Modular jack with integral light-emitting diode

• US 5,613,873 A
• Filed: 12/16/1993
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bell, Joseph W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien
• Application Number:
  US08/180,489
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488-490, 439/676, 439/55, 439/56, 439/910, 439/709
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/91 Observation aide, e.g. transparent material, window in housing

Abstract

A modular jack for a 10BASE-T standard Ethernet-type local area network connection to a printed circuit board edge includes a body portion, a plug receptacle, a PC board mounting apparatus, and a cavity for receiving a LED to indicate the status of the LAN connection. The LED preferably is embedded in the front face of the body portion of the jack. Alternatively, the body portion of the jack may be molded from a transparent or a translucent resin, and the cavity may be formed in the underside of the body portion, whereby the LED may be mounted on the PC board and the jack inserted on the PC board over the LED, with the body portion of the jack conducting light from the LED to the front face of the jask.

Claims

1. A jack for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a printed circuit board, comprising:

a body portion having a front face, a back face and a bottom face;

a receptacle for receiving the plug;

mounting apparatus for affixing said body portion on the printed circuit board;

a first cavity within said body portion for receiving a first LED;

a second cavity within said body portion for receiving a second LED;

wherein said body portion is formed of a transparent or translucent material, and wherein said first cavity comprises a recess having a generally rectangular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location adjacent to said back faces for receiving a light-emitting portion of the first LED, and wherein said second cavity comprises a recess having a generally circular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location adjacent to said back face for receiving a light-emitting portion of the second LED, whereby the LEDs may be mounted on the printed circuit board and said jack may be mounted on the printed circuit board over the LEDs, with the light emitting portions of the LEDs extending into said respective recesses such that the light-emitting portions thereof are completely surrounded by the body portion and the printed circuit board, so that when the LEDs are emitting light, the transparent or translucent material conducts light from the LEDs to the front face of said body portion.

2. A modular jack for connecting a LAN cable terminated with a plug to a printed circuit board, comprising:

a body portion having a front face a back face and a bottom face;

a receptacle formed in the front face of said body portion for receiving the plug, said receptacle including a plurality of electrical contacts for connection to a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts on the plug;

mounting apparatus on the bottom face of said body portion for affixing said body portion on the printed circuit board;

a first cavity within said body portion for receiving a first LED to indicate the presence and absences of an active LAN connection to the printed circuit board;

a second cavity within said body portion for receiving a second LED;

wherein said body portion is formed of a transparent or translucent plastic material, and wherein said first cavity comprises a recess having a generally rectangular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location adjacent to said back face for receiving al light-emitting portion of the first LEDS and wherein said second cavity comprises a recess having a generally circular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location adjacent to a said back face for receiving a light-emitting portion of the second LED, whereby the LEDs may be mounted on the printed circuit board and said jack may be removably mounted on the printed circuit board over the LEDs, with the light-emitting portions of the LEDs extending into said respective recesses, whereby, when the jack is mounted, the light-emitting portions are completely surrounded by the body portion and the printed circuit board and said body portion may conduct light from LEDs through the transparent or translucent material to the front face of said body portion.

3. A RJ45 modular jack for use in a local area network operating on the 10BASE-T Ethernet standard to connect a network cable terminated with a telephone-type plug to a printed circuit board, comprising:

a body portion having a front face a back face and a bottom face, said body portion being formed of a transparent or translucent material;

a receptacle formed in the front face of said body portion for receiving the plug, said receptacle including apparatus for releasably engaging the plug;

a plurality of electrical contacts extending within said receptacle and through the bottom face of said body portion for attachment to the printed circuit board;

a pair of pedestals extending from the bottom face of said body portion for friction engagement within corresponding holes in the printed circuit board; and

a first cavity within said body portion for receiving a light-emitting portion of a first LED to indicate the presence and absence of an active local area network connection to the printed circuit board; and

a second cavity within said body portion for receiving a light-emitting portion of a second LED;

wherein said first cavity includes a recess having a generally rectangular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location near said back face for receiving a light-emitting portion of the first LED, and said second cavity includes a recess having a generally circular cross section formed in the bottom face of said body portion in a location near said back face for receiving a light-emitting portion of the second LED, whereby the LEDs may be mounted on the printed circuit board and said jack may be mounted on the printed circuit board over LEDs, with the light-emitting portions of the LEDs extending into said respective recesses such that the light-emitting portions are completely surrounded by the body portion and the printed circuit board, enabling said body portions to conduct light from the LEDs through the transparent or translucent.