U.S. patent number RE43,221 [Application Number 12/631,979] was granted by the patent office on 2012-03-06 for structured cabling system and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hellermanntyton Data Limited. Invention is credited to Jason Lee James, Richard Weatherley.
United States Patent |
RE43,221 |
James , et al. |
March 6, 2012 |
Structured cabling system and method
Abstract
A structured cabling system includes a plurality of data cables
(6A-6F), one end of each cable being secured to a jack of a
multiple jack assembly (1) and the other end of each cable being
secured to an individual jack (9A-9F) located within a protective
enclosure (11). The individual cables are mechanically secured to
at least the protective enclosure (11) and/or a strain relief
member (8) within the cable bundle is secured to the protective
enclosure (11). The entire assembly may be pre-formed under factory
conditions and delivered to an installation site. The multiple jack
assembly (1) may then be secured, preferably by snap-fitting, to a
rack assembly and the protective enclosure (10) may be used to draw
the entire cable length to the required position. Once the cable is
in position the protective enclosure (10) is discarded and the jack
secured to their final use positions. In an alternative embodiment
the protective enclosure forms a housing for jacks (9A-9F) in their
final use position and may, for example, be snap-fitted to a floor
box for this purpose.
Inventors: |
James; Jason Lee (Northampton,
GB), Weatherley; Richard (Northamptonshire,
GB) |
Assignee: |
Hellermanntyton Data Limited
(Brackmills, Northampton, GB)
|
Family
ID: |
9949523 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/631,979 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2003 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 11, 2003 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/GB03/05387 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
December 22, 2004 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2004/054058 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
10515585 |
Dec 22, 2004 |
7375282 |
May 20, 2008 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 11, 2002 [GB] |
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0228929.6 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/84R;
174/84S |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/60 (20130101); H02G 15/076 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
4/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/74R,74A,75,77R,84R,84S,88R,93,94R,94S |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 234 419 |
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Sep 1987 |
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EP |
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1098408 |
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May 2001 |
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EP |
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684146 |
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Dec 1952 |
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GB |
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2 260 034 |
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Mar 1993 |
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GB |
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54-146388 |
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Nov 1979 |
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JP |
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6-068341 |
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Sep 1994 |
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JP |
|
8-308065 |
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Nov 1996 |
|
JP |
|
9-19010 |
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Jan 1997 |
|
JP |
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9-093766 |
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Apr 1997 |
|
JP |
|
10-144426 |
|
May 1998 |
|
JP |
|
2002134233 |
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May 2002 |
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JP |
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97/44863 |
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Nov 1997 |
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WO |
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Other References
"Ortronics: Unique work-station solution provides flexibility for
EMAP publishing's computer network." M2 Presswire. (Mar. 1, 1999).
cited by other .
Patent Abstracts of Japan No. 2000067 of N. Takashi et al., "Split
Type Unit Cable" of JP 10237490, Aug. 24, 1998. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Mayo, III; William
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A structured cabling system comprising: a plurality of
individual data cables, each data cable defining opposite first and
second ends and including eight separate wires, a multiple jack
assembly containing a plurality of first jacks, a separate first
jack being associated with a separate data cable, all eight wires
at a first end of each data cable being electrically connected to
the same associated first jack, a plurality of second jacks, a
separate second jack being associated with a separate data cable,
all eight wires at a second end of each data cable being
electrically connected to the same associated second jack, and a
protective enclosure surrounding said plurality of second
jacks.
2. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, wherein the
multiple jack assembly includes a housing into which said first end
of each of said plurality of individual data cables extends, said
housing enabling the first ends of said plurality of individual
data cables to be pulled to a desired location without creating
strain on connections between the wires thereof and respective
first jacks.
3. A structured cabling system according to claim 2, wherein said
first jacks are aligned in a row within said housing.
4. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, including
means to mount said multiple jack assembly in a support housing at
the desired location.
5. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, wherein said
first jacks are RJ45 jacks.
6. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, wherein each
said individual data cable includes a strain-relief element which
extends from said multiple jack assembly to said protective
enclosure and around which the wires thereof are wrapped.
7. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, wherein the
protective enclosure includes a clamp which clamps said second ends
of said plurality of individual data cables and enables pulling of
said plurality of individual data cables without creating
.[.stain.]. .Iadd.strain .Iaddend.on connections between the wires
thereof and respective second jacks.
8. A structured cabling system according to claim 7, wherein said
protective enclosure includes a base and a cover which can be
snap-fit to the base.
9. A structured cabling system according to claim 8, wherein said
second jack are RJ45 jacks which accept respective RJ45 plugs to
electrically connect wires in each plug exclusively with the wires
in the jack in which it is mounted.
10. A structured cabling system according to claim 1, wherein each
first jack is connected to a respective .[.integrated desktop
connector.]. .Iadd.insulation displacement connector .Iaddend.(IDC)
and all eight wires at a first end of each data cable are attached
to said respective IDC.
11. A structured cabling system according to claim 10, including a
printed circuit board (PCB) on which all IDC's are attached.
12. A method of installing a structured cabling system at a use
site which comprises the steps of (a) providing a .[.structure.].
.Iadd.structured .Iaddend.cabling system which includes a plurality
of individual data cables, each data cable defining opposite first
and second ends and including eight separate wires, a multiple jack
assembly containing a plurality of first jacks, a separate first
jack being associated with a separate data cable, all eight wires
at a first end of each data cable being electrically connected to
the same associated first jack, a plurality of second jacks, a
separate second jack being associated with a separate data cable,
all eight wires at a second end of each data cable being
electrically connected to the same associated second jack, and a
protective enclosure surrounding said plurality of second jacks,
(b) delivering said structured cabling system to the use site, (c)
conveying said multiple jack assembly to a first location at said
use site for installation in a support housing, and (d) conveying
said protective enclosure with second jacks to a second location at
said use site for installation of at least one of said second jacks
at said second location.
13. A method according to claim 12, including removing said second
jacks from said protective enclosure and installing said second
jacks at at least two separate locations.
Description
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.Iaddend.
.Iadd.This application claims the benefit of International
Application No. PCT/GB03/05387 filed on Dec. 11, 2003, which claims
the benefit of GB Application 0228929.6 filed on Dec. 11, 2002. The
disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by
reference. This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No.
7,375,282, which issued on May 20, 2008, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference..Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a structured cabling system and to a
structured cabling method for installing structured cabling into a
building.
2. The Prior Art
Structured cabling systems for distribution of voice and data
information around a building are well known. Typically, a Category
5 ("Cat 5") or Category 5e ("Cat 5e") system will comprise one or
more rack mounted patch panels, each having a plurality of RJ45
jacks. Each jack of each patch panel will have connected thereto a
length of data cable. Each length of data cable, at the end remote
from the patch panel, will have connected thereto a jack which is
typically mounted in a floor box or wall outlet.
Conventionally, installation of a structured cabling system as
described above is carried out by first running lengths of cable,
cut from reels of cable, between each position where a floor or
wall outlet is required, and a comms room. The cables are
temporarily labeled for identification purposes. Cable installation
is typically carried out at an early stage of building fit-out and
can be done by unskilled staff. At a late stage in the fit-out, a
rack system is installed in the comms room. The cable ends in the
comms room are cut to length and each cable is terminated to the
correct jack on a patch panel, taking account of the cable labeling
previously provided. The far end of each cable is then terminated
to a jack in a floor or wall box and each cable and its connections
is tested. Any faults are rectified and the patch panels are then
fixed to the rack.
The existing method of installing structured cabling, as outlined
above, has a number of well recognized disadvantageous. Notably,
termination of the cable to the patch panel and remote jack is
somewhat problematic under site conditions. Skilled personnel are
required to make the necessary terminations reliably, and if the
terminations do not meet the test standard, re-termination is
required. The time required on site to install the structure
cabling system is considerabIe, resulting in general inconvenience
and cost. On-site testing is difficult and time-consuming. These
problems are significant when the installation is to Cat 5 or Cat
5e standards. However, the problem becomes considerably worse if
the installation is to Category 6 ("Cat 6") standard or is a fibre
optic installation because of the greater difficulties in obtaining
the required quality of termination under site conditions for these
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have now devised an arrangement which overcomes many of the
difficulties and shortcomings outlined above. The preferred
embodiment of the present invention provides a structured cabling
system in which all the required termination and testing is carried
out under factory conditions. Forming terminations to the required
standard under factory conditions is substantially easier than
attempting to carry out termination to the required standard under
site conditions. Further, performance testing carried out under
factory conditions is considerably quicker and more accurate than
is possible using field equipment. If any rectification is
required, this is easier to carry out under factory conditions than
under field conditions. On site installation is considerably
quicker and can be carried out by unskilled or semi skilled
personnel.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention a
structured cabling system comprises: a plurality of cables each
terminated to a multiple jack assembly which includes an individual
jack for each of the data cables; an individual jack terminated to
each data cable at the end thereof remote from the jack module; and
a protective enclosure surrounding the terminations the individual
jacks to protect them from accidental damage during
installation.
In one embodiment of the invention the protective enclosure and/or
the multiple jack assembly is connected to the cables by a
mechanical connection which .[.pet;.]. .Iadd.permits .Iaddend.the
cables to be pulled by pulling the protective enclosure or multiple
jack assembly, as the case may be.
In one embodiment of the invention, the data cables are laid around
a .[.stain.]. .Iadd.strain .Iaddend.relief member to form a
composite cable. With such an arrangement a complete assembly
comprising the multiple jack assembly, the data cables, the
individual jacks and the protective enclosure may be assembled
under factory conditions and transported as a unit to a site. At
the site, the multiple jack assembly may be secured to a rack and
the protective enclosure used to draw the cable through the
building to a position adjacent the required position of the
individual jacks. The protective enclosure may then be removed and
the individual data cables unlaid to provide for the necessary
positioning of the individual jacks in their wall mounted or floor
mounted outlets. In the alternative the individual jacks may be
mounted to a single outlet structure, for example a single floor
box. In one embodiment of the invention the protective enclosure is
not removed at the end of the installation procedure, but rather
remains in place to protect the terminations to the individual
jacks. Under these circumstances, the individual jacks and the
protective enclosure may together be secured as by snap fitting to
a purpose designed wall or floor box to provide a plurality of
adjacent individual jacks. The entire operation may be completed
without affecting the termination of the data cables and without
applying mechanical .[.stain.]. .Iadd.strain .Iaddend.to the
connections.
If a .[.stain.]. .Iadd.strain .Iaddend.relief member is employed it
may also be anchored to the body of the multiple jack assembly. If
this is done, the cable may be drawn in the opposition
direction--i.e. from the wall or floor outlet to the comms room by
applying a drawing force to the multiple jack assembly.
Preferably, a housing is provided for receiving a plurality of
multiple jack assemblies, the arrangement being such that when
multiple jack assemblies are in position, the resultant combination
of housing and multiple jack assemblies has an appearance similar
to that of a conventional rack-mounted patch panel. Preferably, the
multiple jack assemblies snap-fit into the housing and can easily
be released from the housing, for examples by depressing a release
latch. Preferably, the multiple jack assemblies comprise an
enclosure which encloses the jacks and termination fittings and is
secured to the composite cable to ensure strain relief.
In a particularly preferred arrangement the multiple jack
assemblies are connected to the housing, by offering up multiple
jack assemblies to the rear of the housing and clipping them in
position. Accordingly, it is not necessary to feed the individual
jacks, the protective enclosure or the data cable through the
rack-mounted housing.
In one embodiment of the invention both ends of the cable assembly
are terminated in a multiple jack assembly. The multiple jack
assemblies may be identical to each other. With such an arrangement
the multiple jack assemblies maybe snapped into position into
carriers in respective rack assemblies so as to provide
interconnected patch panels which may be within the same or
different comms rooms or cabinets.
The invention will be better understood from the following
description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of
example only, reference being had to the accompany drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a multiple jack assembly having a
plurality of data cables connected thereto, one part of the
assembly casing being removed in the interests of clarity;
FIG. 2 shows a plurality of individual jacks connected to a
composite data cable and mounted within the base of a protective
enclosure, the top of the protective enclosure being omitted in the
interests of clarity;
FIG. 3 illustrates a clip for use in connection with the system of
the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a multiple jack assembly mounted in a housing;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section along the line X-X of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows an alternative arrangement for the end of the cabling
system remote from the multiple jack assembly; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a Comms cabinet for use with the arrangements
for FIGS. 1-6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a multiple jack
assembly 1 comprising six individual jacks 2A-2F. Each jack is
mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 3 and is provided with a
respective .[.integrated desktop connector.]. .Iadd.insulation
displacement connector .Iaddend.(IDC .[.connector.].) 4. The jacks
and PCB are mounted within a casing 5, only the base of which is
shown in FIG. 1. In use, the casing 5 will also include a cover
which is a snap-fit with the base so as to enclose the jacks, the
PCB and IDC connectors. The snap-fit between the base and the cover
of the casing may grip the individual data cables 6A-6F to provide
strain relief. Alternatively, the individual cables may be clamped
to the base by suitable clamping means. Six data cables 6A-6F are
terminated to respective IDC connectors of the jacks 2A-2F to the
standard required (typically Cat 5, Cat 5e or Cat 6) by the
installation in question, such that the eight individual wires in
each data cable are connected to respective contacts of the jack to
which the data cable is connected. As usual, each jack will accept
a separate plug (e.g., an RJ45 plug) so that the wires in each plug
become electrically connected exclusively to associated wires in
the jack in which it is inserted. The termination, and the securing
of the casing cover to the casing base are completed under factory
conditions.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the end regions of the data cables 6A-6F
remote from that illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. It will be noted
that the individual cables are formed into the composite cable 7
which preferably in addition to the individual cables 6A-6F
includes a central strain relief element 8. The individual data
cables 6A-6F are respectively terminated to individual jacks 9A-9F
via associated IDC connectors. The individual jacks are located and
optionally temporarily secured within the base 10 of a protective
enclosure 11. The composite cable 7 is secured to the base by means
of a clamp 12 to ensure stress relief. Additionally or
alternatively, the strain relief element 8 may be secured to the
base 10 of the protective enclosure to provide strain relief. This
strain relief element 8 may optionally be secured to the casing 5
of the possible jack assembly 1 to provide strain relief at that
point.
In use, the protective enclosure 11 would be closed by means of a
cover which forms a snap-fit with the base 10. The enclosure
protects the individual jacks 9A-9F and allows strain to be applied
to the composite cable without applying strain to the terminations
of the individual cables to the IDC connectors. Preferably, a
pulling eye 12 is formed in the protective enclosure to allow a
pulling rope to be attached to the protective enclosure.
Alternatively, if appropriate strain relief is provided at the
multiple jack assembly end, a pulling rope may be attached to the
multiple jack assembly to enable the multiple jack assembly to be
pulled towards its eventual location.
The exact point at which the individual data cables 6A-6F are
formed into the composite cable 7 will depend on the nature of the
data installation in question. However, over .[.he.]. .Iadd.the
.Iaddend.majority of the distance between the multiple jack
assembly 1 and the protective enclosure 11 the cables will be in
the form of a single composite cable to facilitate easy handling of
the complete assembly. In some instances, the act of laying the
individual cables will form a composite cable of the required
structural integrity. However, in general it is envisaged that some
means would be provided for holding the composite cable in its
composite form. Such means may, for example include over-wrapping
of the cable with a suitable film material. The means used for
holding the cable into its composite form will be chosen having due
regard to the need to be able to bend the composite cable without
imposing undue strain on any one individual cable within the
composite.
Termination of the individual data cables to the individual Jacks
9A-9F, i.e., the connection of the individual wires in the data
cables to respective contacts of the jacks, and subsequent testing,
is accomplished under factory conditions.
Once a complete cabling assembly comprising multiple jack assembly,
data cables, individual jacks and protective enclosures has been
formed and tested under factory conditions, it will be transported
to site. To this end, a carrier is preferably provided. The carrier
preferably includes a drum for receiving the data cables and means
for accommodating and holding the multiple jack assembly and the
protective enclosure. Several complete cable assemblies may be
mounted on the same delivery device depending on their length. The
carrier is transported to site by any suitable means, for example,
road transport, and is taken to the general area where the
structured cabling installation is required. In general, a rack
arrangement will be provided in a comms room or cabinet. In the
case of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rack
is provided with a plurality of individual housings 13 (FIG. 4)
into each of which several multiple jack assemblies can be mounted.
The required mounting is preferably obtained by offering the
multiple jack assembly 1 up to the rear of the housing 13. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention a plastic adaptor 14, which
may incorporate labeling facilities 15, is offered up to the
housing 13 from the front thereof, and the multiple jack assembly 1
is then pushed into snap-fit engagement with the adaptor 14 from
the rear of the housing. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5.
A release lever 37 is provided which will enable the multiple jack
assembly to be released from its associated housing by sliding the
release lever to disengage the snap-fit latches 38. The fact that
the multiple jack assembly can be offered up to the housing 13 from
the rear thereof, combined with the above described latching
arrangement, and the sliding release lever, greatly assist
installation and removal of the multiple jack assembly from the
comms cabinet. It will be appreciated that in a complete structured
cabling installation many cables will be located within the comms
cabinet and the facility easily to insert and release an individual
multiple jack assembly from the rear is of considerable value. The
latch 38 and sliding release lever 37 arrangement may, in fact, be
of general utility in applications other than the structured
cabling assembly described herein.
Having snap-fitted a multiple jack assembly 1 into tie correct
position in the associated housing 13, the data cables are guided
through the communication enclosure by conventional means or by use
of special purpose clips 16 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The remainder
of the cable assembly, including the individual jacks 9A-9F is then
hauled through the building structure to a point adjacent to the
required final position of the jacks (9A-9F). The protective
enclosure is then removed and the individual data cables unlaid
from the composite cable to bring the jacks to their required final
position. The jacks will then be snap-fitted into appropriate
mounting in floor or wall boxes.
It will be appreciated that the entire data installation process,
as outlined above, can be effected on site without disturbing the
terminations between the data cables and their associated jacks.
Further, no on-site testing of the completed installation is
necessary.
Although in general it will be desirable to start the cable laying
exercise from the comms cabinet/comms room by installing the
multiple jack assembly to its associated housing and then laying
the cable to the required position, it is to be understood that
under certain circumstances it may be desirable to start the cable
laying exercise at the individual jack end of the assembly and lay
the cable to the comms cabinet/comms room where the multiple jack
assembly is secured in position.
In one embodiment of the invention the data cables are provided in
pairs connected together on a common line in a generally "8" shaped
cross-sectional arrangement. In order to provide the six cables of
the illustrated embodiment of the invention, three such double "8"
cables are laid around the strain relief member 8. The resultant
bundle may be secured together by any appropriate means, for
example, adhesive bonding or binding. In the case of a six cable
arrangement as illustrated, the three different "8" shaped cable
pairs may be of different colours. One data cable of each pair
preferably includes an appropriate indicator, for example a
continuous or near continuous line of printed text. By this means
each individual jack 9 can readily be associated with a particular
one of the jacks of the multiple jack assembly by visual
inspection.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention six individual cables
are laid about a central strain relief member. The individual
cables can be of any suitable type. Preferably, the cables are
provided with end-to-end identification means, for example in the
form of a continuous printed legend on each cable or in the form of
coloured or raised identification strips or bumps. This will assist
in identifying which jack of the multiple jack assembly is
connected to which of the individual jacks at the remote end of the
cable assembly. However, use of identifying characteristics on the
cables is not essential if all termination is carried out under
factory conditions. Preferably, each of the jacks has associated
therewith indicia which may be used to identify which of the jacks
at the multiple jack assembly is connected to which of the jacks at
the remote end of the structured cable assembly. The indicia may be
in the form of a labeling system. Preferably, the label or labels
of the multiple jack assembly are visible from the rear of the
assembly so that they can be viewed from the rear of the comms
cabinet.
In some applications, for example those using Cat 6 cable, it may
be desirable to position the individual cables within the bundle to
reduce alien cross-talk. For example, it may be desirable to lay
the cables in an A-B, A-B, A-B sequence around the strain relief
member.
Referring now to FIG. 6 an alternative arrangement for the end of
the structured cabling system remote from the multiple jack
assembly is shown. The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 may be used
instead of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2. In the FIG. 6
arrangement, six individual jacks 20A-20F are respectively
connected using conventional IDC connectors to respective data
cables 21A-21F which are laid about a strain relief element 22. The
data cables 21A-21F and strain relief element 22 together form a
composite cable 23. The individual jacks 20A-20F are mounted on a
protective enclosure 24, which protects the terminations of the
data cables 21A-21F to the respective jacks 20A-20F. The protective
enclosure 24 is mechanically secured by a suitable clamp 25 to the
composite cable 23. Preferably, the strain relief element 22 is
secured directly to the protective enclosure 24. As a result, a
pulling force may be exerted on the cable 23 by grasping the
protective housing 24 and pulling. The individual connections
between the data cables 21A-21F and the individual jacks 20A-20F
are isolated from such pulling forces by virtue of the connection
between the strain relief element 22 and the protective enclosure
24 and by virtue of the clamp 25. With the arrangement of FIG. 6,
when the cabling system has been run to the correct position, the
jacks 20A-20F and the protective enclosure 24 are snap fitted as a
unit into a suitable housing, for example a suitable floor box. To
this end, snap-fit latches 26 are preferably provided as part of
the individual jack/protective enclosure assembly.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the ends of the cables
remote from the multiple jack assembly are not terminated to jacks.
Accordingly, the structured cabling system as supplied comprises a
plurality of cables .[.aeh.]. .Iadd.each .Iaddend.terminated to a
multiple jack assembly, the cables being bundled with a strain
element to enable the bundle cable to be drawn into the required
position. With such an arrangement, individual termination is
necessary on site, but such termination is restricted to the ends
of the data cable remote from the comms cabinet or room.
In yet a further alternative embodiment both ends of the cable are
terminated in multiple jack assemblies each substantially identical
to the other. Both multiple jack assemblies are preferably of the
form illustrated in FIG. 1. With such an arrangement, both multiple
jack assemblies will be secured to respective housings either
within the same rack structure or within different rack structures,
possibly in different comms rooms. Such an arrangement will allow
very rapid establishment of data connections between rack
systems.
It is envisaged that, in many instances, each cable assembly will
be manufactured to a specific length determined by the particular
installation. Such specific lengths may be identified by site
survey or from scaled plans of the proposed installation site. It
is envisaged, however, that cable assemblies may be manufactured in
a range of predetermined standard lengths. It is expected that
manufacture of assemblies to predetermined standard lengths will be
somewhat more economic than individual manufacture to specific
lengths and in the circumstances where standard length cables may
be utilized for a particular installation this may provide a more
economic solution to the installation problem than the use of
individually manufactured cables.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic view or part of
a Comms cabinet suitable for use with the system described above.
For the purposes of illustration only two multiple jack assemblies
1 are illustrated mounted on respective housings 13. It will be
appreciated that, in a typical installation, there will be a large
number of housings 13 each of which will accommodate several
multiple jack assemblies. The illustrated Comms cabinet 30
comprises, in addition, a plurality of wire grids 31. Only one such
grid 31 is illustrated in FIG. 7, but it will be appreciated that,
in general, both sides 32, 33 of the Comms cabinet will be
furnished with such grids. In addition, intermediate grids may be
located in a central region of the cabinet The grids 31 provide a
convenient means for locating the data cables 34 of the structured
cabling system illustrated. To his end, purpose designed clips 35
may be secured to the grids (eg by snap fitting) and provide clip
structures for receiving the data cables 34. Conveniently, each
clip 35 may include one or more clipping areas each of which is
adapted to receive the data cables of one structured cabling
system. Using such a grid and clip arrangement cable management
within the comms cabinet 30 may quickly and easily be effected. If
additional local restraint of cables within the comms cabinet is
required, or if the comms cabinet is intended to include cabling
other than the structured cabling system described above, the grids
31 provide a convenient means whereby cables may be secured by
means of clips or cable ties.
Whilst the invention has been described with particular reference
to copper cabled arrangements it will be appreciated that the
principles of the present invention may be applied to optical fibre
arrangements if an optical fibre system is required.
* * * * *