JP2010182689A - Incorrect connection preventing cap - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent incorrect connection from being easily performed by managing connection recovery after carrying out separation of connection physically, about usage restrictions of a communication cable or the like to a connection port. <P>SOLUTION: An incorrect connection preventing cap 10 is provided at a modular jack 10a having a sealing body 11 for sealing a connection port by inserting a hub or the like to the connection port. At the sealing body 11, a stopper means 30 for preventing coming off from the connection port and a stopper release means 40 are provided. The stopper release means 40 is so structured to exert its release function by a release auxiliary means 50. The release auxiliary means 50 is fitted, for example, at a driver 50a or the like, structured separately from the stopper release means 40, and is made not to incorrectly carry out removal of the incorrect connection preventing cap 10 for sealing the connection port by managing the release auxiliary means 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for preventing unauthorized connection of a connector to a connection port of communication wiring such as online, and is particularly effective when applied to seal the connection port so as to be releasable only by a specific person. .

  The technology described below has been studied by the present inventors in completing the present invention, and the outline thereof is as follows.

  Since network equipment is used as infrastructure in the same way as a power supply, design and laying work are performed with priority given to convenience and commonality during construction and interior construction.

  On the other hand, when it is actually used in a business or when a layout is changed, there is a case where it is desired to temporarily restrict the use of the installed communication modular jack port for the purpose of information security protection or network failure prevention.

  For such use restriction, a measure is taken to restrict use by preventing the substantial communication function from operating in software while maintaining the connection of the communication cable. In some cases, the actual wiring connection is prohibited by removing the connection wiring and attaching a prohibition sticker to the connection port.

  However, under the present circumstances, the communication connection even though the use restriction is required without obtaining confirmation from the network administrator, with a light feeling that it is okay for a short period of time, although it is not malicious, or is not malicious There are some cases where this is done. From the viewpoint of privacy, confidentiality protection, etc., it is required that such use restrictions be surely performed. However, at present, technological development in this regard is not sufficient.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for physically restricting the use and removal of a communication cable from a connection port. In the proposed technology, the connection port side of the concentrator such as a hub is configured as a specially shaped outlet with a key function, and the RJ45 type connector side of the communication cable inserted into the connection port is provided with a locking base. It is configured with a specially shaped connector. There has been proposed a technique in which a malicious communication cable cannot be easily replaced by preventing the connector from being easily removed from the connection port by applying a key while the connector is inserted.

JP 2001-118638 A

  While the present inventor has been engaged in technical fields such as network connection management for many years, it has been found that the conventional measures are not sufficient for measures for restricting the use of communication connection ports and have the following problems.

  When using a software cable with a communication cable connected to the connection port as before, be sure to remove the communication cable whenever the usage is restricted or reconnect when the restriction is released. This eliminates the need for work and is efficient in terms of labor. However, since the connection state of the communication cable is maintained, if there is any trouble on the software side, or if there is malicious access by a hacker, etc., the communication connection that was intended to be restricted is restored and alive. It is also possible to think about such cases. In particular, since software cannot be visually confirmed, it is virtually impossible for the user to find out the occurrence of an algorithmic trouble in advance.

  On the other hand, the measure of releasing the connection of the communication cable and prohibiting the use of the communication cable with a sticker or the like is a reliable method for thoroughly restricting the use because the connection port and the communication cable are physically separated. However, even with such a technique, anyone can easily remove the sticker and connect the communication cable to the extent of the sticker. If you get the necessary data in a short time and put a sticker on it, you won't notice an unauthorized connection. From the viewpoint of thorough prevention of unauthorized connection, it seems insufficient.

  As described above, in the countermeasures taken so far, there is a major problem in that there is a loophole to unauthorized connection.

  Therefore, the present inventor has the ultimate measures to physically connect the connection port and the communication cable, so that the connection cannot be made without permission of the network administrator, for example. I thought it was necessary as a countermeasure. In other words, it is necessary that the network cable connection by the user is physically prohibited, and the prohibition must be effective, and can be peeled off without being noticed by humans, and can be easily reattached by anyone. It was thought that the effectiveness of the countermeasures such as the above, and the countermeasures on the software side with the possibility of falsification of the algorithm, bugs, etc. could not be sufficiently secured.

  Access to network cables and effects are inevitable when physically connected by cable, so even if it is a connection between bundles, if such a connection is allowed even for a short time, data by a malicious user such as a hacker There is a sufficient risk of destruction, data theft, etc. Moreover, even if there is no substantial malicious intent, it is fully assumed that a general user who does not have network knowledge mistakenly performs wiring that causes the network cable to be short-circuited, and in the worst case, it may cause the entire network to stop functioning. .

  Therefore, as described above, it was considered necessary to develop a countermeasure technique for physically disconnecting the communication cable from the connection port and enabling the physical connection only when permitted, when returning. When applying connection restrictions, it is easy to physically disconnect the communication cable from the connection port, but the problem is that after disconnecting, for example, without permission from the network administrator, it is easy to steal eyes and prevent unauthorized connections. It is necessary to make it.

  The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technology that physically restricts the use and removal of the communication cable from the connection port. However, to achieve the use restriction, a special-shaped outlet having a locking function is required. Accordingly, a specially shaped connector having a locking pedestal is also required.

  Therefore, it becomes difficult to apply to existing communication facilities and networks, and the special specification connector / outlet is used for newly establishing / adding a network, and the cost becomes high. In addition, since general-purpose tools and parts cannot be used for repairs and repairs, the efficiency of maintenance and operation after installation is reduced.

  Although various measures can be considered in developing technology for preventing unauthorized connection, the present inventor considered that it is preferable to carry out the technology and standards that have been widely used without major modification. If it is necessary to replace the purchase of new equipment, devices, etc., the user is required to take measures that are difficult to tolerate, such as disposing of the current equipment. If we can make use of existing equipment and change the existing technology by changing only a part of it, it will be possible to reduce the cost burden and to apply it quickly. It is thought that it can respond quickly to the improvement of certainty in terms of information security protection. In today's computer society, where privacy and confidentiality are strongly concerned, improving user reliability is a social requirement, and measures to prevent unauthorized connections are an urgent issue. What can be applied to such a request quickly and effectively is required.

  An object of the present invention is to enable quick use restriction and visual management to a connection port such as a communication cable so that unauthorized connection cannot be easily performed, for example, in accordance with a standard.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  In other words, the release of the stopper means for preventing the sealing body from coming off from the connection port that closes the connection port can be performed only by the release auxiliary means separate from the stopper release means, thereby managing the release auxiliary means. In order to prevent unauthorized connection, control the physical connection return of the communication cable to the connection port.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  By setting the unauthorized connection prevention cap on the target connection port, the connection port and the communication cable can be physically disconnected, and the necessary means for returning the connection can be managed. Prevent thorough prevention.

(A) is a perspective view which shows typically the whole structure of one Embodiment of the unauthorized connection prevention cap which concerns on this invention, (b) is typically the functional structure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap shown to (a). It is sectional explanatory drawing shown, (c) is a perspective view which shows the driver of an example of the cancellation | release assistance means used for cancellation | release of the stopper means of an unauthorized connection prevention cap. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure by the side of the connection port of the communication apparatus which aims at application of the unauthorized connection prevention cap of this invention. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the use procedure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap of this invention. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the use procedure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap of this invention. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the use procedure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap of this invention. (A) is a front view which shows typically the modification of an unauthorized connection prevention cap, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the use condition typically. (A) is a perspective view which shows typically the whole structure of the modification of the unauthorized connection prevention cap which concerns on this invention, (b), (c) is a model which shows the functional structure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap shown to (a). FIG. (A)-(f) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the use procedure of the unauthorized connection prevention cap shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof may be omitted.

  In the present invention, when restricting the use of connection ports used for network connection or the like, the connection of the communication cable can be used only by the connection port permitted by the network administrator without modifying the existing communication equipment or network. Technology. In addition, it is a technology that allows only a person authorized by the network administrator to open a connection port for use restriction. In the following description, an example of connection to a connection port of a communication device configured as a hub or the like of a communication cable having a modular jack as a connector will be described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to such an example.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an unauthorized connection prevention cap according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the functional configuration of the unauthorized connection prevention cap shown in FIG. It is a figure, (c) is a perspective view which shows the driver of an example of the cancellation | release assistance means used for cancellation | release of the stopper means of an unauthorized connection prevention cap. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration on the connection port side of a communication device configured as a hub to which the unauthorized connection prevention cap of the present invention is applied.

  The unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 according to the present invention is configured as a modular jack 10a as shown in FIG. 1 (a), and can be inserted and attached to the connection port 21 of the communication cable of the communication device 20 such as the hub 20a shown in FIG. It is like that.

  The modular jack 10 a of the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 has a sealing body 11 that closes the connection port 21 by being inserted into the connection port 21. At the time when the sealing body 11 is inserted into the connection port 21, the sealing body 11 is engaged with a recess for engagement provided in the connection port 21, and from the connection port 21 of the sealing body 11. Stopper means 30 is provided to prevent slipping out.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the stopper means 30 is connected to a base 31 so as to be pivotable by pin joining or the like, and as shown by an arrow in the figure, the collapsible member is tilted downward around the base 31. 32. The retractable member 32 is configured to always incline the tip end obliquely upward by urging means such as a spring (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the member to be pressed 33 is connected to the retractable member 32 having such a configuration at a predetermined angle in a bent shape. By pressing the surface of the pressed member 33, the pressed member 33 is configured to sink downward along with the connected retractable member 32 with the base 31 as the rotation center.

  The sealing body 11 is provided with a stopper releasing means 40 as shown in FIGS. The stopper releasing means 40 includes a rotating body 41 that is rotatably inserted into the sealing body 11 from the end surface 11 a side of the sealing body 11. The end surface at the distal end on the insertion side of the rotating body 41 is formed in a taper, and a pressing member 42 is provided on the taper surface. On the end surface 41a of the rotating body 41 on the side of the end surface 11a of the sealing body 11, a specially-shaped groove 43 having an irregular cross section such as a star shape is provided.

  The rotating body 41 can be rotated by inserting the driver 50 a shown in FIG. 1C, which has a shape in which the tip of the driver is encoded into the groove 43, into the groove 43 as the release assisting means 50. That is, the stopper release means 40 formed of the rotating body 41 cannot perform the stopper release performed by rotating the rotating body 41 unless the release assisting means 50 formed of a driver 50a configured separately from the stopper release means 40 is used. It is configured as follows.

  Next, how to use the unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 according to the present invention is in a state before being inserted into a communication connection port 21 (sometimes referred to as a communication port) such as the hub 20a of the communication device 20. In addition, the stopper member 30 has a tiltable member 32 inclined obliquely upward by an urging means such as a spring, and is bent upward in a substantially chevron shape integrally with the pressed member 33.

  In such a state, the pressing member 42 provided on the tapered surface on the insertion tip side of the rotating body 41 constituting the stopper releasing means 40 has an inclined surface of the pressed member 33 in which the taper is inserted into the sealing body 11. The rotating member 41 is configured so that the pressed member 33 can sink into the sealing body 11 without hitting the pressing member 42.

  When the unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 in such a state is inserted into the connection port 21 in the hub 20a or the like as shown in FIG. 2, the urging force is applied toward the upper side constituting the stopper means 30 provided on the sealing body 11. The sealing body 11 is pushed into the connection port 21 while the retractable member 32 is pressed downward so as to be in contact with the engagement recess end 22 a of the connection port 21.

  When the sealing body 11 is inserted into the connection port 21 to some extent, the retractable member 32 constituting the stopper means 30 passes through the engagement recess end 22a when it passes through the engagement recess end 22a. At that time, the collapsible member 32 that has been pressed downward is returned to the upper side by urging, and the tip 32a of the collapsible member 32 is brought into contact with the engagement recess end 22a in the engagement recess 22. It becomes. In the engagement recess 22, the distal end portion 32 a is pressed upward in the engagement recess 22 by urging and is brought into contact with and engaged with the engagement recess end 22 a. The sealing body 11 cannot be removed from the connection port 21 unless the member member 32 is tilted downward.

  In this way, the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 according to the present invention is automatically locked by the stopper means 30 so as not to be pulled out by being inserted into the connection port 21, and is connected to another modular jack or the like at the connection port 21. Seal the connector so that it cannot be physically connected. Such a state is shown in FIG. If the stopper means 30 is inserted into the connection port 21 where the use is restricted until the stopper means 30 is engaged in the engagement recess 22 in the connection port 21, the physical connection to the connection port 21 where the use is restricted is easily prevented. can do.

