Patent ID: 6118868
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H02G,H04M,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 interface unit further having a cover and servicing a multiplicity of subscribers, said unit comprising:said base portion having first and second sides and a plateau on its first side and a resting surface lower than said plateau running between said plateau and said second side of said base;a plurality of modular layers including first and at least a second modular layer thereof with each modular layer having first and second sides and including at least an array of customer bridges, each adapted for coupling to a different line of a subscriber, each array having cabled wiring to electrically connect the customer bridges to the protective devices mounted in said bottom portion, said first modular layer being dimensioned so as to lay on said resting surface of said base with its second side proximate said plateau;a plurality of stacked trays having first and at least a second tray thereof and each tray having first and second sides and holding the first and second modular layers, said first tray being complementary dimensioned relative to said first modular layer, each of said trays having at least one opening at said first side thereof for allowing passage of said respective cabled wiring; anda plurality of hinges each having first and second ends for pivotally interconnecting the plurality of trays, each hinge having said first end attached to a first side of a corresponding tray having the opening, said plurality of hinges including first and last hinges with said first hinge pivotally joining the first tray and said base portion and said last hinge pivotally joining the second tray and the cover at the second side opposite the opening.