Steelcase Inc.

Other

James L Kraft

Karl Jahn Mead

Kevin M Stanley

R Scott Hand

Robert H Greenhoe

Jared Alden Judson

Todd C Fitzpatrick

A distribution system that includes central ports connected by lines to respective remote ports includes a visual identification system that enables either identifying the central ports connected with selected remote ports, or identifying the remote ports connected with selected central ports. The visual identification system includes signal paths extending between the central and remote ports. The signal paths are connected to output devices that generate visual, auditory, or tactile feedback to identify the ports. The signal paths operate independently of the lines connecting the ports.

Port-to-port visual identification system

A communications cabling system adapted for being installed adjacent a first side of a structure having a port communicating with a second side of the structure includes a plurality of unique cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a plurality of wires having first and second ends, a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to each of the plurality of wires at the first end, a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a first unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end and a third connector having a third plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a second unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end. At least one of the first, second and third connectors is configured for being supported proximate the port. At least one of the first, second and third connectors includes a portion accessible from the second side. The portion has a unique indicia corresponding to and associated with each unique cable assembly. As a result, the unique indicia indicates at least one of the first and second unique subsets of wires terminating in the second and third connectors, respectively. Preferably, the unique indicia comprises a unique color indicia. In at least one of the first, second and third connectors, a second plurality of electrical contacts are interleaved amongst the first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the plurality of wires. The second plurality of electrical contacts are electrically interconnected to one another.

Communications cabling system with serially connectable unique cable assemblies

A modular communications cable assembly comprises first and second connectors, each having an elongated array of electrical contacts, and high-speed (e.g., data) and low-speed (e.g., voice) twisted wire pairs extending between the first and second connectors and terminated to the electrical contacts. Electrical contacts are skipped (or left empty) between the high-speed wire pairs to reduce cross-talk., but no electrical contacts are skipped between the low-speed wire pairs. An electrically conductive member with pins may be used to electrically couple the skipped contacts together to further reduce cross-talk. In another aspect, a modular communications cable assembly provides a plurality of communication circuits to a cluster of workstations. The cable assembly comprises an upstream connector and at least one downstream connector, with a plurality of high-speed cable segments and at least one low-speed cable segment extending between the upstream and downstream connectors. Each high-speed cable segment contains a set of twisted wire pairs for high-speed communication, and the at least one low-speed cable segment provides a plurality of sets of twisted wire pairs for low-speed communication. Each communication circuit comprises one set of twisted pairs from the high-speed cable segments and one set of twisted pairs from the at least one low-speed cable segment. Colors are used to facilitate the proper joining of cable assemblies, e.g., black connectors are joined to red connectors. A circuit breakout assembly (FIG. 13) is used and includes a body, an in-feed connector and a plurality of breakout connectors for providing communication circuits to a cluster of workstations.

Communications cabling system with twisted wire pairs

Communications cabling system

A communication cable management and distribution system for use in a modular partitioned workspace environment including a plurality of partition panels defining the workspaces and a consolidation point cabinet mounted on and supported by the partition structure. The cabinet is generally rectangular and includes an interior defined by a top, a bottom, a back, a pair of sides and a front. The cabinet is mounted on the partition structure by mounting brackets which are configured so that the cabinet can only be unmounted from the partition structure by gaining access to the cabinet interior. A back wall in the cabinet interior includes a plurality of apertures which allows cable management elements to be mounted by screws at a plurality of interchangeable locations. One such cable management element is a consolidation point bracket that is pivotable between a first position for storage and a second position offering improved access to the consolidation point. The cabinet includes a back double wall which increases the strength of the cabinet and allows an area for the screws to terminate internally of the cabinet. A method of mounting the cabinet on the partition structure is also disclosed. The method includes securing a first mounting bracket to a first vertical frame member of the partition structure, hanging the cabinet on the first mounting bracket so that the cabinet is supported thereby, and locking the cabinet to the first mounting bracket.

Communications cabinet and mounting system

A method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network is disclosed. The process includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks and equipping each of the equipment racks identically with at least one cable interconnection means. The method also includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site, providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one or more devices to one of said multiconductor cables, and grouping one of the equipment racks with said plurality of multiconductor cables and with a set of the multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for an installation site.

Modular cabling system and method for installing same

A cabling system for an enterprise having multiple, remotely located work sites or branch offices is described. Each work site has a plurality of workstations that are interconnected in a computer and/or communication network and the cabling system includes a plurality of cabling kits that are prefabricated for installation. Each cabling kit includes a prefabricated equipment rack, at least one cable interconnection device mounted on the equipment rack for providing an interconnection to a centralized network or communication system device, a plurality of distribution outlets, each located at one of the workstations, and a plurality of multiconductor distribution cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of a work site for interconnecting the cable interconnection device and the distribution outlets. Except for the number and lengths of the multiconductor distribution cables, the cabling kits are configured identically for each of the work sites.

Growing community of inventors

York, PA, United States of America

James L Kraft