Apparatus for reversing direction of signal flow in a broadband signal tap
US6262636A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03H7/482
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A broadband signal tap includes a reversible directional coupler and a make-before-break signal continuity bridge. The electronic circuitry of the directional coupler is provided on a daughterboard that is removably connected to a motherboard in the tap. The removable daughterboard has a plurality of symmetrically arranged connection means and the motherboard has a plurality of symmetrically arranged connection points for accepting connections with the plurality of symmetrically arranged outputs on the daughterboard. The connections on the motherboard and on the daughterboard are physically and functionally symmetrical, thereby permitting the daughterboard to be reversed. The daughterboard is maintained in a housing. The housing has elongated fingers which, when pushed downward onto the motherboard, penetrate through retaining holes in motherboard, thereby retaining the housing on the motherboard. An electrically conductive continuity bridge is provided on the bottom of the motherboard for maintaining electrical continuity of the broadband signal when the daughterboard is removed from the motherboard. The continuity bridge includes a unitary spring metal having a center portion and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.