MXPA99001442A - Bypass system for signal c connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for bypassing a signal connection including a pair of pin holes which are aligned with a pair of contact terminals that connect the conductors to the connection. The system generally comprises a pair of contact pins adapted to be inserted into the pin holes and a bridge connection. Each pin includes a generally hollow body and a pressure contact. The hollow body is substantially open at the first end and terminates at a front surface, having an opening therethrough, at a second end. Each pressure contact can move between a non-contact position and a contact position. The bridged connection includes at least two pins which are conductively interconnected and adapted to be inserted into the openings to allow a signal to flow through the connection, to flow through the connecting connection.

Description

BYPASS SYSTEM FOR CATV SIGNAL CONNECTION BACKGROUND PB THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to cable television transmission components. More particularly, the invention relates to a derivation system which prevents the interruption of the cable signal to subscribers downstream during the service provision of a cable television connection.

Description of Related Art Cable television services (CATV) are provided to subscribers through transmission networks that include connections, splitters, amplifiers and other equipment that distributes the CATV service and ensures that the quality of the CATV signal is maintained. In particular, connections are found throughout the network to provide access exits for localized subscribers. The CATV network and service, as used herein, refers to all systems that involve the transmission of television signals from the front end onto a transmission medium, such as a fiber optic cable or coaxial cable. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a CATV network 5. The transmission line 34 provides cable signals from the front end 32 to the subscribers 38, 39 in remote locations. The subscribers 38, 39 receive signals through the connections 36, 37 placed along the transmission line 34. Typically, CATV signals are sent into the connection and through a printed circuit board attached to the connection cover which divides the signal and allows each connection 36, 37 typically to provide a connection to four or more subscribers. With reference to Figure 2, a CATV multiple connection 15 of the prior art is shown. The multiple connection 15 generally includes a connection cover 10, a printed circuit board 14, a pair of terminal housings 40 and a main housing 26. The connection cover 10 is provided with a plurality of connection output 12, each of which provides CATV service to a different subscriber. The printed circuit board 14 is rigidly attached to the inner surface of the cover 10 and includes a pair of signal receivers 22, 23. The signal receivers 22, 23 allow the signal to flow through the printed circuit board 14 and to be divided among the subscribers fed from the output 12 of the connection. The signal also passes through connection 15 to a downstream connection 37. A detailed explanation of the function of the printed circuit board 14, which is well known to those familiar with the art, is beyond the scope of the present invention. A metallic mesh conductor 11 surrounds the periphery of the printed circuit board 14 at the junction between the cover 10 and the main housing 26. The metallic 11 mesh conductor provides an EMI / RFI trap for the printed circuit board 14. The main housing 26 includes threaded signal orifices 24, 25, at opposite ends. The input signal orifice 24 is adapted to receive a signal input via a coaxial cable and a signal impact connector 50. The output signal orifice 25 receives a signal output connector 51 for transmitting the received signal to the downstream CATV network. The internal conductor 52, 53 of each coaxial cable 50, 51 is connected into the connection 15 of the terminal housing 40. A threaded plug hole 27 is provided adjacent each signal hole 24, 25 to allow pegs 28 to be removed. The exposed terminal screws 46 aligned with the holes 27 are tightened onto the leads 52, 53 to fix each one to a contact terminal 42 positioned in the respective terminal housing 40 (see Figure 5). In Figure 4, the components of the terminal housing 40 are shown in greater detail. Before the coupling of the cover 10, the receivers 22, 23 on the printed circuit board 14 make contact with the contact terminals 42 to complete the circuit. With reference to Figure 3, the uninterrupted signal path 16 for the CATV connection 15 is illustrated. When the cover 10 is installed, the signal, shown as a line 16, originates from the signal input connector 50. The signal input conductor 52 contacts the contact terminal 42 within the first terminal housing 40 and the signal flows through the contact terminal 42 to the first signal receiver 22 on the printed circuit board 14. Subsequently the signal flows through the printed circuit board 14 (and therefore to each individual connection 12) and to the second signal receiver 23. The second signal receiver 23 is coupled to the second contact terminal 42 within the other terminal housing 40 which contacts the conductor 53 within the signal output connector 51. Periodically, the connections 36, 37 require service provision due to malfunction of the connection 36, 37 or to connect or disconnect subscribers 38, 39. However, when the cover 10 is removed to service the connection 15, it is also the printed circuit board 14 is removed and the signal path is in open circuit since the signal receivers 22, 23 are no longer connected to the contact terminals 42. As a result, the removal of the cover results in the interruption of the cable signal on the transmission line 34 to subscribers downstream from that connection. For example, returning to Figure 1, the service provision of the connection 36 not only results in service interruption to the subscribers 38 who are powered from the connection 36, but also to the subscribers 39 who have access to the network 5. of CATV through connection 37 downstream. Due to the increased reliability in the CATV system for time saving and other critical data applications, even a momentary interruption of the signal is undesirable.

However, there are often no provisions to maintain uninterrupted service to subscribers downstream when the connection cover is removed for service provision. In the prior art systems, the bypass is generally carried out by removing both pins 28 and using a bridge connection to bypass the two contact terminals 42. The bridge connection generally includes two pins which are conductively interconnected. Each pin is placed in one of the open pin holes 27 and is brought into contact with the respective terminal screw 46 to redirect the signal flow around the connection 15. However, it is often difficult and time consuming to remove the pins . Additionally, the removal of the pins exposes the internal components of the connection to environmental contamination.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bypass system which provides uninterrupted service to subscribers downstream during the removal of the connection cover for service provision. A further objective of the invention is to provide a cost efficient derivation which can be relocated to existing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of a complete system of a typical cable television system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cable connection of the prior art; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the signal path through the cable connection of the prior art; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a disassembled terminal housing; Figure 5 is a plan view of the cables that are connected in the connection; Figure 6 is a sectional view of a preferred connection pin; Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of a connection with the connection pins inserted therein; Figure 8 is a sectional view of a preferred bridge connection, with the bridge connection sectioned, aligned with a connection; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the bridge connection in contact with a connecting plug of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative non-assembled terminal housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system or equipment for derivation of a signal connection. The connection includes a pair of pin holes which are aligned with a pair of contact terminals that connect the leads to the connection. The system generally comprises a pair of contact pins adapted to be inserted into the pin holes and a bridge connection. Each plug includes a hollow body and a bridge connection. The hollow body opens at a first end and terminates at a front surface, having an opening therethrough, at a second end, each pressure contact being placed on the hollow body in alignment with the opening. Each pressure contact can be moved between a non-contact position and a position where it extends from the open end and this conductive contact with the terminal contact. The bridge connection includes at least two bolts which are conductively interconnected and adapted to be aligned with the openings. To allow a signal to flow through the connection to flow through the bridge connection, the bolts are inserted into the openings and the pressure contacts are moved to their contact positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the figures of the drawings in which the numbers represent similar elements therethrough. As shown in Figures 6-9, the present branch system generally comprises a contact pin 120 and a modified bridge connection 160. The preferred bypass system 100 allows the connection 15 to be derived without removing the pins 120. The contact pins 120, together with the modified bridge connection 160 reduce the potential risk of environmental contamination in the connection 15 during the bypass. The preferred contact pin 120 is shown in Figure 6. The contact pin 120 includes a hollow pin body 122. The hollow body 122 has a configuration similar to that of the pegs 28 of the prior art and generally comprises a threaded portion 124, a washer portion 126 and a head 128. The threaded portion 124 is configured to be threaded into the holes 27 of the connection plug. A washer 130 is positioned over the threaded portion 124 and provides an environmental barrier between the pin hole 27 and the washer 126. The head 128 has the same general configuration as a standard pin, with the exception of an opening 132 extending to through the end surface 131 of the head 128. The opening 132 is preferably centered on the terminal surface 131 (see Figure 7). A bushing 134 is provided inside the terminal surface 131 to completely seal the opening 132. The bushing 134 will be punctured by the penetration of a bridge connection pin, as will be described later in the following. Alternatively, bushing 134 may be provided with an initial conduit (not shown) to allow penetration. A pressure contact 140 is placed in the hollow body 122, preferably coaxial with the opening 132. The pressure contact 140 includes a main shaft 142 which is preferably slightly larger in length than the hollow body 122. The main shaft 142 terminates at one end in a collar 144, and at the other end at a tip 146 configured. The shaft 142 extends through an opening in a detent collar 136 positioned on the head 128 of the bolt adjacent to the washer 126. The retaining collar 136 preferably is made of a non-conductive material and maintains the pressure contact 140 in its axial alignment. The retaining collar 136 also provides a seal between the head 128 and the threaded portion 124 to prevent contamination to the connection 15 from the insertion of the bridge pin 170 within the bolt head 128. The pressure contact can be moved between a retracted position where the collar 144 is adjacent the bushing 134, and a contact position adjacent the return collar 136. The pressure contact 140 is urged towards the retracted position by a spring 150 placed between the retaining collar 136 and the pressure contact collar 144. The pressure contact collar 144 includes a retainer 148 for receiving a bridge connection pin, as will be described later. The insulation 137, 138 is provided around the pressure contact 140 and the head 128 and the threaded portion 124.

The insulation 137, 138 helps to avoid ground contact of the pressure contact 140 against the inner surfaces of the contact pin 120. The preferred modified bridge connection 160 is shown in Figure 8. The bridge connection 160 includes an isolated body 161 with a pair of connection holes 162 extending therefrom. A pair of divisions 166 generally close to the body 161 from the open orifices 162. A lead bridge pin 170 extends through each partition 166 in a respective open orifice 162 and preferably terminates before the sealing ring 164. The pair of bridge connection pins 170 are interconnected conductively within the body 161 of the bridge connection by a conducting means 172. The connection holes 162 are spaced apart to align with the pin holes 27 in the connection 15. Each connection hole 162 is sized to extend over a respective pin hole 27 and includes a sealing ring 164 which contacts the surface outer of the pin hole 27 as the bridge connection 160 moves to make contact with the connection 15. The sealing ring 164 provides a seal that prevents contamination and also maintains proper alignment of the jumper pin 170 as it is inserted inside the contact pin 120. Each pin 170 is centered on the extension 162"so that it is in alignment with the plug opening 132 before contact with the connection 15. Since each pin 170 is placed back in the hole 162 and held in alignment by the sealing ring 164, the risk is reduced that the pin 170 makes contact with the surface of the plug 120. In operation, the contact pins 120 are screwed into the pin holes 27. The contact pins 120 can provide new connections 15 and can also be placed in connections If the retro-positioning only requires the removal of the old pins 28 and the insertion of the contact pins 120, the signal flow during the retro-placement of the existing connections is not altered. each pressure contact 140 is held in its retracted position, does not contact the terminal screws 46 and the signal flow through the connection 15 is It is not affected when the pins 120 are placed. When it is necessary to derive the connection 15, the connecting holes 162 of the modified bridge connection are aligned with the respective connection plug holes 27. The bridge connection 160 then makes contact with the connection 15 and with the sealing rings 164 which contact the pin holes 27 and maintain proper alignment during contact. As the bridge connection 160 contacts the connection 15, each pin 170 of the bridge connection enters the bushing 134 and coincides with the detent 148 of the respective pressure contact. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure contact pin 170 pierces the bushing 134 as it penetrates. In the alternative embodiment described above, the bridge connection pin 170 penetrates through a small conduit provided by the bushing 134. As shown in Fig. 9, each bridge pin 170 pushes the respective pressure contact 140 toward your contact position. As it moves toward the contact position, the tip 146 of the pressure contact extends beyond the pin 120 and makes contact with the terminal screw 46. The signal is then able to flow from the input conductor 52 through the terminal screw 46, through the pressure contact 140 and through the bridge connection 160 to the other terminal screw and the output conductor 53 (not shown). Then the connection cover 10 can be removed without interrupting the downstream signal flow. Once the connection cover 10 is replaced, the bridge connection 160 can be removed. In the preferred embodiment of bushing 134, the bridge pin 170 leaves a small hole in the bushing 134, and in the alternative embodiment, the pin 170 transmits the provided bushing. In any case, the bushing 134 is preferably made of a resilient material such that the bushing is substantially closed before removal of the pin 170 from the bridge connection. An LED indicator 180 can be provided, internally connected to the conductor means 172 on the bridge connection 160 to indicate at what point the signal flows properly through the bridge connection 160. Additionally, the LED indicator 180 can be configured to provide a voltage reading before the activation of the button 182. This allows the bridge connection 160 not only be used as a derivation, but also as a tool for troubleshooting. Although it is preferred to use the modified bridge connection 160 to provide an efficient and more secure shunt, it will be understood that any bridge connection can be inserted into the contact plugs 120 to bypass the connection 15. The present invention can also be used with connections 15 using latch terminal housings 240 similar to those shown in FIG. 10. The latch terminal housings 240 are similar to the terminal housings described above, but instead of using a terminal screw, contact 242 The terminal is in contact with retaining clips 90 which hold the conductors 52, 53 in position. The retaining clips 90 are preferably formed by opposing nozzles 91 which include a plurality of receiver arms 92 which extend outwardly from the central apertures 96. The nozzles 91 are constructed of a flexible, electrically conductive material. The ends of the arms 92 are molded into portions 93 in a generally semicircular shape. The arms 92 are inclined towards and away from the central openings 96. When the terminal housing 40 is riveted together, the arms 92 of the nozzles 90 are compressed by the inner walls of the housing cover to form expandable couplers 94, 95. The couplers 94 are generally aligned to receive input and output conductors 52, 53, and the couplers 95 align with the connection pin holes 27. Upon insertion of the input and signal output conductors 52, 53, the couplers 94 are forced slightly to separate as the arms 92 of the nozzles 90 separate to conform to the conductors. The couplers 94 clamp the conductors to limit movement and provide safe contact for the signal. When the bridge connection 160 is switched on, the pressure contacts 140 move to make contact with the couplers 95 to bypass the connection 15. Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, they will be apparent to those familiar in the art. other variations which are within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (33)

1. A connecting plug of the type having a body which is generally open at a first end and ends at a head surface at a second end, and which is inserted into a pin hole on a connection and is aligned on a contact terminal which connects a conductor to the connection, the connection pin is characterized by: an opening in the front surface; and a pressure contact placed on the body, in alignment with the opening and movable between a non-contact position and a position where the pressure contact extends into the conductive contact with the terminal contact.

2. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a bushing which covers the opening.

3. The connection plug according to claim 2, wherein the bushing is made of a resilient material.

4. The connection plug according to claim 2, characterized in that the bushing has a conduit therethrough.

5. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a derivation means which derives the pressure contact towards the non-contact position.

6. The connection plug according to claim 5, characterized in that the bypass means is a spring.

7. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure contact is adapted to make contact with a terminal screw interconnected with the contact terminal.

8. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure contact is adapted to make contact with a retaining clip interconnected with the contact terminal.

9. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is hollow.

10. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is threaded.

11. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that insulation is provided in the body around the pressure contact.

12. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end of the pressure contact includes a retainer adapted to receive a bridge connection pin.

13. The connection plug according to claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the pressure contact extends beyond the open end of the body as it moves towards the conductive position.

14. A device for deriving a connection, characterized in that it includes a pair of pin holes aligned with a pair of contact terminals that connect a pair of conductors to the connection, the equipment is characterized in that it comprises: a pair of contact pins adapted to be inserted into the pin holes, each pin includes: a body which is generally open at a first end and ends at a front surface at a second end; an opening in the front surface; and a position contact positioned on the body in alignment with the opening and movable between a non-contact position and a position where the pressure contact extends into the conductive contact with the terminal contact; and a bridge connection including at least two pins which are conductively interconnected and adapted to be aligned with the openings whereby the pins are inserted into the openings and move each pressure contact to its conductive position to allow a Signal flows through the connection to flow through the bridged connection.

15. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that each contact pin further comprises a bushing which covers its opening.

16. The equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that each bushing is made of a resilient material.

17. The equipment according to claim 15, characterized in that each bushing has a conduit therethrough.

18. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that each contact pin further comprises a polarization means which polarizes the pressure contact towards the non-contact position.

19. The equipment according to claim 18, characterized in that each biasing means is a spring.

20. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that each pressure contact is adapted to make contact with an interconnected terminal screw with its respective contact terminal.

21. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that the pressure contact is adapted to make contact with a retaining clip interconnected with its respective contact terminal.

22. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that each body of the contact pin is hollow.

23. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that each contact pin body is threaded.

24. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that an insulator is provided in each contact pin body around the respective pressure contact.

25. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that the first end of each pressure contact includes a retainer adapted to receive one of the pins of the bridge connection.

26. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that the bridge connection includes an isolated body.

27. The equipment according to claim 26, characterized in that the isolated body of the bridge connection includes a pair of connection holes, each pin is aligned in a respective connection holes.

28. The equipment according to claim 27, characterized in that each connection hole is adapted to receive one of the plug holes.

29. The equipment according to claim 26, characterized in that each connection hole includes a sealing ring.

30. The equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that the bridge connection further includes a indicating means to indicate at what moment a signal flows properly through the bridge connection.

31. The equipment according to claim 30, characterized in that the indicating means is an LED indicator.

32. The equipment according to claim 30, characterized in that the indicating means is adapted to provide a voltage reading.

33. A method for deriving a connection, which includes a pair of pin holes aligned with a pair of contact terminals that connect a pair of conductors to the connection, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a contact pin in each hole which includes: a body which is generally open at a first end and ends at a front surface at a second end; an opening in the front surface; and a pressure contact positioned in the body in alignment with the opening and movable between a non-contact position and a position where the pressure contact is in conductive contact with the terminal contact; and coupling a bridge connection including at least two pins which are conductively interconnected and adapted to be aligned with the openings with the connection whereby the pins enter the openings a and move each pressure contact to its conductive position to allow that a signal flows through the connection, so that it flows through the bridge connection.