Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3M Innovative Properties Company

Philip M Smith

Richard J Scherer

Elmont E Hollingsworth

Martin G Afflerbaugh

Russell A Roiko

Robert A Wandmacher

William D McKittrick

Dennis M Cheesebrow

Kenneth J Vidacovich

Thomas W Rosckes

A communications cable terminal block switching mechanism employs a terminal block housing with a number of chambers and a number of openings for service wires to be inserted into the chambers. A cable stub enters the terminal block and contains feed-in pairs and feed-out pairs. Based on the condition of the switching mechanism, a wire pair may be expressed through the terminal block unterminated, or, a wire pair may be terminated to a service wire at the block. Specifically, a number of sets of electrical contact elements, corresponding to the number of openings, is provided, and one of each of the sets of contact elements is configured in one of each of the chambers. Actuator mechanisms, corresponding to the number of chambers, are each coupled to a respective one of the chambers and each is adapted to move components within the chamber such that electrical connections between a wire inserted into the chamber and the corresponding set of electrical contact elements are altered based on movement of the actuator mechanism.

Controlled distribution terminal block

The contacts of an electrical connector are joined by the biasing force of the contact elements and in practice are separated by a probe to interconnect therebetween an additional circuit member. A probe which has a terminal end with an oblique surface to cause the wiping of the contact elements against each other at the interface during insertion or removal will improve contact and extend the life of the contact elements.

Tip for forcing contacts to wipe against each other

A connector for communication wire pairs has an insulating body formed with sinuous channels for capturing the insulated wire, U-slot contact elements for making contact with the wires and said contacts having spring elements formed by U-shaped cuts in the periphery of the element for contact with an external circuit to connect the same in series or parallel with said spliced wires.

Voice/data communication termination connector

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Philip M Smith