Telephone network interface device

Abstract

A telephone network device adapted to be used in the subscriber loop of telephone transmission system, i.e., connected to a non-telephone owned premise wiring (a household) and a telephone company owned portion of such loop at the junction where the two connect one to another. The device is a limited access device, i.e., only a portion of the device is easily accessible by non-telephone employees, and such a condition is achieved by the structure of the device which is basically an open top base containing first and second sets of terminals; a dielectric carrier and a plug both having electrical contacts therein and both adapted to be mechanically and electrically engaged and disengaged with one another; means for electrically connecting the plug to said second set of terminals and means for electrically connecting dielectric carrier to said first set of terminals; a wall means disposed between said first and second set of terminals dividing said base into first and second cavities; and, a shield means covering said first but not said second set of terminals, the first set being adapted to be connected to telephone company owned portion of subscriber loop and the second set of terminals be adapted to be connected to the subscriber owned premise wiring; the shield means acting in concert with the base to enclose the set of terminals adapted to be connected to telephone company owned portion of the subscriber loop and exposing those terminals which are adapted to be connected to the subscriber premise wiring.