Modular mounting sleeve for jack Number:7,083,469 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A coaxial connection assembly including a coaxial jack. The jack is positioned within a longitudinal opening of a housing. The first end of the jack extends through a first end of the housing and the second end of the jack extends through a second end of the housing. The jack may only be inserted within and removed from the housing through the first end and may be held within the opening by a catch. Rotation of the jack within the opening is prevented. The housing includes a mounting flange extending away from the longitudinal opening. The flange may be adjacent the first end of the housing, and may include an opening for receiving a fastener. Sidewalls may extend from the flange toward the second end.<H mounting, Modular, Modular, mountin, 7083469.html, Patent, pto, 7083469

Title: Modular mounting sleeve for jack

Abstract: A coaxial connection assembly including a coaxial jack. The jack is positioned within a longitudinal opening of a housing. The first end of the jack extends through a first end of the housing and the second end of the jack extends through a second end of the housing. The jack may only be inserted within and removed from the housing through the first end and may be held within the opening by a catch. Rotation of the jack within the opening is prevented. The housing includes a mounting flange extending away from the longitudinal opening. The flange may be adjacent the first end of the housing, and may include an opening for receiving a fastener. Sidewalls may extend from the flange toward the second end.

Patent Number: 7,083,469 Issued on 08/01/2006 to Khemakhem, et al.

Inventors: Khemakhem; M'hamed Anis (Minnetonka, MN); Skluzacek; Kenneth Allen (North Mankato, MN)
Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN)

Appl. No.: 11/144,351

Filed: June 3, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 439/578

Current International Class: H01R 9/05 (20060101)

Field of Search: 439/578,654,638,668,579,582

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


3020365	February 1962	Neeman
3109997	November 1963	Giger Adolph et al.
3566334	February 1971	Ziegler, Jr.
3663901	May 1972	Forney, Jr.
3701083	October 1972	Ziegler, Jr.
3873785	March 1975	Lieberman
3980385	September 1976	Hirokawa et al.
4099825	July 1978	Jackson
4231003	October 1980	Ishimaru
4264115	April 1981	Chow
4749968	June 1988	Burroughs
4789351	December 1988	Fisher et al.
4824399	April 1989	Bogar et al.
4925403	May 1990	Zorzy
4938707	July 1990	Guimond et al.
4941846	July 1990	Guimond et al.
4950840	August 1990	Zetena
4971569	November 1990	Gooch et al.
4971578	November 1990	Wilson
5090915	February 1992	Moulton
5096444	March 1992	Lu et al.
5233501	August 1993	Allen et al.
5246378	September 1993	Seiceanu
5280254	January 1994	Hunter et al.
5329262	July 1994	Fisher, Jr.
5348491	September 1994	Louwagie et al.
5382173	January 1995	Brown et al.
5417588	May 1995	Olson et al.
5450011	September 1995	Boeijen et al.
5467062	November 1995	Burroughs
5475394	December 1995	Kohls et al.
5482469	January 1996	Seiceanu et al.
5489222	February 1996	Moyer et al.
5498175	March 1996	Yeh et al.
5503566	April 1996	Wang
5518414	May 1996	Antonini et al.
5567179	October 1996	Voltz
5577924	November 1996	Louwagie
5585768	December 1996	Wei
5599198	February 1997	Wang
5654679	August 1997	Mavretic et al.
5700160	December 1997	Lee
5702262	December 1997	Brown et al.
5865654	February 1999	Shimirak et al.
5876253	March 1999	Martucci et al.
5885096	March 1999	Ogren
5964607	October 1999	Finke et al.
6045378	April 2000	Follingstad
6062910	May 2000	Braquet et al.
6065997	May 2000	Wang
6113431	September 2000	Wong
6213801	April 2001	Tayloe et al.
6224421	May 2001	Maturo, Jr.
6227868	May 2001	Wlodarski
6241562	June 2001	Benda et al.
6250960	June 2001	Youtsey
6276970	August 2001	Wong
6409550	June 2002	Splichal et al.
6533616	March 2003	Johnsen et al.
6572413	June 2003	Olson et al.
6743032	June 2004	Ogren et al.
6752665	June 2004	Kha et al.
6761588	July 2004	Heebe et al.
6790080	September 2004	Cannon
6808426	October 2004	Liu
6811432	November 2004	Cabalka et al.
6817876	November 2004	Cooper et al.
6830486	December 2004	Norris et al.
6835093	December 2004	Griffin et al.
6846195	January 2005	Annequin
6848948	February 2005	Khemakhem et al.
6881076	April 2005	Baker
6945817	September 2005	Miyazaki et al.
6953368	October 2005	Khemakhem et al.
2002/0081907	June 2002	Olson et al.
2002/0097105	July 2002	Khemakhem et al.
2002/0151221	October 2002	Johnsen et al.
2003/0134541	July 2003	Johnsen et al.
2003/0228781	December 2003	Cooper et al.
2004/0014365	January 2004	Norris et al.
2004/0014367	January 2004	Petersen
2004/0014368	January 2004	Kluempke
2004/0097138	May 2004	Kha et al.
2004/0209521	October 2004	Cooper et al.
2004/0219825	November 2004	Musolf et al.
2004/0259425	December 2004	Johnsen et al.
2005/0026506	February 2005	Kha et al.
2005/0095900	May 2005	Khemakhem et al.
2005/0277331	December 2005	Hall

