US3760130A - Catv multi-tap distribution box with a key actuated connector for each of a plurality of taps - Google Patents

Catv multi-tap distribution box with a key actuated connector for each of a plurality of taps Download PDF

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Publication number
US3760130A
US3760130A US00277178A US3760130DA US3760130A US 3760130 A US3760130 A US 3760130A US 00277178 A US00277178 A US 00277178A US 3760130D A US3760130D A US 3760130DA US 3760130 A US3760130 A US 3760130A
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United States
Prior art keywords
box
tap
keys
key
taps
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00277178A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Ross
K Sears
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ENTRON Inc
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ENTRON Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3760130A publication Critical patent/US3760130A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
    • H01H27/04—Insulating plug or plate inserted between normally closed contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/08—Arrangements to facilitate replacement of a switch, e.g. cartridge housing
    • H01H9/085—Arrangements to facilitate replacement of a switch, e.g. cartridge housing contact separation effected by removing contact carrying element

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A multi-tap distribution box for a community antenna television system.
  • the box is interposed in a primary cable carrying video and radio signals from a master station to subscribers who are linked to the cable by drop lines coupled to the taps.
  • security keys are provided, each of which is insertable in a keyway associated with a tap. When fully inserted, each key is received by a connector whose circuit, in the absence of a key, is adapted to terminate the related tap and thereby prevent the transfer of signals to the subscriber, the connector circuit, in the presence of a key, rendering the tap operative.
  • a guard system which in one phase blocks all keyways to prevent the entry of keys therein, in another phase unblocks the keyways to permit insertion of keys in selected keyways, and in a third phase captures the inserted keys to prevent removal thereof, and also blocks the remaining keyways to preclude the entry of additional keys. Also provided are means to lock the guard system in the third state to maintain status quo, whereby the only taps which are operative are those which are legal.
  • CATV MULTI-TAP DISTRIBUTION BOX WITH A KEY ACTUATED CONNECTOR FOR EACH OF A PLURALITY OF TAPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tion for distribution to the homes, ofiices, and other facilities of subscribers in the community being serviced.
  • Distribution boxes are installed at various points along the cable. These boxes in some instances are placed in outdoor or underground lines, or they may be installed in the basement of an apartment house, in which event they are more readily accessible. Drop lines taken from the taps on the distribution boxes serve to carry the signals to the subscribers television sets.
  • the problem to which the present invention is addressed is that arising from ill'egaltaps.
  • a subscriber fails to pay his bill, or when he moves away or discontinues his subscription his drop line is removed by a serviceman from its tap on the distribution box.
  • the free tap is then capped with a plug which incorporates a load resistor to match the impedance and balance the line.
  • the security keys not only function to render taps operative, but they also serve as indicators to identify the legally operative taps.
  • the keys may be numbered or otherwise marked, to facilitate auditing and recordkeeping.
  • an object of this invention is to provide a distribution box of the above type which is tamper-proof, locking means being included to prevent the extraction of security keys from operative taps and to preclude the insertion of additional keys.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a distribution box in which the taps are rendered operative by means of contacts, such as those provided by printed circuit board connectors whose circuits are arranged to normally terminate and ground the associated taps, the termination of each tap being lifted when a key is inserted in the connector associated therewith.
  • the key-actuated connector includes auxiliary contacts whose open or closed state may be used to reflect the status of the tap and to provide an appropriate indication thereof at the master station.
  • a CATV distribution box having a plurality of taps and a keyway associated with each tap, each keyway when unblocked, providing a passage leading to key-actuated connectors whose circuit in the absence of a security key is adapted to terminate the related tap and thereby prevent the transfer of signals from the primary CATV cable to a drop line coupled to the tap.
  • a guard system which in one phase blocks all tap keyways to prevent the entry of keys therein; in another phase unblocks the keyways to permit key insertion in selected keyways; and in a third phase captures the inserted keys to prevent removal thereof and also blocks the remaining keyways to prevent the entry of additional keys. Also provided are means to lock the guard system in the third phase to maintain status quo, whereby the only taps which are operative are those which are legal.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a CATV multi-tap distribution box in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows the same box, but with its casing made transparent to reveal the inner guard plate and circuit chassis, as well as the connector array;
  • FIG. 3 is an explodedview of the distributor box
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit of a connector with a key inserted and a connector with a key withdrawn;
  • FIG. 5 is the schematic circuit of the electronic multitap system contained in the chassis of the distribution box.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a CATV multi-tap distribution box according to the invention.
  • a multi-tap distribution box generally designated by numeral 10, the box being interposed in a primary line or coaxial cable 11 of a CATV system.
  • the box may be installed on overhead or underground lines or in lines passing through buildings.
  • Distribution box 10 is provided with four ports or taps 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D, which are connectable to subscribers by means of drop lines provided with suitable tap couplers, such as drop line 13 which is shown in FIG. 1 coupled to tap 12A. While a box with four taps is shown, it is to be understood that in practice the box may have a greater or smaller number of taps, to meet system requirements.
  • the salient feature of the present invention resides in the fact that no tap on the box is operative unless a security key K is fully inserted in a slot or keyway associated with the tap. Otherwise, even though the tap is unplugged and physically coupled to a drop line, it is electrically disconnected from the drop line, and no signals from the cable are transferred thereto. In a conventional box, if one can obtain access to an available tap, signals are transferred to the drop line the moment it is coupled to the tap, whereas in the present invention, transfer takes place only when a security key is properly inserted.
  • Each of taps 12A to 12D has a slot or keyway adjacent thereto; namely keyways 14A to 14D. When unblocked, the keyways provide passages forkeys K leading to correspondingly positioned taps 15A to 15D.
  • These connectors are mounted on an insulating baseboard 16, supported within a chassis 17. As best seen in FIG. 2, taps 12A to 12D may be mounted on top of chassis l7 and project through openings in the casing 18 of the box.
  • the circuit components associated with the connectors may be mounted on the undersurface of baseboard l6.
  • Connectors 15A to 15D may be of the printed-circuit (PC) board, edge-mount type, and include two parallel rows of flexible contacts arrayed on opposing sides of the connector. In one row, there are contacts 1, 2 and 3, and in the other row, there are contacts 4, and 6, which in the absence of an inserted key, engage the corresponding contacts in the first row.- Thus, contact pairs l-4, 2-5 and 3-6 constitute normally closed switches.
  • PC printed-circuit
  • Each key K is fabricated of PC insulating-panel material, and is contoured to define a rectangular head Kl, a central shank K and a rectangular foot K extending laterally from one side of the shank and forming with head K an indentation K Secured to the lowermost edge of foot K is a small conductive pad 19 which is so placed that when a key is inserted in the connector, foot K is then interposed between the two rows of contacts to break the connections therebetween, whereas pad 19 bridges contacts 1 and 2 in the first row to electrically interconnect these contacts.
  • the configuration shown in FIG. 3 represents only one of many possible ways of arranging pads or other means of effecting a connection between selected contacts.
  • Connectors 15A and 15B are shown, each having contact pairs 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6.
  • a coil 20 supplies CATV signals derived from the primary line, to the number-1 contacts of both connectors.
  • the number-5 contacts of the connectors are connected directly to ground, whereas the number- 4 contacts are connected to ground through an impedance-matching resistor 21.
  • the number-2 contacts of the connectors are connected to the respective subscriber taps (12A and 128).
  • a key K is inserted, hence the signal applied to its contact 1 is fed by bridging pad 19 to contact 2, and from there to the subscriber tap 12A.
  • tap 12A is fully operative and serves to transfer CATV signals to a drop line coupled thereto.
  • the subscriber tap 12B When, however, the key is absent, as shown in the case of connector 123, the subscriber tap 12B is grounded through contact pair 2-5, and signal coil 20 is terminated by impedance-matching resistor 21b through contact pair 1-4. Thus even though tap 12B may be physically coupled to a drop line, no signal is transferred thereto.
  • the auxiliary contact pair 3-6 is open when key K is inserted (see connector 15A) and closed when key K is withdrawn (see connector 15B), thereby indicating the operative or inoperative status of the tap.
  • These auxiliary contacts may be used with associated circuitry to provide a feedback that may be sensed at the master station to monitor or audit the taps in the system or for other purposes.
  • the security keys K function to render the taps operative.
  • the heads K of the keys may have numbers or other indicia thereon to facilitate inspection and auditing of the distribution boxes. But the keys by themselves do not prevent illegal taps, for if the keys fall into the hands of illegal tappers, they could be used to provide unauthorized service. It is necessary, therefore, to include means that restrict the insertion and removal of the security keys to authorized service personnel.
  • a slidable guard plate 22 which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is shiftable in the longitudinal direction to the left or right along the underface of casing 18 within limits determined by guide pins 23 and 24 which project through elongated slots in the plate.
  • Guard plate 22 is provided with marginal notches 25A, 25B, 25C and 25D, which cooperate with keyways 14A to 14D, respectively, such that when the plate is shifted to its leftmost position, as shown in FIG. 2, the notches are out of registration with the keyways and the plate then partially blocks the keyways, whereas when the guard plate is shifted to its rightmost position, the notches are in registration with the keyways, which are then unblocked.
  • the dimensions of the guard plate relative to the position and width of the keyways is such as to leave a section of the keyways exposed, so that blockage thereof is only partial.
  • the exposed section of the keyways is sufficiently broad to admit shank K, of the security key.
  • Guard plate 22 is provided at its right end with a hasp 26 which projects through a slot 27 in housing 18 and cooperates with a fixed housing bracket 28, such that when the guard plate is in its leftmost position (FIG. 2) in which keyways are blocked and the inserted keys are captured, hasp 26 is then aligned with bracket 28.
  • the two members may be locked together by a padlock 29, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby maintaining the status quo. In this locked condition, one cannot remove or add security keys, and only those taps are operative which have their security keys inserted in their associated keyways. As a consequence, one coupling a dropline to an available tap would receive no sigral.
  • keys K lie only in those keyways associated with legal subscriber taps, these keys being captured by the guard plate which occupies its closed (left) position. The other keyways are blocked so that no additional keys may be added.
  • This phase remains unchanged until a need arises to alter the subscriber connections to the box.
  • the guard plate is again returned to its closed position, and the plate is relocked, thereby maintaining the status quo and preventing illegal taps.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown the basic circuit for a multitap distribution box.
  • the CATV cable 11 is connected to the input terminal 30 which is coupled to output terminal 31 through main coil 32.
  • the CATV signal is distributed to various tap points by means of a circuit-tree composed, inter alia, of signal splitting coils 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37.
  • coil 37 is coupled to connectors A and 158 in a circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 4. Obviously, the number of splits involved depends on the number of output taps on the box.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown another preferred embodiment of a distribution box and securitykey arrangement in accordance with the invention.
  • the box is provided with two rows of taps with four taps in each row. It will be seen that the taps identified by numbers I, 3, 5 and 7 in one row, are staggered with respect to taps 2, 4, 6 and 8 in the other row, to allow more room for drop-cable connections.
  • the CATV cable is connected to the sides of the box, not to the ends as in FIG. 1.
  • a keyway for receiving a security key.
  • keys are inserted in the keyways associated with all taps except taps 6 and 8, the keys therefor being withdrawn. It will also be seen that the keys have identifying numbers thereon. Numbered keys which are not in use may be retained as an office record of disconnects.
  • circuit configurations other than those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be used for dividing the CATV signal among the available taps.
  • the contacts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are supported in printed-circuit connectors, in practice, these contacts may be directly riveted or otherwise attached to the insulating baseboard.
  • FIG. I shows a customer drop cable attached to a tap on the distribution box by means of a screw-on cable connector.
  • One bent on tapping illegally could therefore unscrew a legal connector from the tap and attach his own drop cable to that tap.
  • the box could be pre-wired with all drops hardwired at the time of installation.
  • the present invention which requires the use of security keys to render a tap operative, makes possible rapid connects and disconnects and it provides office audit controls as well as eliminating illegal taps and reducing installation costs.
  • a multi-cap distribution box adapted for insertion in a primary CATV cable carrying video, radio and other signals, said box comprising:
  • A a plurality of taps to which drop lines may be coupled for connection to subscribers
  • each connector having a circuit which in the absence of a key connects the tap to ground and which in the presence of an inserted key couples the tap to said primary cable to effect a transfer of signals to said drop line,
  • guard means selectively to block or clear all of the keyways simultaneously.
  • guard means is constituted by a shiftable guard plate which may be locked in its blocking state.
  • said keys include an indentation to facilitate entrapment of the guard plate, said indentation being formed between said head and a foot extending laterally from a shank connected to the head.
  • nector includes auxiliary contacts which are interconnected only in the absence of a key, to indicate the status of the associated tap or for other purposes.

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  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
US00277178A 1972-08-01 1972-08-01 Catv multi-tap distribution box with a key actuated connector for each of a plurality of taps Expired - Lifetime US3760130A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27717872A 1972-08-01 1972-08-01

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US3760130A true US3760130A (en) 1973-09-18

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US00277178A Expired - Lifetime US3760130A (en) 1972-08-01 1972-08-01 Catv multi-tap distribution box with a key actuated connector for each of a plurality of taps

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US (1) US3760130A (nl)
BE (1) BE802681A (nl)
CA (1) CA978610A (nl)
CH (1) CH584467A5 (nl)
GB (1) GB1414365A (nl)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097894A (en) * 1976-11-01 1978-06-27 Tanner Electronics Systems Technology, Inc. Secured scramble decoder filter
US4257659A (en) * 1979-09-28 1981-03-24 Belden Corporation Electrical connector with safety cover means
US4339629A (en) * 1979-01-25 1982-07-13 Stanmore Leonard D Junction box for housing cable connections
US4494143A (en) * 1982-03-29 1985-01-15 Rca Corporation Television descrambler with security plug having folded flexible printed circuit board providing tier tag memory
US4676569A (en) * 1985-11-20 1987-06-30 Lambert Harry S Protective cover for cable television distribution taps
US5528684A (en) * 1994-09-02 1996-06-18 Antec Corp. Coaxial cable interface including security cover for demarcation point
US5583931A (en) * 1993-02-16 1996-12-10 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and coaxial cable apparatus and coaxial cable module
US5583932A (en) * 1993-02-16 1996-12-10 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus
US5600717A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-02-04 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5606606A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-02-25 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5623542A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-04-22 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5675300A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-10-07 J.E. Thomas Specialties Limited Top exit coupler
DE19782146B4 (de) * 1996-12-06 2007-09-20 ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Minnetonka Radiofrequenzschaltungsmodul
US20080302143A1 (en) * 2007-06-08 2008-12-11 Orlando Eddie Clark Secure Tap
US20120225575A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2012-09-06 Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
US11539176B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2022-12-27 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Splitter with equidistant output ports

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3101532C2 (de) * 1981-01-15 1984-11-29 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Stecksockel für Niederspannungs-Schutzschalter
US4954090A (en) * 1988-05-31 1990-09-04 Yazaki Corporation Electric connection box

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3345603A (en) * 1965-09-02 1967-10-03 Cohen Stanley Alan Electrical plug key lock
US3415087A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-12-10 Joseph G. Kramasz Jr. Electromechanical lock
US3537036A (en) * 1968-11-06 1970-10-27 John R Winegard Directional line drop tap unit
US3573702A (en) * 1969-11-07 1971-04-06 Amp Inc Keyed plug resistor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3345603A (en) * 1965-09-02 1967-10-03 Cohen Stanley Alan Electrical plug key lock
US3415087A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-12-10 Joseph G. Kramasz Jr. Electromechanical lock
US3537036A (en) * 1968-11-06 1970-10-27 John R Winegard Directional line drop tap unit
US3573702A (en) * 1969-11-07 1971-04-06 Amp Inc Keyed plug resistor

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097894A (en) * 1976-11-01 1978-06-27 Tanner Electronics Systems Technology, Inc. Secured scramble decoder filter
US4339629A (en) * 1979-01-25 1982-07-13 Stanmore Leonard D Junction box for housing cable connections
US4257659A (en) * 1979-09-28 1981-03-24 Belden Corporation Electrical connector with safety cover means
US4494143A (en) * 1982-03-29 1985-01-15 Rca Corporation Television descrambler with security plug having folded flexible printed circuit board providing tier tag memory
US4676569A (en) * 1985-11-20 1987-06-30 Lambert Harry S Protective cover for cable television distribution taps
US5600717A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-02-04 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5583931A (en) * 1993-02-16 1996-12-10 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and coaxial cable apparatus and coaxial cable module
US5583932A (en) * 1993-02-16 1996-12-10 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus
US5606606A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-02-25 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5623542A (en) * 1993-02-16 1997-04-22 Antec Corp. Combination telephone network interface and cable television apparatus and cable television module
US5528684A (en) * 1994-09-02 1996-06-18 Antec Corp. Coaxial cable interface including security cover for demarcation point
US5675300A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-10-07 J.E. Thomas Specialties Limited Top exit coupler
DE19782146B4 (de) * 1996-12-06 2007-09-20 ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Minnetonka Radiofrequenzschaltungsmodul
US20080302143A1 (en) * 2007-06-08 2008-12-11 Orlando Eddie Clark Secure Tap
US20120225575A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2012-09-06 Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
US8550837B2 (en) * 2011-03-02 2013-10-08 Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
US11539176B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2022-12-27 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Splitter with equidistant output ports
US11901679B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2024-02-13 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Hardline splitter with direct connection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE802681A (fr) 1974-01-23
GB1414365A (en) 1975-11-19
CH584467A5 (nl) 1977-01-31
CA978610A (en) 1975-11-25

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