US 6,186,803 B1 · Breakaway physical/electrical media jack

Abstract

A physical/electrical media jack is configured for electrically coupling with a physical/electrical media plug. The jack includes a housing having an interior chamber communicating with the exterior through an opening. Positioned on opposing sides of the opening are a pair of blocking ridges each having an inside sloping edge. In one embodiment, dovetailed splines are positioned on the exterior surface of the housing for receipt in complementary keyways formed in the border frame of a PC Card or the casing of an electrical apparatus. The jack further includes a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving a media plug. The second end of the retractable access portion is slidably received within the opening in the housing. Outwardly projecting from opposing sides of the retractable access portion at the second end are a pair of retention lips. The retention lips bias against the blocking ridges to prevent unwanted removal of the retractable access portion from the housing. The retention lips and blocking ridges, however, are configured to enable removal of the retractable access portion through the opening without mechanical failure of the jack when sufficient outward force is applied to the retractable access portion.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A PC Card for electrically coupling with a physical/electrical media plug, the PC Card comprising:

(a) a cover including a top surface having a perimeter edge, a bottom surface having a perimeter edge, and a boarder frame positioned proximate the perimeter edge of the top surface and the perimeter edge of the bottom surface, the top surface, the bottom surface and the boarder frame bounding a compartment;
(b) a circuit board disposed within the compartment of the cover,
(c) a jack housing generallv positioned within the compartment and proximate an opening in the boarder frame, the jack housing including an internal chamber communicating with an exterior through the opening;
(d) one or more transition wires at least partially disposed within the internal chamber of the jack housing, the one or more transition wires including a first portion and a second portion;
(e) a retractable access portion slidably received within the internal chamber of the jack housing, the retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position a substantial portion of the retractable access portion projects from the housing through the opening, wherein in said second position the retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within the internal chamber of the housing;
and
(f) one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, the one or more contact wires including a first end and a second end, wherein in the first position at least one of the one or more contact wires electrically contacts at least one of the one or more transition wires to provide electrical communication between the retractable access portion and the jack housing, wherein in the second position the one or more contact wires do not electrically contact the one or more transition wires and the retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with the jack housing.

4 more elements

A physical/electrical media jack for facilitating physical and electrical connection of a physical/electrical media plug with a communications card, the physical/clectrical media jack comprising:

a housing sized and configured to fit at least partially within an opening in the communications card;
one or more transition wires at least partially disposed within said housing, the one or more transition wires including a first position and a second position;
a retractable access portion sized and configured to fit at least partially within an opening in said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position wherein said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within said housing, a second position wherein a substantial portion of said retractable access portion projects from said housing, and a third position wherein at least a portion of the retractable access portion is detached from the housing, said retractable access portion including an aperture extending completely through said retractable access portion, said aperture being sized and configured to allow the media plug to extend through said retractable access portion wherein a first end of the media plug projects through a first side of said retractable access portion and a second end of the media plug projects through an opposing second side of said retractable access portion;
and
one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, wherein in said first position said one or more contact wires are not in electrical contact with said one or more transition wires, wherein in said second position said one or more contact wires are in electrical contact with said one or more transition wires.

2 more elements

A physical/electrical media jack comprising:

a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface and an internal compartment with an opening;
one or more transition wires disposed in said internal compartment of said housing, said one or more transition wires including a first portion and a second portion;
a retractable access portion sized and configured to fit within said internal compartment of said housing, said retractable access portion being selectively movable between a first position and a second position;
one or more contact wires connected to the retractable access portion, said one or more contact wires including a first end and a second end, wherein in said first position a substantial portion of the retractable access portion projects from said housing and said retractable access portion is in electrical communication with said housing because said second end of said one or more contact wires is electrically connected to said first portion of said one or more transition wires, wherein in said second position said retractable access portion is substantially enclosed within the internal compartment of said housing and said retractable access portion is not in electrical communication with said housing because said second end of said one or more contact wires is electrically insulated from said second end of said one or more transition wires.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Breakaway physical/electrical media jack

Life of this patent

Breakaway physical/electrical media jack

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49