Breakaway physical/electrical media jack

• US 6,186,803 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1999
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Garside, R. Troy
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US09/345,891
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/916, 439/676, 439/946
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• 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

A physical/electrical media jack is configured for electrically coupling with a physical/electrical media plug. The jack includes a housing having an interior chamber communicating with the exterior through an opening. Positioned on opposing sides of the opening are a pair of blocking ridges each having an inside sloping edge. In one embodiment, dovetailed splines are positioned on the exterior surface of the housing for receipt in complementary keyways formed in the border frame of a PC Card or the casing of an electrical apparatus. The jack further includes a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving a media plug. The second end of the retractable access portion is slidably received within the opening in the housing. Outwardly projecting from opposing sides of the retractable access portion at the second end are a pair of retention lips. The retention lips bias against the blocking ridges to prevent unwanted removal of the retractable access portion from the housing. The retention lips and blocking ridges, however, are configured to enable removal of the retractable access portion through the opening without mechanical failure of the jack when sufficient outward force is applied to the retractable access portion.

Claims

1. A PC Card for electrically coupling with a physical/electrical media plug, the PC Card comprising:

(a) a cover including a top surface having a perimeter edge, a bottom surface having a perimeter edge, and a boarder frame positioned proximate the perimeter edge of the top surface and the perimeter edge of the bottom surface, the top surface, the bottom surface and the boarder frame bounding a compartment;

(b) a circuit board disposed within the compartment of the cover,

(c) a jack housing generallv positioned within the compartment and proximate an opening in the boarder frame, the jack housing including an internal chamber communicating with an exterior through the opening;

(d) one or more transition wires at least partially disposed within the internal chamber of the jack housing, the one or more transition wires including a first portion and a second portion;

(e) a retractable access portion slidably received within the internal chamber of the jack housing, the retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position a substantial portion of the retractable access portion projects from the housing through the opening, wherein in said second position the retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within the internal chamber of the housing; and

(f) one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, the one or more contact wires including a first end and a second end, wherein in the first position at least one of the one or more contact wires electrically contacts at least one of the one or more transition wires to provide electrical communication between the retractable access portion and the jack housing, wherein in the second position the one or more contact wires do not electrically contact the one or more transition wires and the retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with the jack housing.

2. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, comprising means for mechanically and rigidly connecting the jack housing to the boarder frame.

3. A PC Card as recited in claim 2, wherein the means for mechanically and rigidly connecting the jack housing to the boarder frame comprises a spline formed on the exterior of the jack housing and a complementary keyway formed on the boarder frame.

4. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the cover is directly secured to the jack housing.

5. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, further comprising coupling means for electronically coupling the media plug with the retractable access portion.

6. A PC Card as recited in claim 5, wherein the coupling means comprises:

(a) an aperture formed in the retractable access portion, the aperture being configured to receive the media plug; and

(b) a contact wire mounted to the retractable access portion and projecting into the aperture.

7. A PC Card as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for preventing passage of the media plug completely through the aperture.

8. A PC Card as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for mechanically securing the media plug within the aperture.

9. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, further comprising attachment means for facilitating repeated manual removal and attachment of the retractable access portion to the housing.

10. A PC Card as recited in claim 9, wherein the attachment means comprises the retractable access portion having a first retention lip projecting therefrom and the housing having a first blocking ridge projecting into the internal chamber at the opening, the first retention lip being biased against first blocking ridge when the retractable access portion is in the first position so as to hold the retractable access portion within the housing but permitting the first retention lip to pass over the first blocking ridge when a predetermined outward force is applied to the retractable access portion.

11. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, further comprising contact means for facilitating electrical connection between the retractable access portion and the housing when the retractable access portion is in the first position and for preventing electrical connection between retractable access portion and the housing when the retractable access portion is in the second position.

12. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for biasing retractable access portion in a direction external to the housing.

13. A PC Card as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion within the housing.

14. A PC card as recited in claim 1, further comprises a first plane containing the first portion of the one or more transition wires and a second plane containing the second portion of the one or more transition wires, the first plane being spaced from the second plane.

15. A PC card as recited in claim 14, wherein the first portion of the one or more transition wires is positioned to electrically contact the second end of the one or more contact wires in the first position.

16. A PC card as recited in claim 14, wherein the second portion of the one or more transition wires is positioned to be electrically insulated from the second end of the one or more contact wires in the second position.

17. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the one or more transition wires is sized and configured to electrically contact the second end of the one or more contact wires and the second portion of the one or more transition wires is sized and configured to be electrically insulated from the second end of the one or more contact wires.

18. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the one or more transition wires is positioned to electrically contact the second end of the one or more contact wires in the first position.

19. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein the second portion of the one or more transition wires is positioned to be electrically insulated from the second end of the one or more contact wires in the second position.

20. A physical/electrical media jack for facilitating physical and electrical connection of a physical/electrical media plug with a communications card, the physical/clectrical media jack comprising:

a housing sized and configured to fit at least partially within an opening in the communications card;

one or more transition wires at least partially disposed within said housing, the one or more transition wires including a first position and a second position;

a retractable access portion sized and configured to fit at least partially within an opening in said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position wherein said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within said housing, a second position wherein a substantial portion of said retractable access portion projects from said housing, and a third position wherein at least a portion of the retractable access portion is detached from the housing, said retractable access portion including an aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion, said aperture being sized and configured to allow the media plug to extend through said retractable access portion wherein a first end of the media plug projects through a first side of said retractable access portion and a second end of the media plug projects through an opposing second side of said retractable access portion; and

one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, wherein in said first position said one or more contact wires are not in electrical contact with said one or more transition wires, wherein in said second position said one or more contact wires are in electrical contact with said one or more transition wires.

21. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, wherein said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing in said first position.

22. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, wherein said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing in said second position.

23. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, further comprising a first retention lip projecting from said retractable access portion and a blocking ridge projecting from said housing, said first retention lip being biased against said first blocking ridge when said retractable access portion is in said second position so as to hold said retractable access portion within said housing but permitting said first retention lip to pass over said first blocking ridge when a predetermined outward force is applied to said retractable access portion.

24. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, further comprising a pair of retention lips projecting outwardly from opposing sides of said retractable access portion and a pair of blocking ridges projecting outwardly from said housing, said retention lips being biased against said blocking ridges when said retractable access portion is in said second position so as to hold said retractable access portion within said housing but permitting said retention lips to pass over said blocking ridges when a predetermined outward force is applied to said retractable access portion.

25. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, wherein said housing includes a flexible first surface that allows said retractable access portion to be detached from said housing.

26. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, further comprising a mounting portion bounding a portion of said aperture and a breakaway portion bounding a portion of said aperture, said breakaway portion being releasably attached to said mounting portion.

27. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 26, further comprising a pair of clamping fingers attached to the breakaway portion and a stem attached to said mounting portion, said stem being configured to be secured between the clamping fingers.

28. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 20, wherein said housing includes one or more flexible walls to allow said retractable access portion to be detached from said housing.

29. A physical/electrical media jack for electrically coupling with a physical/electrical media plug, the physical/electrical media jack comprising:

a retractable access portion including an aperture and a first retention lip projecting from an end of said retractable access portion; and

a housing including a first wall, a second wall and an interior portion, said first wall and said second wall defining at least a portion of an opening, said housing including a first blocking ridge projecting from an inner surface of said housing, said housing being configured to receive said end of said retractable access portion so that said first retention lip is biased against said first blocking ridge, said housing also being configured to allow expansion of said opening by moving one or more of said walls of said housing so as to enable removal of said retractable access portion from within said housing when a predetermined outward force is applied to said retractable access portion.

30. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 29, wherein said retractable access portion is slidably positioned within said interior portion of said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively moved between a first position wherein said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within said interior portion of said housing and a second position wherein at least a portion of said retractable access portion projects through said opening in said housing.

31. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 30, wherein said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing when the retractable access portion is in said second position and for preventing electrical connection between retractable access portion and the housing when the retractable access portion is in the first position.

32. A media jack for electrically coupling a media plug to an electronic device, said media jack comprising:

a housing including an opening and an interior portion, said interior portion being defined by a first side wall, a second side wall and a back wall; and

a retractable access portion being sized and configured to closely fit within said interior portion of said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein in said first position said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within said interior portion of said housing and said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing, wherein in said second position a first portion of said retractable access portion projects outwardly from said interior portion of said housing, a second portion of said retractable access portion remains enclosed within said interior portion of said housing and said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing, and wherein in said third position at least a portion of said retractable access portion is detached from said housing.

33. The media jack of claim 32, further comprising an aperture in said retractable access portion, said aperture being sized and configured to receive the media jack.

34. The media jack of claim 33, wherein a portion of said aperture is bounded by a mounting portion and a portion of said aperture is bounded by a breakaway portion.

35. The media jack of claim 34, wherein said breakaway portion is releasably attached to said mounting portion.

36. The media jack of claim 34, further comprising a pair of clamping fingers attached to said breakaway portion and a stem attached to said mounting portion, said stem being configured to be secured to said clamping fingers to releasably attach said breakaway portion to said mounting portion.

37. A media jack for electrically coupling a media plug to an electronic device, said media jack comprising:

a housing including an interior chamber and an opening to said interior chamber; and

a retractable access portion sized and configured to fit within said interior chamber of said housing, said retractable access portion including an aperture, a portion of said aperture being bounded by a mounting portion and a portion of said aperture being bounded by a breakaway portion, said breakaway portion being sized and configured to separate from said mounting portion without mechanical failure when sufficient force is applied between said breakaway portion and said mounting portion.

38. The media jack of claim 37, wherein said breakaway portion is releasably attached to said mounting portion.

39. The media jack to claim 37, further comprising clamping fingers attached to said breakaway portion and a stem attached to said mounting portion, said stem being configured to be secured to said clamping fingers to releasably attach said breakaway portion to said mounting portion.

40. A physical/electrical media jack comprising:

a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface and an internal compartment with an opening;

one or more transition wires disposed in said internal compartment of said housing, said one or more transition wires including a first portion and a second portion;

a retractable access portion sized and configured to fit within said internal compartment of said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position and a second position;

one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, said one or more contact wires including a first end and a second end, wherein in said first position a substantial portion of the retractable access portion projects from said housing and said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing because said second end of said one or more contact wires is electrically connected to said first portion of said one or more transition wires, wherein in said second position said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within the internal compartment of said housing and said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing because said second end of said one or more contact wires is electrically insulated from said second end of said one or more transition wires.

41. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 40, further comprising a third position wherein said retractable access portion is detached from said housing and said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing.

42. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 40, wherein said top surface or said bottom surface is flexible to allow said retractable access portion to be detached from said housing.

43. The physical/electrical media jack claim 40, further comprising an aperture in said retractable access portion, said aperture being sized and configured to receive a media plug.

44. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 43, wherein a portion of said aperture is bounded by a mounting portion and a portion of said aperture is bounded by a breakaway portion.

45. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 44, wherein said breakaway portion is releasably attached to said mounting portion.

46. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 44, further comprising clamping fingers attached to said breakaway portion and a stem attached to said mounting portion, said stem being configured to be secured to said clamping fingers to releasably attach said breakaway portion to said mounting portion.

47. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 40, further compising a retention lip attached to said retractable access portion and a blocking ridge attached to an inner surface of said housing, said retention lip being biased against said blocking, ridge when said retractable access portion is in said first position so as to hold said retractable access portion within said housing but permitting said retention lip to pass over said blocking ridge when a predetermined outward force is applied to said retractable access portion.

48. A physical/electrical media jack comprising:

a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface and an internal compartment with an opening; and

a retractable access portion being sized and configured to fit within said internal compartment of said housing, said retractable access portion including an aperture being sized and configured to receive a media plug, said aperture being bounded by a mounting portion and a breakaway portion, said breakaway portion being releasably attached to said mounting portion;

wherein said retractable access portion is selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position a substantial portion of the retractable access portion projects from said housing and said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing, wherein in said second position said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within the internal compartment of said housing and said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing.

49. The physical/electrical media jack of claim 48, further comprising clamping fingers attached to said breakaway portion and a stem attached to said mounting portion, said stem being configured to be secured to said clamping fingers to releasably attach said breakaway portion to said mounting portion.