Small Form-Factor Modular Plugs with Low-Profile Surface Mounted Printed Circuit Board Plug Blades
AssigneeCommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
InventorsRichard A. Schumacher, Scott L. Michaelis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board.
Claims24
An RJ-45 communications plug comprising:
- a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces;
- and
- a plurality of plug blades, each plug blade having a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board.
6-8. (canceled)
A modular communications plug, comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
- a plurality of wire connection terminals mounted on or in the printed circuit board;
- a plurality of plug blades mounted on the printed circuit board, wherein each plug blade extends along the front edge of the printed circuit board.
(canceled)
21-25. (canceled)
A method of manufacturing an RJ-45 communications plug, the method comprising:
- providing a printed circuit board that includes a plurality of wire connection terminals, a plurality of plug blade contact structures and a plurality of conductive paths that connect each respective wire connection terminal to a corresponding plug blade contact structure;
- forming a plurality of plug blades separate from the printed circuit board;
- mounting each of the plug blades onto the printed circuit board so that each plug blade is in electrical contact with a respective one of the plug blade contact structures;
- and
- mounting the printed circuit board with the plug blades thereon in a plug housing.
28-29. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.