Abstract:
Improved splitter assemblies are described that can accept multiple incoming POTS lines and split each. In the preferred embodiments described herein, each of the incoming POTS lines is split into a voice line and a data line. The exemplary splitter assemblies described herein provide a card retainer that holds a plurality of POTS splitter cards. The splitter assemblies provide a hinged faceplate that retains a plurality of tool-less IDCs to form a panel to which electrical connections can be easily made in order to attach the incoming POTS lines and outgoing voice and data lines. In one preferred embodiment, a protective housing encloses the card retainer to provide a substantially weather-resistant enclosure for the card retainer. This housing is shaped and sized to be easily mounted in or adjacent to an existing building entrance terminal. The card retainer within has a number of retainer slots for splitter cards. Vents are disposed between the slots so that the cards can receive ventilation. The inside cover of the protective housing retains a test probe assembly that allows the connections with individual tool-less IDCs to be tested for integrity. A second splitter assembly is described wherein the card retainer is affixed directly to the backside of the outer panel of a building entrance terminal, particularly one that is located indoors or protected from the elements.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is directed to devices used to split a telephone line into multiple lines. In preferred embodiments, the invention is directed to devices that are capable of receiving and splitting multiple telephone lines in this manner. 
     In conventional arrangements, telephone company carriers provide drop lines to a building, residence, or other structure. These incoming drop lines are often referred to in the industry as POTS (plain old telephone service) lines. For buildings and multiple dwelling unit structures, such as apartment complexes and condominiums, the point at which the POTS lines interface with the internal wiring of the facility has become known as the subscriber demarcation. This demarcation is typically housed in a building entrance terminal. At this location, the incoming POTS lines are electrically interconnected with the internal telephone lines of the facility to provide a plurality of useable telephone lines within the facility. The building entrance terminal is typically a cabinet-like structure that may be located either inside or outside of the facility. However, these cabinets are often afforded a limited amount of established space, and they cannot be easily expanded in size. 
     As internet access, facsimile machines, and other data transmission services have developed, the demand for more twisted pair lines has rapidly increased. The need for more lines is further complicated by the time and space intensive work typically associated with installing new copper lines to accommodate the additional capability. However, not only are more data transmissions required, but also faster data transmissions, pushing the threshold of telephony technology. 
     With the advent of DSL (digital subscriber line) technology, the installation and higher speed concerns were addressed. However, the need to transport this technology all the way the the subscriber over multiple lines still existed. Single line splitter modules, that are capable of dividing a single telephone line into two separate, operable telephone lines, are bulky if several are used in a multiple line application and often will not fit easily into existing building entrance terminals. In addition, there is no currently known device that will divides multiple incoming POTS lines into separate voice and data lines. 
     In addition to the need for small, efficient splitter devices, there is also a need for a mechanism that permits rapid retrofitting of splitter devices between different DSL protocols. For example, if ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber lines) boards are replaced with VDSL (very high data rate digital subscriber lines) ones, the splitter devices must also be replaced in order to accommodate the new protocol However, there is no way to do this other than by disconnecting the electrical connections made to each of the individual splitter devices and then reconnecting new splitter devices. This requires a significant amount of new components and fine electrical work to complete. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for an improved splitter assembly that can accept multiple incoming POTS lines and split each. In the preferred embodiments described herein, each of the incoming POTS lines is split into a voice line and a data line. The exemplary splitter assemblies described herein provide a card retainer that holds a plurality of POTS splitter cards. The splitter assemblies provide a hinged faceplate that retains a plurality of tool-less IDC&#39;s (insulation displacement connectors) to form a panel to which electrical connections can be easily made in order to attach the incoming POTS lines and outgoing voice and data lines. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the invention provides an improved protective housing for the card retainer that provides a substantially weather-resistant enclosure for the card retainer. This housing is shaped and sized to be easily mounted in or adjacent to an existing building entrance terminal. The card retainer within has a number of retainer slots for splitter cards. Vents are disposed between the slots so that the cards can receive ventilation. The inside cover of the protective housing retains a test probe assembly that allows the connections with individual IDCs to be tested for integrity. 
