Abstract:
A multiport test jack that supports the testing of a number of individual telephone lines in an interface device, such as a network interface device or an optical line terminal, has a physical structure that is smaller in size than the size of a corresponding number of individual test jacks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to test jacks and, more particularly, to a compact multiport test jack. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In most cases, a telephone service provider is responsible for maintaining the wiring and providing service up to an interface device, such as a network interface device (NID) or an optical network terminal (ONT), which is typically attached to the outside of a customer premise. The customer is then responsible for maintaining the wiring from the interface device to the telephone jacks that are located throughout the customer premise, as well as the equipment that is connected to the telephone jacks. 
     Interface devices commonly include a test jack that provides a simple way to determine whether a service problem is the responsibility of the telephone service provider or the customer. A test jack is similar to a customer premise telephone jack. With a customer premise telephone jack, when a telephone plug, such as an RJ11 plug, is inserted into the jack, a telephone attached to the plug becomes electrically connected to the telephone network. 
     A test jack differs from a customer premise telephone jack in that when a telephone plug is inserted into the test jack, the customer premise wiring becomes electrically disconnected from the telephone network, and a telephone attached to the telephone plug becomes electrically connected to the telephone network. Thus, if a working telephone is plugged into the test jack and a dial tone is detected, any service problem lies within the customer premise. On the other hand, if no dial tone can be detected, then the service problem lies within the telephone network. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  show cross-sectional drawings that illustrate a prior art test jack  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , test jack  100  has a number of local wires  110  that can be electrically connected to the telephone jacks within the customer premise, and a number of network wires  112  that can be electrically connected to the telephone network. (Only one local wire  110  and one network wire  112  are shown in the figures.) Further, the network wires  112  are biased against the local wires  110  by way of the spring force that results from the shape, size, and material of the network wires  112 . 
     In addition, test jack  100  has a cavity  116  that is designed to receive and hold a telephone plug  120 , such as an RJ11 plug. Cavity  116 , in turn, exposes the local wires  110  and the network wires  112 . As a result, as shown in  FIG. 1B , when telephone plug  120  is inserted into cavity  116  of test jack  100 , plug  120  pushes the network wires  112  away from the local wires  110  to physically separate and electrically disconnect the ends of the network wires  112  from the ends of the local wires  110 . 
     In addition, the insertion of telephone plug  120  into cavity  116  forces the ends of the network wires  112  into contact with conductive blades  122  in plug  120  (only one blade  122  is shown in the figures). The conductive blades  122 , in turn, are connected to a telephone wire  124  which is connected to a working telephone. As a result, the insertion of telephone plug  120  into cavity  116  also places a working telephone into electrical contact with the telephone network. 
     One drawback of conventional test jacks is that each telephone line requires a separate test jack. As a result, in a multi-line setting, such as a multi-tenant commercial facility or a residence with multiple lines, a corresponding number of test jacks are required. A corresponding number of test jacks, however, requires a significant amount of space within the interface device. As a result, there is a need for a multiple line test jack that requires less space than a corresponding number of individual test jacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A multiport test jack is disclosed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The multiport test jack includes a body that has a top surface, an opening in the top surface, and a number of wires that are exposed by the opening. The opening has a bottom surface, a first side wall that extends from the bottom surface towards the top surface, and a second side wall that extends from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The first and second side walls lie in parallel planes. The number of wires includes two or more groups of local wires that extend into the opening, and two or more groups of network wires that extend into the opening. Each group of local wires lie adjacent to a different sidewall. 
     A multiport test jack is disclosed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The multiport test jack includes a body that has an opening, and a number of wires that are exposed by the opening. The number of wires includes two or more groups of local wires that extend into the opening, and two or more groups of network wires that extend into the opening. Each group of local wires supports a different telephone line. 
     A multiport test jack is disclosed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The multiport test jack includes a body that has a top body surface, an opening in the top body surface, and a number of wires that are exposed by the opening. The number of wires includes two or more groups of local wires that extend into the opening, and two or more groups of network wires that extend into the opening. The multiport test jack also includes a shroud that contacts the body. The shroud has a top shroud surface and an opening in the top shroud surface that exposes only a first group of local wires. 
     A method of operating a multiport test jack is disclosed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The method includes separating a body from a shroud. The body has a top body surface, an opening in the top body surface, and a number of wires that are exposed by the opening. The number of wires includes two or more groups of local wires that extend into the opening, and two or more groups of network wires that extend into the opening. The shroud has a top shroud surface, and an opening in the top shroud surface that directly exposes only a first group of network wires before the body is separated from the shroud. In addition, the method includes reconnecting the shroud and the body together after the body has been separated from the shroud so that only a second group of network wires is directly exposed by the opening in the top shroud surface. 
     A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention are utilized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are cross-sectional views illustrating a prior art test jack  100 . 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are views illustrating an example of a multiport test jack  200  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a plan view, while  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIGS. 2C-2D  are views illustrating an example of body  210  after being separated from shroud  212  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2C  is a plan view, while  FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 2C . 
         FIGS. 2E-2F  are views illustrating an example of shroud  212  after being separated from body  210  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2E  is a plan view, while  FIG. 2F  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 F- 2 F of  FIG. 2E . 
         FIGS. 2G-2J  are a series of cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of multiport test jack  200  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are views illustrating an example of a multiport test jack  300  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a plan view, while  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIGS. 3C-3D  are a series of cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of multiport test jack  300  in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  show views that illustrate an example of a multiport test jack  200  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2A  shows a plan view, while  FIG. 2B  shows a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A . As described in greater detail below, multiport test jack  200  provides multiple line support in a package that requires substantially less space than a corresponding number of individual test jacks. 
     As shown in the  FIGS. 2A-2B  example, multiport test jack  200  is a two-piece assembly that includes a body  210  and a shroud  212  that fits over body  210 . Shroud  212  is removed from body  210  by pulling the sides of shroud  212  out as shown by arrow A, and then pulling body  210  and shroud  212  in opposite directions as shown by arrows B and C, respectively. 
       FIGS. 2C-2D  show drawings that illustrate an example of body  210  after being separated from shroud  212  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2C  shows a plan view, while  FIG. 2D  shows a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 2C . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , body  210  includes a bottom surface  218 , a top surface  220 , and a number of exterior side surfaces  222  that each extends from bottom surface  218  to top surface  220 . Each exterior side surface  222 , in turn, includes a notch  224 . 
     In addition, body  210  also includes an opening  226  in top surface  220 , and a number of wires  228  that are exposed by opening  226 . Opening  226  has a bottom surface  230 , a first side wall  232  that extends from bottom surface  230  towards top surface  220 , and a second side wall  234  that extends from bottom surface  230  towards top surface  220 . Second side wall  234  also faces first side wall  232 , and lies in a substantially parallel plane. In addition, opening  226  has a third side wall  236  that extends from bottom surface  230  towards top surface  220 , and a fourth side wall  238  that extends from bottom surface  230  towards top surface  220 . Fourth side wall  238  also faces third side wall  236 , and lies in a substantially parallel plane. 
     The number of wires  228 , in turn, includes a number of local wires  240  that are arranged in two or more groups LG 1 -LGn (four groups in the present example), and a number of network wires  242  that are arranged in two or more groups NG 1 -NGn (four groups in the present example). Each local wire  240  has a switch end  240 E. Similarly, each network wire  242  has a switch end  242 E. 
     In addition, in the present example, the local wires  240  extend through the bottom surface  230  and into opening  226 . Further, in accordance with the present invention, each group NG 1 -NGn of network wires  242  extends away from a different side wall of the side walls  232 ,  234 ,  236 , and  238  into opening  226 , and supports a different telephone line. 
     Further, the network wires  242  curve back and are formed from a gauge and type of material so that the ends  242 E of the network wires  242  each have a spring force that, when connected to the ends  240 E of the local wires  240 , pushes the ends  242 E of the network wires  242  against the ends  240 E of the local wires  240 . As a result, each group LG 1 -LGn of local wires  240  is connected to a corresponding group NG 1 -NGn of network wires  242  when opening  226  is empty (free of a plug). In addition, in order to environmentally protect the local and network wires  240  and  242 , a gel  244  can optionally be placed to cover portions of the local and network wires  240  and  242 . 
       FIGS. 2E-2F  show views that illustrate an example of shroud  212  after being separated from body  210  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2E  shows a plan view, while  FIG. 2F  shows a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 F- 2 F of  FIG. 2E . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-B  and  2 E- 2 F, shroud  212  has a top surface  250 , a first side wall  252  that extends away from top surface  250 , and an opposing second side wall  254  that also extends away from top surface  250 . First side wall  252  has a lower projection  256 . Similarly, second side wall  254  has a lower projection  258 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 2A-B  and  2 E- 2 F, shroud  212  includes an opening  256  in top surface  250 . In accordance with the present invention, opening  256  in top surface  250  exposes opening  226  in the top surface  220  of body  210 , but directly exposes only one group LG of local wires  240  and only one group NG of network wires  242 . 
     In addition, opening  256  is formed to receive and retain a plug, such as an RJ11 plug. Thus, opening  256  is formed so that, for example, an RJ11 plug can be inserted into, and removed from, shroud  212  in the same manner that an RJ11 plug is inserted into, and removed from, a conventional RJ11 receptacle. 
       FIGS. 2G-2J  show a series of cross-sectional views that illustrate the operation of multiport test jack  200  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , when opening  256  in shroud  212  is free of a plug, each group LG of local wires  240  is connected to a corresponding group NG of network wires  242 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2G , if a technician or customer wishes to check a telephone line following a service failure, such as the telephone line associated with the wires  240  and  242  in groups LG 3  and NG 3 , a plug  260 , such as an RJ11 plug, which is connected to a working telephone, is inserted into opening  256  in shroud  212 . Plug  260  includes a number of conductive blades  262  (only one blade  262  is shown in  FIG. 2G ), which are electrically and physically connected to wires  264  (only one wire  264  is shown in  FIG. 2G ) that run to the working telephone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2H , when plug  260  has been fully inserted into opening  256  such that shroud  212  retains plug  260 , plug  260  contacts the network wires  242  of group NG 3  and physically separates and electrically disconnects the network wires  242  of group NG 3  from the local wires  240  of group LG 3 . Thus, plug  260  physically and electrically disconnects only one group LG of local wires  240  from only one group NG of network wires  242 . In addition, at the same time, each of the network wires  242  of group NG 3  make a physical and electrical connection with the blades  262  in plug  260 , and thereby to the working telephone. 
     Thus, if a dial tone can be detected after plug  260  has been fully inserted into opening  256 , then any service (wiring or equipment) related problem lies on the customer side. On the other hand, if a dial tone can not be detected, then the service problem lies on the telephone service provider side. 
     Following this, if a technician or customer wishes to check another telephone line, such as the telephone line associated with the wires  240  and  242  in groups LG 2  and NG 2 , plug  260  is first removed by depressing a release arm  266  on plug  260  in the direction of arrow D, and then pulling plug  260  away from shroud  212 . 
     Following this, as shown in  FIG. 2I , shroud  212  is removed from body  210  by pulling the sides  252  and  254  of shroud  212  out as shown by arrow A so that projections  256  and  258  are pulled out from notches  224 , and then pulling body  210  and shroud  212  in opposite directions as shown by arrows B and C, respectively. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 2J , shroud  212  is rotated counterclockwise  900  with respect to body  210 , and then pushed back over body  210  until the projections  256  and  258  again engage the notches  224  in the exterior side walls  222 . When plug  260  has again been fully inserted into opening  256  such that shroud  212  retains plug  260 , plug  260  contacts the network wires  242  of group NG 2  and physically separates and electrically disconnects the network wires  242  of group NG 2  from the local wires  240  of group NG 2 . In addition, at the same time, each of the network wires  242  of group NG 2  make a physical and electrical connection with the blades  262  in plug  260 , and thereby to the working telephone. 
     Thus, a multiport test jack has been described in accordance with the present invention. One of the advantages of multiport test jack  200 , which can be fabricated in the same manner that conventional test jacks are fabricated, is that multiport test jack  200  is substantially smaller than the combined size of a corresponding number of individual test jacks. In addition, when not in use, shroud  212  protects all but one of the connections between the local wires  240  and the network wires  242 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show views that illustrate an example of a multiport test jack  300  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  shows a plan view, while  FIG. 3B  shows a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A . As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , multiport test jack  300  includes a bottom surface  310 , a top surface  312 , and a number of exterior side surfaces  314  that each extends from bottom surface  310  to top surface  312 . 
     Multiport test jack  300  also includes an opening  316  in top surface  312 , and a number of wires  318  that are exposed by opening  316 . In the present example, opening  316  has a square doughnut-type shape that defines a four-sided interior pedestal  320 . Further, opening  316  has a bottom surface  330 , a first side wall  332  that extends from bottom surface  330  towards top surface  312 , and a second side wall  334  that extends from bottom surface  330  towards top surface  312 . Second side wall  334  also faces away from first side wall  332 , and lies in a substantially parallel plane. Opening  316  also has a third side wall  336  that extends from bottom surface  330  towards top surface  312 , and a fourth side wall  338  that extends from bottom surface  330  towards top surface  312 . Fourth side wall  338  also faces away from third side wall  336 , and lies in a substantially parallel plane. 
     In addition, opening  316  is formed to receive and retain a plug, such as an RJ11 plug, in a number of different positions, but only one plug at a time. Thus, opening  316  is formed so that, for example, an RJ11 plug can be inserted into, and removed from, multiport test jack  300  in the same manner that an RJ11 plug is inserted into, and removed from, a conventional RJ11 receptacle. 
     The number of wires  318 , in turn, includes a number of local wires  340  that are arranged in two or more groups LG 1 -LGn (four groups in the present example), and a number of network wires  342  that are arranged in two or more groups NG 1 -NGn (four groups in the present example). Each local wire  340  has a switch end  340 E. Similarly, each network wire  342  has a switch end  342 E. 
     In addition, in the present example, the local wires  340  extend through the bottom surface  330  and into opening  316 . Further, in accordance with the present invention, each group NG 1 -NGn of network wires  342  extends away from a different side wall of the side walls  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and  328  into opening  316 , and supports a different telephone line. 
     Further, the network wires  342  curve back and are formed from a gauge and type of material so that the ends  342 E of the network wires  342  each have a spring force that, when connected to the ends  340 E of the local wires  340 , pushes the ends  342 E of the network wires  342  against the ends  340 E of the local wires  340 . As a result, each group LG 1 -LGn of local wires  340  is connected to a corresponding group NG 1 -NGn of network wires  342  when opening  316  is empty (free of a plug). In addition, in order to environmentally protect the local and network wires  340  and  342 , a gel  344  can optionally be placed to cover portions of the local and network wires  340  and  342 . 
       FIGS. 3C-3D  show a series of cross-sectional views that illustrate the operation of multiport test jack  300  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3B , when opening  316  is free of a plug, each group LG of local wires  330  is connected to a corresponding group NG of network wires  332 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , if a technician or customer wishes to check a telephone line following a service failure, such as the telephone line associated with the wires  340  and  342  in groups LG 1  and NG 1 , a plug  350 , such as an RJ11 plug, which is connected to a working telephone, is inserted into opening  316 . Plug  350  includes a number of conductive blades  352  (only one blade  352  is shown in the figures), which are electrically and physically connected to wires  354  (only one wire  354  is shown in the figures) that run to the working telephone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3D , when plug  350  has been fully inserted into opening  316  such that multiport test jack  300  retains plug  350 , plug  350  contacts the network wires  342  of group NG 1  and physically separates and electrically disconnects the network wires  342  of group NG 1  from the local wires  340  of group LG 1 . Thus, plug  350  physically and electrically disconnects only one group LG of local wires  340  from only one group NG of network wires  342 . In addition, at the same time, each of the network wires  342  of group NG 1  make a physical and electrical connection with the blades  352  in plug  350 , and thereby to the working telephone. 
     Thus, if a dial tone can be detected after plug  350  has been fully inserted into opening  316 , then any service (wiring or equipment) related problem lies on the customer side. On the other hand, if a dial tone can not be detected, then the service problem lies on the telephone service provider side. 
     Following this, if a technician or customer wishes to check another telephone line, such as the telephone line associated with the wires  340  and  342  in groups LG 2  and NG 2 , plug  350  is first removed by depressing a release arm  366  on plug  350  in the direction of arrow D, and then pulling plug  350  away from multiport test jack  300 . Following this, plug  350  is reinserted into multiport test jack  300  so that the blade  352  of plug  350  contact the network wires  342  that are associated with group NG 2 . 
     Thus, a multiport test jack has been described in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Like multiport test jack  200 , one of the advantages of multiport test jack  300 , which is larger than multiport test jack  200 , is that multiport test jack  300  is smaller than the combined size of a corresponding number of individual test jacks. Further, like multiport test jack  200 , multiport test jack  300  can be fabricated in the same manner that conventional test jacks are fabricated. 
     It should be understood that the above descriptions are examples of the present invention, and that various alternatives of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. For example, although the present invention has been described with respect to RJ11 plugs and telephone lines, the present invention also applies to other types of plugs and lines, such as other types of RJ plugs, like an RJ45 plug, and other lines, like a data line. Thus, it is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.