Electrical connectors – With indicating or identifying provision – Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-31
2001-05-01
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With indicating or identifying provision
Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224417
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical connectors including indicator means for showing the status of the connector.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
The prior art discloses various ways in which the status of electrical connectors may be indicated. A light emitting diode (LED) may be employed on the connector to show that it is engaged with its mating part, that a signal is being provided to the connector or that the connector is available for use. One disadvantage to using an LED on the connector is that the use of the LED may result in an undesirable amount of noise which may interfere with signals provided to the connector.
A need, therefore, exists for a modular jack which may make use of an LED without receiving an undesirable amount of noise from that LED.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an assembly which includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having opposed first and second planar surfaces. At least one light emitting means such as an LED fixed to said PCB. A jack is fixed to one of said planar surfaces of the PCB. This jack comprises an insulative housing comprising first and second longitudinal walls positioned such that said second longitudinal wall is positioned over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and at least one pair of lateral walls is interposed between the first and second longitudinal walls to form at least one traverse plug receiving cavity extending from a substantially open front side of said jack to a rear side of said jack. A light conducting means which is preferably a light is positioned adjacent the front side of the jack.
The present invention also encompasses an assembly which includes a jack having an insulative housing with first and second longitudinal walls positioned such that said second longitudinal wall is positioned over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation. At least one lateral wall is interposed between said first and second longitudinal wall. The jack is positioned such that the PCB is interposed between said first and second longitudinal wall. The first planar surface of the PCB faces the first longitudinal wall to form a first section of the jack, and the second planar surface of the PCB faces the second longitudinal wall to form a second section of the jack. Conductive terminals extend from the jack in said second section. An LED is located in the first section of the jack so that it does not interfere with signals passing through the conductive terminals.
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Belopolsky Yakov
Potteiger Lee W.
Berg Technology Inc.
Hamilla Brian J.
Nguyen Khiem
Page M. Richard
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