Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Supporting plural – independent coupling parts
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-07-17
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Supporting plural, independent coupling parts
C439S668000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261124
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a connector module.
In the audio field, for example, patching systems are used to enable interconnections to be made in an orderly fashion. Generally, such interconnections are made by way of jack plugs and sockets, the jack sockets, for example, being installed in a patch bay and being appropriately interconnected.
In a known audio patch bay system, a plurality of patch bay modules are supported in a panel. Each patch bay module incorporates four jack sockets, with two of the sockets opening at the front of the panel, and the other two sockets opening at the rear. The four jack sockets are mounted and interconnected by a printed circuit board (pcb) to which terminals of the jack sockets have to be soldered. To change the mode of a module, for example from normal to de-normal or vice versa, it is necessary either to remove solder links or to reverse the orientation of the patch bay module in the panel. Reversal of a module requires that supporting nuts be removed, and then be reapplied after the module has been turned through 180° and refitted into the panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector module, for example, for use in patching apparatus.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector module comprising a body of insulating material defining a plurality of jack sockets, and interconnecting means of conductive material for selectively connecting jack sockets, wherein said interconnecting means are not defined by, or supported on, a printed circuit board.
A connector module of an embodiment of the invention does not use a pcb, as is conventional, to make contacts between the jack sockets and any other circuit components. This avoids the disadvantage of pcbs, namely vibration fatigue or dry joints at the solder links.
Preferably, said interconnecting means have been selectively connected to said jack sockets by mechanical connection techniques.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector module comprising a body of insulating material defining a plurality of jack sockets, and interconnecting means of conductive material for selectively connecting jack sockets, wherein said interconnecting means have been selectively connected to said jack sockets by mechanical connection technique.
It has been found that mechanical connection techniques for making the electrical interconnections are simple and fast and are much more cost effective than pcb constructions.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection techniques utilise insulation displacement methods. For example, jack terminals may be connected to, or defined by, connectors carrying insulation displacement contacts.
Preferably, said body of insulating material is formed in a single piece, for example, as a single moulding.
The present invention also extends to a connector module comprising a body of insulating material defining a plurality of jack sockets, and interconnecting means of conductive material for selectively connecting jack sockets, wherein said body of insulating material is formed in a single piece.
In an embodiment, said body of insulating material is formed as a single moulding.
Where the body is fabricated in one piece, there is no risk of individual jack sockets or individual connectors carried by the moulding becoming loose.
In a preferred embodiment, said body of insulating material defines a plurality of substantially identical jack sockets arranged in a common plane, with the socket opening of some jack sockets facing in one direction, and the socket opening of the remainder of the jack sockets facing in the opposed direction.
Preferably, the body of insulating material defines a plurality of connector channels.
In an embodiment, each connector channel is arranged to receive one or more connectors of conductive material. Some or each of said conductive connectors may carry one or more insulation displacement contacts. Connectors in the connector channels may be arranged to define jack socket terminals.
In an embodiment, the connector channels preferably extend substantially parallel to one another.
Additionally and/or alternatively, said connector channels may extend substantially transversely to the jack sockets.
Additionally and/or alternatively, each connector channel may extend across a plurality of jack sockets.
Preferably, said body of insulating material defines recesses or channels therein to receive said interconnecting means.
A connector module as defined above may be used in patching apparatus.
The present invention additionally extends to patching apparatus comprising a patch panel having a plurality of connector modules as defined above supported thereby.
However, if required, a connector module as defined above may be used singularly, for example, as a splitter and/or extender for cables.
Connector modules as defined above may be interconnected to form patching apparatus. That is, the conventional patch panel may be dispensed with.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided patching apparatus comprising a plurality of individual connector modules arranged adjacent to one another, each said connector module defining a number of jack sockets and comprising interconnecting means selectively connecting the jack sockets, and wherein each said connector module is engaged to the adjacent connector module(s) whereby the patching apparatus is defined.
In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the connector modules are engaged to define the patching apparatus and thus no patch panel is required. The cost of the patching apparatus is thereby reduced and assembly can be facilitated.
It is possible to engage adjacent connector modules by any appropriate engagement means. In a preferred embodiment, the connector modules carry cooperating engagement means.
For example, each connector module may have projecting engagement means on one surface thereof and corresponding and cooperating recessed engagement means on an opposed surface thereof.
Said connector module may further comprise a base plate of insulating material fixed to said body of insulating material.
For example, the base plate may be adhered or bonded to said body.
Said base plate of insulating material is preferably arranged to enclose said jack sockets and said interconnecting means.
In a preferred embodiment, said connector module may further comprise a housing, for example, of insulating material, in which said body is received.
Preferably, said housing is tubular and is arranged to encompass the interconnecting means and said jack sockets.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector module comprising a body of insulating material defining a plurality of jack sockets, and interconnecting means of conductive material for selectively connecting jack sockets, and further comprising a housing of insulating material encompassing said body.
Preferably, a connector module as defined above further comprises identification means to identify the selected interconnections of said interconnecting means.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector module comprising a body of insulating material defining a plurality of jack sockets, and interconnecting means of conductive material for selectively connecting jack sockets, and further comprising identification means to identify the selected interconnections of said interconnecting means.
The identification means may comprise any convenient means. Preferably, the identification means provide a visual indication, and, in a preferred embodiment, colour codings are provided. For example, coloured markers may be appropriately affixed to said body of insulating material.
In one embodiment, each connector module has jack socket openings in opposed ends thereof, and has asymmetrical interconnections which provide different electrical pathways in dependence upon the orientation of the module. In that case, it is appropriate, for exa
Deltron Components Limited
Hammond Briggitte R.
Luebke Renee
Nixon & Vanderhye
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