Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-02-13
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
C439S677000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186835
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical socket connector designed to prevent the improper insertion of smaller sized plug connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today, telephone and communication connections of many kinds are commonly made using molded plastic modular connectors in standard shapes and sizes. Quite often there is a “family” of connectors having a similar shape, but with different sizes, widths or numbers of electrical contacts. While a larger or wider plug connector cannot be incorrectly inserted into a smaller or narrower socket, the reverse is not always true. A smaller or narrower plug connector can often be incorrectly inserted into a larger or wider socket, and the expected connection and functioning will not occur, and electrical or mechanical damage may occur. What is desired is an electrical socket connector designed to prevent the improper insertion of smaller sized plug connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an electrical socket connector having a flexible internal barrier designed to prevent the improper insertion of smaller sized plug connectors. In a preferred form, two flexible internal barriers are used, one on each side of the socket entry leading into the socket cavity. A flexible internal barrier is composed of a flexible ramp fixedly attached at the socket entry which extends a movable end into the socket cavity. The movable end is attached to a vertical barrier, which moves with the inner end of the flexible ramp. The insertion of a correctly sized wide plug will engage the sides of the plug with the flexible ramp, riding along and moving the flexible ramp so the the vertical barrier is moved out of its stopping position, allowing the plug to pass the vertical barrier and to be fully and properly seated in the cavity. The insertion of a incorrectly sized narrow plug will fail to engage and move the flexible ramp, leaving the vertical barrier in its stopping position, and preventing the narrow plug from being inserted into the socket cavity past the vertical barrier. In particular, this invention can be used to provide an improved RJ45 network socket which prevents the incorrect insertion of a smaller sized RJ11 telephone plug.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 397323 (1998-08-01), Tulley et al.
patent: 4978317 (1990-12-01), Pocrass
patent: 5382182 (1995-01-01), Shen et al.
patent: 5387135 (1995-02-01), Shen et al.
patent: 5613873 (1997-03-01), Bell, Jr.
patent: 5769647 (1998-06-01), Tulley et al.
Code of Federal Regulations, FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 68, pp. 339-406, No date.
Aaker Mark A.
Abrams Neil
Apple Computer Inc.
Nasri Javaid
LandOfFree
Socket connector having a flexible internal barrier to... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Socket connector having a flexible internal barrier to..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Socket connector having a flexible internal barrier to... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2571225