Jack with microswitch for distributing digital signals

Details Jack with microswitch for distributing digital signals Jack with microswitch for distributing digital signals

1999-09-29

2001-10-16

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...

C200S051100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302718

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a jack for distributing digital signals and, more particularly, to a jack between network devices for digital signaling connection which includes a microswitch for electrically connecting and disconnecting the digital signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, a transmission network for transmitting analog signals, digital voice signals or digital information is composed of a variety of complex connection devices. As the network environment is shifted to multimedia network, network-related techniques become extensive and networks are connected through complicated routes. Accordingly, devices in various forms are used to facilitate signal processing. Such devices are usually located in an area where a plurality of installations, such as telephone repeater stations, are placed, the installations being connected to each other through various methods including coaxial cables, microwaves and artificial satellites.
In a transmission network, one of the most important functions is to connect one device to another device. The connection of two devices is typically achieved by a first terminal device received by a plug, cable or other carrier, connected to another terminal device through another plug, cable or carrier. The connection device may include additional devices for monitoring or testing.
The cables of the network devices are connected by a jack which distributes the digital signals and electrically connects and disconnects the signals as they are processed. Such a jack typically includes a jack housing, a printed circuit board, conducting wires, a plurality of sleeves for receiving corresponding plugs, and a switch. The plugs at the ends of the connecting cables are inserted into the sleeves of the jack to connect the network devices to each other. A known configuration of a conventional jack for distributing digital signals for connecting network devices is described below.
FIG. 1
illustrates the inner configuration of the conventional jack for distributing the digital signals, and
FIG. 2
is an enlarged plan view of the switch of the conventional jack.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the conventional digital signal distributing jack
1
includes a plurality of sleeves
12
into which corresponding plugs
40
are inserted, sleeves
12
being assembled within a jack housing
10
, a plurality of conducting wires
20
and
22
connected with plugs
40
when plugs
40
are inserted into sleeves
12
, and a switch
30
assembled within jack housing
10
for electrically connecting or disconnecting conducting wires
20
and
22
.
Conducting wires
20
and
22
are arranged within jack housing
10
for conducting electrical signals, and their ends extend to the center of sleeves
12
. Switch
30
for electrically connecting or disconnecting conducting wires
20
and
22
is composed of a contact terminal
34
which is movably supported in a plate spring at the rear of a switch body
32
to allow its end to come into contact with conducting wires
20
and
22
, and an elastic piece
36
which is elastically supported at both sides of the front of switch body
32
, the end of elastic piece
36
coming into contact with one side of contact terminal
34
, elastic piece
36
having a contact
36
a
at each side.
In the above-described configuration of a conventional jack, when elastic piece
36
is deflected by plug
40
during insertion of plug
40
into sleeve
12
, contact terminal
34
is disconnected from conducting wires
20
and
22
by elastic piece
36
. By doing so, electric connection between the two conducting wires
20
and
22
is cut off. In this switch configuration however, the restoring force of the contact terminal deteriorates over time as the plug is repeatedly inserted into the sleeve.
Specifically, the contact terminal is in contact with the conducting wires when the plug is not inserted into the sleeve and it is disconnected from the conducting wires when the plug is inserted. However, the restoring force of the contact terminal is weakened due to repeated insertion of the plug, which can allow the contact terminal to disconnect from the conducting wires even when the plug is not inserted. This unintentionally cuts off the electrical connection between the contact terminal and the switch and therefore interferes with the intended switching of the signals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a jack for distributing digital signals that substantially obviates the above problems by solving the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a jack for connection between network devices that distributes digital signals between conducting wires and which employs a microswitch for electrically connecting and disconnecting the conducting wires and which prevents poor contact between the switch and the conducting wires.
To accomplish this object, there is provided a jack for distributing digital signals which includes a jack housing, a plurality of conducting wires arranged within the jack housing, a plurality of sleeves assembled within the jack housing for receiving corresponding plugs inserted thereinto, and a microswitch mounted within the jack housing comprising a lever movable between an undeflected state and a deflected state and adapted to be deflected by a portion of the plug during insertion into its respective sleeve, a push button adapted to be actuated by the lever, a common terminal movable between a first position and a second position, a first contact terminal connected to the common terminal at its first position, and a second contact terminal connected to the common terminal at its second position.
Preferably, the number of microswitches in the jack corresponds to the number of conducting wires.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5246378 (1993-09-01), Seiceanu
patent: 5348491 (1994-09-01), Louwagie et al.
patent: 5382173 (1995-01-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5702262 (1997-12-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5964607 (1999-10-01), Finke et al.

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