Abstract:
A protective cable cover separates cable routing from patchcords and cross-connect wire in a wiring trough. The cable cover is placed over the cable conductors on a wiring block cable organizer. The cable cover may be removed to allow for the addition or replacement of building cables without having to remove any adjacent patchcords. A circuit designation strip and row marking pads are provided to designate rows and circuit connections. A strike engages a latch on a patchcord plug to releasably retain the plug in engagement with the connecting block. Mounting holes are formed integral with the cable cover to engage latches on the cable organizer for releasably mounting the cable cover on the cable organizer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/330,120 entitled “Cable Cover” filed on Jun. 10, 1999 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/129,561, filed on Apr. 16, 1999. This application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 09/329,573 entitled “Twenty Eight Pair Cabling System” filed on Jun. 10, 1999, co-pending application Ser. No. 09/329,438 entitled “Cable Organizer With Conductor Termination Array” filed on Jun. 10, 1999, and co-pending application Ser. No. 09/329,444 entitled “Printed Wiring Board Cable Cover” filed on Jun. 10, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to connectors for use in telecommunication system cabling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The telecommunications and data management industries utilize connective hardware for general building wiring, premises distribution systems, local area networks, and other network applications. The connective hardware known as the 110 Connector System has become a standard of the industry because of the reliable gas-tight connection provided by the 110 Insulation Displacement Connector. This miniature quick-connect terminating system is listed or approved by Underwriters Laboratories, the Canadian Standards Association, and the Australian Standards Association. The 110 Connector Systems have gained type approval from such countries as the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and others. 
     The 110 Connector System consists of field-wired cable termination apparatus that is used to organize and administer cable and wiring installations. The main cross-connect is typically located in the equipment room and provides termination and cross-connection of network interface equipment, switching equipment, processor equipment, and backbone (riser or campus) wiring. The horizontal cross-connect is typically located in the telecommunications closet and provides termination and cross-connection of horizontal (to the work area) and backbone wiring. Cross-connects provide efficient and convenient routing and rerouting of common equipment circuits to various parts of a building or campus. 
     The 110 Connector Systems enable cable and wiring installations to be handled by technical or non-technical end user personnel. Line moves and rearrangement for the cabling terminated at a cross connect can be performed with patchcords (plug-ended jumpers) or cross-connect wire. The patchcords are used where the highest system integrity is required. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 , the prior art 110 Connector System  110  was designed to have its connector ports  15  arranged in horizontal rows in uniformly spaced conductor termination arrays (index strips). FIG. 1 shows four rows of index strips  14  mounted in a typical wiring block  12 . The spaces between these index strips become troughs, and are alternately dedicated as either cable routing troughs  16  or cross-connect wire routing troughs  18  and  19 . 
     Unsheathed cable conductors  20  are routed through the cable troughs  16  to their appropriate termination ports in the index strips  14 . All cable sheaths stop at the entrance to the cable troughs  16 . Each cable trough  16  feeds conductors to the two index strips that form its sides. 
     Connecting blocks  22 , each containing several contact elements  24  in pairs, are placed over the index strips  14  and make electrical connections to the cable conductors  20 . These connecting blocks  22  also form the side walls of the troughs  16  and  18 . A designation strip  26  is placed within the cable trough  16 , near the top of the connecting blocks  22 . This strip  26  extends the full length of the cable trough  16 , covering the cable conductors  20 , and allows the cable connector ports  15  to be visibly labeled as an indication of where the other end of the cables are attached. A pair of row marking surfaces  27  are provided to label each row. 
     Cross-connect wire (not shown) or patch cords  28  are terminated in the ports  25  on the top of the connecting blocks  22 . Cross-connect wires, when used, are routed to their appropriate ports  25  through the cross-connect troughs  18  between the cable troughs  16  or the troughs  19  along the outside edges of wiring block  12 . The connecting blocks  22  form the separator between cable conductors  20  and cross-connect conductors. When patch cords  28  are used, the cross-connect troughs  18  and  19  remain empty. 
     The 110 patchcords  28  are available now in two versions. The old version is a forward-engaging patchcord  28  that uses a forward-engaging plug  30  as shown in FIG.  1 . The patchcord  28  projects outward from the connecting block  22 , is routed through ducts  32 , backboards  34 , and troughs  36  to another connecting block  22 , as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The new version patchcord that uses a reverse-engaging plug is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,604 entitled Patch Cord Connection System issued on Feb. 17, 1998 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cable cover, for use in connection with a cable organizer, cable conductors, a connecting block, and a patchcord plug. The cable cover comprises a plate having two halves and front and rear surfaces extending between opposite upper and lower edges, and between opposite first and second ends. A hinge connects the two plate halves. The plate rear surface is juxtaposed with the cable organizer to protect the cable conductors. Mounting means is provided for releasably mounting the cable cover on the cable organizer. The present invention allows for the cover plate to be removed from a connecting block without disturbing the patchcords already installed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art wiring block, including connection blocks and a forward-engaging patchcord plug; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art wiring block of FIG. 1, taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art 110 Connector System, showing the prior art wiring block, patchcords and troughs; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a perspective view of a cable cover constructed in accordance with the invention having a barrel hinge; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a perspective view of another cable cover constructed in accordance with a the invention; 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  are side plan views of the cable cover, cable organizer, connecting block and a rearward engaging patchcord plug; 
     FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are side plan views of the cable cover, cable organizer, connecting block and a rearward engaging patchcord plug in operation; 
     FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b , and  7   c  are side plan views of the cable cover removed from the cable organizer assembly; 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  are blown up side plan views of the cable cover, cable organizer, connecting block and a rearward engaging patchcord plug; 
     FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  are blown up side plan views of the cable cover and connecting block in operation; 
     FIG. 10 a  is a perspective view of the cable cover of FIG. 4 a  in operation; 
     FIGS. 10 b  and  10   c  are perspective views of the cable cover of FIG. 4 b  in operation; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cable cover constructed in accordance with the invention having a living hinge; 
     FIG. 12 is perspective view of the cable cover having a hinged label surface in the up position; 
     FIG. 13 is perspective view of the cable cover having a hinged label surface in the down position; 
     FIG. 14 is side view of the cable cover of FIG. 12 taken at line A—A; 
     FIG. 15 is side view of the cable cover of FIG. 13 taken at line B—B; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cable cover, cable organizer, patchcord and connecting block; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cable cover of FIG. 16 in operation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 5 a  there is shown a side plan view of the cable cover and connecting block and FIG. 8 a  there is shown is a blown up side plan view of the cable cover and connecting block wherein similar elements are numbered the same. It can be seen that the new patchcord  40  with patch cord plug  38  projects inward. Every trough now potentially carries three types of conductors: patchcords  40  (including those with a reverse-engaging plug  38 ), cable conductors, and cross-connect conductors. Consequently, the troughs are crowded, making the conductors difficult to trace. The crowding of unsheathed cable conductors can result in cross-talk and other electrical problems, and, the new reverse-engaging patchcord plug  38  can snag on wiring while being pulled out. Partly in order to address these problems, the wiring block has index strips that are elevated upon a cable organizer and set wider apart to enlarge the troughs. Channels direct the cable conductors across the cable organizer front surface toward the termination array. The cable conductors are sheathed up to the termination array, helping to organize the cable conductors, reduce cross-talk, and improve electrical performance. A cable cover  42  encloses the cable conductors. In addition, the cable cover is hinged allowing for the addition and/or removal of cables to the wiring block without disturbing other patchcords that are already in place. Referring to FIG. 5 b  there is shown a side plan view of another embodiment of the cable cover and connecting block and FIG. 8 b  there is shown is a blown up side plan view of another embodiment of the cable cover and connecting block wherein similar elements are numbered the same, which corresponds to FIG. 5 b.    
     In FIG. 4 a  there is shown a perspective view of a cable cover constructed in accordance with the invention having a barrel hinge. In FIG. 4 a  there is shown a perspective view partial cut away of another embodiment of a cable cover constructed in accordance with the invention having a front portion removable from a rear portion. In FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  there are shown side plan views of the cable cover in operation as it is being disengaged from the cable organizer  44  and patchcord plug  38 . In FIG. 7 a  there is shown a side plan view of the cable cover removed from the cable organizer. In FIGS. 7 b  and  7   c  there are shown a side plan view of the cable cover removed from the cable organizer in two steps. In FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  there are shown a blown up side plan views of the cable cover in operation. Referring to FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b ,  6   a ,  6   b ,  7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  9   a  and  9   b  and referring back to FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b ,  8   a  and  8   b  a cable cover  42  is provided in connection with a cable organizer  44 , and a patchcord plug  38  wherein similar elements are numbered the same. The cable cover  42  comprises a front portion  46  and a rear portion  48 . The front portion  46  and the rear portion  48  are connected by a hinge mechanism. Specifically, at least two and preferably several barrel hinges  47  connect the first half  46  to the second half  48 , enabling the front portion  46  to rotate with respect to the rear portion  48 . Alternatively, a living hinge  51  (flexible material) may be used as shown in FIG.  11 . Locking tabs  49  extend from the first half  46 . The cable cover  42  also has top  50  and bottom  52  surfaces extending between opposite front  54  and rear  56  edges, and between opposite first  58  and second  60  ends. The plate bottom surface  52  is juxtaposed with the cable organizer  44  to protect the cables (not shown). The top surface  50  of the front portion  46  define at least one and preferably several slots  61  and  72 . 
     Recording means is provided for recording indicia on the cable cover  42  to designate rows and circuit connections. Specifically, a circuit designation strip  62  is disposed along the plate front edge  54 . 
     Patchcord strike  66  projects transversely outward from the plate bottom surface  52  adjacent the plate front edge  54  for retaining the patchcord plug  38  in engagement with the connecting block  22 . Thus, the front patchcord strike  66  engages a latch  68  to releasably retain the patchcord plug  38  in engagement with the connecting block  22 . 
     Mounting means is provided for releasably mounting the cable cover  42  on the cable organizer  44 . Typically, at least one, and preferably several, holes defining mounting strikes  72  are formed integral with the front portion  46 . The mounting strikes  72  engage with cable organizer latches  74  on the cable organizer  44 . 
     The cover  42  is in place as shown in FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b ,  8   a  and  8   b  protecting the cables in cable organizer  44  and providing labeling on the circuit designation strip  62 . The cover  42  may be removed in order to add or repair building cables to the cable organizer  44 , without disturbing already connected patchcord plugs  38 . A tool  80  having a flat head  82  such as a screwdriver is inserted into the slot  61 . The tool  80  rotates the front portion  46  approximately 45 degrees forcing the cable organizer latch  74  and the patchcord latch  68  to disengage. The barrel hinge  47  rotates the rear portion  48  simultaneously, while the locking tabs  49  extend straight back from the front portion  46 . The front portion  46  is then rotated rear forcing the locking tabs  49  to lock the front portion  46  and second half  48  in their original straight position as shown in FIG. 7 a . The cover  42  is then removed from the cable organizer  44  allowing cables to be added or removed. 
     In FIG. 12 there is shown a perspective view of the cable cover having a hinged label surface in the up position. In FIG. 13 there is shown a perspective view of the cable cover having a hinged label surface in the down position. In FIG. 14 is side view of the cable cover of FIG. 12 taken at line A—A. In FIG. 15 is side view of the cable cover of FIG. 13 taken at line B—B. Referring to FIGS. 12,  13 ,  14  and  15  wherein similar elements are numbered the same, there is shown another embodiment of the cover  42  having a hinged designation surface  63 . A hinge pin  65  is mated with corresponding hinged element  69  that are molded to the cable cover  42 . The hinged element  69  may hold designation labeling (not shown) between the two arms  71  of the hinged element  69 . While in the down position, as shown in FIG. 13, additional room is provided for easier manipulation of the patchcord plugs  38 . 
     In FIG. 11 there is shown a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cable cover. Another embodiment of the cable cover can been seen by referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 wherein similar elements are numbered the same. In FIG. 17 there is shown a perspective view of the cable cover of FIG. 13 in operation. A cable cover  142  is provided in connection with a cable organizer  144 , and a patchcord  138 . The cable cover  142  has top  150  and bottom  152  surfaces extending between opposite front  154  and rear  156  edges, and between opposite first  158  and second  160  ends. The plate bottom surface  152  is juxtaposed with the cable organizer  144  to protect the cables (not shown). The top surface  150  defines at least one and preferably several slots  161 . 
     Recording means is provided for recording indicia on the cable cover  142  to designate rows and circuit connections. Specifically, a circuit designation strip  162  is disposed along the plate front edge  154 . 
     Patchcord retaining means is provided for retaining the patchcord plug  138  in engagement with the connecting block  122 . Specifically, a patchcord strike  166  is attached to the plate rear surface  152  adjacent the plate upper edge  154 . The patchcord strike  166  extends between the plate first  158  and second  160  ends, and is disposed generally parallel to the plate rear surface  156 . 
     Mounting means is provided for releasably mounting the cable cover  142  on the cable organizer  144 . Typically, at least one, and preferably several, holes defining mounting strikes  174  are formed integral with the plate  142 . The mounting strikes  172  engage with latches  174  on the cable organizer  144 . 
     In operation, the cover  142  is similar to the cover  42  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 protecting the cables and providing labeling on the circuit designation strip  162 . The cover  142  may be removed to add cables to or remove cables, without disturbing already connected patchcords  138 . A tool  80  having a flat head  82  such as a screwdriver is inserted into the slot  161 . The tool  80  pries up the cover  142  forcing the cable organizer latch  172  to disengage. The cover  142  is then removed from the cable organizer  144  allowing cables to be added or removed. 
     Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. In particular, the position of the hinges and the proportions of the front portion of the cover to the rear portion of the cover may be varied. A single piano style barrel hinge may also be used as well as other equally suitable hinges which are known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications, which will come within the scope of the appended claims, is reserved.