Abstract:
A wiring block mounting bracket for mounting a conductor termination array and wiring block on an industry standard 19 inch Terminal Frame System. For telecommunications and data management systems, the wiring block mount allows the mounting of one to four termination arrays only, without the need for a back panel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to a bracket for mounting a wiring block on a terminal frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The telecommunications and data management industries utilize connective hardware for general building wiring, premises distribution systems, local area networks, and other network applications. The connective hardware is commonly mounted on an industry standard (EIA-310) terminal frame. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the prior art system for mounting one particular type of connective hardware is shown. A back panel  20  is assembled from left  22  and right  24  portions. Two back panels  20  are then connected together with a back panel bracket  26 , and the assembly is installed on the frame  28 . Two wiring blocks  38  are shown installed on the back panels  20 . A conductor termination array  40  is mounted on each wiring block  38 . The back panels  20  will each accommodate twelve wiring blocks  38 . This system occupies about one-third of the frame  28  space, and provides positions for twenty-four wiring blocks  38 , even if only one or two wiring blocks  38  are required. This large minimum capacity discourages use of the system by small entities. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide a wiring block mount that will efficiently accommodate one or two wiring blocks across one row or two rows only and will readily isolate separate circuits from one another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wiring block mount for use in connection with a conductor termination array having a predetermined length. The wiring block mount is also used in connection with a terminal frame having two parallel columns spaced apart a predetermined distance. Each column has a plurality of vertically in-line mounting holes spaced uniformly apart. The wiring block mount comprises a girder having mounting holes aligned with the column mounting holes for mounting of the girder to the column. Attachment means is provided for attaching the termination array to the girder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art 19 inch Terminal Frame System with two wiring blocks installed on two back panels; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention and mounted on an 19 inch Terminal Frame System with two wiring blocks; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention in a partially exploded assembly along with a cable organizer type wiring block; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the wiring block mount of FIG. 3, taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan cross-sectional view of the retaining detail of the wiring block mount of FIG. 3, taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the wiring block mount of FIG. 3, along with two cable organizer type wiring blocks; 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the wiring block mount of FIG. 3, along with two cable organizer type wiring blocks; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention, along with four cable organizer type wiring blocks; 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the wiring block mount of FIG. 8, along with four cable organizer type wiring blocks; 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 11 a  is a rear perspective view of yet another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 11 b  is a front perspective of the wiring block mount shown in FIG. 11 a;  and 
     FIGS. 12 a,    12   b,    12   c  and  12   d  is yet another further wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 2,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , a support base or wiring block mount  42  constructed in accordance with the invention is shown. The wiring block mount  42  is used in connection with a first conductor termination array  40  having a predetermined length. The first termination array  40  is secured to the first wiring block  38 . The wiring block mount  42  is also used in connection with a terminal frame  28  having first  30  and second  32  parallel columns spaced apart a predetermined distance. Each column  30  and  32  has a plurality of vertically in-line mounting holes  34  and  36  respectively, spaced in a controlled pattern. 
     The wiring block mount  42  includes a girder  44  extending between opposite first  46  and second  48  ends. The girder first end  46  has at least one mounting hole  50  aligned with one of the first column mounting holes  34 . The girder second end  48  has at least one mounting hole  52  aligned with one of the second column mounting holes  36 . Fasteners such as bolts (not shown) would then be used to mount the girder  44  to the columns  30  and  32 . The girder  44  has a front  54  and a rear  56 . The girder  44  includes a web  58  extending between upper  60  and lower  62  flanges, which extend rearward from the girder web  58 . Attachment means is provided for attaching the termination array  40  to the front  54  of the girder  44 . Specifically, the attachment means comprises a cable organizer type first wiring block  38  secured to the wiring block mount  42 . The first wiring block  38  has first  64  and second  66  stabilizing arms projecting outward from the first wiring block  38 . Also projecting outward are the first  68  and second  70  mounting latches. 
     The wiring block mount  42  further comprises first  72  and second  74  support members, each having a hole  76  and  78  respectively, there through. The support members  72  and  74  extend rearward from one of the girder flanges. The wiring block mount  42  includes first  80  and second  82  strike plates having first  84  and second  86  strike barbs respectively. The strike plates  80  and  82  extend rearward from the girder web  58 , which includes holes  88  juxtaposed with the strike plates and support members. Thus, upon securing the first wiring block  38  to the wiring block mount  42 , the stabilizing arms  64  and  66  and the mounting latches  68  and  70  will pass through the girder web holes. The first  64  and second  66  stabilizing arms will slidingly engage the first  76  and second  78  support member holes respectively, so as to stabilize the wiring block. Then, the first  68  and second  70  mounting latches will engage the first  84  and second  86  strike barbs respectively, so as to releasably retain the first wiring block  38  on the wiring block mount  42 . 
     The wiring block mount  42  can accommodate a second conductor termination array  90  having a predetermined length. A second wiring block  92  is secured to the wiring block mount  42  alongside the first wiring block  38 . The second wiring block  92  has third  94  and fourth  96  stabilizing arms and third  98  and fourth  100  mounting latches projecting outward from the second wiring block  92 . The second termination array  90  is secured to the second wiring block  92 . 
     The wiring block mount  42  further comprises third  102  and fourth  104  support members, each having a hole  106  and  108  respectively, there through. Third  110  and fourth  112  strike plates are provided, having third  114  and fourth  116  strike barbs respectively. Thus, upon securing the second wiring block  92  to the wiring block mount  42 , the third  94  and fourth  96  stabilizing arms will slidingly engage the third  106  and fourth  108  support member holes respectively, so as to stabilize the second wiring block. Then the third  98  and fourth  100  mounting latches will engage the third  114  and fourth  116  strike barbs respectively, so as to releasably retain the second wiring block  92  on the wiring block mount  42 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, as well as to FIGS. 2,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention is shown at  142 . Wiring block mount  142  is similar to the above-described wiring block mount  42  in that it includes a girder  144  extending between opposite first  146  and second  148  ends. The girder first end  146  has at least one mounting hole  150  aligned with one of the first column mounting holes  34 . The girder second end  148  has at least one mounting hole  152  aligned with one of the second column mounting holes  36 . Fasteners such as bolts (not shown) would then be used to mount the girder  144  to the columns  30  and  32 . The girder  144  has a front  154  and a rear  156 . The girder  144  includes a web  158  extending between upper  160  and lower  162  flanges, which extend rearward from the girder web  158 . Attachment means is provided for attaching a first termination array  140  to the front  154  of the girder  144 . Specifically, the attachment means comprises a cable organizer type first wiring block  138  secured to the wiring block mount  142 . The first wiring block  138  has first  164  and second  166  stabilizing arms projecting outward from the first wiring block  138 . Also projecting outward are first  168  and second  170  mounting latches. The first termination array  140  is secured to the first wiring block  138 . 
     The wiring block mount  142  further comprises first  172  and second  174  support members, each having a hole  176  and  178  respectively, there through. The support members  172  and  174  extend rearward from one of the girder flanges. The wiring block mount  142  includes first  180  and second  182  strike plates having first  184  and second  186  strike barbs respectively. The strike plates  180  and  182  extend rearward from the girder web  158 , which includes holes  188  juxtaposed with the strike plates and support members. Thus, upon securing the first wiring block  138  to the wiring block mount  142 , the stabilizing arms  164  and  166  and the mounting latches  168  and  170  will pass through the girder web holes  188 . The first  164  and second  166  stabilizing arms will slidingly engage the first  176  and second  178  support member holes respectively, so as to stabilize the wiring block. Then, the first  168  and second  170  mounting latches will engage the first  184  and second  186  strike barbs respectively, so as to releasably retain the first wiring block  138  on the wiring block mount  142 . 
     The wiring block mount  142  can accommodate a second conductor termination array  190  having a predetermined length. A second wiring block  192  is secured to the wiring block mount  142  alongside the first wiring block  138 . The second wiring block  192  has third  194  and fourth  196  stabilizing arms and third  198  and fourth  200  mounting latches projecting outward from the second wiring block  192 . The second termination array  190  is secured to the second wiring block  192 . 
     The wiring block mount  142  further comprises third  202  and fourth  204  support members, each having a hole  206  and  208  respectively, there through. Third  210  and fourth  212  strike plates are provided, having third  214  and fourth  216  strike barbs respectively. Thus, upon securing the second wiring block  192  to the wiring block mount  142 , the third  194  and fourth  196  stabilizing arms will slidingly engage the third  206  and fourth  208  support member holes respectively, so as to stabilize the second wiring block. Then the third  198  and fourth  200  mounting latches will engage the third  214  and fourth  216  strike barbs respectively, so as to releasably retain the second wiring block  192  on the wiring block mount  142 . 
     Wiring block mount  142  differs from the above-described wiring block mount  42  in that it is for use in connection with a third  220  and a fourth  222  conductor termination array, each array having a predetermined length. Third  224  and fourth  226  wiring blocks are secured to the wiring block mount  142  above the first  138  and second  192  wiring blocks. The third wiring block  224  has fifth  228  and sixth  230  stabilizing arms and fifth  232  and sixth  234  mounting latches projecting outward from the third wiring block  224 . The fourth wiring block  226  has seventh  229  and eighth  231  stabilizing arms and seventh  233  and eighth  235  mounting latches projecting outward from the fourth wiring block  226 . The third  220  and fourth  222  termination arrays are secured to the third  224  and fourth  226  wiring blocks, respectively. 
     The wiring block mount  142  further comprises fifth  236 , sixth  238 , seventh  240 , and eighth  242  support members, each having a hole  244 ,  246 ,  248 , and  250  respectively, there through. The wiring block mount  142  has fifth  252 , sixth  254 , seventh  256 , and eighth  258  strike plates having fifth  260 , sixth  262 , seventh  264 , and eighth  266  strike barbs respectively. 
     Upon securing the third  224  and fourth  226  wiring blocks to the wiring block mount  142 , the fifth  228 , sixth  230 , seventh  229 , and eighth  231  stabilizing arms will slidingly engage the fifth  244 , sixth  246 , seventh  248 , and eighth  250  support member holes respectively. The third  224  and fourth  226  wiring blocks, and the fifth  232 , sixth  234 , seventh  233 , and eighth  235  mounting latches, engage the fifth  260 , sixth  262 , seventh  264 , and eighth  266  strike barbs respectively, so as to releasably retain the third  224  and fourth  226  wiring blocks on the wiring block mount  142 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, as well as to FIG. 2, yet another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention is shown at  342 . The wiring block mount  342  is used in connection with first  338  and second  340  conductor termination arrays, each having a predetermined length. The wiring block mount  342  is also used in connection with the terminal frame  28 , as described above. The wiring block mount  342  includes a girder  344  extending between opposite first  346  and second  348  ends. The girder first end  346  has at least one mounting hole  350  aligned with one of the first column mounting holes  34 . The girder second end  348  has at least one mounting hole  352  aligned with one of the second column mounting holes  36 . Fasteners such as bolts (not shown) would then be used to mount the girder  344  to the columns  30  and  32 . The girder  344  has a front  354  and a rear  356 . A standoff element  358  extends from an inner edge  360  integral with the front  354  of the girder  344  to an outer edge  362  generally parallel to the girder  344 , and extending between the girder first  346  and second  348  ends. A plurality of securing barbs  364  are spaced apart along the length of the termination arrays  338  and  340 . A plurality of recesses  366  are spaced apart along the standoff element outer edge  362  for receiving the barbs  364 , the recesses  366  having shoulders  368  for releasably retaining the securing barbs  364 . Holes  370  are passageways for routing cables through the wiring block to their termination points on the conductor termination arrays  338  and  340 . 
     The present invention enables an increase in the circuit density, i.e. provide for more 4-pair connecting blocks per linear inch of wiring block. One embodiment providing increased circuit density can be seen by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7. Each assembled wiring block  38  and/or  92  holds seven 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks. Thus, each row on a 19 inch terminal frame, i.e. two wiring blocks side-by-side, accommodates up to fourteen 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks. However, referring now to FIG. 10, the wiring block assembly/molded bracket spans the entire row (width) of the 19 inch terminal frame and thus accommodates sixteen 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks. The increased density is accomplished by having standoff  358  taper outward slightly from that of the industry standard (EIA-310) of 19 inch long wiring block mount at edge  360  to a width greater than 19 inches (such as 19.5 inches) at the outer surface  362 . The additional width provides sufficient space to support sixteen 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks in the same area of terminal frame, which previously only supported fourteen 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks. 
     FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  are a rear perspective view and a front perspective view of yet another wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention. FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  are a top perspective view and a front perspective view of yet a further wiring block mount constructed in accordance with the invention. Referring now to FIGS. 10,  11   a,    11   b,    12   a,    12   b,    12   c  and  12   d  it can be seen that holes  370  are passageways for routing cables through the wiring block to their termination points on the conductor termination arrays  338  and  340 . The passage ways can be individual holes  470  for each individual cable. Alternately, the passage ways can be slots  570  on the side of the girder  544  as seen in FIGS. 12 a,    12   b,    12   c,  and  12   d.  The “S” shaped slots  570  retain the cables once they have been inserted. Slots are often preferred over holes, as they permit the cables to be laid into place rather than having to be threaded through holes  370  or individual holes  470 . Additionally, for cable management, it is desirable to have access to the building cables individually rather than a bundle of cables. Individual cable passage ways (individual holes  470  and “S” shaped slots  570 ) can be easily and clearly labeled on the surface of the girder. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, utilizing a “double offset” connecting block a dramatic increase in circuit density can be implemented. The wiring block  500  shown in FIGS. 12 a,    12   b,    12   c  and  12   d  can hold up to twenty four of the double offset connecting blocks in the same area of terminal frame, which previously only supported fourteen 1.200 inch long  110  connecting blocks. Similar to the previous embodiment, in order to achieve this density increase, ends  580  of standoff  558  are flared out. The industry standard EIA-310 controls the X and Y planer dimensions of the 19 inch terminal frame. The present invention retains the spirit of this standard while exploiting the Z dimension (the dimension perpendicular to the X-Y plane) which is not controlled by the standard. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , a method is disclosed of mounting the conductor termination array  40  on the terminal frame  28 . The method comprises the steps of: extending a girder  44  between opposite first  46  and second  48  ends to form a wiring block mount  42 ; aligning a mounting hole  50  at the girder first end  46  with one of the first column mounting holes  34 ; aligning a mounting hole  52  at the girder second end  48  with one of the second column mounting holes  36 ; mounting the girder  44  to the terminal frame  28 ; and attaching the termination array  40  to the front of the girder  44 . 
     Further steps comprise: securing a wiring block  38  to the wiring block mount  42 ; and securing the termination array  40  to the wiring block  38 ; providing the wiring block mount  42  with a support member  72  having a hole  76  there through; sliding a wiring block stabilizing arm  64  into engagement with the support member hole  76  so as to stabilize the wiring block  38 ; providing the wiring block mount  42  with a strike plate  80  having a strike barb  84 ; and engaging a wiring block mounting latch  68  with the strike barb  84  so as to releasably retain the wiring block  38  on the wiring block mount  42 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 10, another method is disclosed of mounting a conductor termination array  338  on the terminal frame  28 . The method comprises the steps of: extending a girder  344  between opposite first  346  and second  348  ends to form a wiring block mount  342 ; aligning a mounting hole  350  at the girder first end  346  with one of the first column mounting holes  34 ; aligning a mounting hole  352  at the girder second end  348  with one of the second column mounting holes  36 ; mounting the girder  344  to the terminal frame  28 ; and attaching the termination arrays  338  and  340  to the front  354  of the girder  344 . 
     Further steps include: extending a standoff element  358  from an inner edge  360  integral with the girder  344  to an outer edge  362  generally parallel to the girder  344 ; and securing the termination arrays  338  and  340  to the standoff element outer edge  362 ; providing a plurality of securing elements, specifically securing barbs  364 , spaced apart along the length of the termination arrays  338  and  340 ; providing a plurality of recesses  366  spaced apart along the standoff element outer edge  362 ; and retaining the securing elements  364  releasably in the recesses  366 , by way of shoulders  368  into which the barbs  364  lock biasingly. 
     Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications, which will come within the scope of the appended claims, is reserved.