Abstract:
The cable television (CATV) jack is a surface mount jack and provides an aesthetically pleasing device for routing communications cables. An extra length of cable may be stored inside the jack, and there are multiple ports on the surfaces of the jack to provide several options for cable connections. The jack has at least one port for entry of an input cable and at least one double female connector extending out from an extension port in the jack for securing an output cable. The jack securely retains the cable and connectors to prevent broken connections. The jack is easily mounted to a surface using screws, or other means, such as adhesive.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/399,451, filed Jul. 31, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to connectors for communications cables, and more particularly to a surface mount cable television (CATV) jack. 
   DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
   Cable connectors for coaxial and fiber-optic cable are well known. The connectors are used to terminate the end of run of cable, either for direct connection to a television or piece of equipment, or for connection to a second run of cable via an adapter, for purposes such as CATV and other audio, video and data transmissions. The coaxial or fiber-optic cables are typically terminated at places convenient for locating a flush-mounted jack, or convenient for access to the equipment that uses the cables. However, the aesthetics and usefulness of available cable termination methods varies greatly. 
   Cables are often routed along a walls&#39; surface. In those instances it is not usually possible to terminate a cable at a jack built into a wall, such as a flush-mount jack. With flush-mount jacks the cable is generally routed behind the walls, and the only evidence of the presence of cable is a neat wall plate. Cables are usually routed through a building&#39;s walls during building construction or at a major renovation. However, in buildings that already stand, the options include tearing out walls or other parts of the structure to route cables within the walls, or to route the cables along the surface of the walls, often along the baseboards. The former method affords the opportunity to use flush-mounted jacks. By contrast, the latter method, though simple and inexpensive, is not conducive to flush-mount jacks, and can be unsightly. 
   When cables are routed along a surface, the cables are usually terminated via a connector near the equipment the cable is intended for. The cables are either loose or tacked to the wall. This cable termination method can be unsightly. Further, the uncontrolled and disorganized cables may pose a safety hazard in the event that the equipment is moved so that the cables are exposed. A far better approach is to terminate such cables at a surface-mounted jack to better control the cables. A surface mount jack is a superior method of controlling cables routed along a surface. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,056, issued to Arne Larsson in May 1990, describes a surface mounted box for supporting sheathed cable along a support wall. The cable is clamped inside the box. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,106, issued to Zygmunt Lask et al. in September 1983, discloses a terminal enclosure for cable stubs, with variable entry positions. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,811, issued to David McVoy in November 1971, discloses a cable television tapoff unit. It includes an interchangeable circuit board. 
   None of the above patents describes a surface mounted cable jack that is aesthetically pleasing, houses extra cable, securely locks the cable in place, and permits access out of any of the multiple ports on the surface of the jack. Thus, there is a need for a surface mounted cable jack with some or all of those attributes. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The cable television (CATV) jack is a surface mount jack and provides an aesthetically pleasing device for routing communications cables. An extra length of cable may be stored inside the jack, and there are multiple ports on the surfaces of the jack to provide several options for cable connections. The jack has at least one port for entry of an input cable and at least one double female connector extending out from an extension port in the jack for securing an output cable. The jack securely retains the cable and connectors to prevent broken connections. The jack is easily mounted to a surface using screws, or other means, such as adhesive. 
   It is therefore a principal object of the invention to disclose a surface mount cable television (CATV) jack that is surface mounted to accommodate cables, including coaxial, fiber-optic, and other sheathed cable, that are routed along a surface, such as a wall. 
   It is another object to provide a surface mount CATV jack having a variety of terminal locations on the jack, via a plurality of panels forming the housing of the jack. 
   It is a further object of the invention provide a surface mounted cable jack that securely retains the cable within the jack and prevents broken connections. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a weather-tight jack enclosure that protects the internal connections from the elements. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a surface mount cable jack according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a base for a surface mount cable jack according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a base of a surface mount cable jack according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a base of a surface mount cable jack according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of a cover of a surface mount cable jack according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of the surface mount cable jack according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the invention of  FIG. 6  as taken from an upper right angle. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the invention of  FIG. 6  as taken from an upper left angle. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the invention of  FIG. 6  with the cap removed. 
       FIG. 10  is a right side end view of the invention of  FIG. 6  with the cap removed. 
       FIG. 11  is a left side end view of the invention of  FIG. 6  with the cap removed. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a surface mount cable jack comprising a base, a cover, a plurality of access ports, and a retention means. 
   Referring to the Figures, an environmental, perspective view of a surface mount cable jack according to the present invention in FIG.  1 . The base  10  is hollow and, together with the cover  12 , forms the jack housing. The base  10  provides an open-topped cable enclosure formed by a bottom wall and a sidewall extending around the bottom wall and including retention means for securing cables and their various connecting components. The sidewall is at least high enough to enclose a cable and a plurality of connectors. The retention means may be a plurality of clamps or a receptacle into which cables or connectors may be snapped, clamped, screwed or otherwise fastened to secure cables and cable splitters or connectors. The retention means may be a plurality of flexible pins protruding from the bottom wall of the base  10  perpendicular to the bottom wall and evenly spaced through the base  10 , about which cable may be routed and securely retained. The flexible pins are flared or hooked at their terminal ends to provide better retention for cables, connectors or splitters enclosed within the jack. The plurality of access ports, or knockout plugs,  14  provide numerous options and combinations for an input cable  16  and an output cable  18 . The cover  12  may attached to the base  10  by a friction fit such as walls inter-fitting with the walls of base  10 . In one embodiment (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ), when the output cable  18  exits the jack through the cover  12 , the cover  12  is secured to the base  10  via an output nut  20 . The cover  12  may, alternatively, be secured to base  10  by a hinge or a snap fitting as desired, or a combination of these securing means. The orientation of the plurality of access ports  14  permits the user to access the connector nuts with a wrench. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a plan view of a base for a surface mount cable television jack according to one embodiment of the invention. The use of an angled connector, a female-to-female right angle connector  24  in this depiction, is shown. However, the connector could be a male to female or a male-to-male connector as well. The input cable  16  enters the base  10  through an access port  14 . The plurality of access ports  14  may be covered by knockout plugs or by removable and replaceable panels (not shown) that permit reconfiguration of the jack without leaving the previously used ports open. A connector clamp  22  is attached inside the base  10  to secure the female-to-female right angle connector  24  adjacent to an access port  14  in the base  10  or the cover  12  so that the output terminal of the connector is properly aligned to extend through the access port selected for output. The connector clamp  22  may hold the female-to-female right angle connector  24  at the female-to-female right angle connector&#39;s  24  flats. The female-to-female right angle connector  24  may further be secured in place by cover  12  and connector nuts  20 . A plurality of screw mounting holes  26  are located in the base  10  to permit the jack to be screwed to a surface. In one embodiment, there may be multiple access ports on each flat side of the base  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown plan view of a base of a surface mount cable jack according to another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  shows the use of a straight connector in the surface mount CATV jack according to the invention. The input cable  16  enters the base  10  through an access port  14 . The input cable  16  is attached to a double female connector  30 . The double female connector  30  is placed through the desired access port  14  and is attached to the base  10  with a connector nut  20 . An output end of the double female connector  30  then protrudes from the base  10 . The base  10  has a rear access port  13  (shown as a knockout plug) which permits a cable to enter or exit the base  10  at the side of the base that faces the wall when the jack is mounted. This allows the surface mount jack of the present invention to be used as a replacement for a flush mount jack. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a plan view of a base of a surface mount cable jack according to another embodiment of the invention. The input cable  16  attaches to double female connector  30 , such as an F-81, at a desired input location on the base  10 . The double female connector  30  is secured through an access port  14  in the base  10  between a pair of connector nuts  20 . A length of extra cable  32  is attached to the same double female connector  30  as the input cable  16 . The extra cable permits the user to replace damaged connectors or cable without a visible, external splice. The extra length of cable may be replaced when it becomes too short to use effectively. The extra length of cable  32  terminates in an output connector  34  that will attach to an output double female connector  36  whereby the output double female connector  36  will protrude through the access port  14  in the base  10  and will be secured to the base  10  via an output connector nut  28 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a plan view of a cover of a surface mount cable jack according to the invention. The cover  12  conforms to the size and shape of the base  10  whereby the cover  12  mates with the base  10  to house the connectors or splitters employed in the user&#39;s particular application. The cover  12  comprises a plurality of access ports  14 , so that the user may route an output connector through the cover  12  instead of a side of the base  10 . The number and configuration of the plurality of access ports  14  are variable, depending upon the needs of the user. The plurality of access ports  14  may be knockout plugs, or panels or other means that may be replaced after removal. Where a cable splitter is used (not shown), there may be multiple output connectors exiting the jack simultaneously, through the sides of the base  10  or through the cover  12 . The cover  12  is labeled as to the type of service provided at a jack. The label may be molded into the cover  12 , it may be printed on the cover  12 , or adhesive labels may be used. 
   The cover  12  may be attached to the base  10  along an edge via a hinge means. The hinge means would allow access to the inside of the jack without the risk of misplacing the cover  12 . 
   The assembled jack may be made weather resistant or weather proof, allowing the jack to be used in applications outdoors. The jack housing is sealed via a gasket (not shown) between the cover  12  and the base  10 , and each of the plurality of access ports  14  includes a grommet (not shown) to seal out the elements. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6-11 , there is shown another embodiment of the surface mount CATV jack of the present invention designated as element number  100 . Jack  100  has a generally rectangular housing  102  having opposed sidewalls  104 , opposed endwalls  106 , and opposed inner and outer walls generally designated  108 . Housing  102  is formed by a base  110  for mounting on a surface such as wall W, and a cover  112  when cover  112  is closed over base  110 . Coaxial or fiber-optic cable  116  has a female cable connector collar  118  connected with female-to-female double connector  130 . Cable  116  enters the closed jack  100  through cable entry port  114  as the jack is mounted on wall W, typically at a point near floor F and above any molding M. Connector  130  extends from the housing through connector extension port  121 . Cover  112  has an outer wall  122  parallel with base inner wall  136  and has side walls  124 , cover closure end wall  126 , and opposing cover cable access end wall  128 , each cover wall preferably being of equal depth so as to fit snugly with peripheral rim  158  of base  110  and of such depth as to accommodate the entry of cable  116  through entry port  114  and the exit of cable double connector  130  through extension port  120  with sufficient clearance for the turning of connector securing nuts  132 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , base  110  has a base cable mount end wall  134 , side walls  136  and base closure end wall  140  mounted around and perpendicular to base inner wall  136  and spaced inward from the periphery therefrom by the width of base peripheral rim  158 . The walls of base  110  are preferably about equal in height to the depth of the walls of cover  112  and positioned such that cover  112  will slidingly fit over the walls of base  110  and fit flush against peripheral rim  158  upon closure of cover  112  over base  110  (note the base upper side wall may be deleted as in FIG.  7 ). Base inner wall  136  has a pair of screw mountings  142  therethrough for mounting on wall W (the screws are not shown). 
   Coaxial or fiber-optic cable  116  has a bend portion  146  near base closure end wall  140  and a straight end portion  148  leading to connector collar  118  and female-to-female double connector  130 . Cable entry port  114  is located near the lower side wall of jack  100  and is formed by aligned base cable inlet groove  150  in base wall  134  and cover cable inlet groove  162  in cover wall  128  when cover  112  is closed over base  110  to form the entry for cable  116  to jack  100 . Connector exit port  120  is located near the upper side wall of jack  100  and is formed in base wall  134 , cover outlet groove  164  in cover end wall  128  sliding over double connector  130  when cover  112  is closed over base  110 . 
   One or more cable tiedowns  154  maintain cable  116  secure and properly located relative to base inner wall  136  within jack  100 . Base end wall access openings  156  are centrally aligned within opposing base end walls and corresponding cover end wall access openings  166  are located within opposing cover end walls so as to align with base end wall access openings  156  when cover  112  is closed over base  110 . Base closure end wall  140  contains knockout connector entry port  160  which may be removed for receiving a coaxial connector as desired in a modified version of the embodiment of jack  100 . It is noted that connector entry ports  120  and  160  have a hexagonal recess for receiving and holding a connector nut  132  in place. Base closure end wall  140  also contains a knockout cable inlet groove  161  which may be removed for receiving cable  116  as desired in a modified version of the embodiment of jack  100 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 9 , tiedown receivers  168  are located within base inner wall  136  for mounting tiedowns  154  as required for secure location of cable  116  within jack  100 . A back entry bore  170  is generally centrally located in base inner wall  136  of such size as to allow easy installation of the surface mount CATV jack of the present invention over an existing flush mount jack in wall W. This allows the surface mount jack of the present invention to be used as a replacement for a flush mount jack. The cover outer wall may have a plurality of knockout plugs similar to those shown as knock out ports  14  of FIG.  5 . 
   The CATV jack housing cover and base are preferably made of injection molded plastic. The double connectors, cable, cable collars and connector securing nuts are commercially available and, taken alone, are not part of the present invention. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.