Plug connector for cable television network and method of use
View Patent ↗A telecommunications apparatus for use with a plug having at least first, second and third pins. The telecommunications apparatus includes a plug connector for receiving the plug. The plug connector includes at least first, second and third electrical contacts for electrically contacting the first, second and third pins, respectively, when the plug is inserted in the plug connector. The plug connector also includes an electrical by-pass pathway that: i) electrically connects the first and second electrical contacts when the plug is fully removed from the plug connector such that a signal can enter the plug connector through the first contact, pass through the by-pass pathway to the second contact, and exit the plug connector through the second contact; and ii) does not electrically connect the first and second electrical contacts when the plug is fully inserted within the plug connector such that a signal can enter the plug connector through the first contact, pass through the plug to the second contact, and exit the plug connector through the second contact.
1. A telecommunications assembly, comprising:
a) a connector including an input contact and an output contact;
b) a plug that engages the input and output contacts of the connector;
c) wherein the plug defines a first pathway that electrically communicates a signal from the input contact to the output contact;
d) wherein the connector defines a second pathway that electrically communicates a signal from the input contact to the output contact;
e) wherein the second pathway has a lower resistance than the first pathway such that a signal from the input contact bypasses the first pathway and is electrically communicated to the output contact by the second pathway when the input and output contacts are in electrical connection with both the first and second pathways.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein only the first pathway electrically communicates a signal from the input contact to the output contact when the plug is fully inserted into the connector.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein only the second pathway electrically communicates a signal from the input contact to the output contact when the plug is fully removed from the connector.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the input and output contacts are in electrical connection with both the first and second pathways when the plug is partially removed from the connector.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the input and output contacts of the plug are resilient conductive springs, and wherein the plug includes an in-pin and an out-pin that engage the resilient conductive springs.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the resilient conductive springs are normally biased towards the input and output contacts of the connector.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plug is an attenuator plug.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plug is an equalizer plug.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector further includes a ground contact positioned between the input and output contacts, the ground contact being configured to contact a ground pin of the plug.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the input and output contacts include sleeve-like sockets.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , further including a dielectric housing configured to at least partially enclose the connector.
12. The assembly of claim 11 , further including a removable cover connected to a front of the housing, the cover being arranged to selectively cover the connector.
13. The assembly of claim 12 , further including coax connectors located at a rear of the housing, the coax connectors being electrically connected to the connector.
14. The assembly of claim 13 , further including a printed circuit board that electrically connects the coax connectors to the connector.
15. The assembly of claim 1 , further including a housing having a front side defining an opening constructed to provide access to the connector, and a rear side at which at least one coaxial connector is mounted.
16. The assembly of claim 15 , further including a combiner located within the housing, the combiner being in electrical communication with the connector.
17. The assembly of claim 15 , further including a directional coupler located within the housing, the directional coupler being in electrical communication with the coaxial connector.
18. The assembly of claim 15 , further including a first coaxial connector connected to the input contact, and a second coaxial connector connected to the output contact.