Abstract:
Method and apparatus for protecting a filter trap that is utilized in a coaxial cable system against theft of service. A barrier is mounted inside a filter housing which includes a pair of end connectors that are aligned along a common axis. The barrier is mounted on one or both end faces plate or isolation shield for intercepting a cutting tool moving along the axis to direct the tool away from the axis. At least one opening in the plate adjacent to the barrier engages the intercepted cutting tool and further directs the tool away from the axis causing the tool to break or to prevent the formation of a passage between the end connectors.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/865,118 filed Jun. 10, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,945. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a filter or trap suitable for use in a cable system and, in particular, to an apparatus for preventing the theft of service from a cable system having filters or traps for preventing specific data carrying frequencies from reaching a subscriber&#39;s location in a usable form. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   An improved filter or trap for use in a cable system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,525 to Palinkas, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The Palinkas device is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and is generally referenced  10 . The device includes a pair of housing sections  12  and  13  each of which contains filter components for removing or attenuating signals at selected frequencies so that the selected signals will not reach a subscriber&#39;s location in a usable form. The housing sections are coaxially aligned along a common center axis  15  with the adjacent end walls  17  and  18  of the housing sections being mounted in close proximity to one another. An electrical isolation shield  20  is mounted between the housing sections to maintain separation between the two and to prevent flux generated by the filters from crossing over between the housing sections. The isolation shield is a generally disc or plate shaped member having opposed end faces that are typically perpendicularly aligned with reference to the common axis  15 . A pair of off-axis keys  21 - 21  are carried upon each end face of the shield which mate with complementary keyways  22 - 22  formed in the adjacent end walls of the two housing sections. The two filter housing sections and the isolation shield are, in assembly, contained within a tubular sleeve  25  and suitable gaskets  26  and  27  are provided at the two ends of the sleeve to prevent moisture and other contaminants from passing between the sleeve and the housing sections. 
   A cut out  29  is provided in the shield which permits an off-axis electrical lead  30  to pass between the housing sections. Housing section  12  is equipped with an end cap  31  having a female threaded connector  33  containing a terminal pin  35  that enables the filter assembly to be coupled to a coaxial cable having a conductor carrying the cable signal or other piece of equipment such as a tap or distribution box. The second housing section  13  contains an end cap  36  having a male threaded connector  37  which contains a connector terminal (not shown) for coupling the filter assembly to another coaxial cable or piece of equipment. 
   Theft of service has long been a problem in the cable industry. Most distribution boxes or taps servicing most cable systems are readily accessible to the general public. All the signals provided by the network are carried to the tap on the provider&#39;s cable. However, only the signals that are paid for by a subscriber are tapped onto the subscribers cable, the remaining signal being blocked or attenuated by filters or traps that are typically located in or near the distribution box. 
   If a subscriber wishes to gain illegal access to the blocked or attenuated signals, he or she can simply remove the blocking or attenuating filters and connect the subscriber&#39;s cable directly to the tap input. This type of tampering with the tap connection is, however, easily detected by a visual inspection of the distribution box. 
   It has been found, however, that prior art filter assemblies, such as described in the above noted Palinkas patent, can be circumvented in manners that are not easily detected by a visual inspection. This may be achieved by removing the filter assembly from the tap and drilling or otherwise creating a passage running along the commonly shaped axis between the two end connectors of the assembly and bypassing the filter components. The center conductor of a coaxial cable can then be passed through the passage between the connectors to bypass the filter components. The assembly, so altered, is then reinstalled in the distribution box in its original location. A service person inspecting the system can see the filter assembly is in place and without further inspection, it is assumed it is working properly to block or attenuate signal at the tuned frequencies. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a primary object of the present invention to improve cable systems. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to prevent the theft of service of a cable system. 
   A still further object of the present invention to prevent alteration of a cable system filter or trap is such a manner that the filter will pass a visual inspection. 
   Another object of the present invention is to impede the ability to create an internal passage running between the end connectors of a filter or trap to prevent a shunt from being installed between the input and output connectors of the trap which would defeat the filter network. 
   These and other objects of the invention are attained by method and apparatus for protecting a cable system against theft of service. In one embodiment of the invention, a filter assembly containing a pair of filter housing sections is mounted in end to end alignment along a common axis. A first cable connector is mounted at one end of the assembly and a second cable connector is mounted at the other end of the assembly with both connectors being coaxially aligned along the common axis. A shield having two opposed end faces is mounted between the two filter housing sections with the end faces being perpendicularly aligned with respect to the common axis. A barrier is mounted upon the shield that has a surface that is arranged to intercept a cutting tool, such as a drill bit, that is moving along the common axis to prevent the tool from reaching the other connector. 
   In another embodiment of the invention the shield is mounted inside of a single filter housing between a pair of end connectors that share a common axis. Here again the shield has flat end faces that are generally perpendicular to the common axis. A barrier is mounted upon one or both of the faces so as to intercept a cutting tool that is moving along the common axis and to direct the tool away from the axis to either break the tool or divert the tool along a path of travel such that a passage is not established between the connectors. 
   In further embodiments, the shield may incorporate, in addition to the barrier at least one or more off-centered slots or holes that engage and redirect a cutting tool away from the center axis of the filter or trap. Once engaged in a slot or hole further advancement of the cutting tool will not create a central passage through the filter and may cause exert enough lateral force to break the cutting tool or otherwise render such tool useless. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view in perspective showing a prior art filter or trap assembly that contains a pair of back to back filter housing sections that share a common axis; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view in perspective illustrates a filter or trap assembly similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  which embodies the teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a shield suitable for use in the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the shield illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shield suitable for use in the practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation of the shield illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a third shield suitable for use in the practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation of the shield illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view further illustrating a forth shield suitable for use in the practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation of the shield illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of a fifth shield suitable for use in the practice of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation of the shield illustrated in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a sixth shield embodiment; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation of the shield shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation of the shield shown in  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of showing a seventh shield embodiment; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of showing a eighth shield embodiment; 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of showing a ninth shield embodiment; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of showing a tenth shield embodiment; 
       FIG. 21  is a side elevation of the shield shown in  FIG. 20 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a filter or trap assembly of the type disclosed in the previously mentioned Palinkas patent and shown in  FIG. 1  wherein like elements described in reference to  FIG. 1  are identified with like numerals in  FIG. 2 . Here again a pair of filter housing sections  12  and  13  are coaxially aligned along a common axis  15  and are mounted in a back to back relationship with a sleeve  25 . An electrical isolation shield  40  is positioned between the two filter housing sections which has been modified to prevent a cutting tool, such as a drill bit or a reamer, from creating an internal passage along the common axis between the two end connectors  33  and  37  through which a shunt can be passed to establish a direct connection between the network input to the tap and a subscriber&#39;s cable thus circumventing the filter network. 
   The modified isolation shield  40  is shown in further detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The shield includes a circular disc  41  that conforms to internal contour of sleeve  15 . The disc is fabricated of an electrical insulating material that will prevent flux generated in one of the housing sections from passing over into the adjacent housing section and thus degrading the effective functioning of the filter or trap. Circular keys  42 - 42  are mounted on the opposed end faces  43  and  44  of the shield which are arranged to mate with suitable keyways  45  formed in the adjacent end walls of the two housing sections. Cutouts  46  are also provided in the shield to allow an electrical lead  30  to pass between the two housing sections. 
   In this embodiment of the invention, a barrier generally referenced  47  is centrally mounted on either end face of the disc. The barrier has convex shaped dome profile with the apex of the dome being centered upon the common axis  15  of the filter in assembly. Preferably, the barrier is formed of a hardened material that will resist penetration by a cutting tool such as a drill bit. A tool that is advanced along the common axis through one of the connectors will thus be intercepted by the dome and directed away from the common axis. Because of the relatively small size of the connector opening found in most filters or traps, a tool, such as a drill, that is passed into the filter through the connector opening will start to bend when it is diverted away from the common axis by the barrier. Due to the contour of the dome, the drill will either break eventually or be diverted sufficiently so that a passage will not be completed between the end connectors. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which an insulation shield referenced  50  of the general configuration described above is equipped with a conical shaped barriers  51 . Here again, the apex to the cone is centered upon the common axis of the filter in assembly. The barrier is fabricated of a hardened material so that a cutting tool that is intercepted by the cone will be turned away from the common axis at an angle to induce breakage of the tool or precluding a passage from being completed between the end connectors. 
   A still further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In this embodiment the shield  53  contains a barrier  54  having a cylindrical body  56 . The body, in turn, has a flat top surface  57  having a channel  58  extending across the top surface of the barrier. The body of the barrier is center upon the common axis  15  of the filter so that the channel cuts across the axis. The channel is profiled to capture the tip of a cutting tool such as a drill bit. Once captured, the rotation of the bit will cause the bit to walk along the channel away from the common axis again inducing tool breakage or preventing a passage between the end connectors from being completed. 
   Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  wherein the isolation shield  60  contains a barrier  61  centered on each of its end faces. The barrier includes a cylindrical body  62  that contains an inclined flat top surface  63  that passes through the common axis  15  of the filter in assembly. The inclined surface is hardened so that a cutting tool, such as a drill bit, moving along the common axis will be intercepted by the surface and directed away from the common axis to induce tool breakage or prevent a passage from being formed between the end connectors of the filter assembly. 
   A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The isolation shield  65  in this case contains a barrier  66  centered on either side of the shield. The barrier includes a hardened steel rod  68  that terminates in a relatively sharp point  69 . The tip of the point, in assembly is centered upon the common axis of the filter and will thus intercept a cutting tool moving along the axis and direct the tool away from the axis at an angle to induce tool breakage or to prevent a passage from being created between the connectors. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention wherein the shield  70  contains a harden disc  71  which in assembly is centered upon the common axis  15  of the filter assembly. The hardened disc may be integral with the shield or may be secured to the shield by any suitable means. The disc has a hardness such that it will resist penetration of the drill bit. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate a shield  80  that contains a harden ball  81  centrally mounted within the shield so that the ball is axially aligned with common axis  15  of the filter. Here again, a tool that is moving along the axis in either direction will be intercepted by the ball and directed away from the axis to induce breakage of the tool. 
     FIG. 18  illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which an insulation shield referenced  85  of the general configuration described above includes at least one opening, which in this embodiment is shown as a radial slot  86 . The barrier  87  can take the shape of any of the previous embodiments, but in this embodiment is depicted as a convex shaped dome with the apex of the dome being centered upon the common axis of the filter assembly. As a cutting tool is advanced along the common axis through one of the connectors, the barrier  87  will intercept the tool and direct it away from the common axis and preferably toward the opening. The opening or slot is positioned adjacent the barrier so as to engage the advancing tool and further direct the tool off-center to induce breakage of the tool or to prevent a passage from being formed along the common axis of the filter. 
   A still further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The isolation shield  88  and barrier  87  are of similar structure to those depicted in  FIG. 17 . However, in this embodiment, multiple slots  86  are placed adjacent to the barrier to increase the likelihood that the redirected cutting tool engages one of the slots to induce breakage of the tool and prevent the formation of a passage along the common axis. 
     FIG. 19  illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which the isolation shield  90  includes one or more holes  91  are located adjacent to the barrier  87 . In this embodiment, the holes are depicted as round through-bores substantially parallel to the common axis, however, the invention contemplates holes of various shapes, sizes and orientations. 
     FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the isolation shield  95  includes at least one hole adjacent to the barrier  87  and which is aligned to be not parallel to or skewed from the common central axis of the filter assembly. The skewed hole  96  will similarly engage the advancing tool and further direct the tool off-center, inducing breakage thereof and preventing the formation of a passage along the common axis of the filter. 
   Although a number of different barrier configuration have been disclosed herein, these disclosures are not exhaustive and any type of barrier that can resist penetration by a cutting tool such as a drill bit and direct the tool away from the central axis of the filter to induce tool breakage can be employed in the practice of the present invention. 
   While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.