Abstract:
A mounting bracket is carried by an end flange of a first electrical connector and includes projections which slidably engage grooves in a second electrical connector which is supported by the bracket. A hood covers the rear end of the first connector and at least partially covers and embraces the second connector supported by the bracket and includes an internal lateral projection which engages a hook-shaped portion of the bracket. The contact capacity of the first connector is greater than that of the second connector and electrical connections extend, within the hood, to connect the contacts of the second connector to contacts in selected positions of the first connector, so that selected conductors of a multi-conductor cable can be extended to the conductors of another multi-connector cable which has a lesser number of conductors, by way of cooperable connectors which are matable with the first and second connectors.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to modular interconnection systems, and is more particularly concerned with a modular telephone connection system for interconnecting circuits in telephone signal equipment to circuits in a telephone station. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Telephone sets, and associated interconnection hardware, have become modular as telephone companies have endeavored to combat increasing service expense, particularly in the areas of splicing, wiring, customer installations and equipment rearrangement which involve a great deal of labor. This trend towards modular construction and a variety of modular jack and plug combinations are discussed by Albin R. Meier, in his article &#34;The modular telephone-- a money-saving idea whose time has come&#34;, Telephony, Nov. 25, 1974, pp. 27-33. The interconnection apparatus in this article relates to connections between a subset and the handset, and between the subset and a wall jack. 
     In a well known interconnection technique, a cable is extended from the telephone signaling and switching equipment to a telephone station via a pair of mating connector units, hereinafter simply called connectors. In this manner, a number of circuits can be extended to the connector which is connected to the telephone signaling and switching equipment, and selected ones of those circuits can be extended from the matable connector to the telephone station by simply providing the latter connector with less than a full complement of contacts at selected positions. This adds a certain amount of flexibility for an interchange between a regular telephone station and a multi-function station, such as a key telephone station. Among those connectors which have been utilized in this type of interconnection system is the Series 57 connector manufactured by Amphenol Industrial Division of Bunker Ramo Corporation, the assignee of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an interconnection system, particularly a telephone interconnection system, which has the advantages of the aforementioned techniques and in which the modular concept is provided with added flexibility in the interconnection of telephone signaling and switching equipment and telephone stations. 
     According to the invention, telephone signaling and switching equipment is connected to a telephone station by way of apparatus which includes a first cable having a plurality of first electrical conductors for electrical connection to contact points of the signaling and switching equipment and for connection to contacts of a first electrical conductor. A second electrical connector, matable with the first electrical connector, and has a lesser number of contacts for extension of selected ones of the circuits of the signaling and switching equipment to a telephone station. The second connector has its contacts connected to contacts of a connector adaptor assembly, in itself a third electrical connector, which is matable with a fourth electrical connector. A second cable includes a lesser number of conductors than the first cable, these conductors being extended to a telephone station. The connection of the second cable to the telephone station may advantageously be accomplished in accordance with the aforementioned Meier article. 
     The connector adapter assembly, or third electrical connector as it is sometimes referred to herein, is in the form of a dielectric body which mounts its associated contacts and which, in turn, is mounted on the second electrical connector. As disclosed in greater detail hereinbelow, the structure for mounting the third electrical connector on the second electrical connector comprises a mounting bracket having a base which is received between a pair of downwardly extending legs on the dielectric body of the third electrical connector and a pair of upwardly extending projections which are received in respective grooves in the dielectric body of the third electrical connector. A hood is adapted to slide over and cover the rear of the second electrical connector and to at least partially cover the dielectric body of the third electrical connector and hold the same on the mounting bracket. 
     The second electrical connector includes a pair of end flanges. The first of these end flanges is slidingly received in a slotted portion of the hood, while the other end flange has the mounting bracket secured thereon. The hood is constructed with resilient sidewalls which are directed slightly inwardly so as to tightly embrace the second and third electrical connectors. The hood is also provided with lower edges and internal guide rails which slidably engage flanges and shoulders, respectively, of the second electrical connector as the hood is moved toward its final position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a telephone connection arrangement between telephone switching and signaling equipment and a telephone station, in which connector apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in a partially exploded elevational view; 
     FIG. 2 is a more detailed elevational view of connector apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, particularly illustrating a hood in longitudinal section positioned for sliding engagement with other parts of the connector apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical connector which is employed in conjunction with another connector as a connector adaptor for connecting selected ones of a number of circuits to a lesser number of circuits; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line IV--IV of FIG. 1, illustrating the hood in closer proximity to the remainder of the connector apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the electrical connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a jack-type electrical connector which is matable with the connector of FIG. 3 and which includes a latching mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the connector of FIG. 6 showing the latching mechanism in greater detail; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 6 taken substantially along the line VIII--VIII. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one end of an elongate electrical connector, particularly illustrating a mounting bracket for mounting a connector of the type illustrated in FIG. 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4; and 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of a hood taken substantially along the viewing line X--X in FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a telephone connection arrangement 10 is schematically illustrated for interconnecting telephone switching and signaling equipment 12 to a telephone station 14. The telephone connection arrangement 10 comprises a cable 16 having a plurality of conductors which are individually connected to one end to circuit contact points of the switching and signaling equipment 12 and at the other end to individual contacts of an electrical connector 18 (shown in phantom). The connector 18 is constructed complementary to and is matable with a second connector 20 on which is mounted a third connector 22, as will be described in greater detail below. The connector 22 is a socket-type connector and receives therein a complementary matable plug-type connector 24. The connector 24 is connected to the telephone station 14 by way of a cable 26 which also has a plurality of individual conductors. The cable 26 has fewer conductors than the cable 16; therefore, and as will be understood from the description below, the intervening connector apparatus constitutes a circuit reduction structure by which selected ones of the circuits of the switching and signaling equipment 12 are extended to the telephone station 14. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the electrical connector 20 is illustrated as an elongate electrical connector which comprises a dielectric body 28 having a plurality of spaced barriers 30 which define channels for receiving individual contacts 32. Each of the contacts 32 includes a forward active portion 34 and a tail portion 36. The forward active portion 34 is matable with a corresponding contact of the complementary connector 18, while the tail portion 36 is electrically connected, as by solder, crimp or insulation-pierce techniques, to an individual conductor 37 which leads to the connector 22. 
     The dielectric body 28 is a dielectric insert for a shell which comprises a top shell portion 38 and a bottom shell portion 40 which are connected together with the top shell portion 38 embracing the dielectic insert 28 and the bottom shell portion 40 defining a forward end of the connector for engagement with a complementary portion on the mating connector 18. The top and bottom shell portions are connected together in any suitable manner, such as by riveting. For example, the top and bottom shell portions include flange portions which together form an end flange 42 and an end flange 44. An integrally formed apertured rivet 144 on the top shell portion extends through an aperture therebelow in the bottom shell portion and is flared against the lower surface of the flange 42 to effect a connection, while a separate apertured rivet is used for this purpose at the flange 44, as is best illustrated in FIG. 9 where a rivet 100 is shown. The rivet 100, as pointed out below, includes a threaded aperture 102 for receiving a connecting screw 148 (FIG. 1). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the connector 22 is illustrated as being mounted on the connector 20 and as comprising a dielectric body which includes a top 50, a pair of sidewalls 52 and 54, a recess 56 formed between a pair of downwardly extending legs 58 and 60, a plurality of contact passages 62 in communication with respective slots 64, and a plurality of contacts 66 each of which includes a tail portion 68 and an active portion 70. 
     The connector 22 also includes a shaped passage 72 for receiving the connector 24 therein. 
     FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the connector 24 as a plug-type connector which comprises a dielectric body 74 having a plurality of slots 76 therein for slidingly receiving the active portions 70 of the contacts 66. Each of the slots 76 has a contact 78 mounted therein and each of the contacts 78 is connected to a separate conductor of the cable 26. The dielectric body 74 also includes a latch mechanism which comprises an integrally formed latch arm 80 having a pair of shoulders 82 and 84 which engage a pair of shoulders 86 (only one illustrated) within the shaped passage 72 of the connector 22. In order to disengage the plug and socket connection of the connectors 22 and 24, one moves the latch arm 80 toward the body 74 so that the shoulders 82 and 84 clear the shoulders 86, and then withdraws the connector 44. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 9, the structure for mounting the connector 22 on te connector 20 is illustrated as comprising a bracket 88 having a base 90 with one end portion which is secured to the flange 44 by means of the aforementioned rivet 100 and a second end portion for supporting connector 22. The bracket 88 also includes a pair of side projections 92 and 94 which are received in a pair of grooves 104 and 106 in the sidewalls 114 and 116, respectively, of the connector 22 with the active portions 70 oriented away from the tail portions of connector 20. As the connector 22 is moved downwardly and the projections 92 and 94 are received in the grooves 104 and 106, the base 90 is received in the recess 56 between the legs 58 and 60. 
     The mounting bracket 88 also includes a pair of L-shaped projections which aid in securing a hood 108 to the connector 20, the hood 108, in turn, clamping the connector 22 against the mounting bracket 88. As illustrated, projections 92 and 94 and the L-shaped projections extend in a common direction and form with base 90 two U-shaped portions and provide stops restricting movement of connector 22 and hood 108 in a side direction transversely to the row of contact rear portions 36 in connector 20. 
     The projections 92 and 94 may be provided with free ends with arcuate edge portions 93 (only one shown) diverging away from base 90 to aid in the initial insertion of the projections into the grooves 104 and 106 and to form an entry for connector 22. Additionally, the spacing between the projections 92 and 94 may be such that there is a slight frictional fit between the projections and the dielectric body. Of course, the frictional forces may be increased by directing the projections 92 and 94 slightly toward each other. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 10, the hood 108 comprises a top wall 110, an end wall 112 and a pair of side walls 114 and 116 having respective lower edges 118 and 120. The hood 108 is constructed of a resilient material, preferably a plastic material such as Valox 310, and the side walls 114 and 116 extend from the top wall 110 at a slightly convergent angle such that the lower edges 118 and 120 are spaced slightly closer than the transverse width of the connector above the lateral or side flanges 46. The side walls 114 and 116 includes respective inner surfaces 122 and 124 which have respective guide rails 126 and 128 projecting therefrom. The guide rails 126 and 128 are spaced from the lower edges 118 and 120 a distance equal to the spacing between the flanges 46 and the shoulders 48 on each side of the connector 20. Therefore, as the hood 108 is moved toward the right in FIG. 2 the lower edges 118 and 120 slide along the flanges 46 and the guide rails 126 and 128 slide along the shoulder 48 until the flange 42 is received in a slot 140 in a hood portion 138. With the hood so disposed, the L-shaped projections 96 and 98 hook over the right-hand ends of the respective guide rails 128 and 126 and provide at least one surface positioning the hood 108 with respect to connector 22. 
     With the hood 108 so disposed the inner surface portions 130 and 132 of the surfaces 122 and 124, respectively, engage the side walls 52 and 54 of the connector 22 for lateral stability and an inner surface portion 133 bears on the top 50 of the connector 22 to clamp the connector 22 on the mounting bracket 88. 
     As indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the connector 18 may be secured to the connected 20 by way of a screw 146 which is received through the aperture 142 and the apertured rivet 144 of the connector 20 and into a threaded connection, for example like the threaded rivet 100, in the connector 18. Likewise, a screw 148 may extend through similar apertures in the connector 18 for engagement in the threaded aperture 102 of the rivet 100. 
     Inasmuch as the mated connectors 18 and 20 may lie on the floor, for example in a business office, and as the apparatus could be subject to water splashing normally encountered when floors are washed, a splash guard in the form of a boot 150 may be provided. The boot 150 is preferably made of rubber and includes an end 156 which fits over the open end of the housing 108 and the connectors 22 and 24 and a smaller end 158 which tightly embraces the cable 26. Retaining ridges, such as the ridges 152 and 154 in FIGS. 1 and 4 may be provided to help retain the boot 150 on the connector assembly. 
     In a working embodiment of the invention, the connector 20 was an Amphenol Series 57 connector and the connector 22 was a Western Electric Company jack with the designation 623-P. This type of jack has found wide application in the telephone industry and receives a cooperable plug (the connector 24) also manufactured by Western Electric Company. Of course, the connector 18, in this particular construction, is a complementary matable Amphenol Series 57 connector. 
     The connector 18 accommodates, for example, fifty circuit points of the telephone signaling and switching equipment 12, while the connectors 22 and 24 handle a much lesser number of circuits, for example four to six circuit connections. Therefore, a selective connection is effected by connecting the conductors 37 to selected contacts of the connector 20, that is if a full complement of contacts is employed, or by selective withdrawal and repositioning of the contacts 32 to different locations along the dielectric insert 28. Ordinarily, the conductors 37 are clamped in the tail portion 68 of the contacts 66 and are therefore a part of the connector 32; however, a reconfiguration of the tail portions 68 so as to be provided with conductors at a later time, or the provision of removable contacts 66, will add greater flexibility in circuit selection and association between the signaling and switching equipment and the telephone stations. 
     It will be noted that actually two embodiments have been illustrated for mounting the connector 22 on the connector 20. In FIG. 1, for example, the mounting bracket extends further in the elongate direction of the connector 20 so that the connector 22 is positioned beyond the flange 44. This permits the connector 22 to receive the base 90 further within the recess 56 than in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the connector 22 is positioned over the flange 44. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 a slightly lower profile may be obtained, while a slightly shorter overall construction may be obtained with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, although the structural details of two embodiments are otherwise substantially the same. 
     Although I have described my invention by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore intend to include within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of my contribution to the art.