Communication connector for compact computer devices

• US 6,398,564 B1
• Filed: 10/12/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Wong, Margaret
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUVERNE, JEAN F
• Application Number:
  US09/416,095
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/676, 439/344, 439/144, 439/946, 439/586, 439/538
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices

Abstract

A connector is provided for mating to a communication connector, where the communication connector includes a plurality of connector elements extending on at least a first side. The connector comprises a platform and a receptacle structure that is moveably coupled to the platform to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The receptacle structure includes an opening contoured to receive the communications connector when in the raised position. A connector surface includes a plurality of connector elements positioned on the platform to contact connector elements on the communication connector when the receptacle structure receives the communication connector.

Claims

1. A connector for mating to a communication connector, the communication connector including a plurality of connector elements extending on at least a first side, the connector comprising:

a platform having a recess of a first thickness, the recess having a bottom surface, the platform being of a second thickness, the first thickness being less than the second thickness;

a receptacle structure moveably coupled to the platform to move between a raised position and a lowered position, the receptacle structure including an opening contoured to receive the communications connector when in the raised position, a thickness of the receptacle structure being no more than the first thickness of the recess so that the receptacle structure is contained within the recess when in the lowered position, and

a connector surface including a plurality of connect elements positioned on the platform to contact connector elements on the communication connector when the receptacle structure receives the communication connector.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the receptacle structure includes the opening contoured to be coupleable with an RJ style communication connector.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the communication connector includes a second surface orthanormal to the first surface, the plurality of connector elements extending on at least the first side and the second side of the communication connector, wherein the receptacle structure is aligned with the platform to receive and couple to the communication connector oriented so that the first surface is proximal and parallel to the platform as the communication connector is received by the receptacle structure from the second side.

4. The connector of claim 2, wherein the opening of the receptacle structure is contoured to receive a spring member for retaining the RJ style connector distally from the platform.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the receptacle structure is pivotally coupled to an interior portion of the platform by a coupling, the receptacle being pivotable with respect to the platform to extend between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the coupling is a pin member including an elongated section, a first bent end section extending into the receptacle structure, and a second bent end section extending into the interior portion of the platform.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is dimensioned so that a portion of the communications connector extends beyond the receptacle structure when the communications connector couples to the receptacle structure.

8. A connector for mating to a communication connector, the communication connector including a plurality of connector elements extending on at least a first side, the connector comprising:

a platform having a recess of a first thickness, the platform being of a second thickness the first thickness being less than the second thickness;

a receptacle structure including an opening contoured to receive the communication connector, a thickness of the receptacle structure being no more than the first thickness of the recess so that the receptacle structure is contained within the recess when in the lowered position;

a means for moveably coupling the receptacle structure to the platform to move the receptacle structure between a lowered position and a raised position to receive the communications connector; and

a connector surface including a plurality of connector elements positioned on the platform to contact connector elements on the communication connector when the receptacle structure receives the communication connector.

9. A connector for mating to a communication connector, the communication connector including a plurality of connector elements extending on at least a first side, the connector comprising:

a platform, the platform forming a first clutch structure and a second clutch structure;

a receptacle structure including a first end and a second end;

a first coupling, the first coupling connecting the first end of the receptacle structure to the first clutch structure and the second coupling connecting the second end of the receptacle structure to the second clutch structure;

wherein the first clutch structure prevents the first coupling from loosening the receptacle structure and the second clutch structure prevents the second coupling from loosening the second clutch structure.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the first clutch structure includes a first surface opposing the first end of the receptacle structure, a second surface extending lengthwise at ninety-degrees from the first surface, and a slot formed to extend lengthwise for receiving the first coupling.

11. The connector of claim 9, wherein the second clutch structure includes a first surface opposing the second end of the receptacle structure, a second surface extending lengthwise at ninety-degrees from the first surface, and a slot formed to extend lengthwise for receiving the second coupling.

12. The connector of claim 10, wherein the first end of the receptacle structure is rounded to facilitate pivoting on the platform.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first coupling fits into the first end of the receptacle structure so as to bias the receptacle structure when the receptacle structure is in a raised position.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the second coupling fits into the second end of the receptacle structure so as to bias the receptacle structure when the receptacle structure is in the raised position.

15. The connector of claim 11, wherein the first coupling fits into the first end of the receptacle structure so as to bias the receptacle structure when the receptacle structure is in a lowered position.