Identification strip and holder for telephone connector blocks

An improved subscriber circuit identification construction for use directly upon telephone connector blocks having detachable block engaging device selectively positioning the identifying indicia in one of plural locations relative to an exposed surface of the block. The construction includes an elongated holder element having resilient projections arranged in parallel rows and selectively engaging corresponding bores extending from the surface of the connector block, the holder element retaining a replaceable indicia bearing strip. Depending upon the selected location, the holder element is positioned laterally of identified contacts on the block so as to allow ready access to them, or the holder element is positioned to overlie said contacts to provide a protective cover function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to the field of telephony, and more 
particularly to an improved circuit identification strip construction 
which is detachably associated with an exposed surface of a telephone 
connector block in such location as to facilitate the identification of 
contacts on the block with individual subscriber circuits. 
It is known in the art to provide adhesively backed paper strips for this 
purpose, the exposed surface of which may be written upon and erased for 
the reception of updated legends. Such strips may be periodically removed 
and replaced with fresh strips. It is also known to provide connector 
blocks of synthetic resinous materials which have exposed surfaces having 
a matte finish for the retention of handwritten legends for the same 
purpose. Such structures have a number of disadvantages in use, including 
often awkwardly located fixed locations, the inability to relatively 
change notations when required, and, in the case of paper strips, the 
deterioration of the strip with passage of time. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel 
identification strip and holder therefor in which the above-mentioned 
disadvantages have been substantially eliminated. To this end, the 
disclosed embodiment includes an elongated marker strip of matte finished 
synthetic resinous material, optionally having a pressure-sensitive 
adhesive backing, and which may be readily erased and redesignated as 
required. The strip is not attached directly to the connector block, but 
is supported by a semi-rigid holding element having an outer surface 
having clip means for retaining the strip, and an inner surface provided 
with rows of resilient studs which are selectively engageable with 
corresponding rows of bores in exposed surfaces of the connector block. In 
one relative position, the strip is positioned laterally of the exposed 
contacts of the block, and in another selective position, the strip 
overlies the exposed contacts on the block to provide a protective 
function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT 
In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by 
reference character 10, is used in conjunction with a known telephone 
connector block 11 (See FIG. 1), and comprises broadly an identification 
strip holder element 12 and a circuit identification strip element 13. 
The block element 11 is of a type rather widely used at the present time in 
the telephone industry, and is of generally rectangular shape. It is 
partially bounded by a forwardly facing surface 20 defining a rectangular 
recess 21 in which are disposed plural insulation displacement contacts 22 
arranged in rank and file. The block is bounded by side wall surfaces, one 
of which is indicated by reference character 23, a bottom wall surface 24, 
and the recess 21 may include an opened top edge 25. Commencing at four 
corner areas 26, 27, 28 and 29, are vertical rows of inwardly directed 
bores 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35. 
The strip holder element 12 is preferably formed as a molding from suitable 
synthetic resinous materials such as polycarbonate or the like. It 
includes an elongated main body 37 defining an upper surface 38, a lower 
surface 39, side edges 40 and 41 as well as end edges 42 and 43. The upper 
surface 38 is provided with channel-forming members 45 which define a pair 
of elongated parallel grooves 46 for the reception of the element 13. 
The lower surface 39 mounts a pair of rows of resilient studs or 
projections 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54, which are positioned so as to 
selectively engage the bores 30-35. Each of the studs is formed to include 
a plurality of arcuately shaped resilient fingers 55 (See FIG. 6), the 
outer surfaces 56 in compressed condition frictionally engaging the inner 
surfaces of the bores 30-35. Located between the studs 49-54 are small 
rectangular projections 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64, each of which defines end 
surfaces 65 which are adapted to contact the surfaces of the side walls 
23, or, alternatively, the surfaces of the recess 21, depending on which 
row of the studs 49-54 are engaged with a row of bores 30-35 in the block 
11. 
The strip element 13 may be cut from sheet synthetic resinous material, 
preferably polyvinylchloride, approximately 0.01 inches thick. It is of 
elongated rectangular configuration corresponding to that of the element 
12, and is bounded by side edges 70 and 71, and end edges 72 and 73. An 
upper surface 74 thereof is provided with printed rectangular areas 75 for 
the insertion of identification data. A lower surface 76 may be provided 
with an optional self-adhesive backing (not shown). 
The element 13 is positioned beneath the channel-forming members 45 of the 
element 12 during assembly, and may be replaced as often as required. 
Depending upon the character of the installation of the block 11 upon a 
telephone main frame (not shown), it may be desirable to employ the device 
10 in such manner that the contacts 22 are covered or shielded during 
normal operation. This is accomplished by positioning the device as shown 
in FIG. 7, in which case the rectangular projections 60-64 will engage a 
surface of the recess 21 to provide stability. In other cases, or when the 
block is being serviced by a craftsperson, it may be desirable to relocate 
the device 10 to the position shown in FIG. 8, wherein the identification 
function is present, but the contacts 22 are accessible. Normally, the 
block 11 will mount a pair of devices 10, so that in overlying relation, 
all of the contacts 22 are shielded in this manner. 
I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be 
limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this 
specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in 
the art to which the invention pertains.