US7354291B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.3 years remaining
Plug locking assembly
Assignee: Panduit Corp
•
Filing: 2007-02-27
•
Granted: 2008-04-08
•
Expires: 2027-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A plug locking assembly comprises a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a spring member. The plug locking assembly is adapted to prevent unwanted access to modular plugs engaged in associated jacks. In one embodiment, the plug locking assembly comprises a plug protection member comprising a surface spaced apart from the open space and positioned to overlie at least a portion of the spring member with the plug engaged within the housing. The plug locking assembly may further comprise a locking clip releasably securable within the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E. Caveney
- 👤 Shaun P. Brouwer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a spring, the open space being dimensioned such that at least a portion of the spring extends beyond the open space with the plug engaged within the housing; and a plug protection member connected to the housing and received within the open space of the housing, the plug protection member comprising a surface spaced apart from the open space and positioned to overlie at least a portion of the spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a spring, the open space being dimensioned such that at least a portion of the spring extends beyond the open space with the plug engaged within the housing; and a plug protection member connected to the housing and received within the open space of the housing, the plug protection member comprising a surface spaced apart from the open space and positioned to overlie at least a portion of the spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein an internal surface of the bottom portion of the housing comprises a ramp and the housing further comprises a stop surface defining a channel therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 2 , wherein the internal surface of the bottom portion of the housing and the stop surface are positioned in different planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines two or more windows for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal width of at least a portion of the open space is tapered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein internal surfaces of the sidewalls comprise two or more slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein internal surfaces of the sidewalls comprise guide rails extending longitudinally throughout the housing and oriented in a parallel relationship to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein an external surface of the bottom portion of the housing comprises a core out.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 wherein the plug protection member is formed integrally on the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plug protection member comprises opposing arms connected to a top planar surface, the arms capable of movement to reposition the top planar surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a spring depression member associated with the housing, the spring depression member for riding over and depressing the spring when the plug is inserted into and/or removed from the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a tab extending outwardly relative to the housing, the tab comprising a top surface and opposing sidewalls, with the underside of the top surface comprising a downwardly facing hook.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a locking clip engageable within the open space, the locking clip for securing the plug into position within the housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a spring retaining member comprising an angled surface positioned to overlie and retain the spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plug protection member is integrally formed on the locking clip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a locking clip releasably securable to the housing, the locking clip comprising opposing flanges adapted to mate with the two or more slots.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a locking clip releasably securable to the housing, the locking clip comprising a T-shaped member adapted to ride over the upper guide rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a cantilevered spring with a fixed end and a free end; a locking clip releasably securable to the housing and received within the open space of the housing; and an angled surface formed on at least one of the locking clip and the housing, the angled surface positioned to overlie and retain the free end of the cantilevered spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
98 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a cantilevered spring with a fixed end and a free end; a locking clip releasably securable to the housing and received within the open space of the housing; and an angled surface formed on at least one of the locking clip and the housing, the angled surface positioned to overlie and retain the free end of the cantilevered spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein an internal surface of the bottom portion of the housing comprises a ramp and the housing further comprises a stop surface defining a channel therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 19 , wherein the internal surface of the bottom portion of the housing and the stop surface are positioned in different planes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein the housing defines two or more windows for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein the internal width of at least a portion of the open space is tapered.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein internal portions of the sidewalls comprise opposing slots.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein internal portions of the sidewalls comprise guide rails extending longitudinally throughout the housing and oriented in a parallel relationship to one another.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a plug protection member associated with the housing, the plug protection member positioned to overlie at least a portion of the cantilevered spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 25 , wherein the plug protection member comprises opposing arms connected to a top planar surface, the arms capable of movement to reposition the top planar surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 25 , wherein the plug protection member is integrally formed on the housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 25 , wherein the plug protection member is integrally formed on the locking clip.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a tab extending outwardly relative to the housing, the tab comprising a top surface and opposing sidewalls, with the underside of the top surface comprising a downwardly facing hook.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein the locking clip comprises opposing flanges and a T-shaped member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a spring depression member positioned to ride over and depress the cantilevered spring when the plug is inserted into and/or removed from the housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
96 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a cantilevered spring with a free end and a fixed end; a locking clip releasably securable to the housing and received within the open space of the housing, the locking clip for securing the plug into position within the housing; and a channel defined by a ramp positioned on an internal surface of the bottom portion and a stop surface positioned on the housing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
A plug locking assembly comprising: a housing comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and opposing sidewalls defining an open space therebetween, the open space for receiving and carrying a plug comprising a cantilevered spring with a free end and a fixed end; a locking clip releasably securable to the housing and received within the open space of the housing, the locking clip for securing the plug into position within the housing; and a channel defined by a ramp positioned on an internal surface of the bottom portion and a stop surface positioned on the housing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein the internal surface of the bottom portion and the stop surface are positioned in different planes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein the housing defines two or more windows for receiving a plug removal tool.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein the internal width of at least a portion of the open space is tapered.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein internal surfaces of the sidewalls comprise opposing slots.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein internal surfaces of the sidewalls comprise guide rails, the guide rails extending longitudinally throughout the housing and oriented in a parallel relationship to one another.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , further comprising a plug protection member formed on at least one of the housing and the locking clip, the plug protection member comprising a surface spaced apart from the open space and positioned to overlie at least a portion of the cantilevered spring with the plug engaged within the housing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 38 , wherein the plug protection member comprises opposing arms connected to a top planar surface, the opposing arms capable of movement to reposition the top planar surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 38 , wherein the plug protection member is integrally formed on the housing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 38 , wherein the plug protection member is integrally formed on the locking clip.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , further comprising a tab extending outwardly relative to the housing, the tab comprising a top surface and opposing sidewalls, with the underside of the top surface comprising a downwardly facing hook.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , wherein the locking clip comprises opposing flanges and a T-shaped member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The plug locking assembly of claim 32 , further comprising a spring depression member positioned to ride over and depress the cantilevered spring when the plug is inserted into and/or removed from the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4647726A
Cited
US4846708A
Cited
US4911646A
Cited
US4946404A
Cited
US5030127A
Cited
US5120255A
Cited
US5330369A
Cited
US5340324A
Cited
US5507666A
Cited
US5429522A
Cited
US5556295A
Cited
US5879180A
Cited
US6290539B1
Cited
US6261116B1
Cited
WO2002075859A1
Cited
US6918782B2
Cited
US20060040564A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-04-08 | 2011-10-08 | 2012-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-04-08 | 2015-10-08 | 2016-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-04-08 | 2019-10-08 | 2020-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |