Electrical connector for use between media connectors and computer communications cards

• US 6,116,927 A
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Paul, Donald C., Terrell, Jeffrey S., Frampton, John D., Johnson, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US09/033,270
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/946
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

An improved electrical connector for use in a communications card for interfacing between a media connector and a downsized computer is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the communications card comprises a retractable access portion and a fixed portion. The retractable access portion has an aperture formed therein configured to receive the media connector. A conductive terminal having a first and a second end mates with both the retractable access portion and the fixed portion. The first end makes electrical contact with the media connector while, simultaneously, the second end slidingly makes electrical contact with the fixed portion as the retractable access portion is extended beyond the computer housing during use. The sliding contact is accomplished by means of a conductive track disposed on the fixed portion. Since the fixed portion is in electrical communication with the computer, the media connector is also in electrical communication with the computer. A contact block may additionally be provided to align and electrically isolate the conductive track. A pin block having pivoting action is provided to accommodate the conductive terminal and to extend longevity of the conductive terminal. The pin block also ensures better electrical contact with the conductive track during use.

Claims

1. A communications card for use in interfacing between a media connector and a downsized computer, comprising:

a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector, at least a portion of said aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion;

a fixed portion being capable of making electrical contact with said downsized computer during use;

a conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for making electrical contact with said media connector during use;

a pin block for accommodating a portion of said conductive terminal, said first and second ends of said conductive terminal extending beyond said pin block on opposite sides thereof; and

a conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said conductive terminal during use as said retractable access portion is extended, said conductive track being in electrical communication with said fixed portion.

2. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said conductive terminal has a curved terminal portion thereof for facilitating said sliding electrical contact between said conductive terminal and said conductive track.

3. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said conductive track is aligned on said fixed portion by a contact block.

4. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said conductive track has a sloping contour thereof to facilitate the retraction of said retractable access portion.

5. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said conductive terminal is pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion.

6. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said retractable access portion further comprises a shelf for providing structural stability thereto and for facilitating reception of said media connector, said shelf having a groove therein for facilitating alignment between said conductive terminal and said media connector during use.

7. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said retractable access portion further comprises an end stop for facilitating mounting of said conductive terminal thereto.

8. A communications card according to claim 1, wherein said conductive track is on a printed circuit board of said fixed portion.

9. A direct connection system for removably engaging a media connector with a communications card, comprising:

a communications card having a retractable access portion and a fixed portion, said fixed portion being capable of making electrical contact with said downsized computer during use;

an aperture formed in said retractable access portion configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector, at least a portion of said aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion;

at least one conductive lead having a first end and a second end, said first end extending partially into said aperture for making electrical contact with said media connector during use; and

at least one conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said at least one conductive lead during use as said retractable access portion is extended beyond said housing of said downsized computer, said at least one conductive track being in electrical communication with said fixed portion, said at least one conductive track including a sloping contour to facilitate the retraction of said retractable access portion.

10. A direct connection system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one conductive lead is pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion.

11. A direct connection system for removably engaging a media connector with a communications card, comprising:

a communications card having a retractable access portion and a fixed portion, said fixed portion being capable of making electrical contact with said downsized computer during use;

an aperture formed in said retractable access portion configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector;

at least one conductive lead having a first end and a second end, said first end extending partially into said aperture for making electrical contact with said media connector during use, wherein said at least one conductive lead is pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion;

at least one conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said at least one conductive lead during use as said retractable access portion is extended beyond said housing of said downsized computer, said at least one conductive track being in electrical communication with said fixed portion; and

a pin block for accommodating said at least one conductive lead, said pin block being pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion.

12. A direct connection system according to claim 11, wherein said pin block comprises a ledge for mating with an end stop on said retractable access portion, said ledge having a sloping portion thereof for facilitating said pivotable mounting.

13. A direct connection system according to claim 12, wherein said first and second ends extend beyond said pin block on opposite sides thereof.

14. A direct connection system according to claim 13, wherein said second end of said at least one conductive lead has a curved terminal portion thereof for facilitating said sliding electrical contact between said at least one conductive lead and said at least one conductive track.

15. A communications card for use in interfacing between a media connector and a computer, comprising:

a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector, at least a portion of said aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion;

a fixed portion having a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board being capable of making electrical contact with said computer during use;

a plurality of conductive terminals being pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion, each said conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for pivotably making electrical contact with said media connector during use; and

a plurality of conductive tracks for slidingly making electrical contact with each said second end of said conductive terminals during use as said retractable access portion is extended beyond a housing of said computer, said conductive tracks being in electrical communication with said printed circuit board, said conductive tracks including a sloping contour to facilitate the retraction of said retractable access portion.

20. A communications card according to claim 15, wherein said conductive tracks are electrically arranged on said printed circuit board or said fixed portion.

21. A communications card according to claim 15, wherein said conductive tracks are conductively configured as a palladium nickel conductor with a flash of gold thereupon.

16. A communications card for use in interfacing between a media connector and a computer, comprising:

a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector;

a fixed portion having a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board being capable of making electrical contact with said computer during use;

a plurality of conductive terminals being pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion, each said conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for pivotably making electrical contact with said media connector during use

a plurality of conductive tracks for slidingly making electrical contact with each said second end of said conductive terminals during use as said retractable access portion is extended beyond a housing of said computer, said conductive tracks being in electrical communication with said printed circuit board; and

a pin block for accommodating said conductive terminals.

17. A communications card according to claim 16, wherein said pin block further comprises a ledge for interfacing with a surface of an end stop on said retractable access portion, said ledge having a sloping portion thereof for facilitating said pivotable mounting when said ledge and said surface are urged together.

18. A communications card for use in interfacing between a media connector and a computer, comprising:

a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector;

a fixed portion having a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board being capable of making electrical contact with said computer during use;

a plurality of conductive terminals being pivotably mounted with said retractable access portion, each said conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for pivotably making electrical contact with said media connector during use

a plurality of conductive tracks for slidingly making electrical contact with each said second end of said conductive terminals during use as said retractable access portion is extended beyond a housing of said computer, said conductive tracks being in electrical communication with said printed circuit board; and

a contact block for aligning and electrically isolating each said conductive track from every other said conductive track.

19. A communications card according to claim 18, wherein said conductive track extends along a portion of said contact block of sufficient length to only slidingly electrically contact said conductive terminals with said conductive tracks when said retractable access portion is extended beyond said housing of said computer.

22. A communications connection system allowing connection of a media connector to a downsized portable computer, comprising:

a downsized portable computer having a communications card slot in a housing thereof;

a communications card capable of being inserted into said slot, said communications card having;

(i) a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein configured to receive at least a portion of said media connector, at least a portion of said aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion;

(ii) a fixed portion being capable of making electrical contact with said computer during use;

(iii) a conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for making electrical contact with said media connector during use;

(iv) a conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said conductive terminal during use as said retractable access portion is extended to a position outside of said housing to expose said aperture outside of said housing for reception of said media connection, said conductive track being in electrical communication with said fixed portion; and

(v) a pin block for accommodating a portion of said conductive terminal.

23. A communications connection system according to claim 22, wherein said communications card comprises a PCMCIA architecture modem card or a PCMCIA architecture network card.

24. A communications connection system according to claim 22, wherein said aperture is configured to accept at least a portion of a RJ-11 or RJ-45 media connector.