U.S. patent application number 11/247400 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for carrier and an assembly including a carrier and a telecommunications module.
Invention is credited to Pierre Bonvallat, Guy Metral, Gaetan Perrier.
Application Number | 20070082522 11/247400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37911516 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070082522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonvallat; Pierre ; et
al. |
April 12, 2007 |
Carrier and an assembly including a carrier and a
telecommunications module
Abstract
A carrier useful in the field of telecommunications to which a
plurality of telecommunications modules are mountable. The carrier
includes at least one spacer adapted to create a wire or cable
slack by spacing the wires or cables from that part of the carrier
on which the spacer is provided. An assembly comprising at least
one carrier and at least one telecommunications module is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Bonvallat; Pierre;
(Shanghai, CN) ; Metral; Guy; (Cluses, FR)
; Perrier; Gaetan; (Saint Jorioz, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Family ID: |
37911516 |
Appl. No.: |
11/247400 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/165 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 1/021 20130101;
H04Q 1/142 20130101; H04Q 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/165 |
International
Class: |
H01R 3/00 20060101
H01R003/00 |
Claims
1. A carrier to which a plurality of telecommunications modules are
mountable, the carrier comprising at least one spacer adapted to
create slack in a wire or cable by spacing the wires or cables from
the part of the carrier on which the spacer is provided.
2. The carrier according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of
telecommunications modules are mountable to be pivotable about a
pivot axis relative to the carrier.
3. The carrier according to claim 2 wherein a hinge pin forms the
pivot axis.
4. The carrier according to claim 1 wherein the carrier has an
interior with at the most two open sides and the spacer is provided
in the interior of the carrier.
5. The carrier according to claim 1 wherein the carrier has a
trough-like cross-section with a bottom and at least one sidewall
and the spacer is provided on a sidewall.
6. The carrier according to claim 1 further comprising at least one
guiding hook.
7. The carrier according to claim 2 wherein at least one guiding
hook is provided near the pivot axis.
8. An assembly comprising at least one carrier according to claim 1
and at least one telecommunications module.
9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein a guiding hook is
provided on the telecommunications module.
10. A telecommunications module comprising a hinge part adapted to
receive a hinge pin for forming a hinge and for mounting the
telecommunications module to a carrier in a pivotable manner,
wherein the hinge part is adapted to guide wires or cables.
11. The telecommunications module according to claim 10 wherein the
hinge part is furcated and comprises at least two legs.
12. The telecommunications module according to claim 11 wherein at
least one leg is formed by two leg portions which are adapted to
enclose the hinge pin.
13. An assembly of at least one carrier and at least one
telecommunications module according to claim 10.
14. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein the carrier has at
least one guiding hook.
15. The assembly according to claim 14 wherein the guiding hook is
provided near the hinge.
16. The assembly according to claim 13 further having at least one
splitter module.
17. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein the carrier has a
bottom in which, as seen in a cross-section, a U-shaped portion is
formed.
18. The assembly according to claim 17 wherein a width and/or a
depth of the U-shaped portion is small compared to a width or a
depth, respectively, of the bottom.
19. A method of connecting wires or cables with a
telecommunications module wherein the telecommunications module has
a hinge part and the method comprises guiding the wires or cables
through the hinge part.
20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the wires or cables
are additionally guided through at least one guiding hook provided
on the telecommunications module and/or a carrier adapted to mount
the telecommunications module thereon.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein the wires or cables
are additionally guided through a U-shaped portion provided in a
bottom of a carrier adapted to mount telecommunications modules
thereon.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a carrier in the field of
telecommunications, an assembly of a carrier and a
telecommunications module, a telecommunications module, a method of
connecting wires or cables with a telecommunications module and a
use of a spacer or a hinge part of a carrier or a
telecommunications module.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the field of telecommunications, numerous customers are
connected with the switch of a telecommunications company over
telecommunications lines. Such customers can also sometimes be
referred to as subscribers. The switch is often called an exchange
or "PBX" (central office exchange operated by the
telecommunications company). Between the subscriber and the switch,
sections of the telecommunications lines are connected with
telecommunications modules. Telecommunications modules establish an
electrical connection between one wire attached to the
telecommunications module at a first side and another wire attached
to the telecommunications module at a second side. The wires of one
side can also be called incoming wires and the wires of the other
side can be called outgoing wires. Plural telecommunications
modules can be put together at a distribution point such as a main
distribution frame (or "MDF"), an intermediate distribution frame,
an outside cabinet or at some other distribution point located, for
example, in an office building or on a particular floor of an
office building. At such distribution points, racks can be provided
on which carriers are directly mounted, allowing plural
telecommunications modules to be directly attached to the carriers.
To allow flexibility in wiring some telecommunications lines are
connected with a set of first telecommunications modules in a
manner to constitute a permanent connection. Flexibility is
realized by jumpers or cross-connects, which flexibly connect
contacts of the first telecommunications modules with contacts of a
set of second telecommunications modules. These jumpers can be
changed, for example, when a person moves within an office building
to a new telephone (i.e., a different telephone line) and he or she
wants to keep a former telephone number. Such a change of jumpers
can be called patching or cross-connecting. Within the
telecommunications module disconnection points can be located in
the electrical connection between the two sides. Disconnection
plugs can be inserted at the disconnection points to disconnect the
line. Protection plugs and magazines are also sometimes used. They
are connected to the module and protect any equipment connected to
the wires from overcurrent and overvoltage. Test plugs can also be
inserted at a disconnection point to test or monitor a line.
[0003] Recently, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, or "ADSL"
technology has spread widely in the field of telecommunications.
ADSL technology allows at least two different signals to be
transmitted on a single line and is achieved by transmitting the
different signals at different frequencies along the line. Signals
are combined at a particular point in the telecommunications line
and split at another point. In particular, at the subscriber side
separate voice and data signals are combined and sent to the
central office over one line. In the central office the combined
signal is split. The voice signal is then directed to the other
subscriber(s) on the telephone call, and the data signal is
directed to the other subscriber(s) participating in the data
exchange. For transmission of voice and data signals to the
subscriber, separate voice and data signals are combined at the
central office, sent to the subscriber and split at the subscriber
side. After splitting the POTS, or "plain old telephone service"
can be used to transmit voice signals. The remaining portion of the
split signal can be used to transmit data or other information.
Splitters, which are used to split or combine the signal, can
generally be arranged at any distribution point.
[0004] Any electronic components necessary to perform the above
functions can be contained, sometimes together with a printed
circuit board as a base, in a single splitter module. Other
functional modules include protection modules, which contain
components to provide protection against overvoltage and/or
overcurrent, and testing and monitoring modules, which contain
suitable electronic components to test and/or monitor a
telecommunications line. Other functional modules or plugs are also
known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In several individual aspects, the invention provides,
generally, a carrier useful in the field of telecommunications; an
assembly of a carrier and a telecommunications module: a
telecommunications module; a method of connecting wires or cables
with a telecommunications module; and a use of a spacer or a hinge
part of a carrier or a telecommunications module by which the
handling of wires or cables is improved.
[0006] Thus, the invention, in one individual aspect, provides a
carrier to which a plurality of telecommunications modules are
mountable. The carrier has at least one spacer adapted to create a
wire or cable stack by spacing the wires or cables from that part
of the carrier on which the spacer is provided. In another aspect,
the invention provides a use of a hinge part of a
telecommunications module for guiding wires or cables.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will be described in part by reference to
illustrative embodiments depicted in drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an assembly of a carrier and a
telecommunications module in a "normal", closed position;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the assembly of FIG. 1 in a pivoted, open
position;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an
assembly of a carrier and a telecommunications module in a closed
position;
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the telecommunications module of
FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the telecommunications
module of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The invention, in one aspect, provides a carrier useful in
the field of telecommunications to which a plurality of
telecommunications modules are mountable. The carrier can comprise
one or more rails, bars, rods or wall-type elements. When two or
more of such bars, rods etc., are present, they may be parallel to
allow telecommunications modules to be mounted to two or more of
these components in a manner in which they are moveable along the
components. The carrier may also have a trough-like appearance with
two opposing sidewalls to which telecommunications modules are
mountable. Alternatively, the carrier can have an essentially
"L"-shaped cross-section and the telecommunications modules can be
mounted to one leg of the cross-section. This leg, as well as the
above-mentioned walls, can comprise openings at regular intervals
to define a predetermined spacing or pitch for the
telecommunications modules mounted thereon. One suitable carrier
construction is offered by 3M Telecommunications of Neuss, Germany
under the trade name "Flexirail" which has two parallel profiles
having a cross-sectional configuration suitable for releasably
mounting telecommunications modules. Any of the above-mentioned
legs, walls, rails or the like can, apart from openings, comprise
projections or any other suitable structures which define edges for
cooperating with latching mechanisms (such as latch hooks) for
mounting telecommunications modules to the carrier.
