Patent Publication Number: US-7581987-B2

Title: Splitter balun with repositional connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Coaxial cable splitters are used at coaxial cable branch points where the even distribution of power and impedance matching are both important. Conventional power splitters are available with different numbers of output ports. However, conventionally, power splitters are built upon the basic one input-to-two outputs component. Conventional coaxial cable splitters connect readily to standard BNC or F jacks. 
     Conventional video baluns are designed to convert a baseband video signal via BNC or F (coaxial cable) male connector, to an 18-22 gauge twisted pair (Cat 5) via an RJ-45 connector. A reciprocal passive balun can by used to convert the video signal on the Cat 5 cabling input to a coaxial cable compatible BNC or F output. A video balun will allow residential S video equipment to be connected through Cat 5 cabling. Multiple Video signals may be transmitted adjacent to one another using multipair Cat 5 cabling. 
     Some conventional splitter baluns only provide rotation of attached coaxial cables in the axial direction of the coaxial cable, shown for Example in  FIG. 1A . Repositioning of the connector at the input and output cable connections, or in the splitter itself, is not afforded in alternate directions. Other conventional baluns afford repositioning of the coaxial cable connection, but do not provide anchoring of the coax jack ( 71 ) in the balun housing ( 31 ), as shown for example in  FIG. 1B . 
     The multitude of different commercial modules and network interfaces require a corresponding multitude of different jack interfaces. A multitude of different splitters and splitter baluns, each compatible with the different connector positioning requirements, is needed to provide connections in and between the different modules and network interfaces. In turn, businesses and users needing to make connections to the different modules and network interfaces must have numerous different splitter baluns on hand or must acquire the specifically configured splitter balun to make the various connections. 
     Repositioning of an output or an input on a splitter balun in non-axial directions may be desirable for numerous reasons to include relative positions of existing equipment, mounting restrictions, or other housing requirements. For example, a splitter balun may be required which has a twisted pair input coming in on the horizontal, while the output BNC or F connection needs to be made in the vertical direction. 
     As networking demands only increase for both home and business uses, the need for splitter baluns which enable repositioning of the splitter in non-axial directions and provide universal positioning to interface jacks are highly desirable. 
     For some applications, the challenge is to provide a splitter which enables repositioning of input and output connectors via an easy modification or manipulation of the splitter. 
     For further applications, simple repositioning, in addition to axial rotation, of the output connector alone on a splitter balun is desirable. 
     For still further applications, anchoring of the coaxial cable connector to the balun housing is also desirable in some applications. The need to anchor the coaxial cable connector arises from a variety of applications and conditions to include control of mechanical loading and protection from the environment. The coaxial cable connection may be housed in, for example, an exterior wall box or other housing located in a corrosive environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a splitter balun connecting from a twisted pair to a coaxial cable in non-axial relative directions, wherein the direction of the coax connector can be quickly and easily modified. 
     It is an object of the present invention to accommodate a horizontal input and a vertical output relative to the horizontal input and vice versa. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which affords a quick transition of output position relative to the input position in a non-axial input cable position. 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention, in a splitter balun apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the direction of the BNC or F output connector can be easily modified to face the opposite direction and secured to maintain that position. 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention, in a splitter balun apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the direction of the BNC or F output connector can be quickly reversed to face the opposite direction. 
     In an apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment, the direction of the BNC or F connector can be easily rearranged to face a direction off axis of the twisted pair lines and anchored to maintain the off axis position within the balun housing. 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention, in a splitter balun apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment, there is the capability to reverse the direction of the BNC or F output connector to face the opposite direction within the balun housing of the exemplary apparatus and without the use of external components. 
     A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises repositioning the bracket of the BNC or F connector from a first end of the balun housing to an opposite end of the balun housing to change the direction that the BNC or F connector faces. 
     A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises mounting the splitter balun housing within a wallbox. 
     A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises quickly repositioning the BNC or F output connector to face the opposite direction and mounting the splitter balun housing in a compatible wallbox. 
     In summary, the new invention differs from existing technology in that it incorporates packaging which enables connections between different manufacturer&#39;s network interface device boxes when a coax connector is introduced to the subscriber line module. 
     The new invention incorporates packaging that allows movement or repositioning of the coax connector in the packaged module while maintaining all applicable functionality. Existing technology does not support this application. 
     The new invention incorporates an optional registered jack interface into multiple manufacturer&#39;s network interface device boxes into the aforementioned packaging, without any loss of feature or fit. Existing technology does not support this application or allow for this feature. 
     The new invention allows end users to minimize inventory and control purchased items by using one module supporting usage in multiple manufacturer&#39;s network interface device boxes. This accomplished through movement or repositioning of the coax connector on the module, and including an optional registered jack interface. Fewer materials will have to be sourced and stocked, resulting in increased efficiencies, lower inventories, and higher standard of craftsmanship in the field due to familiarity with a consolidated product. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description in view of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a conventional splitter balun wherein repositioning of the coaxial cable connection is afforded only in the axial direction. 
         FIG. 2A  is a splitter balun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the coaxial connector is anchored to the bottom of the balun housing and faces outward while the twisted pair enters the balun housing from the right. 
         FIG. 2B  is a splitter balun in accordance with an exemplary embodiment wherein the coaxial connector is anchored to the top of the balun housing and faces outward and the twisted pair enters the balun housing from the right. 
         FIG. 3A  is bottom view of a splitter balun in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a top and a bottom slot in the balun housing for the coaxial connector bracket wherein the balun housing partitions the conversion circuitry from the coaxial connection. 
         FIG. 3B  is a splitter balun in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , wherein the coaxial connector bracket is mounted in the bottom bracket slot of the balun housing. 
         FIG. 4A  is another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the coaxial cable connector is anchored to the top of the balun housing, which is in turn flip to provide twisted pair entry from the left as viewed, wherein the balun housing is in mounted in a right wall box and the coaxial cable connector direction faces downward and exits the bottom right of the wall box. 
         FIG. 4B  is another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the coaxial cable connector is anchored to the bottom of the balun housing and provides twisted pair entry from the right as viewed, wherein the balun housing is in mounted in a left wall box and the coaxial cable connector direction faces downward and exits the bottom left of the wall box. 
         FIG. 5A  shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the balun housing partitions the conversion circuitry from the coax connector and the bracket for anchoring the coax connector is mounted in the bottom bracket slot while the coax connector protrudes out of the top of the balun housing facing outwards. 
         FIG. 5B  shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the balun housing partitions the conversion circuitry from the coax connector, the coax connector bracket is connected to a filter enclosure and the bracket for anchoring the coax connector is mounted in the bottom bracket slot while the coax connector protrudes out of the top of the balun housing facing outwards. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention affords simple repositioning, in addition to axial rotation, of the output connector of a splitter balun. In addition, anchoring of the coaxial cable connector to the balun housing is also provided in accordance with the apparatus and methods of the present invention. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 2A , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Twisted pair lines  40  comprising hi  42  and lo  44  lines enter the balun housing  30  from the right and are connected to the conversion circuitry  80 . The output of the conversion circuit is connected to the coaxial connector  70 . A bracket  20  is mounted on the coaxial connection and fits securely into a bracket slot,  90  and  92 . In  FIG. 2A  the bracket is shown mounted in the bottom slot  90 . A ground line  60  also enters the balun housing from the right and connects to the conversion circuitry. Coaxial cable  50  is shown connected to the coaxial connector  70  and extends axially from connector  70  and at a right angle to the input of the twisted pair  40 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows the splitter balun apparatus of  FIG. 2A , wherein the coaxial connector  70  is mounted in the top of the balun housing  30  and faces outward. Using a simple method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bracket  20  on the coaxial connector  70  is secured in the top bracket slot  92 . Bracket  20  fits snugly into slot  92  and is inserted straight and secured by the tightness of the fit of the bracket  20  in the slot  92 . Coaxial cable  50  is shown connected to the coaxial connector  70  and extends axially from the connector  70  and at an opposite right angle to the input of the twisted pair  40 , as compared to the coaxial connector  70  direction in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of a splitter balun in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Balun housing  130  partitions the conversion circuitry  180  from the coaxial connection  170 . Bottom and top slots  190  and  192 , respectively, are provided for mounting of the bracket  120 . Hi and lo lines  142  and  144 , respectively, are shown entering the balun housing  130  from the right and connect to the conversion circuitry  180 . Grounding wire  160  also enters the conversion circuitry from the right. 
       FIG. 3B  shows the splitter balun apparatus of  FIG. 3A , wherein the coaxial connector  170  is mounted in the bottom slot  190  and faces outward. The bracket  120  is anchored, being secured in the bottom slot  190  of the balun housing  130 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a top view of the exemplary splitter balun embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , wherein the balun housing  130  is flipped over about the vertical so that the twisted pair  140  enters the balun housing  130 , as viewed from the top, from the left and the coaxial connection  170  protrudes out the bottom. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4A , the balun housing  130  is mounted in a right wall box  252 , wherein the coaxial cable  150  extends out the bottom right of the right wall box  252 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the exemplary splitter balun embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , wherein the balun housing  130  is flipped over about the horizontal so that the twisted pair  140  enters the balun housing  130 , as viewed from the top, from the right and the coaxial connection  170  protrudes out the bottom. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4B , the balun housing  130  is mounted in a left wall box  250 , wherein the coaxial cable  150  extends out the bottom right of the left wall box  250 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a splitter balun in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the balun housing  330  partitions the conversion circuitry  380  from coaxial connection  370 . The bracket  320  is mounted in the bottom slot  390 , while the coaxial connector  370  faces outward, extending out the top of the balun housing  330 . A coaxial connection housing  335  provides the connection between bracket  320  and the coaxial connector  370 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows a splitter balun in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, wherein the balun housing  430  partitions the conversion circuitry  480  from the coaxial connection  470 . The bracket  420  is mounted in the top slot  492  while the coaxial connection  470  faces outward, extending out the top of the balun housing  430 . 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 A,  5 A, and  5 B show only exemplary embodiments of many possible means for securing the coaxial connection to the balun housing. Alternate means such as fastening the bracket to balun housing using a fastener will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The bracket can be made from any material having sufficient strength to support the forces required to maintain the coaxial connector in a fixed position once secured. While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a rectangular slot to mount the bracket into alternate satisfactory configurations are readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternate shapes of brackets are also readily apparent to one of skill and the brackets shown in the Figs. are only exemplary. One ordinarily skilled in the art will readily appreciate the various ways of physically securing the coaxial connector to the balun housing while permitting adequate electrical connection. 
     The coaxial connection housing  335  and  432  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively, can be made from metal, plastic, resin, or polymer. The bracket itself can likewise be made of metal, plastic, or other material of comparable strength and rigidity. 
     The balun housing, i.e. element  30  in  FIG. 2A , can be made of any plastic, polymer, or resin type material having sufficient rigidity to form the housing and maintain the formed balun housing shape. The shape and size of the balun housing according to the present invention can also vary as dictated by physical constraints into which the splitter balun is employed. 
     In summary, the challenge is to provide a splitter balun which enables repositioning of input and output connectors via an easy modification or manipulation of the splitter balun. While the present invention has been particularly shown and described according to exemplary embodiments herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made in form or detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.