Managed electrical connectivity systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communications receptacle block comprising:
- a block housing having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the block housing defining at least one socket configured to receive a plug from the front of the block housing, the top of the block housing defining at least one opening leading to the socket;
a plurality of first contact members extending into the socket from the bottom of the block housing, each of the first contact members being electrically conductive;
a plurality of second contact members extending into the socket from the top of the block housing, one of the second contact members including a flexible arm extending generally parallel with the second contact member, each of the second contact members being electrically conductive; and
a sensing contact extending parallel to the second contact members, the sensing contact being electrically conductive, the sensing contact being laterally aligned with and vertically offset from the flexible arm, and the sensing contact including a flexible section that is configured to be contacted by the flexible arm when the flexible arm is moved upwardly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A receptacle block defines one or more sockets at which plugs may be received. Each socket contains a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts. Each socket also includes a sensing contact that interacts with the second set of contacts to close an electrical switch. For example, the sensing contact can interact with an arm extending from one of the contacts of the second set. Closure of the switch can be detected and interpreted to indicate that a plug has been received at the respective socket.
195 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A communications receptacle block comprising:
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a block housing having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the block housing defining at least one socket configured to receive a plug from the front of the block housing, the top of the block housing defining at least one opening leading to the socket; a plurality of first contact members extending into the socket from the bottom of the block housing, each of the first contact members being electrically conductive; a plurality of second contact members extending into the socket from the top of the block housing, one of the second contact members including a flexible arm extending generally parallel with the second contact member, each of the second contact members being electrically conductive; and a sensing contact extending parallel to the second contact members, the sensing contact being electrically conductive, the sensing contact being laterally aligned with and vertically offset from the flexible arm, and the sensing contact including a flexible section that is configured to be contacted by the flexible arm when the flexible arm is moved upwardly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A media reading interface comprising:
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a module housing defining a plurality of channels, the module housing also including resilient tabs extending upwardly from opposite sides of the module housing; a plurality of contact members retained in the channels defined in the module housing, each of the contact members having a first length that extends upwardly and forwardly of the module housing and each of the contact members having a second length that extends downwardly of the module housing to define a plurality of terminal ends; a resilient arm attached to a first of the contact members, the arm having a first spring section that extends generally parallel with the first length of the first contact member; and a sensing contact retained at the module housing, the sensing contact having a first length extending upwardly and forwardly of the module housing and a second length extending downwardly of the module housing to define an additional terminal end, the first length of the sensing contact being laterally aligned with and vertically offset from the resilient arm. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A connector assembly comprising:
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a receptacle block having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, a first side and a second side, the receptacle block defining a plurality of sockets, each socket being configured to receive a plug connector from the front of the receptacle block, the receptacle block also including pegs extending downwardly; a plurality of first contact sets, each first contact set extending upwardly through the bottom of the receptacle block and into a respective one of the sockets; a plurality of media reading interfaces, each media reading interface extending upwardly through the bottom of the receptacle block and into a respective one of the sockets, each of the media reading interfaces including a plurality of contact members aligned in a row and a sensing contact located at a position offset from the row; a circuit board positioned at the bottom of the receptacle block, the pegs of the receptacle block securing the receptacle block to the circuit board, the circuit board also connecting the sensing contact of each media reading interface to at least one of the contact members of the respective media reading interface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of assembling a receptacle block comprising:
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providing a block housing defining a plurality of sockets at a front and defining a plurality of openings, each opening leading to one of the sockets; positioning a plurality of first contact members at each socket so that at least a portion of the first contact members extend into the socket; providing a plurality of media reading interfaces, each media reading interface including a module housing, a plurality of second contact members retained at the module housing, and a sensing contact retained at the module housing, the module housing including latching tabs; and inserting each of the media reading interfaces into one of the sockets through the respective opening until the latching tabs of the respective module housing snap-over a surface defining the respective opening.
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Specification