Abstract:
A cable testing system comprises a network tester connected to a multi-line test coupler, which includes a plurality of output cables connected to a patch panel. A terminator is also connected to the patch panel to selectively test lines by engaging wall outlets etc., with the terminator. With this system it is not necessary to connect the tester to each individual line thereby saving considerable time and expense.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is related to provisional application 60/199,167 filed Apr. 24, 2000. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Research and development of the present invention and application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    This invention relates to multi-line CAT V cable pairing testing and particularly to a tester connected multi-line test coupler which is connected to a patch panel having a plurality of lines which are tested by network cable terminator. This system avoids the necessity of connecting each line individually to the cable terminator.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR §§1.97-1.98  
           [0006]    In the prior art, it was necessary to connect and test lines individually with a network cable terminator. This procedure took considerable time and effort as the technician had to connect and reconnect lines before applying the cable terminator for continuity test purposes.  
           [0007]    The prior art relates to test devices and couplers. The present invention discloses a multi-line cable tester, which includes a multi-line coupler, which is connected to a plurality of cable pairs through a patch panel for testing purposes. A cable terminator is applied to the pairs at their outlet to rapidly test the pairs.  
           [0008]    The concept of using a network work cable terminator is old and such devices are commercially available. Connectors of various types are also available but applicant is proposing a new multi-line test coupler, which operates in conjunction with a network terminator to provide unique advantages including a savings in time and the expense of testing and production.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Applicant discloses a multi-unit network cable tester, which is connected to a coupling device via a four pair cable. The coupling device includes a plurality of internal terminals wherein individual coded wires from the cable are connected to an outlet jack. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device includes a printed circuit board to connect the internal wire pairs to a jack to provide a maintenance free product. The cable from the tester unit includes a plug connector which engages a mating receptacle in the coupling device.  
           [0010]    The outlet from the coupling device comprises a plurality of cable pairs which have an RJ45 terminal at the end of each cable for connection to a patch panel where a cable terminator can be used to test the lines. The cable terminator is connected to the patch panel for testing purposes. An additional RJ45 terminal may be mounted adjacent the first RJ45 terminal and coupled thereto. This permits testing of twice as many lines.  
           [0011]    The concepts of this invention may also be used in connection with a CAT V or CAT VI application as well as with minor modification on certain voice applications.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus to test cable lines.  
           [0013]    Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved testing device, which includes a coupling device to permit rapid testing of various cable lines.  
           [0014]    A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved coupling device, which includes an internal printed circuit board, coupled to one or more input RJ45 cable connectors from a multi-line tester and to a plurality of outlet cables, which are coupled to the wires being tested.  
           [0015]    A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cable testing system including a multi-network cable tester which is connected to a coupling device having a printed circuit board connected to a plurality of incoming cables which are connected at their other end to a patch panel which goes to various cable outlets to which a cable terminator is applied without the need to continuously reconnect the tester. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    The above and other objects and advantages of this invention may be more clearly seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the testing system showing the various elements thereof;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 a  is a plan view of the coupling device with FIG. 2 b  showing a front view of the RJ45 connectors and FIG. 2 c  showing the connection of the cable wires on the array of terminals;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 a  is a plan view of the coupling device with FIG. 3 b  showing a rear view, FIG. 3 c  showing the circuit for a standard 110-type termination and FIG. 3 d  shows an RJ 45 connection on the circuit board;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 a  shows a side view of the coupling device for category V cable while FIG. 4 b  shows a top view of the coupling device for a category VI cable; and,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 a  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment showing the arrangement of inlet and outlet jacks mounted on a printed circuit board with FIG. 5 b  representing an end view showing a dual series of six outlet jacks mounted on the board.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, the invention comprises a multi-network cable tester  10  which is connected to a coupling device  11  through a four pair cable line  30  having a jack  31  at one end to engage receptacles  19   a,    19   b.  The coupling device includes a plurality of output cables  12 . Each of the cables  12  includes an RJ45 connector  13  at one end, which connects to a jack  14  in a patch panel  15 . A network cable terminator  16  is connected to the patch panel  15  to test various cables  12  for continuity. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    With the foregoing arrangement, it is possible to test a plurality of lines  12  with a network terminator  16  by merely connecting the terminator  16  to an outlet  32  which terminates on the patch panel  15  rather than each individual cable  12  resulting in considerable savings in time and effort. Ordinarily, an operator would have to connect and disconnect the tester  10  to check different cable wires  12 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 a  shows a plan view of the coupling device  11 , in one embodiment, with an internal printed circuit board  17  and a plurality of 110 type terminals  18  connected to the board  17 . The individual cable wires  12  are grouped on each terminal  18  as shown in FIG. 2 c  with the color-coded wires  12  being affixed with a coupling tool (not shown). A typical 110-type termination block  18  is shown in FIG. 2 c  with the wire colors indicated thereon. The terminals  18  are lined up in two parallel arrays with a pair of RJ45 jack receptacles  19   a,    19   b  at one end of the coupler. The jacks  19   a,    19   b  are connected to each other and to the terminals  18  so that twice the number of lines can be tested with one hookup.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 a  depicts the test coupler  11  with board  20  connected to a category V or VI cable  21 . A plurality of apertures  22  are located at one end of the test coupler  11  to receive the cables  12 , which are connected to the various terminal blocks  23 . FIG. 3 c  illustrates the connection of the 110-type termination  23  to an RJ45 coupling  2 . FIG. 3 d  shows the RJ45 connection  21  on a circuit board  25 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 a  shows a side view of the coupler  11  with the RJ45 jacks  19   a,    19   b  at one end and various category V cables  12  extending outwardly from the other end terminating in RJ45 plugs  33 . In the view of FIG. 4 b,  five lines are shown with five lines directly below not shown for a total of ten lines.  
         [0027]    Preferably, a circuit board  17  is used in the coupler  11  since it essentially provides a maintenance free product. Each line can be replaced or omitted if it goes bad with no impact on the unit  11  or its function. This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  with the outlet jacks  25  being mounted in a series of six jacks  25  on top of a second series of six jacks. The unit  11  can operate effectively without the defective line. The line can be replaced later.  
         [0028]    The  110  termination  18  is employed for production and assembly purposes. The assembly time is reduced considerably with the 110 type termination  18 .  
         [0029]    In the category V and VI applications, the only modifications are as follows; an enhanced CAT VI cable must be used along with enhanced RJ45 plug, jack and circuit board.  
         [0030]    Thus, with the invention, it is possible to test ten lines in rapid succession or simultaneously with two terminators  16 . An operator plugs the terminator  16  into a wall plate or other outlet and moves the terminator  16  rapidly from one line to the next. There is no need to go back and reconnect the tester  10 . After the connected lines have been tested, the coupler is moved to a second series of lines. This procedure is especially efficient in offices with hundreds of lines and where the lines terminate at distances or on other floors. It also eliminates the need for additional expensive testers  10 . The coupler may also include lights to identify lines being listed and may be used with a ring out to test continuity.  
         [0031]    While the invention has been explained by a detailed description of certain specific embodiments, it is understood that various modifications and substitutions can be made in any of them within the scope of the appended claims, which are intended also to include equivalents of such embodiments.