GB2366093A

GB2366093A - Adapter for separating two telecommunication lines

Info

Publication number: GB2366093A
Application number: GB0117242A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Broadhurst; Christopher Skelton; Paul Chapman
Original assignee: Technetix Ltd
Current assignee: Technetix Ltd
Priority date: 2000-07-18
Filing date: 2001-07-16
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Also published as: GB2366091A; GB0117238D0; GB2366091B; GB0017629D0; GB0117242D0

Abstract

An adaptor unit (40) has a multi-way plug (42) for fitting to a network termination unit or socket of a secondary outlet. The unit (40) also has a first socket outlet (43) wired to a first group of the multi-ways of the plug (42) and a second socket outlet (44) wired to a second group of the multi-ways of the plug (42), so that the first socket outlet (43) can provide an outlet for a first telephone or broadband communication line and the second socket outlet (44) can provide an outlet for a second telephone or broadband communication line.

Description

1 2366093 TELECOMMUNICATION OR BROADBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS This

invention relates to telecommunication or broadband communication systems, and in particular is concerned with an adaptor unit for plugging into a network termination unit or into an extension socket outlet in order to upgrade facilities available to the customer.

According to the invention there is provided an adaptor unit for fitting to a network termination unit or socket of a secondary outlet, the adaptor unit comprising a multi-way plug cooperable with a standard multi- way socket outlet of the network termination unit or the secondary outlet, a first socket outlet wired to a first group of the multi-ways of the plug and a second socket outlet wired to a second group of the multi-ways of the plug, whereby the first socket outlet can provide an outlet for a first communication line and the second socket outlet can provide an outlet for a second communication line. The adaptor unit of the invention was devised to meet the request of a network wiring operator to provide a means for enabling a customer with a single line to upgrade to two lines without the need for a site visit to a customer's house. Such a visit is not necessary because the adaptor unit can be sent to the customer, e.g. by post. The customer then inserts the plug of the adaptor unit into the socket of the network termination unit or into a secondary outlet extension, to provide an upgrade. The customer can thus reconfigure his wiring to provide access to two telephone or broadband communication lines, something which frequently happens in a household which requires a second line for a computer.

To comply with current UK standards, the multi-way plug will normally have six ways, as will the first socket outlet and the second socket outlet. In this case the first socket outlet is wired to three ways of the plug and the second socket outlet is wired to the remaining three ways of the plug.

A preferred embodiment of adaptor unit is generally T-shaped, the end of the leg of the T providing the plug and the top surfaces of the bar of the T presenting the first and second Z socket outlets.

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

Figures I and 2 illustrate prior art arrangements,

Figure 3 illustrates a network termination unit which can be used with an adaptor unit according to the invention, Figures 4 and 5 illustrate installations using the network termination unit of Figure 3, Figure 6 illustrates an adaptor unit forming a preferred embodiment of the invention, and Figures 7 and 8 illustrate installations using the adaptor unit of Figure 6.

Figure 1 illustrates a known network termination unit (NTU) comprising a back plate assembly 1 and a front plate assembly 2 which inter-engage at an interface 3 defining the boundary between the network wiring (the responsibility of the operator or service provider) and the customer's wiring, typically in a domestic residence. The twisted wire pair of a telephone or communication line 4 is connected through standard circuitry 5 to a six-way test socket 6 on the back plate assembly 1. The front plate assembly 2 has a sixway plug 7 which fits into the test socket 6 and which is connected to a six-way outlet socket 8 and to a strip 9 for extension wiring. Removal of the front plate assembly 2 from the rear plate assembly 1 reveals the test socket 6, to enable the network wiring to be tested.

-3 Fiaure 2 shows how secondary extension outlets 10, 12, 13 are connected in parallel to the z:1 outlet socket of the network termination unit (NTU), this being done by the customer or network operator using standard wiring.

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a network termination unit. A back plate assembly 14 of the unit has a first pair of terminals 15 for connection to a first line 16 and a second pair of terminals 17 for connection to a second line 18. The first terminals 15 are connected through standard circuitry 19 to a first six-way test socket 20 on the back plate assembly 14. A ganged two-position, three-way switch 22 connects a second six-way test socket 23 on the back plate assembly either to the first terminals 15 or to the second terminals 17 through standa rd circuitry 24, i.e. either to the first line 16 or the second line 18. A front plate assembly 25 of the network termination unit has a first plug 26 for insertion into the first test socket 20, the first plug 26 being connected to a first sixway socket outlet 27 and to a strip 28 for extension wiring. The front plate assembly 25 also has a second six-way plug 29 for insertion into the second test socket 23, the second plug 29 being connected to a second six-way socket outlet 30 and to a second strip 32 for extension wiring. Thus, in the position of the switch 22 illustrated in Figure 3, the socket 30 and strip 32 are connected to the first line 16. In the alternative position of the switch 22, the socket 30 and strip 32 are connected to line 1.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary installation, using the network termination unit of Figure 3. In Figure 4 the network termination unit NTU supplies three secondary outlets 33, 34 and 35, the outlets 33 and 34 being connected to the first line 16 and the outlet 35 being connected either to the first line 16 or the second line 18, depending on the position of the switch 22 within the network termination unit.

Figure 5 shows an exemplary installation using a six wire system supplied by a network termination unit according to Figure 3. In this case any dual extension or dual line outlet such as 36 has a first outlet 37 connected to the first line 16 and a second outlet 38 connected to the first line 16 or the second line 18, depending on the position of the switch 22. A single extension or outlet 39 is connected to the first line 16.

Figure 6 shows the circuitry of an adaptor unit 40 according to the invention. The unit 40 comprises a six-way plug 42, a first six-way socket outlet 43 wired to three of the ways of the plug 42 and a second six-way socket outlet 44 wired to the remaining three ways of the plug 42. In practice, the adaptor unit 40 is made with a moulded plastics body which is generally T shaped, the end of the central leg of the T shape providing the plug 42 and the top surface of the bar of the T shape providing the two socket outlets 43, 44. The socket outlet 43 provides an outlet for a first line, and the socket outlet 44 provides an outlet for a second line, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 shows an installation where a dual network termination unit NTU (e.g. as shown in Figure 3) supplies two existing single extensions 45, 46 through existing wiring. It can be seen that each existing single extension 45, 46 is served by the first line only. By the addition of the adaptor unit 40, any single extension (such as 45) served by one line can be upgraded to provide two lines. Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 7 except that the installation is served by two individual and conventional network termination units. Thus, a customer having the existing wiring shown in Figure 7 or 8 can upgrade from having one line available to two lines available, by the simple expedient of plugging the adaptor unit 40 into the NTU or into an outlet or extension.

J 1 5 C676.00/T

Claims

1. An adaptor unit for fitting to a network termination unit or socket of a secondary outlet, the adaptor unit comprising a multi-way plug cooperable with a standard multi-way socket outlet of the network termination unit or the secondary outlet, a first socket outlet wired to a first group of the multi-ways of the plug and a second socket outlet wired to a second group of the multi-ways of the plug, whereby the first socket outlet can provide an outlet for a first communication line and the second socket outlet can provide an outlet for a second communication line.

2. An adaptor unit according to claim 1, wherein the multi-way plug has six ways, and wherein the first socket outlet is wired to three ways of the plug and the second socket outlet is wired to the remaining three ways of the plug.

3. An adaptor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unit is generally T-shaped, the end of the leg of the T providing the plug and the top surfaces of the bar of the T presenting the first and second socket outlets.

4. An adaptor unit constructed and arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.