MXPA06005042A - Toggle type telecommunications terminal blocks including a travel limit member - Google Patents

Abstract

Telecommunications terminal blocks for making and breaking connections with a telecommunications conductor include a unitary base that defines a body cavity having a hinge member at an end thereof. In other embodiments a base includes a hinge member on an external surface thereof. First and second connectors are mounted in the base and extend into the body cavity. A toggle member is rotatably connected to the base at the hinge member. The toggle member has first and second conductor receiving openings therein and first and second conductor passages extending from the respective openings past respective ones of the connectors. An environmental sealant material is positioned in the body cavity.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATION TERMINAL TERMINALS ARE TYPE WITH MUTADOR THAT INCLUDE A MY TICKET TO LIMIT THE DISPLACEMENT RELATED REQUEST This application is related to the US patent application number 10 / 426,892 filed on April 30, 2003, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrical termination devices and more particularly to terminals for telecommunications terminals. Terminal strips are typically used by telecommunications companies to connect a multinuclear cable to service cables that extend to the residences of customers or places of business. Such terminal strips are typically placed in external locations, and may be exposed to environmental conditions such as rain, snow, ice, temperature fluctuations, dirt, insect infestation, and similar conditions that may adversely affect the electrical connections between the terminals. service cables and electrical connectors. Therefore, some forms of insulating material can be provided in these terminals. Terminal strips connecting pairs of telecommunication cables, commonly referred to as "Punta" and "Anillo" lines, can be located at a variety of points in the telecommunication cabling network, including interconnecting panels, cubes, pedestals, network interface devices (N ID) and their like. Generally, the use of a re-introductory terminal is desirable, since in use, a terminal strip can be used multiple times to make and interrupt electrical connections, since the service provided in particular customer locations may change over time. As such, the terminal strips can be subjected to frequent use and / or abuse over time, which can degrade the quality of the resulting electrical connections, the environmental protection provided to the connections, and / or break of the strips for terminal, which typically include plastic components. In addition to this, various terminal strips for known terminals can be subjected to an unintentional opening of the terminal strip and interruption of the electrical connection, as a result of the installation work of the cable or the like, which is being executed in terminal strips adjacent to the terminals. environments such as in an interconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention include terminal blocks for telecommunication terminals for making and interrupting connections with a telecommunications conductor. The terminal strip includes a base which in turn has a hinge member at one end thereof, and one or more connectors mounted on the base. A switch member is rotatably connected to the base of the hinge member. The switch member has a conductor receiving opening therein, and a conduit for the conductor extending from the opening after the connector or connectors with direction toward the hinge member. An assurance member and is rotatably movable between a first state that allows the rotation of the commutator member towards a receiving position of the conductor and a second condition that secures the commutating member at a position in which a conductor in the conduit for the conductor is connected. electrically to the connector. A displacement limiting member near the securing member limits the rotational movement of the securing member in the first state to a maximum rotational position in which the securing member is subjected to a tension below a limit point of the securing member. In other embodiments of the present invention, the terminal strip additionally includes a releasing member coupled to the base and / or to the switching member that is configured to allow movement of the securing member from the second state to the first state. The displacement limiting member may be positioned between the releasing member and the commutating member. The securing member may include a cross member positioned to make contact with a guiding edge of the at least one stop arm on the base in the second state of the securing member and a connecting arm that engages the cross arm with the commutating member . The releasing member may extend from a connection point in the securing member remote from the base. The displacement limiting member may be positioned between the releasing member and the connecting arm. In additional embodiments of the present invention, the displacement limiting member extends from the switching member to the connection point and has a selected length to limit the rotational movement of the securing member to the maximum rotational position. The displacement limiting member can extend between the releasing member and the connecting arm at a selected angle that allows the releasing member to be moved from a resting state to an activated state that allows movement of the securing member from the second state to the first. . In particular embodiments of the present invention, the displacement limiting member extends from at least half the path of the commutator member to the connection point.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the releasing member is positioned adjacent the end of the base having the hinge member, such that a conductor extending from the opening does not pass adjacent to the releasing member. The base can be a unitary base and the connector or connectors can be a first and a second connector. The switch member may be a removable switch member and may include a softer material than the base. In further embodiments of the present invention, the securing member includes a cross member on the commutator member to contact a guide edge of the at least one stop arm in the base, in the second state of the belay member to bypass the leading edge in the first state. The releasing member includes a lever arm on the commutator member coupled to the cross member, which has a rest position in which the securing member is in the second state and a flexed position in which the belayer is in the first state . The positions of the commutator member and the base which are subjected to forces when the commutator member is rotationally moved, can be dimensioned in such a way that the commutator member will present faults before the base, with repeated use. In other embodiments of the present invention, the cavity of the box with the connectors mounted on the base may be devoid of openings to at least one level of packing of environmental sealing material. The environmental sealant can be a gel. For example, the environmental sealing material may be a silicone gel which is placed in liquid form in the cavity of the box. In additional embodiments of the present invention, the base defines a plurality of cavities in the box with the respective connectors extending therein, and the commutator member is a plurality of commutator members positioned adjacently to those of the cavities of the box. box. The connectors may include an insulating shifter connector at a first end thereof at least partially in the cavity of the housing, and a second connection region at an opposite end thereof, extending from the base. The releasing member may be positioned adjacent the end of the base having the hinge member, such that the conductors extending from the openings do not pass adjacent to the releasing member. The articulation member may be on an external surface of the base. In other embodiments of the present invention, the interconnection assemblies are provided including a plurality of terminal strips of the invention, coupled to a mounting member. The interconnection further includes a plurality of cables, some of which are connected to others that are in the second connection regions. The mounting member may be a frame and the base may further include a joining member, configured to couple the terminal strip to the frame. In other embodiments, the mounting member is a panel having a chamber at the bottom, which receives the plurality of cables and a plurality of openings in the upper part configured to receive the terminal strips. The openings are in communication with the chamber and the interconnect assembly includes a protective resin compound in the chamber. In further embodiments of the present invention, the strips for electrical connector for making and interrupting connections with a conductor, include a base having an articulation member at one end thereof. At least one connector is mounted on the base. A switch member is rotatably connected to the base in the hinge member. The switch member has a conductor receiving aperture and a conduit extending from the aperture passing the at least one connector towards the joint member. An assurance member is rotatably movable between a first state that allows the rotation of the commutator member toward a conductor receiving position and a second state that secures the commutator member in a conductor termination position., in which a conductor is electrically connected in the conductor conduit to the connector. The securing member includes a cross member positioned to contact a leading edge of the at least one arm spaced above the base in the second state of the securing member and a connecting arm that engages the cross arm with the commutating member. A releasing member extends from a connection point on the securing member outside the base that is configured to allow movement of the securing member from the second state toward the first stage. A displacement limiting member extends between the releasing member and the connecting arm, from the switching member to the connection point, which has a selected length to limit the rotational movement of the securing member in the first state, to a rotational position maximum, in which the insuring member is subjected to an effort below a limit point of the assurance member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 A is a perspective view of terminal strips according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1 B is a further perspective view of the terminal strips of Figure 1 A with one of the switch members removed; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of terminal strips according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3A is a perspective view of a switch member according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3B is a second perspective view of the switch member of Figure 3A; Figures 4A-4C are perspective views illustrating the joining of the conductors to a terminal strip according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figures 5A-5C are perspective views illustrating the attachment of a switch member to a base according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figures 6A-6C are perspective views illustrating the joining of conductors to a terminal strip according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figures 7A-7C are perspective views illustrating the attachment of a switch member to a base according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of terminal strips according to some embodiments of the present invention, including a circuit marker; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of an interconnection assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 10A is an exploded perspective view of a multiple switch terminal strip that can be used as an interconnect / communication strip assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 10B is a perspective view illustrating the joining of the terminal strip of Figure 10A with a mounting member according to some embodiments of the present invention; and Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of additional embodiments of the terminal strip; Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal strip of Figure 1 1; Figure 13 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of the terminal strip of Figure 1 1; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the switch member of the terminal strip of Figure 1 1; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a switch member according to further embodiments of the present invention including a displacement limiting member; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of the switch member of Figure 15 in the position of maximum rotation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter, with reference to the drawings that accompany it, in which the embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of the regions or features may be exaggerated for greater clarity thereof.

This invention, however, is likely to be incorporated in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the modalities set forth herein, instead, these modalities are provided in such a way that this description is broad and complete, and transmits fully the scope of the invention for the experts of the subject. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the various embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-14. Figures 1 A and 1 B are perspective views of a terminal for telecommunications terminal of 5 stations 100 for making and interrupting connections with telecommunications conductors. It will be understood that while a unit of 5 stations is shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B, other configurations fall within the scope of the present invention., including a module of a single station, a module of 8 stations and their like. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, terminal strip 100 includes a unit base 110 and a number of switch members 120, each of which is rotatably connected to base 110 at one end thereof. The base 110 defines a plurality of cavities of the box 132 therein. A first and a second connector 130, 130 'are mounted on the base 110 for each cavity of the box 132 and extend into the cavities of the box 132. As shown in Figure 1 A the first and second connector 130, 130' in Each station can be associated with their respective "Point" and "Ring" cables of a telephone connection. The switching members 120 are connected to the base 110 in a hinge member 140 which is shown to be located on an external surface of the base 1 10. The switching members 120 are configured to receive a pair of conductors for telecommunications terminal and to perform interrupting electrical connections between telecommunications conductors and connectors 130, 130 '. In particular, each switch member 120 has first and second conductor receiving openings 134, 134 'at one end thereof. Respectively the first and second conductor conduits 136, 136 'pass and extend from the opening 134, 134' passing through the respective connectors 130, 130 '. An environmental sealant should be placed in the cavities of the box 132 to facilitate environmental protection of the connection between the telecommunication leads and the connectors 130, 130 '. The environmental sealant may be, for example, a gel such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,634,207 and 4,864,725, which are incorporated in the present application by reference as set forth in full. The use of silicone gel as an environmental sealant can be particularly beneficial where electrical connections are made and interrupted repetitively, to provide a reusable sealing system. The electrical connections with the lower end of the connectors 130, 130 'in the lower chamber 112 of the base 110, in various embodiments have to be non-reusable, and can be environmentally sealed by an environmental sealer such as a resinous protective compound. The switching members 120, as illustrated in Figures 1 A and 1 B additionally include a securing member 138. The securing member 138 provides a secured closed position for each switch member 120 in a state, and an additional state in which the switch members 120 can be rotated for the removal and insertion of conductors therein, or to remove the commutator member from the base 110. Thus, with reference to Figure 1A, the four commutator members 120 in a terminator position of the conductor in the which a conditioner in the first or second conduit 136, 136 'can be electrically connected to one of the respective connectors 130, 130'. The switch member 120 in the far right position as shown in Figure 1A, is in a state that allows rotation of the switch member 120 and shows the switch member 120 rotated to a position to receive the driver, in which the conductors can be inserted through the openings 134, 134 'in the conduits 136, 136' in preparation for making an electrical connection with the connectors 130, 130 '. To facilitate the operation of the securing member 138, the switching member 120 further includes a releasing member 144 coupled to the switching member 120 which is configured to allow movement of the securing member 138 from the secured state (also referred to herein as the second state) to the mobile state (also called the first state here). As shown in Figure 1 A and Figure 1 B, the releasing member 144 is a lever arm on the switch member 120 coupled to the securing member 138. The securing member 138 includes a cross member 146 positioned to contact a guide edge 150 in adjacent stop arms 148 in the base 110 when the member Assurance 138 is in insured state. The lever arm 144 can be flexed to allow the crossover member 146 to circumvent the guiding edge 150 in such a way as to allow the rotary movement of the switch member 120 towards the driver receiving position. To facilitate the bending of the releasing member 144 in such a way that the switching member 120 can rotate, the computer member, as illustrated in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, can be rotated, additionally includes a gripper arm 143 which allows a user to grasp the gripper arm 143 and the release arm 144 in the direction of the another and rotating the switching member 120. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the releasing member 144 is positioned adjacent an end 142 of the base having a hinge member and opposite the end having the openings for receiving the conductor 134, 134 ', in such a way that the conductors extend from the openings 134, 134', without the need to pass adjacent to the releasing member 144. This configuration can reduce or prevent the inadvertent opening of the switching member 120 due to movement of the wires in the vicinity of the switch member 120. As shown in Figure 1A, the hinge member 140 at the end 142 of the base 110 includes a contact bearing surface of about 1 10 °. In various embodiments of the present invention, the contact bearing surface is at least 90 ° and in additional embodiments the contact bearing surface is less than 1 80 °. Such configurations can facilitate the proper retention of the switching members 120 when used with a unit base 1 10 while still facilitating the removal and insertion of the switching members 120 in the base 110 during initial assembly or to replace broken switching members 120 or damaged during use. Additional mounting characteristics are illustrated in Figure 1A. A plurality of mounting tabs 116 are disposed at the longitudinal ends of the case 110 to act as stops when the terminal strip 100 is mounted. The tabs 116 can also be used to align the terminal strip 100. A mounting groove 114 it is also shown in Figure 1 A, placed to attach a quick-closing mechanism to a podium or shelf on which the terminal strip 100 is mounted. It will be understood that the terminal strip 100 may be a unit without attachment or may be provided with a variety of different types of mechanical connections for mounting the terminal strip 100 in a variety of different covers or other environments, in which it is desired to make conductor connections for telecommunications. Referring now to Figure 1 B, additional aspects of terminal strip modes 100 related to limiting the risk of inadvertent removal of commutator members 120 from base 110 will now be described. In particular, for the modes illustrated in the Figure 1 B, the switch member 120 includes a retainer member 160 that is configured to limit the rotational movement of the switch member 120 beyond the position to receive the conductor. The retaining member 160 is configured to require a smaller amount of force to install a commutator member 120 in the base, than to remove a commutator member 120 from the base 110, after it has been correctly installed. Retention member 160 interacts mechanically with base 1 10 in a manner that will now be described further. As shown in Figure 1B, the base 110 includes a receiving apertures 162 at the end having the hinge member 140. As can be seen in Figure 1B, a number of openings 162 are provided, but the Explanation will be presented here with reference to a station with a single switching member, it will be understood that said explanation is applicable to any number of switching elements included within a base 1 10.

A part of the switching member 120 moves through the receiving opening 162 during the rotational movement of the switching member 120. The receiving opening 162 has an associated width W1 and the switching member 120 has an associated width W2 in the part thereof that it moves through the receiving aperture 162, which is smaller than the width Wi of the receiving aperture 162. However, the retaining member 160 is a portion with increased width of the commutator member 120 positioned to contact the base 110 in the receiving aperture 162, when the switching member 120 is rotated past the receiving position of the conductor (as shown by the switching member 120 further to the left in Figure 1 B). Referring now to the exploded perspective view of Figure 2, the terminals for telecommunications terminals 200 will now be described according to embodiments of the present invention. Like the numbered pieces (ie, marked with numbers that have the last two digits equal), in Figure 2 they generally correspond to those previously described with reference to Figures 1 A and 1 B. As shown in Figure 2 , the switch members 220 have been removed to more clearly show the cavities of the box 232 in the base member 210. As also shown in Figure 2, each of the cavities 232 includes a first and a second connector 230, 230 ' Several of the cavities in the box 232 are shown with an environmental sealant of silicone gel 231 placed therein. The cavities of the box 232 with the connectors 230, 230 'mounted therein, are devoid of openings at least up to a level of filling of environmental sealing material. Thus, the silicone gel 231 can be placed in the cavities 232 in a liquid form, and allowed to settle around the connectors 230, 230 'prior to the insertion of the switch members 220 to facilitate providing an effective environmental seal. for connections with connectors 230, 230 '. The fill level of the environmental sealant is illustrated by the gel level 231 in several of the cavities of the box 232, as shown in Figure 2. A switch member 320 according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described now further with reference to the prospective illustrations of Figures 3A and 3B. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the switch member 320 includes a securing member 338, cross member 346, release member 344 and gripper arm 343, which function in the same manner as similar members numbered with reference to Figures 1 A and 1 B. As further shown in Figure 3A, the securing member 338 includes a connecting arm 339 extending and connecting from the cross member 346 to the gripper arm 343. The releasing member 344 engages to the connector arm 339 adjacent to the cross member 346. The switch member 320 further includes a pin hinge 322 at one end of an articulated arm 328 of the switch member 320. Figures 3A and 3B also show additional details of the member structures. commutator 320 placed, in use, in the cavities of the box 132 which are not shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B. One of the ducts 336 'is shown extending through es of the switch member 320 in Figures 3A and 3B. As is clear from the illustrations of Figures 3A and 3B, conduit 336 '(136, 136' in Figures 1A and 1B) need not be an enclosed passage and can only be provided with sufficient structure to give a driver retention therein, in cooperation with the side wall of the cavity of the box 132 in the base 110 (see Figure 1 A). In addition, Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a receiving chamber for the insulated displacement connector (I DC) 324, which extends across the passage 336 '. The receiving chamber of I DC 324 is such that the end of the connector I DC 130130 'may pass from below the switch member 320 through the plane of the conduit 336' in such a way as to intercept and engage a conductor in the rotating conduit 336 'of the switch member 320 to the terminating position of the conductor. An opening at the end of the receiving wall is also shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The chamber 326 is provided to receive the end wall at the end 142 of the base 1 10 when the commutator member is inserted into a base 110.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, retention member 360 is a portion with increased width of switch member 320 extending at a selected angle to provide a greater contact area with base 110 when switch member 320 is made rotate from the conductor termination position past the conductor receiving position, which when the switch member 320 is installed in the base 110. As shown in Figure 3B, a front face 329 of the switch member 320 at one end thereof , opposite the hinge bolt 322, includes two tapered receiving openings for the entrance of the conductor 334, 334 '. The operations for termination or joining of conductors to a terminal strip according to some embodiments of the present invention, may now be described with reference to Figures 4A-4C. Note that a station with a single terminal strip 400 is illustrated in Figures 4A-4C. As shown in Figure 4A, the switch member 420 is placed in a secured state in the base 410. The base 410 includes a hooked connection member 411 which can be used to quickly connect the terminal strip 400 in a mounting member such as a frame or network interface device (NID). The member 411 may be a flexible member to allow repeated insertion and removal of the terminal strip 400 in a mounting frame. As shown by the reverse rotation arrows in Figure 4A, to allow movement of the switch member 420 so that the conductors can be inserted, the release arm 444 and the gripper member 443 are pressed in a direction against the other. The switch member 420 is then moved to the position for receiving the receiver conductor and the lead wires 445 are inserted through the openings 434, 434 ', as shown in Figure 4B. The switch member 420 is then rotated back to the conductor termination position, as illustrated in Figure 4C to effect an electrical connection on the cables 445, for example, by passing the conductors 445 in the respective connector portions of the connector. Isolated displacement (IDC) of a connector 130, 130 '. The operations of a retention member, such as retention member 160 illustrated in Figure 1 B, will now be further described, with reference to Figures 5A-5B, Figures 5A-5C are perspective views of a terminal strip. 500 according to additional embodiments of the present invention, which illustrate the insertion of a commutator member. As shown in Figure 5A the switch member 520 moves toward the base 510 in the direction shown by the arrow to place the articulated arm 522 on the hinge member 540 of the base 510. The switch member 510. The switch member 520 it is then rotated as shown in Figure 5B. Figure 5B shows the contact angle between the retaining member 560 and the end of the base 510 while the switching member 520 is being rotated clockwise during the installation in the base 510. Figure 5C shows the angle of contact between the retaining member 560 and the base 510 after rotation through the receiver connector in an anti-clockwise direction to limit the rotational movement in the counterclockwise direction of the switching member 520. As a result of the different contact angles between the retaining member 560 and the base 510 in the respective directions of rotation, a greater contact area of the switching member 520 with the base 510 is provided when the switching member 520 is rotated from the position of termination of the conductor after the receiving connection of the conductor, that when the switching member 520 is installed in the base 510. Terminal conductor operations for additional embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the perspective view of the illustrations of Figures 6A-6C. As shown in Figure 6A, the terminal strip 600 is secured in the conductor termination position with the switch member 620 placed in the base 610 = The release arm 644 and the gripper arm 643 are pressed towards each other, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 6A, to release the securing member from the locking position, in such a way as to allow rotational movement of the switching member 620. As shown in Figure 6B, the switch member 620 has been rotated towards the receiving position. of the driver, and the telecommunication leads 445 have been inserted through the openings 634, 634 '. As shown in Figure 6C, the switch member 620 is then rotated back to the driver's determination position to establish an electrical connection to the leads 445. Additional embodiments other than the present invention will now be described with reference to the view in FIG. perspective of the illustrations of Figures 7A-7C. As shown in Figure 7A, the terminal 700 includes a body 710 and a switch member 720. The switch member 720 is inserted into the base 710 by movement in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 7A. The switch member 720 includes openings for receiving the conditor 734, 734 ', which differ from those which were shown in Figures 1 A and 3B, in which they are channels formed and open on the sides. The commutator arm 720 further includes a hinge pin 722 which differs from those previously described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. In particular the hinge pin 722 includes hemispherical portions 722 'at its ends. The hemispherical portions 722 'are provided and oriented so that when the switching member 720 is moved towards the base 710 in the direction indicated in Figure 7A, a contact area with reduced cross section is provided, while the switching member 720 is It passes between the flanges 708 of the base 710. As shown in FIG. 7B, the switch arm is advanced at a sufficient distance to allow engagement of the securing member 722 on the articulation member 740 of the base 710. The member Switch 720 can then be rotated to the secured termination position of the conductor, as illustrated in Figure 7C. Figure 8 illustrates further embodiments of a terminal for telecommunications terminal 800 according to the present invention. In particular, the modalities illustrated in Figure 8 include a visible circuit marker 802. As shown by comparison with the left most station and the adjacent station of the terminal strip 800 in Figure 8, the visible circuit marker 802 can be removably coupled to the terminal strip 800, for example, by placing the visible circuit marker 802 on the release arm 844. The circuit marker 802 can then be easily visible to some user of the terminal strip 800, as a telecommunications technician, as an indication of used stations of the terminal strip 800. The circuit marker 802 can be made a bright color, such as red, to further improve the visibility of the indication given to a user by the presence of circuit marker 802. Circuit marker 802 may also function to affect a user's ability for operating the associated station of the terminal strip 800. For example, for the modes illustrated in Figure 8, the circuit markers 802 are provided with a sufficient wall thickness, such that when the circuit marker 802 is placed on the release arm 844, the spacing between the release arm 844 and the gripper arm 843 is sufficiently small to limit the bending movement of the release arm 844. As a result, the securing member can be maintained in a secured state and limiting the movement of the switching member from the terminator position of the conductor to the receiving position of the conductor. It will now be described further with reference to the exploded perspective view of Figure 9., embodiments of terminal strips of the present invention used in an interconnection assembly. The interconnect assembly 900 of Figure 9 includes a plurality of terminal strips, one of which is shown in exploded perspective and will be described herein. However, it will be understood that other terminal strips may be configured in substantially the same manner. It will also be understood that while terminal strips of five stations are illustrated in Figure 9, other combinations may also be used including the use of a plurality of terminal strips of a single station, in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal unit for use in the interconnection assembly 900 includes switching arms 920 rotatably connected to a base 91. An environmental sealant, such as a silicone gel. 937 is placed in the cavities of the box 932 of the base 91 0. Each of the cavities of the box 932 also includes a first and a second connector 930, 930 ', mounted therein. As shown in Figure 9 each of the connectors 930, 930 ', includes a cable termination connection at their respective opposite ends. At the end placed in the cavity of the box 932, an insulated displacement connector (I DC) 980 is provided. The I DC 980 is configured and positioned to couple a conditor in one of the conduits to receive the conductor. associated, when the conductor is pressed in the I DC 980. The second connection region 982 extends from an external surface of the base 91 0 so that it is accessible from the outside of the base 91 0 for cable connection therein, such as one or more wires of the telecommunication cable 998. As shown in Figure 9, the various terminal strips are placed in a mounting member 985. The wires of the telecommunication cable 998 they extend into the lower cam 996 of the mounting member 985. A plurality of openings 997 on the upper side of the mounting member 985 is configured to receive the terminal registers. The openings 997 are in communication with the camera 996 to allow routing the wires of the telecommunications cable 998 to the second connection regions 982. As also shown in Figure 9, an environmental sealant, such as a resinous protective compound 995, can be placed in the chamber 996 to provide an environmental seal around the second connection regions 982. It will be understood that the cable 998 may also extend directly from the resinous protective compound 995 without passing through a wall of the lower chamber 996. will now describe with reference to Figure 10A and 10B, further embodiments of a terminal strip 1000 in accordance with the present invention, configured in a manner suitable for use with a variety of applications, including interconnection (common or in clustering). As shown in the exploded perspective view of Figure 10A, the terminal strip 1000 includes a plurality of switch members 1020 for rotary mounting on the base 1010. The base 1010 defines a cavity of the box 1032 for receiving each of the switching members 1020. Each cavity of the box 1032 includes two connectors 1030, 130 '. A first connector (or "tip") in each cavity of the box is connected in common to a conductor 1045 in the second connection region 1082 thereof, and a second connector (or "ring") in each cavity of the box is connected in common to a cond uctor 1045 '. An environmental sealant, such as resinous protective compound 1037, is placed in each of the cavities of the box 1032. An environmental sealant, such as resinous protective compound 1087, provides environmental protection to the second connecting regions 1082 connected to the cables 1045. , 1045. For example, compound 1087 may be located in lower chamber 1096 of base 1010. As described with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1A and 1B, switch members 1020 may include first and second openings for receiving conductors 1034, 1034 ', and conductor receiving conduits 1036'. The base 1010, as illustrated in Figure 10A, further includes an additional link member 1090. As seen in Figure 10B the connecting member 1090 is configured to engage with the terminal strip 1000 in the frame, such as the cross member 1085. The joining member 1090, as shown in Figure 10B, operates in assembly with bolt 1092 and nut 1094 for connecting terminal strip 1000 to frame 1085. However, it will be understood that other attachment means, including clips, adhesives, screws and the like can be used in various embodiments of the present invention. Although the modalities illustrated in Figures 10A and B include stations with eight terminations, it should be understood that other combinations may be used, including terminal strips with a single station. Additionally, while it was pointed out that the modalities illustrated in Figure 10A and Figure 10B can be used in an interconnection set, it should be understood that they are not limited to their use in such contexts. For example, with the common-end and common-ring wiring connection, as illustrated in Figure 10A, the terminal strip 1000 may be suitable for use in an environment with a network interface device (NID) to provide points. of multiple connection for a client for a pair of cables in tip and ring of a single telephone company (TELCO). It will also be understood that multiple cable pairs 1045, 1045 ', can be provided for connection to second connection regions 1082 to establish independent electrical connections for telecommunication leads at IDC 1080. Additionally cable pair 1045, 1045' does not need extending from the base 1010 of the terminal strip 1000, since the respective connections in the second connection regions 1082 can provide interconnections between stations instead of being used to provide connections that externally extend telecommunications connectors. This is equally true for the embodiments illustrated in Figure 9, where different stations may be interconnected rather than provided by an externally extending telecommunication cable 998. As described above, various embodiments of the present invention can provide convenient reusable telecommunications connections. In addition, the use of removable switch members placed in bases can provide easy replacement of damaged or broken components without requiring the replacement of a terminal strip or complete interconnect assembly. In particular embodiments, the switching member 120 may comprise a softer material than the base 1 10. In addition, portions of the switching member 120 and the base 110 subjected to forces when the switching member 120 is rotationally moved, can be dimensioned in such a way that the switching member 120 may fail before the base 1 10 in a repeated use. This can be particularly beneficial in modalities that provide multiple stations, such that when damage is limited to a single station, repairs can be made by replacing a single commutator arm 120 instead of requiring the complete terminal 100 to be removed. embodiments of the present invention, for example, switch member 120 compresses a polycarbonate material such as Lexam ™ 143R, available from General Electric Corp., or PC-10R-WT7327V, also available from Polymer Technologies & Services, LLC, and the base is a blend of polybutylene / polybutylene terephthalate with 30% glass, such as Valox ™ 508 or Valox ™ 553 available from General Electric Corp. The use of joint members that have a bearing surface of less than 180 °, such as the bearing surface illustrated in Figure 1A, can further facilitate easy removal and replacement of the switching members 120. As shown also, for example, in Figures 3A and 3B the conductor receiving conduits 336 'having a face or open faces, can be used in the present invention. The use of open-face ducts, unlike closed ducts, can be beneficial in cleaning the insulation waste introduced in the duct 336 'during repeated use and passing this waste of insulation on the environmental sealing gel or outside the duct cavity. the box to reduce the likelihood of jams or other problems that increase the difficulty of opening and closing the switch member 320. The use of box cavities as described above for the various embodiments of the present invention, it can also be beneficial to provide effective environmental sealing of the connections for the connectors placed in the cavities of the box. For example, by providing a box cavity that is devoid of openings to at least one level of environmental sealant filler, such as a silicone gel, it can be easily placed in the cavities of the box in liquid form. This provides improved manufacturing efficiencies, and improved gel placement in the region of electrical connections. The positioning of the hinge member 140 on an outer surface of the base 1 10 can likewise facilitate environmental sealing, keeping the hinge member on the outside of the environmental sealing region of the box cavity 132. It will now be described further embodiments of terminal strip with reference to Figures 11 -14. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the terminal strip 1000 includes a two-piece base 1110 including a lower part 1113 and a cover 1 111. A number of switching members 1120 is rotatably connected to the base 11. 10 at one end. The base 1110 defines a plurality of parts of the cavity of the box 1132 therein. The first and second connectors 1130, 1130 ', are mounted on the base 1110 for each part of the cavity 1132 and extend into the parts of the cavity of the box 1132. The first and second connectors 1130, 130', in each station may be associated with respective "tip" and "ring" cables of a telephone connection. The switching members 1 120 are connected to the base 1110 by a two-part hinge with a lower part defined by the hinge cavity 1133 of the lower part 1110 and an upper part, as illustrated in Figure 13, defined by the arched ends 1133 'of the arms 1135 of the cover 1111. The switching members include a hinge pin 1122 which is received rotatably between adjacent portions of the articulator cavity 1 133, and the arched ends 1122' of the arms 1135. The members switches 1120 can be removably positioned on the cover 1111 before the cover is mounted on the lower part 1113 during the assembly of the terminal strip 1100. As illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the switching members 1120 are configured to receive a pair of conductors for telecommunications terminal and make and interrupt an electrical connection between the telecommunication conductors ions and connectors 1130, 1130 ', (Figure 12). In particular, the switching members 1120 each have a first and a second opening for receiving the conductor 1 134, 1134 'at one end thereof. The respective first and second conduits 1136, 1136 'extend from the openings 1134, 1134' passing the respective connectors 1 130, 1130 '. The switching members 1120, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 14, further include a securing member 1138. The securing member 1138 provides the closed position for each switching member 1120 in a state and in an additional state in which the members 1120 switches can be rotated to remove and insert conductors in them. Thus, with reference to Figure 11, all but one of the switching members 1120 is in the secured state, securing the securing members 1120 in a terminating position of the conductor, in which a conductor in the first or second conduit for conductor 1136, 1136 ', can be electrically connected to one of the respective connectors 1130, 1130'. One of the switching members 1120 is in a state that allows the rotation of the switching member 1120 and shows the switching member 1120 rotated towards the receiving position of the conductor in which the conductors can be inserted through the openings 1134, 1134 'in conduits 1136, 1136', in preparation for making an electrical connection with connectors 1130, 1 130 '. To facilitate the operation of the securing member 1138, the switching member 1120 further includes a releasing member 1144 coupled to the switching member 1120 which is configured to allow movement of the securing member 1138 from the secured state (also referred to herein as the second state) to the mobile state (also called here first state). As shown in Figure 11 and Figure 14, the release member 1144 is a lever arm on the switch member 1120 coupled to the securing member 1138. The securing member 1138 is positioned to make contact with a stop member 1117 of the cover 1 111 when the insurance member 1138 is in insured status. The lever arm 1144 can be bent to allow the securing member 1138 to circumvent the stop member 117 to thereby allow rotational movement of the switch member 1120 toward the driver's receiving position. To facilitate the bending of the releasing member 1144 so that the switching member 1 120 can be rotated, the commutating member can further include, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 14, a gripper arm 1 143, which it allows the user to hold the grip arm 1143 and the release arm 1144 towards each other, and to rotate the switch member 1120. As shown in Figures 11 and 14, the release member 1144 is positioned adjacent the extremity of the base, wherein the commutator member is articulated, and opposite the end having the receiving openings of the conductor 1134, 1134 'such that the conductors extending from the openings 1 134, 1134' without the need to pass adjacent to the releasing member 1144. An environmental sealant may be placed in the cavity portions of the box 1132 to facilitate environmental protection of the connection between the telecommunication leads and the connectors 1130, 1 130 '. It is necessary that the electrical connections to a lower end of the connectors 1130, 1130 'in a lower chamber of the base 1110, in various embodiments, are not reusable, and can be environmentally sealed by an environmental sealant, such as a resinous protective compound. . A switch member 1520 will now be further described according to further embodiments of the present invention, including a displacement limiting member with reference to the illustrations of Figures 15 and 16. As shown in Figure 15, the switch member 1520 includes a securing member 1538, cross member 1546, releasing member 1544 and gripper arm 1543 which function in general as described for similarly numbered parts with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. As further shown in Figure 15, the securing member 1538 includes a connector arm 1539 that extends from the cross member 1546 and connects it to the gripper arm 1543. The release member 1544 engages the connector arm 1539 in a connection point 1572. The switch member 1520 further includes a hinge pin 1522 at one end of a hinge arm 1528 of the switch member 1520. In FIG. 15 details of the structures of the switch member 1520 are also shown. ducts 1536 'is shown extending through switch member 1520 in Figure 15. A front face 1529 of switch member 1520 at one end thereof opposite hinge pin 1522 includes two driver input receiving openings 1534, 1534' . As shown in Figure 15, the switch member 1520 also includes a displacement limiting member 1570. the displacement limiting member 1570 limits the rotational movement of the securing member 1538 to a position of maximum rotation (illustrated in Figure 16). ), in which the securing member 1538 is subjected to a tension below the limit point of the securing member 1538, in other words, below the point where the securing member 1538 would be subjected to bending and / or stress breaking introduced in it during the rotation. As shown in the embodiments of Figure 15, the displacement limiting member 1570 is positioned proximate the articulation member 1538 between the releasing member 1544 and the connecting arm 1539 of the switching member 1520. As also shown in Figure 15 , the displacement limiting member has a length L2 selected to limit the rotational movement of the hinge member 1538 to the maximum rotation position in Figure 16. For the particular embodiments shown in Figure 15, the displacement limiting member has a length L2 extending over the path of the grip arm 1543 of the switch member 1520 to the connection point 1572 (ie, L2 is more than 0.5 x Li). The displacement limiting member additionally extends further at a selected angle a to allow the releasing member 1544 to move from the idle state (i.e., not bent towards the grasping arm 1543) to an activated (i.e., flexed) state. towards the grasping arm 1543), which allows movement of the securing member 1538 from its closed position and its insertion position of the connector. In other words, the length L2 and the angle a can be selected to provide a desired separation between an upper surface of the connecting arm 1539 and the corresponding contact point of the displacement limiting member 1570, typically of its tip. Modes of the present invention such as those described with reference to Figures 15 and 16 can beneficially reduce or prevent the occurrence of faults in the commutator member in a terminal strip for telecommunications by restricting the upward movement of the commutator securing mechanism beyond the point Limit of the material. Preventing this excessive movement and the corresponding tensions in the insuring mechanism, it avoids that the material yields, and the resulting breaking of the mechanism. For example, this over-rotation of the securing mechanism could occur in another way, when a field technician or the like, is driving the product in the field and raising the head of the securing mechanism upwards, causing it to yield. This misuse could also occur for example, when switching mechanisms are replaced between rows of an interconnecting strip or the like, including the switch of Figures 15 and 16 with inadvertent insertion of one end of the switch in a cavity adjacent to the switch, for example of a row behind the row in which the switch is being inserted, to inadvertently bend the insurer during the replacement operations. Accordingly, the risk of misuse in the field that causes breakage of the switching members can be redirected. The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible in these examples of embodiments, without departing materially from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. In accordance with the foregoing, it is intended that all such modifications be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, the means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein since they perform the function described, and not only the structural equivalents, but also the equivalent structures. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limited to the specific modalities described, and that those modifications to the described modalities, as well as to other modalities, are foreseen to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims included therein.

Claims (26)

1. A terminal block for telecommunications terminal for making and interrupting connections with a telecommunications conductor, said terminal strip comprises: a base, including a member hinged at one end thereof; at least one connector mounted on the base; and a removable commutator member, rotatably connected to the base in the articulated member, the commutator member has an opening for receiving a conductor thereon, and a conduit for conductor extending from the aperture passing the at least one connector in address of the member articulated; a movable securing member rotatably between a first state that allows the rotation of the commutator member to a position to receive the conductor, and a second condition that secures the commutator member in a conductor termination position in which a conductor in the conduit for conductor, is electrically connected to the connector; and a displacement limiting member proximate to the hinge member which limits the rotational movement of the hinge member in the first state to a maximum rotational position in which the hinge member is clamped to a tensioner at a limiting point of the member

2. The terminal strip of claim 1, further comprising a release member coupled to the base and / or to the switch member, which is configured to allow movement of the securing member from the second state to the first state.

3. The terminal strip of claim 2, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member is positioned between the releasing member and the commutator member.

The terminal strip of claim 2, further characterized in that the securing member comprises a cross member positioned to make contact with a guiding edge in at least one stop arm in the base, in the second state of the securing member. , and a connecting arm that engages the cross arm towards the commutating member, and further characterized in that the releasing member extends from a connection point in the securing member remote from the base, and further characterized in that the displacement limiting member it is placed between the releasing member and the connecting arm.

The terminal strip of claim 4, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member extends from the switching member to the connection point, and has a selected length to limit the rotational movement of the securing member to the maximum rotational position .

6. The terminal strip of claim 5, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member extends between the releasing member and the connecting arm at a selected angle to allow the releasing member to be moved from a resting state to an activated state, which allows the movement of the securing member from the second state to the first state.

The terminal strip of claim 5, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member extends at least about half the way from the securing member to the connection point.

The terminal strip of claim 2, further characterized in that the releasing member is positioned adjacent the end of the base having the hinge member, such that a conductor extending from the opening does not pass adjacent to the releasing member. .

9. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the base comprises a unitary base.

10. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the at least one connector comprises a first and a second connector. eleven .

The terminal strip of claim 2, further characterized in that the securing member comprises a cross member on the switching member., positioned to make contact with a guiding edge of the at least one stop arm on the base, in the second state of the securing member to circumvent the guiding edge in the first state, and further characterized in that the releasing member comprises a lever arm on the switch member, coupled with the cross member having a rest position, in which the securing member is in the second state, and a flexed position in which the securing member is in the first state.

12. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the commutator member contains a softer material than the base.

The terminal strip of claim 12, further characterized in that portions of the commutator member and base, subjected to forces when the commutator member rotates, are dimensioned such that the commutator member will fail earlier than the base with the repeated use.

14. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the environmental sealant includes a gel.

15. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the cavity of the box with the connectors mounted on the base, is devoid of openings to at least one level of filling of environmental sealing material.

16. The terminal strip of claim 15, further characterized in that the material of the environmental sealant is a silicone gel that is placed in the cavity of the box in liquid form.

17. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the base defines a plurality of cavities of the box with their respective connectors extending therein and wherein the commutating member comprises a plurality of commutating members positioned adjacent to the respective ones of the cavities of the box.

18. The terminal strip of claim 17, further characterized in that one of the connectors comprises an insulating displacement connector at a first end thereof, at least partially in the cavity of the case, and a second connection region at an end opposite of it, which extends from the base.

19. The terminal strip of claim 18, further characterized in that the releasing member is positioned adjacent the end of the base having the hinge member, such that the conductors extending from the openings do not pass adjacent to the releasing member. .

20. The terminal strip of claim 1, further characterized in that the hinge member is on the external surface of the base. twenty-one .

An assembly for interconnection comprising a plurality of terminal strips of claim 18, coupled to a mounting member and to a plurality of cables. some of which respectively are connected to one of the second connection regions.

22. The interconnection assembly of claim 21, further characterized in that the mounting member comprises a frame, and further characterized in that the base further comprises a connecting member configured to couple the terminal strip to the frame.

The interconnection assembly of claim 21, further characterized in that the mounting member comprises a panel with a camera on a lower side thereof, which receives the plurality of cables and a plurality of openings in an upper side thereof configured for receiving the terminal strips, the openings are in communication with the camera, and wherein the interconnection assembly additionally includes a protective compound in said chamber.

24. A strip for electrical connector for making and interrupting connections with a conductor, said connector strip comprises: a base that includes a hinge member at one end thereof; at least one connector mounted on the base; a switch member rotatably connected to the base in the hinge member, the switch member has an opening for receiving a conductor therein, and a conductor duct extending from the opening passing the at least one connector towards the hinge member; a mobile securing member rotatably between a first state that allows the rotation of the commutator member toward a receiver position of the conductor, and a second state where the commutator member is secured at a connector termination position in which a conductor in the conduit for conductor is electrically connected to the connector, further characterized in that the securing member includes a cross member positioned to make contact with a guiding edge of the at least one stop arm on the base in the second state of the securing member and an arm of connection coupling the cross member with the commutator member; a release member extending from a connection point on the securing member away from the base which is configured to allow movement of the securing member from the second state to the first state; and a displacement limiting member extending between the releasing member and the connecting arm from the switching member towards the connection point and having a selected length to limit the rotational movement of the securing member in the first state to a maximum rotational position in which the securing member is subjected to a force below the limit point of the assurance member.

The power connector strip of claim 24, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member extends between the releasing member and the connecting arm at a selected angle to allow the releasing member to be moved from a rest state to a state activated which allows the movement of the securing member from the second state to the first state.

26. The power connector strip of claim 24, further characterized in that the displacement limiting member extends at least halfway from the commutator member to the connection point.