GB2233510A - Wire cross connection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a connector and cross connection apparatus the apparatus comprising a plurality of connectors located on a support, each of said connectors including a body housing, the housing carrying a contact for an exchange or subscriber line, a contact for cross connection wires adapted for press connection to such a wire, and a wire cutting knife, and the housing having apertures adapted for the insertion therethrough of a cross connection wire; and a movable operating member mounted on the housing and adapted for two forms of movement thereupon form a neutral position. in the first of which, in use, the cross connection wire is pushed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact, and in the second of which the cross connection wire is pressed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact and is additionally forced into cutting contact with the knife whereby an end of the cross connection wire extending therepast is severed. <IMAGE>

Description

Wire Cross Connection Apparatus This invention relates to wire cross connection apparatus. Such apparatus is used commonly in the telephone industry in the wire distribution system between telephone exchanges and subscribers.

The basic elements of such apparatus usually comprise a plurality of connectors usually mounted on a support board, each of which connects a pair of wires at its back face to a pair of wires at its front face.

The connection at the back face is usually intended to be permanent, and in the majority of cases will be made only once. No provision is usually made for disconnecting and re-making this connection.

The connection at the front face is intended for multiple re-terminations.

In one standard layout twenty five of these basic elements are mounted on a block in a 5 x 5 array.

At wire cross connection apparatus a multiplicity of wires from an exchange are connected to a multiplicity of connectors, and similarly a multiplicity of wires leading on to subscribers are connected to a similar but separate multiplicity of connectors. Appropriate connectors from exchange wires and subscribers wires are then interconnected within the cross connection apparatus. Such cross connection apparatus provides flexibility in connection from exchanges to subscribers and reduces the total number of wires required in an average distribution system, and thereby reduces the cost.

In the telephone industry between exchange and subscriber the cables that distribute the service may be viewed as the branches of a tree. The cables that leave the exchange may contain 3,000 pairs of conductors. Those cables from which the subscribers direct connection is made may contain twenty pairs of conductors.

So that quantity of copper in the ground may be kept to a minimum, but at the same time the telephone company can respond quickly to a new requirement for service, a "flexibility" point is included in the distribution network by means of cross connection apparatus.

At this point, as an example, 500 pairs from the exchange are terminated as are 1,000 pairs leading to subscribers.

Typically, 80% of the exchange cable will be in service and 40% of the onward distribution.

By having patch board, or cross connection apparatus at this point, maximum use is made of the exchange cable, whilst retaining the flexibility to send the service to any of the 1,000 distribution pairs. The exchange cables are terminated at the back of some of the contacts, the distribution cables are terminated at the rear of others.

The front face of the contact array is known as the cross connect field. It is here that service is redirected.

Various present apparatus involve disadvantages and problems in that they can involve significant operator time in making connections and potential operational faults in that the cross connection between the connectors within the apparatus cannot always be made easily or conventionally with satisfactory maximum electrical insulation of the wires and connectors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cross connection apparatus which overcomes or at least substantially reduces such disadvantages and problems in a simple and effective manner.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wire cross connection apparatus comprising a plurality of connectors located on a support, each of said connectors including a body housing, the housing carrying a contact for an exchange or subscriber line, a contact for cross connection wires adapted for press connection to such a wire, and a wire cutting knife, and the housing having apertures adapted for the insertion therethrough of a cross connection wire; and a movable operating member mounted on the housing and adapted for two forms of movement thereupon from a neutral position, in the first of which, in use, the cross connection wire is pushed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact, and in the second of which the cross connection wire is pressed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact and is additionally forced into cutting contact with the knife whereby an end of the cross connection wire extending therepast is severed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for cross connection apparatus comprising a housing carrying a contact for an exchange or subscriber line, a contact for cross connection wires adapted for press connection to such a wire, and a knife for severing a wire forced thereagainst; apertures for the insertion therethrough of a cross connection wire being providedin the side of the housing; and an operating member mounted upon the housing and adapted for two forms of movement upon the housing from a neutral position, in the first of which, in use, it is adapted to press the cross connection wire into electrical connection with the contact, and in the second of which the cross connection wire is additionally forced into cutting contact with the knife.

The apertures in the housing may be so arranged that in the neutral position of the operating member, the cross connection wire can be passed right through the housing via the apertures, one end of the wire being severed by the housing knife upon making the second movement of the operating member.