     In a second preferred embodiment, the card retainer is affixed directly to the backside of the outer panel of a building entrance terminal, particularly one that is located indoors or protected from the elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary multi-dwelling unit phone splitter assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary card retainer assembly used in conjunction with the assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary faceplate used with the assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates features of an exemplary cover portion of the housing for the phone splitter assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a multi-dwelling unit phone splitter assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view depicting an exemplary phone splitter assembly mounted within a building entrance terminal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary telephone line splitter assembly  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The splitter assembly  10  has an outer protective housing  12  that is made up of a base portion  14  and a removable cover  16 . The base portion  14  has a substantially rectangular rear plate  18  that is affixed to four sidewalls  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 . In FIG. 1, the base portion  14  is shown lying on its rear plate  18 . In practice, however, the rear plate  18  is designed to abut a mounting surface (not shown) such as a wall at or around a building entrance terminal. The presence of the protective housing  12  makes the splitter assembly  10  particularly useful with building entrance terminals that are located outdoors or that are otherwise vulnerable to moisture. The base portion  14  may also be an integral piece (i.e., made by injection molding). 
     The rear plate  18  and sidewalls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  define an enclosure  30  having a frontside opening  32 . Two tabs  34  extend outwardly from either end of the rear plate  18  and each contain holes  36  through which screws or other connectors (not shown) can be disposed for attachment of the base portion  14  to a mounting surface. Two threaded posts  37  extend outwardly from the rear plate  18  inside the enclosure  30 . It is presently preferred that the base portion  14  and the cover  16  are formed of 0.063″ thick aluminum. 
     The lower sidewall  20  of the base portion  14  contains a number of apertures  38  through which electrical wiring (not shown) may be disposed. Break-though rubber grommets  40  are disposed in each of the apertures  38 . These grommets  40  can be centrally ruptured to permit the passage of electrical wiring and the like. 
     The cover  16  is affixed to the base portion  14  by a hinge  42  (partially shown in FIG. 1) for selective access to the enclosure  30  of the base portion  14 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, which shows the inner surface of the cover  16 , an elastomeric gasket  43  is affixed to the perimeter of the inner surface of the cover  16  to engage and seal against the sidewalls  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  of the base portion  14  when the cover  16  is closed onto the base portion  14 . Due to this sealing, the outer housing  12  is substantially weather-resistant. On the edge of the cover  16  opposite the hinge  42  is a tab  44  that retains a securing screw  46 . A complimentary tab  48  is located on the sidewall  22  of the base portion  14  and contains a screw hole  50 . When the cover  16  is closed onto the base portion  14 , it can be secured to the base portion  14  by rotating the securing screw  46  into the screw hole  50 . 
     The base portion  14  contains a removable card retainer  52  that is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.  2 . The card retainer  52  is formed of a base plate  54  with a pair of opposed sides  56 ,  58  that each contain a plurality of longitudinal retaining slots  60  in a side-by-side arrangement. In one preferred embodiment, one of the sides  58  extends upwardly from the base plate  54  a slightly greater distance that the other slotted side  56 . Longitudinal vents  61  are cut between the retaining slots  60  thereby allowing ventilation for the electrical components located within the card retainer  52 . 
     The base plate  54  of the card retainer  52  has a pair of laterally-located attachment tabs  62  (one shown) with holes  64  disposed therethrough. The base plate  54  is affixed to the rear plate  18  of the base portion  14  by disposing the threaded posts  37  through the holes  64  of the tabs  62  and then affixing a pair of nuts,  66  in FIG. 1, to the threaded posts  37 . It is noted that the card retainer  52  is removably affixed to the base portion  14  in this manner so that the card retainer  52  can be easily removed, if necessary, and replaced with a card retainer suitable for carrying cards or boards using another type of telephone protocol. This feature allows the splitter assembly to be readily retrofitted to change between a VDSL protocol and an ADSL protocol. This feature also allows for easy field service. 
     The retaining slots  60  are shaped and sized to receive a number of individual POTS splitter cards  68 . The POTS splitter cards  68  are known electrical components that are capable of splitting a single telephone line into two separate telephone lines. Such components are commercially available from, for example, Barth Tech, Inc., 732 Ave. R, Grand Prairie, Tex. 75050, which makes a VDSL splitter card. Other telephone line splitter components may be used as well. 
