BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a wall plate assembly with digital extender according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway view of the assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5A illustrates a mounting bracket with the digital extender attached thereto;
FIG. 5B illustrates a back shell enclosure for covering the digital extender of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6 illustrates a side exploded elevation view of the assembly similar to that of FIG. 3, this time without the DIN connector;
FIG. 7 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1 mounted into a single-gang outlet box;
FIG. 8 illustrates a side cutaway view of the assembly of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1 mounted to a double-gang outlet box;
FIG. 10 illustrates a side cutaway view of the assembly of FIG. 9; and
FIGS. 11A through 11C show various views of a wall plate assembly with digital extender according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 12 shows a house using premise wiring and one embodiment of the wall plate assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 3, various views of the wall plate assembly 1 are shown, where the assembly 1 includes a wall plate 10, mounting bracket 20, digital extender (in the form of a printed circuit board that may include other electronic circuitry) 30 mounted to the mounting bracket 20, an interface 40 (presently shown as a DVI interface), enclosure (also called a case or a back shell) 50 for containing the digital extender 30 and a cable lead 70 that is terminated with connector 60. In a first embodiment of the assembly 1, the cable lead 70 enters through a recessed rectangular cutout formed in the back of enclosure 50 to make a connection of the individual wires 75 therein to the appropriate components of the digital extender 30. As such, cable lead 70 may be in a pigtail shape. Although not shown, enclosure 50 may be constructed without the cutout so that the cable lead 70 enters in a generally horizontal way through an aperture formed directly in the rear wall of the enclosure 50.
Referring next to FIGS. 11A through 11C, an alternate embodiment of the wall plate assembly 1 is shown with a different interface 140 (presently shown as an HDMI interface) and enclosure 150. As with enclosure 50 of FIGS. 1 through 3, the enclosure 150 includes a rearward-facing rectangular cutout to accommodate a cable lead 70 that is vertically mounted to the circuit board (not presently shown), rather than the rearward, horizontal mount that may necessitate additional front-to-back depth in mounting. Also in a manner generally similar to that of FIG. 2, the cable lead 70 shown in FIG. 11B may be in a pigtail shape to fit within the space created by the rectangular cutout in enclosure 50.
Referring with particularity to FIG. 5A, in the present disclosure, a digital extender 30 transfers video data coming from a graphics device (not shown, but such as the graphics card from a computer) as binary coded data, rather than as an analog signal. The digital extender 30 includes amplification and buffering circuitry within the wall plate assembly. This technology is commonly known to individuals skilled in the art. For example, there may be a single integrated circuit on the circuit board that is responsible for buffering, error correction and amplification. Thus, the digital extender 30 is generally used as (among other things) an error-correction device, often associated with signal timing between various conductors in multi-wire conductors (such as copper twisted pair wiring or the like) over long distances. Experience has shown that, absent a digital extender 30, digital signals (such as those that come from a computer, DVD player or the like) are limited to relatively short lengths, typically no more than about five meters in length. In this way, use of digital extender 30 promotes high signal quality regardless of the cable length. As shown with particularity in FIG. 5B, enclosure 50 (which may be made from a plastic, among other relatively rigid, inexpensive materials) is used to cover digital extender 30, providing protection thereto.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 11A, at one signal end of the wall plate assembly 1, the interface 40 can take on numerous forms, such as the DVI of FIG. 1 and the HDMI of FIG. 11A, the latter of which is an industry-standard digital audio/video interface that can be used between any compatible digital sources, such as a computer, set-top box, DVD player, receiver and TV or related monitor. HDMI is compatible with DVI, which are commonly used on computer monitors and graphics cards. It will be appreciated that either type of connection could be used in the present invention. At the other signal end of the wall plate assembly 1, the connector 60 is a Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN) connector well-known in the art that can be used to electrically attach the cable lead 70 to a runner or related cable in the wiring system 5 that is shown generally in FIG. 12. As presently shown, wall plate assembly 1 defines a portion of a point-to-point system. Although not shown, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that wall plate assembly 1 and the accompanying digital extender circuitry may also be used as part of a more centralized system such as a point-to-multipoint configuration. For example, the present system can be used with selector switches, distribution amplifiers and ancillary equipment to accommodate multiple inputs and outputs.
Referring with particularity to FIG. 8, a strain relief 65 can be used to join cable lead 70 to digital extender 30. Strain relief 65 keeps the cable in position so that movement cannot cause individual wires 75 from pulling loose from the digital extender 30. The strain relief 65 defines a terminal end of a length of cable lead 70 that can be coupled to the wiring system 5 through connector 60, where the wiring system 5 is conveniently run throughout a premise. In addition to the strain relief 65, quick-connects may also be used to facilitate ease of connection and disconnection. For example, the DIN connector 60 may be used as a quick-connect to the cable lead 70, where the cable lead 70 passes through the strain relief 65 that is held in position by its mounting relationship with enclosure 50. The opposite terminal end of the length of cable or wiring used in the airing system 5 can also terminate with a quick-connect and, as such, can interface with another quick-connect cable or a quick-connect electrical connector of an additional wall plate assembly according to the present invention. In this manner, wall plate assemblies 1 according to the present invention enable relatively rapid and simple premise wiring.
Referring next to FIGS. 4, 6 and 10 (as well as FIG. 8), the integral formation of the circuit board (on which the digital extender circuitry 30 is preferably mounted) to the remainder of the wall plate assembly 1 is shown. In one form of attachment, the circuit board is mounted to the mounting bracket 20 via posts 25 that form a unitary structure with and extend rearwardly from the back of mounting bracket 20. The posts 25 may be tubular such that the rearward-most end may accept threaded screws, rivets or other such fasteners to secure the circuit board to the mounting bracket 20. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other securing means may be used, including glue or related adhesives, welding, soldering or the like.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that wall plate assemblies 1 according to the present invention can be configured to define a variety of connector types and configurations, whether they be for audio, visual, radio-frequency (RF) or other types of electrical signals. It is also noted that the concepts of the present invention, where a quick-connect is integrated with the assembly 1, will have additional applicability to fiber optic transmission lines and connectors.
Referring with particularity to FIGS. 7 and 9, placement of the wall plate assembly 1 into gang boxes 80 (for the single-gang outlet box) and 90 (for the double-gang outlet box) is shown, where tubular mounts (not shown) can be formed in the gang boxes to facilitate attachment of the assembly 1 to the boxes 80, 90 with conventional fasteners, such as screws. As shown with particularity in FIG. 8, the boxes are spacious enough such that upon placement of the assembly 1 therein, cable lead 70 and connector 60 can be positioned to improve connectivity to a runner cable (not shown) that is part of the wiring system 5.
It is noted that any appendices or attachments to the above description of the present invention form a part of the description and should be considered part of the present application. Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention. For example, it is noted that the electrical connectors, the electrical wiring, and the male and female quick connect connectors illustrated in the figures can be presented in a variety of configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20070279887
