Patent · US Expired

Connecting and switching system, and switching apparatus suitable for use therein

US4037186A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 1976
Grant dateJul 19, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R31/08
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A first set of conductors (e.g. 25 of them) leading for example to a communications modem, is connected by way of a corresponding set of normally-closed switches to corresponding conductors of a second set, leading for example to local equipment such as a computer. At least one of the above sets of conductors is also connected to connector means into which a multi-wire (e.g. 24 wire) patching cable may be plugged. The plugging-in of the patching cable automatically opens the normally-closed switches to isolate the first and second sets of conductors from each other, as is usually desired for patching purposes. Preferably the switches are magnetically-operable reed switches, switched between their open and closed states by magnet means controlled by the plugging-in of the patching cable. Preferably the plugging-in moves the magnet means physically from a position near the switches for which the switches are operated to one of their states, to a position more remote from the switches for which the switches assume their opposite state. In a preferred embodiment the magnet means are mounted on a slidable panel, which is moved slidably by a protruding tab on the patching-cable plug when…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.