Patent ID: 6893280
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A telecommunications terminal block for making and breaking connections with a telecommunications conductor, said terminal block comprising: a unitary base defining a body cavity, the base including a hinge member at an end thereof; first and second connectors mounted in the base and extending into the body cavity; a toggle member rotatably connected to the base at the hinge member, the toggle member having first and second conductor receiving openings therein and a first and second conductor passage extending from the respective openings past respective ones of the connectors; an environmental sealant material positioned in the body cavity; a latching member having a first state allowing rotation of the toggle member to a conductor receiving position and a second state locking the toggle member in a conductor terminating position in which a conductor in the first or second conductor passage is electrically connected to a respective one of the first or second connector; and a release member coupled to at least one of the base and the toggle member that is configured to allow movement of the latching member from the second state to the first state, wherein the release member is positioned adjacent the end of the base having the hinge member so that conductors extending from the openings do not pass adjacent the release member; and wherein the latching member comprises a cross member on the toggle member positioned to contact a lead edge of at least one stop arm on the base in the second state of the latching member and to bypass the lead edge in the first state and wherein the release member comprises a lever arm on the toggle member coupled to the cross member having a rest position in which the latching member is in the second state and a flexed position in which the latching member is in the first state.