Communication connectors having switchable electrical performance characteristics
First Claim
1. A connector for use with a cable a first corresponding connector, and a second corresponding connector, the cable comprising a plurality of wires, the first and second corresponding connectors each being configured to mate with the connector to form a different connection therewith, the second corresponding connector comprising at least one aperture, the connector comprising:
- a plurality of connector contacts;
a plurality of wire contacts, each of the plurality of wire contacts being couplable to a corresponding one of the plurality of wires;
a plurality of circuit paths, a different one of the plurality of circuit paths connecting each of the plurality of connector contacts to a different one of the plurality of wire contact;
a plurality of contact pads, the plurality of contact pads comprising a different contact pad corresponding to each of the plurality of connector contacts, at least a portion of the plurality of contact pads being connected to one or more coupling elements, each of the plurality of connector contacts being positioned to contact the contact pad corresponding to the connector contact; and
an insulator comprising an outwardly extending projection and an insulating portion, the insulating portion being adjacent the plurality of contact pads, the first corresponding connector pressing against the outwardly extending projection when the first corresponding connector is mated with the connector thereby causing the outwardly extending projection to transition the insulator between one of an insulating position and a non-insulating position to a different one of the insulating position and the non-insulating position, the insulating portion insulating the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts when the insulator is in the insulating position, The plurality of connector contacts contacting the plurality of contact pads when the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the outwardly extending projection being received by the at least one aperture of the second corresponding connector when the second corresponding connector is mated with the connector to thereby avoid causing the outwardly extending projection to transition the insulator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A connector for use with a cable a first corresponding connector, and a second corresponding connector, the cable comprising a plurality of wires, the first and second corresponding connectors each being configured to mate with the connector to form a different connection therewith, the second corresponding connector comprising at least one aperture, the connector comprising:
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a plurality of connector contacts; a plurality of wire contacts, each of the plurality of wire contacts being couplable to a corresponding one of the plurality of wires; a plurality of circuit paths, a different one of the plurality of circuit paths connecting each of the plurality of connector contacts to a different one of the plurality of wire contact; a plurality of contact pads, the plurality of contact pads comprising a different contact pad corresponding to each of the plurality of connector contacts, at least a portion of the plurality of contact pads being connected to one or more coupling elements, each of the plurality of connector contacts being positioned to contact the contact pad corresponding to the connector contact; and an insulator comprising an outwardly extending projection and an insulating portion, the insulating portion being adjacent the plurality of contact pads, the first corresponding connector pressing against the outwardly extending projection when the first corresponding connector is mated with the connector thereby causing the outwardly extending projection to transition the insulator between one of an insulating position and a non-insulating position to a different one of the insulating position and the non-insulating position, the insulating portion insulating the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts when the insulator is in the insulating position, The plurality of connector contacts contacting the plurality of contact pads when the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the outwardly extending projection being received by the at least one aperture of the second corresponding connector when the second corresponding connector is mated with the connector to thereby avoid causing the outwardly extending projection to transition the insulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication outlet comprising:
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a first electrical circuit portion comprising a plurality of outlet contacts; and a second electrical circuit portion, the second electrical circuit portion being selectively connectable to the first electrical circuit portion, and selectively disconnectable from the first electrical circuit portion, the outlet operating in a first electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is disconnected from the first electrical circuit portion, and the outlet operating in a different second electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is connected to the first electrical circuit portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An outlet configured to operate in a first electrical performance mode and a second electrical performance mode, the outlet comprising:
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a plurality of outlet contacts; a plurality of wire contacts; a first circuit connecting the plurality of outlet contacts with the plurality of wire contacts; a second circuit selectively connectable to and disconnectable from the first circuit, the outlet operating in the first electrical performance mode when the second circuit is connected to the first circuit, and the outlet operating in the second electrical performance mode when the second circuit is disconnected from the first circuit; and a mode determining mechanism configured to selectively connect and disconnect the first and second circuits.
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17. An outlet configured to operate in a first electrical performance mode and a second electrical performance mode, the outlet comprising:
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a circuit configured to conduct a plurality of differential signals; one or more electrical components connected to the circuit configured to cause the outlet to operate in the second electrical performance mode; and a moveable insulator assembly selectively positionable between the one or more electrical components and the circuit to thereby disconnect the one or more electrical components from the circuit and cause the outlet to operate in the first electrical performance mode.
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Specification