Abstract:
A connector module permits termination of cross-connect wires on one surface (front) and cable wires on an opposite surface (rear). The module exhibits a configuration, which permits test access and protector (i.e., protection module) mounting from the front surface. The jumper wires are inserted from a side surface through wire guides or channels that bring the wires from the side surface to the front surface where the wires can be terminated without impeding insertion and removal of protection modules from the front of the connector module. There is an intermediate surface below the front surface that is accessible from the front and recessed to allow protection modules to be installed completely below the terminated wires, allowing termination and maintenance of jumper wires after the protection module is installed from the front.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention generally relates to connector modules used in the telecommunications industry, and more particularly relates to connector modules and blocks which receive protection modules to protect electrically telecommunications equipment connected thereto.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     In the telecommunications industry, connector blocks comprising an array of insulation displacement contacts are typically used in central offices, building entrance terminals, and outside plant cabinets for electrical connection between cables and cross connect wiring. One example is the standard  110 -connector block (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,587, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). Such connector blocks usually are formed from a plurality of parallelly arranged connector modules. Some connector modules include slots for mounting protectors (i.e., protection modules) which are electrically connected to the contacts (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,857 and 4,283,103, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). Such connector modules are inconvenient to the user because the protection modules must usually be removed to add, move, or remove jumper wires.  
         [0005]     To improve connection density, some connector modules include terminations on two surfaces. One such connector module has provisions to install protectors on either the front or rear surface of the module (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,689, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). Such connector modules make it more convenient to add, move, or remove jumper wires because the protector does not have to be removed to add, move, or remove jumper wires. However, such connector modules have the disadvantage of requiring access to the rear of the module to add, remove, or replace protectors.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector module for use in a telecommunications system.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector module which receives protectors that need not be removed when the connector module requires wiring changes.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector module which receives protectors and wherein the protectors and connector wiring is easily accessible from the same side of the connector module.  
         [0009]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a connector module and protection module cooperating therewith.  
         [0010]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a connector module for a telecommunications system which overcomes the inherent disadvantages of known connector modules.  
         [0011]     The invention is a connector module, which in one form of the present invention includes two rows of contacts mounted within an insulating housing having a front, an intermediate, and a rear surface. Each contact includes an end portion, which is capable of providing electrical connection to wires. The intermediate surface has slots to accept the protector, which can be installed from the front of the module. This configuration allows the convenience of easily maintaining jumper wires with front mounted protectors that can stay in place during such maintenance. Various cooperating protection modules (i.e., protectors) are disclosed herein and form part of the present invention.  
         [0012]     A preferred form of a first embodiment formed in accordance with the present invention of a connector module modules therefor is illustrated, for example, by  FIGS. 1-12  of the drawings. The connector module for a telecommunications system has a main body portion which includes a front cap and a rear cap opposite the front cap. The front cap and the rear cap reside in different planes and are elevationally offset from each other to define a middle portion. The middle portion has a front facing surface recessed from the front cap. The front cap defines the front of the connector module. The rear cap defines the opposite rear of the connector module. At least the front cap has a plurality of slits formed therein. The rear cap may also have a plurality of slits formed therein.  
         [0013]     The connector module further includes a plurality of first electrical contacts which are at least partially disposed within the front cap of the main body portion. The connector module may further include a plurality of second electrical contacts which are at least partially disposed within the rear cap of the main body portion. Each first electrical contact of the plurality of first electrical contacts is aligned with a respective slit formed in the front cap. Similarly, each second electrical contact of the plurality of second electrical contacts, if included, is aligned with a slit formed in the rear cap. Each first electrical contact has a portion thereof which is exposed through the respective slit to which it is aligned and, therefore, is electrically contactable with a wire received by the corresponding slit formed in the front cap. Similarly, if provided, the second electrical contacts are aligned with respective slits formed in the rear cap and are, therefore, electrically contactable with a wire received by a corresponding slit formed in the rear cap.  
         [0014]     The main body portion has an upper surface for supporting a plurality of protection modules thereon between the front cap and the front facing surface of the middle portion. The depth of the upper surface between the front cap and the front facing surface of the middle portion is dimensioned to be at least equal to the longitudinal length of the protection modules so that the protection modules, when supported on the upper surface of the main body portion, have no portion thereof overlying the plurality of slits formed in the front cap. In this manner, the protection modules do not interfere with the placement and removal of wires respectively into and from the plurality of slits formed in the front cap and the selective electrical connection with the plurality of first electrical contacts while the protection modules are supported on the main body portion of the connector module.  
         [0015]     Each protection module of the plurality of protection modules associated with the aforementioned connector module is selectively in electrical communication with at least one first electrical contact of the plurality of first electrical contacts when the protection module is supported on the main body of the connector module. The protection modules may similarly be in electrical communication with the second electrical contacts if such are provided. Each protection module of the plurality of protection modules has a longitudinal length which is equal to or less than (that is, at most equal to) a distance between the front facing surface of the middle portion of the connector module and the front cap of the connector module so as not to overlie a corresponding slit of the plurality of slits formed in the front cap and so as not to interfere with the placement and removal of wires respectively into and from the plurality of slits and the selective electrical connection with the plurality of first electrical contacts while the protection modules are supported on the main body of the connector module.  
         [0016]     The front facing surface of the middle portion may include a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving outwardly extending portions of the protection modules. The front facing surface may further include ground contacts extending outwardly therefrom for being received by corresponding openings formed in the protection modules.  
         [0017]     The main body portion of the connector module may further include a plurality of guide channels formed therein for receiving respective wires for connection to the plurality of first electrical contacts. Even more specifically, the main body portion may further include opposite lateral side walls, wherein at least one of the opposite lateral side walls has formed therein a plurality of side openings. A plurality of front openings may further be included and formed in the front cap of the main body portion. Each front opening is situated in close proximity to the exposed portion a respective first electrical contact and to a corresponding slit formed in the front cap. The side openings and front openings communicate with respective guide channels to allow electrical wires to be received by the side openings, guide channels and front openings for routing of the wires to the first electrical contacts at the plurality of slits formed in the front cap.  
         [0018]     The connector module may further include structure on the protection module supporting surface for retaining the protection modules in place on the supporting surface. Such retaining structure may include a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the supporting surface, the projections selectively lockingly engaging the protection modules positioned on the supporting surface to selectively secure the protection modules thereto. Such projections may have a dovetail configuration in transverse cross-section.  
         [0019]     Another form of a connector module and associated protection modules therefor, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated, for example, by  FIGS. 13-17  of the drawings. Each protection module of the plurality of protection modules has a housing defining a cavity therein, a carrier at least partially residing in the housing, and protection components mounted on the carrier. The housing has a lower wall through which an extended portion of the carrier protrudes. The extended portion of the carrier has exposed electrical contacts situated thereon.  
         [0020]     The connector module which works in conjunction with the protection modules just described, includes an insulating housing having a rear contact holder portion and a front contact housing joined to the rear contact holder portion. A plurality of rear electrical contacts are at least partially housed by the rear contact holder portion. A plurality of front electrical contacts are at least partially housed by the front contact housing. Either the front contact housing or the rear contact holder portion, or both, has an upper surface and a plurality of grooves formed in the upper surface thereof. Each groove is positioned in proximity to a respective front electrical contact and a respective rear electrical contact such that portions of the respective front electrical contact and rear electrical contact are exposed and extend partially into the respective groove. A protection module is selectively mountable on the upper surface of the front contact housing or rear contact holder portion, or both, such that the extended portion of the carrier thereof is slidably receivable in a respective groove formed in the upper surface, with the contacts on the extended portion being positionable in electrical contact with at least one of the front electrical contacts and with at least one of the rear electrical contacts of the connector module.  
         [0021]     At least the front contact housing has a plurality of slits formed therein. The rear contact holding portion may also include a plurality of slits formed therein. Each front electrical contact is aligned with a corresponding slit in the front contact housing and has a portion thereof which is exposed through the slit so that it is electrically contactable with a wire received by the corresponding slit. If rear slits are included, and if rear electrical contacts are included, the rear electrical contacts have portions thereof exposed through corresponding rear slits so that they, too, may be electrically contactable with a wire received by a corresponding rear slit with which a respective rear contact is aligned.  
         [0022]     The upper surface on which the protection modules are mounted and in which the grooves are formed has a depth measured from the exposed portions of the front electrical contacts backward in the direction of the rear contact holder portion which is particularly dimensioned to be equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of each protection module. In this manner, when the protection modules are mounted on the upper surface, the protection modules have no portion thereof overlying the plurality of slits in the front contact housing or overlying the front electrical contact portions which are exposed within the slits so as not to interfere with the placement and removal of wires respectively into and from the plurality of slits and the selective electrical connection with the plurality of front electrical contacts while the protection modules are mounted on the upper surface of the rear contact holder portion or the front contact housing, or both.  
         [0023]     Even more preferably, each groove formed in the upper surface on which the protection modules rest is positioned between respective adjacent front electrical contacts and between respective adjacent rear electrical contacts such that portions of the respective adjacent front electrical contacts and portions of the respective adjacent rear electrical contacts are exposed and extend partially into the respective groove therebetween. The carrier of the protection Module preferably includes opposite sides on which the exposed electrical contacts are situated for electrically contacting the exposed portions of the respective adjacent front electrical contacts and the exposed portions of the respective adjacent rear electrical contacts.  
         [0024]     The connector module may further include an outer housing joined to the front contact housing or the rear contact holder portion, or both, and situated to at least partially overlie the upper surface on which the protection modules rest. The outer housing has a top wall which is preferably spaced apart from the upper surface a distance such that the plurality of protection modules is closely received between the top wall of the outer housing and the upper surface on which the protection modules rest. Such structure helps retain the protection modules in place on the upper surface.  
         [0025]     Another form of a connector module and associated protection modules therefor is illustrated, for example, by  FIGS. 18-21  of the drawings. The protection modules have a housing defining a cavity therein, a carrier residing in the housing, protection components mounted on the carrier and electrical contacts electrically connected to the carrier. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with the carrier and protection components mounted thereon. The protection module housing includes a wall, such as a lower wall, that has openings formed through the thickness thereof. The electrical contacts are situated to at least partially extend through the openings formed in the wall of the protection module to define exposed portions of the electrical contacts.  
         [0026]     The connector module includes an insulated housing having an outer housing, a front contact housing and a rear contact housing. The outer housing defines an interior chamber in which is at least partially received the front contact housing and the rear contact housing. The outer housing has a top wall, and at least one of the front contact housing and the rear contact housing, or both, includes an upper surface on which is mountable the plurality of protection modules. The top wall of the housing and the upper surface of the front or rear contact housing, or both, define a space therebetween which is dimensioned to receive therein the plurality of protection modules.  
         [0027]     The connector module further includes a plurality of front electrical contacts and a plurality of rear electrical contacts. The front contact housing at least partially houses the plurality of front electrical contacts, and the rear contact housing at least partially houses the plurality of rear electrical contacts. Portions of the front electrical contacts and the rear electrical contacts respectively extend from the front contact housing and the rear contact housing and are exposed within the interior chamber of the outer housing to define exposed contact portions. The exposed contact portions of a respective protection module electrical contact is contactable with the exposed contact portions of respective front and rear electrical contacts of the connector module when the respective protection module is received by the interior chamber of the outer housing.  
         [0028]     At least the front contact housing has a plurality of slits formed therein. As in the other embodiments described previously, the rear contact housing may also have a plurality of slits formed therein. Each front electrical contact is aligned with a corresponding slit and has a portion thereof which is exposed through the corresponding slit and is, therefore, electrically contactable with a wire received by-the corresponding slit. The upper surface on which the protection modules are mountable has a depth measured from the exposed portions of the front electrical contacts backward in the direction of the rear contact housing which is particularly dimensioned to be equal to or greater than (that is, at least equal to) the longitudinal length of each protection module such that, when the protection modules are mounted on the upper surface, the protection modules have no portion thereof overlying the plurality of slits and the front electrical contact portions exposed within the slits. In this manner, the protection modules do not interfere with the placement and removal of wires respectively into and from the plurality of slits and the selective electrical connection with the plurality of front electrical contacts while the protection modules are mounted on the upper surface.  
         [0029]     Even more preferably, the top wall of the outside housing may include a plurality of rails partially extending downwardly therefrom and partially into the interior chamber defined by the outer housing. Additionally, each protection module may include a top wall having a recess formed longitudinally therein. A respective rail of the plurality of rails is receivable by a recess of a corresponding protection module to help hold the protection modules in place on the upper surface when the protection modules are slidably received in the interior chamber of the outer housing between the top wall thereof and the upper surface of the front or rear contact housing, or both.  
         [0030]     Alternatively, the top wall of the outer housing may include a plurality of first rails extending downwardly therefrom and at least partially into the interior chamber of the outer housing, and the upper surface of the front or rear contact housing, or both, may include a plurality of second rails formed thereon and extending upwardly therefrom and at least partially into the interior chamber of the outer housing. The first and second rails are preferably aligned with each other to at least partially define slots between adjacent first and second rails. Respective protection modules are receivable within corresponding slots defined by adjacent first and second rails within the interior chamber of the outer housing. The first and second rails thus hold the protection modules in place within the connector module.  
         [0031]     Furthermore, each protection module may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first and second protrusions are spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the protection module. Additionally, the front contact housing may include at least one ridge which extends outwardly from a surface thereof, such as the upper surface on which the protection modules are mounted, and at least partially transversely across the width of the front contact housing. The first and second protrusions of the protection modules engage the ridge of the front contact housing when the protection modules are inserted into the interior chamber of the outer housing. The first and second protrusions and the ridge together provide an indication of the position of the protection modules with respect to at least the front contact housing and, consequently, the state of electrical communication between the electrical contacts of the protection modules and the front electrical contacts and rear electrical contacts of the connector module. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a top front isometric view of a connector module and associated protection module formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a bottom rear isometric view of the connector module shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a top front isometric view of the connector module shown in  FIG. 1  with a protection module formed in accordance with the present invention separated therefrom.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a bottom rear isometric view of the connector module shown in  FIG. 2 , with a protection module formed in accordance with the present invention shown separated therefrom.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the connector module shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the connector module and associated protection module shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional illustration of a plurality of connector modules formed in accordance with the present invention configured to form a connection block.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional illustration of a plurality of connector modules formed in accordance with the present invention configured to form a building entrance terminal (BET).  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional illustration of a connector module and associated protection module formed in accordance with the present invention and further illustrating an alternate configuration for a ground connection used in the connector module of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the connector module of the present invention, illustrating mating projections and recesses on the protection module and connector module to help guide the protection module in place on the connector module.  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a partial cut away, isometric view of a protection module formed in accordance with the present invention, shown mating with a connection tab of the connector module.  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a partial cut away, isometric view of the connector module of the present invention, showing the wire guides or channels which route the side-fed telephone wires to their respective connection points.  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a connector module formed in accordance with the present invention, and also illustrating a cooperating protection module also formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 14A  is an exploded top isometric view of the connector module and protection module shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 14B  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the connector module and protection module shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 15  is a partial isometric view of portions of the connector module and protection module formed in accordance with the present invention and illustrates the interface between the protection module and the connector module.  
         [0048]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of portions of the connector module and protection module shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0049]      FIGS. 17A, 17B  and  17 C are top plan views of alternative electrical contact arrangements for the connector module shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 18  is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the connector module and associated protection module formed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the connector module and protection module shown in  FIG. 18 , taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 20A  is an exploded isometric view of the connector module and protection module illustrated by  FIG. 18 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 20B  is an exploded isometric view of the connector module and protection module illustrated by  FIG. 18 , with an alternate form of the connector module from that illustrated by  FIG. 20A .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 21A, 21B ,  21 C,  21 D,  21 E and  21 F are front isometric views of several applications of the connector module formed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0055]     Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a connector module  1 , formed in accordance with the present invention, which can be inserted onto a mounting frame or through a panel as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The module includes a housing, which is made of insulating material such as plastic. The housing includes a body portion  20 , which includes a front cap  2  and a rear cap  3  residing in different planes and offset from each other to define a middle portion having a front facing surface  4  recessed from the front cap  2 . The caps define the front and rear of the module, each of which has a series of slits  12  and  13  to permit insertion of a wire, items  7  and  21 . Each contact is aligned with a slit in one of the caps. Inserted wires make mechanical and electrical contact with the end portion of the contacts  16  and  17  ( FIG. 5 ). Typically, wires  21  from the permanent equipment cable are connected to the rear series of contacts  17  and jumper wires  7  are connected to the front series of contacts  16 . A wire support  14  ( FIG. 2 ) can be used to fasten a cable or a plurality of wires to the module to support these wires.  
         [0056]     A series of protection modules or protectors  8 , only one of which is shown in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , can be installed as required. Protectors can be of the single pair or multiple pair (magazine) type as is known in the art.  
         [0057]     A series of channels or guides  22  are provided, as more specifically shown in  FIG. 12 , to guide the wires  7  from the side of the module to the front of the module. The guides  22  keep the wires away from the protector  8  so that the protector can be inserted and removed from the module without the inconvenience of removing or moving the wires. The wires  7  to be inserted into the front series of contacts  16  at front cap  2  are inserted into side openings  5  in the module, which side openings communicate with respective guides  22 . A pair of wires  7  is pushed through the guides and exits the guides through a series of openings  6  near the front row of contacts. A separate guide  22  is provided for each pair of wires. Each wire in the pair of wires is terminated to a contact  16  adjacent to the other wire in the pair.  
         [0058]     The recessed front facing surface  4  has a series of slits  10  to allow the leads  15  ( FIG. 3 ) of protector  8  to protrude into the housing to make contact with the stem end  18 ,  19  of the contacts  16 ,  17 , respectively ( FIG. 5 ). This surface  4  is recessed sufficiently from the front cap contacts such that the protection module  8  can be inserted deep enough so as not to interfere with the insertion and removal of the wire  7  from the contact ends  16  and  17  ( FIG. 5 ) and slits  12  and  13  without the inconvenience of removing the module. A lug  40  having a bore through the thickness thereof may be added to the protection module  8  to facilitate removal of the protection module by using the hook of a conventional protection module removal tool commonly used in the industry.  
         [0059]     A ground bus  9  is provided when protectors of the type that require grounding are used. Connection tabs  11  are provided on the bus to interface with each protector  8 . Each tab  11  preferably protrudes perpendicularly from the major portion of the ground bus and electrically engages a respective protector  8 . A magazine type protector may use the ground tabs  11  or use a ground external to the connector module.  
         [0060]     The circuit is complete between the wire  7  connected to the front series of contacts  16  and the wire  21  connected to the rear series of contacts  17  through a series of mechanical and electrical contact points  42  ( FIG. 5 ) when protectors are not installed. The circuit is complete between the wire  7  connected to the front series of contacts and the wire  21  connected to the rear series of contacts through a series of mechanical and electrical contact points between the protector leads  15  ( FIG. 6 ) and the stem ends  18 ,  19  of the contacts  16 ,  17 , respectively, when the protectors are installed.  
         [0061]      FIG. 7  shows a plurality of connector modules  1  (also shown with protection modules  8  in place) configured together on a backmount frame  23  to form what is know in the art as a connection block or connector block.  
         [0062]      FIG. 8  shows a plurality of connector modules  1  (also shown with protection modules  8  in place) configured together through a panel  24  of an enclosure  25  to form what is known in the art as a building entrance terminal (BET).  
         [0063]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate configuration for the ground connection tab  11  engaging lead  15  of the protection module  8 . This connection tab is shaped like a hook with a resilient free end that contacts the protection module lead  15  to ensure a good electrical connection.  
         [0064]      FIG. 10  illustrates another form of the connector module  1  and protection module  8  of the present invention. The connector module may include a series of parallel, spaced apart projections  27 , preferably dovetail in cross-section, formed on the upper surface of body portion  20  (on the side adjacent to recessed surface  4 ). The dovetail projections shown in  FIG. 10  may be split to form two halves, each having one of the two side faces forming the dovetail. Each protection module  8  may correspondingly include a recess  26 , preferably dovetail in cross-section, formed in its lower surface and extending longitudinally along its length. The projection  27  (or half projections) of the connector module is received by a corresponding recess  26  formed in the protection module as the protection module  8  is inserted onto the connector module  1 . The mating projections and recesses of the connector module and protection modules help guide each protection module in its place on the connector module so that lead  15  of the protection module is properly aligned with and received by a corresponding slit  10  formed in the recessed front facing surface  4 , and so that each ground connection tab  11  of the connector module is properly aligned with and received by a corresponding opening  28  formed in the end face of the protection module&#39;s housing.  
         [0065]     Although the projection  27  and recess  26  may be rectangular in cross-section, or having a different shape, it is preferred that they are dovetail in shape (as shown), “T”-shaped or the like so that the protection modules are securely retained in place on the connector module when mounted thereon. Also, it is envisioned to be within the scope of this invention to reverse the locations of the projections and recesses, such that the recesses  26  are formed in the body portion  20  of the connector module  1  and the projections  27  are formed on the protection modules  8 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 11  shows the inside of the protection module  8  formed in accordance with the present invention. One or more gas discharge tubes  44  (or other devices) are mounted on printed circuit board  46  situated within the housing  48  of the protection module. Electrical contact  29  with resilient leaves is electrically in contact with the printed circuit board (and the gas discharge tubes  44 ) and makes contact with ground connection tab  11  of connector module  1  through opening  28  formed in an axial end face of the housing  48 . A portion of the printed circuit board  46  preferably extends from the end face of the housing through another opening formed therein to define lead  15  which is received in slit  10  of the connector module  1  and which engages resilient electrical contact portions  18 ,  19  therein.  
         [0067]     A further embodiment of a connector module and an associated protection module formed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated by  FIGS. 13-17 . More specifically, the connector module  50  uses a protection module  52  having electrical contacts  64  which protrude below the body or housing of the protection module. Each protection module slides into a respective groove  61  of a plurality of parallel grooves formed in a surface of the main body (also referred to herein as the rear contact holder portion  59  and/or a front contact housing  60 ) of the connector module  50 . The connector module  50  includes sets of electrical contacts,  56  and  66 ,  62  and  65 ,  63  and  67  and  57  and  68 , which electrical contacts face each other and make contact with corresponding electrical contacts on the protection module  52 .  
         [0068]     More specifically, and with reference now to  FIGS. 17A, 17B  and  17 C of the drawings, it will be seen that the electrical contacts of the connector module  50  can be insulation displacement contacts (IDC), or configured for soldering to a printed circuit board or for wire wrapping. Furthermore, the contacts may be configured to be normally open or normally closed through the protection module  52 . With reference to  FIG. 17A , front contacts  56  and  66  are shown as IDC-type contacts for the jumper side of the connector module  50 . Contacts  62  and  65  of the cooperating set of contacts are shown as normally open, IDC-type contacts. When the protection module  52  is slid into a respective groove  61  in the connector module, bent portions of contacts  56  and  66 , and of contacts  62  and  65 , of the connector module  50 , which bent portions are directed inwardly of the groove  61  and are exposed therein, engage corresponding spaced apart electrical contacts  64  ( FIG. 15 ) of the protection module  52 . Thus, with the two pair of electrical contacts illustrated by  FIG. 17 , an electrical path is provided from contact  66  to contact  65  through the protection module  52 , and similarly, an electrical path is provided between contact  56  and contact  62  through the protection module  52 , when the protection module is fully received by its respective groove  61  formed in-the connector module  50 , and inserted between the connector module contacts  56  and  66 , and  62  and  66 .  
         [0069]     In the arrangement of connector module electrical contacts illustrated by  FIG. 17B , electrical contacts  63  and  67  are shown as normally closed IDC-type contacts, with contact  67  in electrical contact with contact  66 , and with contact  63  in electrical contact with contact  56 , without a protection module  52  being received between the electrical contacts. When a protection module  52  is received by a respective groove  61  formed in the connector module  50 , it is slid between contacts  56  and  66  and contacts  63  and  67 . Bent portions of the contacts  63  and  67  and  56  and  66  are directed inwardly toward the groove  61  and exposed therein so that they will engage and electrically communicate with corresponding spaced apart contacts  64  ( FIG. 15 ) on the protection module  52 . As in the contact arrangement shown in  FIG. 17A , the protection module  52  displaces contacts  56 ,  63 ,  66  and  67  from their original positions (when no protection module is positioned between them) and moves contacts  63  and  67  out of respective electrical communication with contacts  56  and  66 , thus interrupting the circuit between the contacts. An electrical path between contacts  56  and  63  and between contacts  66  and  67  is now provided through the protection module  52 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 17C  illustrates two pairs of cooperating contacts  56  and  57 , and  66  and  68 , in a normally open configuration, in the same manner as described with respect to the contacts  56 ,  66 ,  62  and  65  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 17A , except that contacts  57  and  68  are configured as solder or wire wrap contacts. The operation of these contacts would be the same as described previously with respect to the pairs of contacts illustrated by  FIG. 17A .  
         [0071]     It should be further noted that, preferably, the contacts  56 ,  66 ,  62 ,  65 ,  63 ,  67 ,  57  and  68  are angled at preferably a 45 degree angle with respect to the plane in which the main body (i.e., the rear contact holder portion  59  and/or the front contact housing  60 ) of the connector module  50  resides.  
         [0072]     Returning now to  FIGS. 13, 14A  and  14 B of the drawings, it will be seen that the connector module  50  includes an insulating housing that preferably includes a rear contact holder portion  59 , which receives and holds in place the rear set of contacts  62 ,  65 ,  63 ,  67 ,  57  and  68 , a front contact housing  60  which houses and holds in place the front set of contacts  56  and  66 , and an outer housing  51  which is preferably box-shaped with an open front face and which may be snap-fitted or secured onto opposite lateral sides of the rear contact holder portion  59  and/or the front contact housing  60  joined to the rear contact holder portion  59  (together defining the main body). The insulating housing of the connector module  50  may be formed as separate parts or may be integrated into one single part. If IDC-type contacts are used for both the front and rear contacts  56 ,  66 ,  63 ,  67 ,  62  and  65 , such as illustrated by  FIGS. 17A and 17B , then separate rear contact holder portion  59  and front contact housing  60  are preferably used. When outer housing  51  is mated to rear contact holder portion  59  and/or front contact housing  60  in an overlying relationship, it defines between the upper surface of the contact holder portion  59  and/or the upper surface of the front contact housing  60  in which the grooves  61  are formed and its top wall, back wall and side walls an open pocket for receiving the protection modules  52  therein when the protection modules are received by respective grooves  61  formed in the connector module  50 . More specifically, the spacing between the top wall of the outer housing  51  and the upper surface of the rear contact holder portion  59  and/or the front contact housing  60  in which the grooves  61  are formed is dimensioned to be equal to or slightly greater than the height of the protection module  52  so that the top wall of the outer housing  51  engages the top surface of the protection module to hold each protection module in place in a respective groove  61  in which it is received.  
         [0073]     As can be seen from  FIGS. 14A and 14B  of the drawings, an electrical ground  58  is provided as a primarily planar member having forked tabs  120 , pins or the like affixed thereto which protrude normally from the planar member in the direction of the grooves  61  and protection modules  52  received thereby so that the forked tabs or pins may make electrical contact with a corresponding contact  102  ( FIG. 15 ) of the protection module  52 . More specifically, each forked tab  120  has a space between the extending forked portions thereof which at least partially receives and makes contact with an electrical ground contact  102  of the protection module.  
         [0074]     The ground  58  for the protection modules  52  is located in the rear of the connector module  50 , either inside the outer housing  51  or, more preferably, on the outside of the back wall thereof, with the formed tabs passing through corresponding openings  122  formed through the thickness of the back wall and into the open pocket of the connector module to electrically engage ground contacts  102  of the protection modules  52 . Each protection module  52  is inserted from the front of the connector module  50  through the open face of the outer housing  51 . The jumper wires are inserted into the wire guides  69  (see  FIG. 14B ) which are similar in structure to the embodiments described previously and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12 , in particular. The side openings, which together with the front openings communicate with the guide channels, are aligned with a slot  124  formed through the thickness of a side wall of the outer housing  51  to allow wires to be inserted therethrough.  
         [0075]     As shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  of the drawings, the protection module  52  includes a carrier, substrate or printed circuit board  53 , various electrical or mechanical protection components  54  mounted thereon, and a housing  55  which is shown as including matable left and right half portions. The carrier  53  for the protection module components may be a printed circuit board, as mentioned previously, or a lead frame suitable for holding and electrically connecting the protection components  54  to one another and to the ground  58  (through contact  102 ) and the contacts  56 ,  57 ,  62 ,  63 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  and  68  (through contacts  64 ). It should be noted that, although  FIG. 15  shows contacts  64  and  102  on one side of carrier  53 , these contacts are similarly located on the opposite side of carrier  53  in preferably the same locations as on the first-mentioned side depicted in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0076]     As in the previous embodiment described in relation to  FIGS. 1-12 , this present embodiment of the connector module may include a plurality of front slits  126  and/or rear slits (not shown), with portions of the front and/or rear contacts being exposed in corresponding slits. Each slit receives a respective jumper wire which is inserted into it for making contact with the exposed portion of the electrical contact aligned with the slit. Also, as with the previously described embodiment, the upper surface of the connector module main body on which the protection modules rest and in which the grooves are formed is dimensioned in depth measured from the portions of the front contacts exposed in the slits backward toward the inside surface of the back wall of the outer housing  51  to be equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of each protection module  52  so that no portions of the protection modules overlie the slits or exposed contacts therein so as not to interfere with the insertion and removal of wires respectively into and from the slits and front electrical contacts while the protection modules  52  are properly mounted on the connector module  50 .  
         [0077]     It should be further noted that only one connector module  50  is illustrated by  FIGS. 13, 14A  and  14 B. However, multiple insulating housings as described previously with respect to connector module  50  may be integrated to form a higher pair count connecting block.  
         [0078]     A further embodiment of a connector module  70  and cooperating protection module  72 , formed in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated by  FIGS. 18-21  of the drawings. In this embodiment, the connector module  70  accomplishes the service objectives without using integrated wire guides.  