     A substantially rectangular faceplate  70  is affixed by hinged connections  72  to the card retainer  52  so that the faceplate  70  can be selectively closed over the POTS splitter cards  68  in the manner of a hinged cover. The faceplate  70  is more clearly shown in FIG.  2  and defines a rectangular window  74 . The faceplate  70  also carries a pair of thumb turn-type attachment screws  76  that pass through holes  78  in the faceplate  70  and can be secured within holes  80  in complimentary projections  82  that extend from side  58  of the card retainer  52 . In this manner, the faceplate  70  can be secured in the closed position. 
     One or more cable clips  84  can be affixed to the faceplate  70 . Such clips are useful for the management of excess electrical wires and cables that will typically surround the faceplate  70  of the card retainer  52  in operation. 
     As FIG. 2 shows, the rear side of the faceplate  70  carries a pair of brackets  86  that are affixed to the faceplate  70  by threaded posts  88  that pass through apertures  90  in each of the brackets  86 . The affixation is completed with the use of nuts  92  that are threadedly secured to the posts  88 . 
     Three rows  94 ,  96 ,  98  of tool-less IDCs  100  are disposed within the window  74  of the faceplate  70  thereby providing a panel to which all external electrical connections with the splitter assembly  10  are made. It is currently preferred that there be ten tool-less IDCs  100  in each of the rows  94 ,  96 ,  98 . However, any number of them may be located in the rows  94 ,  96 ,  98 , as dictated by the needs of the particular structure where the device  10  is being used. Tool-less IDCs  100  are known components that are used to retain a pair of electrical wires. As is known, a portion of the IDC  100  rotates outwardly from the rest of the IDC  100  to expose a pair of apertures that each receive a wire. The outwardly rotated portion of the IDC  100  is then rotated back to its original position to secure the wires within. The attachment of such wiring to a tool-less IDC  100  is well understood by those of skill in the art and is, therefore, not described in any detail here. It is pointed out that the brackets  86  on either end of the window  74  are used to secure the IDC rows  94 ,  96 ,  98  within the window  74 . The top row of tool-less IDCs  100  is used for attachment of incoming telephone lines. The lower two rows  96 ,  98  of tool-less IDCs  100  are used for attachment of voice and data line wiring, respectively (not shown). Electrical connections must be made, typically in advance, between one tool-less IDC  100  in each of the rows  94 ,  96  and  98  and a single POTS splitter card  68  located near the tool-less IDCs  100 . However, these connections are not described in detail as such are well understood by those of skill in the art. 
     When secured in the closed position, the faceplate  70  of a preferred embodiment is disposed in a slanted orientation, as FIG. 1 shows, by virtue of the fact that the side  58  extends a greater distance away from the base plate  54  that does the side  56 . This slant for the panel created by the faceplate  70  and tool-less IDCs  100  permits wires to be more easily inserted and removed from each of the rows of tool-less IDCs  100  by more clearly presenting the holes of the tool-less IDCs  100  when the tool-less IDC  100  is opened to accept wires. 
     As best shown in FIG. 3, the faceplate  70  carries written indicia that designates the row and column position of tool-less IDCs  100 . Specifically, row designators  102  and column designators  104  are used so that specific tool-less IDCs  100  may be easily identified by workers. In the illustrated embodiment, the row designators  102  are the words INPUT, VOICE and DATA while the column designators  104  are numerals  1 ,  2 ,  3  . . .  10 . Thus, a specific tool-less IDC might be conveniently identified as “VOICE, 2” or “INPUT, 6.” 
     FIG. 4 illustrates that a test probe assembly  106  is typically retained upon the inside surface  107  of the cover  16 . A pair of screw posts  108  are located on the inside surface of the cover  16  and serve as grounding terminals for the test probe assembly  106 . The test probe assembly  106  includes a pair of electrical wire leads  110  that extend from the screw posts  108  and terminate in a probe tester  112  that is shaped and sized to be secured in a complimentary manner to a tool-less IDC  100 . It is noted that the leads  110  can be wrapped around the screw posts  108  when not in use, as illustrated in FIG.  4 . In addition, a retaining clip  114  is secured to the inside of the cover  16  and retains portions of the leads  110  so that the probe tester  112  is conveniently stored within the cover  16 . Additionally, the interior surface  107  of the cover  16  is also a convenient location for the placement of useful printed matter such as instructions  115  or a list of premises  116  with which the splitter assembly  10  is associated. 
     In operation, incoming POTS wires and outgoing subscriber circuitry is brought into the enclosure  30  of the housing  12  through the apertures  38  and grommets  40 . The incoming POTS lines are affixed to one or more of the tool-less IDCs  100  in the INPUT row  94 . Subscriber circuitry is affixed to IDCs  100  in the VOICE row  96  and DATA row  98 . The circuitry of the splitter cards  68  will split the incoming line into two separate voice and data outputs. The presence of the faceplate  70  and the tool-less IDCs  100  allows workers to make the necessary connections without having to access individual splitter cards  68  or like components. As a result, the assembly  10  of the invention provides a device that is easy to use and provides protection for the cards  68  from inadvertent damage during installation of the circuitry. 
     Further, the hinged affixation of the faceplate  70  to the card retainer  52  allows the faceplate  70  and tool-less IDCs  100  to be easily moved out of the way to allow access to the individual POTS splitter cards  68 . Therefore, a damaged or inoperable card can be easily replaced. 
     In addition, the entire card retainer  52  can be easily removed from the housing  12  by the removal of the pair of nuts  66 , thereby allowing another retainer with substitute cards to be put into the housing  12  in its place. Advantageously, no connections between the cards  68  and the tool-less IDCs  100  would have to be disturbed in making this exchange, thereby saving time and preventing the risk of incorrect connections being made. One might exchange, for example, a card retainer suitable for ADSL telephone protocol with a card retainer suitable for VDSL protocol. 
     FIG. 5 depicts an alternative splitter assembly  120  wherein the card retainer portion of the assembly is not contained within a separate outer housing. Instead, the cards are retained within an enclosure that is shaped and sized to fit within a portion of the cabinet of a building entrance terminal (not shown). For clarity, like reference numerals between the two embodiments are used for like components. The splitter assembly  120  has a retainer housing  122  that is formed of a rear plate (not visible in FIG. 5) with upper and lower sidewalls  124 . A series of opposing guides  126  are attached to both sidewalls  124 , each of the guides  126  having a central slot  128  shaped and sized to receive a splitter card  68 . It is noted that the sidewalls  124  are spaced a proper distance from one another to allow the splitter cards  68  to be slidingly inserted into the slots  128 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 5, the housing  122  also has a faceplate  70  that is hingedly attached to one sidewall  124 . The faceplate  70  can be opened and closed onto the retainer housing  122  and, in the closed position, can be secured to the housing  122  with thumb-turn screws  76 . The retainer housing  122  also has two end walls  130  (one shown) located at either longitudinal end of the housing  122 . The end walls  130  each adjoin the two side walls  124  to define an enclosure within which the splitter cards  68  reside. The end walls  130  do not extend outwardly from the rear plate as far as the sidewalls  124  do, thereby creating a gap  132  between the sidewalls  124  when the faceplate  70  is secured onto the housing  122 . The gap  132  accommodates incoming and outgoing electrical wiring. 
     Flanges  134  extend laterally outward in opposite directions from each end wall  130 . A pair of threaded posts  136  are mounted on each flange  134 . When it is desired to secure the splitter assembly  120  within a building entrance terminal, the posts  136  are inserted from the backside through complimentary holes associated with the operations panel of a building entrance terminal. FIG. 6 illustrates the splitter assembly  120  mounted in a building entrance terminal  140 . As can be seen, the posts  136  are inserted through holes in securing plates  142  that are, in turn, secured to a front panel of the terminal  140 . Nuts  144  are then secured to the posts  136 . It will be understood that this method of mounting is shown by way of example only and that the type of building entrance terminal and the method of mounting may vary. 
     Although not illustrated, it is contemplated that the cards or boards could also be attached to the bottom side of the brackets  86  or IDC&#39;s  100  rather than in the slots  60 . In this embodiment, the faceplate  70 , IDCs  100 , and cards or boards, could then be inserted into a retainer  52  to protect the cards or boards. 
     While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes within departing from the scope of the invention.