PCMCIA compliant communications connectors
First Claim
1. A communications card to be used in a data utilization device and to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip including an engagement ridge, and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card comprising:
- a face having a dimension that follows a PCMCIA Type III standard;
a recess in the face of the card to receive the RJ-xx series plug, the recess being oriented such that a direction the RJ-xx plug travels if being inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to two larger surfaces of the card;
a plurality of electrical conductors in the recess positioned to make contact with the first and the second electrical contacts respectively of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess; and
a channel extending through a wall of the recess to form an opening to hold the biased clip of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess, the channel including an edge to engage the engagement ridge of the clip of the RJ-xx series plug.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
121 Citations
57 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 including an engagement ridge, and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card comprising:
-
a face having a dimension that follows a PCMCIA Type III standard;
a recess in the face of the card to receive the RJ-xx series plug, the recess being oriented such that a direction the RJ-xx plug travels if being inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to two larger surfaces of the card;
a plurality of electrical conductors in the recess positioned to make contact with the first and the second electrical contacts respectively of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess; and
a channel extending through a wall of the recess to form an opening to hold the biased clip of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess, the channel including an edge to engage the engagement ridge of the clip of the RJ-xx series plug. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. 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 PCMCIA standards for a Type III card;
a first surface, the first surface forming an outer surface of the card;
a first end;
a recess provided at the first end, the recess having dimensions such that the 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;
a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the first electrical contact if the plug is received into the recess;
a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with the second electrical contact if the plug is received into the recess;
a conductor to convey an electrical signal present on the first and the second electrical contacts to the data utilization device; and
a biased clip receiving structure adjacent to the recess, the biased clip receiving structure shaped to receive the biased clip if the plug is inserted into the recess and to hold the biased clip and the plug in operative engagement in the recess, wherein the biased clip receiving structure includes an opening in a wall of the recess. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. An apparatus to be used in a host system having a PCMCIA Type III standard slot, the apparatus 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 a thickness of a 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 a first conductor to convey an electrical signal present on the corresponding connector to the apparatus;
at least one recess, the at least one recess being defined at the rear portion of the housing, the at least one recess being sized and configured to receive an RJ-type plug if the plug is inserted into the at least one recess in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front end;
a plurality of contact wires located in the at least one recess, each of the contact wires being shaped and positioned to engage a corresponding contact on the RJ-type plug, the contacts on the RJ-type plug to engage the contact wires in the at least one recess if the plug is inserted into the recess, each of the contact wires being electrically connected to a second conductor to convey an electrical signal present on the electrical contacts to the apparatus; and
a cutout in a wall of the at least one recess to receive a biased clip of the plug if the plug is inserted into the recess and to hold the biased clip and the plug in operative engagement in the recess. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. An apparatus comprising:
-
a lap top including a Flash memory and a PCMCIA slot;
a communications card in the PCMCIA slot, the communication card to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip including an engagement ridge, and to make electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card including;
a face having a dimension that follows a PCMCIA Type III standard;
a recess in the face of the card to receive the RJ-xx series plug, the recess being oriented such that a direction the RJ-xx plug travels if inserted into the recess is substantially parallel to two larger surfaces of the card;
a plurality of electrical conductors in the recess positioned to make contact with the first and the second electrical contacts respectively of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess; and
a channel extending through a wall of the recess to form an opening to hold the biased clip of the RJ-xx plug if the plug is received in the recess, the channel including an edge to engage the engagement ridge of the clip of the RJ-xx series plug. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
-
Specification