US 6,599,152 B1Granted

Contact pin design for a modular jack

Assignee3Com Corporation

InventorsDavid Oliphant, Thomas A. Johnson, Brent D. Madsen

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Abstract

A communications card allows computers to be electrically connected to electronic devices and communications systems. The communications card includes a modular jack with a plurality of contact pins. The contact pins include a plug engaging portion that does not include any sections that are angled more than about 90° in order to minimize the stresses in the contact pins. The contact pins also include a connector portion that allows the contact pins to be electrically connected to a printed circuit board disposed within the communications card. Preferably, the plug engaging portion includes an elongated arm that aids in absorbing stress and deflection of the contact pins. Advantageously, the contact pins are designed to minimize the height of the modular jack such that the modular jack can be used with communications cards that comply with the PCMCIA Type III standards.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A contact pin that is sized and configured to allow electrical communication to be established with an electrical connector, the contact pin being at least partially disposed within a receptacle that has a height and a length, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical connector, the contact pin comprising:

a plug engaging portion that flexibly engages the connector when the connector is inserted into the receptacle, the plug engaging portion comprising:
a proximal end located proximate a front portion of the receptacle;
an angled section connected to the proximal end and being sized and configured to engage the connector plug as it is inserted into the receptacle, the angled section connected to the proximal end at an angle less than about 60°;
an elongated arm connected to the angled section at an angle less than about 60°, the elongated arm having a length generally equal to or greater than the length of the receptacle;
and
a distal end connected to the elongated arm and positioned proximate a rear portion of the receptacle;
wherein no portion of the plug engaging portion is angled at more than 90° to reduce stress concentrations in the contact pin;
and
a connection portion connected to the distal end of the plug engaging portion, the connection portion being sized and configured to electrically connect the contact pin to an electrical contact.

6 more elements

A connector that allows electrical communication to be established with a communications plug, the connector comprising:

a receptacle including an upper surface, a lower surface, a front portion and a rear portion, the receptacle being sized and configured to selectably receive at least a portion of the communications plug;
and
a contact pin at least partially disposed within the receptacle, the contact pin comprising:
a plug engaging portion including a proximal end, an angled section, an elongated arm and a distal end, the proximal end being positioned proximate the front end of the receptacle, the angled section being sized and configured to engage the communications plug as the plug is being inserted into the receptacle, the elongated arm including a length, and the distal end being positioned proximate the rear portion of the receptacle;
the proximal end, the angled section, the elongated arm and the distal end of the plug engaging portion each being joined at an angle less than about 90° in order to minimize stresses in the contact pin as the connector plug is inserted or removed from the receptacle;
and
a connection portion connected to the distal end of the plug engaging portion, the connection portion being sized and configured to electrically connect the contact pin to an electrical contact.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/150,034Filed 17 May 2002 · continuation
Priority: 20 Mar 2000
Granted: 29 Jul 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H01R 12/721
Coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures: cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
H01R 24/64
Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices: for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
Y10S 439/946
Electrical connectors: memory card cartridge
H01R
Electrically-conductive connections