MXPA00000381A - Catv directional component with signal reversing capability and method - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described a directional CATV component, preferably a signal tap, having a housing frame where coaxial signal cable connections are made allowing for tap circuitry to be placed on either side of the housing frame. The invention allows for the rapid exchange of tap circuitry between front and rear positions providing for the reversal of signal frequency direction. The signal tap comprises a housing frame (53), a back cover (57) with a support clamp (not shown) and a signal tap cover (55) containing a plurality of female F-connectors. Loss circuitry is mounted on a PC board that is attached to the tap cover (55).

Description

DIRECTED CABLE TELEVISION COMPONENT WITH SIGNAL INVESTMENT CAPACITY AND RELATED METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to passive distribution components of cable television communication systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a signal socket having a housing frame that allows the signal distributor circuitry to be exchanged from either side of the housing frame, whereby the address of the signal can easily be reversed. the signal without disconnecting the coaxial cable from cable television signal (CATV).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Cable television services (hereinafter CATV) are provided to customers through a transmission network that typically includes a system of links that transport a plurality of CATV services from a network head to forks. smaller and, later, to the individual derivations of the subscribers. The means of transmission for the branch and the derivations of the subscribers is normally a 206 -. 206 -16 / 13P coaxial cable. The transmission network typically includes active and passive components, i.e. line amplifiers, cable outlets, cable splitters and other equipment serving to distribute the CATV services. At the location where the subscriber is located, the coaxial cable is interrupted by a signal jack that distributes the CATV services to several individual subscribers. The signal socket is connected to the coaxial cable using F connectors and is supported by the cable support cord or by a pedestal. A block diagram of a cable television network 15 is shown in Figure 1. The coaxial cable 17 functions as a transmission line to provide CATV 19 services to various subscribers 21 in various locations. Each subscriber 21 receives signals through the individual sockets 23 placed on the coaxial cable 17. Each socket 23 can provide multiple connections. A signal socket 23 of the prior art is shown in Figure 2. The socket 23 includes a body 25, a socket cover 27, a printed circuit board 29 having hidden circuitry and asymmetric connectors 31. The socket cover 27 it is provided with a plurality of tap outputs 33, each of which provides service to a different subscriber 21. Body 25 includes ports 2064-16 / 13P input 35 and signal output 36 with threaded female F connectors, at opposite ends, to be connected with the CATV distribution cable 17. The body 25 includes an integrated bracket for the support cord 39, the Corbel is molded integrally with the body. The CATV signal 19 is routed through the printed circuit board 29 rigidly attached to the inner surface of the cover 27, where a plurality of signaling terminals 41 pass through the cover 27. A pair of signal receivers 43a, 43b are provided on the back of the printed circuit board 29. The printed circuit board 29 distributes the signal received from the signal source 19 to the subscribers 21 coupled to the socket 23 and passes the signal through the connector output 36. Since the hidden circuitry 29 of the subscriber socket 23 is directional with respect to the predetermined frequency bandwidths and the location of the network head, the signal has to enter the input receiver 43a and exit through the output receiver 43b, in the direction indicated on the cover 27 of the socket. A detailed explanation of the function of the hidden circuitry 29 is outside the scope of the present invention. A flexible and braided metal package surrounds the periphery of the take-up cover 27, in order to provide a seal against the 2064-16 / 13P bad weather and avoid the entry of electromagnetic interference (IEM) and / or radio frequency interference (RFI). The cover 27 of the socket and the printed circuit board 29 are secured to the main body 35 by a plurality of cover bolts., at different connection points 45. When coupling the cover, the pair of receivers 43a, 43b is coupled with the connectors 31 thus completing the circuit and retaining the continuity from the input connector 35 through the printed circuit board 29, distributing the signal to each signal socket 33 and to the signal output port 36, to take it to other subscribers 23 located downstream. Periodically, when CATV distribution systems are upgraded or rebuilt with higher frequency specifications, the origin of the signal may change and it may be necessary to invert the signal connections for each signal input. As shown in Figure 3, to reverse the frequency direction 50, the coaxial cable connections 47a, 47b in the signal socket 23 must be broken and the socket 23 must be removed from the support cord 49. The socket 23 must be rotated 180 degrees and reconnected to cable connections 47a, 47b 2064-16 / 13P coaxial and to the support cord 49. By breaking the connections with the coaxial cable 17, potential damage to the connectors 47a, 47b may be caused. It is desired to have a signal socket that essentially allows to reverse the direction of the signal without the need to break the coaxial cable connections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a CATV signal socket having a housing frame, wherein the external coaxial signal cable connections are made allowing the circuitry to be placed on either side of the frame, so as to effect the reversal of the direction of the signal without breaking the CATV signal coaxial cable connections. The signal socket comprises a housing frame, a rear cover with an integral support clip and a signal socket cover with a plurality of female F connectors. The hidden circuitry is mounted on a printed circuit board that is fixed on the inside of the cover of the signal socket. The present invention allows quick change between the signal jack cover and the back cover, allowing easy reversal of the signal direction. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a signal socket that allows the 2064-16 / 13P easy reversal of signal direction. Another additional object of the invention is to prevent the breaking of external CATV signal coaxial cable connections to perform a signal acquisition if it is desired to reverse the direction of the signal. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those with skill in this field after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system for a typical feeder of cable television subscribers. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the prior art signal socket. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a signal socket suspended on a support cord. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the housing frame for the present invention. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pick-up post. Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the housing frame showing the 2064-16 / 13P holding posts in position. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a rear elevation view of the housing frame showing the take-up post in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The preferred embodiment will be described in relation to the figures in which the numerical references are used consistently for all of them. The present invention 51 is shown in Figures 4-9. Referring to Figure 4, the signal socket 51 includes a housing frame 53, a signal acquisition cover 55 and a rear cover 57. The signal acquisition cover 55 has a rigidly distributed signal distribution circuitry ( not shown). The rear cover 57 has an integrally molded support bracket (not shown) for aerial support (by means of a cord) or pedestal support. Each side of the housing frame 53 of the signal socket 51 is symmetrical with respect to the mounting holes 59 for the front 55 and rear 57 covers, allowing any of the covers 55, 57 to be placed on either side of the frame of accommodation 53. 2064-16 / 13P The mounting hole 61 that is positioned between the inlet 63 and the outlet 65 of the coaxial cable connectors is offset 67, so that the front 55 and rear covers 57 can be mounted to the housing frame 53 only in an orientation. As can be seen in Figure 4, the front 55 and rear 57 covers can be freely exchanged thus allowing rapid reversal of the direction 50 of the signal. Together with the coupling of the covers to either side of the housing frame 53, the internal pick-up posts 69 similarly provide a symmetrical coupling for either side of the housing frame 53 (see Figures 7 and 9). Referring to Figure 5, the threaded mounting blocks 71 are integrally molded to the housing frame 53 to support the symmetrical gripping poles 69. The gripping poles 69 are secured to the mounting blocks 71 by mechanical screws 73. The posts jack 69 are used to couple the connectors F 47a, 47b of the CATV coaxial cable 17 and provide coupling and continuity of the circuit with the printed circuit board 29 (shown in Figure 2). As shown in Figure 6, the intake post 69 includes a split insulator 75 and an arrangement 2064-16 / 13P of conductive clip 77 including a screw holder 79 capturing the center conductor of the connector F 47a, 47b of the CATV coaxial cable 17. The symmetrical female connectors 81a, 81b extending beyond the insulating body 75 engage the male input signal 43a and output 43b receivers located on the printed circuit board 29 (shown in Figure 2). The female connectors 81a, 81b allow engagement on either side of the housing frame 53 as shown in Figure 8. Referring to Figures 7 and 9, the front view and the rear view of the intake housing frame 53 with the tapping posts secured to the housing frame, they show that the tapping poles provide engagement, on either side of the housing frame 53, with the signal receivers 43a, 43b of the printed circuit board. The present invention 51 allows the quick change of the intake (front) and rear covers, reversing the direction of the signal 50. While the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, other variations that are within the scope of the invention, according to what is mentioned in the following claims, will be evident to those experienced in this field. 2064-16 / 13P

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A directional component for distributing directional radiofrequency (rf) signals applied on a coaxial cable, which allows to reverse the frequency direction and which comprises: a hosting frame having a first and a second signal port, each one of the ports arranged for the input and / or output of a radiofrequency (rf) directional signal; each signal port has an internal coupling means; a signal taking subcomponent having at least one external tap output and having an input receiver and an output receiver for the operational association with the internal coupling medium of the first and second signal ports; and the internal coupling means of the first and second signal ports is configured for operational association with the input and output receivers of the signaling subcomponent, in order to provide a first mounting position where the input receiver is coupled the coupling means of the first signal port and the output receiver is coupled to the coupling means of the second signal port, and a second mounting position where the input receiver is coupled to the coupling means of the second signal port 2064-16 / 13P and the output receiver is coupled to the coupling means of the first signal port. The directional component according to claim 1, wherein each of the coupling means further comprises: a symmetrical intake post having a divided insulator and a conductive gripper; and the conductive clamp has a screw clamp to capture a central conductor of the coaxial cable. The directional component according to claim 2, wherein the housing frame further comprises two open sides; the signal taking subcomponent seals one of the open sides of the housing frame and a cover seals to the open side of the signal frame that is not covered by the signaling subcomponent. 4. A directional signal distributor component used in conjunction with radiofrequency (rf) signals applied on a coaxial cable that allows inverting the frequency direction, comprising: a hosting frame having a first and a second signal port, each one of the ports arranged for the input and / or output of a directional radiofrequency (rf) signal; each signal port has an internal coupling means; Y 2064-16 / 13P the internal coupling means of the first and second signal ports is configured for the operational association with the input and output receivers of a directional subcomponent, in order to provide a first mounting position where the input receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the coupling means of the first signal port and the output receiver is coupled to the coupling means of the second signal port and a second mounting position where the input receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the coupling means of the second signal port and the output receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the coupling means of the first signal port. The directional signal component according to claim 4, wherein the housing frame has two open sides further comprising a directional subcomponent mounted in one of the mounting positions and sealing to an open side of the housing frame, and a cover mounted in sealing coupling on the other open side of the housing frame. The directional signal component according to claim 4, wherein each of the coupling means further comprises: a symmetrical tap post having a divided insulator and a conductive clip; and the conductive clamp has a clamping 2064-16 / 13P screw to capture a central conductor of the coaxial cable. 7. The directional signal component according to claim 6, wherein the housing frame has two open sides which further comprise a directional subcomponent mounted in one of the mounting positions and sealing to an open side of the housing frame, and a cover mounted in sealing engagement on the other open side of the housing. hosting framework. 8. A method for inverting the direction of frequency of a directional component for distributing directional radiofrequency (rf) signals applied over a coaxial cable, including a housing frame having a first and a second port and a directional subcomponent having a input signal receiver and an output signal receiver, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second symmetric coupling, the couplings are associated individually with the first and second ports, respectively, and have the input receiver of the subcomponent coupled with the first coupling and the output receiver of the subcomponent with the second coupling, whereby the first port functions as an input of the directional component and the second port 2064-16 / 13P works as an output of the directional component; decoupling the directional subcomponents of the first and second couplings; and re-coupling the directional subcomponent so that the input receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the second coupling and the output receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the first coupling, whereby the second port functions as an input for the directional component and the first port it works as an output for the directional component. The method according to claim 8, wherein a first coaxial cable is coupled to the first port and a second coaxial cable is coupled to the second port and the steps of the method are carried out without uncoupling the coaxial cables. The method according to claim 8, wherein the housing frame has a first and a second open sides and the subcomponent is in sealing engagement with one of the open sides, when the subcomponent receivers are coupled with the couplings, which also comprises: providing a sealing cover mounted in sealing relation on the open side of the housing that is opposite the side covered by the subcomponent, when the subcomponent input receiver is coupled to the first coupling and 2064-16 / 13P the output receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the second coupling; remove the sealing cover; and mounting the sealing cover on the open side of the housing that is opposite the side covered by the directional subcomponent, when the input receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the second coupling and the output receiver of the subcomponent is coupled to the first coupling. The method according to claim 10, wherein a first coaxial cable is coupled to the first port and a second coaxial cable is coupled to the second port and the steps of the method are carried out without uncoupling the coaxial cables. 2064-16 / 13P