may help maintain the wire manager in a desired position with respect to the housing.
  • the first and second door gripping members of the second communication connector may each include an inwardly facing surface.
  • the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors engages the inwardly facing surface of the first door gripping member when the pair of housing doors is in the closed position.
  • the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors engages the inwardly facing surface of the second door gripping member when the pair of housing doors is in the closed position.
  • the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors is configured to abut the first door gripping member to help prevent engagement between the first projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the inwardly facing surface of the first door gripping member when the pair of housing doors is in the open position.
  • the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors is configured to abut the second door gripping member to help prevent engagement between the second projection of each of the pair of housing doors and the inwardly facing surface of the second door gripping member when the pair of housing doors is in the open position.
  • An embodiment includes a third communication connector for use with a communication cable having at least one grounding component.
  • the third communication connector includes a housing door pivotably coupled to a housing having spaced apart first and second door gripping portions with first and second projections, respectively.
  • the housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • the first and second projections are configured to engage the housing door when the housing door is in the closed position to electrically connect the housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.
  • the housing door may be a first housing door.
  • the third communication connector includes a second housing door coupled to the housing.
  • the second housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the second housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • the first and second door gripping portions may have third and fourth projections,
  • the first, second, third, and fourth projections may help ground performance of the communication connector when the first and second projections engage the first housing door and the third and fourth projections engage the second housing door.
  • An embodiment includes a fourth communication connector for use with a communication cable having at least one grounding component.
  • the fourth communication connector includes a housing door pivotably coupled to a housing having spaced apart first and second door gripping portions.
  • the housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • the housing door has first and second projections configured to engage the first and second door gripping portions, respectively, when the housing door is in the closed position to electrically connect the housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.
  • the housing door may be a first housing door.
  • the fourth communication connector includes a second housing door coupled to the housing.
  • the second housing door is connectable to the at least one grounding component to form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the second housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • the second housing door has third and fourth projections configured to engage the first and second door gripping portions, respectively, when the second housing door is in the closed position to electrically connect the second housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.
  • the first, second, third, and fourth projections may help ground
  • the first projection may engage an inwardly facing surface of the first door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position.
  • the first projection may be configured to abut the first door gripping portion to thereby help prevent engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the first door gripping portion when the housing door is in the open position. In such embodiments, transitioning the housing door from the open position to the closed position requires sufficient force to force the first projection into engagement with inwardly facing surface of the first door gripping portion.
  • the second projection may engage an inwardly facing surface of the second door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position.
  • the second projection may be configured to abut the second door gripping portion to thereby help prevent engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the second door gripping portion when the housing door is in the open position. In such embodiments, transitioning the housing door from the open position to the closed position requires sufficient force to force the second projection into engagement with inwardly facing surface of the second door gripping portion.
  • An embodiment includes a fifth communication connector that includes a housing door pivotably coupled to a housing having a door gripping portion.
  • the housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions.
  • a first one of the housing door and the door gripping portion has a projection configured to engage a different second one of the housing door and the door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position.
  • the projection is configured to prevent the housing door from being rotated from the open position to the closed position when less than a sufficient amount of rotational force is applied to the housing door.
  • the projection is configured to be compressed between the housing door and the housing to allow the housing door to be rotated to the closed position when at least the sufficient amount of rotational force is applied to the housing door.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection that includes a communication outlet mated with a conventional RJ-45 type plug.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a wire of a cable connected to the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the front of the conventional RJ-45 type plug of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front of the conventional RJ-45 type plug of Figure 1 and the rear of the outlet of Figure 1 with its housing doors open.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front of the outlet of Figure 1 with its shutter door and housing doors closed.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 1 with its housing doors closed.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 1 with its housing doors open.
  • Figure 8 is a first partially exploded perspective view of the outlet of
  • Figure 9 is a second partially exploded perspective view of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 10 is a third partially exploded perspective view of the outlet of
  • Figure 1 1 is an enlargement of a portion of Figure 10 omitting a latch member.
  • Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a locking shutter subassembly of the outlet of Figure 1 including the shutter door, a shutter lock member, and a biasing member.
  • Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the shutter door of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12.
  • Figure 14 is a rear perspective view of the shutter door of Figure 13.
  • Figure 15A is a first rear perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the closed position and the shutter lock member in a locked position.
  • Figure 15B is a second rear perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the closed position and the shutter lock member in an unlocked position.
  • Figure 15C is a third rear perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the open position and the shutter lock member in the unlocked position.
  • Figure 16A is a first front perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the closed position and the shutter lock member in a locked position.
  • Figure 16B is a second front perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the closed position and the shutter lock member in an unlocked position.
  • Figure 16C is a third front perspective view of the locking shutter subassembly of Figure 12 with the shutter door in the open position and the shutter lock member in the unlocked position.
  • Figure 17 is a side view of the locking shutter subassembly of
  • Figure 18A is a front view of a housing of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 18B is a rear view of the housing of Figure 18A.
  • Figure 19 is a perspective view of the housing and ground springs of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of a contact positioning member, an optional spring assembly, an optional flexible printed circuit board, outlet contacts, a substrate, and wire contacts of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 21 A is a front perspective view of a guide sleeve of the outlet of
  • Figure 21 B is a rear perspective view of the guide sleeve of
  • Figure 22 is a partially exploded perspective view of the housing doors, a wire manager, the guide sleeve, and a subassembly including the contact positioning member, the optional spring assembly, the optional flexible printed circuit board, the outlet contacts, the substrate, and the wire contacts of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 23A is a front exploded perspective view of the wire manager of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 23B is a rear exploded perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 24A is a rear perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in a closed configuration.
  • Figure 24B is a rear perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in an open configuration.
  • Figure 25A is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in a closed configuration.
  • Figure 25B is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in an open configuration.
  • Figure 26A is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • FIG. 23A depicted in the open configuration.
  • Figure 26B is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in the open configuration with a cable positioned to be inside an open-ended passageway defined between first and second portions of the wire manager when the wire manager is in the closed configuration.
  • Figure 26C is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in the closed configuration with the cable inside the open-ended passageway defined between the first and second portions of the wire manager.
  • Figure 26D is a front perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in the closed configuration with the wires of the cable inserted into the wire channels (or recesses) formed in the wire manager.
  • Figure 26E is a rear perspective view of the wire manager of
  • Figure 23A depicted in the closed configuration with a drain wire of the cable positioned inside a drain wire channel formed in the wire manager.
  • Figure 27 is a front perspective view of conductive members of the wire manager of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 28A is a perspective view of the wire manager being inserted into the housing of the outlet of Figure 1 .
  • Figure 28B is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 1 depicted with one of its housing doors removed (or exploded) and the other housing door in the open position.
  • Figure 28C is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 1 depicted with one of its housing doors removed (or exploded) and the other housing door in the closed position.
  • Figure 29 is a perspective view of a front of a second embodiment of a communication outlet terminating a cable.
  • Figure 30 is a partially exploded perspective view of the outlet of Figure 29.
  • Figure 31 A is a front view of a shutter door of a shutter subassembly of the outlet of Figure 29.
  • Figure 31 B is a rear view of the shutter door of Figure 31 A.
  • Figure 32A is a side view of the shutter subassembly of Figure 31 A with the shutter door in a closed position.
  • Figure 32B is a side view of the shutter subassembly of Figure 31 A with the shutter door in an open position.
  • Figure 33 is a perspective view of a guide sleeve of the outlet of
  • Figure 34 is a perspective view of a rear of the outlet of Figure 29 with its housing doors closed and its release levers in locked positions.
  • Figure 35 is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 29 depicted with one of its housing doors removed (or exploded), the other housing door in the closed position, and the release levers in unlocked positions.
  • Figure 36 is a perspective view of the rear of the outlet of Figure 29 with its housing doors open and its release levers in locked positions.
  • Figure 37 is a rear exploded perspective view of a wire manager of the outlet of Figure 29.
  • Figure 38A is a front perspective view of the wire manager of Figure 37 depicted in a closed configuration with the wires of the cable inserted into wire channels (or recesses) formed in the wire manager.
  • Figure 38B is a rear perspective view of the wire manager of Figure 37 depicted in the closed configuration with a drain wire of the cable positioned inside a drain wire channel formed in the wire manager.
  • Figure 39 is a perspective view of a first side of an insulation displacement connector.
  • Figure 40 is a perspective view of a second side of the insulation displacement connector of Figure 39.
  • Figure 41 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a third embodiment of a communication outlet configured to terminate a cable.
  • Figure 42A is a perspective view of the rear portion of the outlet of
  • Figure 42B is an enlarged perspective view of the rear portion of the outlet of Figure 41 with its housing doors removed.
  • Figure 43A is a perspective view of an underside of the rear portion of the outlet of Figure 41 with its housing doors open.
  • Figure 43B is an enlarged perspective view of the underside of the rear portion of the outlet of Figure 41 with its housing doors removed.
  • Figure 44 is a perspective view of an inside of the housing doors of the outlet of Figure 41 .
  • Figure 45 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the outlet of
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly or connection 10 that includes a conventional RJ-45 type plug 100 mated with a communication outlet 120.
  • the plug receiving side of the outlet 120 will be referred to as the front of the outlet 120.
  • the portion of the plug 100 inserted into the outlet 120 will be referred to as the front of the plug 100.
  • the outlet 120 terminates a communication cable C1 and the plug 100 terminates a communication cable C2.
  • connection 10 connects the cables C1 and C2 together.
  • the cables C1 and C2 may be substantially identical to one another. For the sake of brevity, only the structure of the cable C1 will be described in detail.
  • the cable C1 includes a drain wire JDW and a plurality of wires JW1 -JW8.
  • the wires JW1 -JW8 are arranged in four twisted-wire pairs (also known as "twisted pairs").
  • the first twisted pair includes the wires JW4 and JW5.
  • the second twisted pair includes the wires JW1 and JW2.
  • the third twisted pair includes the wires JW3 and JW6.
  • the fourth twisted pair includes the wires JW7 and JW8.
  • each of the twisted pairs may be housed inside a pair shield.
  • the first twisted pair (wires JW4 and JW5) is housed inside a first pair shield JPS1
  • the second twisted pair (wires JW1 and JW2) is housed inside a second pair shield JPS2
  • the third twisted pair (wires JW3 and JW6) is housed inside a third pair shield JPS3
  • the fourth twisted pair (wires JW7 and JW8) is housed inside a fourth pair shield JPS4.
  • the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 have been omitted from the other figures.
  • the drain wire JDW, the wires JW1 -JW8, and the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 are housed inside a cable shield 140J.
  • the drain wire JDW, the wires JW1 -JW8, and the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 are each constructed from one or more electrically conductive materials.
  • the drain wire JDW, the wires JW1 -JW8, the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4, and the cable shield 140J are housed inside a protective outer cable sheath or jacket 180J typically constructed from an electrically insulating material.
  • the cable C1 may include additional conventional cable components (not shown) such as additional shielding, dividers, and the like.
  • each of the wires JW1 -JW8 (see Figure 1 ) is substantially identical to one another. For the sake of brevity, only the structure of the wire JW1 will be described. As is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the wire JW1 as well as the wires JW2-JW8 each includes an electrical
  • each of the twisted pairs serves as a conductor of a differential signaling pair wherein signals are transmitted thereupon and expressed as voltage and/or current differences between the wires of the twisted pair.
  • a twisted pair can be susceptible to electromagnetic sources including another nearby cable of similar construction. Signals received by the twisted pair from such electromagnetic sources external to the cable's jacket (e.g., the jacket 180J) are referred to as alien crosstalk.
  • the twisted pair can also receive signals from one or more wires of the three other twisted pairs within the cable's jacket, which is referred to as "local crosstalk" or "internal crosstalk.”
  • the cables C1 and C2 may be substantially identical to one another.
  • the cable C2 includes a drain wire PDW, wires PW1 -PW8, optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4, a cable shield 140P, and a cable jacket 180P that are substantially identical to the drain wire JDW, the wires JW1 -JW8, the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4, the cable shield 140J, and the cable jacket 180 J, respectively, of the cable C1 .
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plug 100 separated from the outlet 120 (see Figure 1 ).
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a front portion of the plug 100 and a rear portion of the outlet 120.
  • the plug 100 may be inserted into the outlet 120 in a direction identified by arrow A1 to form the connection 10 depicted in Figure 1 .
  • the plug 100 is a conventional RJ-45 type plug.
  • the plug 100 includes a plug housing 150.
  • housing 150 may be constructed of a conductive material (e.g., metal).
  • the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4 may contact the housing 150 and form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the plug housing 150 is configured to house plug contacts P1 -P8.
  • Each of the plug contacts P1 -P8 is constructed from an electrically conductive material.
  • the plug contacts P1 - P8 are electrically connected to the wires PW1 -PW8, respectively, of the cable C2.
  • the housing 150 has a forward portion 152 configured to be received by the outlet 120 (see Figure 4), and the forward portion 152 has a forward facing portion 154. Openings 171 -178 are formed in the forward portion 152 of the plug housing 150.
  • the plug contacts P1 -P8 are
  • outlet contacts J1 -J8 in the outlet 120 extend into the openings 171 -178 (see Figure 3), respectively, and contact the plug contacts P1 -P8 (see Figure 3), respectively.
  • the contacts P1 -P8 form physical and electrical connections with the outlet contacts J1 -J8 (see Figure 20),
  • a conventional latch arm 160 is attached to the housing 150.
  • a portion 162 of the latch arm 160 extends onto the forward facing portion 154.
  • the portion 162 extends forwardly from the forward facing portion 154 away from the housing 150.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a front portion of the outlet 120
  • Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing a rear portion of the outlet 120.
  • the cable C1 terminated by the outlet 120 has been omitted from Figures 5-7.
  • the outlet 120 is constructed to comply with the RJ-45 standard.
  • Figures 8-10 are exploded perspective views of the outlet 120.
  • the outlet 120 includes a face plate 310, a locking shutter subassembly 320, a housing 330, one or more ground springs 340A and 340B, a plurality of resilient tines or outlet contacts 342, an optional spring assembly 350, a contact positioning member 352, a substrate 354 (depicted as a printed circuit board), an optional clip or latch member 356, a plurality of wire contacts 360, a guide sleeve 370, a wire manager 380, and housing doors 390 and 392.
  • the outlet contacts 342 may include the outlet contacts J1 -J8.
  • the wire contacts 360 may include eight wire contacts 361 -368. Together the outlet contacts 342, the optional spring
  • the contact positioning member 352, the substrate 354, and the wire contacts 360 may be characterized as forming a first embodiment of a contact subassembly 358 configured for use with the other components of the outlet 120, which include the face plate 310, the locking shutter subassembly 320, the
  • the outlet 120 differs significantly from conventional RJ-45 type outlets in several ways.
  • debris and/or foreign objects e.g., tools, fingers, etc.
  • debris and/or foreign objects may be readily received and/or easily inserted into the plug receiving opening of a
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 of the outlet 120 helps prevent debris and objects other than the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) from entering (or being pushed into) a plug receiving opening 312 (formed in the face plate 310) of the outlet 120.
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 is configured to permit the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) to enter the plug receiving opening 312, and to prevent other objects (such as fingers) from being inserted inside the plug receiving opening 312 of the outlet 120.
  • a conventional RJ-45 type outlet (not shown) includes a carrier or terminal block.
  • the outlet 120 omits the terminal block.
  • the outlet 120 includes the guide sleeve 370, the wire manager 380, and the housing doors 390 and 392.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 each pivot with respect to the housing 330 between a closed position and an open position. Turning to Figure 6, when the housing doors 390 and 392 are both in the closed position, they define an internal cavity 396 inside the outlet 120. Turning to Figure 7, when the housing doors 390 and 392 are both in the open position, the wire manager 380 may be inserted into or removed from the internal cavity 396.
  • the face plate 310, the housing 330, and the housing doors 390 and 392 house internal components of the outlet 120 (e.g., the locking shutter subassembly 320, the outlet contacts 342, the optional spring assembly 350, the contact positioning member 352, the substrate 354, the wire contacts 360, the guide sleeve 370, and the wire manager 380).
  • the outlet 120 e.g., the locking shutter subassembly 320, the outlet contacts 342, the optional spring assembly 350, the contact positioning member 352, the substrate 354, the wire contacts 360, the guide sleeve 370, and the wire manager 380.
  • the plug receiving opening 312 is formed in the face plate 310.
  • the shape of the plug receiving opening 312 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the forward portion 152 (see Figure 3) of the plug 100.
  • the plug receiving opening 312 is configured to permit the plug 100 to pass therethrough unobstructed.
  • the face plate 310 includes a conventional lip 314 onto which the latch arm 160 of the plug 100 may latch.
  • the plug 100 may be latched to the outlet 120 when the latch arm 160 engages the lip 314 of the face plate 310.
  • the face plate 310 is configured to be attached to the housing 330.
  • the face plate 310 includes a plurality of hooked members 316A-316D configured to grab or hook onto corresponding projections
  • the hooked members 316A-316D couple (removably or permanently) the face plate 310 to the housing 330.
  • the face plate 310 includes rearwardly extending projections 319A and 319B positioned above the plug receiving opening 312.
  • the projection 319A is spaced apart from and positioned underneath the hooked member 316A.
  • the projection 319B is spaced apart from and positioned underneath the hooked member 316B.
  • the face plate 310 may include an overhanging portion 31 1 positioned above the plug receiving opening 312.
  • the overhanging portion 31 1 may rest upon the housing 330 when the outlet 120 is assembled.
  • the face plate 310 may be constructed from an electrically conductive and/or dielectric material.
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 helps prevent debris and objects other than the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) from entering (or being pushed into) the plug receiving opening 312 of the outlet 120.
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 includes a shutter door 450, a shutter lock member 452, and at least one biasing member (e.g., a biasing member 454).
  • the shutter door 450 is sized and shaped to cover (or close) the plug receiving opening 312 formed in the face plate 310 to prevent contaminants and/or objects other than the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) from being received inside the outlet 120.
  • the shutter door 450 is configured to pivot about a door pivot axis 458 with respect to the housing 330 (see Figure 5) between a closed position (see Figures 5, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, and 17) and an open position (see Figures 15C and 16C).
  • pivot pins 460A and 460B are formed along a lower portion 464 of the shutter door 450.
  • the pivot pins 460A and 460B extend along the door pivot axis 458.
  • Each of the pivot pins 460A and 460B has a groove 461 that extends circumferentially at least partway around the pivot pin.
  • the pivot pins 460A and 460B extend outwardly from downwardly extending legs 462A and 462B, respectively.
  • the shutter door 450 has a front facing portion 463 opposite a rearward facing portion 465.
  • a first recess 466 is formed in the front facing portion 463.
  • a second recess 467 is formed in the rearward facing portion 465.
  • a through-hole or slot 468 extends at least partway into each of the first and second recesses 466 and 467.
  • the slot 468 is defined between a pair of confronting inside surfaces 457A and 457B. Inwardly extending projections 459A and 459B extend inwardly from the inside surfaces 457A and 457B, respectively.
  • the rearward facing portion 465 also includes a third recess 470 having an upper inside surface 472.
  • the third recess 470 intersects or overlaps the second recess 467.
  • the second recess 467 is deeper than the third recess 470.
  • the front facing portion 463 may include one or more plug-engaging projections 473A and 473B that extend forwardly into the plug receiving opening 312 of the face plate 310.
  • the forward facing portion 154 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the plug 100 presses against the plug-engaging projections 473A and 473B, and the portion 162 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the latch arm 160 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the plug 100 presses on the shutter lock
  • the shutter lock member 452 has a switch portion 480, an arm portion 482, and an intermediate portion 484.
  • the shutter lock member 452 is a wire segment that has been bent to define the switch, arm, and intermediate portions 480, 482, and 484. However, this is not a requirement.
  • the shutter lock member 452 is rotatable relative to the shutter door 450 between a locked position (see Figures 5, 15A, 16A, and 17), and an unlocked position (see Figures 15B, 15C, 16B, and 16C).
  • the switch portion 480 extends forwardly from the front facing portion 463 of the shutter door 450
  • the intermediate portion 484 is positioned inside the slot 468 between the inside surfaces 457A and 457B (see Figures 13 and 14)
  • the arm portion 482 is positioned inside the second recess 467.
  • the shutter lock member 452 may be in the locked position.
  • the shutter lock member 452 may rotated (in a direction indicated by an arrow A2) into the unlocked position.
  • the shutter lock member 452 rotates relative to the shutter door 450 until the switch portion 480 is received (at least partially) inside the first recess 466.
  • the arm portion 482 at least partially exits the second recess 467 thereby positioning the shutter lock member 452 in the unlocked position.
  • the biasing member 454 applies a biasing force to the rearward facing portion 465 of the shutter door 450 that biases the shutter door 450 toward the closed position (see Figures 5, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, and 17).
  • the biasing member 454 includes a pair of spaced apart coil springs 490A and 490B connected together by a U-shaped (connecting) portion 492.
  • the U-shaped portion 492 rotates or pivots relative to the coil springs 490A and 490B about a pivot axis 493.
  • the biasing member 454 may be constructed from metal wire, plastic, and the like.
  • Each of the coil springs 490A and 490B has a forwardly extending free end portion 494.
  • the free end portion 494 of the coil spring 490A is configured to be received inside the groove 461 formed in the pivot pin 460A
  • the free end portion 494 of the coil spring 490B is configured to be received inside the groove 461 formed in the pivot pin 460B.
  • the biasing member 454 (see Figure 12) is positioned behind the shutter door 450 inside the housing 330.
  • the coil springs 490A and 490B bias the U- shaped portion 492 into the third recess 470 of the shutter door 450 with the U- shaped portion 492 positioned adjacent to the upper inside surface 472 of the third recess 470.
  • the shutter door 450 is maintained in the closed position by the biasing member 454.
  • the door pivot axis 458 is offset with respect to the pivot axis 493 of the U-shaped portion 492 (see Figure 15A) of the biasing member 454.
  • pressing inwardly (in a direction indicated by an arrow A3) on the front facing portion 463 (e.g., on the plug-engaging projections 473A and 473B) of the shutter door 450 merely presses the upper inside surface 472 (see Figure 15B) of the third recess 470 (see Figure 15B) against the U-shaped portion 492 of the biasing member 454 but does not translate sufficient force in the direction of rotation about the pivot axis 493 (see Figures 12 and 16A) of the U-shaped portion 492 to allow the shutter door 450 to be rotated from the closed position to the open position.
  • the biasing member 454 locks the shutter door 450 in the closed position when the shutter lock member 452 is in the locked position.
  • pressing inwardly (in the direction indicated by the arrow A3 illustrated in Figure 17) on the front facing portion 463 (e.g., on the plug-engaging projections 473A and 473B) of the shutter door 450 no longer presses the upper inside surface 472 of the third recess 470 against the U-shaped portion 492 of the biasing member 454.
  • pressing inwardly on the front facing portion 463 of the shutter door 450 causes the shutter door 450 to pivot about the door pivot axis 458 (see Figures 12 and 16A) from the closed position to the open position.
  • the shutter lock member 452 allows the shutter door 450 to be pivoted into the open position when the shutter lock member 452 is in the unlocked position.
  • the shutter door 450 cannot cause the shutter lock member 452 to transition from the locked to the unlocked position. Instead, an inwardly directed force must be applied directly to the switch portion 480 of the shutter lock
  • the U-shaped portion 492 of the biasing member 454 presses against the shutter lock member 452 and/or the rearward facing portion 465 of the shutter door 450.
  • the biasing member 454 returns the shutter door 450 to the closed position.
  • the U-shaped portion 492 of the biasing member 454 presses against the arm portion 482 pressing the arm portion 482 into the second recess 467 (see Figure 14) and returning the shutter lock member 452 to the unlocked position.
  • the plug 100 presses on the shutter door 450. If the plug 100 is inserted into the outlet 120 with sufficient force to overcome any biasing force exerted by the biasing member 454 (see Figure 12), the shutter door 450 pivots from the closed position to the open position. Then, the plug 100 is latched inside the outlet 120 by the latch arm 160 to maintain the shutter door 450 in the open position.
  • the plug 100 when the plug 100 is inserted into the outlet 120, the plug 100 triggers the shutter lock member 452 to remove the U- shaped portion 492 (see Figure 17) from the third recess 470 (see Figure 17), and pushes the shutter door 450 inwardly allowing the plug contacts P1 -P8 (see Figure 3) to engage the outlet contacts J1 -J8 (see Figure 20), respectively, and allows the latch arm 160 to be latched to the lip 314 (see Figure 1 1 ) of the face plate 310.
  • the biasing member 454 biases the shutter door 450 toward the closed position. Further, referring to Figure 15B, the U-shaped portion 492 of the biasing
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 is
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 may be configured to provide a factory configurable solution that protects the outlet 120 against contaminants (such as dust), and the insertion of objects other than the plug 100.
  • the housing 330 is constructed from an electrically conductive material, such as metal.
  • the housing 330 includes a sidewall 400 defining an interior receptacle 402.
  • the sidewall 400 has an inwardly facing surface 403 adjacent the interior receptacle 402, and an exterior surface 404 opposite the inwardly facing surface 403.
  • the sidewall 400 includes a frontward opening portion 414 in communication with the interior receptacle 402.
  • the projections 318A-318D are formed in the frontward opening portion 414 of the sidewall 400 and extend inwardly from the inwardly facing surface 403 into the interior receptacle 402.
  • the frontward opening portion 414 includes recesses 408A and 408B configured to receive the pivot pins 460A and 460B, respectively, and the coil springs 490A and 490B, respectively.
  • the projections 318C and 318D partially overhang the recesses 408A and 408B, respectively.
  • the projection 318C has a lower surface 405A positioned above the recess 408A
  • the projection 318D has a lower surface 405B positioned above the recess 408B.
  • a stop wall 407A may extend from the inwardly facing surface 403 of the sidewall 400 partway into the recess 408A, and a stop wall 407B may extend from the inwardly facing surface 403 of the sidewall 400 partway into the recess 408B.
  • the pivot pin 460A is positioned in front of the stop wall 407A, and the coil spring 490A is positioned behind the pivot pin 460A next to the stop wall 407A.
  • the free end portion 494 of the coil spring 490A extends forwardly above the pivot pin 460A and optionally may extend into the groove 461 formed in the pivot pin 460A. Inside the recess 408A, the free end portion 494 may press upwardly against the lower surface 405A of the projection 318C.
  • the grooves 461 allow the pivot pin 460A to rotate freely relative to the coil spring 490A.
  • the pivot pin 460B is positioned in front of the stop wall 407B, and the coil spring 490B is positioned behind the pivot pin 460B next to the stop wall 407B.
  • the free end portion 494 of the coil spring 490B extends forwardly above the pivot pin 460B and optionally may extend into the groove 461 formed in the pivot pin 460B. Inside the recess 408B, the free end portion 494 may press upwardly against the lower surface 405B of the projection 318D.
  • the grooves 461 allow the pivot pin 460B to rotate freely relative to the coil spring 490B.
  • Opposite sides of the frontward opening portion 414 include recesses 416A and 416B formed in the inwardly facing surface 403 of the sidewall 400, and recesses 418A and 418B formed in the exterior surface 404 of the sidewall 400.
  • the recesses 416A and 416B are aligned with the recesses 418A and 418B,
  • Inwardly extending tabs 419A and 419B are positioned in the recesses 416A and 416B, respectively.
  • the sidewall 400 also includes a rearward opening portion 410 opposite the frontward opening portion 414 (see Figure 18A).
  • the rearward opening portion 410 is in communication with the interior
  • the substrate 354 is received inside the receptacle 402 through the rearward opening portion 410 (see Figures 8-10).
  • One or more projections or stop walls 420A-420D are formed in the sidewall 400 and extend into the receptacle 402.
  • the substrate 354 abuts the stop walls 420A-420D inside the receptacle 402.
  • the stop walls 420A-420D help maintain the substrate 354 in a desired position inside the receptacle 402.
  • the sidewall 400 includes a plurality of openings 424A-424D, which in the embodiment illustrated are implemented as through-holes.
  • the openings 424A- 424D are spaced inwardly from the rearward opening portion 410.
  • the rearward opening portion 410 has a generally
  • the openings 424A-424D are positioned at or near the corners of the rectangular cross-sectional shape.
  • the sidewall 400 has an upper portion 425 opposite a lower portion 426.
  • An upper door gripping member 427 extends upwardly from the upper portion 425, and a lower door gripping member 428 extends downwardly from the lower portion 426.
  • the upper door gripping member 427 is positioned between first and second contoured recesses 429A and 429B, and the lower door gripping member 428 is positioned between third and fourth contoured recesses 429C and 429D.
  • the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or the optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4 of the cable C2 may be electrically connected to the housing 150 of the plug 100.
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B are each constructed from an electrically conductive material and electrically connect the housing 330 of the outlet 120 with the housing 150 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) of the plug 100.
  • the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or the optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4 are electrically connected to the housing 330 of the outlet 120 by the ground springs 340A and 340B.
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B clip to opposite sides of the frontward opening portion 414 of the housing 330 and extend into the interior receptacle 402. Referring to Figures 8-10, when the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4) enters the interior receptacle 402 through the plug receiving opening 312 (formed in the face plate 310), one or both of the ground springs 340A and 340B contact the housing 150 of the plug 100 and form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B may be substantially identical to one another.
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B each include an interior portion 436 connected to an exterior portion 438 by a bent portion 434.
  • the interior portion 436 includes fingers 430 and 432 that extend inwardly into the interior receptacle 402, and a grip portion 433 configured to be received inside one of the recesses 416A and 416B (see Figure 18A) of the housing 330.
  • the exterior portion 438 is configured to be received inside one of the recesses 418A and 418B (see Figure 18A) of the housing 330. Together, the grip portion 433 and the exterior portion 438 grip the sidewall 400 of the housing 330.
  • the grip portions 433 of the ground springs 340A and 340B are configured to be received inside the recesses 416A and 416B (see Figure 18A), respectively, and the exterior portions 438 of the ground springs 340A and 340B are configured to be received inside the recesses 418A and 418B (see Figure 18A), respectively.
  • the grip portions 433 of the ground springs 340A and 340B each include an aperture 435.
  • the aperture 435 of the ground spring 340A is configured to receive the tab 419A (see Figure 18A) when the grip portion 433 of the ground spring 340A is received inside the recess 416A (see Figure 18A).
  • the aperture 435 of the ground spring 340B is configured to receive the tab 419B (see Figure 18A) when the grip portion 433 of the ground spring 340B is received inside the recess 416B (see Figure 18A).
  • each of the outlet contacts J1 -J8 has a first end portion 502 configured to be connected to the substrate 354, and a second free end portion 504 opposite the first end portion 502.
  • the second free end portions 504 are arranged in the interior receptacle 402 (see Figures 18A and 18B) of the
  • outlet contacts 342 include the eight individual outlet contacts J1 -J8 that correspond to the eight plug contacts Pi pe (see Figure 3), respectively, through application of ordinary skill in the art to the present teachings, embodiments including different numbers of outlet contacts (e.g., 4, 6, 10, 12, 16, etc.) may be constructed for use with plugs having different numbers of plug contacts.
  • the optional spring assembly 350 helps position the outlet contacts J1 - J8 to contact the plug contacts P1 -P8 (see Figure 3), respectively, when the plug 100 (see Figure 3) is inserted into the outlet 120. While described as being an assembly, the spring assembly 350 may be implemented as a single unitary body. Exemplary suitable structures for implementing the optional spring assembly 350 are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,641 ,443, 6,786,776, 7,857,667, and 8,425,255. Further, Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. manufactures and sells communication outlets incorporating Retention Force Technology ("RFT") suitable for implementing the spring assembly 350.
  • RFT Retention Force Technology
  • the spring assembly 350 biases the outlet contacts J1 -J8 against the contact positioning member 352.
  • the spring assembly 350 is configured to at least partially nest inside the contact positioning member 352. However, this is not a requirement.
  • the spring assembly 350 may be constructed from a dielectric or non-conductive material (e.g., plastic).
  • the spring assembly 350 may be mounted to the substrate 354 in a position adjacent the outlet contacts J1 -J8.
  • the spring assembly 350 has a pair of protrusions 520A and 520B configured to be inserted into apertures 522A and 522B, respectively, in the substrate 354.
  • the center-most outlet contacts J3, J4, J5, and J6 may be connected to an optional flexible printed circuit board (“PCB") 530 having crosstalk attenuating or cancelling circuits formed thereon configured to provide crosstalk compensation.
  • the flexible PCB 530 may include contacts 533, 534, 535, and 536 configured to be soldered to the centermost outlet contacts J3, J4, J5, and J6, respectively.
  • the contact positioning member 352 may be mounted to the substrate 354 in a position adjacent the outlet contacts J1 -J8 and the spring assembly 350.
  • the contact positioning member 352 has a pair of protrusions 550A and 550B configured to be inserted into apertures 552A and 552B, respectively, in the substrate 354.
  • the contact positioning member 352 includes a front portion 580 with a transverse member 560.
  • the transverse member 560 includes a plurality of upwardly extending dividers D1 -D7 configured to fit between adjacent ones of the outlet contacts J1 -J8 and help maintain the lateral positioning and/or spacing of the outlet contacts J1 -J8 and their electrical isolation from one another.
  • the spring assembly 350 biases the outlet contacts J1 -J8 against the transverse member 560 of the contact positioning member 352.
  • the contact positioning member 352 includes forwardly opening apertures or recesses 570A and 570B.
  • the rearwardly extending projections 319A and 319B (see Figure 1 1 ) of the face plate 310 are received inside the recesses 570A and 570B, respectively.
  • the rearwardly extending projections 319A and 319B of the face plate 310 may help provide support for the front portion 580 of the contact positioning member 352.
  • the contact positioning member 352 is constructed from a dielectric or non-conductive material (e.g., plastic).
  • the substrate 354 has a first forwardly facing side 600 opposite a second rearwardly facing side 602.
  • the protrusions 520A and 520B of the spring assembly 350 may be received in the apertures 522A and 522B, respectively, and the protrusions 550A and 550B of the contact positioning member 352 may be received in the apertures 552A and 552B, respectively.
  • the apertures 522A, 522B, 552A, and 552B are formed in the forwardly facing side 600.
  • the substrate 354 includes circuit paths or traces (not shown) formed on one or both of the first and second sides 600 and 602 of the substrate 354.
  • the traces (not shown) electrically connect the outlet contacts J1 -J8, respectively, to the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively.
  • the substrate 354 includes apertures 61 1 -618 (e.g., plated through-holes) configured to receive the first end portions 502 of the outlet contacts J1 -J8, respectively, and electrically connect the outlet contacts J1 -J8 to the traces (not shown).
  • the substrate 354 also includes apertures 621 -628 (e.g., plated through-holes) configured to receive each of the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively, and electrically connect the wire contacts 361 -368 to the traces (not shown).
  • the first end portions 502 of the outlet contacts J1 -J8 may be pressed into the apertures 61 1 -618, respectively, from the first forwardly facing side 600 of the substrate 354 and the wire contacts 361 -368 may be pressed into the apertures 621 -628, respectively, in the substrate 354 from the second rearwardly facing side 602 of the substrate 354.
  • the outlet contacts J1 -J8 and the wire contacts 361 -368 extend away from the substrate 354 in opposite directions.
  • the outlet contacts J1 -J8 may be subsequently soldered into place, if desired.
  • the latch member 356 may be attached to the housing 330 or formed as part of the housing 330.
  • the latch member 356 includes one or more connector portions 650 configured to (removably or permanently) attach the outlet 120 inside an aperture (not shown) formed in an external structure (not shown).
  • the connector portions 650 configured to (removably or permanently) attach the outlet 120 inside an aperture (not shown) formed in an external structure (not shown).
  • portions 650 may be used to attach the outlet 120 inside an aperture (not shown) formed in a patch panel, rack, wall outlet, and the like.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 are connected to the outlet contacts J1 -J8, respectively, by the traces (not shown) formed on one or both of the first and second sides 600 and 602 of the
  • wire contacts 361 -368 may be characterized as
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 may be characterized as corresponding to the wires JW1 -JW8 (see Figures 1 , 26B-26E, and 28A), respectively, of the cable C1 (see Figures 1 , 26B-26E, and 28A).
  • Each of the wire contacts 361 -368 may be implemented as an insulation displacement connector ("IDC"). However, this is not a requirement.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 are positioned on the substrate 354 in a generally circular or rhombus shaped arrangement. Thus, not all of the wire contacts 361 -368 are parallel with one another.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 are configured to cut through the insulation 144 (see Figure 2) of the wires JW1 -JW8 (see Figures 1 , 26B-26E, and 28A), respectively, to form an electrical connection with the conductor 142 (see Figure 2) of the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 may each be implemented as a conventional IDC or an IDC 1700 (illustrated in Figures 39 and 40 and described below).
  • the outlets described herein e.g., the outlet 120 and the outlet 1000 illustrated in Figure 29
  • the wires JW1 -JW8 must be properly aligned with the IDCs for the IDCs to cut through the insulation 144.
  • the guide sleeve 370 and the wire manager 380 help position the wires JW1 -JW8 with respect to the wire contacts 361 -368 (see Figure 22), respectively.
  • the guide sleeve 370 is configured to position the wire manager 380 with respect to the wire contacts 361 -368, and determine the orientation of the wire manager 380 with respect to the wire contacts 361 -368.
  • the guide sleeve 370 has a body portion 700 with a forwardly facing surface 702 configured to be positioned alongside and spaced apart from the rearwardly facing side 602 (see Figure 22) of the substrate 354 (see Figure 22).
  • recesses or apertures 71 1 - 718 are formed in the forwardly facing surface 702.
  • the recesses 71 1 -718 are configured to receive portions of the first end portions 502 of the outlet contacts J1 -J8, respectively, that extend rearwardly beyond the rearwardly facing side 602 of the substrate 354.
  • through-channels or through-slots 721 -728 extend from the forwardly facing surface 702 through the body portion 700.
  • the through-slots 721 -728 are configured to receive the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively, and allow the wire contacts 361 -368 to pass through the body portion 700 of the guide sleeve 370 and into the wire manager 380.
  • the guide sleeve 370 includes a plurality of projections or posts 730A-730D that extend rearwardly from the body portion 700. In the embodiment illustrated, each of the posts 730A-730D has an inwardly facing surface 732. A void 736 having a predetermined cross-sectional shape is defined between the inwardly facing surfaces 732 of the posts 730A-730D.
  • predetermined cross-sectional shape of the void 736 corresponds to the outer shape of the wire manager 380.
  • the predetermined cross- sectional shape of the void 736 is octagonal.
  • a projection 738 extends inwardly into the void 736 from the inwardly facing surface 732 of each of the posts 730A-730D.
  • pegs or projections 740A-740D extent upwardly from the posts 730A-730D, respectively.
  • the projections 740A-740D are received inside and engage with the openings 424A-424D (see Figure 18B), respectively, formed in the housing 330 (see Figure 18B).
  • the projections 740A-740D may snap inside the openings 424A-424D, respectively. Engagement between the projections 740A-740D and openings 424A-424D, respectively, helps maintain the guide sleeve 370 inside the housing 330.
  • the contoured projections 750A-750D and the contoured recesses 429A-429D (see Figure 18B) of the housing 330 (see Figure 18B) each define a circular opening or recess 760 (see Figures 28B and 28C).
  • the guide sleeve 370 may include one or more alignment blades or key members 770 and 772 that extend rearwardly from the body portion 700.
  • the key members 770 and 772 help ensure the wire manager 380 is oriented correctly with respect to the wire contacts 361 -368 so that the wires JW1 -JW8 (see Figures 1 , 26B-26E, and 28A) may be connected to the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively.
  • the key members 770 and 772 help ensure the wire manager 380 is oriented correctly with respect to the wire contacts 361 -368 so that the wires JW1 -JW8 (see Figures 1 , 26B-26E, and 28A) may be connected to the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively.
  • the key member 770 has a generally rectangular cross- sectional shape that is oriented vertically, and the key member 772 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that is oriented horizontally.
  • the guide sleeve 370 may be constructed from a dielectric or non- conductive material (e.g., plastic).
  • Figure 23A is an exploded perspective view of a front portion of the wire manager 380
  • Figure 23B is an exploded perspective view of a rear portion of the wire manager 380.
  • the wire manager 380 includes a housing 800, one or more conductive members 802 and 804, and optional labels 806 and 808.
  • the housing 800 has an outer shape configured to be slid into the void 736 defined between the inwardly facing surfaces 732 (see Figure 21 B) of the posts 730A-730D of the guide sleeve 370.
  • the housing 800 includes a first portion 810 rotatably connected to a second portion 812. Both the first and second portions 810 and 812 are constructed from a dielectric material.
  • the optional labels 806 and 808 may be adhered along outer surfaces of the first and second portions 810 and 812, respectively.
  • the optional labels 806 and 808 have been omitted from Figures 26E and 28A.
  • the housing 800 may be selectively transitioned between an open configuration (see Figures 24B, 25B, 26A, and 26B) and a closed configuration (see Figures 24A, 25A, 26C-26E, and 28A) by rotating the first portion 810 relative to the second portion 812.
  • Each of the first and second portions 810 and 812 has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional shape.
  • an open-ended central passageway 814 is defined between them (see Figures 7, 24A, 25A, and 26C-26E).
  • the housing 800 when in the closed configuration, has a generally octagonal cross-sectional shape and fits within the predetermined cross-sectional shape of the void 736 (see Figure 22).
  • the central passageway 814 is configured to receive the cable C1 .
  • the cable C1 may be positioned inside the passageway 814 when the housing 800 is in the open configuration.
  • the housing 800 may be transitioned into the closed configuration (e.g., by rotating the first portion 810 in a direction indicated by arrow A4 (see Figure 26B) with respect to the second portion 812) with the cable C1 inside the passageway 814 to compress the cable C1 inside the passageway 814.
  • the first and second portions 810 and 812 may be characterized as being configured to clamp onto an end portion of the cable C1 .
  • the first portion 810 has a first side portion 815 opposite a second side portion 816.
  • the second portion 812 has a first side portion 817 opposite a second side portion 818.
  • the first side portion 815 of the first portion 810 has a first forwardly extending pivot pin 820, and a second rearwardly extending pivot pin 822.
  • the first side portion 817 of the second portion 812 has a first channel 830, and a second channel 832.
  • the first forwardly extending pivot pin 820 is configured to be received inside the first channel 830
  • the second rearwardly extending pivot pin 822 is configured to be received inside the second channel 832.
  • the pivot pins 820 and 822 are selectively rotatable inside the channels 830 and 832, respectively.
  • the pivot pins 820 and 822 and the channels 830 and 832 may be characterized as forming a hinge that attaches the first portion 810 to the second portion 812.
  • the second side portion 816 of the first portion 810 has one or more gripping projections 834 and 836.
  • the second side portion 818 of the second portion 812 has a lip or rail 838 configured to be gripped by the gripping projections 834 and 836 to maintain the housing 800 in the closed configuration (see Figures 24A, 25A, 26C-26E, and 28A).
  • the gripping projections 834 and 836 and the rail 838 interlock with one another to maintain the first and second portions 810 and 812 in the closed configuration.
  • the first portion 810 has a forward portion 840 opposite a rearward portion 842.
  • the second portion 812 has a forward portion 844 opposite a rearward portion 846.
  • the forward portion 840 of the first portion 810 has an upwardly extending member 850
  • the forward portion 844 of the second portion 812 has a downwardly extending member 852.
  • the upwardly extending member 850 includes an upper keyway 854 (see Figure 25B) having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that is oriented vertically and configured to receive the key member 770 of the guide sleeve 370 but not the key member 772 of the guide sleeve 370.
  • the downwardly extending member 852 includes a lower keyway 856 (see Figure 25B) having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that is oriented horizontally and configured to receive the key member 772 of the guide sleeve 370 but not the key member 770 of the guide sleeve 370.
  • the key member 770 is receivable into the upper keyway 854 (but not the lower keyway 856), and the key member 772 is receivable into the lower keyway 856 (but not the upper keyway 854).
  • the upper and lower keyways 854 and 856 and the key members 770 and 772 determine the orientation of the wire manager 380 with respect to the guide sleeve 370.
  • the forward portion 840 of the first portion 810 includes four wire channels or recesses 863, 866, 867, and 868 that extend outwardly from the passageway 814.
  • the recesses 863, 866, 867, and 868 are configured to receive and grip the wires JW3, JW6, JW7, and JW8, respectively, of the cable C1 when the wire manager 380 is in the closed configuration.
  • the recesses 863, 866, 867, and 868 provide
  • the 812 includes four wire channels or recesses 861 , 862, 864, and 865 that extend outwardly from the passageway 814. As illustrated in Figures 26A and 26D, the recesses 861 , 862, 864, and 865 are configured to receive and grip the wires JW1 , JW2, JW4, and JW5, respectively, of the cable C1 when the wire manager 380 is in the closed configuration.
  • the recesses 861 , 862, 864, and 865 provide
  • the recesses 861 - 868 may be used to grip the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, and position them to engage the wire contacts 361 -368 (see Figure 22).
  • a gripping projection 870 extends laterally into each of the recesses 861 -868 to help maintain the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, therein.
  • Each of the recesses 861 -868 may include side channels 872A and 872B (see Figure 25B) configured to receive portions of the appropriate one of the wire contacts 361 -368 (see Figure 22) as the wire contact engages the wire positioned inside the recess.
  • a first drain wire channel 880 is formed in the rearward portion 842 of the first portion 810, and a second drain wire channel 882 is formed in the rearward portion 846 of the second portion 812.
  • the drain wire JDW may exit the passageway 814 through one of the drain wire channels 880 and 882 (see Figure 24A).
  • the rearward portion 842 of the first portion 810 has a rearwardly extending upper cantilever member 886 positioned above a recess 887
  • the rearward portion 846 of the second portion 812 has a rearwardly extending lower cantilever member 888 positioned under a recess 889.
  • the upper and lower cantilever members 886 and 888 are configured to deflect into the recesses 887 and 889, respectively, when inwardly directed lateral forces (e.g., exerted by the housing doors 390 and 392) press upon by the upper and lower cantilever members 886 and 888.
  • the upper cantilever member 886 includes one or more upwardly extending anchor projections 890A-890C, and the lower cantilever member 888 has one or more downwardly extending anchor projections 892A-892C.
  • the upwardly extending anchor projection 890B is positioned between the upwardly extending anchor projections 890A and 890C, and the downwardly extending anchor projection 892B is positioned between the downwardly extending anchor projections 892A and 892C. Further, the anchor projections 890B and 892B are larger than the anchor projections 890A, 890C, 892A, and 892C.
  • the first portion 810 includes a first tab 894 that extends downwardly into the passageway 814
  • the second portion 812 includes a second tab 896 that extends upwardly into the passageway 814.
  • the first and second tabs 894 and 896 are juxtaposed with one another across the
  • first tab 894 is positioned at or near the rearward portion 842 of the first portion 810
  • second tab 896 is positioned at or near the rearward portion 846 of the second portion 812.
  • the conductive members 802 and 804 are constructed from an electrically conductive material.
  • the conductive members 802 and 804 may be substantially identical to one another and may be characterized as being ground springs.
  • the first conductive member 802 extends inside the passageway 814 along at least a portion of the first portion 810 of the housing 800
  • the second conductive member 804 extends inside the passageway 814 along at least a portion of the second portion 812 of the housing 800.
  • the conductive members 802 and 804 are physically and electrically connected to both the drain wire JDW and the cable shield 140J (see Figure 26B) of the cable C1 . If the cable C1 includes the optional pair shields JPS1 - JPS4 (see Figure 1 ), they may be physically and electrically connected to the first conductive member 802 and/or the second conductive member 804.
  • the first conductive member 802 is configured to be attached to the rearward portion 842 of the first portion 810 inside the passageway 814, and the conductive member 804 is configured to be attached to the rearward portion 846 of the second portion 812 inside the passageway 814.
  • each of the conductive members 802 and 804 has a base portion 900 with a through-hole 902.
  • the through-hole 902 of the first conductive member 802 is configured to receive the first tab 894 (see Figure 25B), and the through-hole 902 of the second conductive member 804 is configured to receive the second tab 896 (see Figure 25B).
  • a drain wire contact portion 910 extends outwardly from the base portion 900 of each of the conductive members 802 and 804.
  • the drain wire contact portion 910 of the first conductive member 802 is configured to extend at least partway into the first drain wire channel 880 (see Figure 24A) so that when the drain wire JDW is in the first drain wire channel 880, the drain wire contact portion 910 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW.
  • the drain wire contact portion 910 of the second conductive member 804 is configured to extend at least partway into the second drain wire channel 882 (see Figure 24A) so that when the drain wire JDW is in the second drain wire channel 882, the drain wire contact portion 910 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW.
  • the drain wire contact portion 910 may include one or more gripping projections or teeth 914 configured to grip onto the drain wire JDW.
  • One or more shield engaging portions 920 and 922 extend from the base portion 900 of each of the conductive members 802 and 804 into the
  • each of the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 is configured to contact and form an electrical connection with the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J when the cable C1 is positioned inside the passageway 814 (see Figure 26E).
  • the cable C1 includes the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 (see Figure 1 ), they may be folded back over the end portion of the cable jacket 180J and positioned alongside the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J.
  • the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 may contact the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 (see Figure 27) of at least one of the conductive members 802 and 804 when the cable C1 is positioned inside the passageway 814.
  • the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 are configured to apply an inwardly directed biasing force against the cable C1 when the cable C1 is inside the passageway 814 to help maintain contact with the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J and the folded back portions of the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4, if present.
  • each of the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 may be constructed as a cantilever spring that includes a free distal portion 921 connected to an anchored proximal portion 924 by a bent portion 923.
  • the anchored proximal portion 924 is connected to the base portion 900 at an angle to follow the interior contours of the passageway 814 (see Figures 24A and 25A).
  • the drain wire contact portion 910 is connected to and extends outwardly from the anchored proximal portion 924 of the shield engaging portion 920.
  • the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 each have a door engaging portion 926 that extends rearwardly and outwardly from the passageway 814 (see Figures 24A and 25A) and contacts one of the housing doors 390 and 392 (see Figure 28C).
  • the door engaging portion 926 of each of the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 is connected to the free distal portion 921.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 when closed, they may press on one or more of the door engaging portions 926 of the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 (see Figure 27) of the conductive members 802 and 804.
  • the door engaging portions 926 may be generally hook shaped.
  • the drain wire JDW may be received under and/or wrapped around one or more of the door engaging portions 926.
  • the door engaging portions 926 each contact at least one of the housing doors 390 and 392 and form an electrical connection therewith.
  • the conductive members 802 and 804 electrically connect the cable shield 140J and the drain wire JDW with the housing doors 390 and 392, which are electrically connected to the housing 330.
  • the conductive members 802 and 804 may also electrically connect the optional pair shields JPS1 - JPS4 with the housing doors 390 and 392, which are electrically connected to the housing 330.
  • the housing 150 of the plug 100 (which may be connected to the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or the optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4 of the cable C2) is also electrically connected to the housing 330 by the ground springs 340A and 340B (see Figures 8- 10).
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B see Figures 8- 10
  • guide sleeve 370 has been described as including the key members 770 and 772 and the wire manager 380 has been described as including keyways 854 and 856, as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, in alternate embodiments, the guide sleeve 370 may include one or more keyways and the wire manager 380 may include one or more key members. Further, in such
  • one or more of the key members 770 and 772 may be omitted from the guide sleeve 370, and one or more of the keyways 854 and 856 may be omitted from the wire manager 380.
  • each of the housing doors 390 and 392 pivots with respect to the housing 330.
  • the wire manager 380 may be inserted into the internal cavity 396 (in a direction indicated by an arrow A5).
  • the wire manager 380 may be removed therefrom (in a direction opposite the direction indicated by the arrow A5) when the housing doors 390 and 392 are both in the open position.
  • the wire manager 380 positions the wires JW1 - JW8 to contact the wire contacts 361 -368, respectively.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 are closed, they push the wire manager 380 toward the wire contacts 361 - 368 helping to ensure that each of the wire contacts 361 -368 successfully cuts through the insulation 144 (see Figure 2) and contacts the conductor 142 (see Figure 2) inside the appropriate one of the wires JW1 -JW8.
  • the wire manager 380 push the wire manager 380 forwardly, the wire
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 cut through the insulation 144 surrounding the conductor 142 of the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 connect the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, to the traces (not shown) on the substrate 354 (see Figure 22). As explained above, the traces (not shown) connect the wire contacts 361 -368 to the outlet contacts J1 -J8 (see Figure 20).
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 may be constructed from any material suitable for constructing the housing 330.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 may be substantially identical to one another or mirror images of one another.
  • each of the housing doors 390 and 392 includes a forward portion 930 opposite a rearward portion 932.
  • the forward portion 930 includes an upper and lower pivot pin 934 and 936.
  • the upper pivot pin 934 (see Figure 9) of the first housing door 390 is configured to be received inside the substantially circular recess 760 defined between the contoured projection 750A of the guide sleeve 370 and the contoured recess 429A of the housing 330.
  • the lower pivot pin 936 of the first housing door 390 is configured to be received inside the substantially circular recess 760 defined between the contoured projection 750C (see Figure 21 B) of the guide sleeve 370 and the contoured recess 429C (see Figure 18B) of the housing 330.
  • the upper and lower pivot pins 934 and 936 of the first housing door 390 are configured to be selectively rotated (in directions indicated by double headed arrow A6 illustrated in Figure 4) in the recesses 760 to position the first housing door 390 in either the open position (see Figure 4, 7, and 28A) or the closed position (see Figure 1 , 5, and 6).
  • the upper pivot pin 934 of the second housing door 392 is configured to be received inside the substantially circular recess 760 defined between the contoured projection 750B (see Figure 21 A) of the guide sleeve 370 and the contoured recess 429B (see Figure 18B) of the housing 330.
  • the lower pivot pin 936 of the second housing door 392 is configured to be received inside the substantially circular recess 760 defined between the contoured projection 750D (see Figure 21 B) of the guide sleeve 370 and the contoured recess 429D (see Figure 18B) of the housing 330.
  • the upper and lower pivot pins 934 and 936 of the second housing door 392 are configured to be selectively rotated (in directions indicated by double headed arrow A7 illustrated in Figure 4) in the recesses 760 to position the second housing door 392 in either the open position (see Figure 4, 7, 28A, and 28B) or the closed position (see Figure 1 , 5, 6, and 28C).
  • the wire manager 380 may be selectively removed from or placed inside the internal cavity 396. As mentioned above, closing the housing doors 390 and 392 with the wire manager 380 inside the internal cavity 396 pushes the wire manager 380 forward. When the housing doors 390 and 392 are both in the closed position (see Figure 1 , 5, and 6), the wire manager 380 is maintained securely inside the internal cavity 396.
  • the forward portions 930 of the housing doors 390 and 392 each include an upper wire manager engaging portion 940 and a lower wire manager engaging portion 942.
  • the upper and lower wire manager engaging portions 940 and 942 are positioned inwardly from the upper pivot pins 934 (see Figure 9) and the lower pivot pins 936 (see Figure 8) such that when the housing doors 390 and 392 are pivoted from the open position to the closed position, the upper and lower wire manager engaging portions 940 and 942 of the housing doors 390 and 392 are brought into physical contact with the upwardly and downwardly extending members 850 and 852, respectively, of the wire manager 380 and press forwardly thereupon.
  • each of the housing doors 390 and 392 may be characterized as being a cam, and the upwardly and downwardly extending members 850 and 852 may each be characterized as being a cam follower.
  • the rearward portions 932 of the housing doors 390 and 392 each include cutouts or openings 948A and 948B, respectively.
  • the openings 948A and 948B align to form a throughway into the internal cavity 396 of the housing 330 (see Figure 6) and the passageway 814 of the wire manger 380 through which the cable C1 (see Figure 4) may pass.
  • the rearward portions 932 of the first housing door 390 includes an aperture 950A configured to receive the upwardly extending anchor projection 890A of the wire manger 380, and an aperture 952A (see Figure 9) configured to receive the downwardly extending anchor projection 892A of the wire manger 380.
  • the rearward portions 932 of the second housing door 392 includes an aperture 950C configured to receive the upwardly extending anchor projection 890C of the wire manger 380, and an aperture 952C configured to receive the downwardly extending anchor projection 892C of the wire manger 380.
  • the rearward portions 932 of the housing doors 390 and 392 include cutouts or openings 960A and 960B, respectively, that align to form an aperture configured to receive the upwardly extending anchor projection 890B of the wire manger 380.
  • the rearward portions 932 of the housing doors 390 and 392 include cutouts or openings 962A and 962B, respectively, that align to form an aperture configured to receive the downwardly extending anchor projection 892B of the wire manger 380.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 When the housing doors 390 and 392 are closed, they press downwardly on the upper cantilever member 886 allowing the upwardly extending anchor projections 890A and 890C to slide into the apertures 950A and 950C, respectively, and the upwardly extending anchor projection 890B to slide into the aperture formed by the aligned openings 960A and 960B.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 press upwardly on the lower cantilever member 888 allowing the downwardly extending anchor projections 892A and 892C to slide into the apertures 952A and 952C, respectively, and the downwardly extending anchor projection 892B to slide into the aperture formed by the aligned openings 962A and 962B.
  • the forward portions 930 of the housing doors 390 and 392 are received between the upper and lower door gripping members 427 and 428 (see Figure 18B) of the housing 330.
  • the upper and lower door gripping members 427 and 428 help maintain the housing doors 390 and 392 in the closed position.
  • housing doors 390 and 392 While the embodiment illustrated includes the housing doors 390 and 392, through application of ordinary skill to the present teachings, embodiments may be constructed that include a different number of housing doors (e.g., a single housing door).
  • the cable C1 is termined by the outlet 120 as follows. First, referring to Figure 26B, the end of the cable C1 being terminated is prepared. This preparation includes removing an end portion of the cable jacket 180J to expose the cable shield 140J, the drain wire JDW, the wires JW1 -JW8, and the optional pairs shields JPS1 -JPS4 (see Figure 1 ), if present. Next, the cable shield 140J is folded back over the cable jacket 180J to define the folded back portion 146J, and the drain wire JDW is folded back and positioned adjacent the folded back portion 146J of the cable shield 140J.
  • the wire manager 380 is housed inside the internal cavity 396 of the outlet 120, the housing doors 390 and 392 are opened, and the wire manager 380 is removed therefrom.
  • the housing 800 is placed in the open configuration and the prepared end of the cable C1 is positioned between the first and second portions 810 and 812 inside the open-ended central passageway 814.
  • the housing 800 is placed in the closed configuration by rotating the first portion 810 of the housing 800 in the direction indicated by the arrow A4 (see Figure 26B) with respect to the second portion 812 of the housing 800 with the cable C1 inside the passageway 814 thereby compressing the cable C1 inside the passageway 814. Further, at least one of the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 (see Figure 27) of the conductive members 802 and
  • the wires JW1 -JW8 are pressed into the recesses 861 -868, respectively, and optionally trimmed (e.g., using a tool 980 such as a wire cutter).
  • the gripping projection 870 that extends laterally into each of the recesses 861 -868 helps maintain the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, therein.
  • the drain wire JDW is pressed into one of the drain wire channels 880 and 882 (see Figure 24A).
  • the drain wire JDW has been pressed into the drain wire channel 880.
  • the drain wire JDW contacts the drain wire contact portion 910 of one of the conductive members 802 and 804.
  • the drain wire JDW may be trimmed (e.g., using the tool 980 illustrated in Figure 26D).
  • Figure 28A when the housing doors 390 and 392 are both in open positions, and the wire manager 380 is inserted into the internal cavity 396 (in the direction indicated by the arrow A5).
  • Figures 4 and 7 each show the housing doors 390 and 392 in open positions and the wire manager 380 positioned inside the internal cavity 396.
  • the cable C1 has been omitted.
  • Figure 28B shows the housing door 392 in the open position and the wire
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 are both closed, which presses the wire manager 380 inwardly to help ensure the wire contacts 361 -368 slice through the outer layers of insulation 144 of the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, and form electrical connections with the conductors 142 of the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively.
  • the wire contacts 361 -368 are connected to the outlet contacts J1 -J8, respectively.
  • at least one of the door engaging portions 926 of the conductive members 802 and 804 contacts the housing doors 390 and 392 and forms an electrical connection therewith.
  • the outlet 120 enables tooless termination of the cable C1 .
  • the plug 100 may be inserted into the outlet 120 to form the connection 10 illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the plug contacts P1 -P8 contact and form electrical connections with the outlet contacts J1 -J8.
  • the plug contacts P1 -P8 are electrically connected to the wires PW1 -PW8, respectively, and the outlet contacts J1 -J8 are electrically connected to the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively.
  • the wires PW1 - PW8 are connected to the wires JW1 -JW8, respectively, by the connection 10.
  • the ground springs 340A and 340B contact the plug housing 150 and form an electrical connection between the plug housing 150 and the outlet housing 330.
  • the outlet housing 330 is connected to the housing doors 390 and 392, which are electrically connected (by the conductive members 802 and 804) to the drain wire JDW, the cable shield 140J, and/or the optional pair shields JPS1 - JPS4, if present.
  • the housing 150 of the plug 100 may be connected to the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or the optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4, if present, of the cable C2.
  • a continuous ground may be maintained across the connection 10.
  • a cable must be re-terminated in the field or a new cable terminated at the outlet 120. This is accomplished by partially or completely disconnecting the cable C1 from the outlet 120. Then, terminating the same cable or different cable with the outlet 120 using the cable termination process described above.
  • the re-termination process begins with opening the housing doors 390 and 392 and removing the wire manager 380 from the internal cavity 396 of the outlet 120.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 are opened by pressing inwardly on the anchor projections 890B and 8902B (e.g., with a user's fingers or a tool). Pressing inwardly on the anchor projections 890B and 8902B applies inwardly directed forces on the upper and lower cantilever members 886 and 888, which causes them to deflect inwardly.
  • the upper cantilever member 886 deflects inwardly it pulls the anchor projections 890A and 890C out of the apertures 950A and 950C, respectively.
  • the lower cantilever member 888 deflects inwardly, it pulls the anchor projections 892A and 892C out of the apertures 952A and 952C, respectively.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 are pivoted from closed positions to open positions when (1 ) the anchor projection 890B is pressed inwardly far enough to clear the openings 960A and 960B formed in the rearward portions 932 of the housing doors 390 and 392, and (2) the anchor projection 892B is pressed inwardly far enough to clear the openings 962A and 962B formed in the rearward portions 932 of the housing doors 390 and 392.
  • the wire manager 380 is pulled from the internal cavity 396 of the outlet 120.
  • the wire manager 380 may be opened and the wires JW1 - JW8 removed from the recesses 861 -868, respectively.
  • the drain wire JDW may be removed from one of the drain wire channels 880 and 882 (see Figure 24A).
  • the wire manager 380 may be replaced with a substantially identical wire manager that is not connected to a cable (e.g., a new wire manager or a previously used wire manager that is no longer connected to a cable).
  • the cable C1 or a different cable may be terminated with the outlet 120 using the cable termination process described above.
  • the outlet 120 may offer one or more advantages over prior art RJ-45 type outlets.
  • the locking shutter subassembly 320 helps prevent the insertion of debris and/or foreign objects (e.g., tools, fingers, etc.) into the plug receiving opening 312 (formed in the face plate 310).
  • the outlet 120 enables tooless termination of the cable C1 .
  • the wire manager 380 may provide substantial contact area between the housing 330 (see Figure 28A-28C) and at least one of the cable shield 140J, the drain wire JDW, and the optional pair shields JPS1 - JPS2 (see Figure 1 ).
  • the outlet 120 may include snap closures and is easily to assemble.
  • the outlet 120 provides dedicated termination of the drain wire JDW to at least one of the conductive members 802 and 804.
  • the housing doors 390 and 392 (cams) provide mechanical advantage with a small lever arm and allow for a short overall outlet length. Engagement of the key member 770 with the upper keyway 854 (see Figure 25B), and the key member 772 with the lower keyway 856 (see Figure 25B) helps ensure correct alignment of the wire manager 380 and the wire contacts 361 -368.
  • the outlet 120 includes a conductive housing 330 and conductive housing doors 390 and 392 for improved electrical performance.
  • FIG 29 is a perspective view of an outlet 1000 that is an alternate embodiment of the outlet 120 (see Figures 1 and 4-10). Like the outlet 120, the outlet 1000 is configured to terminate the communication cable C1 and form a communication connection (like the connection 10 depicted in Figure 1 ) with the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4). For ease of illustration, like reference numerals have been used in the drawings to identify like components.
  • the outlet 1000 may be implemented as a Category 8, RJ-45 outlet (or port). Further, the outlet 1000 may be implemented as a lower category outlet, such as a Category 6A outlet, a Category 6 outlet, a Category 5E outlet, and the like.
  • the outlet 1000 includes a face plate 1310, a shutter subassembly 1320, a housing 1330, one or more ground springs 1340A and 1340B, an optional clip or latch member 1356, a contact subassembly 1358, a guide sleeve 1370, a wire manager 1380, and housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the face plate 1310, the housing 1330, and the housing doors 1390 and 1392 house internal components of the outlet 1000 (e.g., the shutter subassembly 1320, the contact subassembly 1358, the guide sleeve 370, and the wire manager 380).
  • the ground springs 1340A and 1340B clip to the housing 1330 in the same manner that the ground springs 340A and 340B (see Figures 8-1 1 and 19) clip to the housing 330 (see Figure 1 , 5-1 1 , 18A-19, and 28A-28C).
  • the latch member 1356 may be attached to the housing 1330 or formed as part of the housing 1330.
  • the latch member 1356 is configured to (removably or permanently) attach the outlet 1000 inside an aperture (not shown) formed in an external structure (not shown), such as a patch panel, rack, wall outlet, and the like.
  • the contact subassembly 1358 includes outlet contacts, a contact positioning member, a substrate, and wire contacts substantially identical to the outlet contacts 342, the contact positioning member 352, the substrate 354, and the wire contacts 360, respectively, of the contact subassembly 358 (see Figure 20).
