Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-09-04
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283773
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors for use with media plugs and, ore specifically, slidable jacks having an external fuse access wherein the jacks arc operable with PC cards and other electrical apparatus.
2. Present State of the Art
Electrical apparatus, such as personal computers, cellular telephones, and personal information managers (PIMs), are becoming increasingly dependent upon their ability to electrically communicate or share information with other electrical apparatus. To facilitate this electrical communication, a variety of different types of electrical couplers have been developed. An electrical coupler includes a plug and a corresponding jack or connector. The jack typically includes an aperture or socket configured to receive the plug so as to establish electrical communication therebetween.
Select types of electrical couplers have been designed for use with PC cards. A PC card is a small thin card typically having a standard size. A first type of connector is formed at one end of the PC card and is configured to couple with the electrical apparatus. A second type of connector or jack is formed at the opposing end of the PC card and is configured to couple with a desired outside line such as a telephone line or a network line. Disposed within the PC card is a circuit board providing the necessary circuitry to perform one or more intended functions. For example, in one type of PC card, the circuit board comprises a modem which enables the electrical apparatus to receive and transmit information over telephone lines. In another PC card, the circuit board enables the electrical apparatus to receive and transmit information with a network system over a network cable.
One conventional type of jack used for connecting a PC card to an exterior line comprises a thin plate which is slidably mounted to the PC card. The plate has a top surface with an aperture formed therein. A plurality of short contact pins are rigidly mounted to the thin plate. Each contact pin has a first end that is freely exposed within the aperture and an opposed second end mounted to the plate. A flexible wire ribbon has a first end that is soldered to the second end of the contact pins and an opposing second end that is soldered to contacts on the circuit board within the PC card.
The thin plate can selectively slide between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the aperture is exposed such that a corresponding plug, for example an RJ-11, commonly referred to as a telephone plug, can be received therein. The plug pushes against the contact pins so as to establish electrical contact therewith. As a result, electrical communication is established from the plug, through the contact pins and flexible wire ribbon, to the circuit board.
Mounted on the circuit board of most PC cards is a fuse. When a power surge, electric short or other irregular or non-standard voltage is applied to the circuit board through one of the connectors, the fuse is blow so as to protect the circuit board. The fuse also protects the electrical apparatus to which the current will subsequently flow. Although blowing of the fuse is effective in preventing further damage, it is also problematic. For example, PC cards are typically sealed closed during the manufacture process. As a result, once the fuse is blown, the PC card must either be returned to the factory for replacement of the fuse or the PC card is simply disposed of and replaced with a new PC card. Neither approach is very cost effective. Furthermore, blowing of the fuse deactivates the PC card and thus shuts down the operation thereof until the fuse is replaced.
fuses can also be mounted within the housing of other types of electrical apparatus such as personal computers, cellular telephones, and personal information managers.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide electrical apparatus wherein the fuse thereof is accessible by the consuming public for easy replacement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide electrical apparatus as above wherein the fuse can be replaced without the need for disassembling the electrical apparatus.
One specific object of the present invention is to provide PC cards wherein a replaceable fuse is mounted on the retractable jack thereof.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a jack is provided to facilitate electrical communication between a media plug and an electrical apparatus, such as a PC card. The jack includes a low profile slide plate having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive the media plug. A plurality of contact pin projects from the slide plate into alignment with the aperture. The contact pins are configured to engage the media plug in electrical communication when the media plus is received within the aperture.
The slide plate is configured for selective operation between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the aperture is openly exposed to receive the media plug. In the retraced position, the aperture is enclosed within the housing of the electrical apparatus.
Mounted on the slide plate is a pair of spaced apart first and second fuse contacts. The fuse contacts are configured to receive a fuse therebetween. In one embodiment, the fuse contacts can be disposed within a slot or notch formed on the slide plate. In an alternative embodiment, the fuse contacts can project from the surface of the slide plate.
The first fuse contact is disposed in electrical communication with a select one of the contact pins. The second fuse contact is configured for electrical coupling with the electrical apparatus. Accordingly when a fuse is disposed between the fuse contacts, electrical communication is facilitated between the select contact pin and the electrical apparatus.
The slide plate can be either fixedly or removably attached to the electrical apparatus. In the embodiment where the slide plate is fixedly attached to the electrical apparatus, the fuse contacts are preferably positioned so that the fuse can be accessed and replaced when the slide plate is in the extended position. In the embodiment where the slide plate is removably attached to the electrical apparatus, the fuse contacts can be positioned at any desired location on the slide plate.
Should the fuse on the slide plate blow due to an electrical short, power surge, or other anomaly, the unique configuration of the present invention allows the average consumer of the electrical apparatus to easily remove and replace the fuse. As a result, the electrical apparatus does not need to be disposed of or returned to the manufacturer for repairs. The ease in which the fuse can be replaced also minimizes any down time of the electrical apparatus.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3744003 (1973-07-01), Dipace
patent: 3851226 (1974-11-01), Chen
patent: 5086216 (1992-02-01), Mollet et al.
patent: 5309625 (1994-05-01), Onishi
patent: 5547401 (1996-08-01), Aldous et al.
patent: 5643012 (1997-07-01), Mai et al.
patent: 5777836 (1999-11-01), Price et al.
patent: 5980322 (1999-11-01), Madsen et al.
Evans John
Johnson Thomas A.
Price Tim Urry
3Com Corporation
Duverne J. F.
Sircus Brian
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
LandOfFree
Media jack with external fuse access does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Media jack with external fuse access, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Media jack with external fuse access will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491499