Shielded keystone style punchdown jack

Abstract

To provide a rear wire cover assembly for a cost-competitive keystone-style punchdown jack that can electrically connect a braid of a shielded cable to a shield of a jack and can secure conductors to the shield of the jack.SOLUTION: A rear wire cover assembly 28 for a keystone style punchdown jack has a shield wrap 78 and an opening 90 configured to allow the rear wire cover assembly 28 to move in a direction perpendicular to an axis of a shield cable 24 to partially enclose the shield cable 24 and also to allow the rear wire cover assembly 28 to move along the axis of the shield cable 24 to engage a rear of the keystone style punchdown jack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 098,183, filed January 18, 2023, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to RJ45 style connectors, and more specifically to a Keystone style punch down jack with a rear wire cover assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, there are several Mini-Com shielded TG jack modules and several unshielded Keystone style punch down jack modules available on the market. What is needed is a shielded Keystone jack that uses existing punch down style termination methods and is cost competitive with existing shielded Mini-Com jacks with TG style termination methods, specifically one with a rear wire cover assembly that electrically connects the braid of the shielded cable to the shield of the jack and secures the conductors to the shield of the jack. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A rear wire cover assembly for a keystone style punch down jack is provided with a shield wrap and an opening configured to allow the rear wire cover assembly to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cable to partially enclose the cable and to allow the rear wire cover assembly to move along the axis of the cable to engage the rear of the keystone style punch down jack. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a communication system 10. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the termination jack assembly 16. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front top exploded view of jack housing assembly 26. [Figure 4] 1 is a front bottom exploded view of jack housing assembly 26. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a rear top exploded view of jack housing assembly 26. FIG. [Figure 6] The windshield wrap 30 is shown in an open state prior to final forming. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front top view of the jack housing assembly 26. [Figure 8] 1 is a front bottom view of jack housing assembly 26. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 open. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 open. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a rear bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. [Figure 15] 1 is a front top exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a rear bottom exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a front top view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. FIG. [Figure 18]A cross-sectional view of communication system 10 taken about the centerline of conductor 884 and conductor 887 of unmated terminated jack assembly 16 secured to shielded patch panel 12. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front top view of the termination jack assembly 16. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of the termination jack assembly 16. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of an alternative termination jack assembly 17. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of an alternative embodiment termination jack assembly 216. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of the jack housing assembly 226 with the front shield wrap 230 open. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a rear bottom view of the jack housing assembly 226 with the front shield wrap 230 open. [Diagram 25] 13 is a front top exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. FIG. [Figure 26] 13 is a rear bottom exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a front top view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. [Figure 28] A cross-sectional view of communication system 210 taken about the centerline of conductor 884 and conductor 887 of unmated terminated jack assembly 216 secured to shielded patch panel 12. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a front top view of termination jack assembly 216. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of termination jack assembly 216. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] 1 is an isometric view of a communication system 10 including a shielded patch panel 12, a patch cord assembly 14, and a termination jack assembly 16. The communication system 10, 210 may further include cabinets, racks, cable management, patch panels, overhead routing systems, horizontal cabling, and other such equipment. The shielded patch panel 12 includes a molded metal panel 18 and a faceplate insert 20. The patch cord assembly 14 includes a shielded plug assembly 22 and a shielded cable 24.

[0007] 2 is an isometric exploded view of termination jack assembly 16. Termination jack assembly 16 includes shielded cable 24, a jack housing assembly 26, and a rear wire cover assembly 28. Shielded cable 24 includes a cable jacket 87, conductors 88, conductor splitters 89, and braid 94.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a front top exploded view of the jack housing assembly 26. FIG. 4 is a front bottom exploded view of the jack housing assembly 26. FIG. 5 is a rear top exploded view of the jack housing assembly 26. FIG. 6 is a rear bottom exploded view of the jack housing assembly 26. The jack housing assembly 26 includes a front shield wrap 30, a jack housing 32, a PCB assembly 34, a rear sled 36, and a wiremap label 38 (FIGS. 5-6). FIGS. 3-6 show the front shield wrap 30 in an open state prior to final molding. The PCB assembly 34 includes a sled assembly 40, a long IDC 42, an IDC support 44, and a PCB 46. The PCB assembly 34 is constructed and used in the same manner as currently produced unshielded keystone punch down jack modules.

[0009] The long IDCs 42 of the PCB assembly 34 are press-fit into the channels 48 of the rear threads 36 to keep the long IDCs 42 restrained during termination. The IDC supports 44 of the PCB assembly 34 and the bottom support wall 50 of the jack housing 32 support the long IDCs 42 of the PCB assembly 34 during the assembly process. The thread assembly 40 of the PCB assembly 34 slides into the opening 52 of the jack housing 32 (FIGS. 5-6). The D-window latch 54 of the jack housing 32 snaps into the catch 56 of the rear threads 36 to secure the component. The wiremap label 38 has an adhesive backing for fastening to the rear threads 36. The jack housing 32, PCB assembly 34, rear threads 36, and wiremap label 38, when assembled, are slid into the front shield wrap 30. The flexible latch 58 on the jack housing 32 slides through the opening 60 in the front shield wrap 30. Side stops 62 on the jack housing 32 pass through windows 64 in the front shield wrap 30 to prevent separation of all components prior to final formation of the front shield wrap 30.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a front top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 in an open position prior to final assembly. FIG. 8 is a front bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 in an open position. FIG. 9 is a rear top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 in an open position. FIG. 10 is a rear bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 in an open position. As the flange 70 is moved to its final position on the front shield wrap 30, the rear tab 66 passes through the hole 68. The rear tab 66 is then formed on the edge 69 of the hole 68, securing the front shield wrap 30 in a locked position. The front tab 72 is formed on an offset geometry 74 on the flange 70 of the front shield wrap 30 for added security and shielding continuity.

[0011] FIG 11 is a front top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. FIG 12 is a front bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. FIG 13 is a rear top view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed. FIG 14 is a rear bottom view of the jack housing assembly 26 with the front shield wrap 30 closed.

[0012] Figure 15 is a front top exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. Figure 16 is a rear bottom exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. The rear wire cover assembly 28 includes a wire cover 76 and a wire cover shield wrap 78. The wire cover 76 is placed within the wire cover shield wrap 78. The flange 80 of the wire cover shield wrap 78 is placed back onto the flat edge 82 of the wire cover 76 to secure the components together.

[0013] 17 is a front top view of the rear wire cover assembly 28. The rear wire cover assembly 28 is designed to be symmetrical so that the cable opening 90 can face either left or right after final assembly.

[0014] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of communication system 10 taken about the centerline of conductor 884 and conductor 887 of unmated terminated jack assembly 16 secured to shielded patch panel 12. Conductor 88 on shielded cable 24 is pressed into slot 86 (FIGS. 7-14) in rear sled 36 and terminated to long IDC 42 of jack housing assembly 26. Cutting edge 108 of rear sled 36 provides a flat surface for a punch down tool to trim conductor 88 flush. Cable opening 90 in rear wire cover assembly 28 allows rear wire cover assembly 28 to be placed over jack housing assembly 26 after shielded cable 24 is terminated to long IDC 42 of jack housing assembly 26. Rear wire cover assembly 28 is then placed over the rear end of jack housing assembly 26. If the end of the conductor 88 is too long or is cut off after termination without the use of a punch down tool, the rounded surface 109 on the wire cover 76 of the rear wire cover assembly 28 serves to tuck the excess conductor or dielectric length into the overflow channel 110 in the rear threads 36 of the jack housing assembly 26.

[0015] A ground prong 92 on the wire cover shield wrap 78 of the rear wire cover assembly 28 connects to the braid 94 of the shielded cable 24. A wiping tab 96 (FIGS. 3-14) on the front shield wrap 30 of the jack housing assembly 26 connects to an inner wall 98 (FIGS. 15-17) on the wire cover shield wrap 78 of the rear wire cover assembly 28 to form a fully joined assembly. A captive slot 100 (FIGS. 15-17) on the wire cover 76 of the rear wire cover assembly 28 passes through a rounded boss 102 (FIGS. 7-14) on the rear threads 36 of the jack housing assembly 26 to secure the rear wire cover assembly 28 and complete the terminated jack assembly 16. A partition wall 84 on the wire cover 76 of the rear wire cover assembly 28 slides into a slot 86 in the rear threads 36 of the jack housing assembly 26 to help secure the conductors 88 on the shielded cable 24.

[0016] Figure 19 is a front top view of terminating jack assembly 16. Figure 20 is a rear top view of terminating jack assembly 16. Inner wiping tab 104 provides a bond between plug shield 23 (Figure 1) on shielded plug assembly 22 when the two terminating jack assembly 16 are in a mated condition. Ground tab 106 is designed to connect terminating jack assembly 16 to shielded patch panel 12 when the parts are assembled.

[0017] 21 is a rear top view of alternative terminating jack assembly 17. Terminating jack assembly 17 includes all of the same components as terminating jack assembly 16, except for alternative wire cover shield wrap 79. Alternative wire cover shield wrap 79 has an identical interior shape as wire cover shield wrap 78, but instead of inwardly facing ground prongs 92, alternative wire cover shield wrap 79 includes a ground flange 93. Ground flange 93 is an outwardly facing flange designed to be bonded around braid 94 of shielded cable 24 using a cable tie (not shown).

[0018] Figure 22 is an isometric exploded view of an alternative embodiment termination jack assembly 216. Figures 23 and 24 show the alternative termination jack assembly 216 with a jack housing assembly 226, which is similar to jack housing assembly 26, except that a flange 270 of the front shield wrap 230 has a notch 271.

[0019] FIG. 25 is a front top exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. FIG. 26 is a rear bottom exploded view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. The rear wire cover assembly 228 includes a wire cover 276 and a wire cover shield wrap 278. The wire cover 276 is placed within the wire cover shield wrap 278. The wire cover shield wrap 278 is shown in an open position prior to final assembly. A locking flange 280 on the wire cover shield wrap 278 passes through a slot 282 on the wire cover 276 and is formed around an edge 277 to secure the components. A spring latch 281 on the wire cover 276 helps to retain the locking flange 280 after it is formed into its final position.

[0020] 27 is a final assembled front top view of the rear wire cover assembly 228. The rear wire cover assembly 228 is designed to be symmetrical and can be assembled onto the jack housing assembly 226 in the orientation shown in the figure or rotated 180 degrees about its central axis.

[0021] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the communication system 210 taken about the centerline of the conductors 884 and 887 of the unmated terminated jack assembly 216 secured to the shielded patch panel 12. The conductors 88 on the shielded cable 24 are pressed into the slots 86 in the rear sleds 36 (FIGS. 7-14) and terminated to the long IDCs 42 of the jack housing assembly 226. The cutting edge 108 of the rear sleds 36 provides a flat surface for the punch down tool to trim the conductors 88 flush. The shielded cable 24 must be threaded through the rear wire cover assembly 228 before the conductors 88 are terminated to the long IDCs 42 of the jack housing assembly 226. The rear wire cover assembly 228 is then placed over the rear end of the jack housing assembly 226. If the ends of the conductors 88 are too long or are cut off without the use of a punch down tool after termination, the angled surface 110 (FIGS. 7-14) allows the user to use a pair of flat edge nippers to trim the excess length of the conductors 88.

[0022] The copper foil tape 294 is adhered over the braid or drain wire of the shielded cable 24 to provide a smooth conductive interface. The ground prongs 292 on the wire cover shield wrap 278 of the rear wire cover assembly 228 bond to the copper foil tape 294 of the shielded cable 24 when the wire cover shield wrap 278 is placed in its final position, providing 360 degrees of shielding. The mandrel 290 on the wire cover 276 provides a controlled surface for the ground prongs 292 on the wire cover shield wrap 278 to wrap around and prevent plastic deformation when the shielded cable 24 is placed into the rear wire cover assembly 228. Preventing the ground prongs 292 from plastically deforming ensures continuity between the rear wire cover assembly 228 and the copper foil tape 294, even in the event of multiple terminations. The wiping tabs 96 (FIGS. 23-24) on the front shield wrap 230 of the jack housing assembly 226 connect to the inner walls 298 (FIGS. 25-27) on the wire cover shield wrap 278 of the rear wire cover assembly 228 to form a fully joined assembly. The captive slots 300 (FIGS. 25-27) on the wire cover 276 of the rear wire cover assembly 228 pass through the rounded bosses 102 (FIGS. 7-14) on the rear threads 36 of the jack housing assembly 226 to secure the rear wire cover assembly 228 and complete the terminated jack assembly 216. The partition walls 284 on the wire cover 276 of the rear wire cover assembly 228 slide into the slots 286 in the rear threads 36 of the jack housing assembly 226 to help secure the conductors 88 on the shielded cable 24.

[0023] Figure 29 is a front top view of terminating jack assembly 216. Figure 30 is a rear top view of terminating jack assembly 216. Inner wiping tab 104 provides a bond between plug shield 23 (Figure 1) on shielded plug assembly 22 when the two terminating jack assembly 216 are in a mated condition. Ground tab 106 is designed to connect terminating jack assembly 216 to shielded patch panel 12 when the parts are assembled.

[0024] While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, the invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] A keystone style punch down jack assembly comprising: a jack housing assembly having a front shield wrap; and 1. The keystone style punch down jack assembly comprising: a rear wire cover assembly having a rear wire cover shield wrap with an opening configured to completely surround a cable inserted into the keystone style punch down jack, the rear wire cover assembly also having a ground prong extending from the opening configured to engage a ground braid of the inserted cable, the front shield wrap having a wiping tab configured to engage an inner wall of the rear wire cover to create a fully bonded assembly.

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