  • the contact subassembly 1358 includes a spring assembly substantially identical to the optional spring assembly 350.
  • the face plate 1310, the housing 1330, the ground springs 1340A and 1340B, the latch member 1356, and the contact subassembly 1358 are substantially identical to the face plate 310, the housing 330, the ground springs 340A and 340B, the latch member 356, and the contact subassembly 358, respectively. Further, these components of the outlet 1000 provide substantially identical functionality to those corresponding components of the outlet 120. Therefore, these components of the outlet 1000 have not been described in detail below.
  • the shutter subassembly 1320 includes a shutter door 1450 and at least one biasing member (e.g., a biasing member 1454). Like the locking shutter subassembly 320 (see Figures 5, 8-12, and 15A-17), the shutter subassembly 1320 helps prevent debris (e.g., dust and dirt) from entering the outlet 1000 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) through a plug receiving opening 1312 (see Figures 29 and 30) substantially identical to the plug receiving opening 312 (see Figures 5 and 8-1 1 ) of the outlet 120 (see Figures 1 and 4-10).
  • debris e.g., dust and dirt
  • the shutter subassembly 1320 is not configured to lock and unlock. Instead, the shutter door 1450 may be opened by pressing upon it through the plug receiving opening 1312 (see Figures 29 and 30).
  • the shutter door 1450 is sized and shaped to cover (or close) the plug receiving opening 1312 formed in the face plate 1310 to prevent contaminants from being received inside the outlet 1000.
  • the shutter door 1450 is configured to pivot about a door pivot axis 1458 with respect to the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) between a closed position (see Figures 29-32A) and an open position (see Figure 32B).
  • pivot pins 1460A and 1460B are formed along a lower portion 1464 of the shutter door 1450.
  • the pivot pins 1460A and 1460B extend outwardly away from one another along the door pivot axis 1458.
  • the pivot pins 1460A and 1460B extend outwardly from downwardly extending legs 1462A and 1462B, respectively.
  • the shutter door 1450 has a front facing portion 1463 (see Figure 31 A) opposite a rearward facing portion 1465 (see Figure 31 B).
  • the front facing portion 1463 may include one or more plug-engaging projections 1473A and 1473B that extend forwardly into the plug receiving
  • the rearward facing portion 1465 includes first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B.
  • Pins 1482A and 1482B are positioned on opposite sides of the shutter door 1450.
  • the pins 1482A and 1482B are spaced apart from the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B, respectively.
  • the pins 1482A and 1482B are aligned along an axis 1493.
  • the axis 1493 is offset from and substantially parallel with the pivot axis 1458.
  • the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B each taper rearwardly away from the pins 1482A and 1482B, respectively.
  • the rearward facing portion 1465 may include a projection or spacer 1484.
  • the biasing member 1454 applies a biasing force to the rearward facing portion 1465 of the shutter door 1450 that biases the shutter door 1450 toward the closed position (see Figures 29-32A).
  • the biasing member 1454 may be constructed from metal wire, plastic, and the like.
  • the biasing member 1454 includes a pair of spaced apart coil springs 1490A and 1490B connected together by a U-shaped (connecting) portion 1492.
  • the coil springs 1490A and 1490B are mounted on the pins 1482A and 1482B, respectively.
  • the windings of the coil springs 1490A and 1490B may be selectively tightened and loosed about the axis 1493.
  • Each of the coil springs 1490A and 1490B has a forwardly extending free end portion 1494.
  • the free end portion 1494 of the coil spring 1490A is configured to press against the first tapered portion 1480A
  • the free end portion 1494 of the coil spring 1490B is configured to press against the second tapered portion 1480B.
  • the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B are each sloped or curved such that the free end portions 1494 of the coil springs 1490A and 1490B may slide forwardly along the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B, respectively.
  • the biasing member 1454 is positioned behind the shutter door 1450 inside the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34- 36).
  • the coil springs 1490A and 1490B bias the U-shaped portion 1492 against the inside of the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36).
  • the coil springs 1490A and 1490B bias the free end portions 1494 of the coil springs 1490A and 1490B against the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B, respectively.
  • the shutter door 1450 may be pivoted about the door pivot axis 1458 from the closed position (see Figures 29-32A) to the open position (see Figure 32B) by pressing inwardly (in the direction indicated by an arrow A8 illustrated in Figure 32A) on the front facing portion 1463 (e.g., on the plug-engaging projections 1473A and 1473B shown in Figure 31 A) of the shutter door 1450 with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force applied to the rearward facing portion 1465 of the shutter door 1450 by the biasing member 1454. As the shutter door 450 opens, the biasing member 1454 is compressed.
  • the spacer 1484 may rest upon the inside of the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) when the shutter door 1450 is in the open position.
  • the U-shaped portion 1492 continues to press against the inside of the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) and the free end portions 1494 of the coil springs 1490A and 1490B continue to press against the first and second tapered portions 1480A and 1480B, respectively.
  • the biasing member 1454 returns the shutter door 1450 to the closed position. As the shutter door 450 closes, the biasing member 1454 is uncompressed.
  • the shutter door 1450 pivots from the closed position (see Figures 29-32A) to the open position depicted in Figure 32B.
  • the plug 100 may be latched inside the outlet 1000 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) by the latch arm 160 (see Figures 3 and 4) to maintain the shutter door 1450 in the open position.
  • the plug 100 pushes the shutter door 1450 inwardly allowing the plug contacts P1 -P8 (see Figure 3) to engage the outlet contacts (substantially identical to the outlet contacts 342 illustrated in Figures 8-10 and 20) of the contact subassembly 1358.
  • the latch arm 160 may be latched to a lip 1314 (see Figure 30) of the face plate 1310.
  • the lip 1314 is substantially identical to the lip 314 (see Figure 1 1 ).
  • the biasing member 1454 biases the shutter door 1450 toward the closed position.
  • the shutter door 450 automatically returns to the closed position.
  • the shutter subassembly 1320 is configured to permit the plug 100 to enter the outlet 1000, and prevent debris and contaminants from entering the outlet 1000.
  • the shutter subassembly 1320 may be configured to provide a factory configurable solution that protects the outlet 1000 against contaminants (such as dust).
  • the guide sleeve 1370 is substantially similar to the guide sleeve 370 (see Figures 8-10, 21A-22, and 28A) and provides substantially identical functionality thereto.
  • the guide sleeve 1370 includes a single key member 1500 instead of the key member 770 (see Figure 21 B) and the key member 772 (see Figure 21 B).
  • the key member 1500 is positioned inside and extends rearwardly from a first recess 1502A.
  • the guide sleeve 1370 also includes a second recess 1502B spaced apart from the first recess 1502A.
  • the first and second recesses 1502A and 1502B may be mirror images of one another. However, this is not a requirement.
  • the wire manager 1380 is substantially similar to the wire manager 380 (see Figures 7-10, 22-26E, and 28A) and provides substantially identical functionality thereto. Therefore, only differences between the wire manager 1380 and the wire manager 380 will be described in detail.
  • the wire manager 1380 includes release levers 1510 and 1512 instead of the anchor projections 890B and 892B (see Figures 7 and 24A), respectively.
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 extend rearwardly and outwardly through the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the wire manager 1380 is configured to hold or retain the housing doors 1390 and 1392 in closed positions (see Figure 34) when the release levers 1510 and 1512 are in locked positions (see Figures 34).
  • the wire manager 1380 is configured to release the housing doors 1390 and 1392 so they can be rotated into open positions (see Figure 36) when the release levers 1510 and 1512 are in unlocked positions (see Figure 35).
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 remain in locked positions (see Figure 34) until they are manually transitioned to unlocked positions (see Figure 35) by a user.
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 are transitioned to unlocked positions by pressing (or squeezing) them toward one another (in directions identified by arrows A9 and A10).
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 are in unlocked positions when the release levers 1510 and 1512 have been deflected sufficiently toward one another.
  • the wire manager 1380 includes a housing 1520 (see Figures 38A and 38B), one or more conductive members 1522 and 1524, and optional labels 1526 and 1528.
  • the housing 1520 includes a first portion 1530 rotatably connected to a second portion 1532.
  • the first and second portions 1530 and 1532 are selectively rotatable between open and closed configurations. In the open
  • the cable C1 (see Figures 1 , 4, 26B-26E, 28A, 29, 38A, and 38B) may be positioned inside and coupled to the wire manager 1380 in the same manner the cable C1 may be positioned inside and coupled to the wire manager 380 (see Figures 7-10, 22-26E, and 28A).
  • at least one of the first and second portions 1530 and 1532 may be rotated to place the first and second portions 1530 and 1532 in the closed configuration to thereby clamp the cable C1 inside an open-ended central passageway 1534 (see Figure 36) defined between the first and second portions 1530 and 1532.
  • Both the first and second portions 1530 and 1532 are constructed from a dielectric material.
  • the optional labels 1526 and 1528 may be adhered along outer surfaces of the first and second portions 1530 and 1532, respectively.
  • the first portion 1530 has a forward portion 1540 opposite a rearward portion 1542.
  • the second portion 1532 has a forward portion 1544 opposite a rearward portion 1546.
  • the wire manager 1380 has a single keyway 1548 (instead of the upper and lower keyways 854 and 856 depicted in Figure 21 B) formed in the forward portion 1540 of the first portion 1530 of the housing 1520.
  • the keyway 1548 is configured to receive the key member 1500 (see Figure 33) of the guide sleeve 1370 (see Figures 30 and 33).
  • the keyway 1548 is formed in an upper forwardly projecting portion 1550A.
  • a lower forwardly projecting portion 1550B is formed in the forward portion 1544 of the second portion 1532 of the housing 1520.
  • the projecting portions 1550A and 1550B are configured to be at least partially received by the recesses 1502A and 1502B (see Figure 33), respectively, of the guide sleeve 1370.
  • the wire manager 1380 is properly aligned with the guide sleeve 1370 (see Figures 30 and 33) when the keyway 1548 is positioned to receive the key member 1500. If the wire manager 1380 is not properly aligned with the guide sleeve 1370, the wire manager 1380 cannot be fully inserted inside the guide sleeve 1370 and the housing doors 1390 and 1392 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) cannot be closed with the wire manager 1380 inside the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36). Thus, the keyway 1548 and the key member 1500 help ensure proper orientation of the wire manager 1380 with respect to the guide sleeve 1370.
  • the wire manager 1380 may be used to position the wires JW1 -JW8 of the cable C1 to engage with the wire contacts (substantially identical to the wire contacts 360 illustrated in Figures 8-1 1 and 20) of the contact subassembly 1358 (see Figure 30).
  • the drain wire JDW may exit therefrom through either a drain wire channel 1552 formed in the rearward portion 1542 of the first portion 1530 or a drain wire channel 1554 (see Figure 37) formed in the rearward portion 1546 of the second portion 1532 of the housing 1520.
  • portion 1530 has a rearwardly extending upper cantilever member 1560 positioned above a recess 1562, and the rearward portion 1546 of the second portion 1532 has a rearwardly extending lower cantilever member 1564 positioned under a recess 1566.
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 are mounted on the upper and lower cantilever members 1560 and 1564, respectively.
  • the upper and lower cantilever members 1560 and 1564 are configured to deflect into the recesses 1562 and 1566, respectively, when inwardly directed lateral forces (e.g., exerted on the release levers 1510 and 1512 or exerted by the housing doors 1390 and 1392) press upon by the upper and lower cantilever members 1560 and 1564.
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 are pressed upon in the directions identified by the arrows A9 and A10 (see Figure 34)
  • the upper and lower cantilever members 1560 and 1564 deflect into the recesses 1562 and 1566, respectively.
  • the upper cantilever member 1560 includes one or more upwardly extending anchor projections 1570A and 1570B substantially identical to the anchor projections 890A and 890C (see Figures 5-7 and 24A), respectively.
  • the lower cantilever member 1564 includes one or more downwardly extending anchor projections 1572A and 1572B substantially identical to the anchor projections 892A and 892C (see Figures 7 and 24A).
  • the release lever 1510 is positioned between the upwardly extending anchor projections 1570A and 1570B
  • the release lever 1512 is positioned between the downwardly extending anchor projections 1572A and 1572B.
  • the release lever 1510 When the release lever 1510 is actuated (e.g., pressed upon in the direction identified by the arrow A9 depicted in Figure 34), the upper cantilever member 1560 deflects into the recess 1562, which moves the anchor projections 1570A and 1570B inwardly therewith.
  • the release lever 1512 when the release lever 1512 is actuated (e.g., pressed upon in the direction identified by the arrow A10 depicted in Figure 34), the lower cantilever member 1564 deflects into the recess 1566, which moves the anchor projections 1572A and 1572B inwardly therewith.
  • each of the first and second portions 1530 and 1532 includes a pair of tabs 1574 and 1576 that extend inwardly into the
  • passageway 1534 (see Figures 36 and 38B).
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 are constructed from an electrically conductive material.
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 may be substantially identical to one another and may be characterized as being ground springs.
  • the first conductive member 1522 extends inside the passageway 1534 along at least a portion of the first portion 1530 of the housing 1520
  • the second conductive member 1524 extends inside the passageway 1534 along at least a portion of the second portion 1532 of the housing 1520.
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 are physically and electrically connected to both the drain wire JDW and the cable shield 140J (see also Figure 26B) of the cable C1 . If the cable C1 includes the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 (see Figures 1 and 29), they may be physically and electrically connected to the first conductive member 1522 and/or the second conductive member 1524.
