The Whitaker Corporation

Kenneth C Hawk

James W Robertson

Harry M Capper

Sam Denovich

James S Hower

David R Radliff

Carl E Fritz

E Clark Broome

A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106,112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106,112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100). Conductors (36) of the premise wiring are terminatable by insulation displacement techniques to terminals (164) using a stuffer cap (152), with terminals (164) connected to second contacts (112) by traces of circuit board (170) mounted within module (40), while first contacts (106) are electrically connected by other traces of board (170) to conductors (38) connected to the distribution cable.

Customer-accessible test port for network interface device

An electrical connector (10) including a housing (12) with a pair of housing sections (14) each containing a terminal (40) rotatable therewithin upon actuation to terminate an end of a wire (26,28) inserted into an aperture (22,24) thereof. For small diameter wires, a wiring indicator (60) of transparent material is affixed to the opposed side of the housing and includes a chamber (70) for each wire to be extended therethrough for termination, thus enabling visual verification that a wire end has been fully inserted. A wire retainer (90,100) is used to prevent inadvertent backout after full wire insertion but before termination. Wire retainer (100) can be a clip mountable outside the housing, and wire retainer (90) can be contained in the wiring indicator includes a spring arm (92) biasing against the wire free end (52) upon full insertion.

Electrical connector with wire indicator and wire retainer

A terminal block assembly (10) including at least two terminals (20) and associated actuators (24) in housing sections (14) for termination to ends of conductors (28,30) inserted into aligned apertures therethrough upon actuation of the terminals. Bridging element (50) includes contact sections (54) held in cavities (22) of housing sections (14) to be assuredly compressed against terminals (20) thus electrically interconnecting terminals (20) and commoning all wires (28,30) terminated by terminals (20). A cover member (90) may be secured beneath the terminal block assembly for insulative protection.

Bridging terminal block

Growing community of inventors

Clemmons, NC, United States of America

Kenneth C Hawk