Patent Abstract:
Secure cable connections in a structure. Cables are routed between a fixed surface and a removable surface to connectors within a lockable enclosure. Removable surfaces include raised floors, suspended ceilings, and the like that generally comprise tiles for access to an area between the removable surface and the fixed surface. Cable connectors are coupled to distribution panels, distribution cassettes, individual jacks, and/or other connectors within the lockable enclosure, which prevent unauthorized access to the cable connections. Cables are prefabricated to desired lengths with color coding and/or keyed connectors. Distribution cassettes, panels, jacks, and/or other connectors are also prefabricated with matching colors and/or keyed connectors to minimize installation time and connection errors. Lockable enclosures include concealed enclosures behind removable surfaces, integrated enclosures within removable surfaces, wall outlets, furniture outlets, and the like. The enclosures generally include a lockable door and openings that prevent access to, and/or removal of cable connectors.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/989,986, filed Nov. 16, 2004, the benefit of the earlier filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120, and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF ART  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to a secure cabling system, and more specifically to a modular cabling system with secure junctions.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Security concerns have grown in recent years, including concerns over infrastructure security. Data and communication infrastructures have increased in importance as more individuals, businesses, and government organizations increase reliance on these infrastructures. Consequently, security for data and communication infrastructures has grown in importance. One substantial aspect of these infrastructures is the cabling and connections needed to form networks and other communication pathways.  
         [0004]     Cabling systems in buildings are typically installed above suspended ceilings or below raised floors. Often, cables are simply routed on the framework of suspended ceilings and/or on the subfloor below raised floors. Some cables may be routed in raceways or conduits to better organize the routes and/or to aesthetically route cables within the space between the ceiling and floor. Distribution boxes and panels may also be used to subdivide large trunk lines into smaller branch lines that may be further subdivided and/or connected to computing and/or communication devices. To enable easy reconfiguration of the cabling, individual tiles of suspended ceilings and/or raised floors can be removed to access the cables and/or the distribution boxes. This easy access can create a security issue.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment for securing communication cable connections in floor and/or ceiling spaces of a building interior space;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a concealed distribution box installed below raised floor with one floor tile removed;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a double height concealed distribution box installed below a raised floor with one floor tile removed;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the double height concealed distribution box with its doors removed and no distribution cassettes or communication cables installed;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4B  an isometric view of the double height concealed distribution box with its doors  66   a  and  66   b  installed and closed;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of side-access concealed distribution boxes;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of a rear portion of side-access concealed distribution box;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of an integrated distribution box with its cover and door removed;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of an integrated distribution box with its cover and door installed;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a lockable wall outlet;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of an exemplary security fastener; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 8B  is a front view of the exemplary security fastener.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced, This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.  
         [0018]     Throughout the specification, the term “connected” means a direct connection between the things that are connected, without any intermediary devices or components. The term “coupled,” means a direct connection between the things that are connected, or an indirect connection through one or more either passive or active intermediary devices or components. The term “cable” and “line” mean a communication medium. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” 
         [0019]     Briefly stated, the invention is direct to securing cable connections such as communication connections and/or electrical connections.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment for securing communication cable connections in floor and/or ceiling spaces of an internal space of a structure, such as a building interior space  10 . A floor space is created between a fixed floor  12  and a removable tile floor  14 . The removable tiles are supported above fixed floor  12  by floor supports such as floor support  16  at the corner of each tile. Other supports can be used along tile edges and/or central portions of the tiles. In this exemplary embodiment, each floor tile is fastened to one or more floor supports, although the tile need not be fastened. To further prevent access to the floor space, the tiles can be secured to the floor supports with security fasteners that can not be removed with a conventional tool such as a flat head screwdriver, a phillips head screwdriver, an allen wrench, a socket wrench or other conventional fastener tool. An exemplary security fastener is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Security fasteners can also be used for attaching other components described below. The floor tiles can be covered by carpet tiles and/or other floor coverings. A similar configuration is provided for a ceiling space of building interior space  10 . A suspended ceiling  18  generally comprises a set of ceiling tiles supported by a framework that is supported from a fixed ceiling (not explicitly shown).  
         [0020]     A communication distribution panel  20  is generally secured in a locked room or other space. Communication cables are routed into the floor space and/or into the ceiling space. A conduit  22  and/or raceways can be used to control routing. Trunk lines, such as trunk lines  24   a  through  24   f , are muted in the floor space and/or ceiling space from communication distribution panel  20  to distribution boxes, such as concealed distribution boxes  30   a , and  30   b , and/or  130 . Trunk lines can also be routed to distribution boxes or outlets, such as integrated distribution boxes  40   a  and  40   b , that pass through a hole in a floor, ceiling, wall, furniture, or other surface. The trunk lines can be prefabricated to predefined lengths and can be color coded for different communication protocols and/or purposes. The trunk lines can also be prefabricated with keyed connectors on one or both ends of each trunk line to prevent connection errors during installation. The types of connectors include RJ45 connectors, SMA connectors, FC connectors, ST connectors, twist-lock connectors, and the like. Alternatively, or in addition, a bunk line can be coupled to a distribution cassette (not show) that splits the trunk line into multiple branch line connections.  
         [0021]     The distribution cassette, connector, and/or bare wire ends are installed inside a distribution box. A concealed distribution box can be accessed by removing a floor tile or a ceiling tile, respectively. An integrated distribution box extends at least partially through a floor tile and/or a ceiling tile such that the integrated distribution box is accessible without removing an entire tile. An integrated distribution box can be flush with a tile surface, recessed below a tile surface, or extend beyond a tile surface. In any case, locking mechanisms on the concealed and integrated distribution boxes prevent access to an interior cavity of the distribution boxes where the cassettes, connectors, and/or bare wires ends are located.  
         [0022]     Additional trunk lines and/or branch lines, such as branch lines  26   a - 26   d , can be extended from the distribution boxes to other parts of the building interior. For example, branch line  26   a  can be routed under the raised floor, up into a wall  15 , and coupled to a wall outlet  50 . Wall outlet  50  can include a locking mechanism to prevent access to branch line  26   a  and/or to prevent access to an end of a device cable  28   a  that is connected to a communication device, such as telephone  52 . Another branch line  26   b  can be routed under the raised floor and directly into a piece of furniture  54  to a furniture outlet  56 . Furniture outlet  56  can also include a locking mechanism to prevent access to branch line  26   b  and/or to prevent access to an end of another device cable  28   b , which is illustrated connected to a computer  58 . Alternatively, or in addition, a branch line  26   c  can be routed directly out of an integrated distribution box, such as out of door  42  of integrated distribution box  40   a  Door  42  includes a locking mechanism to prevent access to connections within integrated distribution box  40   a . Door  42  also prevents removal of branch line  26   c , which is shown connected to a portable computer  59 . As illustrated, branch lines can also be routed above ceiling tiles and/or dropped down to devices with or without conduits.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of concealed distribution box  30  installed below raised floor  14  with one floor tile removed. Trunk lines, such as trunk lines  24   a  and  24   b , are routed through trunk openings  32   a  and  32   b , respectively, of the concealed distribution box. Similarly, branch lines, such as branch lines  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   d , are routed through branch openings, such as branch openings  34   a  and  34   b . Connectors of the trunk lines and the branch lines are accessible via doors  36   a  and  36   b , respectively. The doors are lockable with locking mechanisms  38   a  and  38   b , respectively. Each lock can be keyed differently. The different keying can be done individually or by security classification (e.g., top secret classification versus secret classification), or both. Other locking mechanisms can include pad locks, and the like.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a double height concealed distribution box installed below raised floor  14  with one floor tile removed. The doors of the distribution box are also removed, providing easier visibility of the internal portion of a multi-sided housing  60 . In this view, it is easier to see that connectors on trunk lines  24   g  and  24   h  are connected to distribution cassettes  70   a  and  70   b , respectively. The distribution cassettes distribute trunk line fibers or wires (not shown) to branch line jacks, which interface with branch line connectors, such as branch line connector  74   a . In this embodiment, there are four distribution cassettes that are coupled to a connector panel  65 . Connector panel  65  is generally shaped as an “L” flange with slots for the distribution cassettes on one leg of the “L” and door hinges  67   a - 67   d  attached to the other leg of the “L.” 
         [0025]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the double height concealed distribution box with its doors removed and no distribution cassettes or communication cables installed. This distribution box and other embodiments are generally formed as multi-sided housing  60  surrounding a cavity  61  within which distribution cassettes, cable connectors, and cable ends can be installed. At least a portion of one side of the housing is open. A door enables access to cavity  61 . The housing, doors, and other components can be formed of metal, plastic, wood, composites, or other materials.  
         [0026]     One or more trunk openings, such as trunk openings  62   a - 62   d,  are formed or cut into housing  60 . The trunk openings are sized to allow the diameter of one or more trunk lines to fit in a trunk opening. However, the trunk openings are limited in size and/or positioned such that an end of a trunk line within the distribution box can not be accessed when the doors are closed. This can be accomplished by sizing the trunk opening smaller than a trunk line connector at the end of the trunk line within the distribution box. Alternatively, or in addition, the trunk opening can be offset, or otherwise located at a position that prevents access to the end of the trunk line through the trunk opening with a conventional tool. As a further security measure and/or to assist in cable routing, the trunk lines can be connected to a cassette at an angle, such as the angled corners shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0027]     Similarly, one or more branch openings, such as branch openings  64   a - 64   h  are formed or cut into housing  60 . The branch openings are also sized and/or positioned such that an end of a branch line within the distribution box can not be accessed when the doors are closed.  
         [0028]     Attached to housing  60  within cavity  61  is connector panel  65 . One or more slots, such as slots  69   a - 69   d  are formed or cut in one leg of connector panel  65 . The slots can be used to secure distribution cassettes and/or to install individual connectors. Some or all of the connectors on the trunk lines and branch lines can be keyed with predefined slots, holes, pins, and/or other configurations to ensure that they couple only to mating jacks on the distribution cassettes and/or on individual jacks installed in connector panel  65 .  
         [0029]     Also formed in or attached to housing  60  is a locking means. Housing  60  illustrates lock flanges  68   a  and  68   b , which include a hole through which a padlock can be inserted to lock the doors.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4B  an isometric view of the double height concealed distribution box with its doors  66   a  and  66   b  installed and closed. In this embodiment, the doors are coupled with hinge pins (not shown) to hinges  67   a - 67   d , which are attached to the connector panel inside the housing. Other closure means are possible. For example, a door could pivot about a vertical pin, such that the door remains in the same plane as it rotates open about the vertical pin. Another example includes a door that slides in grooves formed near the edges of the housing.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of side-access concealed distribution boxes  130   a  and  130   b . These concealed distribution boxes can be stacked together, such as by bracket  140 , for installation in a ceiling space, a high floor space, a storage closet, or other concealed area. Bracket  140  can include threaded holes that do not to all the way through bracket  140 . Fasteners can then be installed from within the distribution boxes through aligned holes in the distribution boxes to bracket  140 , so that the fasteners are not accessible when the distribution boxes are locked shut. Alternatively, bracket  140  can be riveted to each distribution box or attached in other conventional ways. Flanges  150   a  and  150   b  can be used to secure one or more concealed distribution boxes to a support surface. Each side-access concealed distribution box includes at least one side door, such as doors  136   a - 136   d . The doors can be sized according to the size of cable connectors. For instance, the doors may be lager for metallic cables than for fiber optic cables. The doors can be opened and closed by rotation about pins, such as pins  170   a - 170   c.  The pins are accessible only from the inside of the boxes. Alternative door mechanisms are possible, such as rotating the doors about hinges attached to any edge of a door opening. The doors are secured in a closed position by locking mechanisms, such as key locks  194   a - 194   d . Each lock can be keyed differently. The different keying can be done individually or by security classification (e.g., top secret classification versus secret classification), or both. A key lock can control a latch mechanism  138  that engages with a latch bracket (not shown) on the inside of a door. Other locking mechanisms include pad locks, combination locks, and the like. Distribution cassettes (not shown) can be mounted to a connector panel  165  to provide sets of distribution jacks  174   a  and  174   b . Branch lines (not shown) can be routed from corresponding jacks through an opening, such as a branch line slot  134 , in a housing  160 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of a rear portion of side-access concealed distribution box  130   a . Branch line slots  134   a - 134   d  are illustrated relative to trunk line slots  132   a  and  132   b , which form openings through door  136   a . The trunk line openings and can be formed through the housing. However, locating the trunk line openings in the door can provide a little more room to accommodate trunk line connectors and a bend in the trunk lines. The trunk line connectors are coupled to distribution cassettes within the box housing for distribution by corresponding branch lines. Both the trunk line slots and branch line slots are sized to prevent a person from accessing a connector within the box.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of an integrated distribution box  40  with its cover and door removed, Integrated distribution box  40  includes a housing  80  that is also generally formed as a multi-sided box to form a cavity  81 . Housing  80  includes trunk openings, such as trunk openings  82   a  and  82   b . In this embodiment, the trunk openings are circular holes within a surface of housing  80 , which would be concealed by a floor or ceiling tile. However, the housing generally extends through a floor or ceiling tile. Support flanges  86   a - 86   d can be attached to housing  80  to help support a floor or ceiling tile.  
         [0034]     Within cavity  81 , one or more connector panels, such as connector panels  85   a  and  85   b , are attached to housing  80 . One or more distribution cassettes can be installed in the connector panels. Alteratively, or in addition, branch jacks, such as branch jack  84 , can be installed in the connector panels. Branch line connectors can then be coupled to the distribution cassettes and/or branch jacks. The branch line connectors and mating jacks can be keyed, color coded, and/or otherwise configured to ensure that intended connections are made.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of an integrated distribution box  40  with its cover  90  and door  42  installed. Door  42  includes one or more slots, such as a slot  92 , that are large enough to allow cables to pass through, but small enough to prevent cable connectors from passing through. Door  42  also includes a locking mechanism. For instance, a key lock  94  can control a flange  96  to lock door  42 . Other locking mechanisms include a deadbolt, a pin, and the like.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of lockable wall outlet  50 , which is configured similar to the integrated distribution box. Lockable wall outlet  50  includes a door  100  that has one or more slots, such as slots  102   a  and  102   b , that are large enough to allow cables to pass through, but small enough to prevent cable connectors from passing through. Door  100  also includes a locking mechanism, such as a key lock  104  and a corresponding flange  106 . Other doors and locking mechanisms can be used to prevent access to cable connectors that are coupled to jacks within a cavity of the lockable wall outlet, such as jack  108 . Lockable wall outlet  50  can also be used as a furniture outlet, such as furniture outlet  56  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of a security fastener  110  for attaching a floor tile to a floor support and/or for attaching other components to other supports and/or to each other.  FIG. 8B  is a top view of a security fastener  110 . Security fastener  110  is illustrated as a screw, however, other embodiments include, a bolt, a knob, a latching device, and the like. A head  112  of security fastener  110  includes recessed holes  114   a - 114   c  positioned in a triangular pattern. A corresponding tool (not shown) includes pins arranged in a pattern that matches recessed holes  114   a - 114   c . The pins of the tool are inserted into recessed holes  114   a - 114   c , and the tool is rotated in a manner similar to a screwdriver. However, the tool is not a conventional flat head screwdriver, phillips head screwdriver, alien wrench, socket wrench, or other conventional tool. Instead, the tool is specially designed and not readily available, making security fastener  110  difficult to remove.  
         [0038]     The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. For example, the secure cabling system can be installed in mobile structures and/or vehicles that include a removable floor, ceiling, wall, or other surface. Alternatively, the secure cabling system can be implemented within furniture. 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7