FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention with Application No. 444/CHE/2015 titled 'REUSABLE SELF-LOCKING MODULAR PLUGS', filed on 30.01.2015, relating to RJ45, RJ 11 and RJ 9 male plugs, generally called modular plugs.

Background:

Connecting cables used in telecom and data networks are terminated with RJ45, RJ 11 and RJ 9 male plugs, generally called modular plugs. These connecting cables need to be protected against accidental removal or sabotage.

PRIOR ART:

a) A separate device is used in place of the latch of the modular plug: the latch is removed and this device is inserted in its place. To remove the cable from the equipment the device and the plug have to be broken. A new device and a new plug must be attached to the cable to reuse the cable.

b) An external lock and key arrangement placed between the plug and the socket. Once locked, the cable cannot be removed. This arrangement enables reuse of the plug and the cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The proposed solution is a self-locking plug that has a built-in locking arrangement.

The latch in the modular plug has an extension that prevents removal of the plug (and thereby the cable) from socket. To remove the plug a special key is inserted into the plug. This key relieves the extension temporarily that the plug is released from the socket. The plug and key are reusable. There is no need for any additional lock or similar components.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the proposed solution of a plug with a specifically designed latch.

Figure 2 explains the latch of the plug.

Figure 3 the modification at the bottom of the latch.

Figure 4 shows the image of the custom key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. Figure 1: The proposed solution is a plug with a specially designed latch which will enable locking the plug (and thereby the cable) to the socket (and thereby the equipment).

2. Figure 2: The latch of the plug is attached differently at the cable end, called the reverse pivot latch. This has a guide on top of the latch to allow only a custom key. This allows removal and reuse of the plug (refer figure 2). The diameter of the key guide is designed in such a way that it will allow only the custom key to reach the point of the latch where pressure is required to release the plug.

3. Figure 3: illustrates the modification at the bottom of the latch. The latch has a projection. This projection will not allow release of the latch when the user tries to remove the plug from the socket as in regular modular plugs.

4. Figure 4; The image of the custom key is illustrated in Figure-4. This key can be folded inside the plastic cavity of the holder to avoid accidents.

We claim:

1. A design to secure (lock) the RJ modular plug to the socket without any additional hardware or external locks.

2. A design that does not permit removal of the modular plug from the socket by pressing over the latch.

3. A design of a plug with provision to use a custom key for removal and reuse of the plug.