Abstract:
A connector block assembly comprises a connector block body, a conductor element, and an alignment comb, which attaches to the connector block body via a snap-lock assembly. The snap-lock assembly simultaneously locks the three elements, the connector block body, the conductor element, and the alignment comb, securely together at the time of assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to connectors. 
     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 Systems 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. Such 110 Connector Systems include connector blocks. 
     Connector blocks make electrical connections and simultaneous interconnections between a multiplicity of conductors in telephone lines of a communication system. Connector blocks have been previously disclosed, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,587 to B. C. Ellis Jr. et al, where two piece construction is used to create a connector block assembly, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,703, where a connector block constructed of thermoplastic material is disclosed. The method of creating this connector block involves first assemblying the elements, and then an additional separate step of permanently affixing such as by bonding, joining, securing, attaching, coupling, or fastening the thermoplastic elements of the connector block is required. This additional step of having permanently affixing such as by bonding, joining, securing, attaching, coupling, or fastening after the connector block has been assembled is a time consuming in the production of the connector block assembly. Not only does this step delay the overall period of production, but it also creates the possibility for increased inaccuracy and error. Such a delay in production results in higher costs and decreased output. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a connector block assembly. The connector block assembly comprises a connector block body, a conductor element, and an alignment comb. The alignment comb attaches to the connector block body with a snap-lock assembly, wherein the snap-lock assembly securely simultaneously locks the three elements together at the time of assembly. 
    
    
     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 cross-section view of an existing 110 Type connecting block; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a comb that would be attached by ultrasonic welding showing the alignment fingers and retention teeth; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the assembled connector block body and the alignment comb with the snap-lock; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a snap-lock alignment comb with opposing latching fingers; and 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the assembled connector block body with an alignment comb equipped with an alignment finger, conductor element retention, and snap-lock. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an existing 110 type connecting block having an ultrasonically welded comb with alignment fingers and retention teeth. The existing 110 type connecting block  130 , consists of a connecting block body  105 , with a conductor element  120  located in the middle of the connecting block  130 . The conductor element  120  is then held in place by alignment fingers  140  of an alignment comb  100 . The alignment comb  100  is equipped with an alignment finger  140 , which holds the conductor element  120  in place and resists the forces associated with terminating a wire to the connecting block  130 . Retention teeth  150  align the conductor element  120  within the slot  115  of the connector block body  105 . After the connecting block body  105 , conductor element  120  and the alignment comb  100  are assembled together, an additional step is required to bond the components together. Standard methods for bonding the three components consist of ultrasonic welding, as well as the use of various types of adhesives, and chemical bonding. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross-section view of the assembled connector block body and the alignment comb with the snap-lock. Additionally referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a snap-lock alignment comb with opposing latching fingers. In one embodiment of the present invention, a connecting block body assembly  160  consists of the connector block body  190  with an aligned conductor element  200 . The conductor element  200  lies in an internal passage  300  in the connector body  190 . This conductor element  200  is then held in place by the alignment finger  180 , of the alignment comb  220 , which runs through an alignment aperture  320  in the conductor element  200  and then rests in the alignment passage  310  of the connector block body  190 . In a preferred embodiment, the aligmnent passage  310  of the connector block body  190  is perpendicular to the internal passage  300 . The latching finger  170  of the alignment comb  220  connects the alignment comb  220  to the connector block body  190 . The latching finger  170  snap-locks onto the connector block body  190  simultaneously when the three elements are attached, thus no additional form of bonding is required. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross-section view of the assembled connector block body with an alignment comb equipped with an alignment finger, conductor element retention and snap-lock. In yet another representative embodiment of the invention, the alignment finger  240  of the alignment comb  280  lies in the alignment passage  270  of the connector block body  260 . This alignment finger  240  runs through the aperture  320  of the conductor element  400 , which is positioned in the internal passage  330  of the connector block body  260 . This alignment finger  240  in turn maintains the proper placement of the conductor element  400 . The raised portion  360  of the alignment finger  240  is placed in the open recess  340  of the connector block body  260  where the snap-lock assembly occurs. No additional step for bonding is required, because the three elements are simultaneously attached when they are being assembled. 
     Another representative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5, which includes the assembled connector block body with an alignment comb equipped with an alignment finger, conductor element retention, snap-lock, and an additional raised portion (also known as an alignment finger) on the alignment comb. The alignment finger  240  of the alignment comb  280  lies in the alignment passage  270  of the connector block body  260 . This alignment finger  240  runs through the aperture  320  of the conductor element  400 , which is positioned in the internal passage  330  of the connector block body  260 . This alignment finger  240  in turn maintains the proper placement of the conductor element  400 . The tip  360  of the alignment finger  240  is placed in the open recess  340  of the connector block body  260  where the snap-lock assembly occurs. In addition, on the alignment comb is a raised portion  410  that rests in a corresponding open recess  420  on the connector block body  260 . No additional step for bonding is required, because the three elements are simultaneously attached when they are being assembled. 
     Another representative embodiment of the invention (not shown) includes the assembled connector block body with an alignment comb equipped with an alignment finger, conductor element retention, snap-lock, an additional raised portion on the connector block body and a recess on the alignment comb. The alignment finger of the alignment comb lies in the alignment passage of the connector block body. This alignment finger runs through the aperture of the conductor element, which is positioned in the internal passage of the connector block body. This alignment finger in turn maintains the proper placement of the conductor element. The tip of the alignment finger is placed in the open recess of the connector block body where the snap-lock assembly occurs. In addition, on the connector bock body is a raised portion that snap locks into a corresponding open recess on the alignment comb. No additional step for bonding is required, because the three elements are simultaneously attached when they are being assembled. 
     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 number of alignment combs having snap locks and their positions may be varied. 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.