Other References

Ward, R., "Avoiding the Pitfalls in Serial Digital Signal Distribution," SMPTE Journal, vol. 102, No. 1, pp. 14-23 (Jan. 1993). cited by other .
Kings Electronic Co. Inc. Broadcast Video Products Catalog, front cover page, pp. 1 and 7, and back cover page (1991). cited by other .
Photographs of a Kings Electronic Co. Inc. Video Jack Part No. 7400-1, 1 page (Date Unknown). cited by other .
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. "Broadcast Products," 11th Edition, Publication No. 1180270, front cover, table of contents, pp. 1-16, 45-67, 172-191, back cover (Aug. 2003). cited by other .
Canford Audio Video Jackfield 12 photos (Updated). cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Gushi; Ross
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould P.C.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application Ser. No. 11/112,627 filed Apr. 21, 2005. The disclosure of Ser. No. 11/112,627 is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coaxial connection assembly comprising: a coaxial jack assembly with a conductive outer shell with a first end and a second opposite end, the first end defining a first coaxial jack including an insulator and a center conductor, the second end defining a second coaxial jack including an insulator and a center conductor, the center conductors of the first and second jacks electrically connected; a housing including a longitudinal opening, the jack assembly slidably received within the longitudinal opening with the first end of the jack assembly adjacent a first end of the housing and the second end of the jack assembly adjacent a second end of the housing; the longitudinal opening of the housing including a mating surface and the jack assembly including a mating surface, the mating surfaces cooperating to prevent rotation of the jack assembly within the opening; the longitudinal opening of the housing including a catch to position the jack assembly within the opening; the housing including a mounting flange extending away from the longitudinal opening adjacent the first end of the housing, the mounting flange including an opening for receiving a fastener.

2. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of the jack assembly includes a pair of opposing bayonets extending outward from the outer shell to a width greater than a width of the longitudinal opening, and the longitudinal opening of the housing including a pair of slots to permit the passage of the second end of the jack assembly through the longitudinal opening, and the flats of the longitudinal opening is positioned generally equidistant between the pair of slots within the longitudinal opening.

3. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the jack assembly includes means for selectively electrically terminate the center conductor of the front coaxial jack with the outer shell.

4. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is non-conductive.

5. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal opening of the housing includes two opposing mating surfaces and the jack assembly includes two opposing mating surfaces.

6. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 5, wherein the mating surfaces are flats.

7. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 6, further comprising two catches extending into the longitudinal opening of the housing and engaging the coaxial jack assembly.

8. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 7, wherein the two catches are positioned on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal opening.

9. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising the catch including an inwardly extending end projecting into the longitudinal opening and engaging a groove of the jack assembly within the longitudinal opening.

10. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 9, wherein the groove of the jack assembly extends generally circumferentially about the jack assembly.

11. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 9, further comprising two catches extending into the longitudinal opening and releasably engaging the groove of the jack assembly.

12. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 11, wherein the two catches are positioned on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal opening of the housing.

13. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising the catch including a tab extending inwardly into the longitudinal opening which engages a protrusion extending outwardly from the coaxial jack assembly.

14. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 13, further comprising two catches extending into the longitudinal opening and each catch releasably engages an outwardly extending protrusion of the coaxial jack assembly.

15. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 14, wherein the two catches are positioned on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal opening of the housing.

16. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an outer face opposite the mounting flange, the face including a longitudinally extending ridge and a longitudinally extending groove, the ridge and groove may be slidably received within a groove and ridge, respectively, of an identically configured housing to hold the two housing together.

17. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 16, wherein the ridge has a dovetail shape and the groove has a mating shape for slidably receiving the ridge.

18. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, further comprising a side wall extending from a side of the mounting flange positioned away from the first end of the housing, the side wall extending from the mounting flange toward the second end of the housing.

19. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 18, further comprising a pair of side walls extending from the mounting flange toward the second end and defining a channel therebetween, allowing access to the fastener within the opening of the mounting flange.

20. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 1, wherein a captive fastener is positioned in the opening in the mounting flange.

21. The coaxial connection assembly of claim 20, wherein the fastener includes a screw.

22. A housing for a coaxial jack, the housing comprising: a body extending from a first end to a second end; a longitudinal opening extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body, the longitudinal opening sized to receive the coaxial jack through the first end; the opening including a longitudinally extending guide to prevent rotation of the coaxial jack within the longitudinal opening; the opening including a catch to hold the coaxial jack within the longitudinal opening; the body including a flange extending from an outer surface of the body and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal opening, the flange including an opening to receive a fastener, the flange also including a pair of side walls extending from the flange toward the second end and a channel providing access to the fastener opening defined between the side walls; the body including an outer face opposite the flange with a parallel ridge and groove extending longitudinally from adjacent the first end to adjacent the second end.

23. The housing of claim 22, wherein the flange extends from the body adjacent the first end.

24. The housing of claim 22, wherein the longitudinally extending guide of the opening is a flat.

25. The housing of claim 24, wherein the longitudinally extending guide is a pair of opposing flats.

26. The housing of claim 22, wherein the catch includes an inwardly extending tab extending into the longitudinal opening, and a flexible arm extending within an opening in a side of the housing adjacent the longitudinal opening.

27. The housing of claim 26, wherein the inwardly extending tab includes a ramped surface angled toward the first end of the body.

28. The housing of claim 26, wherein the inwardly extending tab includes a retention surface facing the second end of the body and an end wall within the longitudinal facing the first end.

29. The housing of claim 22, further comprising a pair of catches to hold the coaxial jack within the longitudinal opening.

30. The housing of claim 29, wherein the catches are positioned generally opposite each other within the longitudinal opening.

31. The housing of claim 29, wherein each of the catches includes an inwardly extending tab extending into the longitudinal opening, and a flexible arm extending within an opening in a side of the housing adjacent the longitudinal opening.

32. The housing of claim 22, further comprising a second identically configured body, the body and the second body positioned with first ends, second ends and outer faces adjacent each other, with the ridge and groove of the body engaging the groove and ridge of the second body, respectively, holding the bodies together with the flanges extending generally oppositely.

33. The housing of claim 32, wherein the ridges are slidably received within the grooves.

34. The housing of claim 33, wherein the ridges define a generally dovetail cross-section and the grooves define a mating opening for the dovetail.

