GB2351853A

GB2351853A - Electrical connection adapter

Info

Publication number: GB2351853A
Application number: GB9915395A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Austin Odley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-02
Filing date: 1999-07-02
Publication date: 2001-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-02
Also published as: GB9915395D0; GB2351853B

Abstract

An adapter 10 has two connectors 20,18. The connectors 20,18 may be of a different wiring format to each other, different gender or have a different number of conducting poles. The adapter has at least one housing 14 which locates at least one electrical or electronic component. The housing may locate a capacitor or a surge arrestor. The adapter has a selection means 12 which allows exclusion or inclusion of the electrical or electronic component. The selection means 12 may be a switch, such as a slide switch, or may be irreversible where printed circuit board conductors or wires may be broken. The selection means 12 may be labelled to indicate the selected setting (see figs 2,3 and 4). The labelling may provide a system whereby the selection means 12 cannot be incorrectly labelled.

Description

2351853 AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION UNIT This invention relates to an

electrical connection unit, and particularly but not exclusively to a line adaptor unit or line jack unit used to permit the connection of a telephone equipped for operation over the UK public telephone network to a standardised internal cabling network.

In the U.K., most telephone leads comprise six wires, and terminate in a male connector or plug having four electrical poles. Thus, whilst six wires are provided only three are actually required for the majority of telephony equipment; for simplicity, on the male plug the central four poles of the six which are available are connected and the external two are left blank. A female connector or socket is typically secured at a fixed location, e.g. to a wall; usually the female connector has all six poles connected, notwithstanding that only four of these will connect to poles on the male plug. The female connector is connected to the external telephone network. The female connector is usually referred to as a line jack unit.

With an analogue telephone, the line jack unit contains a capacitor (which is necessary to activate the ringer), a surge arrestor (necessary to prevent surges in electricity from damaging the telephone), and a resistor. The resistor is provided so that the line can be tested by the network provider, even if the male plug has been removed from the female socket of the line jack unit.

Other machines, such as facsimile machines or modems, which are designed to connect directly to the external telephone network, are commonly fitted with a four pole male plug fittable into the female socket of the line jack unit.

In offices and other establishments, it is often necessary or desirable to have an internal cabling network for the transmission of data and the like between locations within that establishment, such internal transmissions being independent of the external telephone network. Such internal cabling networks are nowadays commonly used to interconnect computers so that data can readily be transferred therebetween, as well as telephones and other off ice equipment. To make the internal cabling networks more flexible, the network will often have a number of connector sockets to which one or other piece of equipment can be connected. The network will also typically have a dedicated central exchange which can identify and specify each socket, for example specifying an extension number for each socket connected to a telephone.

The international standard developed for such internal cabling networks requires the connector sockets to be female, and to have eight electrical poles.

One advantage of the internal cabling networks having a number of internationally recognised standard connector sockets is that each socket can be configured by the user to operate as a connection point for a computer, a facsimile machine, a telephone, for an ISDN link, or for another application as might be desired.

The specification for each socket outlet is determined at the exchange, and that specification (for example the telephone number to which that outlet is connected) can be altered as desired or required.

Where a particular socket is specified as a computer link, the computer can be fitted with an RJ45 or other suitable male connector plug designed to mate directly with the standard network socket so that no physical compatibility problems occur.

However, where a particular network socket is specified to receive a telephone, a compatibility problem exists because the telephone will generally be fitted with a standard telephone lead and plug which cannot mate with the standard network socket. An adaptor is therefore required to achieve the desired connection.

Acccordingly, line adaptor units have been developed over several years to permit the interconnection of a standard telephone plug and the socket of such an internal cabling network. A known line adaptor unit has an eight pole male RJ45 plug so as to be connectable to the eight pole female connector, and a housing containing a socket with four or six poles suitable for the connection of a UK telephone plug, as well as other applicable equipment.

However, such a line adaptor unit suffers from the disadvantage that several variants are required in order to cater for the different types of telephones or other equipment which might be fitted to the socket, as well as for the telephone lines in use.

For example, digital telephones can typically be used with an internal cabling network, but such telephones do not require a capacitor to activate the ringer. A selection of line adaptor units are therefore required to take account of the differing requirements of analogue and digital telephones, for example.

In general, the line adaptor unit required for analogue telephones is termed "PABX" and the line adaptor unit required for digital telephones is termed "Secondary". In general also, Secondary line adaptor units can have direct connections between the plug and socket, and as above indicated the PABX line adaptor units require the connection of a capacitor and sometimes a resistor between certain conductors within the housing. In addition, all of the line adaptor units must terminate the connections to the poles which are present in the RJ45 connector but which are not required to be connected to the telephone.

Also, a surge arrestor is not always required in such a line adaptor unit, even if for an analogue telephone, since the surge arrestor will typically be located in the exchange.

However, where the standard internal cabling network socket is configured for an application requiring anoutside telephone line such as for a facsimile machine (which must usually be connected directly through the exchange to the external network), there are different requirements for components in the line adaptor unit. The type of adaptor unit required is termed "PSTN" (public switch telephone network), and it generally contains a capacitor, surge arrestor and resistor.

Where the internal cabling network socket is configured for an ISDN application, and is at the end of theISDN S Bus which requires termination, a further type of line adaptor unit is required which provides the correct termination resistance. Such an adaptor is termed "ISDN".

In addition, local circuit conditions, including the type of telephone system in use, can affect the requirements for the line adaptor unit, and in particular the poles of the internal cabling network socket which are connected to the poles in the socket of the line adaptor unit.

The existence of requirements for such a variety of line adaptor unit types is a cause of confusion and inconvenience for users. For example, users need to specify in advance the proportion of the internal cabling network sockets which are to be used for the different applications, in order that the correct number of each of the different types of line adaptor units may be provided when the internal cabling network is installed. Also, as telephones are upgraded from analogue to digital types, new line adaptor units need to be purchased to accommodate the change, whilst some of the existing line adaptor units are made redundant, causing additional expense.

Another approach to seek to solve the compatibility problem is to use a separate cabling network specifically for telephony services, with line jack units equipped with four or six pole telephone-type sockets rather than the eight pole standard internal cabling network sockets. However, this approach requires additional cabling and an additional exchange, and still suffers from the disadvantage that several variants of line jack unit are required for the different telephone types and for other equipment such as facsimile machines, as described above.

It is an object of the current invention to provide line adaptor units and line jack units in which the function of the unit is selectable.

In the following description, the term "format" is used to describe the attributes of the male and female connectors, including the number of electrical poles and the physical structural form of the connector. Thus, a male connector will be connectable to a female connector of the same format, but will not be connectable to a female connector of a different format.

According to the present invention, there is provided an 30 electrical connection unit for fitment into a telephone or data line, the unit having first and second connector parts, transmission means electrically interconnecting the first and second connector parts, a housing locating one or more electrical or electronic components, and selection means for selectively including and/or excluding certain of the electrical or electronic components from the transmission means.

The electrical connection unit may therefore contain the components necessary for two or more different applications, and the selection means be used to determine which of those components is necessary and activated for a particular application. Accordingly, separate electrical connection units are not required for all of the separate applications which are available.

The electrical connection unit can be a line adaptor unit, which preferably has a male connector plug for insertion into a female connector socket of the internal cabling network. In such a connection unit the f ormat of the male connector and the female connector can be different, perhaps having a different number of electrical poles.

Alternatively, the electrical connection unit can be a line jack unit in which the first connector is preferably adapted to permit direct connection to the wires of the cabling network.

The means of selection may take any suitable form and preferably does not require the opening, removal or dismantling of any part of the elecrical connection unit.

Preferably, selection is provided by a reversible means, for example an electrical switch.

Alternatively, though less preferably, the means of selection may be irreversible, for example by the severance of printed circuit board conductors or wires.

Preferably, there is provided a labelling system to denote the selected function of the electrical connection unit.

Preferably also, the labelling system provides means for repeated changes in the function of the electrical connection unit. This is preferable where a reversible method of selecting the electrical connection unit application is used.

7 The labelling system may ensure that incorrect labelling is physically prevented.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 shows an electrical connection unit according to 10 the invention, formed as a line adaptor unit; Fig 2 shows a reversible label designed to be clipped into place on the unit of Fig.1; Fig 3 shows a top view of a unit of Fig. 1 configured as a PABX unit, and f itted with a label according to Fig.2; Fig 4 shows a top view of a unit of Fig. I conf igured as a Secondary unit, and fitted with a label according to Fig.2; Fig 5 shows a circuit diagram of the unit of Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

Figs 6, 7, 8 and 9 show various forms ofelectrical connection unit according to the invention, each formed as a line Jack unit.

As shown in Figure 1, the line adaptor unit 10 is f itted with a slide switch 12 as a means of selecting the application of the line adaptor unit. The line adaptor unit 10 comprises a housing 14 containing components (as described below) and including an area 16 for the fixing of a label 22 (Fig.2). The unit 10 has a male connector plug 18 for connection to a standard internal cabling network connector socket (not shown), and a female connector socket 20 for the connection of a telephone plug.

It will be understood that the male connector plug 18 has eight electrical poles, whilst the female connector socket 20 has four or six electrical poles, so that in this embodiment the first and second connectors are of different format. Also, the connectors are structurally different, so that the male connector plug 18 cannot physically be fitted into the female connector socket 20.

The male connector plug 18 is connected to the housing 14 by a flexible cable 22. In other embodiments the cable is omitted, and the plug comprises a fixed projection from the housing.

The slide switch 12 for selecting the function of the line adaptor unit 10 is located within the labelling area 16. In this embodiment, the slide switch 12 is located transversely to one side of the labelling area 16, but its range of movement is centred mid-way along the longitudinal direction of the labelling area 16.

Part of the slide switch 12 protrudes above the level of the labelling area 16.

The label 24 shown in Fig. 2 is printed "PABX" on one side and "Secondary" on the other. It includes lugs 26 which are receivable in openings (not shown) adjacent the labelling area 16 to facilitate non- permanent clipping of the label 24 onto the labelling area 16 of the line adaptor unit 10. The label also has an opening 28 for receiving the protruding part of the slide switch 12.

It is arranged that the protruding part of the slide switch 12 projects into the opening 28 in the label 24 only when the slide switch 12 is in the correct location as described on the visible side of the label 24, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It is arranged that the label 24 is sufficiently rigid physically to prevent the slide switch 12 from being moved when the label 24 is correctly located.

If the internal cabling network socket is to be respecified for use with a different type of telephone, the label 24 may be removed, the slide switch 12 moved, and the label refitted; refitment of the label 24 will only, however, be possible in the new, reversed, orientation.

Fig.5 shows the electrical connections as part of the transmission means for a line adaptor unit which is selectable between PABX and Secondary modes. S1 and S2 are the contacts of the slide switch 12, and C is the ringing capacitor.

In other embodiments in which the line adaptor unit could also be selected for a "PSTN" application, a resistor and a surge arrestor would typically be provided also, which could be switched into the transmission means if required.

Fig.6 shows the front of a line jack unit 30 of the type suitable for clipping into trunking or a floor box, similarly fitted with a slide switch 32 accessible from the front. Such a line jack unit is suitable for use with an internal cabling network designed to be suitable only for telephones, so that the incoming line (not shown) to the line jack unit will only contain a maxiumum of six electrical wires. As above indicated, however, the line jack unit will need to be selectable between PABX and Secondary, and so the slide switch 32 has two available positions.

