Modular connector
First Claim
1. A connector for providing electrical and optical signals to a receptacle, the connector comprising:
- a cartridge comprising;
at least one conductive terminal having first and second receptors, the first receptor of said at least one conductive terminal adapted to receive an electrical communicating member, the second receptor of said at least one conductive terminal being in electrical communication with a conductive element of the receptacle;
an optically transmissive frame comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a translucent material and a transparent material such that an optical signal can be transmitted through said optically transmissive frame to the receptacle, said optically transmissive frame having first and second ends, the first end of said optically transmissive frame adapted to receive an optical communicating member; and
an outer member having first and second ends and defining an opening therethrough, said outer member at least partially encasing said cartridge.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The modular connector includes a replaceable first cartridge having at least one communication terminal. The at least one communication terminal of the first cartridge can be electrically conductive and, in some instances, optically transmissive and has first and second opposed ends, wherein the first end is adapted to transmit a communication signal to a receptacle. The modular connector includes a second cartridge having at least one communication terminal defining first and second receptors. The at least one communication terminal of the second cartridge can be electrically conductive and, in some instances, optically transmissive. The first receptor of the at least one communication terminal of the second cartridge is adapted to receive a communication member, such as wire and, in some instances, an optical fiber. The second receptor of the at least one communication terminal of the second cartridge is adapted to releasably engage one end of the at least one communication terminal of the replaceable first cartridge. The first and second cartridges are adapted to be selectively mated and demated such that the first cartridge can be easily and efficiently replaced.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A connector for providing electrical and optical signals to a receptacle, the connector comprising:
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a cartridge comprising;
at least one conductive terminal having first and second receptors, the first receptor of said at least one conductive terminal adapted to receive an electrical communicating member, the second receptor of said at least one conductive terminal being in electrical communication with a conductive element of the receptacle;
an optically transmissive frame comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a translucent material and a transparent material such that an optical signal can be transmitted through said optically transmissive frame to the receptacle, said optically transmissive frame having first and second ends, the first end of said optically transmissive frame adapted to receive an optical communicating member; and
an outer member having first and second ends and defining an opening therethrough, said outer member at least partially encasing said cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A modular connector for connecting a communication member to a receptacle, the modular connector comprising:
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a replaceable first cartridge comprising at least one communication terminal having opposed ends, wherein the first end of said at least one communication terminal of said replaceable first cartridge is adapted to transmit a communication signal to the receptacle, said replaceable first cartridge being adapted to be selectively mated and demated with the receptacle; and
a second cartridge having at least one communication terminal defining first and second receptors, the first receptor of said at least one communication terminal of said second cartridge adapted to receive the communication member, the second receptor of said at least one communication terminal of said second cartridge adapted to releasably engage the second end of said at least one communication terminal of said replaceable first cartridge, said first and second cartridges adapted to be selectively mated and demated so that said replaceable first cartridge can be replaced. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A modular connector comprising:
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a replaceable first cartridge that is adapted to be selectively mated and demated with a receptacle, comprising;
at least one conductive terminal defining opposed ends, wherein the first end of said at least one conductive terminal of said replaceable first cartridge is adapted to transmit an electrical signal to the receptacle; and
at least one optical channel defining opposed ends, wherein the first end of said at least one optical channel of said replaceable first cartridge is adapted to transmit an optical signal to the receptacle; and
a second cartridge comprising;
at least one conductive terminal defining first and second receptors, the first receptor of said at least one conductive terminal of said second cartridge adapted to receive an electrical communicating member, the second receptor of said at least one conductive terminal of said second cartridge being in electrical communication with the second end of said at least one conductive terminal of said replaceable first cartridge; and
at least one optical channel defining opposed receiving and transmitting ends, the receiving end of said at least one optical channel adapted to receive optical signals from an optical communicating member, the transmitting end of said at least one optical channel adapted to transmit an optical signal to the second end of said at least one optical channel of said replaceable first cartridge; and
wherein, said first and second cartridges are adapted to be selectively mated and demated so that said replaceable first cartridge can be replaced. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A modular connector comprising:
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a replaceable first cartridge having at least one conductive terminal defining opposed ends, wherein the first end of said at least one conductive terminal of said replaceable first cartridge is adapted to conduct an electrical signal to a receptacle;
a second cartridge having at least one conductive terminal defining first and second receptors, the first receptor of said at least one conductive terminal of said second cartridge adapted to receive an electrical communicating member, the second receptor of said at least one conductive terminal of said second cartridge being in electrical communication with the second end of said at least one conductive terminal of said replaceable first cartridge; and
wherein, said first and second cartridges comprise optically transmissive frames comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a translucent material or a transparent material such that an optical signal can be transmitted through said optically transmissive frames of said second cartridge and said replaceable first cartridge to the receptacle, said first and second cartridges being adapted to be selectively mated and demated so that said replaceable first cartridge can be replaced. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification