Adaptable communications connectors

• US 6,164,989 A
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: David Nagle, Jon R. Hinton, Paul H. Glad, Steve R. Mcdaniels
• Inventors: Glad, Paul H., Nagle, David, McDaniels, Steve R., Hinton, Jon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US09/105,295
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/676, 439/344, 439/638, 439/945, 439/946
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/945 Adapter for pcb or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form, 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 includes one or more recesses which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane 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 is a replaceable direct access arrangement which is replaceably held within the communications device. 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving a plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the apparatus comprising:

a communications device, the communications device having a first side with a dimension which complies with PCMCIA Type III card standards;

body means, the body means including at least one recess means provided in the body means, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;

housing means for releasably holding the body;

means for removably holding the housing means substantially within the communications device such that the housing means and the body means can be removed from and inserted into the communications device as a unitary module;

a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, 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 means;

a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, 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 means; and

means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing means comprises a direct access arrangement.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the direct access arrangement comprises a billing tone filter.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess means comprises at least one RJ-xx series receptacle.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for extending and retracting the body means into and out of the housing means.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for extending and retracting the body means further comprises means for holding the body means in an extended position.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising means for removing the body means from the housing means.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess means is configured to closely receive an RJ-11 plug having a biased clip.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess means is configured to closely revceive an RJ-12 plug having a biased clip.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the recess means is configured to closely receive an RJ-45 type plug having a biased clip.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the body means comprises a first side and a second side and wherein the recess comprises a rectangular recess having three walls, the walls being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first side.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the three walls comprise a first pair of parallel opposing walls each having a length in the range from about 0.265 inches to about 0.285 inches and the third wall has a length in the range from about 0.45 inches to about 0.475 inches.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the three walls comprise a first pair of parallel opposing walls each having a length in the range from about 0.265 inches to about 0.285 inches and the third wall has a length in the range from about 0.375 inches to about 0.4 inches.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for releasably engaging the biased clip on the plug.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing means comprises a shell having a plurality of grooves and wherein the body means further comprises guides slidably mounted within the grooves.

16. A communications device, the communications device having a first side with a dimension which complies with PCMCIA Type III card standards, the communications device comprising:

data access means for interfacing communications signals received and generated by the communications device;

means for removably holding the data access means substantially within the communications device such that the data access means can be removed from and inserted into the communications device as a unitary module; and

means for conveying a communications signal between the data access means and a signal utilizing device.

17. A communications device as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for conveying a communications signal comprises:

body means, the body means including at least one recess means provided in the body means, the recess means having dimensions such that a plug having first and second electrical contacts is closely received therein;

a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, 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 means;

a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, 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 means; and

means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.

18. A communications device as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for conveying a communications signal comprises an antenna.

19. A communications device as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for conveying a communications signal comprises:

a cord; and

means for connecting the cord to a portable telephone.

20. A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card complying with PCMCIA Type III card standards and comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface, the second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface and forming upper and lower surfaces of the communications card;

a first end;

recess means provided in the first end, the recess means being oriented substantially perpendicular to said first end and substantially parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;

a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;

a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;

means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device; and

a cutout formed on the first surface adjacent to the recess means, the cutout shaped to receive the biased clip.