35. A method of assembling a jack pair comprising: providing first and second coaxial jack assemblies, each jack assembly including a first coaxial connector end, a second coaxial connector end, and a flat and a groove in an outer shell of the jack assembly, and first and second housings, each housing including a longitudinal opening with a first end and a second end, the opening of each housing including a flat and a catch, each housing also including a first face including a ridge and a groove, the housings being identically configured; inserting the second coaxial connector end of the first jack assembly into the opening of the first housing through the first end of the housing; engaging the flat within the opening of the first housing with the flat of the first jack assembly; positioning the first jack assembly within the opening with the first connector end adjacent the first end of the first housing and the second connector end adjacent the second end of the first housing, with the catch engaging the groove to hold the jack assembly within the opening; inserting the second coaxial connector end of the second jack assembly into the opening of the second housing through the first end of the housing; engaging the flat within the opening of the second housing with the flat of the second jack assembly; positioning the second jack assembly within the opening with the first connector end adjacent the first end of the second housing and the second connector end adjacent the second end of the second housing, with the catch engaging the groove to hold the jack assembly within the opening; slidably mounting the first housing to the second housing along the first face of each housing, the ridge and the groove of the first housing cooperating with the groove and ridge, respectively, of the second housing to hold the housing together.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the second coaxial connector end of each jack assembly is a BNC connector including a pair of opposing bayonets extending transversely from the connector and the opening includes a pair of bayonet slots for receiving the bayonets, and the method further comprising positioning the bayonets of the second coaxial connector end within the bayonet slots and orienting the flat of the jack assembly with the flat of the opening.

37. A jack pair comprising: first and second jack assemblies, each jack assembly including a first coaxial connector end and a second coaxial connector end, each of the connector ends adapted to receive and electrically mate with a coaxial connector; a housing defining a pair of longitudinal openings, each longitudinal opening configured to position one of the jack assemblies within the housing with the first coaxial connector adjacent a first end of the housing and the second coaxial connector end adjacent a second end of the housing; the openings of the housing slidably receiving one of the jack assemblies through the first end; each opening of the housing including a flat and the jack assembly including a corresponding flat, the flats cooperating to prevent rotation of the jack assembly within the opening of the housing; each opening of the housing including a catch to engage a groove of the jack assembly within the opening through the first end of the housing and prevent removal of the jack assembly through the second end of the housing; the housing including a pair of opposing mounting flange adjacent the first end of each housing, the mounting flange including an opening for receiving a fastener.

38. The jack pair of claim 37, wherein the flanges each include a pair of side walls extending from the flange toward the second end, the side walls of each flange defining a channel permitting access to the fastener opening.

39. A jack panel comprising: a panel front with a rear face and a plurality of openings; a panel frame with an upper flange and a lower flange rearwardly offset from the rear face of the panel front; a housing with a longitudinal opening and a mounting flange including a fastener opening mounted to one of the mounting flanges of the panel frame by a fastener extending through the fastener opening of the mounting flange and engaging one of the upper or lower flanges of the panel frame, the longitudinal opening including a mating surface and a catch; a jack assembly positioned within the longitudinal opening of the housing, the jack assembly including a front connector adjacent the rear face and accessible through one of the openings of the panel front and a rear connector extending from an end of the housing opposite the panel front, the jack assembly including a mating surface; the jack assembly within the longitudinal opening of housing, with the catch of the longitudinal opening engaging the jack assembly to hold the front connector adjacent the rear face and the mating surfaces engaging to prevent rotation of the jack assembly within the longitudinal opening.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to mounting sleeves for connector jacks to facilitate connection of communications circuits.

BACKGROUND

In broadcast communications equipment installations, such as in a studio or production facility, it is common to have patch panels to interconnect a variety of signal sources with a variety of downstream processing, recording and broadcast equipment. These patch panels may mount jacks in paired combinations to provide input and output circuits to each piece of equipment. Also, these paired arrangements may include a single jack connected to a monitor circuit mounted adjacent to the jack pairs. Depending on the size and complexity of the installation, these patch panels may have a single paired set of jacks or may include many paired sets in a dense configuration. Other installation may include a single jack when patching with jack pairs is not required or for connecting to monitor circuits in a location separate from the patching jack pairs.

Some of the paired jacks may be combined into a switching jack pair while other pairs may be two straight through jacks mounted adjacent each other. The jack pairs in a switching jack may have a rigid housing about them to contain both of the jacks of the pair as well as the switching circuitry between the jacks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,096 shows an example switching jack. This rigid housing also provides support to the jacks themselves and helps to prevent deflection of the jacks. Individual straight through jacks mounted adjacent one another in pairs do not share such a housing. Strain from the cables attached to the jacks may cause the jacks to deflect. In some cases, the jacks deflect enough to come into contact with each other or other adjacently mounted jacks.

Improvements to the jacks are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to housings for mounting jacks that receive plugs to electrically connect communications circuits. A modular housing provides support to jack assemblies mounted within the housings.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a coaxial connection assembly with a jack assembly mounted within an opening of a housing. The housing includes a mounting flange. The opening includes a mating surface which cooperates with a mating surface of the jack assembly to prevent rotation of the jack assembly within the opening. A catch within the opening positions the jack assembly within the opening. The present invention also relates to a housing for a coaxial jack, a method of assembling a coaxial jack pair and a jack pair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a broadcast communications patch panel in accordance with the present application with some jacks shown in exploded view.

FIG. 2 is an upper rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a broadcast communications patch panel in accordance with the present invention, including monitor ports.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged rear perspective view of a group of jacks mounted to the patch panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a lower rear perspective view of the patch panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged rear perspective view of the group of jacks shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a broadcast communications patch panel in accordance with the present invention, with a single row of openings.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a block of three jack pairs according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective exploded view of the block of jack pairs of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective exploded view of the block of jack pairs of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a jack pair in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective exploded view of the jack pair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the jack pair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the jack pair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the jack pair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion labeled 14 in FIG. 10, showing mating ridges and grooves of the housings of the jacks of the jack pair in greater detail.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of one of the jacks of the jack pair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the jack of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the jack of FIG. 15 with the jack assembly partially removed from the housing.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the jack of FIG., 16 with the jack assembly partially removed from the housing.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a jack pair in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective partially exploded view of the jack pair of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective exploded view of the jack pair of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a jack pair in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective partially exploded view of the jack pair of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective exploded view of the jack pair of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the jack pair of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is an end view of the jack pair of FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the jack pair of FIG. 22.

FIG. 28 is a switching jack as shown mounted to the patch panel of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of one of the housings of the jack pair of FIGS. 9, 19 and 22.

FIG. 30 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is a side cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 29 taken along line 32--32 in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the portion labeled 33 in FIG. 31 showing the groove in greater detail.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the portion labeled 34 in FIG. 31 showing the ridge in greater detail.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a jack assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly of FIG. 35 positioned within the housing of FIG. 29.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a jack assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly of FIG. 38 positioned within the housing of FIG. 29.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a jack assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly of FIG. 41.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a jack assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 45 is an exploded perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a jack pair according to the present invention with a unitary housing.

FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a broadcast communications patch panel in accordance with the present application, with a loop-thru plug inserted in the front of one of the jack pairs.

FIG. 49 is a rear perspective view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a rear view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 is a top view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 52 is a front view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 53 is a side view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48.

FIG. 54 is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a broadcast communications patch panel in accordance with the present application, with a loop-thru plug inserted in the front of one of the jack pairs.

FIG. 55 is a rear perspective view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a rear view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 57 is a top view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 58 is a front view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 59 is a side view of the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 60 is a rear perspective view of the jack pair from the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 48, with the loop-thru plug inserted in the front of the jacks.

FIG. 61 is a rear perspective view of the jack pair of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a front view of the jack pair of FIG. 60.

FIG. 63 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack pair of FIG. 60.

FIG. 64 is a front perspective view of the jack pair of FIG. 60, with the loop-thru plug removed.

FIG. 65 is an exploded rear perspective view of the jack pair of FIG. 64.

FIG. 66 is a top view of one of the jacks of the jack pair of FIG. 60.

FIG. 67 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 is a top cross-sectional view of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 69 is a front view of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 70 is a first perspective view of a modular housing of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 71 is a second perspective view of the modular housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 72 is a top view of the modular housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 73 is a first end view of the modular housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 74 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 75 is a second end view of the modular housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 76 is a front perspective partial cross-sectional view of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 77 is a rear perspective partial cross-sectional view of the jack of FIG. 66.

FIG. 78 is a front perspective view of a jack pair from the broadcast communications patch panel of FIG. 54.

