Communications card with integral transmission media line adaptor
First Claim
1. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line having a transmission media line connector, said communications card comprising a card body having first and second electrical terminals and an internal cavity which houses logic circuitry that communicates with said first and second terminals, and an adaptor which removably attaches to said card body in a first location in which said adaptor electrically connects to said first terminal, and which removably attaches to said card body in a second location in which said adaptor integrates with the card body to present a generally rectangular configuration, said adaptor configured for connection to the transmission media line connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications card provides an electronic interface between a host computer and a transmission media line. The communications card includes a releasable adaptor which interconnects an electrical connector of the transmission media line to the communications card when in use. The adaptor also integrates into the overall configuration of the communication card in a storage position to present a configuration that conforms with PCMCIA communication card architecture. The adaptor releasably attaches to the communication card when in the storage position. The releasable connection between the communication card and the adaptor allows replacement of the adaptor when worn or damages, without replacing the entire communications card. And the integral storage position of the adaptor allows a user to internally carry the adaptor with the communications card within the host computer.
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Citations
37 Claims
- 1. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line having a transmission media line connector, said communications card comprising a card body having first and second electrical terminals and an internal cavity which houses logic circuitry that communicates with said first and second terminals, and an adaptor which removably attaches to said card body in a first location in which said adaptor electrically connects to said first terminal, and which removably attaches to said card body in a second location in which said adaptor integrates with the card body to present a generally rectangular configuration, said adaptor configured for connection to the transmission media line connector.
- 23. An adaptor for electrically interfacing a transmission media line connector with a communications card of the type having a thickness less than the thickness of the transmission media line connector, and having at least one terminal, said adaptor comprising a body and a hinged lid which is movable relative to said body between a first position and a second position, said lid being positioned adjacent to said body in said first position such that said adaptor has a thickness generally equal to the thickness of the communications card, and said lid extending away from said body in said second position so as to define a space of sufficient size between the lid and the body to receive at least a portion of the transmission media line connector, said adaptor removably attachable to the communications card.
Specification