US 6,146,209 A · Surface mountable electrical connector system

Abstract

A connector platform includes a base having a first end and opposing second end. A retention wall upwardly projects from the first end of the base and has a plurality of slots longitudinally extending therein. A plurality of resiliently flexible conducting wires each have a first end projecting from the first end of the base and a securing portion extending from the first end of the base to the second end thereof. Each conducting wire further includes an engaging portion upwardly projecting from the second end of the base to the retention wall. A second end of each conducting wire is freely disposed within a corresponding slot of the retention wall. The platform is selectively enclosed within the housing of an electrical apparatus. The housing defines an opening which provides access to the platform. The opening and platform combine to form a receptacle configured to receive a standard RJ-type plug.

Claims58

Dependent claims

In an electrical device having a housing with an opening formed therein that is adapted to physically receive a modular plug, a connector block facilitates electrical connection between the electrical device and the received plug, the connector block comprising:

(a) a substantially sideless base having a bottom surface, a top surface, a first end and a second end, one of said ends of said base being adapted to be positioned proximate the opening in the housing of the electrical device, at least a portion of said bottom surface of said base being adapted to be mounted on a printed circuit board at least partially disposed within the housing;
(b) an upwardly extending portion attached to said base, said upwardly extending portion having a front surface, a rear surface and a top surface;
and
(c) one or more conducting wires, each conducting wire of said one or more conducting wires having a first end adapted to be electrically connected directly to an electrical contact on the printed circuit board, each conducting wire having a second end adapted to be electrically connected directly to a contact on modular plug received within the opening in the housing, the conducting wires being adapted to facilitate electrical connection between the plug and the printed circuit board.

1 more element

An electrical connector that facilitates electrical communication with a modular plug, the electrical connector comprising:

(a) a housing including a cut-out section which defines at least a portion of an opening, said opening being sized and shaped to physically receive the modular plug in a manner so that at least a portion of the modular plug is exposed within an interior portion of said housing;
(b) sprinted circuit board at least partially disposed within said interior portion of said housing, said printed circuit board including an upper surface and a lower surface, said printed circuit board including a plurality of electrical contacts formed on said upper surface;
(c) a connector block at least partially disposed within said interior portion of said housing, said connector block including:
i. a base with a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of said bottom surface of said base being positioned generally parallel to said upper surface of said printed circuit board;
and
ii. an upwardly extending portion connected to said base;
and
(d) a plurality of wires connected to said printed circuit board, said wires being capable of conveying electrical signals between said electrical contacts on said printed circuit board and corresponding contacts positioned on said modular plug when the plug is received within said opening in said housing.

5 more elements

A method of making a connector block, the connector block being adapted to be disposed within an electrical device including a housing with an opening formed therein that is adapted to physically receive a modular pug, the connector block facilitating electrical communication between the electrical device and the received plug, the method comprising:

(a) providing a substantially sideless base having a bottom surface, a top surface, a first end and a second end, one of said ends of said base being adapted to be positioned proximate the opening in the housing of the electrical device, at least a portion of said bottom surface of said base being adapted to be mounted on a printed circuit board at least partially disposed within the housing;
(b) attaching an upwardly extending portion to said base, said upwardly extending portion having a front surface, a rear surface and a top surface;
and
(e) providing one or more conducting wires, each conducting wire of said one or more conducting wires having a first end adapted to be electrically connected directly to an electrical contact on the printed circuit board that is at least partially disposed within the housing, each conducting wire having a second end adapted to be electrically connected directly to a contact on the modular plug received within the opening in the housing, the conducting wires being adapted to facilitate electrical connection between the plug and the printed circuit board.

1 more element

A method of making an electrical connector that facilitates electrical communication with a modular plug, the method comprising:

(a) providing a housing with a cut-out section that defines at least a portion of an opening, said opening being sized and shaped to physically receive the modular plug in a manner so that at least a portion of the modular plug is exposed within all interior portion of said housing;
(b) disposing a printed circuit board at least partially within said interior portion of said housing, said printed circuit board including an upper surface and a lower surface, said printed circuit board including a plurality of electrical contacts formed on said upper surface;
(c) disposing a connector block at least partially within said interior portion of said housing, said connector block including:
i. a base with a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of said bottom surface of said base being positioned generally parallel to said upper surface of said printed circuit board;
and
ii. an upwardly extending portion connected to said base;
and
(d) connecting a plurality of wires to said printed circuit board, said wires being capable of conveying electrical signals between said electrical contacts on said printed circuit board and corresponding contacts positioned on said modular plug when the plug is received within said opening in said housing.

5 more elements

A method of making art electrical apparatus that is operable with a communication plug, the method comprising:

(a) providing a housing with an opening that is sized and shaped to receive the communication plug;
(b) providing a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrical contacts, said printed circuit board at least partially disposed within said housing;
(c) disposing a connector block at least partially within said housing, said connector block including:
i. a substantially sideless base having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface, said base being positioned proximate to an edge of said printed circuit board at least a portion of said base being mounted on said printed circuit board;
and
ii. an upwardly extending section attached to said base;
(d) providing at least one conducting wire with a first end and a second end, said conducting wire being capable of directly electrically connecting said printed circuit board to the communication plug received within said opening of said housing;
and
(e) attaching one or more alignment pins to said connector block, said alignment pins being sized and configured to be connected to corresponding receiving portions in said printed circuit board.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surface mountable electrical connector system

Life of this patent

Surface mountable electrical connector system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims58