Modular cabling system and method for installing same

Claim 3

The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the plurality of said cabling kits comprises the step of installing data equipment on said equipment rack, said data equipment being selected from the group consisting of a network hub, an MAU, a data-switch, a router, a bridge, a repeater, and a combination thereof.

Claim 4

The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the plurality of said cabling kits comprises the step of installing power equipment on said equipment rack, said power equipment being selected from the group consisting of a power distribution device, a power conditioning device, an uninterruptible power source, a power surge arrestor, and a combination thereof.

Claim 5

The method recited in claim 1 comprising the step of terminating each of said multiconductor jumper cables with a multiconductor, strain relief connector at each end thereof.

Claim 6

The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of providing said cabling kits comprises the step of providing a terminal for receiving the strain relief connector on one of said multiconductor cables and a modular jack operatively connected to said terminal.

Claim 7

The method recited in claim 5 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with two modular jacks.

Claim 8

The method recited in claim 6 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with a plurality of jacks.

Claim 11

The method recited in claim 8 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with two modular jacks.

Claim 12

The method recited in claim 8 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with a plurality of modular jacks.

Claim 13

In a method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network, the steps of: prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks; equipping each of said equipment racks identically with a patch panel; prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor distribution cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site; providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one end of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one of the devices to one of said multiconductor cables; forming a plurality of multiconductor jumper cables each adapted for interconnecting one of said patch panels with one of said plurality of multiconductor distribution cables; terminating each of said multiconductor distribution cables with a multiconductor, strain relief connector at the other end thereof; and grouping one of said equipment racks with said pluralities of multiconductor distribution cables and jumper cables and with a set of said multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for said installation site.

Claim 14

In a method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network, the steps of: prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks; equipping each of said equipment racks identically with a patch panel; prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor distribution cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site; providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one end of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one of the devices to one of said multiconductor cables; forming a plurality of multiconductor jumper cables each adapted for interconnecting one of said patch panels with one of said plurality of multiconductor distribution cables; terminating each of said multiconductor distribution cables with a multiconductor, strain relief connector at the other end thereof; and grouping one of said equipment racks with said pluralities of multiconductor distribution cables and jumper cables and with a set of said multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for said installation site.

Claim 15

The method recited in claim 11 comprising the step of providing a terminal for receiving the strain relief connector on one of said multiconductor distribution cables and a modular jack operatively connected to said terminal.

Claim 16

The method recited in claim 12 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with two modular jacks.

Claim 17

The method recited in claim 12 comprising the step of providing each of said multiconductor connectors with a plurality of modular jacks.

Claim 18

The method recited in claim 11 comprising the step of installing data equipment on said equipment rack, said data equipment being selected from the group consisting of a network hub, an MAU, a data-switch, a router, a bridge, a repeater, and a combination thereof.

Claim 19

The method recited in claim 11 comprising the step of installing power equipment on said equipment rack, said power equipment being selected from the group consisting of a power distribution device, a power conditioning device, an uninterruptible power source, a power surge arrestor, and a combination thereof.

Claim 20

The method recited in claim 11 comprising the step of terminating each of said multiconductor jumper cables with a multiconductor, strain relief connector at each end thereof.