Abstract:
A keying system to control a mating interface between a plurality of mating jacks and plugs in a coaxial telecommunications panel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/645,105, filed Dec. 20, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/408,588, filed Apr. 21, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,423, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to the telecommunications industry. More particularly, this invention pertains to coaxial jacks and plugs with a keying feature to correctly route the signals. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Coaxial jacks and plugs are used to route and manage coaxial signals. Multiple jacks can be organized in panels. The panels are typically labeled to distinguish the jacks from one another. However, when the jacks and the plugs can be used interchangeably, there is a possibility that a plug will be inserted into an incorrect jack. 
         [0004]    High definition video broadcast standard uses dual coaxial lines to carry the complete signal. For example, one coaxial line carries an “A” signal while the other coaxial line carries a different “B” signal. While routing the high definition signal with a dual port plug, it is important to insert the dual port plug in the correct orientation into a telecommunications equipment such as a coaxial jack panel so that the dual coaxial high definition lines are correctly matched up and routed through the system. A keying feature is desirable to correctly orient the dual port plug to correctly route the dual high definition video signals. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a coaxial system with a keying feature to allow correct mating of coaxial jacks and plugs to correctly route signals. In one embodiment, a panel includes a plurality of jacks, where the jacks include a mating interface feature that only allows certain plugs to be mated. The plugs are paired to form a dual plug where the dual plug can only be mated with the jacks when the dual plug is in the proper orientation with respect to the mating jacks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a telecommunications panel according to the present invention, the panel illustrated with a plurality of coaxial jacks mounted to a rear of a frame of the panel and a plurality of dual port plugs mounted to a front of the frame of the panel, one of the dual port plugs shown inserted into the frame in the correct orientation, one of the dual port plugs shown inserted into the frame in the incorrect orientation, and one of the plugs shown prior to insertion; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the telecommunications panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the uncoupled dual port plug of  FIG. 1  correctly inserted into the frame of the panel; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a dual port plug according to the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the dual port plug of  FIG. 3 , illustrated in an assembled configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the dual port plug of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the dual port plug of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a coaxial switching jack for routing a first type of signal according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial switching jack of  FIG. 7  coupled to the frame of  FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional view taken along a line similar to line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial switching jack of  FIG. 7  and the dual port plug of  FIG. 3  coupled to the frame of  FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional view taken along a line similar to the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a coaxial switching jack for routing a second type of signal according to the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial switching jack of  FIG. 10  coupled to the frame of  FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional view taken along a line similar to line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial switching jack of  FIG. 10  and the dual port plug of  FIG. 3  coupled to the frame of  FIG. 1 , the cross-sectional view taken along a line similar to the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial switching jack of  FIG. 7  and the dual port plug of  FIG. 3  incorrectly coupled, the cross-sectional view taken along a line similar to the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a dual port plug with identical plug barrels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate a front perspective view of a panel  10  according to the invention. Panels  10  such as shown in  FIGS. 1-2  might be installed in broadcast communications production facilities. Panel  10  includes a frame  12  with a plurality of openings  14 . Frame  12  includes a pair of opposing mounting flanges  16  on sides of frame  12  to facilitate mounting panel  10  to a communications equipment rack or other mounting structure in broadcast facility. Flanges  16  include openings  18  for receiving fasteners to secure panel  10  to the rack or other mounting structure. 
         [0023]    Panel  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-2  with first coaxial jacks  20  and second coaxial jacks  22  mounted to a rear side  24  of frame  12 . First coaxial jacks  20  include a set of front connectors or ports  26 , accessible through openings  14  from a front side  28  of frame  12  and a set of rear connectors or ports  30 , accessible from a rear side  24  of frame  12 . Second coaxial jacks  22  also include a set of front connectors or ports  32 , accessible through openings  14  from front side  28  of frame  12  and a set of rear connectors or ports  34 , accessible from rear side  24  of frame  12 . First coaxial jacks  20  and second coaxial jacks  22  are mounted to frame  12  in an alternating fashion. First coaxial jacks  20  are used for routing a first signal, for example, a signal “A”, and second coaxial jacks  22  are used for routing a different second signal, for example, a signal “B”. 
         [0024]    First and second coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  may include normal through switching type jacks. In other embodiments, first and second coaxial  20 ,  22  jacks may include straight through (non-switching) jacks or other types of jacks. Switching type jacks provide internal circuitry so that without a plug inserted within either of the front connectors, an electrical path is defined between the pair of rear connectors. No such circuitry is provided in straight through jacks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,096, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a switching jack similar to first and second coaxial switching jacks  20 ,  22  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  and  7 - 12  of the present disclosure. 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , panel  10  is also shown with dual port plugs  36  coupled to first and second coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  through frame  12 . Dual port plugs  36  are illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 . Each dual port plug  36  is configured to carry two broadcast signals and patch these signals simultaneously. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , each dual port plug  36  carries an “A” signal and a different “B” signal. When coupling dual port plugs  36  with coaxial jacks  20 ,  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , it becomes important to orient plugs  36  correctly with respect to coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  such that the port carrying the “A” signal is inserted into front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20  routing the “A” signal and the port carrying the “B” signal is inserted into front connectors  32  of second coaxial jacks  22  routing the “B” signal. As will be discussed in further detail below, dual port plug  36  and first and second coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  cooperatively form a keying arrangement to ensure that the correct ports are inserted into the correct front connectors. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , each dual port plug  36  includes a plug body  38  with a first end  40  and a second end  42 . Extending from first end  40  is a dual signal cable  44 . Cable  44  includes two wires  45 . Extending from second end  42  are a first plug barrel  46  and a second plug barrel  48 . Plug barrels  46 ,  48  are threadingly coupled to plug body  38 . Flats  50  are defined adjacent threads  52  to facilitate fastening and removing of barrels  46 ,  48  from plug body  38 . Opposite the end with threads  52  are connection ends  54  and  56  of first plug barrel  46  and second plug barrel  48 , respectively. Connection ends  54 ,  56  of first and second plug barrels  46 ,  48  are configured to be inserted within openings  14  defined on frame  12  to mate with front coaxial jack connectors  26 ,  32 . Plug body  38  includes an inner conductive body portion, and an outer non-conductive body portion. 
         [0027]    Connection end  54  of the first plug barrel  46  includes a generally cylindrical shape with a uniform diameter D. Connection end  56  of second plug barrel  48  also includes a generally cylindrical shape. However, connection end  56  of second plug barrel  48  includes a larger diameter portion  58  with a diameter D′ that defines a shoulder  60  with a smaller diameter portion  62  that includes a diameter D similar in size to diameter D of connection end  54  of first plug barrel  46  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Shoulder  60  forms a keying feature to provide for correct orientation of plug  36  for insertion into coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  of panel  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of one of first coaxial jacks  20  used for routing signal “A”.  FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first coaxial jack  20  inserted into frame  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the barrels  27  of front connectors  26  lie flush with front side  28  of frame  12 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of one of second coaxial jacks  22  used for routing signal “B”. Front connectors  32  of second coaxial jacks  22  have a length L that is shorter than front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second coaxial jack  22  inserted into frame  12 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the barrels  33  front connectors  32  of second coaxial jack  22  are set back from front side  28  of frame  12 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 12 , the keying feature of dual plug  36  and coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 9 , first plug barrels  46  are fully insertable into front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20  since diameter D of first plug barrels  20  are small enough to fit within front connectors  26 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , second plug barrels  48  are fully insertable into front connectors  32  of second coaxial jacks  22  since front connectors  32  of second coaxial jacks  22  are set back to accommodate larger diameter portions  58  defining shoulders  60 . 
         [0031]    On the other hand, if plug  36  was flipped 180 degrees and second plug barrels  48  were to be inserted into front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20 , second plug barrels  48  would only be able to extend part way into front connectors  26  since shoulder  60  would abut against front connector walls  64  lying flush with front side  28  of frame  12  (see  FIG. 13 ). Shoulder  60  includes about the same size diameter as opening  66  defined by front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20  and thus is able to prevent insertion of second plug barrels  48  past a certain predetermined point into front connectors  26  of first coaxial jacks  20 . 
         [0032]    In this manner, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when dual plug  36  is oriented and inserted incorrectly, connection ends  54 ,  56  of the first and second plug barrels  46 ,  48  cannot be fully inserted into front connectors  32 ,  26  of second and first coaxial jacks  22 ,  20 , respectively, and end up protruding out partially from frame  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when dual plug  36  is oriented correctly, plug barrels  46 ,  48  are fully insertable into front connectors  26 ,  32  of coaxial jacks  20 ,  22 . 
         [0033]    Shoulder  60  defined by larger diameter portion  58  of second plug barrel  48  is located such that second plug barrel  48  cannot be inserted into front connector  26  of first coaxial jack  20  past a predetermined point or a predetermined distance, as neither can first plug barrel  46 . For example, in one embodiment, wherein first coaxial jack  20  is a switching type jack, the predetermined distance is such that insertion of second plug barrel  48  incorrectly will not actuate levers  68  to break the normal through routing. In other embodiments, for example, wherein first coaxial jack  20  might be a straight through jack, the predetermined distance could be such that insertion of second plug barrel  48  incorrectly will still prevent either of plug barrels  46 ,  48  from extending far enough into the front connectors to cross the signals, causing a disruption of service. 
         [0034]    Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the combination of first and second plug barrels  46 ,  48  and first and second coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  and frame  12  serves a dual purpose. First, the features prevent incorrect orientation of dual plug  36  with respect to coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  of panel  10 . Second, even if dual plug  36  is oriented and inserted incorrectly into front connectors  26 ,  32 , of coaxial jacks  20 ,  22 , the features prevent breaking normal-through routing in the case of switching jacks or prevents disruption of service in the case of straight through jacks. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the high definition video broadcast industry is only one of many different industries utilizing simultaneous dual signal patching. The keying feature formed from the combination of first and second plug barrels  46 ,  48  and first and second coaxial jacks  20 ,  22  and frame  12  is not limited to high definition video broadcasting and can be used in other applications using dual signal patching and other signal patching where there is a desire to prevent certain plugs and jacks from being mated. 
         [0036]    If desired, plug  36  can be constructed with identical plug barrels  46  as shown in  FIG. 14  for plug  136 . Plug  136  can be used with a jack panel like panel  10 . However, plug  136  will be insertable in either orientation. Plug  136  is not a keyed component. Plug  136  can be changed to a keyed plug  36  by changing the “B” barrel  46  to a “B” barrel  48 . Plugs  36 ,  136  can include indicia molded into plug body  38  for the “A” and “B” signal lines. 
         [0037]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.