Patent ID: 6639894
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A signal interconnection and routing system for protection routing of communications signals to termination devices, said termination devices being adapted to transmit and receive said communications signals, said system comprising:a bi-directional signal primary connector to a first termination device for communicably interconnecting a communication signal to said first termination device; a bi-directional signal protection connector to a second termination device for communicably interconnecting a communication signal to a second termination device; a bi-directional primary signal media for carrying a primary communications signal; a bi-directional signal protection mating connector adapted to communicably and mechanically interconnect to said signal protection connector to said second termination device; a bi-directional signal primary mating connector adapted to communicably and mechanically interconnect to said primary connector to said first termination device, and being adapted to communicably interconnect to said primary signal media at a primary signal media port, and being adapted to communicably interconnect to a protection signal media at a protection signal media port, and having a bi-directional make-before-break signal routing device communicably disposed between said primary signal media port and said protection signal media port; and a bi-directional protection signal media for carrying a protection communications signal disposed between said protection signal media port of said primary connector and said protection mating connector to said second termination device such that at least three interconnection and signal routing states are possible, including: a normal state whereby said primary communications signal is routed to said first termination device from said primary signal media through said primary mating connector when said primary connector and said primary mating connector are fully mated and engaged, a transitional state whereby said primary communications signal is interconnected to said first termination device and to said second termination device through said make-before-break signal routing device when said primary connector and said primary mating connector are partially mated and engaged, and a shunted state whereby said primary communications signal is interconnected to said second termination device through said make-before-break signal routing device when said primary connector and said primary mating connector are fully unmated and disengaged, such that said first termination device is replaceable or otherwise serviceable while said primary communications signal is routed to said second termination device.