Modular jack with led

Details Modular jack with led Modular jack with led

2001-11-02

2002-10-15

Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With indicating or identifying provision

Connection indicating provision

Reexamination Certificate

active

06464533

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modular jack, and particularly to a modular jack which retains a pair of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) therein.
2. Description of Related Art
A modular jack, also known as a RJ connector, is commonly used in network and computer peripheral equipment system for the transmission of voice and data. A RJ connector is typically used to form a link between two pieces of equipment to provide a communication means therebetween. In order to ensure the integrity of the link, it has been a practice in the industry to use a LED located separately from the link to provide visual status and fault information regarding the connection. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,822 commonly assigned to the present assignee discloses a conventional RJ connector having a LED
20
, as shown in
FIG. 4. A
first slot
110
and a second slot
112
having a through hole
116
communicated with the first slot
110
are defined in the top of the housing
1
. The LED
20
includes an indicator
22
received in the first slot
110
of the housing
1
, and a pair of leads
21
each with one end received in the indicator
22
and with another end passing through the second slot
112
and extending downwardly through guiding groove
114
along a rear wall
14
of the housing
1
. A tab
4
is disposed into the second slot
112
to abut a portion of the leads
21
against an interior face of the second slot
112
. The tab
4
has an integrally formed guiding rail
44
. The guiding rail
44
enters into the through hole
116
and is secured therein. Therefore, the LED
20
is prevented from disengaging the second slot
112
. Post
18
is used to assure the connector can be properly positioned on a printed circuit board. However, when it is required that LED
20
and post
18
be both present in the same mounting face, fastening the two will become a problem due to limited space available.
An improved modular jack with both secured LEDs and positioning posts on the same site are thus desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular jack having fixing means for securing LEDs and for positioning on a printed circuit board.
In order to achieve the object set forth, a modular jack for receiving a plug connector in accordance with the present invention comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts, a pair of LEDs and a pair of tabs. The insulative housing has a bottom wall defining a first slot and a second slot. The first slot communicates with a second slot. A post projects from an interior surface of the second slot in order to facilitate mounting of the modular jack onto a printed circuit board. The LEDs are received in the slots of the housing, and each comprises an indicator received in the first slot and a pair of leads extending rearwardly and downwardly from the indicator. The leads are received in the second slots for connecting the indicator with the printed circuit board. The tab is received in the second slot and engaged with the leads of the LED. Each tab defines a through hole for downward extension of the post and a pair of cut-outs at both sides thereof for downward extension of the leads.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5601451 (1997-02-01), Driones et al.
patent: 5685737 (1997-11-01), Morin et al.
patent: 5876239 (1999-03-01), Morin et al.
patent: 6325664 (2001-12-01), Someda et al.

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