US3732379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distribution board
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A main distributing frame for a telephone central office is disclosed in which quasi-permanently wired cross-connections may be automatically effected or removed. Connections are made by inserting a coiled, spring-like conductor into a recess equipped with the terminals between which a connection is to be completed. After being inserted to the proper depth, the conductor is allowed to partially unwind thereby allowing it to make a wiping engagement with the terminals in the recess. Connections are taken down by grasping one end of the coiled conductor and pulling it out of the recess in such a manner that it tends to unwind as pulled. Advantageously both the insertion and removal of the coiled conductors may be made by automatically controlled means. Removed conductors may be discarded.
Inventors
- 👤 J Focarile
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; H04Q1/14; H04Q1/145; H04Q1/147; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A terminal strip arrangement for a distributing board including a first and a second insulating board adjacent to each other, each of said boards having a plurality of apertures through said boards arranged in rows and columns, with the axis of each of the apertures through said first board being in coaxial registration with the axis of a respective one of the apertures through said second board, conductive eyelet terminals inserted in each of said apertures with the eyelet terminals in each row of apertures through said first board being electrically connected and the eyelet terminals in each column of apertures through said second board being electrically connected, and a tightly coiled conductive spring inserted into a first aperture through said first board and into a coaxial second aperture through said second board and released to expand and contact said eyelet terminals in said first and said second apertures to thereby electrically connect the respective row and column of apertures associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises strips of cOnductive material on each of which are fabricated a first plurality of said eyelet terminals with the eyelet shanks protruding from said strips, each of said strips forming said electrical connection of said eyelet terminals fabricated thereon, the spacing of said shanks being equal to the distance between any two apertures in the rows and columns of apertures through said boards, the eyelet shanks of ones of said strips being inserted into rows of apertures through said first board and the eyelet shanks of others of said strips being inserted into columns of apertures through said second board, said eyelet shanks being of a length less than the thickness of either of said boards so that said shanks do not extend through said boards when inserted into said apertures therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
A terminal strip arrangement for a distributing board including a first and a second insulating board adjacent to each other, each of said boards having a plurality of apertures through said boards arranged in rows and columns, with the axis of each of the apertures through said first board being in coaxial registration with the axis of a respective one of the apertures through said second board, conductive eyelet terminals inserted in each of said apertures with the eyelet terminals in each row of apertures through said first board being electrically connected and the eyelet terminals in each column of apertures through said second board being electrically connected, and a tightly coiled conductive spring inserted into a first aperture through said first board and into a coaxial second aperture through said second board and released to expand and contact said eyelet terminals in said first and said second apertures to thereby electrically connect the respective row and column of apertures associated therewith, wherein the improvement comprises strips of cOnductive material on each of which are fabricated a first plurality of said eyelet terminals with the eyelet shanks protruding from said strips, each of said strips forming said electrical connection of said eyelet terminals fabricated thereon, the spacing of said shanks being equal to the distance between any two apertures in the rows and columns of apertures through said boards, the eyelet shanks of ones of said strips being inserted into rows of apertures through said first board and the eyelet shanks of others of said strips being inserted into columns of apertures through said second board, said eyelet shanks being of a length less than the thickness of either of said boards so that said shanks do not extend through said boards when inserted into said apertures therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outside dimension of said eyelet shanks adapts said shanks to be press fitted into said apertures to be retained therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
A distributing board arrangement for selectively making electrical connections between outside plant and wire center equipment comprising a first and second nonconductive distributing board each having a plurality of apertures therethrough, said apertures being uniformly displaced along parallel and equidistant horizontal and vertical axes, a plurality of conductive eyelet strips, each strip comprising alternate sections of flat conductive material and downwardly extending eyelet shanks each having a depth dimension less than the thickness dimension of either said first or said second board, each of said strips being adapted for press-fit insertion of associated ones of said eyelet shanks into an adjacent series of said apertures situated along one of said horizontal or vertical axes, thereby defining a series of electrically conductive common apertures, and means for assembling said first and second board into which said strips have been inserted so as to bring predetermined ones of said conductive common apertures in each of said boards into coaxial alignment whereby a conductive material may be inserted through a coaxial pair of said conductive common apertures to electrically unite said last-mentioned apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
180 words
A distributing board arrangement for selectively making electrical connections between outside plant and wire center equipment comprising a first and second nonconductive distributing board each having a plurality of apertures therethrough, said apertures being uniformly displaced along parallel and equidistant horizontal and vertical axes, a plurality of conductive eyelet strips, each strip comprising alternate sections of flat conductive material and downwardly extending eyelet shanks each having a depth dimension less than the thickness dimension of either said first or said second board, each of said strips being adapted for press-fit insertion of associated ones of said eyelet shanks into an adjacent series of said apertures situated along one of said horizontal or vertical axes, thereby defining a series of electrically conductive common apertures, and means for assembling said first and second board into which said strips have been inserted so as to bring predetermined ones of said conductive common apertures in each of said boards into coaxial alignment whereby a conductive material may be inserted through a coaxial pair of said conductive common apertures to electrically unite said last-mentioned apertures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
A main distributing frame for a telephone switching office comprising insulating board means having apertures therethrough arranged in rows and columns, first conductive strip means positioned directly adjacent to one surface of said board means along each of said columns, each of said first strip means including a plurality of first conductive eyelets extending into but not through said apertures, second conductive strip means positioned directly adjacent to the other surface of said board means along each of said rows, each of said second conductive means including a plurality of second conductive eyelets at each of said apertures, said first and said second conductive eyelets being electrically separated from each other, and conductive connector springs inserted in at least certain of said apertures and electrically connecting the first and second eyelets at said certain apertures, said spring normally having a larger diameter than the internal diameter of said apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
A main distributing frame for a telephone switching office comprising insulating board means having apertures therethrough arranged in rows and columns, first conductive strip means positioned directly adjacent to one surface of said board means along each of said columns, each of said first strip means including a plurality of first conductive eyelets extending into but not through said apertures, second conductive strip means positioned directly adjacent to the other surface of said board means along each of said rows, each of said second conductive means including a plurality of second conductive eyelets at each of said apertures, said first and said second conductive eyelets being electrically separated from each other, and conductive connector springs inserted in at least certain of said apertures and electrically connecting the first and second eyelets at said certain apertures, said spring normally having a larger diameter than the internal diameter of said apertures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A main distributing frame in accordance with claim 4 wherein said board means comprises a first board to said one surface of which said first strip means is affixed and further comprising a second board to one surface of which said second strip means is affixed, said second board being adjacent to said other surface of said first board and said second board having apertures therethrough aligned with the apertures of said first board and said second conductive eyelets extending into but not through said apertures of said second board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |