GB2351187A - Pivotable connector mount to reduce required depth of a connector housing - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector housing facia 1 comprises a frame 5 defining an opening and a hinged cover 6 which carries a connector 4. The cover 6 is pivotable between an open position where the connector 4 can be accessed through the opening, and a closed position where the opening is covered. The pivot point 10 of the cover 6 is recessed from its front face 12. The pivot allows the connector 4 to be mounted at an acute angle; this means that the mounting box 3 can be shallower than would be needed if the connector 4 was mounted perpendicularly in the box.

Description

2351187 "A Fascia For A Connector Housing" I This invention relates to a

fascia for a connector housing and more pallicularly to a fascia assembly for all outlet box housing a connector forming a part of a communi cations network,.

Comnluni cations connection points are used to connect computers, telephones and other devices to their respective net"-ork, cabling and are typically mounted oil a wall or in a floor Outlet box. An outlet box will typically comprise a fascia assembly which is attached to, usually by a snap-on mechanism, a wall or floor plate. The wall or floor plate is, in turn, attached to a mounting box having a predetermined internal depth. The mounting box is fixed to the wall or floor cavity within NvhIch the outlet box is located.

Many types of connector are available foi- use aS C0111111LIlliCatiOnS connectors. There are a number of standardised conntoors Nhich are most commonly used. The industry standard connector for use with copper cable is the RJ45 connector. Where fibre-optics are used in network cabling, rather than copper cables, an appropriate optical connector can be used.

Examples of modular outlet boxes coniprise the MOD Snap (registered Trade Mark) and Euromod (registered Trade Mark) designs produced by MOD-TAP Ltd. These modular outlet boxes effectively cornprise a UK industry standard, US Patent No. 4,624,516 discloses a fascia assembly for use in a snaptogether modular system.

Typically, the fascia assembly of ail outlet box incorporates a sildable shutter which must be pushed upwards by a plug before the plug can be inserted in the connector housed in the outlet box. Inside the outlet box, the connector is presented at right angles to the fascia assembly. The slidable shutter serves to protect the connector within the outlet box fiorn the ingress of dust and other contaminants which could adversely affect or prevent electrical connection between the plug and the connector.

Z- The resultant outlet boxes typically have ail internal depth of about 25 mm. The above described system works well where the connectors have been specifically designed for use witli sucli outlet boxes. Examples of such specifically des](nied connectoi-s are made by Krone GmbH and MOD-TAP Ltd. However, outside the United Kingdoin \%,Iiere Britisli electrical standards have not been adopted, box depths are often much greater than 25 mm and can be, for example, 45 min or more. In these areas, connectors are fi-equently designed to protrude more than 25 mm into the outlet box since greater depth is available. Examples of such connectors are used in networks manufactured by AT&T, Panduit, Reichle & DeMasari (R&M), The Selinon Company, Thomas & Betts, and other connector suppliers.

Thus, a problem is encountered when trying to incorporate connectors which have not been manufactured in accordance with UK electrical standards in outlet boxes for the UK market. Various Solutions have been proposed for dealing with tills problem.

One solution is to increase the depth of the wail plate to which the mounting box is to be connected. Tile intenial depth of the wall plate could be made to be 15 mm or more to increase the space available behind the connector. This solution is, however, ineletgant since it results in the wall outlet appeari n 1 ing incongruous when used alongside other British standard electrical outlet boxes.

Another solution is to use a 45 mm deep mounting box. Whilst such boxes are readily available, they, are not commonly used in the British market and are therefore expensive. Since it is normal to use boxes of a common depth throughout a building, it becomes an unnecessarily complex management C exercise to install deeper boxes for communications use wlilist using normal 25 mm deeper boxes for other products in the same biiildlll(y Z7), A further solution is to angle the outlet downwardly at about 45 degrees to the wall outlet plate. This has the disadvantage that it is difficult to incorporate a shutter device. Since it is not possible to use a shutter device, a loose cap is provided to protect unused connectors. Clearly, the cap is easily lost. Further, in such an arrangement the wall outlet plate generally, protrudes more than 25 mm fl-om the wall making them vulnerable to damage by movement of office furniture sliding along a wall. Since typical skirting boards are about 20 mm thick, it is desirable to keep any protrusion of the wall outlet plate to, or less than, tlils dimension.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fascia assembly, which can accommodate non-uk industry standard connectors within a UK industry standard mounting box whilst avoiding the above-nientioned disadvantages. It C> is a fuilher object to provide a shutter device to prevent access or tile ingress of dirt into the connector when the connector is not in use.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a fascia for a connector housing through which connection to a connector within the housing is facilitated, the fascia comprising an opening and a cover pivotable between a 4 closed configuration to close the operilng and all open configuration to allow access through the opening, the cover having a mounting platform to carry a connector at all acute angle to the cover thereby reducing, in use, the depth of the housing occupied by the connector.

Preferably, the fascia further comprises a fl-ame attachable to a connector housing, the cover being pivotally momited to the frame and the frame defining the opening- Conveniently, the frame is attachable to a connector housing by a snap fit.

Advantageously, the frame has an extension prQjecting fl-orn the fascia and the pivot point of the cover with respect to the ftame is located at the end of the extension remote from the fi-al-ne and within the housing.

Preferably, the pivot poitit of the cover is remote fi-om the plane of the fascia, within the housing.

Conveniently', the cover comprises a cover plate and the mounting platform subtends the acute angle to the cover plate from a fi-ee edge of the cover plate.

Advantageously, tile acute angle is less than 45 degrees.

Preferably, the acute angle is between 15 and 35 degrees.

Conveniently, the acute angle is ill the region of 22 degrees.

Advantageously, the cover and the frame are both molded as single units.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by, way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fascia assembly embodying the present invention attached to a wall plate which is, in turn, fixed to a mounting box, the fascia assembly being shown in ail open configuration".

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fraine for a fascia assembly, embodying the present inventioril Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cov'er for a fascia assembly embodying the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of a connector mounted oil the cover of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the assembled fascia plate embodying the present invention in a closed configuration and carrying a connector; Figure 6 is a side view of the assembled fascia plate of Figure 5 in ail open configuration and carrying a connector, C Figure 7 is a side view of the assembled fascia plate of Figure 5 in an open configuration and carrying a connector; and Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a wall outlet plate attached to a mounting box and showing. the location of a connector in accordance with the prior art by dashed lines; the location of the connector when the fascia assembly is in the closed configuration using the present invention is shown by dotted lines;

6 and the location of the connector vd-ien the fascia assembly is in the open configuration using the present invention Is shown by, alternating dashed and dotted lilies, Figure 8 also illustrating the relative positions of mounting boxes having depths of 25 111111, 3)5 111111 and 45 iniii.

Referring to Figure 1, a fascia assembly 1 embodying the present invention is shown attached, by a snap fit, to a conventional wall plate 2 of industry standard depth. The wall plate 2 is, iii turn, attached to a mounting box 33 having a depth of approximately 25 nini. A contiector 4 is housed within the mounting box -3) and is attached to the fascia assembly 1 as will be described in greater detail belok,,,. The fascia assembly 1 comprises two main parts. a frame 5 by which the fascia assembly 1 is clipped to the wall plate 2; and a hinged cover 6 which carries the connector 4.

Turning now to Figures 2, the fi-anie 5 is elongate, rectangular, manufactured frorn a plastics material aii(f defines a rectampular opening. The frame 5 has two pairs of leg plates 7,8 which depend substantially at right angles from the plane of the frame 5. One leg plate 7,8 depends from each of the four corners of the frame 5. The planes of the leg plates 7,8 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame 5. The leg plates 7,8 each carry a barb 9 or other snap mechanism on the respective surface of the leg plate 7,8 which faces outwardly fi-oiii the franie 5 for snap engagement oii a wall plate 2 111 the conventional nianner, ati example of which is disclosed ill US 4,624,5 16. The leg plates 8 at the rear corners of the frarne 5 carry an extension 8A. A through hole 10 is provided through each of the extensions 8A, the pail- of through holes 10 being coaxial with one another. In order to provide structural support for the extensions 8A, a wall 11 is provided at the real. of the franie 5 to interconilect the tx,, o lee plates 8.

7 Turning now to Figure 33, the cover 6 comprises a rectangular cover plate 12 dimensioned to fit within the fi-arne 5 and a connector mounting platform 13). The cover 6 is moulded as a single unit such that the cover plate 12 is joined substantially along one edge to the connector mounting platform 13.

Z:- Preferably, the connector mounting platform 1 3) subtends all angle of approximately 22 degrees to the cover plate 12. A pail. of substantially triangular sti-uts 14 provide structural integrity to tile cover 6 by bridging the triangular gap between the cover plate 12 and the connector mounting platform A finger tab 16 is fori-ned oil tile outer surface of the cover plate 12 adjacent the edge where the cover plate 1 -2 is joined to the connector mounting platform 13. The finger tab 16 provides a means by which a fingernail or the like can be used to hinge open the cover 6.

At the end of the connector mounting platform 1 3) remote fi-orn the edge connected to the cover plate 12, a p] vot pin 15 pro.lects lateral ly outwardly fi-orn each of the opposite sides of the connector mounting platform 1 3).

As can be seen fi-orn Figure 4, the connector niounting platforin 13 is intended to have a connector 4 mounted thereon. The connector would have a length which would prohibit a fascia assejilbl),,, being used in which the connector 1 would be presented at rIght angfles to the fascia assenibly, i.e., ill the present example, a length of over 251nni.

Referring now to Figure 5, the cover 6 is pivotally connected to the frame 5 by the engagement of the pivot pins 16 of the cover 6 in the through holes 10 of C the frame 5.

8 The cotmector 4 can be fixed to the connector mounting platform 1.) in a number of ways but is preferably clipped thereon by a latch mechanism (not shown) specific to the model and manufacturer of the connector. Tile connector 4 is arranged oil the connector mounting platform 13 such that the socket of the connector 4 is aqjacent the edge of the connector mounting platform 1-3) where it is joined to tile cover plate 12, Thus, because the connector is oriented at approximately 22 degrees to the cover 6, the depth of the box occupied by the connector Is reduced by well over a half (by a factor of 0.37 (sin 22')).

Figure 5 shows tile fascia assembly I in I closed Configuration With tile cover 6 lying flush within the fi-anie 5. The connector 4 can be seen depending at an angle of approximately 22 degrees to the vertical, tills being the angle which the connector mounting platform 13) subtends to tile cover plate 12. In this way, the connector 4 is out of sight of the user, sitting behind the cover plate 12 and occupying less depth than tile connector would if oriented at 90 degrees to wall plate. The connector 4 is fully protected and the Ingress of dirt or dust is extremely unlikely. Thus, the co,,,,ei- 6, oil which the connector 4 is mounted, provides a shutter function for the fascia assembly.

When the connector 4 is to be accessed, the user lifts tile cover plate 12 using the finger tab 16 causing the connector 4 to hinge through approximately 22 degrees and be accessible throu,;1i tile;ap between tile cover plate 12 and the frame 5 as shown in Figure 6. In the open configuiration sllo\',,Il in Figure 6, the connector 4 is at approximately 45 degrees to the \,ertical. Referring to Figure 7, a plug 20 is shown inserted in tile connector 4 when the fascia assembly I is in the open configuration.

9 It will be appreciated when reviewing Figures 5,6 and 7 that the amount of rotation necessary to move the connector 4 from a closed configuration to an open configuration is only, in the region of 22 degrees. Accordingly, the amount of movement and hence potential stresses on the wiring of the comiector 4 when the connector is rotated are minimised. For tlils reason, the pivot point of the fascia assembly 1 is located at the rear of the connector mounting platform 1 3) close to the point at which the wiring is connected to the connector 4. In the example shown in Figures 5,6 and 7, there Is a total cable movement of less than 3 111111 in order to rnove the connector 4 fl-om a fully closed position to a fully open position. Such a small movement will not damage copper wiring or fibre-optic cable.

C Another advantage of the design of the present invention that should be appreciated is that, when the fascia assembly, is used in combination with a floor box such that the cover 6 lies substantially horizontally, even when the connector 4 is exposed in the open configuration, very, little of the socket of the connector 4 will be exposed for the ingress of dirt or dust.

In the arrangement of the present invention, the depth of the mounting box 3 behind the wall plate 2 which is occupied by, the connector 4 is greatly reduced from the conventional presentation of the connector 4 at right angles to the fascia assembly 1. Figure 8 illustrates a comparison of the location of a connector in a conventional fascia assembly, and the locations of the connector in an open and closed configuration x,.lieii using a fascia assembly, embodying the present invention. The conventional configuration is shown by dashed lines. The position of the connector when the fascia assembly is in the closed configuration using the present invention is shown by dotted lines; and the position of the connector when the fascia assembly is in the open configuration using the present invention is shown by alternating dashed and dotted lines.

Figure 8 also illustrates the relative positions of mounting box Is having depths of 25 mm, 35 mm and 45 inm.

It should be appreciated that the choice of a 22 degree angle between the cover plate 12 and the connector mounting plate 1 ') is riot a strict limitation on the present invention. Other acute angles (of less than ninety degrees) would still result in the depth of the mounting box occupied by the connector being reduced. However, the pailicular choice of an angle between 15 and 35 degrees provides a substantial reduction in the depth of housing occupied whilst minimising the amount of cable movement caused during rotation of the cover from the closed configuration to tile open Configuration. Any angle of 45 degrees or less is preferred and in the region of 22 degrees is most preferred.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A fascia for a connector housing through which connection to a connector within the housing is facilitated, the fascia comprising an opening and a cover pivotable between a closed configuration to close the opening and an open configuration to allow access through the opening, the cover having a mounting platform to can-y a connector at an acute angle to the covel. thereby reducing, in use, the depth of the housing occupied by the cotmector.

   2. A fascia according to Claim 1 fut-ther comprising a fraille attachable to a connector housing, the cover being pivotally iliouilted to the fiame and the fi-anle defining the opening.

   3. A fascia according to Claini 2, wiiei-eiji the ftanie is attachable to a connector housing by a snap fit.

   4. A fascia according to any one of Clainis 2 to 33, wherein the fi-ame has an extension prQjecting fi-oin the fascia and tile plvot 1)oliit of the covel. with respect to the fi-aine is located at the eA of the extetisioii reniote fi-oni the fi-ailie and within the housing.

   5. A fascia assembly accordiiig to ally precednig clairn, wherein the pivot point of the cover is reniote fi-oni the plane of the fascia, withill tile housing.

   6. A fascia according to any, preceding, claiiii, x\hereni the cover comprises a cover plate and the iiiotiiitliig platforin subtewls the acute angle to the cover plate fi-orn a fi-ee edge of the cover plate.

   12 7. A fascia according to any preceding claim, wlierein the 'acute angle is less than 45 degrees.

   8. A fascia according to any preceding claim, wherein the acute angle is between 15 and 335 degrees.

   9. A fascia according to any preceding claim, wherein the acute angle is in the region of 22 degrees.

   10. A fascia according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover and the fi-ame are both molded as single units.

   11. A fascia according to an, preceding claim in combination with a connector.

   12. A fascia according to any preceding claim in combination with a connector housing.

   I '). A fascia substantially as liereinbefore described witli reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, 1 14. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herem.