[0013] The carriers of the invention include at least one spacer
adapted to, in one embodiment, create slack in a wire or cable by
spacing the wires or cables from that part of the carrier on which
the spacer is provided. The spacer is provided on the carrier and
can be incorporated with the spacer as the carrier is produced. The
spacer can alternatively be retrofitted to the carrier, for
example, when the carrier has already been in use. Thus, the
carrier is, independent from the type of wires or cables connected
to telecommunications modules mounted on the carrier, prepared to
create slack. In this context, wires are considered relatively
thin, elongate metallic objects, usually with an insulation and
adapted to transmit a signal. In the field of telecommunications a
pair of wires usually constitute a telecommunications line. Plural
wires or wire pairs can be combined to form a cable. For example,
plural wires or wire pairs can be surrounded by an outer sheath. In
ADSL applications a cable containing plural wires can be used to
provide connection with a DSLAM. The term "cable" will be used
hereinafter, and it is to be understood that this term comprises a
single wire, a wire pair or any multiple of wires or wire
pairs.
[0014] In the carriers of the invention wire or cable slack is
created, for example, when a cable is connected with the contacts
of a telecommunications module. In particular, this connection can
be made in a position of the telecommunications module that differs
remarkably from a "normal," operating position of the
telecommunications module. A "normal" position of the
telecommunications module can refer to a position the
telecommunications module takes after a wire is connected and
telecommunications service is provided. Slack is created by the
spacer to some extent when the above-described connection is made.
When the telecommunications module is returned to the normal
position, the slack can become larger. For example, the
telecommunications module can be pivotable relative to the carrier
so that wires may be more easily connected or additional components
such as protection or splitter plugs may be added. The
telecommunications module may be moveable in a substantially linear
direction relative to the carrier. It may also be constructed to
allow for both pivotable and linear movement.
[0015] The cable or cables connected to the telecommunications
module will generally assume a certain shape and will acquire a
certain position after a connection is completed. When bringing the
telecommunications module back to a "normal" or closed position,
the spacer serves to ensure that less stress is created on the
cables that could endanger the connections with the contacts of the
telecommunications module. In a case where the telecommunications
module is pivotable relative to the carrier, there might be, for
example, a designated area such as the side walls of the carrier
toward which the cables can be deformed without colliding with any
other structures. In such a case the spacer can provide a longer
path for the cables than would exist without it. In particular, the
spacer can deform the cables somewhat toward this designated area.
When the pivoting motion is carried out, therefore, the cables will
reliably move toward that designated area instead of in a direction
in which unwanted interference with other components could occur.
The spacer may be relatively rigid to provide enough counterforce
to direct the cables to the designated area and withstand any
tendency of the cables to move in undesired directions. In this
manner, the spacer may be provided on a particular part of the
carrier, such as a sidewall, and adapted to space the cables from
that part of the carrier in which the spacer is provided. The space
required for the spacer is relatively small, and it can be
restricted to the surroundings of the carrier. In other words,
other areas of the carrier, such as an opposite sidewall, can be
left substantially unaffected.
[0016] As already mentioned, the telecommunications module can
pivot about a pivot axis relative to the carrier. The spacer can,
moreover, be provided at a distance from the pivot axis. The
pivotability of the telecommunications modules relative to the
carrier allows, for example, easy access to the rear side of the
telecommunications module to connect wires or other components such
as protection or splitter plugs. Providing the spacer at a distance
from the pivot axis can provide reliable formation of a cable
slack. It may be advantageous to form the pivot axis as a hinge
pin.
[0017] The carrier can have any suitable shape. Typically, however,
when seen in a cross-section the carrier will have an interior with
at the most two open sides. In a trough-shaped carrier with a
U-shaped cross-section, for example, the interior is defined
between the legs of the "U." The interior of the carrier is defined
between the two parallel walls or rails define the carrier. When
the carrier has an L-shaped cross-section with two opened sides,
the interior is constituted by the area appearing as a triangle
between the legs of the carrier when seen in cross-section. In any
of the above-described configurations the spacer can be provided in
the interior of the carrier. Thus, for example, in a carrier having
a trough-like cross-section with a bottom and at least one sidewall
the spacer can be provided on a sidewall and serve to reliably
space the cables from the sidewalls to create the described
slack.
[0018] The general guiding of the cables may be further improved
when at least one guiding hook for guiding wires or cables is
provided near the spacer. The wires or cables are affected only to
a small extent when the telecommunications module is pivoted and
such a guiding hook is provided near the pivot axis. This is
because, as will be apparent, the pivot axis itself remains
stationary when the telecommunications modules are pivoted. Thus,
by guiding the cables through a guiding hook near the pivot axis,
the cables will remain almost stationary near the pivot axis, and
the movement of the cables along the remaining portions can be
controlled by the spacer. A reduction in wire movement will
generally result in fewer disconnected, broken or worn wires.
[0019] Generally, a carrier having a spacer is prepared to receive
telecommunications modules and provide the advantages described
above when cables are connected with the modules. Additionally, an
assembly of at least one carrier and at least one
telecommunications module is also to be considered as an aspect of
the invention. A guiding hook can also be provided on the
telecommunications module either when it is manufactured at the
some later time to further improve the general guiding of the
cables.
[0020] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a use
of a spacer provided on a carrier to which a plurality of
telecommunications modules are mountable. Use of the spacer creates
wire or cable slack by spacing the wires or cables from that part
of the carrier on which the spacer is provided.
[0021] The invention also generally relates to the handling of
wires or cables connected with telecommunications modules. As will
be apparent from the above, the general guiding and movement of
cable is improved when connections are completed and the
telecommunications module is returned to its "normal" position. The
invention also provides a telecommunications module having a hinge
part adapted to receive a hinge pin for forming a hinge and for
mounting the telecommunications module to a carrier in a pivotable
manner, wherein the hinge part is adapted to guide wires or cables.
The telecommunications module can have a housing that may be made
of plastic or any other suitable material and can be constituted by
one or more components. The housing serves to accommodate
telecommunications contacts to which telecommunications lines are
connectable. The housing can also have specific structures for
positioning the contacts. Moreover, the housing can comprise one or
more cavities or receiving spaces adapted to accommodate the
contacts and/or objects such as one or more protection modules or
other module or module parts. Finally, the housing can comprise
suitable structures, typically on the outside, to enable the
telecommunications module to be mounted to a rack or any other
suitable carrier.
[0022] The telecommunications modules include telecommunications
contacts to which telecommunications lines are connectable. A
telecommunications line will normally be constituted by a pair of
wires, so telecommunications contacts are also typically arranged
in pairs. Telecommunications modules are known in which the
telecommunications contacts are arranged in two or more parallel
rows, with pairs of contacts located opposite each other. Thus, the
telecommunications modules can have the shape of a strip.
[0023] In connection with the hinge, the hinge pin can, for
example, be provided on the carrier. The telecommunications modules
have a hinge part, which can have any suitable shape and structure
to receive the hinge pin. The hinge part can, for example, be a
hollow cylinder for receiving the hinge pin. In this case, the
interior of the cylinder can be sufficiently large to accommodate
not only the hinge pin, but also the wires or cables. The wires or
cables could be guided through the hinge pin itself, so that they
are "indirectly" guided through the (complementary) hinge part. The
hinge part cooperating with a hinge pin can also have one or more
legs containing a slit or other type of suitable recess or widened
area for receiving the hinge pin. The slit and/or the recess can be
adapted to guide additionally received cables or wires. The wires
or cables can be guided between two legs of the hinge part. The
embodiments can have a discontinuous hinge. Such a hinge is not
continuous along the pivot axis. Rather one or more recesses or
gaps are present, such as between two legs of a U-shaped hinge
part. The wires can essentially pass through the recesses where the
hinge is discontinuous.
[0024] In any case, by guiding the wires or cables through the
hinge part, the wires or cables are guided through a location that
is substantially unaffected by pivotal movement of the
telecommunications module allowed for by the hinge. Thus, pivotal
movement of the telecommunications module will at least not
substantially move or deform the wires or cables at the hinge.
Their connection with the contacts of the telecommunications module
is also not substantially affected during pivotal movement, and the
general handling can thereby be improved.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment the hinge part has at least one
U-shaped portion with legs. Wires or cables can be guided between
the legs. At least one leg can be formed by two leg portions, which
are adapted to enclose the hinge pin. In this way a slit can be
present between the leg portions. They can be adapted to enclose
the hinge pin by forming the slit with a widened area on one or
both leg portions so that a recess is created which is
substantially complementary to the hinge pin and adapted to
accommodate it.
[0026] The above-described telecommunications modules may be
combined with a carrier to form an assembly in which the advantages
described above can be realized. Also in this case, the general
guiding of the wires or cables can be further improved when the
carrier additionally has at least one guiding hook. Movement and
deformations of the wires or cables can be substantially limited
when a guiding hook is provided near the hinge.
[0027] The advantages of the invention are particularly evident
when an assembly of the invention further includes at least one
splitter module. A splitter module, for example a splitter plug,
advantageously provides ADSL services. The fitting of splitter
modules to the assembly can require the telecommunications module
to be moved from its "normal" position to, for example, a pivoted
position to install the splitter module.
[0028] The handling of the wire and cables can be further improved
when the carrier has a bottom in which, as seen in a cross-section,
a U-shaped portion is formed. This portion provides a kind of
recessed channel in the bottom of the carrier and can, for example,
be used to accommodate a DSLAM cable. Thus, any interference
between the DSLAM cable and other cables or components present in
the interior of the carrier can be restricted. In particular, such
a structure provides a demarcation between the DSLAM cable, on the
one hand, and POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and line cables,
on the other. This generally provides a well-organized structure,
in particular, when ADSL services is provided. Such a U-shaped
portion can be provided in any type of carrier, including those
without a spacer or hinge pin. Thus, any carrier in the field of
telecommunications having a bottom in which, as seen in a
cross-section, a U-shaped portion is formed is considered subject
matter of the invention. The width and/or a depth of the U-shaped
portion is preferably small compared to a width or a depth,
respectively, of the bottom.
[0029] The invention also provides a method of connecting wires or
cables with a telecommunications module where the
telecommunications module has a hinge part and the wires or cables
are guided through that hinge part. The hinge part can have any of
the above-described structures. The method provides efficient and
reliable guiding of wires or cables. Corresponding to the
above-described modifications of the carriers, telecommunications
modules and assemblies, further advantages may be realized when the
cables are additionally guided through at least one guiding hook
provided on the telecommunications module and/or the carrier. This
also applies to the provision of a U-shaped portion provided in a
bottom of a carrier, which is adapted to mount telecommunications
modules thereon.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an assembly of a carrier 10 and a
telecommunications module 12 which is mounted to the carrier. The
carrier 10 has a trough-like cross-section with a bottom 22 and two
sidewalls 18 and 44. The view of FIG. 1 corresponds to one possible
orientation in which the assembly including the carrier 10 and the
telecommunications module 12 can be used in a rack or cabinet in
the field of telecommunications. In particular, the carrier 10 with
the trough-like cross-section can be open toward a front side 46.
The carrier can have an extension perpendicular to the drawing of
FIG. 1 which can be oriented substantially horizontal so that FIG.
1 corresponds to a side view. The carrier could also, however, be
oriented substantially vertically. In this case, FIG. 1 would
correspond to a top or bottom view.
[0031] In the embodiment shown, the telecommunications module 12 is
mounted to the carrier 10 on a front side 46. Telecommunications
contacts 48 are exposed on the front side of the telecommunications
module 12 in order to connect wires (not shown). Telecommunications
contacts 50 are exposed on a rear side 72 to connect wires 16 from
the rear side. The telecommunications module 12 is, moreover,
mounted to the carrier 10 in a pivotable manner. For this purpose,
a pivot axis 20 is provided on the carrier. The telecommunications
module 12 has a hinge part 30 as described in more detail below
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As can be seen already in FIG. 1,
the hinge part 30 has two leg portions 36 and 38 with a slit 52
between them. The slit 52 has, in an area relatively close to the
free ends of the legs portions 36, 38, a widened area 54 adapted to
receive the hinge pin 28. The widened area 54 is essentially formed
in the rear arm portion 38 alone. It could also, however, be formed
in the front arm portion 36 alone, or in both arm portions 36, 38.
An entrance area 56 between the free ends of the arm portions 36,
38 is smaller than the widened area 54, and the arm portions 36, 38
are somewhat flexible. Thus, when the telecommunications module 12
is mounted to the carrier, the hinge pin 28 can enter the entrance
area 56, the arm portions 36, 38 can deflect somewhat, and the
telecommunications module 12 can be brought into a position in
which the hinge pin 26 is accommodated in the widened area 54.
[0032] It will be noted that further telecommunications modules 12
can be present "in front of" or "behind" the plane of the drawing
of FIG. 1 to constitute a block. Thus, the entire block of plural
telecommunications modules can be pivotable relative to the carrier
10 and only some or all of the telecommunications modules 12 can be
provided with the above-described hinge part to provide the
pivotable mounting to the carrier. At the opposite side a latch
hook 58 made of, for example, flexible plastic is provided on the
carrier 10 to releasably secure the telecommunications module 12 or
a block of plural telecommunications modules.
[0033] In the embodiment shown wires 16 can be connected at the
rear side 72 of the telecommunications module. These wires 16 are
generally accommodated near the bottom 22 of the carrier and need
to be guided to the rear side 72 of the telecommunications module
12. For this purpose a first guiding hook 24 is provided on a
sidewall 18 relatively close to the bottom 22 of the carrier 10.
Somewhat closer to the hinge pin 28, the embodiment shown comprises
a spacer 14. The effect of the spacer will be described in more
detail with reference to FIG. 2. The spacer 14 is constituted by a
piece of relatively rigid material, such as plastic, that extends
for a distance between several millimeters and a few centimeters
from the sidewall 18. However, the spacer 14 can, alternatively, be
somewhat flexible or deformable. For example, the spacer can deform
at a force that is lower than a force necessary to break or
disconnect the wires. Thus, the wires can be arranged relatively
tightly across the spacer. As, in this embodiment, the spacer can
deform, it will do so without harming the wires or the electrical
connections in any manner. Moreover, a flexible spacer can be
beneficial if the wires are connected to the telecommunications
module in a state in which the telecommunications module is not
fully opened. When the telecommunications module is fully opened at
a later point in time, interference between the wires and a rigid
spacer might cause the electrical connections to break. This risk
can be reduced, however, if the spacer is somewhat flexible or
deformable.
[0034] In the embodiment shown, the spacer 14 and the guiding hook
24 are integrated in a single piece 60 which is fixed to the
sidewall 18 by rivets 62. The spacer 14 and the guiding hook 24 can
also, however, be provided on separate pieces. The embodiment shown
further comprises a second guiding hook 26 near the hinge pin 28.
The guiding hook 26 is provided on the telecommunications module
12. Due to the position of the guiding hook 26 (i.e., near the
hinge pin 28), the wires 16 will move to a small extent only when
the telecommunications module 12 is pivoted to the open position as
shown in FIG. 2. The embodiment further has a hook 64 provided on
the outside of sidewall 18, which is integrated in a piece which
also has the hinge pin 28. This piece is fixed to the sidewall 18
by rivets 66.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the hook 64 serves to hold the
telecommunications module 12 in the open position. The opened
position may be used to connect the wires 16 with the
telecommunications contacts 50 at the rear side of the
telecommunications module. Due to the approximately 180.degree.
pivoting motion, the rear side 72 is now exposed and the connection
step can be carried out conveniently. FIG. 2 also shows the effect
of the spacer 14. The spacer 14 serves to space the wires 16 from
the sidewall 18 of the carrier on which the spacer 14 is provided.
This deforms or deflects, already in the open state shown in FIG.
2, the wire 16 somewhat toward the interior 68 of the carrier. In
particular, a bending, bulge or slack 70 is created in the wire 16
by the interaction between the spacer 14 and the first guiding hook
24. The first guiding hook 24 keeps the wires 16 relatively close
to the sidewall 18 and the spacer 14 spaces the wire 16. Thus, when
the telecommunications module 12 is moved from the position of FIG.
2 back to the "normal," closed position shown in FIG. 1, the wires
16 will deform toward the interior 68 of the carrier to create the
slack 70. FIG. 1 shows the slack 70 which avoids any adverse stress
on the wires 16 that could endanger the connection with the
telecommunications contacts 50.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an assembly including a
carrier 110 and a telecommunications module 12. The
telecommunications module 12 is essentially identical to the
telecommunications module 12 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.
