Wire containment cap with an integral strain relief clip

A wire containment cap for reducing horizontal strain on a cable terminated at a communication jack. The wire containment cap is part of the communication jack and includes a strain relief clip that may be actuated to apply pressure to the cable. The applied pressure holds the cable in place and helps prevent wire pairs of the cable from pulling out of terminals in the communication jack.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to an improved wire containment cap for a modular communication jack design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A structured cabling system is a complete system of cabling and associated hardware, which provides a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure. This infrastructure serves a wide range of uses, such as to provide telephone service or transmit data through a computer network. The structured cabling system may consist of horizontal cable, cabling connectors, and patch cords, among other things. Horizontal cable is typically routed in the ceiling, under the floor, or in the walls. In a typical application, one end of a horizontal cable run may be located in a telecommunications closet and the other end of the horizontal cable run may be located at an outlet. The telecommunications closet may be a room where telecommunications equipment, such as a hub or a switch, is located. The outlet may be a location where telecommunications equipment, such as a computer or a printer, may eventually be placed. Each end of the horizontal cable run may then be terminated to a cabling connector such as a modular jack. The modular jack is used to interface the horizontal cable with a patch cord and provides flexibility in the network. Once the horizontal cable is properly terminated, the modular jack is typically mounted in a faceplate or a patch panel. A patch cord may then be used to connect the mounted modular jack to telecommunications equipment.

During the installation of a structured cabling system, strain may be applied to horizontal cable runs that are terminated to mounted modular jacks. One cause of strain on a horizontal cable run may be a technician pulling new horizontal cable runs in close proximity to the existing horizontal cable runs. Another cause of strain on a horizontal cable run may be a technician placing existing horizontal cable runs routed in similar locations into cable bundles. These cable bundles may increase the strain applied to each individual horizontal cable run. Yet another cause of strain on a horizontal cable run may be a technician installing a horizontal cable run with insufficient slack. The horizontal cable run may then need to be pulled taut to reach the mounting location of the modular jacks and this may introduce a constant strain onto the horizontal cable run.

Strain may also be applied to horizontal cable runs that are terminated to mounted modular jacks after the structured cabling system has been installed. A major cause of this strain on a horizontal cable run may be a network administrator rearranging the location of particular modular jacks or cables in the structured cabling system. After removing a modular jack from its mounted position, the network administrator may apply strain on the horizontal cable run by pulling the modular jack and the terminated horizontal cable run to its new location. The network administrator may also place the modular jack in a new mounting location where the terminated horizontal cable run does not have sufficient slack, which may introduce a constant strain onto the horizontal cable run.

Applying strain to a terminated horizontal cable run may introduce problems in the termination area of a modular jack. One problem with applying strain to a horizontal cable run is that the wire pairs of the cable may be partially or fully pulled out of the insulation displacement contact (“IDC”) terminals of the modular jack, which may result in wirecap failures or variability in modular jack performance. Another problem with applying strain to a horizontal cable run is that the strain may damage the IDC terminals of the modular jack. Yet another problem with applying strain to a horizontal cable run, and particularly constant strain, is that over time the strain may cause the horizontal cable insulation near the termination area of the modular jack to pull back, rip or tear apart and expose live wire pairs. Any exposure of live wire pairs may present a safety hazard, result in a short circuit, or change the electrical performance of the modular jack. Accordingly, a solution that addresses the problems that strain introduces at the termination area of the modular jack would be desirable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a front upper right perspective view of a communication jack100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication jack100includes a jack housing102and a wire containment cap104. The jack housing102may include such components as plug interface contacts, a mechanism for coupling the jack to a plug, crosstalk compensation circuitry, and wire-displacement contacts to provide an electrical connection between the jack and a communication cable. Additional details on the wire containment cap104are described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 5below.

FIG. 2is a front upper right partial-exploded view of the communication jack100ofFIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, the wire containment cap104is slidably mountable within the jack housing102. A retention clip105on the jack housing102and a retention recess108on the wire containment cap104may be included to secure the wire containment cap104to the jack housing102. Other mounting and securing techniques may also be used.

FIG. 3is a rear upper left perspective view of the wire containment cap104ofFIGS. 1 and 2. In addition to the retention recess108described above with reference toFIG. 2, the wire containment cap104may include a wire cap divider110, a shoulder112, two strain relief guide slots114, and two sets of latch teeth116. In a preferred embodiment, the wire containment cap104is constructed of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate. Alternative materials, shapes, and subcomponents could be utilized instead of what is illustrated inFIG. 3.

The wire cap divider110may include a spine, pair separators, a support rib, upper wire restraints, and lower wire restraints.

The shoulder112may serve as a support and stopping mechanism to place the wire containment cap104in a correct physical position with respect to the jack housing102shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Alternative support and/or stopping mechanisms could also be used, such as one located on the jack housing102, or on the wire containment cap104in such a position that it abuts an interior location in the jack housing102, rather than the exterior abutment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The strain relief guide slots114may serve as a support mechanism to place a strain relief clip200in a correct physical position with respect to the wire containment cap104and a cable. The strain relief guide slots114may be hollow channels molded into each side of the shoulder112. The strain relief guide slots114may be located where the shoulder112is connected to the rear portion of the wire cap divider110. The strain relief guide slots114may have an opening on the top side of the shoulder112. The dimensions of the strain relief guide slots114may be designed to match the dimensions of the strain relief clip200. Alternative methods for supporting the strain relief clip200in the wire containment cap104may also be used. Additional details on the strain relief clip200are described with reference toFIG. 4below.

The latch teeth116may serve to lock the strain relief clip200into place. The latch teeth116may border the strain relief guide slots114. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch teeth116are positioned on the opposite side of the wire cap divider110. In an alternative embodiment, the latch teeth could be positioned on the same side as the wire cap divider110. The latch teeth116may be separate components molded to the rear inner edge of the shoulder112and two sets of latch teeth116may be used, one on each side. Alternatively, the latch teeth116may be molded as an integrated part of the shoulder112. Additional details on the latch teeth116are described with reference toFIG. 5below. Alternative methods for locking the strain relief clip200into the wire containment cap104may also be used.

FIG. 4is a rear upper left perspective view of the strain relief clip200. The strain relief clip200may include a strain relief base202with an arch204and two curved sections206. The strain relief clip200also includes a latch release section207on the strain relief base202. The latch release section207has a latch release208, two latch release pivot points210, and two clip latches212. In a preferred embodiment, the strain relief clip200is constructed of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate. The strain relief clip200may be supplied as partially assembled to the wire containment cap104. Alternatively, the strain relief clip200may be molded together with the wire containment cap104at the top of the strain relief guide slots114. In this embodiment, the plastic connecting the strain relief clip200to the wire containment cap104may be broken off by a technician during field termination. Alternative materials, shapes, and subcomponents of the strain relief clip200could be utilized instead of what is illustrated inFIG. 4.

The strain relief base202may serve as the part of the strain relief clip200that secures a cable300to the wire containment cap104. The strain relief base202may slide into the strain relief guide slots114. The arch204is a section at the bottom of the strain relief base202that curves inward towards the center of the strain relief base202. The strain relief base202may have an open center to allow the arch204to flex upwards when the strain relief base202begins to compress the cable300. The arch204may have an inner radius approximating that of the cable to be secured (e.g. 0.190″ to 0.250″) and a thickness sufficient to allow some flexibility without consistently breaking under normal operating conditions. The curved sections206may be located on either side of the arch204at the bottom of the strain relief base202. The curved sections206have a radius that may change as upward pressure is placed on the arch204. The strain relief base202may accommodate a range of twisted pair cable diameters. Typically, cables with a diameter ranging from 0.190″ to 0.250″ may fit into the arch204of the strain relief base202. Additional details on the strain relief base202are described with reference toFIG. 5below.

The latch release208may serve as a lever to disengage the strain relief clip200from the wire containment cap104.The latch release208may be connected to the strain relief base202at two latch release pivot points210. The latch release208may border the rear side of the strain relief base202. Alternative shapes of the latch release208could be utilized instead of what is illustrated inFIG. 4. Additional details on the latch release208are described with reference toFIG. 5below.

The clip latches212may serve to engage the strain relief clip200to the wire containment cap104. The clip latches212may be separate components molded to the outer edge of the latch release208and two clip latches may be used, one on each side. Alternatively, the clip latches212may be molded as an integrated part of the latch release208. The clip latches212may be formed to fit into the latch teeth116. Additional details on the clip latches212are described with reference toFIG. 5below. Alternative methods for engaging the strain relief clip200to the wire containment cap104may also be used.

FIG. 5is a rear upper left perspective view of the strain relief clip200assembled to the wire containment cap104and securing a cable300. The strain relief base202may be inserted into the strain relief guide slots114by pressing down on the top edge of the strain relief base202. As the strain relief base202is pressed further into the strain relief guide slots114, the clip latches212may ratchet against the latch teeth116. Once the strain relief base202reaches the cable300, the arch204of the strain relief base202may then begin to compress the cable300and upward pressure from the cable300may push the arch204higher. As the cable300pushes the arch204higher, a pull may be created that changes the radius of the curved sections206. The change in radius of the curved sections206may then result in an outward rotation in the latch release pivot points210. This rotation in the latch release pivot points210may cause the clip latches212to rotate and dig deeper into the latch teeth116, creating a preload and locking the strain relief clip200into place. If further compression of the cable300is desired, the strain relief base202may then be pressed further into the strain relief guide slots114.

The strain relief clip200may also be removed from the wire containment cap104after assembly by pressing the latch release208downward toward the cable300. The downward pressure on the latch release208may cause the clip latches212to pull inward and disengage from the latch teeth116. While holding the latch release208down, the cable300may then be lifted up to relieve the pressure. The strain relief clip200may then be removed entirely from the wire containment cap104if desired.

FIGS. 6-11illustrate an alternative wire containment cap400and an alternative strain relief clip402for use with the alternative wire containment cap400to secure a cable300.

Wire containment cap400is similar to the wire containment cap104described inFIGS. 1-5, but includes some different features. In addition to guide slots408and cable saddle410, the wire containment cap400is configured to interface with the alternative strain relief clip402more intimately, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.

The strain relief clip402is similar to the strain relief clip200described inFIGS. 1-5, but includes some different features. The strain relief clip402has a strain release base403and a latch release section405on the strain relief base403. The latch release section405contains latch release tabs404and latch teeth406. In addition to latch release tabs404and latch teeth406, the strain relief clip402includes cable jacket retention teeth416, a strain relief top stop418, a strain relief bottom stop420, a channel post414, a latch teeth hinge area422, and a cable clamp slot412.

The latch release tabs404may be depressed together to allow a technician to easily move the strain relief clip402up in the guide slots408. Once inserted into the wire containment cap400, the strain relief clip is not easily removed (due to the strain relief top stop418), resulting in improved retention of cable300. Each channel post414is slidably secured in respective guide slot408to provide guidance and retention of the strain relief clip402.

The cable300is centered and held in place by the cable saddle410and the cable clamp slot412. In a shielded version of the wire containment cap400, the strain relief clip402could include flanges to contact the jacket (not shown) of the cable300on installation, thereby preventing the more rigid shielded cable from pulling out or moving within the wire containment cap400.

The cable jacket retention teeth416help secure the cable300to the communication jack (not shown) comprising the wire containment cap400.

For either of the embodiments disclosed herein, in a typical installation, a technician may first remove approximately 1″ of the cable300jacket and cut the excess divider if present. The technician may then separately route each twisted wire pair (blue, green, orange, and brown) through its respective quadrant pair channel of the wire cap divider110and push the cable300into the rear of the wire containment cap104until the edge of the cable300jacket reaches the wire cap divider110. Next, the technician may insert the strain relief clip200into the wire containment cap104and push downward until sufficient compression of the cable is achieved. This may secure the cable300to the wire containment cap104. Finally, the technician may route each conductor into the proper wire restraint slot and cut the conductors so that they are flush with the top and/or bottom face of the wire containment cap104.

Securing the cable300to the wire containment cap104with the strain relief clip200may provide many benefits. First, securing the cable300prior to routing the conductors to the wire restraint slots may simplify conductor separation and seating because the cable300may no longer move during this process. Additionally, securing the cable300to the wire containment cap104may prevent the wire pairs of the cable300from being pulled out of the insulated IDC terminals of the communication jack100. Furthermore, securing the cable300to the wire containment cap104may prevent the cable300jacket from pulling back, ripping or tearing apart. Therefore, securing the cable300to the wire containment cap104with the strain relief clip200may provide additional stability in the termination area of the communication jack100and may also improve electrical performance.