         [0079]     The connector module  70  includes an insulated housing having an outer housing  71 , a front contact housing  83  and a rear contact housing  84 . More specifically, the outer housing  71  is rectangular or box-shaped and includes preferably parallel top and bottom walls and opposite lateral side walls perpendicularly affixed to the top and bottom walls. The outer housing  71  further includes a rear wall having a transverse lower opening through which is at least partially received the rear contact housing  84 , and an open front face opposite the rear wall. The front contact housing  83  is received through the open front face of the outer housing  71  defined by the edges of the top and bottom walls and the lateral side walls and is at least partially received within a pocket or chamber defined interiorly of the outer housing  71  by the top and bottom walls, the rear wall and the opposite lateral side walls. The opposite lateral side walls may include open slots  128  formed therein and extending from the front face and the rear wall inwardly of the outer housing, which slots closely receive shoulders  130  formed on the lateral sides of the front contact housing  83  and the rear contact housing  84 . The slots and shoulders cooperate to ensure that the front contact housing  83  and the rear contact housing  84  are properly received and held in place by the outer housing  71 . Alternatively, an internal rib  110  ( FIG. 20A ) may be formed on the inside surface of each lateral side wall of the outer housing  71  to extend partially inwardly of the pocket or chamber, which ribs are preferably spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom wall of the outer housing  71 . In such a version of the connector module having ribs, the front contact housing  83  and the rear contact housing  84  are at least partially received between the bottom wall of the outer housing  71  and each rib to ensure that the front contact housing  83  and rear contact housing  84  are held in place within the outer housing  71 . The insulating housing of the connector module  70  can be formed of the outer housing  71 , front contact housing  83  and rear contact housing  84  either as separate parts or integrated into a single unitary part.  
         [0080]     As can be seen from  FIGS. 18, 20A  and  20 B of the drawings, a protection module  72 , formed in accordance with the present invention, is preferably generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape and is received between the top wall of the outer housing  71  and the upper surface of the front contact housing  83  and/or the upper surface of the rear contact housing  84 . The protection modules  72  slide in through the open front face of the connector module  70  and are held in place within the pocket or chamber thereof. The spacing between the inner surface of the top wall of the outer housing  71  and the upper surface of the front contact housing  83  and/or rear contact housing  84  is such as to allow the protection modules  72  to be received therebetween and to closely hold the protection modules in place within the interior pocket or chamber of the outer housing  71 .  
         [0081]     The inner surface of the top wall of the outer housing  71  may include a plurality of spaced apart, parallel rails or guides  73  which project inwardly of the pocket or chamber from the inner surface of the top wall of the outer housing  71 . The rails or guides  73  are provided to help align each protection module  72  with the electrical contacts in the connector module  70 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , each protection module  72  preferably includes a slot or recess  111  formed longitudinally along the length of the top wall thereof, which slot or recess receives a corresponding rail or guide  73  when the protection module  72  is mounted in the outer housing  71  atop the front contact housing  83  and/or rear contact housing  84 . Alternatively, or in conjunction with the rails or guides  73  formed in the top wall of the outer housing  71 , the upper surface of the front contact housing  83  and/or rear contact housing  84  may include a parallel arrangement of spaced apart rails  112  ( FIG. 20B ), adjacent rails partially defining slots in which respective protection modules are received and held in place. Furthermore, the rails or guides  73  formed in the top wall of the outer housing  71  may be positioned such that they are in alignment with the rails formed on the upper surface of the front contact housing  83  and/or rear contact housing  84  and define therewith a partial slot into which a corresponding protection module may be received. In such case, the slot  111  formed in the upper wall of the protection module housing may be eliminated.  
         [0082]     The outer housing  71  of the connector module  70  may include resilient and deflectable arms  86  which extend outwardly from each lateral side wall of the outer housing  71 . The arms are provided so as to resiliently snap into a panel, such as shown in FIGS.  21 A-F, to allow the connector module  70  to be mounted thereto.  
         [0083]     Preferably, a plurality of pairs of front electrical contacts  74 , spaced apart and in parallel with each other, and a plurality of pairs of rear electrical contacts  75 , spaced apart and in parallel with each other, are mounted in the front contact housing  83  and the rear contact housing  84  respectively. Such contacts, and their arrangement with each other, are illustrated by  FIG. 19  of the drawings. A pair of front electrical contacts  76  and a pair of rear electrical contacts  77 , each contact of each pair being spaced apart from each other and positioned in a side-by-side relationship, project through openings formed in the lower wall of the protection module housing to resiliently engage the pairs of front and rear electrical contacts  74 ,  75  of the connector module  70 , as clearly shown in  FIG. 19 . The electrical contacts  74 ,  75  of the connector module  70  have end portions which extend outwardly of the front contact housing  83  and rear contact housing  84 , respectively, so that they are exposed and may be contacted by the electrical contacts  76 ,  77  of the protection module  72 . Contacts  76  and  77  on the protection module are preferably resilient, curved leaf spring contacts which exert pressure on the corresponding electrical contacts  74 ,  75  of the connector module  70  to ensure good electrical contact therewith.  
         [0084]     As shown in  FIG. 20A , the protection module  72  includes a carrier or substrate  79  on which the electrical or mechanical protection components  80  are mounted, the protection components  80 , and a housing formed of matable lower and upper housing portions  81 ,  82  respectively. The carrier or substrate for the protection module components may be a printed circuit board or a lead frame suitable for mounting and electrically connecting the protection components  80  to each other and to the ground  85 , and to the contacts  76 ,  77  of the protection module  72 .  
         [0085]     The ground  85  may be an elongated member which extends across the width of the connector module  70  and which is substantially L-shaped in cross-section. It includes an outwardly extending tab which is provided for connection to a ground bus, and an inwardly bent portion which is received through an opening in the rear wall of the outer housing  71  and extends interiorly of the housing, a portion of which ground is exposed therein so that a further electrical contact  78  of the protection module  82  having a similar configuration to those of contacts  76  and  77  and at least partially protruding through the lower wall of the protection module may engage and make electrical contact with ground  85  when the protection module is mounted in the connector module  70 .  
         [0086]     The upper portion  82  of the protection module  72  housing may include one or more projections  130  which are received by slots formed in resilient arms or lugs  132  which extend upwardly from the bottom portion  81  of the housing of the protection module to hold the upper and lower portions of the protection module housing together. A further arm or lug  134  extending upwardly from the lower portion  81  of the protection module housing and spaced outwardly from the previously described arm or lug may be used for grasping using a tool or one&#39;s fingers to facilitate the insertion or removal of the protection module respectively into and out of the connector module  70 .  
         [0087]     A detent feature is provided to allow the protection module  72  to make electrical contact with a rear pair of electrical contacts  75  of the connector module  70  that is wired to the central office or the like without making electrical contact with a front pair of contacts  74  that are wired to the telecommunications equipment requiring protection. More specifically, the protection module  72  includes on the undersurface of the bottom walls thereof a pair of first and second protrusions  80 ,  106 , which are spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance. A lip or ridge  108  running transversely across the upper surface of the front contact housing  83  projects upwardly in the direction of the downwardly extending first and second protrusions  80 ,  106  of the protection module. The protection module  72 , when inserted into the connector module  70 , has its first protrusion  80  riding up and over the ridge  108  of the connector module  70  so that the ridge  108  is in between the first and second protrusions  80 ,  106 . The slight resistance caused by the first protrusion  80  meeting and riding up and over the ridge  108  when the protection module is partially inserted into the connector module is felt by the installer, and provides an indication that the protection module is positioned with respect to the connector module such that the rear electrical contacts  77  of the protection module are in contact and electrical communication with the corresponding rear electrical contacts  75  of the connector module and such that ground contact  78  of the protection module is in contact and electrical communication with the ground  85 , without forward contacts  76  of the protection module being in electrical contact with the corresponding forward contacts  74  of the connector module  70 . The installer may proceed with inserting the protection module further into the connector module whereupon the second protrusion  106  contacts and rides up over the ridge  108  on the connector module  70  so that the protection module is fully received by the connector module, and contacts  76 ,  77  and  78  of the protection module  72  engage and make electrical contact with contacts  74 ,  75  and ground  85 , respectively, of the connector module  70 . It is envisioned that the placement of the ridge  108  and protrusions  80 ,  106  may be reversed, with the ridge on each protection module and a plurality of first and second protrusions being formed on the front contact housing  83 .  
         [0088]     As with the previously described embodiments, the front contact housing  83  and/or the rear contact housing  84  of the embodiment of the connector module shown in  FIGS. 18-21  may include a plurality of slits in which are exposed portions of the front contacts  74  (or rear contacts  75 ) so that wires may be inserted into the slits to make an electrical connection with contacts  74  (or contacts  75 ). The insertion or removal of wires respectively into and from the slits and corresponding connector contacts may be accomplished while the protection modules are mounted on the connector module. The upper surface of the front contact housing  83  and/or rear contact housing  84  is dimensioned in depth measured from the exposed portions of the front contacts toward the rear contact housing such that it is equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of each protection module. In this way, no portions of the protection modules overlie the slits or exposed portions of the contacts in the slits, and the front contacts may be rewired without the need to remove the protection modules from the connector module.  
         [0089]     Typical applications of the connector module  70  formed in accordance with the present invention are illustrated by FIGS.  21 A-F of the drawings. Such applications include a low pair count building entrance terminal (BET)  90  ( FIG. 21E ), a higher pair count BET  91  ( FIG. 21B ), a low pair count BET mounted on a No. 89D bracket  92  ( FIG. 21A ), a panel mount  93  ( FIG. 21D ) and an extra large BET rack  94  ( FIG. 21F ). The assembled connector module, which is the same as that shown in  FIG. 18 , is illustrated by  FIG. 21 C . Referring again to  FIG. 18  of the drawings, the outer housing  71  may include a flange  114  extending partially outwardly from the top wall, bottom wall and opposite lateral side walls thereof to facilitate mounting of the connector module  70  to panels or brackets such as described previously and shown in FIGS.  21 A-F.  
         [0090]     In each of the embodiments described previously, the connector module of the present invention has its front face in which the jumper wires to telecommunications equipment are attached. The front face in each embodiment extends beyond, or more outwardly of, the axial end face of the protection modules which are mounted on the connector module. This permits the jumper wires to be removed, replaced or repositioned on the front face of the connector module without the need to remove the protection modules therefrom in order to gain access to the jumper wires. Furthermore, the protection modules are positioned to be installed on the same side of the connector module as the jumper wires, so that there is no need to gain access to the rear of the connector module, or connector blocks or the like formed from a plurality of connector modules, by the installer or technician when he is rewiring the jumper wires on the connector module. Having the axial end face of the protection module recessed with respect to the jumper wire receiving slits on the connector module greatly facilitates the installer&#39;s ability to make changes to the equipment wiring on the connector module and allows for an efficient and cost effective procedure for accomplishing such rewiring.  
         [0091]     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.