  • the first conductive member 1522 is
  • each of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 has a pair of through-holes 1580 and 1582.
  • the through- holes 1580 and 1582 of the first conductive member 1522 are configured to receive the pair of tabs 1574 and 1576 of the first portion 1530
  • the through-holes 1580 and 1582 of the second conductive member 1524 are configured to receive the pair of tabs 1574 and 1576 of the second portion 1532.
  • Each of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 has a drain wire contact portion 1586 that is substantially similar to the drain wire contact portion 910 (see Figures 26E and 27) of each of the conductive members 802 and 804 (see Figures 23A-24B, 25B, 26E, and 27).
  • the drain wire contact portion 1586 of the first conductive member 1522 is configured to extend at least partway into the first drain wire channel 1552 so that when the drain wire JDW (see Figure 38B) is in the first drain wire channel 1552, the drain wire contact portion 1586 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW.
  • the drain wire contact portion 1586 of the second conductive member 1524 is configured to extend at least partway into the second drain wire channel 1554 so that when the drain wire JDW is in the second drain wire channel 1554, the drain wire contact portion 1586 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW.
  • the drain wire contact portion 1586 may include one or more gripping projections or teeth 1588 configured to grip onto the drain wire JDW.
  • Each of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 has one or more shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 substantially similar to the shield engaging portions 920 and 922 (see Figure 27) of each of the conductive members 802 and 804 (see Figures 23A-24B, 25B, 26E, and 27).
  • the shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 are configured to contact the housing doors 1390 and 1392 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36), respectively, when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are closed. In this manner, the conductive members 1522 and 1524 contact the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, and form electrical connections therewith.
  • the shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 are configured to contact and form an electrical connection with the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J (see Figures 1 , 26B, 26E, 29, and 38B) when the cable C1 is positioned inside the passageway 1534.
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 electrically connect the cable shield 140J and the drain wire JDW with the housing doors 1390 and 1392, which are electrically connected to the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36).
  • the shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 may contact the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 (see Figures 1 and 29) if the pair shields JPS1 - JPS4 are folded back over the end portion of the cable jacket 180J (see Figures 1 , 26B, 26E, and 38B) and positioned alongside the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J.
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 electrically connect the optional pair shields JPS1 -JPS4 with the housing doors 1390 and 1392, which are electrically connected to the housing 1330.
  • the housing 150 of the plug 100 (which may be connected to the drain wire PDW, the cable shield 140P, and/or the optional pair shields PPS1 -PPS4 of the cable C2) is also electrically connected to the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) by the ground springs 1340A and 1340B (see Figure 30).
  • the ground springs 1340A and 1340B see Figure 30.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 each pivot independently with respect to the housing 1330. Referring to Figure 36, when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are both in the open position, the wire
  • the wire manager 1380 may be inserted inside the housing 1330. Similarly, if the wire manager 1380 is already inside the housing 1330 (as illustrated in Figures 34-36), the wire manager 1380 may be removed therefrom when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are both in the open position.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are substantially similar to the doors 390 and 392 (see Figures 1 , 4-10, 22, and 28A- 28C) of the outlet 120 (see Figures 1 , 4-10, and 28A-28C). However, unlike the housing doors 390 and 392, the housing doors 1390 and 1392 include openings 1600 and 1602 through which the release levers 1510 and 1512, respectively, may pass. Referring to Figure 36, a portion of the opening 1600 is formed in each of the housing doors 1390 and 1392, and a portion of the opening 1602 is formed in each of the housing doors 1390 and 1392. Referring to Figure 34, the openings 1600 and 1602 are configured to allow the release levers 1510 and 1512, respectively, to deflect therein.
  • the release levers 1510 and 1512 may be transitioned within the openings 1600 and 1602, respectively, between locked positions (see Figure 34) and unlocked positions (see Figure 35).
  • the first housing door 1390 includes an aperture 161 OA configured to receive the upwardly extending anchor projection 1570A of the wire manger 1380, and an aperture 1612A configured to receive the downwardly extending anchor projection 1572A of the wire manger 1380.
  • the second housing door 1392 includes an aperture 1610B configured to receive the upwardly extending anchor projection 1570B of the wire manger 1380, and an aperture 1612B configured to receive the downwardly extending anchor projection 1572B of the wire manger 1380.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 press downwardly on the upper cantilever member 1560 (see Figure 37) allowing the upwardly extending anchor projections 1570A and 1570B to slide into the apertures 161 OA and 1610B, respectively.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 press upwardly on the lower cantilever member 1564 (see Figure 37) allowing the downwardly extending anchor projections 1572A and 1572B to slide into the apertures 1612A and 1612B, respectively.
  • Engagement between the apertures 161 OA and 1612A of the housing door 1390 and the anchor projections 1570A and 1572A of the wire manger 1380 helps maintain the housing door 1390 in the closed position.
  • engagement between the apertures 1610B and 1612B of the housing door 1392 and the anchor projections 1570B and 1572B of the wire manger 1380 helps maintain the housing door 1392 in the closed position.
  • the upper cantilever member 1560 deflects into the recess 1562, which moves the anchor projections 1570A and 1570B inwardly therewith. This removes or disengages the upwardly extending anchor projections 1570A and 1570B from the apertures 161 OA and 1610B, respectively.
  • the lower cantilever member 1564 deflects into the recess 1566, which moves the anchor projections 1572A and 1572B inwardly therewith.
  • the wire manager 1380 may be removed from inside the housing 1330 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36). Then, the wire manager 1380 may be opened, and the cable C1 (see Figure 29) removed therefrom. Next, the cable C1 (see Figure 29) may be re-terminated at the outlet 1000 or a new cable terminated at the outlet 1000.
  • the wire contacts 360 may each be implemented as an insulation displacement connector ("IDC").
  • Figures 39 and 40 depict an IDC 1700 that may be used to implement each of the wire contacts 360.
  • the IDC 1700 may be characterized as being a low profile IDC that has a reduced overall size compared to a conventional IDC and requires a relatively lower termination force.
  • the IDC 1700 may be substantially planar.
  • the IDC 1700 is generally Y-shaped having a generally T-shaped base portion 1710 from which two spaced apart substantially parallel beams 1712 and 1714 extend.
  • the base portion 1710 is configured to be pressed into an opening (e.g., one of the apertures 621 -628 illustrated in Figure 20) formed in a substrate (e.g., the substrate 354 illustrated in Figures 8-1 1 , 20, and 22).
  • the beams 1712 and 1714 are configured to extend away from the substrate in the same direction.
  • a wire receiving gap 1720 is defined between the beams 1712 and
  • the beams 1712 and 1714 each have a free distal end portion 1730 opposite the base portion 1710.
  • the free distal end portions 1730 taper outwardly and away from the wire receiving gap 1720. These tapers help the wire slide along the free distal end portions 1730 of the beams 1712 and 1714 and further into the wire receiving gap 1720.
  • the beams 1712 and 1714 each have an inner edge portion 1732 that extends along the wire receiving gap 1720.
  • the inner edge portions 1732 are each beveled or relieved from the free distal end portion 1730 at least part way along the wire receiving gap 1720 to define a recessed or relieved portion 1734 and a cutting edge 1736.
  • the cutting edges 1736 may be formed by performing a coining operation on the IDC 1700 and/or mechanically removing a portion of the inner edge portions 1732.
  • one of the wires JW1 -JW8 is inserted into the wire receiving gap 1720 such that the outer layer of insulation 144 (see Figure 2) is sliced along a lateral direction that is not parallel with (e.g., is orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the wire. This positions the beams 1712 and 1714 on opposite sides of the wire. After the outer layer of insulation 144 (see Figure 2) has been cut through, the beams 1712 and 1714 physically contact the electrical conductor 142 (see Figure 2) and exert a lateral force thereupon that helps maintain the wire therebetween and inside the wire receiving gap 1720.
  • the beams 1712 and 1714 also form an electrical connection with the electrical conductor 142 (see Figure 2) and conduct any signal transmitted thereby to one or more conductors on the substrate (e.g., the substrate 354 illustrated in Figures 8-1 1 , 20, and 22).
  • the beams 1712 and 1714 require less insertion force to cut through the outer layer of insulation 144 (see Figure 2) than would be required by the beams 1712 and 1714 if they did not include the relieved portion 1734 and the cutting edge 1736.
  • the insertion force required may be reduced to about 30 pounds.
  • about 40 pounds of pressure is required to press the eight wires JW1 -JW8 into IDCs that do not include the relieved portions 1734 and the cutting edges 1736. Because less insertion force is required, the IDC 1700 is able to maintain more IDC-to-wire contact pressure per unit area while slicing through the outer layer of insulation 144 (see Figure 2) during an initial termination and subsequent repeat terminations.
  • the IDC 1700 may have a reduced overall size, meaning the IDC 1700 may have a "low profile" compared to a standard or conventional IDC.
  • the IDC 1700 may have a height of only about 0.322 inches, a width of only about 0.120 inches, and a thickness of only about 0.016 inches. Because of its reduced size and smaller reflected image compared to standard sized IDC, the IDC 1700 may have less near end crosstalk ("NEXT”) and/or Return Loss.
  • NXT near end crosstalk
  • the IDC 1700 may be constructed using C51000 phosphor bronze and plated with nickel and/or tin.
  • FIG 41 is a perspective view of an outlet 2000 that is an alternate embodiment of the outlet 1000 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36). Like the outlet 1000, the outlet 2000 is configured to terminate the communication cable C1 and form a communication connection (like the connection 10 depicted in Figure 1 ) with the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4). Referring to Figure 42A, the outlet 2000 includes the wire manager 1380, which may be coupled to the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) in the same manner described above with respect to the outlet 1000 (see
  • the outlet 2000 may be implemented as a Category 8, RJ-45 outlet (or port). Further, the outlet 2000 may be implemented as a lower category outlet, such as a Category 6A outlet, a Category 6 outlet, a Category 5E outlet, and the like.
  • the outlet 2000 is substantially identical to the outlet 1000 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36) except the housing doors 1390 and
  • the outlet 2000 each includes one or more bumps or projections 201 1 , 2012, 2013 (see Figures 43A, 44, and 45), and 2014 (see Figures 43A, 44, and 45).
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 have each been implemented as a spherical cap (e.g., a hemisphere) having a curved side that faces outwardly.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 are formed in forward portions 2930 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the housing 1330 includes contoured recesses 2429A-2429D (substantially identical to the contoured recesses 429A-429D illustrated Figure 18B) and the guide sleeve 1370 includes contoured projections 2750A-2750D (substantially identical to the contoured projections 750A- 750D illustrated Figures 21 A and 21 B).
  • contoured projections 2750A- 2750D and the contoured recesses 2429A-2429D each define a substantially circular opening or recess 2760 (substantially identical to the recesses 760 depicted in Figures 28B and 28C).
  • each of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 has an inner surface 2500 opposite an outer surface 2502.
  • the inner surface 2500 of the forward portion 2930 includes upper and lower pivot pins 2934 and 2936
  • pivot pins 934 and 936 are substantially identical to the pivot pins 934 (see Figure 9) and 936 (see Figures 8, 10, and 22), respectively.
  • the upper and lower pivot pins 2934 and 2936 are each configured to be received inside one of the recesses 2760.
  • the forward portions 2930 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 each include upper and lower wire manager engaging portions 2940 and 2942 that are substantially identical to the upper and lower wire manager engaging portions 940 and 942, respectively, illustrated in Figures 10, 28A, and 28B.
  • the projection 201 1 is formed on the outer surface 2502 of the forward portion 2930 of an upper portion 2504 of the housing door 1390 between a central portion of the pivot pin 2934 (formed on the inner surface 2500) and the upper wire manager engaging portion 2940.
  • the projection 2013 is formed on the outer surface 2502 of the forward portion 2930 of a lower portion 2505 of the housing door 1390 between a central portion of the pivot pin 2936 (formed on the inner surface 2500) and the lower wire manager engaging portion 2942.
  • the projection 2012 is formed on the outer surface 2502 of the forward portion 2930 of an upper portion 2508 of the housing door 1392 between a central portion of the pivot pin 2934 (formed on the inner surface 2500) and the upper wire manager engaging portion 2940.
  • the projection 2014 is formed on the outer surface 2502 of the forward portion 2930 of a lower portion 2509 of the housing door 1392 between a central portion of the pivot pin 2936 (formed on the inner surface 2500) and the lower wire manager engaging portion 2942.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 overlap with the pivot pins 2934 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, and the projections 2013 and 2014 overlap with the pivot pins 2936 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively.
  • this is not a requirement.
  • rearward portions 2932 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 each include cutouts or openings 2948A and 2948B, respectively.
  • the openings 2948A and 2948B are substantially identical to the openings 948A and 948B (see Figures 6, 7, and 28B).
  • the openings 2948A and 2948B align and together form a throughway 2506 (see Figures 41 , 44, and 45) into the housing 1330 through which the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) may pass when the cable C1 is coupled to the wire manger 1380 and the wire manger 1380 is positioned at least partially inside an internal cavity 2396 of the outlet 2000.
  • the passageway 1534 of the wire manger 1380 is aligned with the throughway 2506 to allow the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) to pass therethrough and into the
  • the housing 1330 of the outlet 2000 includes an upper door gripping portion or member 2427 that extends upwardly from an upper portion 2425 of the housing 1330.
