Terminal block for readily connecting customers to any of a plurality of telecommunications service providers

Abstract

An improved terminal block includes a first connection mechanism which, when not disabled, connects a customer to a first service provider, a second connection mechanism which, when not disabled, connects the customer to a second service provider, and a disabling mechanism for disabling either the first connection mechanism or the second connection mechanism.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of prior co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 263,311, filed Mar. 8, 1999, now abandoned.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to communications equipment and, more specifically, to hardware for providing wired communications connections between customers and service providers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Presently-existing telecommunications infrastructure has been inherited from an era where customers were not offered a choice of landline service providers. Each geographic region of the United States was served by a corresponding service provider commonly referred to as a Regional Bell Operating Company, or RBOC. Accordingly, telecommunications interconnection hardware was originally designed with the assumption that all landline customers in a given geographic area would be served by the same telecommunications service provider. [0004] More recently, the Federal ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a hardware mechanism for easily changing a customer's landline telecommunications service provider. It allows for interconnection techniques that do not require the rewiring of terminal blocks and avoids unnecessary wear and tear on terminal blocks. The improved terminal block includes a first connection mechanism, a second connection mechanism, and a disabling mechanism for disabling either mechanism. The invention also provides interconnection techniques for use in operational environments where multiple service providers are available, and allows for the identification of wiring errors through a quick visual inspection. The invention addresses the need for a more efficient and flexible way to connect customers with service providers."

Problems solved by technology

Although existing hardware may perform adequately in the operational environment of a single landline service provider, it is oftentimes woefully inadequate to meet the needs of multiple service providers.

Another factor serving to further complicate interconnections between customers and multiple service providers is the current proliferation of ancillary customer premises equipment.

Although the interconnection topology of FIG. 1 is adequate in the operational environment of a single service provider, difficulties arise when such a topology is utilized in an environment of multiple service providers.

Physically removing and reconnecting wires to terminal block 100 in order to change service providers is disadvantageous.

First of all, most presently available terminal blocks are not designed for repeated wire removals and reconnections.

With repeated wire removals and reconnections, some or all of the terminals will experience mechanical degradations over time, resulting in poor contact and imminent failure of the electrical connection.

Moreover, as the quality of the connection deteriorates, its resistance to the flow of electrical current increases.

This added resistance generates heat and, under some circumstances, may cause a fire.

Even if a fire does not occur, repairing a broken or intermittent connection is a very arduous, labor-intensive, and time-consuming process.

Another disadvantage of physically removing and reattaching wires is that it creates the possibility of confusion.

Technicians may inadvertently remove a wire from the wrong terminal, inconveniencing a customer who does not expect a disruption of service.

Similarly, a technician may inadvertently connect the wrong wire to a terminal, which, depending upon what this wire is actually connected to, may totally deprives the customer of all wired telecommunications service.

Moreover, as a practical matter, wiring errors are very time consuming to trace and correct in the field.

Such changes will cause ever-increasing amounts of terminal block wear-and-tear.

Moreover, the opportunities for wiring errors will also increase what is needed is an improved hardware topology specifically adapted to environments where service providers may be changed on an ongoing basis.

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