The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1997
Michael Robert Cosley, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Barry Joe Ethridge, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Larry Weldon Burton, Roanoke, TX (US);
Marconi Communications Inc., Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A novel communications modular docking station receives information related to one or more types of services and forwards information to one or more subscriber destinations. The communications modular docking station includes a housing and a single coaxial line-in on the housing for receiving the service information from an optical node in communication with a central office and for receiving power from a power hub. The communication modular docking station is engageable with a module having a flange which can be slidably received in a slot on the communications modular docking station. The slot is at least partially defined by a wall which limits the distance the flange can be slid along the slot. The module is secured to the communications modular docking station by a securing member which is received in a bore on the wall of the communications modular docking station. Within the housing is a communicator, and on the housing is a line-out. The communicator has a communications port and an extension port, and the communications port is communicatingly connected to the module for receiving information from the module and the extension port is communicatingly connectable to the one or more subscriber destinations for forwarding the information received from the module. The line-out on the housing is capable of sending information and power to a second communications modular docking station. Preferably, the communications modular docking station has one or more securing members for fixedly securing the communications modular docking station to a grounding structure.