Compliant communications connectors

• US 6,773,291 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1999
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Glad, Paul H., Goetz, David, Roth, David, Ahlström, Joakim
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US09/251,391
• Time in Patent Office: 2,001 Days
• Field of Search: 439/344, 439/676, 439/131
• US Class Current: 439/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• 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: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs 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 (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) 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 (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250). 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. Alternative structures for allowing connection to RJ series plugs are described. Wireless communication structures are also described.

Claims

1. A communications card to be used in a data utilization device and to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card comprising:

a height and a length compliant with the PCMCIA standards for a Type III card;

a first surface, the first surface forming an outer surface of the card;

a first end;

a first recess provided within the first end, the first recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the recess being oriented such that the direction the RJ-xx series plug travels if inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to the first surface and substantially perpendicular to the first end;

a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact if the plug is received by the first recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess;

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications card; and

a first biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the first recess, the first biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive the biased clip if the RJ-xx series plug is inserted into the recess and functioning to hold the biased clip and the RJ-xx series plug in operative engagement in the first recess, wherein the first biased clip receiving structure includes a first cutout formed on the first surface.

2. The communications card of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover attached to the first surface, wherein the cover overlies the first cutout.

3. The communications card of claim 2, wherein the cover has a thickness from about 0.001 inch to about 0.050 inches.

4. The communications card of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises an elastic material.

5. The communications card of claim 2, further comprising the cover straddling at least a portion of the first surface of the communications card.

6. The communications card of claim 1, further comprising:

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

second recess means provided within the first end, the second recess means having dimensions such that a second RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the second recess means being oriented such that the second plug is received therein both between and parallel to the first and second surfaces;

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

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

means for conveying an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications card; and

a second biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the second recess means, the second biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive the biased clip when the second plug is inserted into the second recess means.

7. The communications card of claim 1, further comprising a cellular connection capability located on the first end.

8. The communications card of claim 7, wherein the cellular connection capability comprises a connector to connect to a corresponding connector on a cellular telephone.

9. The communications card of claim 1, wherein the first surface is substantially planar and is selected from the group consisting of a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface.

10. The communications card of claim 6, wherein the second surface is an exterior surface of the communications card.

11. The communications card of claim 1, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device includes a note book sized lap top computer containing a Flash memory.

12. A communications card as defined in claim 1, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.

13. A communications card to be used in a data utilization device and to receive an RJ-xx series plug and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the RJ-xx series plug, the communications card comprising:

a height and a length that comply with PCMCIA Type III standards;

a first surface;

a second surface;

a first end;

a first recess provided within the first end, the first recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the first recess oriented such that the RJ-xx series plug is inserted therein in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first end;

a cutout formed on the first surface to receive a biased clip of the RJ-xx series plug if the RJ-xx series plug is inserted into the first recess, and to hold the biased clip and the RJ-xx series plug in operative engagement in the first recess;

a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess; and

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on at least one of the first and second electrical contacts to the communications card.

14. The communications card of claim 13, further comprising:

second recess means provided within the first end, the second recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein, the second recess means being oriented such that the plug is inserted therein in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first end;

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

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

means for conveying an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications card.

15. The communications card of claim 13, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device includes a note book sized lap top computer containing a Flash memory.

16. A communications card as defined in claim 13, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.

17. A device to be used in a host system having a PCMCIA Type III standard slot, the device being adapted to connect the host system to an information transfer system, the device comprising:

a housing having longitudinal sides, a front end and a rear portion, at least the rear portion of the housing having a thickness conforming substantially to the thickness of the PCMCIA Type III standard;

a connector at the front end of the housing adapted to be received by a corresponding connector within the slot of the host system, the connector being electrically connected to conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the corresponding connector to the device;

at least one receptacle, the at least one receptacle being defined within the rear portion of the housing, the at least one receptacle being sized defined and configured to receive an RJ-type plug inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front end;

a cutout formed at the rear portion of the housing to receive a biased clip of the RJ-type plug if the RJ-type plug is inserted into the receptacle and to hold the biased clip and the RJ-type plug in operative engagement in the receptacle; and

a plurality of contact wires located in the at least one receptacle, each of the contact wires being shaped and positioned to engage with a corresponding contact on the plug if the plug is inserted into the receptacle, each of the contact wires being electrically connected to a second conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the electrical contacts to the device.

18. A device as defined in claim 17, further comprising a rear end included in the rear portion, and in which:

the front and rear ends are transverse front and rear ends and the housing has an overall length extending between the transverse front and rear ends, said overall length conforming to the PCMCIA length standard.

19. A device as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a second receptacle, the second receptacle including a plurality of contact wires extending into the second receptacle, each contact wire shaped and positioned for engagement with a corresponding contact on a second RJ-type plug.

20. A device as defined in claim 19, in which:

the second receptacle is sized and configured to receive an RJ-type plug.

21. A device as defined in claim 20, wherein:

the second receptacle is sized and configured to receive an RJ-11 plug.

22. A device as defined in claim 20, wherein:

the second receptacle is sized and configured to receive an RJ-45 plug.

23. A device as defined in claim 17, further comprising a telecommunications connector located on a rear end of the device, the telecommunications connector configured to be connected to a portable telephone.

24. A device as defined in claim 23, wherein the telecommunications connector is configured to be connected to the portable telephone using an interconnecting cable.

25. The device of claim 17, implemented in the host system, wherein the host system includes a note book sized lap top computer containing a Flash memory.

26. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.

27. A communications card to be used in a data utilization device and to receive an RJ-xx series plug, the plug having a biased clip and a plug block, the plug block bearing a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact with at least the first and the second electrical contacts provided on the plug block, the communications card comprising:

a thickness and a length which is substantially compliant with PCMCIA standards, the thickness of the communications card conforming substantially to the thickness of the PCMCIA Type III standard of 10.5 millimeters, such that a thickness of the RJ-xx series plug block constitutes at least about 64% of the thickness of the communications card;

a first end;

a first recess provided within the first end, the first recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the recess being oriented such that the direction the RJ-xx series plug travels if inserted into the first recess is substantially parallel to a first surface and substantially perpendicular to the first end;

a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess;

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device; and

a cutout formed adjacent to the first recess at the first end to receive the biased clip if the RJ-xx series plug is inserted into the first recess and to hold the biased clip and the RJ-xx series plug in operative engagement in the first recess.

28. The communications card of claim 27, where the thickness of the plug block constitutes at least about 70% of the thickness of the communications card.

29. The communications card of claim 28, where the thickness of the plug block constitutes at least about 75% of the thickness of the communications card.

30. The communications card of claim 29, where the thickness of the plug block constitutes at least about 85% of the thickness of the communications card.

31. The communications card of claim 27, wherein the communications card complies with PCMCIA standards for a Type III card.

32. The communications card of claim 27, further comprising a cover attached to the first surface, wherein the cover overlies the cutout.

33. The communications card of claim 32, wherein the cover has a thickness from about 0.001 inch to about 0.050 inches.

34. The communications card of claim 32, wherein the cover comprises an elastic material.

35. The communications card of claim 32, wherein the cover straddles at least a portion of the first surface of the communications card.

36. The communications card of claim 32, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device includes a note book sized lap top computer containing a Flash memory.

37. The communications card of claim 27, further comprising:

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

second recess means provided within the first end, the second recess means having dimensions such that a second RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the second recess means being oriented such that the second plug is received therein both between and parallel to the first and second surfaces;

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

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

means for conveying an electrical signal present on the third and fourth electrical contacts to the communications card; and

a second biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the second recess means, the second biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive a second biased clip when the second plug is inserted into the second recess means.

38. The communications card of claim 27, wherein the first surface is substantially planar and is selected from the group consisting of a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface.

39. The communications card of claim 27, further comprising a cellular connection capability located on the first end.

40. The communications card of claim 39, wherein the cellular connection capability comprises a connector to connect to a corresponding connector on a cellular telephone.

41. The communications card of claim 27, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.

42. A communications card to be used in a data utilization device and to receive an RJ-xx series plug and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the plug having a biased clip capable of assuming at least two positions including an insertion position and a fully expanded position biased to an angle within a range from about 14 degrees to about 16 degrees from the flat surface of the plug, the communications card comprising:

a thickness and a length substantially compliant with PCMCIA standards for a Type III card, the thickness of the communications card conforming substantially to the thickness of the PCMCIA Type III standard of 10.5 millimeters;

a first surface forming an outer surface of the card;

a first end;

a first recess provided within the first end, the first recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the recess being oriented such that a direction the RJ-xx series plug travels if inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to the first surface and substantially perpendicular to the first end, the recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug cannot bias to the fully expanded position within the dimensions of the recess;

a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug if the plug is received by the first recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess , the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug if the plug is received by the first recess;

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and the second electrical contacts to the data utilization device; and

a cutout formed in the first surface adjacent to the first recess to receive the biased clip if the RJ-xx series plug is inserted into the first recess and to hold the biased clip and the RJ-xx series plug in operative engagement in the first recess.

43. The communications card of claim 42, wherein the cutout is configured such that the biased clip may bias to its fully expanded position through the cutout.

44. The communications card of claim 42, further comprising a cover attached to the first surface, wherein the cover overlies the cutout.

45. The communications card of claim 44, wherein the cover has thickness from about 0.001 inch to about 0.050 inches.

46. The communications card of claim 44, wherein the cover comprises an elastic material.

47. The communications card of claim 44, wherein the cover straddles at least a portion of the first surface of the communication card.

48. The communications card of claim 44, further comprising a ledge adjacent to the first recess to receive a portion of the biased clip.

49. The communications card of claim 42, further comprising:

second recess means provided within the first end, the second recess means having dimensions such that a second RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the second recess means being oriented such that the second plug is received therein both between and parallel to the first and second surfaces and the second recess means having dimensions such that when the second plug is inserted into the second recess means, a second biased clip of the second plug cannot bias to a fully expanded position within the dimensions of the second recess means;

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

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

means for conveying an electrical signal present on the third and fourth electrical contacts to the data utilization device; and

a second biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the second recess means, the second biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive the second biased clip when the second plug is inserted into the second recess means.

50. The communications card of claim 42, further comprising a cellular connection capability located on the first end.

51. The communications card of claim 50, wherein the cellular connection capability comprises a connector to connect to a corresponding connector on a cellular telephone.

52. The communications card of claim 42, wherein the first surface is substantially planar and is selected from the group consisting of a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface.

53. The communications card of claim 42, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device includes a note book sized lap top computer containing a Flash memory.

54. The communications card of claim 42, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.

55. A device comprising:

a note book sized lap top containing a Flash memory and a PCMCIA port;

a communications card within the port, the communication card to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card having;

a height and a length compliant with the PCMCIA standards for a Type III card;

a first surface forming an outer surface of the card;

a first end;

a first recess provided within the first end, the first recess having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the recess being oriented such that the direction the RJ-xx series plug travels if inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to the first surface and substantially perpendicular to the first end;

a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact if the plug is received by the first recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact if the RJ-xx series plug is received by the first recess;

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications card; and

a first biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the first recess, the first biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive the biased clip if the RJ-xx series plug is inserted into the recess and functioning to hold the biased clip and the RJ-xx series plug in operative engagement in the first recess, wherein the first biased clip receiving structure includes a first cutout formed on the first surface.

56. The device of claim 55, further comprising a cover attached to the first surface, wherein the cover overlies the first cutout.

57. The device of claim 56, wherein the cover comprises an elastic material.

58. The device of claim 55, further comprising a cellular connection capability located on the first end.

59. The device of claim 55, wherein the cellular connection capability comprises a connector to connect to a corresponding connector on a cellular telephone.

60. The device of claim 55, wherein the cutout comprises a T-shaped cutout.