WO1998059482A1 - Improved cover for a remote terminal - Google Patents
Improved cover for a remote terminal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998059482A1 WO1998059482A1 PCT/US1997/011130 US9711130W WO9859482A1 WO 1998059482 A1 WO1998059482 A1 WO 1998059482A1 US 9711130 W US9711130 W US 9711130W WO 9859482 A1 WO9859482 A1 WO 9859482A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- door
- remote terminal
- cover
- module
- terminal according
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/028—Subscriber network interface devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/021—Constructional details using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/023—Constructional details using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2201/00—Constructional details of selecting arrangements
- H04Q2201/08—Pivotable parts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2201/00—Constructional details of selecting arrangements
- H04Q2201/10—Housing details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2201/00—Constructional details of selecting arrangements
- H04Q2201/12—Printed circuits
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2201/00—Constructional details of selecting arrangements
- H04Q2201/80—Constructional details of selecting arrangements in specific systems
- H04Q2201/802—Constructional details of selecting arrangements in specific systems in data transmission systems
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a telephone service remote terminal and more particularly to a cover for a remote terminal which facilitates the mounting and enclosure of an additional circuit module.
- DDL digital dual-line
- the enhanced electronic circuitry to carry out DDL multiplexing may be contained within a standard-configuration circuitry module known as a 400-series card module.
- card modules are widely used to package circuitry for various other technologies as well, such as HDSL ("high density subscriber line”), ADSL ("asynchronous digital subscriber line”), RDSU ("rapid download/slow upload”), and ISDN ("integrated services digital network”) circuitry.
- HDSL high density subscriber line
- ADSL asynchronous digital subscriber line
- RDSU rapid download/slow upload
- ISDN integrated services digital network
- While card modules have been used to implement advanced transmission techniques in high-density telecommunication environments, such modules have not been used in applications having relatively few user lines, such as individual houses. Instead, each of these locations is usually provided with at least one wall-mounted box known as a remote terminal (known in the industry as an "RT") which houses a connection interface between a main telephone company line and each individual user line.
- a remote terminal known in the industry as an "RT" which houses a connection interface between a main telephone company line and each individual user line.
- RT remote terminal
- occupants of houses and apartments are installing additional user lines for computer modems, fax machines, or simply for additional personal or business telephone lines at home. This installation of new user lines conventionally requires the routing of corresponding additional subscriber lines into a remote terminal.
- Unfortunately there has been no practical means to date for implementing advanced electronics at an individual customer site to avoid the increasing number of relatively bulky remote terminals.
- a primary object of the invention is to provide a remote terminal capable of housing advanced electronic circuitry.
- Another object of the invention is to adapt existing remote terminal equipment for upgraded operation with modem electronic telecommunication circuitry.
- a related object is to provide a means for mounting such circuitry with existing remote terminal structure.
- a remote terminal for receiving a standard circuitry module for manipulating a signal.
- the remote terminal includes an improved cover which can also be substituted for a conventional cover on a standard remote terminal.
- the improved cover of the invention has an enlarged interior capacity for accommodating the installation of a circuitry module to operate in conjunction with existing components conventionally mounted in the base.
- the improved cover is adapted to connectably receive a standard-sized card module.
- An advantage of the invention is that the cover may be used with an existing remote terminal base to upgrade the electronic circuitry without completely replacing the entire existing remote terminal structure.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an eight-line remote terminal having an improved cover according to an embodiment of the invention showing the door open relative to the cover to provide access to the circuit cavity.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an eight-line remote terminal base constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the remote terminal of FIG. 2, showing the door in a closed position in the improved cover.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover according to an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the hinge includes pins which extend through the cover body and engage into complementary bores in the door.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an improved cover including a locking element to hold the card in an inserted position and a light pipe element mounted to the door.
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a comer of the door of FIG. 5 showing the locking element in greater detail.
- FIG. 7 is a f agmentary side view of the comer of the door of FIG. 6, showing the locking element in a closed position.
- FIG. 1 an eight-line remote terminal 30 having an improved cover 32 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.
- the remote terminal 30 has a wall- mountable base 12 including a base body 13.
- the base body 13 is generally shaped like an open-sided box in which equipment is mounted for connecting an individual subscriber line to a particular user line.
- the left side of the base 12 contains wiring which is in the domain of the telephone company.
- the right side of the base 12 typically houses individual user lines which are traditionally in the user's domain. Equipment connected from the right side is known as CPE, or "customer premises equipment".
- the right side wiring is connected to the left side at a central region known as a point of demarcation.
- the base 12 receives a subscriber line through a port 16 at a lower left side of the base for connection with a terminal (not shown).
- a telephone company cover 18 may be provided to prevent tampering with the telephone company connections.
- the right side of the base 12 contains a plurality of screw terminals 20 provided to connect individual customer lines. The individual customer lines run from the screw terminals 20 through a port 22 at a lower right side of the base 12 for connection to individual users at a remote location such as, for example, individual apartments in an apartment building..
- an improved cover which mount to the base while maintaining hingability. Because the cover is preferably designed to replace a conventional flat cover for a remote terminal, the cover 32 has appropriately designed dimensions and hinge fittings 34 to facilitate the substitution for a particular standard flat cover. It will be appreciated that, although the new base 12 preferably is designed to match the conventional closure dimensions, the cover 32 and base 12 could be cooperatively dimensioned otherwise.
- the improved cover 32 has a box-like shape which is larger than a conventional cover 14 and defines an interior for receiving a circuit module, as described below. Particularly, the cover 14 is adapted to house a card module 40 such as a 400-Series electronics card module for multiplexed network interfacing.
- the cover 32 has a door 38 which may be pivoted between open and closed positions to seal the interior of the body 36 at approximately mid-depth.
- the door 38 projects outwardly from the interior, as shown in FIG. 4, to slidably receive the card module 40.
- the door 38 In the closed position, the door 38 separates the interior of the cover between a base-receiving recess 42 and a sealable circuit cavity 44.
- the card module 40 is housed within the circuit cavity 44.
- a pair of hinges 46 are provided to pivotally mount the door 38 to the body 36.
- the hinges 46 are mounted at opposite sides of the door 38.
- each hinge 46 includes a pin 50 which extends through a bore 52 in the body 36 and snap-fits into the door 38 so that ends of the pins 50 rotatably reside in the cooperating bores 52 in the body 36.
- the door 38 may be pivoted open to provide access to the circuit cavity.
- the door 38 can be hingably mounted to the cover body 36 by other appropriate means as well.
- hinges 46' according to an alternative construction are provided at opposite sides of the door 38, each hinge 46' including an outwardly-extending peg (not shown) for respectively engaging the bores in the body 36.
- FIG. 1 which shows the door 38 in an open position
- means for mounting the card module 40.
- a pair of parallel card guides 54 are mounted on opposing sides of the door 38 facing the circuit cavity 44.
- An elongated slot 56 is formed in each of the card guides 54 for receiving a lip 58 which protrudes from the card module 40.
- a connector block 60 is provided for matably receiving a male connector portion of the card module 48 in a pluggable manner to form an electrical connection.
- a locking element 70 is preferably provided for retaining the installed card module 40 securely between the card guides 54 and engaged with the connector block 60 in an installed position.
- the locking element 70 is L-shaped, having a projecting clamp 71.
- the locking element is mounted to the door 38 by a threaded screw 72 for rotation between open and closed positions.
- the clamp 71 In the open position shown in FIG. 6, the clamp 71 is disposed outwardly of the module 40 so that the module may be slidably inserted/retracted into the slots.
- the clamp 71 In the closed position, the clamp 71 is disposed inboard of the module 40 to prevent inadvertent retraction of the module 40 from the door 38. As shown in FIG.
- a screw 72 extends through an oblong hole 73 in the locking element 70 to permit slidable adjustment of the locking element relative to the door 38.
- the locking element 70 also includes a small tab 74 which slides in a channel 76 disposed in the door 38 parallel to the card guides 54 to linearly guide the locking element 70 for adjustment within the range d permitted by the oblong hole 73.
- the locking element 70 is shown in a non-locking position. In the closed position shown in FIG. 7, the tab 74 aligns with the channel 76 and guides the locking element 70 to securely abut against the module 40.
- the cover 32 may include a catch member (not shown) which selectively holds the door in an open position.
- the cover body 36 has a shoulder 80 disposed about a periphery of the interior walls, which the door 38 abuts against in a closed position.
- the shoulder 80 has a peripheral groove 82 which can be filled with a sealant, such as an epoxy resin, to create a water-tight seal between the body 36 and the door 38 when closed.
- the door 38 can include a rib 84 (also shown in FIG. 6) positioned near a peripheral edge of the door 38 to matably engage the groove 82 when the door 38 is closed.
- the rib 84 provides a good gripping surface for the cured sealant.
- the cover 32 may include screws 86 as illustrated in FIGS.
- a flexible cable 88 (FIG. 3) is provided to provide electrical communication between the module 40 and the base 12.
- the cable 88 carries an appropriate electrical signal to and from the card module 40, passes through an opening 90 (see FIG. 4) in the door 38 and is connected to the connector block 60 for communication with the card module 40.
- the cable 88 has a sufficient amount of slack to not interfere with the opening and closing of the cover 32 on the base 12.
- the door 38 includes a cable cap 92 (see FIGS 3 and 4) forming an enclosed channel through which the cable passes.
- the cable cap 92 is removable to aid in manipulation of the cable 88 during installation.
- Some card modules 40 may have one or more LED indicator 94 which indicate the operation of a certain function by the card module.
- LED indicator 94 When the door 38 is closed on the cover body 36, enclosing the card module 40 in the circuit cavity 44, the module 44 and associated LEDs 94 are not directly visible by a repair person.
- an optional light pipe element 96 may be mounted to the door to provide optical communication through the door 38.
- the light pipe element 96 is essentially a translucent optic guide which may be made of molded plastic.
- the light pipe element 96 includes three elbow-shaped light channels 98.
- each of these light channels 98 has a first end which is viewably positioned in a view opening in the door 38 and a second end which is positioned proximally to a corresponding one o the LED indicators on the card module 40.
- the viewable first ends of the light pipe element 96 are illuminated when the optic indicators 94 on the card module 40 are active.
- the card module 40 may have a push-button switch for actuating a particular circuit feature or operation.
- a DDL card module may includes an enhanced provisioning function ("EPREP") for use with a digital subscriber line.
- EPREP enhanced provisioning function
- the push-button on the card module 40 must be pressed to turn off the EPREP function for certain repairs.
- a flexible membrane 100 such as mbber or the like, as shown in FIG. 3, is preferably mounted in an opening of the door 38 at a position adjacent the button on the card module 40.
- the presence of the membrane 100 avoids the need to open the door 38 to access the card module 40, which may be difficult when a sealant has been applied between the shoulder 80 of the body 36 and the door 38.
- a plurality of tip and ring covers 120 are preferably provided to cover the respective screw terminals 20 for each user line.
- the tip and ring cover 120 permits the respective user to restrict access to his respective telecom connections.
- Each of the tip and ring covers 120 is pivotable between an open and closed position via a snap-fit hinge 122 formed at a right side thereof.
- the hinge 122 engages a cooperating channel 124 formed in the base body 13.
- Each of the tip and ring covers 120 is latchable in the closed position by means of a tab 126 which flexes on a living hinge 128.
- a projecting ridge 130 on the tab 126 snaps under an undercut edge 134 of the telephone company cover 18, securely fixing the tip and ring cover 120 over the respective screw terminals 20 as well as an associated jack 132.
- the latched tip and ring cover 120 is lockable to prevent unauthorized access when the telephone company cover 18 is closed.
- the tab 126 has an embossment 131 which receives a portion of an appropriately sized lock 133 (such as for example a No. 10 pedlock), preventing inward movement of the tab 126 which releases the ridge 130 from locking engagement of the undercut edge 134.
- an appropriately sized lock 133 such as for example a No. 10 pedlock
- the cover 32 could be designed to receive circuits other than the 400 series card module.
- the cover made in accordance with the invention can be used to install circuitry for a variety of applications to provide desired communication channels in both analog and digital environments for voice, data and fax applications.
- the cover of the invention could be used to connect an electronics card module on either the telephone company side or the customer side of the point of demarcation. Therefore, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002263870A CA2263870A1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | Improved cover for a remote terminal |
PCT/US1997/011130 WO1998059482A1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | Improved cover for a remote terminal |
US09/242,220 US6683950B1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | Cover for a remote terminal |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/011130 WO1998059482A1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | Improved cover for a remote terminal |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998059482A1 true WO1998059482A1 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
Family
ID=22261161
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/011130 WO1998059482A1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | Improved cover for a remote terminal |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA2263870A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998059482A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1109412A2 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2001-06-20 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Enhanced services network interface device |
US6996232B1 (en) | 1997-12-31 | 2006-02-07 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | XDSL splitter line module for network interface device |
WO2007128357A1 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-15 | ICOS Gesellschaft für Industrielle Communications-Systeme mbH | Switch arrangement for communication data streams |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5207583A (en) * | 1992-02-28 | 1993-05-04 | Siecor Corporation | Network interface unit |
US5479505A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1995-12-26 | Siecor Puerto Rico, Inc. | Telephone network enclosure containing protected termination device |
-
1997
- 1997-06-25 CA CA002263870A patent/CA2263870A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-06-25 WO PCT/US1997/011130 patent/WO1998059482A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5479505A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1995-12-26 | Siecor Puerto Rico, Inc. | Telephone network enclosure containing protected termination device |
US5207583A (en) * | 1992-02-28 | 1993-05-04 | Siecor Corporation | Network interface unit |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6996232B1 (en) | 1997-12-31 | 2006-02-07 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | XDSL splitter line module for network interface device |
EP1109412A2 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2001-06-20 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Enhanced services network interface device |
EP1109412A3 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2002-10-16 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Enhanced services network interface device |
US6795552B1 (en) | 1999-12-14 | 2004-09-21 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Enhanced services network interface device |
WO2007128357A1 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-15 | ICOS Gesellschaft für Industrielle Communications-Systeme mbH | Switch arrangement for communication data streams |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2263870A1 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
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