Communication system cross-connect field power adapter

Claim 1

An adapter for use in a communication system cross-connect field between the jack end of a communication path and the plug end of a cross-connect cord, said adapter arranged for connecting an auxiliary cord carrying specific signals having at least two conductors to said communication path so that said specific signals can be added to signals on said communication path without interference with said communication path signals, said adapter comprising a first end having a jack for mating with said plug of said cross-connect cord, said jack having a number of electrical contacts n equal to the number of electrical contacts of said cross-connect plug, a second end opposite said first end having a plug for mating with said jack end of said communication path connection, said plug having a number of electrical contacts greater than n for also mating with electrical contacts of said jack and of said communication path, means located at said first end and below said jack for accepting said auxiliary cord having multiconductors and for presenting said conductors of said auxiliary cord to said second end, said means including channels connecting said first end of said plug to said second end, each said channel formed to receive one of said conductors of said auxiliary cord, said second end having means for securing ones of said conductors presented from said first end via said channels, said securing means forming a portion of said contacts at said second end and said auxiliary cord conductors establishing a separate electrical path through said adapter for carrying said specific signals.

Claim 7

The method of adding auxiliary signals to a line terminated at a first cross-connect jack where the line is cross-connected to a second line via a cross-connect cord having a first plug for insertion in said first cross-connect jack, said method comprising removing said first plug from said first jack, inserting in said first jack an adapter having a plug end for mating with said first jack and having a jack for mating with said first plug and having a permanently affixed auxiliary cord, having a free end, said adapter arranged such that signals from said first plug pass through said adapter to certain contacts of said first jack and such that signals from said auxiliary cord also pass through said adapter separate from said first plug signals to other contacts of said first jack, inserting said first plug into said adapter jack, and connecting said free end of said auxiliary cord to a source of auxiliary signals.

Claim 8

The method of adding auxiliary signals to a line terminated at a first cross-connect jack where the line is cross-connected to a second line via a cross-connect cord having a first plug for insertion in said first cross-connect jack, said method comprising removing said first plug from said first jack, inserting in said first jack an adapter having a plug end for mating with said first jack and having a jack for mating with said first plug and having a permanently affixed auxiliary cord, having a free end, said adapter arranged such that signals from said first plug pass through said adapter to certain contacts of said first jack and such that signals from said auxiliary cord also pass through said adapter separate from said first plug signals to other contacts of said first jack, inserting said first plug into said adapter jack, and connecting said free end of said auxiliary cord to a source of auxiliary signals.