Patent ID: 6292564
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A modular jack for telephone and data equipment test access ports sited in an outdoors environment comprising:a housing exposed to dust, humidity, precipitation and temperature variations in said outdoors environment;a plurality of contact wires within said housing at said outdoors site for completing an electrical circuit at an equipment test access port when receiving a test plug inserted through an opening therein; anda cover for scaling said test access port against the entry of dust, humidity and precipitation when said plug is not inserted;with said cover being fabricated as an integral part of said housing and of a material having substantially the same thermal coefficient of expansion as said housing so as to continue to seal said test access port against dust, humidity and precipitation in the presence of temperature variation at said site;a hinge joining said cover and said housing together;wherein said cover extends inwardly of said opening about said hinge in sealing said opening when said plug is not inserted;wherein said hinge is coupled to said housing at a point to rotate said cover further inwardly of said opening when said cover is automatically lifted by the insertion of said plug into said opening; andincluding a rib on an inside of said housing to serve as a ""stop"" in setting a quiescent position for said cover when said plug is not inserted.