Versatile communications connectors
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- a card body;
a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion for removable insertion into the card body to form a unitary module; and
an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard.
3 Assignments
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 an RJ series plug 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. Wireless communication is also provided.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a card body; a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion for removable insertion into the card body to form a unitary module; and an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device comprising:
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a card body; a sliding drawer moveably coupled with the card body to open and retract; a recess positioned in the sliding drawer to receive an RJ-xx series plug when the sliding drawer is open; and a moveable bottom of the sliding drawer to move downward when the sliding drawer is open to receive the RJ-xx series plug and to shield electrical conductors of the plug from a surrounding environment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A device comprising:
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a card body; a sliding drawer moveably coupled with the card body to open and retract; a recess positioned in the sliding drawer to receive an RJ-xx series plug when the sliding drawer is open; and a moveable bottom of the sliding drawer to move downward when the sliding drawer is open to receive the RJ-xx series plug and to shield electrical conductors of the plug from a surrounding environment, wherein the movable bottom comprises a bevel to urge the movable bottom in an upward position when the sliding drawer is moved into a retracted position.
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19. A device comprising:
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a PCMCIA compliant card body; a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module and the card body to removably couple to form a unitary module; and
an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device comprising:
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a lap top computer having a DRAM memory and a recess; a card body inserted into the recess; a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A device comprising:
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a lap top computer having a DRAM memory and a recess; a card body inserted into the recess; a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and
an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard, wherein the receptacle module comprises a sliding drawer to mask the recess when the sliding drawer is retracted into the receptacle module, and to expose the recess when the sliding drawer is extended from the receptacle module. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A device comprising:
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a lap top having a DRAM memory and a recess; a card body inserted into the recess; a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and
an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard, wherein the receptacle module comprises a pair of retractable and extendable jaws to capture an RJ-xx type plug.
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30. A card to be used in a data utilization device, comprising:
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a pivoting cover provided on a first end of the card, the pivoting cover having an open position and a closed position; a recess to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip within the pivoting cover if the pivoting cover is in the open position, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein; a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; and conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A card to be used in a data utilization device, comprising:
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a sliding drawer provided on a first end of the card, the sliding drawer having an open position and a closed position; a recess to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip located within the sliding drawer if the sliding drawer is in the open position, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein; a movable bottom on the sliding drawer to move out of the sliding drawer if the plug is received into the recess; a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; at least a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; and conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device, wherein the moveable bottom is able to shield the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the plug from a surrounding environment. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification