Abstract:
An optional surface fastening system for an electronics housing facilitates its attachment to pre-manufactured fixed panel systems, enclosures and the like. The electronics housing has primary holes or slot features that interface standard screw hardware in order to fasten to varied surfaces or accepts specially designed connector pieces to mechanically attach to the aforementioned fixed enclosures. Connector pieces, designed to interface with any panel system, may be replaced interchangeably and are temporarily fixed by a snap detail located on the primary slots. Method of attaching the electronics housing to a fixed panel system requires integrated pin features on the connector pieces, employed to locate to corresponding holes on the fixed panel, in conjunction with operatives rotation of a specialized pin feature to temporarily lock the electronics housing to the panel system. Conversely while attached, operative rotation of the specialized pin feature disengages the electronics housing from the fixed panel system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/413,708 and 60/438,276, filed Sep. 26, 2002 and Jan. 6, 2003, respectively, each having the title “Electronics Housings and Associated Connectors for Cable/Wiring Distribution System,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to the field of mounting systems for electronics housings (modules). In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an optional mounting system to facilitate mounting the electronics housing to pre-manufactured enclosures with varied hole pattern designs. More specifically, the process of attaching the housing using a camming feature allows the electronics housing to be securely attached and removed with the same methodology. Furthermore, the connector system distinguishes the system from current products within its product category as it can be easily removed from the electronics package so that the unit can mount to a variety of surfaces using conventional hardware.  
         [0004]     2. The Relevant Technology  
         [0005]     Signal management technology generally resides within a building and is typically installed on a wall, ceiling, or other similar surface. Signal management (SM) refers to the sending, receiving and manipulation of transmittable frequencies through wire-based systems. Specialized signal manipulation equipment such as splitters, diplexers, amplifiers and modulators requires a hub or organized panel to facilitate installation, serviceability and access. As with professional stereophonic equipment, signal management has specialized fixturing cabinets or sheet metal enclosures called “cans.” Modified slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, they interface and organize products designed specifically to fit that enclosure design.  
         [0006]     Typical enclosures are sheet metal fabrications of a singular punched and bent sheet of metal forming a rectangular, five-sided box. When formed, there is a back panel (also referred to as a “back plate”) perforated with a series of uniform punched holes, a top, bottom and two sides. A return flange completes the enclosure front, leaving an opening slightly smaller than the dimensions of the back panel. The enclosure width is determined by a standard set by the linear space roughly equal to the distance between two wall studs in a typical stud and sheetrock constructed wall. The depth of the enclosure relates specifically to the stud depth plus the thickness of the sheetrock. When installed, the sheet metal enclosure is mechanically fastened with screws to adjoining studs on both sides of the enclosure and the front return flange surface should lie just below flush from the drywall outer surface. The “can” defines a fixed, accessible space protected on five sides within the wall structure of a building. A door or access panel, flush with the exterior wall surface, completes the installation of the can.  
         [0007]     Cable routing occurs through the building&#39;s wall and floor system. The “can” acts as the distribution hub or manifold from which raw electronic signals passing through wires from satellite dishes, exterior cable signal, TV antenna, and signal producing devices are manipulated and distributed throughout the building to signal output devices (i.e., stereo equipment, video displays, etc . . . ).  
         [0008]     The hole pattern located on the back panel of the enclosure provides the means for quick and secure attachment of SM electronics housings. The enclosure hole pattern is standardized with four vertical rows of evenly spaced holes divided into two columns. The lateral (i.e., horizontal) distance between the centers of the typical 0.25″ diameter holes per column is standardized at 6.0″. The vertical distance between the hole centers is standardized at 0.50″ although one manufacturer offers a hole pattern at 1″ spacing on the left side, staggered 0.50″ from the 1″ vertically spaced holes on the right side of the column.  
         [0009]     Most often, the general shape of the holes varies between manufacturers with features like slots punched additionally with each hole, or rectangular shapes taking the place of circular holes. Conventional SM electronics housings are designed specifically to fit a single hole pattern design, and more often than not, it is difficult to mount electronics housings of one manufacturer into an enclosure of another. For example, one electronics housing platform is constructed of sheet metal fitted with hooks along the top with an additional hook on the lower left side and with a snap feature at the lower right. To fit this housing into a competitor&#39;s can, the installer must use a pair of pliers to bend one of the metal hooks that interferes with a missing hole in the metal enclosure, a process that is not only time consuming but also reduces the intended strength of the mount. In another instance, an electronics housing that does not have features to fit a non-circular hole pattern design is a very loose fit when mounted to an enclosure with square holes. Moreover, attaching an electronics housing upside down (in some cases, this is preferred for better cable management) cannot be accomplished with the rectangular hole arrangement because fixed features on the housing are designed to interface with the enclosures only in an upright position.  
         [0010]     Fixed hooks in conjunction with fixed push-button snaps are the primary means of attaching SM electronics packages to SM electronics enclosures. Horizontal and/or vertical hooks are employed to align with corresponding holes in the enclosure, pushed through to hang the package on horizontal surfaces provided by the hole features. The third or fourth point of contact (depending on the size, shape, and design of the existing housing) is the push-button snap. The push-button snap is a two-part, plastic assembly that is cylindrical in shape with a lead-in alignment feature to mate with its corresponding hole. Once the snap passes through the hole, the user presses operatively to wedge the outer portion, creating excess interference with the diameter of the hole on the sheet metal enclosure. The mounted housing can also be removed with some difficulty due to the size and subsequent forces needed to overcome the pre-tensioned wedge without plier tools using the grip of two fingers.  
         [0011]     An additional problem with current electronics housings is that the fixed hook features found on existing SM electronics housings are often over-toleranced to compensate for the manufacturing methods used and therefore are loose and rely on a single cylindrical plastic snap to take up the tolerances and provide rigidity to the installed unit. Finally, many if not all of the existing enclosure-mountable electronics housings do not have readily apparent features to install the units outside of the can. Two conventional enclosures and their associated electronics housings are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,250 to Richard T. Faye, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,242 to Lawrence Alton Hall and William John Schnoor, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0012]     Therefore, there is a need for an electronics housing to give the installer the option to fasten the housing with equal ease to a generic surface or to a pre-manufactured enclosure. It would be beneficial if the locking portion of the enclosure mount system could be installer defined. In other words, by allowing the housing securing means to be moved from one side of the electronics housing to the other, the SM housing can either be placed right-side up or upside-down and keep the locking connector part on the optimum side for installation. Conversely, when a left hand installation on the right column of the can is necessary, a left-handed installer can complete the task easily and without discomfort by preferencing the lock feature on the left side of the housing. More importantly, if the connector pieces could interface with all existing SM enclosure systems with equal ease during installation and retain a consistent mechanical fit once installed, this would be ideal. By default, if individual connector pieces could be attached and removed from the electronics housing, newly designed connector pieces could be created for future, not yet realized panel hole designs without expensive tooling and mold changes to the SM electronics housings.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     It is an object of the invention to provide an electronics housing for a signal management (SM) system which is universally adaptable to be installed in enclosures of conventional SM systems.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular signal management (SM) electronics housing which gives the installer the option to fasten the housing with equal ease to a generic surface or to a pre-manufactured enclosure.  
         [0015]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a signal management (SM) electronics housing having securing means which may be moved from one side of the electronics housing to another side.  
         [0016]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an electronics housing for a signal management (SM) system which may be mounted in a pre-manufactured enclosure either right-side up or upside-down.  
         [0017]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an electronics housing for a signal management (SM) system which facilitates the connection of individual electrical wires to the housing.  
         [0018]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a signal management (SM) electronics housing which defines channels for the management of electrical wires connected thereto and to other electronics housings.  
         [0019]     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a signal management (SM) system which includes an electronics housing and an enclosure for receiving the housing which overcomes the inherent disadvantages of conventional SM systems.  
         [0020]     In one form of the present invention, an electronics housing for a signal management (SM) system includes a housing structure which defines an enclosure for containing therein electronic circuitry. The housing structure is mountable on a supporting structure, which is preferably a cable or wire distribution enclosure, which includes at least a back plate or panel having a plurality of spaced apart holes arranged in columns and rows. The housing structure further has at least two opposite walls, such as left and right side walls of the structure. Each of the two opposite walls has formed therein an open slot.  
         [0021]     The electronics housing also includes a plurality of connectors. Each connector of the plurality of connectors is receivable in a corresponding one of the open slots. The connectors are used to attach the electronics housing to the supporting structure.  
         [0022]     Each of the connectors may be either a passive connector or an active locking connector. The passive connector includes a main connector body and a non-rotatable pin which is mounted on and extends from the main connector body. The non-rotatable pin includes a camming surface formed thereon.  
         [0023]     The active locking connector also includes a main connector body, and a rotatable pin which is rotatably mounted on and extends from the main connector body. The rotatable pin of the active locking connector also includes a canning surface formed thereon.  
         [0024]     The active locking connector and the passive connector are interchangeable in either of the open slots formed in the opposite walls of the housing structure. The pins of the connectors are received in holes formed in the supporting structure. By rotating the pin on the active locking connector, the camming surface thereon engages the edge of the respective hole in which it is received, and causes the camming surface of the non-rotating pin of the passive connector to engage the edge of the hole by which it is received. This camming action selectively secures the electronics housing to the supporting structure until it is desired by the installer to remove the electronics housing from the supporting structure.  
         [0025]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of an electronics housing and associated connectors for the housing formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1A  is a rear isometric view of the electronics housing and associated connectors shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a front isometric view of one form of a connector for use with the electronics housing and formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  is rear isometric view of the connector of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 2B  is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a connector formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 C- 2 C of the connector of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of a locking connector for use with the electronics housing and formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 A- 3 A of the locking connector shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 B- 3 B of the locking connector of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of a portion of the locking connector of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a front isometric view of the connector portion shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a rear isometric view of another portion of the connector of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 5A  is a front isometric view of the connector portion shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a front isometric view of an electronics enclosure and showing the electronics housing of the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C are detailed, partial isometric views of the back plate of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 6  with different openings formed in the back plate than those shown in the enclosure depicted in  FIG. 6  and demonstrating the attachment of the electronics housing of the present invention to the back plate of the enclosure.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention and demonstrating the various tools which may be used to lock the housing in place in the enclosure.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 8, 9  and  10  are sequential top views of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention shown in relation to the back plate of an enclosure and demonstrating the method for attaching the electronics housing to the back plate.  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention, demonstrating its adaptability for connecting the same to the enclosure back plate or other flat surface using standard screws.  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a front isometric view of another embodiment of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention and associated connectors for attaching the electronics housing to an enclosure.  
         [0045]      FIG. 13  is a front isometric view of another embodiment of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention and showing the connection of a plurality of coaxial cables thereto and the routing of the same.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  are front views of the electronics housing shown in  FIG. 13 , in partially fabricated form and in two different sizes.  
         [0047]      FIG. 15  is a front isometric view of the electronics housing of the present invention shown in  FIG. 13 , viewed from a different angle and with fewer electrical coaxial cables attached thereto so as not to obscure the front face thereof.  
         [0048]      FIG. 16  is a front isometric view of another embodiment of an electronics housing formed in accordance with the present invention and similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]     Two very significant features of the electronics housing  1  and associated connectors of the present invention relate to their interchangeability and adaptability. As will be described in greater detail, and as shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the passive connector  2 , shown on the left side of the electronics housing  1 , may be interchanged with the active locking connector  3  shown on the right side of the housing. This may be important to the installer, as sometimes access to either the left or right side of the enclosure may be difficult or hindered for one reason or another, or the installer may be right-handed or left-handed and desires to place the active locking connector on one side or the other. Such interchangeability is not possible with the electronics housings shown in either U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,250 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,242.  
         [0050]     Second, the electronics housings  1  of the present invention and associated connectors are quite adaptable in that different connectors for mounting the housings to various conventional enclosures may be removeably mounted to the electronics housings to provide the necessary alignment with the holes formed in the back plate of the enclosures. As will be described in greater detail, many of these enclosures have holes formed in their back plates that may or may not be offset from one another. The removeability and adaptability of the various connectors formed in accordance with the present invention allow the electronics housings of the present invention to be mounted to many, if not all, conventional enclosures presently on the market. Again, such structural features and advantages are not found in the electronics housings disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,266,250 and 6,132,242.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 1 and 1 A show the front and rear, respectively, of an electronics housing  1  formed in accordance with the present invention. This particular electronics housing contains the electronic circuit for a four-way splitter. Five coaxial cable connectors  52  are shown residing on and extending from the top surface of the housing, where one coaxial cable connector  52  receives a satellite or cable signal, which is connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) contained in the housing. The electronic circuit divides the input signal into four output signals, which are provided to the four remaining coaxial cable connectors  52  for distribution to various rooms or apartments in the dwelling in which the signal distribution system (of which the electronics housing  1  forms a part) is located.  
         [0052]     The housing  1  has a preferably concave front wall  54 , side walls  56 , top and bottom walls  58 ,  60  and a rear wall  62  to form an enclosure for the electronic circuitry and which protects the electronic circuitry from dust dirt, moisture and other environmental elements which may affect the performance of the electronic circuitry housed therein. Lateral (left and right) wall sections  64  extend beyond the rear surface  62  of the housing and define a flat, planar edge  66  of each extended lateral portion which is adapted to lie flush against the back plate of the enclosure when the electronics housing is mounted thereon. It should also be noted that the lateral extended portions  64  are larger in height than the middle portion of the housing so as to provide a firm footing for mounting the housing against the back plate of the enclosure in order to provide stability and prevent the housing from rocking on the back plate when attached thereto.  
         [0053]     Also, since the lateral sides  64  of the housing extend backward beyond the rear surface  62  of the housing, providing the housing with an overall protruding “handle” shape, the rear wall or surface  62  of the housing is spaced from the back plate of the enclosure when the housing is mounted thereon, and defines with the housing side walls  56  and enclosure back plate a channel  68  for routing coaxial cables or other wiring between the rear wall of the housing and the back plate and thus securing the cables in place in the enclosure.  
         [0054]     As can be seen in  FIG. 1A , and partially shown in  FIG. 11 , a flange or tab  9  extends outwardly from the housing and includes a threaded hole  72  into which a machine screw  74  is rotatably held captive. The screw  74  is provided as a ground connection for the housing, that is, to connect the housing to a separate ground wire. The housing itself is preferably made of metal, which helps minimize any leakage fields or electromagnetic interference (EFI) caused by the electronic circuitry contained within the housing.  
         [0055]     As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, the lateral extended portions  64  are split to define an open pocket  76  on each side of the housing (between upper and lower portions of the lateral extensions  64 ). As will be seen, the open pocket  76  serves to provide access to the connectors of the present invention which are used for mounting the electronics housing  1  to the back plate of the enclosure.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the rear surface of each lateral extension  64  is formed with a key hole  78  which is aligned with the open pocket  76 . The key hole  78  is provided to receive and removeably secure therein the connectors  2 ,  3  used for mounting the electronics housing to the enclosure. More specifically, the key hole  78  is shaped with an enlarged leading opening  8  which extends to a narrower, elongated slot  80 . The enlarged opening  8  is circular or arcuate in shape so that it may closely receive and removeably secure therein the connectors  2 ,  3  for mounting the electronics housing to the enclosure. Each key hole  78  is also preferably defined by angled sidewalls  7  at its entranceway which lead to the enlarged diameter portion  8  of the key hole, which facilitates the user inserting the selected connector into the key hole.  
         [0057]     As can be seen from  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A , and as previously described, connectors  2 ,  3  are provided to removeably mount the electronics housing  1  to the enclosure, and each connector is received by a corresponding key hole  78  and is removable therefrom so that other connectors may be substituted therefor, as needed. One connector  2  (i.e., a “passive” connector) is shown with two extending pins  10 , and the other connector  4  is shown as an active locking connector formed of a connector body  6  and an insertable pin  5 .  
         [0058]     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 2A  and  2 C, one type of connector  2  (i.e., a passive connector) formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. It includes a main body  82  and two flanges  84  extending outwardly in opposite directions from the main body. The main body  82  is generally T-shaped in the sense that it has a outward portion  86  which overhangs each flange  84  to define a slot  88  therebetween. The slot  88  is defined with a width such that it may closely receive the walls defining the key hole  78  on either lateral side of the electronics housing and to facilitate the alignment and placement of the connector  2 ,  3  into the key hole. As shown in  FIG. 2C , the main body portion  82  of the connector within the slots  88  is shaped with three distinct portions, the first being an enlarged portion  90 , the middle being a further enlarged, partially circular or bulbous portion  13 , and the third portion being a narrower end portion  92 . The narrower and circular portions  92 ,  13  closely match the dimensions of the end and middle portions  80 ,  8  of the key holes so that the connector may be closely received by the key holes, thereby preventing rocking or instability, or the inadvertent release of the connector from the key hole.  
         [0059]     Extending from the free ends of the flanges  84  on a side opposite to that on which the T-shaped main portion  82  of the connector is located are mounting pins  10 . The pins  10  are spaced apart from each other a particular distance which matches the spacing between adjacent holes formed in the back plate of the enclosure (see  FIGS. 6, 6A ,  6 B and  6 C). More particularly, each pin  10  of the connector is tapered at its free end  94  (i.e., with a truncated conical shape) to guide the pin into a respective hole in the back plate of the enclosure. Between the tapered free end  94  of the pin and the flange surfaces of the connector is an arcuate slot  96  formed over a portion of the circumference of the pin. More specifically, the slot  96  is defined by an offset camming surface  11 , the back surface of each flange  84  and a radially extending shoulder  12  defined by the tapered free end  94  of the pin and the slot  96 . The width of the slot  96  is dimensioned so that it may receive therein the portion of the back plate which defines the respective hole in which the pin is inserted when the electronics housing is mounted on the enclosure.  
         [0060]     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2, 2A  and  2 C, the passive connectors  2  are provided with two pins  10  separated a predetermined distance apart, each pin being received by a corresponding hole in the back plate of the enclosure. In an alternative embodiment of the passive connector  2   a  shown in  FIG. 2B , a single pin  10  is provided and is centrally located opposite the main T-shaped portion  82  of the connector. It should be noted, however, that flanges  84  are still preferably provided, as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , which will reside flush again the surface of the back plate of the enclosure. These flanges  84 , as with the flanges shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , provide stability to the housing when it is mounted on the back plate of the enclosure.  
         [0061]      FIGS. 3, 3A  and  3 B, and  FIGS. 4, 4A ,  5  and  5 A show the preferred form of the active locking connector  3  of the present invention. It should be understood that the active locking connector  3  shown in  FIGS. 3, 3A ,  3 B,  4 ,  4 A,  5  and  5 A and the passive connector  2 ,  2   a  shown in  FIGS. 2, 2A  and  2 B both lock the electronics housing  1  to the back plate of the enclosure by engaging the edge portions of the back plate which define the holes in which the pins of the connectors are inserted. However, the active locking connector  3  is used by the installer to releasably lock the electronics housing in place by causing the pins of both type of connectors to cam against the edges of the back plate which define the holes in which the pins are inserted, as will be described in greater detail.  
         [0062]     The active locking connector  3  basically includes two parts: a pin  100  and a main connector body  102 . The pin  100  is inserted into the main connector body  102  and is held in place thereby.  
         [0063]     More specifically, the pin  100  includes a tapered (i.e., truncated conical) free end  17  which is used for facilitating the insertion of the pin into the hole in the back plate of the enclosure, and a cylindrical portion  16  which supports the tapered free end. The cylindrical portion  16  is mounted off center (i.e., eccentrically) on an axial side of a larger diameter cylindrical portion  104  of the pin to define an exposed shoulder  18 . The larger diameter, middle cylindrical portion  104  leads to an opposite free end cylindrical portion  106  having formed therein diametrically opposed slots  20  in the side walls of the cylindrical portion for receiving a slotted screwdriver, and a hexagonally sided bore  21  formed axially in the opposite free end  106  for receiving an Allen key. Accordingly, the installer may insert either an Allen key or a slotted screwdriver respectively into the bore  21  and slots  20  to turn the pin within the main connector body.  
         [0064]     The pin further includes an axially disposed ridge  22  protruding from the surface of the cylindrical free end  106 , which ridge acts as an indicating strip for the installer and which indicates whether the pin is turned in an open (unlocked) or locked position.  
         [0065]     The pin  100  also includes a beveled surface  108  (preferably at a 30 degree angle), which leads to a narrow, flat, radially protruding and circumferentially extending section  110 , which then falls off in a radial flat side  28  that leads to a recessed portion defining a groove  112  formed about the circumference of the pin which, in turn, leads to another angled wall portion  114  (preferably at a 45 degree angle) formed in the surface of the pin. Positioned in the groove  112  and formed on the recessed portion are a pair of diametrically opposed, radially protruding tabs  116  which, as will be described in greater detail, are used to provide resistance to the pin as it turns in the main connector body and further provide a “feel” to the installer of whether the pin is in the fully locked or fully unlocked position.  
         [0066]     The eccentrically mounted, small cylindrical portion  16  includes an arcuate camming surface  19  defining a slot  118  which, as will be described in greater detail, engages the edge of a respective back plate hole in which the pin is received when the pin is turned.  
         [0067]     The main connector body  102  of the active locking connector has formed in its lateral side walls a recess or slot  24  dimensioned in width in the same manner as the slot  88  formed in the previously described passive connector  2  ( FIG. 2 ) to closely receive the key hole  78  of the electronics housing in which the connector is inserted. In a perpendicular direction to the slot  24  and transversely through the main connector body  102  is formed a bore  120  for captively and rotatably receiving the pin  100 . The depth of the slot  24  formed in the top, bottom and curved front side walls of the main connector body is such that that the slot communicates with the bore over portions  27  thereof so that portions  13 ,  14  of the pin when mounted in the main connector body, will be exposed. The exposed rounded portions  13 ,  14  of the pin will engage the enlarged curved portions  8  of the key hole to removeably hold the active locking connector in place on the electronics housing.  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 3A ,  3 B,  5  and  5 A, the pin  100  is inserted into the bore  120  of the main connector body  102  and held in place therein. A ridge  25  is formed inside the bore  120  on the interior surface defining the same, and extends radially inwardly in the bore and partially circumferentially about the interior bore surface. The ridge  25  is broken in two diametrically opposed locations  26 , and the ridge at such locations has champhered edges, preferably at 45 degree angles, which connect to the interior bore surface. One lateral side of the inner ridge  25  is cut to form a 90° wall or shoulder  122  with respect to the interior bore surface, and the other lateral side of the ridge is formed with a sloping (preferably at 45 degrees) beveled surface  124 . As may be seen from  FIG. 3B , the pin  100  is inserted into the main connector body  102  so that the inner ridge  25  of the main connector body rides up and passes over the beveled side  108  of the pin ridge until the inner ridge  25  of the main connector body is seated in the groove  112  formed on the pin surface. The 90° shoulder  122  of the inner ridge of the connector body engages the flat side  28  of the pin ridge, while the beveled surfaces  114 ,  124  of the pin and inner ridge engage each other. The pin is thereby held in place within the bore of the main connector portion, but is free to turn. The projections  116  formed in the recessed portion of the pin ride up over the champhered edges of the inner ridge  25  and engage the exposed ridge surface when the pin is rotated within the main connector body. The projections  116  provide additional resistance between the pin and the main connector body so that the pin does not rotate inadvertently within the main connector portion, and also the installer may feel when the pin is rotated within the main connector body to a locked or unlocked position when the projections  116  are aligned with the openings  26  formed in the inner ridge.  
         [0069]     As can be seen from  FIG. 3A , portions of the pin  13 ,  14  are exposed within the slot  24  formed within the main connector body, which exposed portions are resiliently and closely received by the enlarged portion  8  of the key hole  4  formed in the electronics housing to hold the connector in place on the electronics housing until it is forcibly removed by the installer.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 6, 6A ,  6 B and  6 C show the adaptability of the electronics housing  1  of the present invention, with its associated connectors, and how such may be mounted in various conventional enclosures  29  having different hole configurations in their back plates  130 . In  FIG. 6 , the electronics housing is mounted to an enclosure  29  which has central parallel columns of holes  30  which are not offset from each other. Either a dual pin connector  2 , such as shown in  FIG. 2A , or a single pin connector  2   a , such as shown in  FIG. 2B , may be used in such an enclosure.  
         [0071]      FIG. 6A  shows a portion of the back plate  130  of another type of conventional enclosure in which the holes  132 ,  134  in parallel columns are offset from one another. Note also that in this type of conventional enclosure, the holes  130  of one column are circular, and the holes  132  of the other column are square. In this arrangement, the two pin connector  2 , which provides such an offset, may be used for properly aligning the electronics housing within the enclosure  29  so that it may be mounted therein horizontally to the enclosure. Also, the structure of the pins  9  of the connector, as previously described, allows the pins to be received by both circular and square holes in the back plate  130  of the enclosure and, with the camming action which they provide, allows the pins to securely engage the edges of the back plate which define the holes in which the pins are inserted.  
         [0072]      FIGS. 6B and 6C  show other arrangements of holes in conventional enclosure back plates, where the spacing may be different but which provide no offset or staggering in the parallel columns of holes (the back plate holes  136  shown in  FIG. 6B  are slightly elongated with upper and lower notches, while the holes  138  in  FIG. 6C  are spaced apart a greater distance but are perfectly circular). A two pin connector  2 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be used for the holes shown in  FIG. 6B , and a single pin, non-offset connector  2   a , such as shown in  FIG. 2B , may be used for back plate holes shown in  FIG. 6C .  
         [0073]      FIG. 7  illustrates the ease with which an installer may attach the electronics housing  1  of the present invention to a cable distribution enclosure. The installer may use a slotted screwdriver  33  or Allen key  34  to secure the electronics housing in the enclosure. The end of the Allen key or screwdriver is passed through the open pocket  76  on either side of the electronics housing and is fitted either into the hexagonal opening  21  or the diametrically opposed slots  20  formed in the head of the pin of the active locking connector  3 . The pin is then turned so that the camming surface  19  on the pin engages the edge of the back plate which defines the particular hole into which the pin is inserted, thereby locking the electronics housing in place on the back plate  130 . The indicating strip ridge  22  formed axially on the surface of the head of the pin is viewable by the installer through the open pocket  76 , and indicates the rotational position of the pin and, accordingly, whether the electronics housing is locked in place in the enclosure, or is in an unlocked state for easy removal therefrom. In  FIG. 7 , the ground screw connection  9  is also visible which, as mentioned previously, is provided for connection to an independent grounding wire.  
         [0074]      FIGS. 8, 9  and  10  show the sequence and methodology of installing the electronics housing  1  of the present invention onto the back plate  130  of an enclosure.  
         [0075]     The electronics housing of the present invention is positioned so that its general longitudinal axis  140  is parallel with the plane in which the back plate resides, and with the pins  10 ,  100  of the connectors mounted on each lateral side of the electronics housing aligned with the holes in the back plate and perpendicular to the back plate plane. The active locking connector  3  is shown on the right side of the electronics housing when viewing  FIGS. 8-10 , and it should be noted that the pin  100 , and in particular, the camming surface  19  thereof, is positioned inwardly of the electronics housing.  
         [0076]     The installer moves the electronics housing towards the back plate  130 , keeping the electronics housing parallel to the back plate and with the pins  10 ,  100  in alignment with the holes  30  in the back plate, until the pins of the connectors pass through their respective holes. The tapered free ends  17 ,  94  of the pins of each connector facilitates their insertion into the holes of the back plate. Note that the camming surface  11  of the non-moving pin  10  of the left connector (when viewing  FIGS. 8-10 ) is facing outwardly from the center of the electronics housing as it passes through an aligned back plate hole of the enclosure. The installer then inserts an Allen key  34 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , or a slotted screwdriver  33 , into the head of the pin  100  of the active locking connector  3 , and turns the pin 180° so that the camming surface  19  of the pin engages the edge of the back plate which defines the respective hole in which the pin is inserted.  
         [0077]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the camming surface  19  of the pin of the active locking connector  3  is now in a 180° rotated position from where it was in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , so that the camming surface engages the edge of the back plate defining the respective hole in which the pin is inserted. This camming action further causes the electronics housing  1  to move slightly laterally on the back plate  130  and forces the camming surface  11  of the non-rotatable pin  10  of the left connector against the back plate edge defining the hole in which the left connector pin is inserted. Accordingly, both pins  10 ,  100  engage the edges of the holes and secure the electronics housing in place on the back plate of the enclosure.  
         [0078]     To remove the electronics housing  1  from the back plate  130 , the installer simply rotates the pin  100  of the active locking connector  3  in the opposite direction (the indicating strip  22  which may be viewed through the open pocket  76  of the housing will indicate to the installer whether the pin is in the locked or unlocked position). This will free each pin of the left and right connectors from its engagement with its respective hole edge, and allows the electronics housing to be removed from the back plate  130  by the installer pulling on the electronics housing outwardly and perpendicularly from the enclosure back plate.  
         [0079]      FIG. 11  further illustrates the adaptability of the electronics housing of the present invention. As mentioned previously, various types of connectors (passive single pin, double pin or active locking connectors) may be used by the installer, depending upon the type of enclosure in which the electronics housing is to be mounted. However, the electronics housing of the present invention may be mounted on any flat surface, and need not be mounted in a pre-drilled conventional, cable distribution enclosure. The narrow, elongated slots  80  of the key holes  78  in the electronics housing are provided to accept a standard screw  32  which may be inserted through the open pocket  76  in the lateral sides of the housing and into the key hole  78 , and screwed into the support surface on which the electronics housing is to be mounted so as to hold the electronics housing in place. If screws  32  are desired to be used, the connectors  2 ,  3  are not inserted into the key hole slots. Accordingly, the electronics housing of the present invention is adaptable for not only use with conventional cable distribution enclosures  29 , but also may be mounted on any surface with screws or other types of fasteners.  
         [0080]      FIG. 12  illustrates another form of the electronics housing  150  of the present invention. The electronics housing  150  in the illustrated drawing is for an eight-way splitter, and includes 9 coaxial connectors  52  extending from the upper surface  152  of the housing. One connector  52  is used for providing an electronic signal to the splitter enclosed in the housing, and the other eight connectors  52  are output connectors for distributing the split electronic signal to various rooms or apartments in the dwelling in which the electronics housing is mounted.  
         [0081]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the housing  150  may include more than one key hole or slot  78  formed on each side of the housing. In this particular embodiment, there are four key holes  78  provided. As illustrated, non-rotating pin (passive) connectors  2 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2 B, and one or more rotating pin (active locking) connectors  3 , such as shown in  FIG. 3 , may be employed on either side of the electronics housing. Rotating pin and non-rotating pin connectors may be positioned on the same side of the housing or, if desired, the housing may be secured to the enclosure using all rotating pin, active locking connectors. Again, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the key holes  78  are formed with elongated slots  80  to accept screws or other conventional fastening devices to mount the electronics housing  150  directly to a flat surface, and not necessarily requiring the electronics housing to be mounted in a conventional cable distribution enclosure  29 . It should be further noted in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  that the key holes are formed in oppositely disposed flanges  154  extending outwardly from each lateral side of the housing, and such key holes are easily accessible by the installer and his using either a screwdriver or Allen key to mount the electronics housing to a desired mounting surface. It should be further noted that the lateral sides  156  of the housing extend beyond the rear surface  158  of the main housing body  160  to form a channel  162  through which the coaxial cables and other wires may be passed and held captive in place between the electronics housing and the mounting surface or back plate of the enclosure when the electronics housing is mounted on such.  
         [0082]      FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15  illustrate another form of the electronics housing  200  of the present invention. The electronics housing  200  in the illustrated drawings is for a 5×16 way splitter. Preferably at a top beveled or angled (preferably at 45 degrees) surface  202  of the front portion of the housing are situated  5  coaxial input connectors  204  for receiving a set of two input signals (A and B), controlled at the conventional 13 volts and 18 volts, from one satellite receiver, a second set of two input signals (A and B), also controlled by 13 volts and 18 volts, from a second satellite receiver, and an “off air” antenna input signals. The signals are split and distributed among 16 output coaxial connectors  206 .  
         [0083]     Preferably, and as shown in  FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15 , the 16 output coaxial connectors  206  are arranged in 4 descending rows, parallel to one another, with 4 connectors  206  on each row. Preferably, the front portion of the housing is formed with a recessed stepped, or serpentine, series of sequential ledges  208  and supporting walls  210 . Preferably, the ledges  208  are angled at a 45 degrees from the front surface of the electronics housing  200 , with all the ledges  208  and supporting walls  210  being recessed from the front surface so they do not extend beyond the front surface of the electronics housing. The preferred angle of 45 degrees for the ledges allows the 16 output coaxial connectors  206  to be mounted at a corresponding angle on the ledges  208 . This facilitates the connection of individual coaxial cables  212  onto the output coaxial connectors  206  and the input coaxial connectors  204 , and further facilitates the routing of the coaxial cables  212  from the signal distribution enclosure to various rooms or apartments in the dwelling in which the electronics housing is mounted.  
         [0084]     The electronics housing  200  further preferably includes a pair of arms  214  extending outwardly from the front surface of the housing  200  to define with the front surface of the housing a pair of channels through which the coaxial cables  212  may be routed. The arms hold the coaxial cables  212  in place when the cables  212  are coupled to respective output coaxial connectors  206 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 14A  shows an extended (i.e., longer) version of the electronics housing shown in  FIG. 13 , which is also shown in  FIG. 14B . The preferred length of the housing is either 13 inches, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 B, or 16 inches, as shown in  FIG. 14A .  FIG. 14B  shows holes  216  formed through the thickness of the front portion of the housing to receive the output coaxial connectors  206 . Holes  218  are also formed in the beveled (preferably at a 45 degree angle also) top surface  202  of the electronics housing to receive the input coaxial connectors  204 .  FIG. 14A  shows the extended version of the electronics housing  200  prior to the formation of the holes  216 . It should be noted that in the extended version shown in  FIG. 14   a , the supporting walls  210  are sufficiently long enough to allow labels  220  to be added to the supporting walls just below and adjacent to the corresponding ledges  208  so that each output coaxial connector  206  may include a designation printed on the label  220  which will facilitate the connection of the proper coaxial cable  212  to its corresponding connector  206 .  
         [0086]     Although a 5×16 splitter has been described, it is envisioned to form electronics housing  200  with similar structure for functioning as a 3×16, 3×8 or 5×8 splitter.  
         [0087]     The width of the electronics housing  200  shown in  FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15  is preferably 6¼ inches so that the electronics housing, like the previously described electronics housings, may be received in corresponding holes  30  of the distribution enclosure  29 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 . The 45 degree angle of the ledges  208 , and having the ledges  208  recessed on the front surface of the electronics housing  200 , and the inclusion of arms  214 , facilitate the routing of the cables  212  and connection of the cables to the corresponding coaxial connectors  204 ,  206 , and further allows the cables  212  to be connected to the housing at an angle such that the cables would not extend so significantly in front of the housing as to interfere with the cover of the enclosure  29  being closed.  
         [0088]     It should be further noted that the electronics housing shown in  FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15  have slots and open pockets  76  formed in the lateral sides thereof, such as those formed in the housings described previously herein, to receive connectors  2 ,  3  for mounting the electronics housing to the enclosure  29  in the same manner as the previously described housings are mounted. It should be further noted that the electronics housing  200  may be mounted as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , with the coaxial cables  212  being routed towards the top of the figure, or may be mounted in the enclosure  29  upside-down, so that the coaxial cables  212  may be routed downwardly when viewing  FIGS. 13 and 15 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 16  illustrates a 5×8 splitter, as mentioned previously, using the electronics housing  200  of the present invention. The structure of this splitter and the electronics housing therefor is similar in many respects to the 5×16 splitter and electronics housing therefor described previously and shown in  FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15 . Parts, components and structure used in the 5×8 splitter and housing shown in  FIG. 16  which are similar to those used in the 5×16 splitter and housing shown in  FIGS. 13, 14A ,  14 B and  15  are referred to by the same reference numbers and the structure and functionality of these components described previously in relation to the 5×16 splitter are incorporated herein by reference with respect to the 5×8 splitter.  
         [0090]     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other changes may be effected herein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.