TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to devices for connecting or splicing wire cables to one another. In particular, this disclosure relates to a cable connector assembly for connecting one or more pairs of wire leads of a first cable to one or more pairs of wire leads of a second cable.

BACKGROUND

Inline devices for connecting or splicing two cables carrying pairs of twisted wire leads are generally known.

What is needed is an inline copper connector that will use double ended insulation displacement contacts (IDC) with an offset. This connector could be used to connect horizontal cable to cordage with a factory-terminated plug on one end, fulfilling a similar need as would a field-terminable plug connector. This connector can be located away from the attached device, which means space is not constrained, allowing the connector to be larger and easier to terminate.

SUMMARY

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, an inline cable connector assembly for connecting one or more pairs of wire leads of a first cable to corresponding one or more pairs of wire leads of a second cable is provided. The connector assembly includes a terminal housing structure including a first base, and a second base facing a direction opposite of the first base. The connector assembly includes wiring cap structure including first and second wiring caps. The first wiring cap is oriented to engage against the first base, and the second wiring cap is oriented to engage against the second base. The connecting assembly also includes one or more pairs of double ended insulation displacement contacts (IDC) within the connector assembly.

In some arrangements, the double ended insulation displacement contacts are operably held within the terminal housing structure.

In some arrangements, the first and second housing parts are latched together.

In some arrangements, the double ended insulation displacement contacts are operably held within the wiring cap structure.

In some embodiments, the first and second wiring caps are latched together.

In some embodiments, the terminal housing structure and the wiring cap structure together form an assembly housing. The assembly housing includes opposite first and second sides, each of the first and second sides having an interlock arrangement to allow for selective removable interlocking of an adjacent assembly housing.

The interlock arrangement may include a projection in one of the first and second sides and a projection-receiving group in the other of the first and second sides.

In one or more embodiments, the first wiring cap is a snap-fit engagement with the first housing part, and the second wiring cap is a snap-fit engagement with the second housing part.

In preferred implementations, the snap-fit engagement between the first and second wiring caps and the first and second housing parts is disengageable with a screw driver.

In some implementations, the first terminal housing part has an open sided aperture for allowing entry of the first cable, and the second terminal housing part has an open sided aperture for allowing entry of the second cable.

In some implementations, the first terminal housing part has a closed aperture for allowing entry of the first cable, and the second terminal housing part has a closed aperture for allowing entry of the second cable.

In some embodiments, the snap fit engagement is accomplished with the use of standard pliers.

In another aspect, an inline cable connector assembly for connecting one or more pairs of wire leads of a first cable to corresponding one or more pairs of wire leads of a second cable includes a housing; and at first and second rows of double-ended insulation displacement contacts held by the housing, each of the contacts having two oppositely directed wire connecting portions electrically connected with an integral jog intermediate the wire connecting portions.

In preferred implementations, the connector assembly is compliant with Category 6A.

In another aspect, a method of connecting first one or more pairs of wire leads of a first cable to second one or more pairs of wire leads of a second cable is provided. The method includes lacing a first one or more pairs of wire leads into a first base; lacing a second one or more pairs of wire leads into a second base, the second base facing a direction opposite of the first base; providing a first wiring cap against the first base; providing a second wiring cap against the second base; and compressing the assembly of the first base, first wiring cap, second base, and second wiring cap so that a plurality of double ended insulation displacement contacts within the assembly penetrate the wire leads and electrically connect the first four pairs to the second four pairs.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