A labelling system similar to that of the line adaptor unit of Figs. 1-4 could be used; alternatively, the two slide switch positions could be marked 11PABX11 and "Secondary" (or an abbreviation thereof), as desired.

It will be understood that if the line adaptor unit 10 or the line jack unit 30 might require to be used for a facsimile machine, or other equipment requiring a direct connection to the external telephone network, then the slide switch could be a three position switch, the third position relating to the "PSTW' application. Clearly, also, any two of these three applications could be catered for in a line adaptor unit or a line jack unit having a two position switch.

It will be understood that the line jack unit will contain the components required for such a unit in its "PABX", "Secondary" and (if applicable) its "PSTW' configurations, with the internal wiring being such as to connect the required components in the applicable switch position (similar to the wiring of the line adaptor unit 10 shown in Fig.5, for example).

The line jack unit 30 has a conventional sliding cover 34, which can be opened to reveal the female connector socket therewithin.

Fig.7 shows a line jack unit 36 of the type suitable for clipping into trunking or a floor box, fitted with a switch 38 which is accessible from the rear. In this embodiment, therefore, the switch 38 is only accessible once the line jack unit 36 has been removed (typically unscrewed) from the trunking or floor box, i.e. the unit would need to be removed in order to operate the switch 38.

Fig.8 shows a line jack unit 40 of the type suitable for use with a back box (not shown), which back box is itself secured to a fixed location. The components of the line jack unit 40 are secured to the rear surface of the front plate 42, and so are not visible in Fig.8. The front plate 42 is itself securable to the back box by two screws passing through respective apertures 44. In this embodiment, the switch 46 is accessible from the front, i.e. it is not necessary to remove the front plate 42 to operate the switch 46. The front plate 42 also carries a conventional sliding cover 32.

Fig.9 shows a rear view of the front plate 50 of a line jack unit 52, of the type suitable for use with a back box (not shown), fitted with a switch 54 accessible from the rear. In this realisation, the product would need to be removed from the back box in order to operate the switch 54.

It will be understood that this invention is not intended to be limited to the details of these embodiments, which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. An electrical connection unit for fitment into a telephone or data line, the unit having at least a first and a second connector parts, transmission means electrically interconnecting the first and second connector parts, at least one housing locating one or more electrical or electronic components, and selection means for selectively including and/or excluding certain of the electrical or electronic components from the transmission means.

2. An electrical connection unit according to claim 1 in which the format of the first connector part is different from that of the second connector part.

3. An electrical connection unit according to claim 2 formed as a line adaptor unit, in which the number of electrical poles of the first connector part differs from the number of electrical poles of the second connector part.

4. An electrical connection unit according to claim 1 formed -as a line jack unit, in which the first connector part includes means for direct connection to the wires of an internal cabling network.

5. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-3 in which the f irst connector part is a male plug and the second connector part is a female socket.

6. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-5 in which the housing locates a capacitor.

7. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-6 in which the housing locates a surge arrestor.

8. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-7 in which the selection means is an electrical switch.

9. An electrical connection unit according to claim 8 in which the switch is a slide switch.

10. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-7 in which the selection means is irreversible.

11. An electrical connection unit according to claim 10 in which the selection means comprises severable printed circuit board conductors or wires.

12. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-11 in which there is provided a labelling system for the housing to denote the selected function of the unit.

13. An electrical connection unit according to any of claims 1-9 in which there is provided a labelling system for the housing to denote the selected function of the unit, and in which the labelling system provides means for repeated changes in the function of the line adaptor unit.

14. An electrical connection unit according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the labelling system precludes incorrect labelling of the housing.

15. An electrical connection unit substantially as described in relation to Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.

16. An electrical connection unit substantially as described in relation to Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

- 14

17. An electrical connection unit substantially as described in relation to Figs. 7 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An electrical connection unit substantially as described in relation to Figs. 8 of the accompanying drawings.

19. An electrical connection unit substantially as described in relation to Figs. 9 of the accompanying drawings.