Device to Prevent Tampering With Cable Taps

A device for preventing tampering with a cable tap as well as a snap strip for securing the device is disclosed herein. An upper housing and lower housing may be joined to surround a cable tap and its cable feeder lines. The upper housing and lower housing may contain apertures for accepting the prongs of a snap strip for holding the device in a closed position. Apertures may be placed in the upper and lower housings for the hanger of the cable tap as well as the household cable line to exit the housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tamper-resistant device1000containing an 8-port tap10and indicating the section line5-5. In this embodiment, an upper housing100and lower housing150are joined together to surround a telecommunications tap, otherwise known as a cable tap10. Here, the upper and lower housings have been shown transparent to illustrate the position of the tap10within the device1000. An aperture115is positioned within the upper housing100to allow the hanger15of the tap10to be accessible once the tap10has been secured within the device1000. A snap strip500is preferably used to fasten the upper housing100and lower housing150together. In some embodiments, a hinge may be used so that the upper and lower housings are hingedly fastened along one edge with a snap strip500used on the opposing edge. In other embodiments, two or more snap strips500may be used to secure the device in a closed position. Here, the upper housing100may contain apertures185sized to accept the feeder cable lines29/30for the tap10. Section line5-5is shown cutting vertically through the device1000and passing through the hanger15of the tap10.

FIG. 2is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tamper-resistant device1000containing an 8-port tap10. A bottom aperture170is preferably positioned on the lower housing150to allow a household cable line25to exit the device1000.

FIG. 3is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tamper-resistant device where the upper housing100has been removed.FIG. 4is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tamper-resistant device where the lower housing150has been removed. Here, the interfacing edge550of the upper and lower housings can be observed, which is the edge along which the two portions of the housings meet. The snap strip500preferably spans across this interfacing edge550in order to secure the device in a closed position. Also shown in this figure, is the upper portion186and lower portion184of the aperture185for accepting the cable feeder lines29/30. In this embodiment, the upper portion186of the aperture is formed by the upper housing100, while the lower portion184is formed by the lower housing150, such that when the two housings are secured together, the cable feeder lines29/30are sandwiched between the upper and lower portions186/184of the housing.

FIG. 5is a top perspective section view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1and taken along the section line5-5. In this embodiment, a pair of snap strips500are positioned on opposing sides of the device, each one spanning across the interfacing edge550. In this embodiment, the snap strip500contains an elongate strip501having two ends, with a prong502/503positioned near each end. The prongs502/503are sized to initially fit through openings101/151in the upper and lower housings100/150but cannot be easily removed once they have been inserted.

FIG. 6is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the snap strip500. As noted above, an elongate strip501may have a first prong502and a second prong503, each prong having a central axis590. Each prong preferably contains at least one tab510which is attached at the top portion560of the prong and extends away from the central axis590as you move towards the base580of the prong of the prong. A notch565is preferably positioned near the base575so that as the prong is inserted into the housing the tab510can flex inwardly (towards the central axis590) and be accepted into the notch565.

FIG. 7is a detail section view taken from detail7shown inFIG. 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper housing100contains an aperture102for accepting the prong502and the lower housing150contains an aperture152for accepting the prong503. As noted above, as each prong is inserted into its aperture the tab510on the prong may flex inwardly so as to pass through the aperture in the housing. Once fully inserted, a portion of the base575of each prong should preferably fit within the aperture102/152in the housing and the tab510should extend outwardly to prevent the prong from being removed from the housing. It should be noted that although two tabs510are shown for each prong this is not required, as only one tab could be used with each prong or more than one tab with each prong.

Also shown in this figure is the interfacing edge550of the upper and lower housings100/150. In this embodiment, the upper housing100contains a ledge101which corresponds to a ledge151within the lower housing150. The two ledges are substantial mirror images of one another so that they align the two housings in order to close the device.

The snap strip500can be comprised of any number of materials including plastics, composites, and metals. In an exemplary embodiment, the snap strip500would be comprised of injection molded plastic. Preferably, when someone desires to open the device, they must cut or sever the elongate strip510. It is preferred that the elongate strip510is designed so that it could be difficult to cut or sever using typical household tools such as scissors or knives. If the owner of the device were to observe an elongate strip510that had been severed, then this provides a clear visual indicator of tampering which is visible from a distance (i.e. when located at the top of a service pole and viewed from the ground).

The upper100and lower150housings of the device1000can be comprised of any number of materials, including but not limited to plastics, composites, and metals. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower housings may be injection molded plastics either with or without additives. Although shown in the figures with an 8-port tap, it will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the embodiments shown and described in this application can be used with any type of tap used in the cable, internet, or general telecommunications industry.

FIG. 8Ais a top perspective view where the upper100and lower150housings have been shown transparent to illustrate the optional tether700while the housings are in a closed position. In this embodiment, the upper housing100contains an upper tether attachment point600while the lower housing150contains a lower tether attachment point650. The tether can be any flexible elongate member, including but not limited to a cable, string, rope, wire, strip, or band. The attachment points600and650can include any one of the following: a boss with a screw, a hook, a loop, a post with a hole, a snap fastener, or any means for securing the tether700to the upper/lower housings.

FIG. 8Bis a top perspective view showing use of the optional tether700while the housings are in an open position. Here, the lower housing150is permitted to hang from the upper housing100via the tether700. In this way, a user can gain access to the interior of the housing (for installing, servicing, or replacing the tap) without having to fully remove the lower housing150or risk dropping or losing the lower housing150.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.