Abstract:
In one embodiment, a latch guard includes a plug end configured for gripping a communication plug and a pull tab extending from the plug end. The pull tab can include an arm connected to the plug end and can further include a loop connected to the arm opposite the plug end. The plug end of the latch guard can include a hood configured for at least partially covering the latch of the communication plug when the latch guard is installed on the communication plug. The plug end of the latch guard can have at least three sides, and the communication plug can have a housing with at least one depression, where at least one of the sides of the plug end of the latch guard can include a tab for engaging at least one depression of the plug housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Currently in the telecommunications market there is a potential for the loss of network connectivity due to accidental removals of plugs. In the case of accidental removals, this may occur for many reasons, one such reason is due to high density within datacenters causing the latches on RJ45 plugs to be within close vicinity; sometimes while removing one cord an adjacent cord is accidentally jostled or altogether disconnected. Another reason for accidental plug removal comes from the lack of visibility, which sometimes causes human error and the wrong cord is removed as it is grabbed incorrectly. In some applications, multiple operators are required (one person for unplugging and the other for confirming the correct plug) in order to avoid mistakes which adds to labor costs. 
         [0002]    In the telecommunications market conduit, raceways, or other cable management equipment can be used to protect and house electrical wires. There are a variety of methods that can be used for pulling wire through conduit. One common method of pulling cables through conduit is through the usage of fiberglass fish tape, in which the fish tape is first fed through conduit and attached to one end of the cable through the usage of electrical tape, and then the cable is pulled through the conduit. When the fish tape is secured to cable it is taped onto the round surface of the cable and potentially has the tendency to slip, which means the whole feeding process needs to start over from the beginning. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a device that prevents the accidental release of an RJ45 cord that is both easy to install and remove, and which is tool-less. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the present invention includes a latch guard for a communication plug having a latch where the latch guard includes a plug end configured for gripping the communication plug and a pull tab extending from the plug end. The pull tab can include an arm connected to the plug end and can further include a loop connected to the arm opposite the plug end. The plug end of the latch guard can include a hood configured for at least partially covering the latch of the communication plug when the latch guard is installed on the communication plug. The plug end of the latch guard can have at least three sides, and the communication plug can have a housing with at least one depression, where at least one of the sides of the plug end of the latch guard can include a tab for engaging at least one depression of the plug housing. At least one depression of the communication plug housing can be a crimp window. In one embodiment the communication plug is an RJ45 plug. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a communication cord with a communication cable and a communication plug connected to the communication cable, where the communication plug includes a latch. A latch guard can be connected to the communication plug, where the latch guard has a plug end configured for gripping the communication plug, and a pull tab extending from the plug end. The pull tab can include an arm connected to the plug end and can further include a loop connected to the arm opposite the plug end. The plug end of the latch guard can include a hood configured for at least partially covering the latch of the communication plug when the latch guard is installed on the communication plug. The plug end of the latch guard can have at least three sides, and the communication plug can have a housing with at least one depression, where at least one of the sides of the plug end of the latch guard can include a tab for engaging at least one depression of the plug housing. At least one depression of the communication plug housing can be a crimp window. In one embodiment the communication plug is an RJ45 plug. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of installing and uninstalling a communication plug in a communication jack. The method includes the steps of: placing a latch guard onto the communication plug; inserting the communication plug into the communication jack; pulling a pull tab of the latch guard tab to release the latch guard; depressing a latch of the communication plug; and removing the communication plug from the communication jack. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of installing a communication cord into a communication equipment. The method includes the steps of: placing a latch guard onto a communication plug of the communication cord; drawing the communication cord through one of a raceway and conduit by pulling on the latch guard; removing the latch guard from the communication plug; reversing an orientation of the latch guard relative to the communication plug; re-installing the latch guard onto the communication plug; and inserting the communication plug into a communication jack of the communication equipment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a communication system utilizing a first embodiment of a plug latch guard. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an RJ45 patchcord with an installed plug latch guard. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the RJ45 patchcord and plug latch guard of  FIG. 2   
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of the plug latch guard of  FIG. 2  rotated 180° about the cable axis. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the RJ45 patchcord and plug latch guard of  FIG. 2  taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2   
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the RJ45 patchcord and plug latch guard of  FIG. 2  in the orientation in which the latch guard is removed though the use of a release tab. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the communication system of  FIG. 1 , focusing on a single port. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an alternate method of installing the plug latch guard of  FIG. 2  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a communication system utilizing a second embodiment of a plug latch guard. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of an RJ45 patchcord with an installed alternate plug latch guard. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an exploded isometric view of the RJ45 and plug latch guard of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a rear isometric view of the plug latch guard of  FIG. 10  rotated 180° about the cable axis. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the plug latch guard and RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 10  taken along section line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the communication system of  FIG. 9 , focusing on a single port. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an alternate method of installing the plug latch guard of  FIG. 10  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a communication system utilizing a third embodiment of a plug latch guard. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of an RJ45 patchcord with an installed alternate plug latch guard. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is an exploded isometric view of the RJ45 and plug latch guard of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a rear isometric view of the plug latch guard of  FIG. 17  rotated 180° about the cable axis. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the plug latch guard and RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 17  taken along section line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a front view of the communication system of  FIG. 16 , focusing on a single port. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of an alternate method of installing the plug latch guard of  FIG. 17  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of a secondary method of installing the plug latch guard of  FIG. 17  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 17 , focusing on the interaction point of the plug latch guard of  FIG. 17  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a rear isometric view of a secondary method of installing the plug latch guard of  FIG. 23  onto the RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 23   
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the plug latch guard and RJ45 patchcord of  FIG. 23  taken along section line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 23 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]      FIGS. 1-8  show one embodiment of a RJ45 plug latch guard with an integrated release tab that can engage a crimp window of an RJ45 plug and can easily be removed through the application of pressure on the release tab. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  the present invention includes communication system  20  with switch  22  populated with RJ45 cords  24  (such as a patch, zone, or other cord) with latch guard  126  installed. Equipment  22  is illustrated as a switch in  FIG. 1 , but equipment  22  can be passive or active equipment. Examples of passive equipment can be, but not limited to, modular patch panels, punch-down patch panels, wall jacks, etc. Examples of active equipment can be, but are not limited to, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layer management systems, and power-over Ethernet equipment as can be found in data centers/telecommunications rooms; security devices (cameras and other sensors, etc.) and door access equipment; and telephones, computers, fax machines, printers and other peripherals as can be found in workstation areas. Communication system  20  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management (such as raceways, conduit and other cable management apparatus) and overhead routing systems, and other such equipment. 
         [0035]    The present invention can be applied to and/or implemented in a variety of unshielded or shielded communications cables or systems; any of CAT5E, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, CAT8 and other twisted pair Ethernet cable, as well as other types of cable. Cord  24  can have its other end (not shown) terminated directly into similar equipment  22 , or alternatively, can be terminated in a variety of plugs or jack modules such as RJ45 or other types, jack module cassettes, and many other connector types, or combinations thereof. Further, cords  24  can be processed into looms, or bundles, of cables, and additionally can be processed into pre-terminated looms. Cords  24  can be used in a variety of structured cabling applications including patch cords, zone cords, backbone cabling, and horizontal cabling, although the present invention is not limited to such applications. In general, the present invention can be used in military, industrial, telecommunication, computer, data communications, marine and other applications. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of RJ45 patchcord  24  with latch guard  126  installed, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view in the orientation in which latch guard  126  would be installed onto RJ45 cord  24 .  FIG. 4  shows an isometric view of latch guard  126  rotated 180° about the cable axis. As shown best in  FIG. 4 , plug latch guard  126  includes release tab  140 . A portion of release tab  140  is configured to engage a bottom of plug  25  of RJ45 patchcord  24  (the bottom of plug  25  being the side opposite of latch  38 ). Arms  136  extend from opposite sides of front end  133  of release tab  140  such as to wrap around opposite sides of plug  25 . Arms  136  on latch guard  126  extend higher than the apex of latch  38  to prevent depression of latch  38 . In one embodiment, arms  136  can curve inward towards each other after extending past the apex of latch  38  and then contact the top surface of plug  25  to provide additional support. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken about section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2 , with tab  132  is inserted into crimp window  34 , which is how latch guard  126  is secured to RJ45 cord  24 . When latch guard  126  is installed on RJ45 patchcord  24 , and there is an adjacent RJ45 patchcord  24  with latch guard  126  installed, arms  136  flex out perpendicular to the cable axis such that arms  136  interfere and prevent removal. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view in the orientation in which latch guard is removed from RJ45 patchcord  24  through the use of release tab  140 ; latch guard  126  does not need to be completely removed from RJ45 patchcord  24  in order to release plug latch  38 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a front view of communication systems  20 , focused on a single port  41 . Openings  142  on arms  136 , allow for visibility of indicators/LED lights  43  on the front of the port  41 . 
         [0040]    An alternate way of assembly of latch guard  126  onto RJ45 patchcord  24  is shown in  FIG. 8  in which patchcord  24  is fed through opening  144  on back end  135  of release tab  140 . Opening  144  on release tab  140  is large enough that RJ45 patchcord  24  can fit through opening  144  after patchcord  24  has been assembled. An advantage of this type of installation is that on smaller diameter cables  48  the separation between arms  136  is large enough that latch guard  126  may become dislodged from patchcord  24  and can become lost; consequently, the method of  FIG. 8  avoids inadvertent dislodging of guard  126  from patchcord  24 . Also, with this alternate way of assembly latch guard  126  applies pressure to cable  48  when not in use such that latch guard  126  does not slide along the length of the cable and become misplaced. Additionally, in this alternate orientation release tab  140  is easier to differentiate during removal between the top and the bottom levels due to increased separation between release tabs  140 . However, this orientation does add to the amount of time needed to assemble latch guard  26  onto RJ45 patchcord  24 , and in a brownfield application RJ45 patchcord  24  would need to be unplugged on at least one side of communication system  20 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9-15  show an alternate embodiment of a RJ45 plug latch guard with an integrated release tab that engages the crimp window of an RJ45 plug and can easily be removed through the application of pressure on the release tab. This embodiment allows for an unobstructed view of indicator LEDs as well as release tabs in the opposite orientation as those of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  shows system  21  with switch  22  populated with RJ45 patchcords  24  with a second embodiment of latch guard  226  installed. Communication system  21  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management, patch panels, overhead routing systems, horizontal cabling, and other such equipment. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of RJ45 patchcord  24  with latch guard  226  installed, and  FIG. 11  is an exploded isometric view in the orientation in which latch guard  226  would be installed onto RJ45 patchcord  24 . This is different than the RJ45 plug latch guard of  FIGS. 1-8 , as latch guard  226  is installed from the rear instead of the front.  FIG. 12  shows an isometric view of latch guard  226  rotated 180° about the cable axis and rotted 180° about the vertical axis  28 . As shown best in  FIG. 12 , latch guard  226  includes release tab  240  which is to engage a top of plug  25 . Release tab  240  also has ramp  236  molded into it at a front end  233  of release tab  236 . Ramp  236  on latch guard  226  extends higher than the apex of RJ45 plug latch  38  to prevent depression of latch  38 . Arms  237  extend from opposite sides of front end  233  of release tab  240  such as to surround the sides of plug  25 . Arms  237  then turn inwards towards each other at their respective ends. 
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a section view taken about section line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 10 , with tab  232 , located at the end one or more arms  237 , is inserted into crimp window  34 , which is how latch guard  226  is secured to RJ45 patchcord  24 . When latch guard  226  is installed on RJ45 patchcord  24 , and there is an adjacent RJ45 patchcord  24  with latch guard  226  installed, arms  237  flex out perpendicular to the cable axis such that arms  237  interfere and prevent removal. 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is a front view of communication systems  21 , focused on a single port  41 . Ramp  236  is positioned such that it allows for visibility of indicators/LED lights  43  on the front of the port  41 . Release tab  240  is positioned such that in switch  22  release tab  240  is towards the outside of switch  22  to increase accessibility. 
         [0046]    An alternate way of assembly of latch guard  226  on RJ45 cord  24  is shown in  FIG. 15  in which cord  24  is fed through opening  244  on back end  235  of release tab  240 . Opening  244  on release tab  240  is large enough that RJ45 cord  24  can fit through opening  244  after cord  24  has been assembled. An advantage of this type of installation is that on smaller diameter cables  48  the separation between arms  237  is large enough that latch guard  226  may become dislodged from cord  24  and can become lost; consequently, the method of  FIG. 15  avoids inadvertent dislodging of guard  226  from cord  24 . Also, with this alternate way of assembly latch guard  226  applies pressure to cable  48  when not in use such that latch guard  226  does not slide along the length of the cable and become misplaced. However, this orientation does add to the amount of time needed to assemble latch guard  226  onto RJ45 cord  24 , and in a brownfield application RJ45 cord  24  would need to be unplugged on at least one side of communication system  21 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 16-25  show another alternate embodiment of an RJ45 plug latch guard with an integrated release tab that engages the crimp window of an RJ45 plug and can easily be removed through the application of pressure on the release tab. This alternate embodiment includes pockets on the latch guard which allows the added functionality as acting as pulling eye. 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  shows system  320  with switch  22  populated with RJ45 cords  24  with third embodiment of latch guard  326  installed. System  320  can further include cabinets, racks, cable management, patch panels, overhead routing systems, horizontal cabling, and other such equipment. 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of RJ45 cord  24  with latch guard  326  installed, and  FIG. 18  is an exploded isometric view in the orientation in which latch guard  326  would be installed onto RJ45 cord  24 . This is different than the RJ45 plug latch guard of  FIGS. 1-8 , as latch guard  326  is installed from the rear instead of the front.  FIG. 19  shows an isometric view of latch guard  326  rotated 180° about the cable axis and rotated 180° about the vertical axis  328 . Ramp  336  on latch guard  326  extends higher than the apex of RJ45 plug latch  38  to prevent depression of latch  38 . Arms  337  extend from opposite sides of front end  333  of release tab  340  such as to surround the sides of plug  25 . Arms  237  then turn inwards towards each other at their respective ends. 
         [0050]      FIG. 20  is a section view taken about section line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 17 , with tab  332  is inserted into crimp window  334 , which is how latch guard  326  is secured to RJ45 cord  24 . When latch guard  326  is installed on RJ45 cord  24 , and there is an adjacent RJ45 cord  24  with latch guard  326  installed, arms  337  flex out perpendicular to the cable axis such that arms  337  interfere and prevent removal. 
         [0051]      FIG. 21  is a front view of communication systems  320 , focused on a single port  41 . Ramp  336  is positioned such that it allows for visibility of indicators/LED lights  43  on the front of the port  41 . Release tab  340  is positioned such that, in switch  22 , release tab  340  is towards the outside of switch  22  to increase accessibility. 
         [0052]    An alternate way for assembly of latch guard  326  onto RJ45 cord  24  is shown in  FIG. 22  in which cord  24  is fed through opening  344  on back end  335  of release tab  340 . Opening  344  on release tab  340  is large enough that RJ45 cord  24  can fit through opening  344  after cord  24  has been assembled. An advantage of this type of installation is that on smaller diameter cables  48  the separation between arms  337  is large enough that latch guard  326  may become dislodged from cord  24  and can become lost; consequently, the method of  FIG. 22  avoids inadvertent dislodging of guard  326  from cord  24 . Also, with this alternate assembly latch guard  326  applies pressure to cable  48  when not in use such that latch guard  326  does not slide along the length of the cable and become misplaced. However, this orientation does add to the amount of time needed to assemble latch guard  326  onto RJ45 cord  24 , and in a brownfield application RJ45 cord  24  may need to be unplugged on at least one side of communication system  320 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 23  is a top isometric view of RJ45 cord  24  with latch guard  326  installed in the orientation in which latch guard  326  may be utilized as a pulling eye.  FIG. 24  is a bottom isometric view of RJ45 cord  24  with latch guard  326  installed in the orientation in which latch guard  326  may be utilized as a pulling eye.  FIG. 25  is a section view taken about section line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 23 . Pockets  350  secure latch  38  through plug latch stops  52  and prevent release of latch guard  326  when pressure is applied. Opening  344  acts as enclosed feature that fish tape can be applied during the pulling operation with a lower risk of having the fish tape slip than securing the fish tape to the rounded surface of cable  48 . In order to release latch guard  326  from RJ45 cord  24  latch  38  needs to be depressed just as a plug would typically be released from an RJ45 jack. A secondary usage for the engagement feature of pockets  350  would be to hang up a patch cord when not in use on a hook, or in a store setting on sales hooks. 
         [0054]    While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described.