  • the upper door gripping member 2427 has an inwardly facing portion or surface 2430 that extends over at least a portion of the forward portions 2930 (see Figure 44) of the upper portions 2504 and 2508 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are in the closed positions.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, extend outwardly beyond the inwardly facing surface 2430 when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are in the open positions (see Figures 42A and 43A). Thus, when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are in the open positions, the projections 201 1 and 2012 may abut a free end portion 2436 (see Figure 42B) of the upper door gripping member 2427 and help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, from closing.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392 from closing (e.g., when the outlet 2000 is positioned with the housing doors 1390 and 1392 facing downwardly) so that a user may insert the wire manager 1380 (see Figures 42A-43B and 45) without also having to hold the housing doors 1390 and 1392 in the open positions.
  • sufficient rotational force must be applied to the housing doors 1390 and 1392 to force the projections 201 1 and 2012, respectfully, under the upper door gripping member 2427.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively may be positioned to engage the inwardly facing surface 2430 of the upper door gripping member 2427.
  • the housing 1330 includes a lower door gripping portion or member 2428 that extends downwardly from a lower portion 2426 of the housing 1330.
  • the lower door gripping member 2428 has an inwardly facing portion or surface 2432 that extends over at least a portion of the forward portions 2930 (see Figure 44) of the lower portions 2505 and 2509 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are in the closed positions.
  • the projections 2013 and 2014 may abut a free end portion 2438 (see Figure 43B) of the lower door gripping member 2428 and help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, from closing.
  • the projections 2013 and 2014 help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392 from closing (e.g., when the outlet 2000 is positioned with the housing doors 1390 and 1392 facing downwardly) so that a user may insert the wire manager 1380 (see Figures 42A-43B and 45) without also having to hold the housing doors 1390 and 1392 in the open positions.
  • the projections 2013 and 2014 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 may be positioned to engage the inwardly facing surface 2432 of the lower door gripping member 2428.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2013 may abut the free end portions 2436 (see Figure 42B) and 2438 (see Figure 43B), respectively, of the upper and lower door gripping members 2427 and 2428, respectively, to help prevent the housing door 1390 from closing.
  • the projections 2012 and 2014 may abut the free end portions 2436 (see Figure 42B) and 2438 (see Figure 43B), respectively, of the upper and lower door gripping members 2427 and 2428, respectively, to help prevent the housing door 1392, respectively, from closing.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392 from closing (e.g., when the outlet 2000 is positioned with the housing doors 1390 and 1392 facing downwardly) so that the user may insert the wire manager 1380 without also having to hold the housing doors 1390 and 1392 in the open positions.
  • the forward portions 2930 (see Figures 42A, 43A, and 44) of the upper portions 2504 and 2508 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are received under the upper door gripping member 2427 of the housing 1330 (see Figures 41 -43B).
  • the forward portions 2930 (see Figures 42A, 43A, and 44) of the lower portions 2505 and 2509 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are received above the lower door gripping member 2428 of the housing 1330 (see Figures 41 -43B).
  • the forward portions 2930 (see Figures 42A, 43A, and 44) of the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are sandwiched between the upper and lower door gripping members 2427 and 2428 of the housing 1330.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 bear against the inwardly facing surface 2430 of the upper door gripping member 2427 and the projections 2013 and 2014 bear against the inwardly facing surface 2432 of the lower door gripping member 2428 and may help maintain the housing doors 1390 and 1392 in the closed position.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 are compressed elastically by the upper door gripping member 2427 and the projections 2013 and 2014 are compressed elastically by the lower door gripping member 2428.
  • this compression and/or friction between the projections 201 1 and 2012 and the upper door gripping member 2427 and friction between the projections 2013 and 2014 and the lower door gripping member 2428 improves electrical performance of the outlet 2000 (and may help prevent the housing doors 1390 and 1392 from opening).
  • the cable C1 has at least one grounding component (e.g., the drain wire JDW illustrated in Figure 38B and the cable shield 140J illustrated in Figures 1 , 26B, 26E, 29, and 38B).
  • the drain wire contact portion 1586 of the conductive member 1522 of the wire manager 1380 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW (see Figure 38B) of the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) when the drain wire JDW is in the first drain wire channel 1552.
  • the drain wire contact portion 1586 of the conductive member 1524 of the wire manager 1380 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the drain wire JDW (see Figure 38B) when the drain wire JDW is in the second drain wire channel 1554.
  • one or both of the shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 contact the housing doors 1390 and 1392 (see Figures 41 , 42A, 43A, 44, and 45), respectively, when the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are closed. In this manner, at least one of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 contacts the housing doors 1390 and 1392, respectively, and forms an electrical connection therewith.
  • At least one of the shield engaging portions 1590 and 1592 of the conductive members 1522 and 1524 contacts and forms an electrical connection with the folded back portion 146J (see Figure 26B) of the cable shield 140J (see Figures 1 , 26B, 26E, 29, and 38B) when the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) is positioned inside the passageway 1534 (see Figure 45).
  • the conductive members 1522 and 1524 electrically connect both the cable shield 140J and the drain wire JDW with one or both of the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the housing 1330 and the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are each constructed from an electrically conductive material, such as metal.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 are connected to the housing 1330, which is connected to the ground springs 1340A and 1340B.
  • the ground springs 1340A and 1340B are connected to the plug 100 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4), which is connected to the cable C2 (see Figures 1 , 3, and 4).
  • a ground path extends from the cable C1 to the outlet 1000 (or the outlet 2000 illustrated in Figures 41 -43B and 45).
  • the ground path also extends from the outlet 1000 (or the outlet 2000) to the plug 100 (and on to the cable C2).
  • an electrical connection between the housing door 1390 and the housing 1330 is formed between the upper and lower pivot pins 2934 and 2936 of the housing door 1390 and the contoured recesses 2429A and 2429C.
  • the effectiveness of this connection depends upon how well the upper and lower pivot pins 2934 and 2936 fit within the recesses 2760 and contact the contoured recesses 2429A and 2429C of the housing 1330.
  • an electrical connection between the housing door 1392 and the housing 1330 is formed between the upper and lower pivot pins 2934 and 2936 of the housing door 1392 and the contoured recesses 2429B and 2429D.
  • the projections 201 1 , 2012, 2013 (see Figures 43A, 44, and 45), and 2014 (see Figures 43A, 44, and 45) help ground performance of the outlet 2000 particularly when the cable C1 is undergoing stresses and/or strain by forming a reliable connection between the housing 1330 and at least one of the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 help stabilize the connection between the cable C1 and the outlet 2000 and may help reduce minor fluctuations in the ground performance when the cable C1 is moved.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 improve the electrical performance of the outlet 2000.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 may help hold the cable C1 in place and prevent the cable C1 from moving.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 may help prevent a portion of the cable positioned within the throughway 2506 from moving with respect to the housing 1330 and/or the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the projections 201 1 -2014 may be characterized as providing a mechanical detent feature. Referring to Figure 42A, the mechanical detent feature may help keep the wire manager 1380 in place (e.g., when the outlet 2000 is oriented with the housing doors 1390 and 1392 facing downwardly).
  • This feature may also help reduce or eliminate the influence of gravity on the housing doors 1390 and 1392 when the wire manager 1380 is positioned inside the outlet 2000 with the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) coupled thereto.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 may be selectively rotated into open positions.
  • the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) may be coupled to the wire manager 1380, which may be positioned inside the outlet 2000 in the same manner in which the wire manager 1380 is positioned inside the outlet 1000 (see Figures 29, 30, and 34-36).
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 may be rotated into closed positions (see Figures 41 and 45) to thereby push the wire manager 1380 into position.
  • Closing the housing doors 1390 and 1392 also positions the projections 201 1 and 2012 to bear against (and form an electrical connection with) the upper door gripping member 2427 and positions the projections 2013 and 2014 to bear against (and form an electrical connection with) the lower door gripping member 2428.
  • the wire manager 1380 may be removed from inside the housing 1330. Then, the wire manager 1380 may be opened, and the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) removed therefrom. Next, the cable C1 (see Figure 41 ) may be re- terminated at the outlet 2000 or a new cable terminated at the outlet 2000.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2013 have been described as being positioned on the housing door 1390 and the projections 2012 and 2014 have been described as being positioned on the housing door 1392, in alternate embodiments, the projections 201 1 -2014 may be positioned on other structures of the outlet 2000.
  • the projections 201 1 and 2012 may be positioned on the inwardly facing surface 2430 of the upper door gripping member 2427 and configured to grip the upper portions 2504 and 2508 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the projections 2013 and 2014 may be positioned on the inwardly facing surface 2432 of lower door gripping member 2428 and configured to grip the lower portions 2505 and 2509 of the housing doors 1390 and 1392.
  • the projection 201 1 may be positioned on the housing door 1390 and the projection 2012 may be positioned on the inwardly facing surface 2430 of the upper door gripping member 2427.
  • the projection 2013 and/or the projection 2014 may be positioned on the inwardly facing surface 2432 of the lower door gripping member 2428.
  • whichever of the projection 2013 and the projection 2014 that is/are not positioned on the lower door gripping member 2428 may be positioned on the housing door 1390 or the housing door 1392.
  • housing door 1390 has been illustrated as including a single projection on its upper and lower portions 2504 and 2505 (e.g., the projections 201 1 and 2013, respectively) and the housing door 1392 has been illustrated as including a single projection on its upper and lower portions 2508 and 2509 (e.g., the projections 2012 and 2014, respectively), this is not a requirement.
  • the housing doors 1390 and 1392 may include more than one projection at each of these locations.
  • one of the upper and lower portions 2504 and 2505 of the housing door 1390 may not include a projection.
  • one of the upper and lower portions 2508 and 2509 of the housing door 1392 may not include a projection.
  • any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un connecteur de communication pourvu d'une porte de boîtier couplée de façon pivotante à un boîtier. La porte de boîtier peut tourner par rapport au boîtier entre une position ouverte et une position fermée. La porte de boîtier est configurée pour être électriquement connectée à au moins un composant de mise à la masse d'un câble. Le boîtier comprend une partie de retenue de porte. Un élément parmi la porte de boîtier et la partie de retenue de porte présente une saillie configurée pour venir en prise avec l'autre élément parmi la porte de boîtier et la partie de retenue de porte lorsque la porte de boîtier est dans la position fermée. Lorsqu'elle est ainsi mise en prise, la saillie est configurée pour connecter électriquement la porte de boîtier au boîtier afin de connecter électriquement le ou les éléments de mise à la masse au boîtier.
EP16856027.4A 2015-10-14 2016-10-11 Prise de communication à mécanisme obturateur et dispositif de gestion de fil Active EP3363082B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/883,267 US9515437B2 (en) 2014-04-14 2015-10-14 Communication outlet with shutter mechanism and wire manager
US15/135,870 US9627827B2 (en) 2014-04-14 2016-04-22 Communication outlet with shutter mechanism and wire manager
PCT/US2016/056374 WO2017066163A1 (fr) 2015-10-14 2016-10-11 Prise de communication à mécanisme obturateur et dispositif de gestion de fil

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3363082A1 true EP3363082A1 (fr) 2018-08-22
EP3363082A4 EP3363082A4 (fr) 2019-06-26
EP3363082B1 EP3363082B1 (fr) 2021-09-22

Family

ID=58517792

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16856027.4A Active EP3363082B1 (fr) 2015-10-14 2016-10-11 Prise de communication à mécanisme obturateur et dispositif de gestion de fil

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3363082B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3002040C (fr)
MX (1) MX2018004543A (fr)
WO (1) WO2017066163A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4057454A1 (fr) * 2021-03-10 2022-09-14 Omelcom Connecteur comprenant un système de reprise de continuité

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3072509B1 (fr) 2017-10-18 2022-06-10 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Connecteur femelle comportant une ouverture d'engagement d'un connecteur male equipee d'un portillon d'obturation de cette ouverture
EP3799224B1 (fr) * 2019-09-27 2024-08-14 TE Connectivity Germany GmbH Boîtier pour connecteur électrique
JP7274127B2 (ja) * 2019-11-07 2023-05-16 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 コネクタ

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0622461D0 (en) * 2006-11-13 2006-12-20 Tyco Electronics Amp Es Sa A connector
TWM349117U (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-01-11 Surtec Ind Inc Socket for communication cable
CN201429714Y (zh) * 2009-04-27 2010-03-24 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 连接器
TWM400680U (en) * 2010-07-13 2011-03-21 Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd Electrical connector
DE102013209327B4 (de) * 2013-05-21 2015-02-12 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Elektrischer Steckverbinder
CN104577624B (zh) * 2013-10-18 2017-06-23 泰科电子(上海)有限公司 端接装置、压接工具、工具组合和用于将导线端接至通信模块的方法
TWM479548U (zh) * 2014-01-08 2014-06-01 Jyh Eng Technology Co Ltd 多方進線連接器

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4057454A1 (fr) * 2021-03-10 2022-09-14 Omelcom Connecteur comprenant un système de reprise de continuité
FR3120747A1 (fr) * 2021-03-10 2022-09-16 Omelcom Connecteur comprenant un système de reprise de continuité

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3363082B1 (fr) 2021-09-22
MX2018004543A (es) 2018-07-06
CA3002040A1 (fr) 2017-04-20
WO2017066163A1 (fr) 2017-04-20
EP3363082A4 (fr) 2019-06-26
CA3002040C (fr) 2023-10-10

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