The operating member may be adapted, in its two movements to rotate upon the housing, and may in addition be adapted to move longitudinally of the housing.

The rotation of the operating member about the housing may be in opposite senses, in the first direction of which, in use, it is adapted to turn a cross connection wire inserted through the apertures into contact with the knife for severance thereof as well as pressing the wire onto the contact for connection thereto, and in the second direction of which it is adapted to press the wire onto the contact, but not cut.

By means of the invention it is possible to arrange, simply by choosing the movement of the operating member upon the housing, either to have the cross connection wire connected and severed and thereby terminated at the connector, or to have it pass completely through the connector and only press connected at the connector so that it can then be connected at both of its ends to two further connectors enabling multiple connection between the connectors of the cross connection apparatus of the apparatus.

The operating member may at least partially surround the housing and may move with respect to the housing by means of follower surfaces thereof engaging appropriately inclined cam surfaces on the outer periphery of the housing. Such cams may include return angled portions for snap location of the operating member on the housing in one or other of its two connecting dispositions.

The fixed housing may be a hollow, generally cylindrical member, and the operating member may incorporate two separate but interlinked portions, an outer annulus movable rotatably about and longitudinally of the housing, its movement upon the housing being controlled by cam surfaces on the housing with which it engages, and.an insert of generally cylindrical form fitting within the housing which may be movable only longitudinally with respect thereto, and coupled in its movement with the annulus. The insert and/or the annulus may carry apertures for the cross connection wire, and wire directing surfaces for moving wires towards the cutting knife or knives or not (depending upon the rotational direction thereof) and for pressing the cross connection wires into cutting contact with the knives when rotated there towards.

The connector may be provided with two press contacts, two knives, and two sets of apertures for electrical wires.

The or each contact may be of the kind having two adjacent prongs, having sharp edges, spring urged together presenting to the wire a tapered slit therebetween into which the cross connection wire is pressed by means of the operating member so that upon insertion into the slit, the insulation therearound is broken, ensuring electrical contact between the internal conductor of the wire and the contact member.

The contacts at their ends remote from the cross connection may be connected permanently to electrical wires from a telephone exchange or to subscribers, or alternatively may be connected by means of push connection slits.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric schematic view of one form of a connector in accordance with the invention in its open position with insulated electrical wires passing there through; Figure 2 is an isometric schematic view of the connector of Figure 1 after operation to connect but not sever electrical wires passing therethrough; Figure 3 is an isometric schematic view of a portion of the connector of Figure 1 showing internal parts thereof; Figure 4 is an isometric schematic view of a portion of the connector of Figure 1 showing parts thereof in transition to a first operational position;; Figure 5 is an isometric view of the portion of the connector of Figure 4 showing parts in a further transition to its first operational position; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the portion of the connector of Figure 4 showing parts in its second operational position; and Figure 7 is a plan view showing cross connection apparatus according to the invention incorporating a plurality of connectors as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6.

Referring now to the drawings it is to be seen that the connector 2 essentially comprises a housing member 3 adapted in use to be attached at one end by means of spring clips 4 to a base board (1 in Figure 7)in a matrix disposition. Mounted upon the housing 2 at its upper end and disposed thereabout is an operating annulus or button 5 capable of movement in two directions about the housing and longitudinally thereof, by association of cam following surfaces 6 on internally directed flanges 7 at each side engaging with cam surfaces 8 on the outer periphery of the housing.

Associated with the operating button 5 is a generally cylindrical insert member 9 linked for longitudinal movement only with the operator button 5 and disposed largely within the housing.

It is to be observed from Figure 1 that upwardly extending recesses 10 are provided in the operating button 5 and downwardly extending recesses at 11 in the housing 3, and apertures 12 provided in the insert member 9 which enable cross connection wires with insulating sleeves easily to be inserted through the connector 2.

As can be seen in Figure 1, with the connector in a "ready for use" condition, entry of wires 24 is rendered easy by means of the large openings therefor.

It will be observed from Figure 2 in particular that when the connector and its operating button 5 are in a fully operated position the openings 10 and 11 surrounding the wires 24 are small, enabling the total unit to be fully electrically insulated with relative ease by means of appropriate grease filling for example. In Figure 2 position the button 5 has been rotated 45 clockwise for connection but not severing of the wires.

Reference to Figure 3 will show that the housing 3 is provided, adjacent the wire inlet side, with a pair of contacts 13, 14 extending through the housing down to a disposition which in use is below the mounting base board.

The contacts are provided at their lower end with connecting slots 15, 16 within which electrical wires may be inserted connecting either to the exchange or to subscribers lines. The slots are adapted to provide good electrical contact between the contacts 13, 14 and the conductors within the wires.

At the upper end the contacts are provided with tapering contact slits 17, 18 having sides spring urged together and sharp edges, such that wires forced into the tapering slits will be bared to the internal conductors for good electrical contact between the cross connection wires and the contacts.

Adjacent the wire outlets from the housing are disposed a pair of fixed knives 19, 20 having inclined upwardly extending cutting edges 21, 22. It is to be observed from Figures 4 and 5 for example, that the wire outlets through the housing 3 and the insert 9, with an appropriate rotational movement of the operating button 5, above and out of contact with the cutting edges 21, 22 of the knives.

The housing member 3, button 5 and insert member 9 may be made of a high strength thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate or glass filled polyamide for example. The contacts 13,14 may be made from copper alloy with a yield strength of at least 700n/mm2, for example phosphor bronze in its hard condition. The knives 19,10 may be made from a hardenable corrosion resisting steel. The base board 1 may be made from a low strength thermoplastics which has good impact and electrical properties such as polypropylene for example.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the operation dispositions between the insert and housing and the associated parts thereof under action of the operating button of which only a downwardly extending cross connection wire moving flange 23 is shown.

In Figure 4 the insert 9 is shown in a high disposition with the button moved (from a neutral position) by a 150 clockwise rotation. In this position the wire moving flange 23 subtending from the operating button 5 is in a position displaced clockwise from the cutting edges 21, 22 of the knives 19, 20 and well above them. It is manifest that any wires 24 extending through the connector would be above the contacts 13, 14 and above the cutting edges 21, 22 of the knives.

In Figure 5 the connector assembly is shown with the operating button 5 having being turned 300 clockwise, and having in consequence being moved downwardly by the movement of the cam followers 6 upon the cams 8 of the housing, as is the insert 9, and is moving to the 450 clockwise position shown in Figure 2 where the wire openings in the insert 9, and hence the insert itself force any wires penetrating through the insert apertures down into the slits 17, 18 in the tops of the contacts 21, 22 for electrical connection therewith. However it is to be observed that the outlets from the insert 9, and fron the housing 3, are still significantly above, and somewhat to one side, of the cutting edges 21, 22 of the knives so that there can be no possibility of any incision being made by the knives into the cross connection wires.It is also to be noted that at this disposition the wire moving flange 23 from the operating button has moved further away from the knives and plays no part in relation to the knives or the wires passing through the connector. In the position shown in Figure 5, the totality of the connector as viewed from above support board 1 would look as is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 illustrates the connector parts of Figures 4 and 5 where the operating button 5 (again not shown) has been rotated in a 450 anti-clockwise movement and been moved downwardly by the cam followers 6 on the operating button co-operating with the cam surfaces 8 on the housing 3. In this disposition the wire moving flange 23 of the operating button co-operates with the cutting edges 21, 22 of the knives 19, 20 as can be seen so as to force the ends of the wires 24 protruding from the outlet side of the connector into severing contact with the cutting edges of the knives. At the same time, as previously, the wires are forced down by the insert 9 at their inlet edges with the upper contact slits 17, 18 of the contacts ensuring electrical connection therewith.With this arrangement wires are not only connected to the contacts, but are also severed within the connector, surely and positively, without any risk of any loose protruding ends, and by means of a virtually closed outlet and knife conjunction, again enabling good electrical sealing with appropriate grease within the connector for example.

The insert 9 is provided with a downwardly extending opening 25 enabling the insert of a tool for testing satisfactory electrical contact.

As can be seen from Figure 7 the matrix disposition of the connectors when mounted on a connector board enable a multiple connection of cross connection wires 24 as required between input and output wires connecting to the connectors below the support base.

By means of the invention we have provided a connector for a cross connection apparatus and a cross connection apparatus using such a connector, capable of linking a pair of cross connection connectors, and also more than one pair of such connectors, all required wire cutting of the cross connection wires being done within the connectors enabling a simple, neat and effective cross connection apparatus to be provided without any protruding ends of wires.

Additionally it is possible to have the association of a large opening of the connector for insertion of the wires, with a small opening at inlet and outlet after appropriate operation of the connector for connection and/or severing of the wire, thereby enabling adequate waterproofing with appropriate grease for example.

Some of the advantages of the cross connection apparatus illustrated are as follows: 1. The cross connection system is capable of linking an exchange pair to two distribution pairs, meeting the requirement on some occasions to give shared service.

2. Cutting cross connection wires within but adjacent the outlet from the connectors ensures: (i) that the wires reach the contacts; (ii) that the cross connection apparatus is kept tidy.

3. There is provided a connector having a large "funnel" for easy wire insertion, but small openings in use for keeping out water. In practice, the opening may be reduced from approximately 9mm2 per wire to about 1. 5mm2.

4. The connector has optimum mechanical advantage in a small space for easy operation.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of cross connection apparatus and connectors there for in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1 A wire cross connection apparatus comprising a plurality of connectors located on a support, each of said connectors including a body housing, the housing carrying a contact for an exchange or subscriber line, a contact for cross connection wires adapted for press connection to such a wire, and a wire cutting knife, and the housing having apertures adapted for the insertion there through of a cross connection wire; and a movable operating member mounted on the housing and adapted for two forms of movement thereupon from a neutral position, in the first of which, in use, the cross connection wire is pushed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact, and in the second of which the cross connection wire is pressed into electrical connection with the cross wire contact and is additionally forced into cutting contact with the knife whereby an end of the cross connection wire extending therepast is severed.

2 A connector for cross connection apparatus comprising a housing carrying a contact for an exchange or subscriber line, a contact for cross connection wires adapted for press connection to such a wire, and a knife for severing a wire forced thereagainst; apertures for the insertion therethrough of a cross connection wire being provided in the side of the housing; and an operating member mounted upon the housing and adapted for two forms of movement upon the housing from a neutral position, in the first of which1 in use, it is adapted to press the cross connection wire into electrical connection with the contact, and in the second of which the cross connection wire is additionally forced into cutting contact with the knife.

3 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the apertures in the housing are so arranged that in the neutral position of the operating member, the cross connection wire can be passed right through the housing via the apertures, one end of the wire being severed by the housing knife upon making the second movement of the operating member.

4 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the operating member is adapted, in its two movements, to rotate upon the housing.

5 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the operating member is additionally adapted, in its two movements, to move longitudinally of the housing.

6 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 wherein the rotation of the operating member about the housing is in opposite senses, in the first direction of which, in use, it is adapted to turn a cross connection wire inserted throught the apertures into contact with the knife for severance thereof as well as pressing the wire onto the contact for connection thereto, and in the second direction of which it is adapted to press the wire onto the contact, but not cut.

7 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 4,5 or 6 wherein the operating member at least partially surrounds the housing and moves with respect to the housing by means of follower surfaces thereof engaging appropriately inclined cam surfaces on the outer periphery of the housing.

8 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the cams include return angled portions for snap location of the operating member on the housing in one of its two connecting dispositions.

9 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 8 wherein the fixed housing is a hollow, generally cylindrical member, and the operating member incorporates two separate but interlinked portions, an outer annulus movable rotatably about and longitudinally of the housing, its movement upon the housing being controlled by cam surfaces on the housing with which it engages, and an insert of generally cylindrical form fitting within the housing move able only longitudinally with respect thereto, and coupled in its movement with the annulus.

10 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the insert and/or the annulus carries apertures for the cross connection wire, and wire directing surfaces for moving wires towards the cutting knife or knives or not (depending upon the rotational direction therefore) and for pressing the cross connection wires into cutting contact with the knives when rotated theretowards.

11 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with two press contacts, two knives and two sets of apertures for electrical wires.

12 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each contact is of the kind having two adjacent prongs, having sharp edges, spring urged together presenting to the wire a tapered slit therebetween into which the cross connection wire is pressed by means of the operating member so that upon insertion into the slit, the insulation therearound is broken, ensuring electrical contact between the internal conductor of the wire and the contact member.

13 Apparatus or a connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the contacts at their ends remote from the cross connection are adapted to be connected to electrical wires from a telephone exchange or to subscribers by means of push connection slits.

14 A wire cross connection apparatus substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15 A connector for cross connection apparatus substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.