Patent ID: 6157715
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A network interface unit having a base portion having mounted therein a bottom portion including a splice chamber and an array of protector devices mounted thereon, said splice chamber including wiring for connecting a cable to said protectors, said network unit further having a cover portion and servicing a multiplicity of subscribers and comprising;a plurality of modular layers having first and last modular layers thereof and each modular layer including at least an array of customer bridges each adapted for coupling to a different line of a subscriber and each array having cabled wiring to electrically couple to respective protective devices mounted in said bottom portion;a plurality of contiguously stacked trays intermediate of said base portion and said cover portion and having first and last trays thereof and each tray having first and second sides and each tray holding a respective modular layer and having at least one opening at said first side thereof for allowing passage of said respective cabled wiring; anda plurality of hinges including a first and a last hinge, with each hinge having first and second ends for pivotally interconnecting said contiguously stacked trays and with said base and cover portions, each of said sides of said trays having said opening having one end of one of said hinges attached thereto, said first hinge pivotally joining said first tray and said base portion and said last hinge pivotally joining said last tray and said cover portion.