Multiple Function RJ Connector with Split Internal Housing Opening Cavity

• US 20100317216A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dolores Elizabeth Pocrass
• Original Assignee: Alan L. Pocrass
• Inventors: Pocrass, Alan L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/345
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/60 Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A multi-purpose modular RJ connector includes a female receptacle having an opening in which a printed circuit board having contact pads on opposite surfaces thereof is positioned. A male plug has a cavity operative for receiving the printed circuit board therein when the male plug is inserted in the opening of the female receptacle. The male plug includes contact pins on opposite sides of the cavity for contacting the contact pads disposed on opposite surfaces of the printed circuit board when the male plug is inserted into the opening of the female receptacle.

Claims

1. A multi-function connector comprising:

an RJ-type female receptacle having an open, plug receiving end;

a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed inside the female receptacle with an edge of the PCB facing the open, plug receiving end and with sides of the PCB positioned spaced from interior surfaces of the female receptacle that define the open, plug receiving end thereof; and

first and second sets of contacts disposed on opposite sides of the PCB adjacent the edge.

2. The connector of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of pins extending from a position inside the housing to a position exteriorly thereof, wherein each pin is coupled in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts of the first and second sets of contacts.

3. The connector of claim 1, further including:

a male plug configured to be received in the open, plug receiving end of the female receptacle, the male plug including a cavity having first and second sets of contacts on opposite sides thereof, the cavity operative for receiving the edge of the PCB therein when the male plug is inserted in the open, plug receiving end of the female receptacle, whereupon the contacts of the first and second sets of contacts of the male plug make contact with the contacts of the first and second sets of contacts of the PCB.

4. The connector of claim 1, further including:

a light emitting diode supported by the female receptacle, said light emitting diode coupled in electrical communication with at least one contact pad.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the light emitting diode is incorporated in the female receptacle.

6. The connector of claim 2, further including a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed inside the female receptacle, said PCB supporting electrical components thereon in electrical communication with the pins that extend from the interior of the female receptacle to the exterior thereof.

7. The connector of claim 2, wherein the portions of the pins disposed exteriorly of the female receptacle are connected to another printed circuit board by way of surface mounting, through-hole mounting or ball grid array mounting.

8. The connector of claim 1, further including a male plug configured to be inserted in the open, plug receiving end of the female receptacle, the male plug having a cavity with top and bottom surfaces, each of which supports one or more contacts.

9. The connector of claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking the male plug in the female receptacle.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the means for releasably locking includes a latch groove defined by at least one of the interior surfaces of the female receptacle, a latch divot defined by at least one of the interior surfaces of the female receptacle, and a ridge defined on a flexible latch of the male plug, wherein the ridge releasably engages the latch divot when the male plug is received in the open, plug receiving end of the female receptacle.

11. The connector of claim 3, wherein the male plug is either an RJ11-type male plug or an RJ45-type male plug.

12. The connector of claim 1, further including a microprocessor or central processing unit disposed inside the female receptacle and operative for controlling, maintaining and distributing data packets impressed upon one or more contact pads of the female receptacle.

13. The connector of claim 2, further including:

at least one magnetic component coupled to one of the pins that extend from a position inside the housing to a position exteriorly thereof.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the magnetic component is a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, or an active electronic device.