Information management outlet module and assembly providing protection to exposed cabling

• US 5,735,714 A
• Filed: 04/06/1995
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Orlando, Stephen A., Schwer, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US08/417,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 439/344, 439/675, 439/535
• US Class Current: 439/676
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/743 integral with the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2429 mounted in an insulating base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/954 Special orientation of electrical connector

Abstract

An RJ-type connector outlet module which provides protected access to the front of a module and permits straight-on solderless connections to the back. The module has a frame with a channel for receiving an RJ-type connector plug wherein the channel is recessed and obliquely oriented with respect to the front face of the frame. A connector jack within the channel is configured to attach to a planar printed circuit board attached to the rear surface of the frame such that an IDC terminal strip can be mounted to permit straight-on insertion of wires.

Claims

1. An RJ-type connector outlet module which provides protected access to the front of a module and permits straight-on solderless connections to the back, comprising:

a frame having a planar front surface with a channel extending therein for receiving an RJ-type connector plug, wherein the channel is recessed and obliquely oriented with respect to the front surface of the frame, wherein the channel has a long axis which forms an angle in the range from 30°

to 60°

with respect to a line that is vertical to the planar front surface of the frame and with the channel being sufficiently deep so that an inserted RJ-type connector plug makes electrical contact at a point that is rearwardly of the planar front surface; and

a planar printed circuit board attached to the rear surface of the frame such that an IDC terminal strip can be mounted to permit straight-on insertion of wires.

2. A connector module according to claim 1 which further includes resilient tabs on opposed side faces of the frame to enable a snap fit with a suitable faceplate having an opening to receive said frame.

3. A connector module according to claim 1 which further includes

a plurality of jack wires;

and

a jack wire frame having a long axis aligned with the channel and including a plurality of parallel guides parallel to said long axis for holding the jack wires parallel to one another and aligned with the channel and with the jack wire frame being rearwardly disposed with respect to the planar front surface of the frame.

4. A connector module according to claim 1 which further includes a plurality of jack wires bent to include

a straight central segment,

a straight spring forming an acute angle with the central segment, and a straight segment forming an obtuse angle with the central segment and extending though and soldered to predetermined through holes in said printed circuit board;

and a jack wire frame having a long axis aligned with the long axis of the channel and with the jack wire frame being rearwardly disposed with respect to the planar front surface of the frame.

5. An information management outlet module assembly in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising:

a faceplate having an opening therein for receiving said RJ-type connector outlet module

said face plate having a planar front surface and means for providing a snap fit of said RJ-connector module into said opening in said faceplate so as to place the planar front surface of the frame of said outlet module substantially flush with the planar front surface of said face plate.

6. An RJ-type connector outlet module which provides protected access to the front of a module and permits straight-on solderless connections to the back and a face plate, comprising:

a frame having

a planar front surface having a top edge and a bottom edge and an opening therein extending from the bottom edge, said opening being of a size effective to accommodate an RJ-type connector plug;

a rear surface parallel to the front surface and having a top edge and a bottom edge;

a channel having a long axis which extends obliquely parallel to a line extending from bottom edge of the front surface toward the top edge of the rear surface;

wherein the channel has a long axis which forms an angle in the range from 30°

to 60°

with respect to a line that is vertical to the planar front surface of the frame and with the channel being sufficiently deep so that an inserted RJ-type connector plug makes electrical contact at a point that is rearwardly of the planar front surface

a planar printed circuit board attached to the rear surface of the frame and including through holes and conductive traces in a predetermined arrangement;

a plurality of jack wires bent to include

a straight central segment,

a straight spring forming an acute angle with the central segment, and a straight segment forming an obtuse angle with the central segment and extending though and soldered to predetermined through holes in said printed circuit board;

a jack wire frame having a long axis aligned with the channel and including a plurality of parallel guides parallel to said long axis for holding the jack wires parallel to one another and aligned with the channel; and

with the jack wire frame being rearwardly disposed with respect to the planar front surface of the frame

a terminal strip including

a plurality of connector means for attaching wires along an axis of insertion perpendicular to the planar front face of the frame, and a plurality of conductive elements, each providing electrical continuity with a designated one of the connector means, and with each conductive element extending through and soldered to a predetermined through hole in said printed circuit board;

a faceplate having an opening therein for receiving said RJ-type connector outlet module;

said face plate having a planar front surface and means for providing a snap fit of said R J-connector module into said opening in said faceplate so as to place the planar front surface of the frame of said outlet module substantially flush with the planar front surface of said face plate.