US4576428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective boot for telephone subscriber jacks
Assignee: North Hills Signal Processing Corp
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Filing: 1984-10-29
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Granted: 1986-03-18
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Expires: 2004-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A flexible resilient protective boot for shielding an engaged telephone subscriber plug and jack interconnection against moisture, vermin, insects and the like. The boot is suitable for installation by the subscriber without the use of tools and employing only ordinary skill. In each of the embodiments, the boot comprises a pair of separable members which are spreadable to enclose part of the plug structure, and resilient means engaging said separable members to maintain them in abutted relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul V. DeLuca
- 👤 Peter Hung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5213; H01R13/73; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An improved protective boot for effecting a seal in the area of interconnection of a mutually engaged telephone subscriber jack and plug comprising: a first boot element of relatively thick cross-section including first and second abutting members adapted to surround a flat electrical conductor engaged with a rear end of said plug, said first boot element being of rectangular configuration; a second boot element of relatively thin cross section of generally rectangular configuration, and defining a recess corresponding in configuration to the outer configuration of said plug, said second boot element having a laterally extending peripheral flange surrounding an engaged plug when in installed condition, movement of said plug into engagement with said jack serving to distort said second boot element to effect a sealing action against a transversely extending surface of said jack surrounding a plug opening therein; said first and second boot elements in engaged condition being in juxtaposed relation to effect a seal in the area of interconnection between said conductor and said plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An improved protective boot for effecting a seal in the area of interconnection of a mutually engaged telephone subscriber jack and plug comprising: a first boot element of relatively thick cross-section including first and second abutting members adapted to surround a flat electrical conductor engaged with a rear end of said plug, said first boot element being of rectangular configuration; a second boot element of relatively thin cross section of generally rectangular configuration, and defining a recess corresponding in configuration to the outer configuration of said plug, said second boot element having a laterally extending peripheral flange surrounding an engaged plug when in installed condition, movement of said plug into engagement with said jack serving to distort said second boot element to effect a sealing action against a transversely extending surface of said jack surrounding a plug opening therein; said first and second boot elements in engaged condition being in juxtaposed relation to effect a seal in the area of interconnection between said conductor and said plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved boot in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said first and second abuttable members of said first boot element being interconnected by a captive hinge; said second boot element resiliently engaging both said first boot element and said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved boot in accordance with claim 1, in which said first and second boot elements are integrally molded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved boot in accordance with claim 3 further comprising at least one resilient constrictive band surrounding said first element to clamp the same on said flat conductor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2869100A
Cited
US3088089A
Cited
US3742426A
Cited
FR2344147A1
Cited
US4194801A
Cited
US4220387A
Cited
US4391481A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-17 | 1989-09-16 | 1990-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-17 | 1993-09-16 | 1994-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-17 | 1997-09-16 | 1998-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |