Adaptable communications connectors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for holding an RJ series plug having a biased clip, first and second electrical contacts located on a first face having a width and a length, the RJ series plug being associated with a communications device, the apparatus further for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the apparatus comprising:
- a body;
a recess in the body, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
a member pivotally attached to the body such that the member pivots from a first position substantially over the recess to a second position at an angle over the recess;
means for restricting the movement of the member such that the member can be moved to the second position with the first face of the plug placed in the recess facing away from the member and the member engages the biased clip such that it holds the first face of the plug in the recess and such that the movement of the member at the second position is limited to substantially no more than forty-five degrees from the first position;
a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member releasably engages the biased clip;
a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member releasably engages the biased clip; and
means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250). Both the structures providing the receptacles and the direct access arrangement are easily removable in case of damage or if other functions are desired. The replaceable direct access arrangement allows operation in countries having different telecommunications standards and allows operation with many different communications devices. Wireless communication is also provided.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for holding an RJ series plug having a biased clip, first and second electrical contacts located on a first face having a width and a length, the RJ series plug being associated with a communications device, the apparatus further for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the apparatus comprising:
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a body; a recess in the body, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein; a member pivotally attached to the body such that the member pivots from a first position substantially over the recess to a second position at an angle over the recess; means for restricting the movement of the member such that the member can be moved to the second position with the first face of the plug placed in the recess facing away from the member and the member engages the biased clip such that it holds the first face of the plug in the recess and such that the movement of the member at the second position is limited to substantially no more than forty-five degrees from the first position; a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member releasably engages the biased clip; a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member releasably engages the biased clip; and means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for holding an RJ series plug having a biased clip, first and second electrical contacts located on a first face having a width and a length, the RJ series plug being associated with a communications device, the apparatus further for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the apparatus comprising:
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a body; a recess in the body, the recess having a first opening, an adjacent second opening, a first wall and a second wall such that the plug is closely received therein; a member pivotally attached to the body such that the member pivots from a first position substantially over the recess to a second position substantially no more than forty-five degrees from the first position; means for restricting the pivoting movement of the member away from the recess such that the member can be moved to the second position and the first face of the plug placed in the recess facing away from the member and the member engages the biased clip and is biased to hold the first face of the plug in the recess; a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member engages the biased clip; a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess and when the member engages the biased clip; and means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.
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Specification