FIG. 79 is an exploded rear perspective view of the jack pair of FIG. 78.

FIG. 80 is a first perspective view of a modular housing holding one of the jacks of the jack pair of FIG. 78.

FIG. 81 is a second perspective view of the modular housing of FIG. 80.

FIG. 82 is a top view of the modular housing of FIG. 80.

FIG. 83 is a first end view of the modular housing of FIG. 80.

FIG. 84 is a side cross-sectional view of the modular housing of FIG. 80.

FIG. 85 is a second end view of the modular housing of FIG. 80.

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of a jack according to the present invention.

FIG. 87 is an exploded perspective view of the jack of FIG. 86.

FIG. 88 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack of FIG. 86.

FIG. 89 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of a jack assembly and a mating housing according to the present invention.

FIG. 90 is a side view of the jack assembly and housing of FIG. 89 with a label attached to one side of the housing.

FIG. 91 is a first end view of the jack assembly and housing of FIG. 89.

FIG. 92 is a second opposite end view of the jack assembly and housing of FIG. 89.

FIG. 93 is the side view of FIG. 90 with the label removed.

FIG. 94 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly and housing of FIG. 89, taken on along a centerline of the jack assembly.

FIG. 95 is a top view of the jack assembly and housing of FIG. 89, with a partial cross-section of the engagement of the jack assembly and the housing.

FIG. 96 is a first perspective view of the housing of FIG. 89.

FIG. 97 is a second perspective view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 98 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 99 is a first end view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 100 is a top cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 96, taken along line 100--100 of FIG. 98.

FIG. 101 is a second end view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 102 is a side cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 103 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 96.

FIG. 104 is a perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 89.

FIG. 105 is an exploded perspective view of the jack assembly of FIG. 104.

FIG. 106 is a side cross-sectional view of the jack assembly of FIG. 104.

FIG. 107 is a perspective view of an outer housing of the jack assembly of FIG. 104.

FIG. 108 is an end view of the outer housing of FIG. 107.

FIG. 109 is a side view of the outer housing of FIG. 107.

FIG. 110 is a top view of the outer housing of FIG. 107.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which 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.

Patch panels such as a panel 10 in FIG. 1, might be installed in broadcast communications production facilities. Patch panels 10 include a chassis 16 including a mounting frame 17 and a panel front 18 with a plurality of pairs of openings 20. As shown, panel front 18 may be removed from frame 17 to allow different configurations of openings 20 to be included in panel 10. As shown, frame 17 is made of a durable material such as aluminum or steel to provide structural support to chassis 16. Other similar structural materials may be used for frame 17 such as other durable or rigid metals or composite materials. Panel front 18 is molded or formed from plastic or other similar non-conductive material to facilitate the creation of the more complex features of panel front 18 for mounting a variety of devices to chassis 16. A pair of opposing mounting flanges 22 are on either side of frame 17 to facilitate mounting panel 10 to a communications equipment rack or other mounting structure in broadcast facility. Flanges 22 include openings 24 for receiving fasteners to secure panel 10 to the rack or mounting structure.

Jacks pairs 26, 28, 128 and 228 for connecting communication circuits are mounted to a rear of panel front 18. Each of these jack pairs include a front set of connectors accessible though one of the openings 20 in panel front 18 and a rear set of connectors accessible from the rear of panel 10.

The jack pairs as shown include prior art switching jack pairs 26 and straight through jack pairs 28, 128 and 228. All of these jack pairs include a pair of rear connectors 30 for linking to communications cables extending behind panel 10 and a pair of front connectors 32 for connecting to communications cables extending in front of panel 10. Switching pair 26 provides internal circuitry so that without a plug inserted within either front connector 32, an electrical path is defined between the pair of rear connectors 30. No such circuitry is provided in straight through pairs 28, 128 and 228. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,096, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a switching jack pair similar to switching jack pairs 26.

Jack pairs 28, 128 and 228 include a pair of housings 46, a long jack assembly or jack 48 or 148 and a short jack assembly or jack 50 or 150. Within each housing 46 is mounted one of the jack assemblies 48 or 148 and one of the jack assemblies 50 or 150. Jack pairs 28, 128 and 228, housing 46 and jacks 48, 148, 50 and 150 will be described in further detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an alternative embodiment patch panel 110 is shown. Panel 110 is similar to panel 10 in construction but includes a third row of openings 20 in a panel front 118 to which may be mounted monitor jacks 34. Panel front 118 is mounted in a frame 117. Monitor jack 34 also includes rear connector 30 and front connector 32 and these connectors 30 and 32 may be the same format as those of the adjacently mounted pairs 26 and 28. On a rear face 119 of panel front 118, a pair of fastener openings 36 are positioned adjacent each of the openings 20 in the monitor row and adjacent each pair of openings 20 for mounting pairs 26 and 28. Openings 36 each receive a fastener of a jack pair 26, 28, 128 or 228 or a monitor jack 34 to mount these devices to panel front 118. Similar openings 36 are also positioned on the rear of panel front 18 of panel 10. Panel front 118 is removably mounted to frame 117 to permit the configuration of openings 20 and 36 of panel 110 to be changed.

Extending rearward from frame 117 adjacent panel front 118 and mounting flanges 22 are a pair of sides 38. A tie-off bar 40 extends between the two sides 38 and provides a convenient location to tie-off cables extending to the rear connectors 30 of each of the jack pairs or monitor jacks. A similar structure of sides 38 and rear tie-off bar 40 may be added to panel 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, rear connectors 30 are coaxial cable connectors for receiving standard coaxial BNC connectors. Others sizes and styles of coaxial connectors may be used as well. Front connectors 32 are coaxial cable connectors for connecting to standard size or mid size video plugs. Other sizes and styles of coaxial connectors adapted to receive video plugs may be used as well. It is also anticipated that panels 10 and 110 are not limited to use in a broadcast communications environment but may also be adapted for use in other telecommunications installations where coaxial cable connections are required.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, rear connectors 30 may be staggered either horizontally or vertically to improve access to adjacent connectors. This staggering also permits a greater density of jack pairs 26 and 28 and monitor jacks 34 to mounted to panel 10 or 110. Alternatively, rear connectors 30 could be non-staggered where access and density of installation are not as great a concern.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 2A, 3, and 3A, a grouping of jack pairs 26 and 28 and monitor jacks 34 mounted to rear 119 of panel front 118 of panel 110 is shown. Monitor jacks 34 are mounted to openings 20 in a monitor row 42. Jack pairs 26 and 28 are mounted in pairs of openings 20 in a row 44. Monitor 34 includes a housing 46 and either a long jack 48 or a short jack 50 mounted within an opening in housing 46.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a third panel 210 with a single row of openings 20 with a single adjacent row of mounting openings 36. Individual jacks 234 including jack assemblies 50 mounted within a single housing 46, similar to monitor jack 34, may be mounted to panel 210. Panel 210 may provide a separate row of monitor circuits to match up with patching circuits such as shown in panel 10 of FIG. 1. Alternatively, jacks and housings may be mounted to panel 210 to provide patching or circuit connections where the number of circuits is relatively smaller and fewer jack assemblies are needed. Frame 217 includes mounting flanges 22 with openings 24 for mounting panel 210. Mounted to panel front 218 is a plurality of single jacks 234, which may be monitor jacks 34 but may also be individual patching jacks.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a module 54 including three jack pairs 28 mounted to a mounting block 52 is shown. Such a module might be used when a smaller number of patching jacks are required for a particular installation. Alternatively, module 54 might be used with a patch panel including a front face adapted to receive and mount a plurality of modules 54 in a density similar to that of panels 10 and 110, above.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show module 54 of FIG. 6 is an exploded view. Also shown in FIG. 8 is the interconnection between housings 46 of each jack pair 28. Housings 46 are identical housings which mate with each other along a face 56. Face 56 includes a ridge 58 and groove 60. Housing 46 also includes a mounting flange 62 positioned adjacent a first end 64. Ridge 58 and groove 60 are positioned and configured so that the ridge and groove of a first housing 46 cooperate with the groove and ridge, res