  When the use restriction is released, the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 that has blocked physical connection to the connection port 21 until then is removed from the connection port 21. When removing, it must be performed by making the stopper release means 40 function. The function of the stopper release means 40 does not work unless it is performed using the release auxiliary means 50 provided separately from the stopper release means 40.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1C, for example, the driver 50a as the release assisting means 50 is inserted into the groove 43 of the rotating body 41 that constitutes the stopper releasing means 40, and in that state, as shown in FIG. As shown, for example, it is rotated halfway. When the rotating body 41 is rotated halfway, the pressing member 42 provided on the tapered surface on the insertion tip side of the rotating body 41 also rotates halfway, and the pressing member 42 that has not hit the inclined surface of the pressed member 33 until then. In the half rotation, it hits the inclined surface of the pressed member 33.

  The pressing member 42 hitting the inclined surface of the pressed member 33 pushes down the pressed member 33 as it rotates halfway, and as a result, the pressed member 33 sinks into the sealing body 11. Due to the depression of the pressed member 33, the retractable member 32 connected to the pressed member 33 is also pulled down, and as shown in FIG. By being lowered so as to pass through the end 22a, the engagement of the distal end portion 32a of the retractable member 32 into the engagement recess 22 is released, and an opened state is obtained.

  If the modular jack 10a is pulled out from the connection port 21 in the state in which the stopper means 40 is released in this way, the sealing body 11 that has been blocking the connection port 21 is removed, and the modular jack of the communication cable is inserted. The communication connection can be restored.

  As shown in FIG. 3D, the modular jack 10a pulled out from the connection port 21 in a state where the retractable member 32 is pulled down again uses the release assisting means 50 configured in the driver 50a to rotate the rotating body 41. By returning to the original state, it is possible to return to the initial state of FIG. After returning to this state, the driver 50a may be extracted from the groove 43 of the rotating body 41 and placed under the management of a network administrator or the like, for example.

  Thus, if the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 of the present invention is used, the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 that closes the connection port 21 is removed unless the release assisting means 50 such as the driver 50a placed under management is used. Therefore, it is impossible to make an unauthorized connection to the connection port 21 that is escaped from the management and is blocked by the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10.

  FIG. 4 shows a modification of the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10. The modular jack 10b as the unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 shown in FIG. 4 (a) is different in the configuration of the stopper releasing means 40 in the configuration of the modular jack 10a described above and the releasing auxiliary means 50 required for releasing the same. The other structures of the sealing body 11, the stopper means 30, and the like are the same as those shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the stopper releasing means 40 in the modular jack 10 b includes a screw body 44 that moves back and forth in a sealed manner in the sealing body 11, and a pressing member 45 provided at the tip of the screw body 44. It is composed of The pressing member 45 is connected to the tip of the screw body 45 so that the rotation does not occur in accordance with the rotation of the screw body 44. The front end of the pressing member 45 is formed into a tapered surface 45a, and the tapered surface 45a does not collide with the inclined surface of the pressed member 33 constituting the stopper means 30 when the modular jack 10b is not inserted into the connection port 21. It is configured.

  When the unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 configured in the modular jack 10b having such a configuration is inserted into the connection port 21, the same process as described with reference to FIG. 3B is performed, and as shown in FIG. The stopper means 30 composed of the member 32 or the like enters the engagement recess 22 in the connection port 21, the tip end portion 32 a of the retractable member 32 is engaged, and the sealing body 11 is stopped from the connection port 21. The connection port 21 is sealed so that it cannot be removed unless the release means 40 is functioned. By inserting the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 into the desired connection port 21 in this way, it is possible to reliably restrict the use of the connection port 21.

  When the use restriction of the connection port 21 is released, as shown in FIG. 4C, the stopper means 40 is released, the modular jack 10b is pulled out from the connection port 21, and the sealing body 11 is until then. What is necessary is just to open the connection port 21 blocked | closed by so that communication cable connection is possible.

  At the time of opening, the screw main body 44 is fixed to the groove 50 having a specific shape provided on the end surface 44a of the screw main body 44 constituting the stopper releasing means 40 by using a screwdriver 50b having a tip matched with the groove as the releasing auxiliary means 50. Push in. When the screw body 44 is pushed in, the taper surface of the pressing member 45 provided at the tip of the screw body 44 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the pressed member 33, and when the screw body 44 is further pressed, it is pressed by the pressing member 45 and covered. The pressing member 33 sinks into the sealing body 11 obliquely downward. Due to the depression of the pressed member 33, the retractable member 32 integrally connected to the pressed member 33 is bent so that the tip end portion 32a is lower than the engaging recess end 22a. The engagement state in the joint recess 22 is released.

  When the sealing body 11 is pulled out from the connection port 21 as shown in FIG. 4D in the state where the engagement state is released, the use restriction of the connection port 21 can be released. Furthermore, the stopper means 30 can be returned to the initial state of FIG. 4A if the screw body 44 is caused to back from the inside of the sealing body 11 by the driver 50b.

  In this way, in order to release the stopper means 30, the driver 50 b having a tip that matches a groove of a specific shape provided on the end face of the screw body 44 must be used as the release auxiliary means 50, and the driver 50 b is used. By placing it under management, it is possible to prevent unauthorized connection from escaped from the management to the connection port 21 blocked by the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10.

  The groove having a specific shape used for the end face of the screw main body 44 may be different from the tip shape of a commercially available driver. For example, if it is configured in a star-shaped groove or the like, it cannot be opened except by a specific driver that matches it, and the specific driver has the same effect as a kind of key.

  In the configuration of the modular jacks 10a and 10b described above, a key may be used as the release assisting unit 50 in addition to the driver 50a.

(Embodiment 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 is configured to prevent the individual connection ports 21 from being opened without the stopper means 40 being released by the release assisting means 50. The unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 to be described is configured so that the use of a plurality of connection ports 21 can be restricted collectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 described in the present embodiment is configured as modular jacks 10c and 10d. In the modular jacks 10c and 10d, the configurations of the sealing body 11, the stopper means 30, and the stopper releasing means 40 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, for example, the same as the modular jacks 10a and 10b. .

  The modular jacks 10c and 10d are different from the modular jacks 10a and 10b in that, as shown in FIG. 5A, on the side surface of the sealing body 11, connection port covering members 60 extending in a band shape are provided. is there. By providing the connection port covering member 60, when the modular jacks 10c and 10d are inserted and attached to the desired connection ports 21 of the hub 20, the modular jacks 10c and 10d are arranged side by side with the connection ports 21 inserted therein. The connection port covering member 60 is positioned in front of the other connection port 21, and the use of the connection port 21 into which the modular jacks 10c and 10d are inserted is restricted, and at the same time, unauthorized connection to the other connection port 21 is not possible. So that its use can be limited.

  In this way, the modular jacks 10c and 10d having the connection port covering member 60 of the present embodiment are used individually, so that the connection port 21 into which the sealing body 11 is inserted is of course connected to the connection port 21. Substantial use restrictions of the other connection ports 21 provided side by side can be performed collectively.

  In the case shown in FIG. 5A, the modular jacks 10c and 10d have shown the case where the connection port covering member 60 is provided only in either the left or right direction. You may comprise so that the covering member 60 may be provided.

  Further, as described above, by using both the modular jacks 10c and 10d in which the connection port covering members 60 are provided in opposite directions without using the modular jacks 10c and 10d alone, the use restriction is further ensured. You can also.

  In the case shown in FIG. 5A, in the modular jacks 10c and 10d, the installation directions of the connection port covering members 60 provided in the respective modular jacks 10c and 10d are configured to be reversed left and right. The connection port covering member 60a (60) provided in the modular jack 10c is extended rightward in the drawing. The length of the connection port covering member 60a is, for example, the front surface of eight connection ports 21 provided side by side when the modular jack 10c is inserted into the connection port 21 of the hub 20a shown in FIG. Is set to a length that can be covered.

  On the other hand, in the modular jack 10d, the connection port covering member 60b is set to a length that extends to the left in the drawing and covers the front surface to one connection port 21 adjacent to the connection port 21 into which the modular jack 10d is inserted. ing.

  The modular jacks 10c and 10d are connected to a plurality of connection ports 21 such as the hub 20 as shown in FIG. 5B, and both the modular jacks 10c and 10d are positioned at both ends of the plurality of connection ports 21. The connection port covering members 60a and 60b are set so as to come between the modular jacks 10c and 10d.

  For example, in the case of restricting the use of the connection ports 21 corresponding to six of the eight hubs 20a shown in FIG. 5B (the portion surrounded by the broken line in the figure), for example, as shown in FIG. Further, the length of the connection port covering member 60a provided in the modular jack 10c is adjusted to the length of six pieces. For adjustment, the length corresponding to two of the connection ports 21 may be separated from the right end of the connection port covering member 60a. After adjusting the length of the connection port covering member 60a in this way, the modular jack 10c is inserted into the connection port 21 at the left end of the hub 20a as shown in FIG. 5 (d). At the same time, the modular jack 10d having the connection port covering member 60b extended in the opposite direction to the modular jack 10c is inserted into the sixth connection port 20 counted from the left end.

  In this way, by inserting the modular jacks 10c and 10d into the first and sixth, respectively, the first and sixth use restrictions as well as the second to fifth connection ports 21 are provided on the front surface. The connection port covering members 60a and 60b are approaching to cover, and the connection ports 21 from No. 2 to No. 5 cannot be substantially connected. In this way, it is possible to restrict the use of the six connection ports 21 collectively.

  In particular, when the modular jacks 10c and 10d are used, the connection port covering members 60a and 60b partially overlap each other. Therefore, as described above, when one of the modular jacks 10c and 10d is used alone. In comparison, it becomes difficult to illegally bend the end portions of the connection port covering members 60a and 60b so as to secure a space in front of the connection port 21, thereby preventing unauthorized connection more reliably.

  As described above, the length of the connection port covering member 60 may be adjusted according to the number of connection ports 21 whose use is restricted. For example, if the connection port cover member 60 is configured on a resin plate such as plastic, a cutter is used. Or can be easily separated with scissors. In the above description, the connection port covering member 60 is configured such that the length thereof can be adjusted as necessary. However, for example, the length may be set according to the number of fixed connection ports from the beginning. Absent.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, for example, a plurality of modular jacks 10e may be connected by a connection port covering member 60c having a predetermined length. For example, if the length of the connection port covering member 60c is set to a length corresponding to six connection ports 21 minutes, as shown in FIG. 6B, the modular jack 10e is connected to an eight-port hub. By setting at both ends of 20a, it is possible to restrict the use of all the connection ports 21 of the hub 20a at once. When the number of connection ports 21 to be used is limited, no extra work such as adjusting the length of the connection port covering member 60c is required, and this configuration can be used more conveniently.

  Although not shown, in the case shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connection port covering member 60 is provided extending in the lateral direction of the modular jacks 10c, 10d, and 10e. However, the connection port covering member 60 may be provided in the vertical direction. If provided in the vertical direction, a plurality of connection ports 21 configured in a plurality of stages and arranged in the vertical direction can be collectively restricted in the vertical direction. The configuration other than the connection port covering member 60 may be configured in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. What is necessary is just to adjust the length of the connection port covering member 60 suitably according to the number of the connection ports to which collective use of the connection ports provided in a plurality of stages is restricted.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, the mechanism configurations of the stopper means 30 and the stopper release means 40 are different from those of the first and second embodiments.

  The unauthorized connection preventing cap 10 of the present embodiment is configured as a modular jack 10f, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the stopper means 30 is a vertically movable member that moves vertically up and down on the upper surface 11b of the sealing body 11. 34. As shown in FIG. 7B, the vertical movable member 34 is provided with a spring 35 at the bottom thereof, and is always urged vertically upward, and the vertical movable member 34 is moved from the upper surface 11b of the sealing body 11. It is comprised so that it may protrude.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C, the protruding tip of the vertical movable member 34 has a tapered surface 34a that faces toward the side where the sealing body 11 is inserted. Moreover, as shown in FIG.7 (b), the notch part 34b is provided in the part in the sealing main body 11 of the vertical movable member 34. As shown in FIG. A rotating push-down member 46 that rotates from a horizontal position downward in the vertical direction is provided in the notch 34b.

  The rotating push-down member 46 is connected at its side end to the rotating body 41 similar to that described in the first embodiment, which constitutes the stopper releasing means 40. As described in the first embodiment, the rotating body 41 is provided with a specially-shaped groove 43 on its end surface 41a, and can be rotated by a driver 50a whose driver tip matches the groove 43.

  When the rotating body 41 constituting the stopper releasing means 40 is rotated by the driver 50a of the releasing auxiliary means 50, the rotary push-down member 46 is moved from the horizontal position to the vertically lower position as shown by the arrow in FIG. Can be rotated to. By rotating the rotary push-down member 46 from the horizontal position to the vertically lower position in the notch 34a, the rotary push-down member 46 pushes the cut-out 34b downward, and as a result, the vertical movable member 34 biases the spring 35. It is pushed down against.

  The unauthorized connection prevention cap 10 configured in the modular jack 10f having the configuration of the stopper means 30 and the stopper release means 40 having the above-described configuration is used as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the modular jack 10f before the insertion into the connection port 21, the vertical movable member 34 projects from the upper surface of the sealing body 11 to a predetermined height by the bias of the spring 35. ing. From this state, when the sealing body 11 of the modular jack 10f is inserted into the connection port 21 that restricts the use of the hub 20a or the like, the tapered surface 34a of the vertical movable member 34 is, as shown in FIG. It comes into contact with the engagement recess end 22 a of the connection port 21 and is pushed down against the bias of the spring 35. If the sealing body 11 is continuously inserted as it is, the vertical movable member 34 passes through the engaging recess end 22a in a pressed down state.

  After passing through the engagement recess end 22a, the vertical movable member 34 projects into the engagement recess 22 by the bias of the spring 35, as shown in FIG. Thus, in the state where the front end side of the vertical movable member 34 protrudes into the engagement concave portion 22, the vertical movable member 34 collides with the engagement concave portion end 22 a, and the sealing body 11 cannot be pulled out and the stopper is applied. It becomes. That is, by inserting the modular jack 10f into the connection port 21, it is possible to seal the connection port 21 for restricting use so that it cannot be easily pulled out.

  On the other hand, when the use restriction is released and the seal is released and opened, the stopper is released by the vertical movable member 34 using the release assisting means 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 8D, the rotating body 41 is rotated 90 degrees using a driver 50a that matches the groove 43 provided on the end face 41a of the rotating body 41 constituting the stopper releasing means 40. By rotating the rotating body 41 by 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 7B, the rotary push-down member 46 in the notch 34 b of the vertical movable member 34 rotates from the horizontal position to the vertically lower position, and the vertical movable member 34. Is pushed down against the bias of the spring 35.

  In the fully depressed state, the vertical movable member 34 is lower than the engaging recess end 22a of the connection port 21 as shown in FIG. By pulling out the sealing body 11 from the connection port 21 in this state, the connection port 21 that has been restricted in use can be opened by inserting and sealing the modular jack 10f. After the extraction, if the rotating body 41 is returned to the original position by the driver 50a, the vertical movable member 34 returns to the initial state.

  By using the modular jack 10f of the present embodiment, the connection port 21 that restricts the use of the hub 20a and the like can be reliably sealed and opened. In addition, by managing the release assisting means 50, it is possible to reliably manage the opening and effectively prevent unauthorized connection of the communication cable.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the description of the above embodiment, the application example of the present invention has been described by taking the case of a communication cable as an example, but it is not necessary to limit the scope of the present invention to the connection of such a communication cable. Needless to say, the present invention may be applied to connection ports such as telephone cables as appropriate.

  The present invention relates to a network management technique, and can be effectively used particularly in the field of preventing unauthorized connection of a communication cable or the like to a connection port that restricts use of a hub port or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Unauthorized connection prevention cap 10a Modular jack 10b Modular jack 10c Modular jack 10d Modular jack 10e Modular jack 10f Modular jack 11 Sealing body 11a End surface 11b Top surface 20 Communication equipment 20a Hub 21 Connection port 22a Engaging recess end 22 Engaging recess 30 Stopper Means 31 Base 32 Retractable member 32a Tip 33 Pressed member 34 Vertical movable member 34a Tapered surface 34b Notch 35 Spring 40 Stopper release means 41 Rotating body 41a End surface 42 Holding member 43 Groove 44 Screw body 45 Holding member 46 Rotating down Member 50 Release assisting means 50a driver 50b driver

Claims (2)

An unauthorized connection prevention cap that is attached to the connection port and prevents unauthorized connection of the connector to the connection port,
A sealing body which is inserted into the connection port and closes the connection port;
Stopper means for preventing the sealing body inserted into the connection port from coming off;
Stopper release means for releasing the stopper means and allowing the sealing body to come off from the connection port,
6. The unauthorized connection prevention cap according to claim 1, wherein the stopper release means is released by a release auxiliary means provided separately from the stopper release means. The unauthorized connection prevention cap according to claim 1,
The unauthorized connection prevention cap has a connection port covering member that covers a front surface of another connection port provided side by side with the connection port in a state where the sealing body is inserted into the connection port. Connection prevention cap.