Compliant communications connectors

A communications device, the communications device having a first side with a dimension which is not substantially greater than 8 mm, the communications device comprising:

• data access means for interfacing communications signals received and generated by the communications device;
• means for removably holding the data access means substantially within the communications device such that the data access means can be removed from and inserted into the communications device as a unitary module;
• and
• means for conveying a communications signal between the data access means and a signal utilizing device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a first surface;
• a second surface, the second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface and forming upper and lower surfaces of the communications card;
• a first end;
• recess means provided at the first end, the recess means being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the upper surface and the lower surface, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device;
• and
• a cutout formed on the first surface adjacent to the recess means, the cutout shaped to receive the biased clip.

An apparatus for providing a removable electrical connection between a communications line having an RJ-xx series plug at one end and a communications device installed in a computing device, the communications device having a thickness which is not substantially greater than 8 mm and a first electrical coupling, the apparatus comprising:

• body means for providing a surface which can be gripped by a user;
• first recess means provided in the body means, the first recess means having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein;
• second recess means provided in the body means, the second recess means having dimensions such that the RJ-xx series plug is closely received therein, the first and the second recess means being in a side-by-side relationship in the body means;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the first recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug when the RJ-xx series plug is received in the first recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the first recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug when the RJ-xx series plug is received in the first recess means;
• a third electrical conductor provided in the second recess means, the third electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug when the RJ-xx series plug is received in the second recess means;
• a fourth electrical conductor provided in the second recess means, the fourth electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the RJ-xx series plug when the RJ-xx series plug is received in the second recess means;
• coupling means for making releasable electrical connection to the first electrical coupling, the coupling means provided on one side of the body means;
• first means for communicating any electrical signal present on the first electrical conductor to the coupling means;
• second means for communicating any electrical signal present on the second electrical conductor to the coupling means;
• third means for communicating any electrical signal present on the third electrical conductor to the coupling means;
• and
• fourth means for communicating any electrical signal present on the fourth electrical conductor to the coupling means.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a pivoting cover provided on a first end of the communications card, the pivoting cover having an open position and a closed position;
• recess means for receiving the plug within the pivoting cover when the pivoting cover is in the open position, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the computing device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a pivoting cover provided on a first end of the communications card, the pivoting cover having an open position and a closed position;
• recess means formed in the first end of the communications card, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a clip holder pivotally attached to the first end of the communications card, the clip holder having an aperture therein which is adapted to receive a clip on the plug such that operative connection with the plug is maintained;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device.

A communications connector for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a drawer, the drawer positioned on an end of the data utilization device;
• means for retracting and extending the drawer into and out of the data utilization device, the drawer having a first extended open position and a second retracted position;
• recess means for holding the plug, the recess means formed in the drawer, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein along at least portions of three sides of the plug;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a clip holder pivotally attached to the drawer, the clip holder having an aperture therein which is adapted to receive a clip on the plug such that operative connection with the plug is maintained when the plug is receiving in the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a sliding drawer provided on a first end of the communications card, the sliding drawer having an open position and a closed position;
• recess means for receiving the plug within the sliding drawer when the sliding drawer is in the open position, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the computing device.

A communications connector for use in a communications device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a sliding drawer provided on a first end of the communications device, the sliding drawer having an open position and a closed position;
• recess means for receiving the plug within the sliding drawer when the sliding drawer is in the open position, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• a bottom formed on the sliding drawer;
• means for moving the bottom out of the sliding drawer when the drawer is in the open position;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• a first jaw provided on a first end of the communications card;
• a second jaw provided on a first end of the communications card;
• means for moving the first jaw and the second jaw between a first position extending out of the communications card and a second position retracted into the communications card;
• recess means for receiving the plug, the recess means formed by a space between the first jaw and the second jaw, and bounded by the first jaw and the second jaw, when the first and second jaws are in their first extended positions, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device and for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, comprising:

• recess means for receiving the plug, the recess means having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;
• means for rotating the recess means in an angular orientation, the angular orientation being selected from the group consisting of 90°, 180°, and 270° while maintaining operative connection with the plug;
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the computing device.

A communications card for use in a data utilization device including a PCMCIA Type III card slot, the communications card for receiving an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip and for making electrical connection with at least first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug, the communications card comprising:

• a card body;
• a plurality of conductors formed at a first end of the card body;
• a shell formed on the first end of the card body, the shell extending and retracting from the first end of the card body;
• a recess formed in the shell to receive the plug;
• a capture member adapted for holding the biased clip;
• means for moving the capture member such that the recess enlarges to closely receive the plug and engaging the biased clip such that the contacts on the plug operatively contact a respective conductor in the card body;
• a second end of the card body making connection to the PCMCIA Type III card slot;
• a communications device housed in the card body;
• the conductors further comprising:
• a first electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the first electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the first electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• a second electrical conductor provided in the recess means, the second electrical conductor being positioned such that it makes electrical continuity with the second electrical contact in the plug when the plug is received by the recess means;
• and
• means for conveying any electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the communications device.

A PC card for use in a data utilization device including a PCMCIA Type III card slot comprising:

• an upper surface;
• a lower surface;
• means for receiving a magnetic disk between the upper surface and the lower surface;
• and
• means for conveying data present on the magnetic disk to the data utilization device when the PC card is inserted into the card slot.

A communications connector for use in a data utilization device, the communications connector comprising:

• a socket member;
• a receptacle in the socket member which closely receives an RJ-xx plug;
• a bail member positioned about the receptacle, the bail member having a first collapsed position and a second open position, the RJ-xx plug passing through the bail member when the bail member is in its second open position;
• a plurality of contacts formed in the receptacle, the plurality of contacts positioned to mate with corresponding contacts in the RJ-xx plug and convey signals there between;
• means for retracting the socket member into the data utilization device when the bail member is in its first closed position and for extending the socket member out from the data utilization device such that the socket member is at least partially concealed when in its retracted position and such that operative contact with the RJ-xx plug can be maintained when the socket member is in its extended position.