# US 5,704,797 A · Switchable electrical socket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,797 A - Document ID: US5704797A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/431,674 - Filed: 1995-05-02 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1994-05-19 - Assignees: TII Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Carl H. Meyerhoefer; Thomas J. Smith; Adolfo M. Escobar; Robert J. Cannetti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704797A ## CPC - H01R 13/703: operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, {e.g. dual-continuity coupling part}(H01R13/71 takes precedence) - H01R 4/2433: one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot - H01R 13/7032: {making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals} - H01R 13/7033: {making use of elastic extensions of the terminals} - H04M 1/74: with means for reducing interference; with means for reducing effects due to line faults - H04Q 1/021: {using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus} - H04Q 1/023: {using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus} - H04Q 1/028: {Subscriber network interface devices} - H04Q 1/11: {Protection against environment} - H01R 13/62933: {Comprising exclusively pivoting lever} - H01R 24/62: Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices - H01R 2201/16: for telephony - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract A plug-actuated switchable electrical socket having at least one set of three electrical contacts, two of the three contacts being of a heavier wire gauge than the third contact, the insertion of a plug in the socket effecting a switching action between at least two of the three contacts. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A socket adapted to receive a plug and having an electrical switch comprising: (a) a first pair of contacts; (b) a second pair of contacts; (c) a third pair of contacts, the first and second pairs of contacts each having greater current carrying capacity than the third pair of contacts; and (d) the first and second pairs of contacts being connected together in the absence of a plug in the socket, the first pair of contacts being disconnected from the second pair of contacts and the first pair of contacts being connected to the third pair of contacts when a plug is inserted in the socket. ### Claim 2 A socket adapted to receive a plug and having an electrical switch comprising: (a) a first pair of contacts; (b) a second pair of contacts; (c) a third pair of contacts, the first and second pairs of contacts each having greater current carrying capacity than the third pair of contacts; and (d) the first, second and third pairs of contacts not being connected to each other in the absence of a plug in the socket, but the first, second and third pairs of contacts being connected together when a dummy plug is inserted in the socket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the socket is adapted to receive an RJ-type plug. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2) A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the socket is adapted to receive an RJ-11 plug. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2) A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first pair of contacts is adapted to be connected to telephone company wires and the second pair of contacts is adapted to be connected to subscriber wires. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 2) A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as that of an equivalent 18 gauge wire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2) A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as that of an equivalent 20 gauge wire. ### Claim 8 A socket adapted to receive a plug and having an electrical switch comprising: (a) a first pair of contacts adapted to be connected to telephone company wires; (b) a second pair of contacts adapted to be connected to subscriber wires; (c) a third pair of contacts adapted to be connected to contacts on a plug when the plug is inserted in the socket, the first and second pairs of contacts each having greater current carrying capacity than the third pair of contacts; and (d) the first and second pairs of contacts being connected together in the absence of a plug in the socket, the first pair of contacts being disconnected from the second pair of contacts and the first pair of contacts being connected to the third pair of contacts when a plug is inserted in the socket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8 wherein the socket is adapted to receive an RJ-11 plug. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8, 9) A device according to either claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as that of an equivalent 18 gauge wire. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8, 9) A device according to either claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as that of an equivalent 20 gauge wire. ### Claim 12 A socket adapted to receive a plug and having an electrical switch comprising: (a) a first pair of electrical contacts; (b) a second pair of electrical contacts; (c) a third pair of electrical contacts, the first and second pairs of contacts each having greater current carrying capacity than the third pair of contacts; (d) the first, second and third pairs of contacts not being connected to each other in the absence of a plug in the socket; (e) the first, second and third pairs of contacts being connected together when a dummy plug is inserted in the socket; and (f) the first and third pairs of contacts being connected together when an operational plug is inserted in the socket, but the second pair of contacts not being connected to either the first or third pairs of contacts when an operational plug is inserted in the socket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12 wherein the socket is adapted to receive an RJ-11 plug. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as an equivalent 18 gauge wire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12 wherein the first and second pairs of contacts each have a current carrying capacity at least as great as an equivalent 22 gauge wire.