However, the carrier is constructed differently. In particular, the
carrier 110 can be formed as described in the Applicant's EP 04 006
530 and PCT/US2005/003289, filed Feb. 3, 2005, the disclosure of
which regarding the carrier and the telecommunications module is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0037] This particularly applies to an adapter 74, which connects
the telecommunications module 12 with a bottom 122 of the carrier
110. In particular, the adapter 74 can be released from the carrier
110 and can, together with the telecommunications module 12, be
pivoted about a hinge 32 including hinge part 30 provided on the
opposite side (i.e., the upper side according to FIG. 3). In
particular, the adapter 74 replaces sidewall 44 of the carrier
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the carrier
110 has substantially an L-shaped cross-section with bottom 122 and
sidewall 118. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, a U-shaped portion
42 is provided in the bottom 122 adjacent sidewall 118. Both the
depth (seen in a horizontal direction in FIG. 3) and the width
(seen in a vertical direction in FIG. 3), of the U-shaped portion
42 is small compared to the depth and width of the bottom 122
respectively. For example, the U-shaped portion 42 can have a width
which corresponds to approximately 20% of the width of the bottom
122. This also applies to the depth of the U-shaped portion. The
depth of the bottom 122, and more generally the depth of the
carrier 110, corresponds to a distance between the end of the
sidewall 118 (i.e., near the hinge 32 including hinge part 30) and
the bottom 122. The U-shaped portion 42 can advantageously be used
to accommodate a DSLAM cable 76. Due to the U-shaped portion 42,
the DSLAM cable 76 is advantageously separated from other cables or
wires 16 to avoid interference and clearly separates cables for
which different providers might be responsible from each other.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a guiding hook 24 is
provided relatively close to the hinge 32. The hinge 32 is formed
generally identical to the hinge of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and
2. However, as shown in FIG. 3, wires 116, which are connected with
telecommunications contacts 48 at the front side 46, are guided
through the hinge 32. This will be described in more detail below
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the embodiment shown, the wires
116 are inserted into wire guides that are open at a top 78 and are
guided by wire guides to the telecommunications contacts 48. As the
wires guides as such will be known to those skilled in the art, a
detailed description is not necessary (see for example the
applicant's EP 05 000 346 filed Jan. 10, 2005 and WO 03/061303 A2).
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an assembly that further comprises
plural splitter modules 40 fitted to the rear side 72 (see FIG. 1)
of the telecommunications module 12. In this embodiment, the
splitter modules 40 extend between the rear end of the
telecommunications module 12 and the bottom 122 of the carrier 110.
Thus, the U-shaped portion 42 is particularly efficient to avoid
interference between, for example, a DSLAM cable 76 and the
splitter modules 40.
[0039] As regards the hinge 32 and the guiding of the wires 116
through the hinge, FIG. 3 shows in the area of the hinge 32 a
sectional view to illustrate the wires located between two legs 34
(see FIG. 5) of the hinge part 30 of the telecommunications module
12. According to the Figure, a first leg 34.1 which would be closer
to the view of FIG. 3, is not visible. As can be seen, the wires
116 are guided between legs 34 so they appear in front of the
second leg 34.2 which is more remote according to the view of FIG.
3 and, therefore, visible in the figure.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows, for the sake of completeness, the
telecommunications module including the hinge part 30. In the
embodiment shown, the hinge part 30 is integral with the housing of
the telecommunications module which can, for example, be made of
plastic. The hinge part 30 comprises two legs 34, each of which
comprises two leg portions 36, 38 as described above with reference
to FIG. 1. FIG. 4 also shows a latch hook 80, which can serve to
secure the adapter 74 (see FIG. 3).
[0041] Finally, FIG. 5 shows the legs 34 of a generally furcated
hinge part 30. In this embodiment, two legs 34 are substantially
parallel. Wires 116 (see FIG. 3) can be guided between the legs 34.
Wires 116, which are connected with telecommunications contacts 48
at the front side 46, can be guided through the hinge part 30 as
shown in FIG. 3, whereas wires 16, which are connected with
telecommunications contacts 50 at the rear side 72, can be guided
and/or spaced as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, any features described with
regard to only one embodiment above, can also be applied to another
embodiment.
[0042] The present invention has now been described with reference
to specific illustrated embodiments. The foregoing detailed
description and embodiments have been given for clarity of
understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred
from this description. For example, all references to left and
right sides, upper, lower, front and rear levels, horizontal and
vertical directions etc., are exemplary only and do not limit the
claimed invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that many changes can be made to the embodiment described without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the
scope of the present invention should not be limited to the exact
details and structures described herein, but rather by the
structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *