Terminal device for low-voltage cable system

This invention is a terminal device for use in low-voltage cable systems.

Refer to the patent application ONE-PIECE TERMINAL DEVICE FOR LOW-VOLTAGE CABLE SYSTEM filed the same day as the present application with the same inventor and assignee.

There are several approaches to installing communication cable, television cable, fiber optic cable or similar low-voltage cable or wire in new construction. Many devices for providing terminals and junctions for the cable are commercially available. Most generally such devices consist of a metal or plastic rectangular box which may be attached to a stud or other structural member during the roughing-out phase of construction. Such a device has an open side that usually faces the interior of the structure once installed. Upon installation of the interior wall a hole is cut in the wall material to allow access to the open side of the box. While such an arrangement can provide a satisfactory installation it is not uncommon for such boxes to move forward relative to the wall material upon fastening of the faceplate because there exists no means to bring the box in secure contact with the rear of the wall material. While such boxes will not move relative to the structural member to which they are attached, they can and will move relative to the wall material.

The present invention is a terminal or junction device for a low-voltage linear distribution system such as a television system. The device includes an open mounting plate in a plane generally parallel to and in contact with a subsequently installed wall. The mounting plate has ears for attachment to a wall stud. The mounting plate has a flange perpendicular thereto and extending forwardly which will extend through the wall and surround the wall opening. The depth of the flange will be equal to the thickness of the wall for the most secure fit. Upon installation of a system device such as a cable outlet and application of a faceplate, as described more completely below, the surface of the mounting plate is drawn snugly against the rear of the wall when the faceplate mounting fasteners are tightened. A tie-off strap on the flange may be used to tie off cable.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front of the terminal device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the terminal device in the direction 2 — 2 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top view of the terminal device in the direction 3 — 3 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rear of the terminal device in the direction 4 — 4 of FIG. 3 .

The terminal or junction device of the present invention is used in the roughing-out phase of construction. It is installed when structural members are in place but before the interior walls are installed. While the device of the present invention may be referred to herein as a terminal device it is to be understood that it may serve as either a terminal or a junction device.

There is shown a terminal device 20 consisting of a generally rectangular mounting plate 22 having mounting ears 24 in the same plane as the mounting plate 22 . Any number of mounting ears 24 may be provided. Three are shown so that the device 20 may be mounted with its long axis either horizontal or vertical. The mounting ears 24 have openings 26 to accommodate fasteners such as nails or screws.

Extending forwardly from the mounting plate 22 at essentially a right angle thereto is mounting flange 28 . The flange 28 is of a depth essentially equal to the thickness of the wall material with which the device will be used. A fillet 30 is provided between the flange 28 and the mounting plate 22 to eliminate a stress raiser. Fillets 29 and 31 serve the same purpose for the corners of the flange 28 and the bottoms of the stop posts 36 as described below.

Bosses 32 on the ends of the flange 28 have openings for attachment of a system device such as a cable outlet with a faceplate, not shown. A tie-off strap 34 is shown extending from one boss 32 to the flange 28 at one side of the device. This strap 34 provides a means for tying off the ends of cable which is being run to the terminal device 20 . Any number of tie-off straps 34 may be provided and they may be located at other places, such as across the corners of the flange 28 .

On the rear face of the mounting plate 22 , as especially seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, are stop posts 36 extending from the four corners. These posts 36 serve as stops to locate the mounting plate against the wall stud to which it is being mounted as more fully described below. Although it is not necessary to use posts at each corner, this arrangement is most convenient since it allows the mounting plate 22 to be oriented either horizontally or vertically against a wall stud.

The terminal device of the present invention would be used as follows: In new construction, in the roughing-out phase before wall material is installed, the terminal device 20 would be fastened to a wall stud. For vertical installation the terminal device 20 is held against a wall stud with stop posts 36 against the inside face of the stud and the two mounting ears 24 on the long side of the device flat against the outside face of the stud. If installation is desired on the other side of the stud, the device 20 is merely turned in its own plane 180°. Fasteners such as nails or screws are driven through the openings 26 in the mounting ears 24 into the outside face of the wall stud to hold the terminal device 20 in place.

For horizontal installation the stop posts 36 on the short side of the terminal device 20 would be held against the inside face of the stud and fasteners driven through the mounting ears 24 on the short side into the outside face of the stud. The cable destined for this device may then be tied to the tie-off strap 34 . Wall material may then be applied to the wall, leaving an opening. to surround flange 28 of the terminal device 20 . At this time a system device such as a cable outlet [not shown] may be connected to the cable which has been tied off at the terminal device. The system device may then be mounted to the terminal device 20 , for example by screws through the system device into bosses 32 . A faceplate may then be installed over the system device by usual means such as screws through the faceplate into the system device. The faceplate screws are then tightened such that the faceplate pushes the wall material into tight contact with the face of mounting plate 22 which in turn is rigidly attached to wall stud 60 , thus making a tight, secure installation.

The terminal device shown and claimed here may be used for roughing out terminals in any number of different low-voltage linear distribution systems, such as television coaxial cable, sound systems, inter communication systems and fiber optic cable systems. The device is relatively cheap to manufacture, especially when molded of plastic. Installation of the device is simple and quick.

While the terminal device 20 is molded of plastic in the preferred embodiment, it would be possible to make it by other means, such as stamping it from steel plate, at least in the form shown in FIG. 1 . Also two or more such terminal devices could be ganged in one piece according to the principles of this invention.

While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.