US4699443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular telephone jack
Assignee: Avaya Technology LLC
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Filing: 1986-05-15
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Granted: 1987-10-13
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Expires: 2006-05-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a modular jack for telephone equipment. The jack has a pair of switch contact springs which are activated only when a plug of a specific shape is inserted into the jack.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Goodrich
- 👤 Edmund N. Sepe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7039; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A telephone jack having a housing (200) including a first cavity (250) for receiving complementary plugs (183, 184) of different sizes, the first cavity including a key slot (266) for receiving a protrusion (180) on a complementary plug; a plurality of connector contact springs (162-165, 171-174) generally positioned in a common plane within the first cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs; a first and second pair of switch contact springs (161, 170), positioned in approximately the same plane as the connector contact springs, each pair including one contact spring that is biased against the other contact spring, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a first size, and the biased contact spring remaining in engagement with the other contact spring upon the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a second size; and the jack being characterized by a third pair of switch contact springs (167, 175) positioned in a substantially different plane from that of the plurality of connector contact springs and the first and second pair of switch contact springs, one contact spring of the third pair of switch contact springs being biased against the other contact spring of the third pair of switch contact springs, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the first cavity of a plug having a protrusion received by the key slot, and remaining in contact with the other spring of the third pair of contact springs upon insertion of a complementary plug not having the protrusion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A telephone jack having a housing (200) including a first cavity (250) for receiving complementary plugs (183, 184) of different sizes, the first cavity including a key slot (266) for receiving a protrusion (180) on a complementary plug; a plurality of connector contact springs (162-165, 171-174) generally positioned in a common plane within the first cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs; a first and second pair of switch contact springs (161, 170), positioned in approximately the same plane as the connector contact springs, each pair including one contact spring that is biased against the other contact spring, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a first size, and the biased contact spring remaining in engagement with the other contact spring upon the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a second size; and the jack being characterized by a third pair of switch contact springs (167, 175) positioned in a substantially different plane from that of the plurality of connector contact springs and the first and second pair of switch contact springs, one contact spring of the third pair of switch contact springs being biased against the other contact spring of the third pair of switch contact springs, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the first cavity of a plug having a protrusion received by the key slot, and remaining in contact with the other spring of the third pair of contact springs upon insertion of a complementary plug not having the protrusion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A jack as in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises plural internal wall members defining an internal second cavity (350) part of which communicates with the key slot in the housing, said second cavity being adapted for receiving contact portions of the third pair of switch contact springs and one of the third pair of switch contact springs being exposed for operation by the insertion of a plug having a protrusion accommodated by the key slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
A jack as in claim 1 wherein the jack comprises a dielectric contact carrier having a first wall (110) connected to one end of a second wall (130), and the other end of the second wall in turn, being connected to a base wall (150); the first wall and the second wall having a plurality of mating exterior first channels (111-117, 120-126) extending from a free end of the first wall to the other end of the second wall to accommodate the connector and switch contact springs, the connector and first and second pair of switch contact springs at one end extending around the free end of the first wall and then extending rearwardly toward the second wall, the connector and first and second pair of switch contact springs at the other end extending from the base wall to provide points of electrical connections to other apparatus, and the first wall including a cutout portion (101) at its free end for recessing the third pair of switch contact springs rearwardly toward the second wall with respect to the connector and first and second pair of switch contact springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the third pair of switch contact springs extend around the free end of the cutout portion and then downward substantially perpendicular to the base wall to place the third pair of switch contact springs both in a different location and a different orientation from the connector and first and second pair of switch contact springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
236 words
A telephone jack comprising: a housing having a cavity including a key slot for receiving complementary plugs of different sizes, some of which complementary plugs having a protrusion that is received by the key slot; a plurality of connector contact springs positioned within the cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs; first and second pairs of switch contact springs positioned within the cavity adjacent to the connector contact springs, each pair including one contact spring that is biased against the other contact spring, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a first size, and the biased contact spring remaining in engagement with the other contact spring upon the insertion in the opening of the complementary plug of a second size; and a third pair of switch contact springs positioned adjacent to the plurality of connector contact springs, one spring of the third pair of switch contact springs being biased against the other spring of the third pair of switch contact springs, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a plug having a protrusion that is received by the key slot, and remaining in contact with the other spring of the third pair of contact springs upon insertion of a plug not having such a protrusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
236 words
A telephone jack comprising: a housing having a cavity including a key slot for receiving complementary plugs of different sizes, some of which complementary plugs having a protrusion that is received by the key slot; a plurality of connector contact springs positioned within the cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs; first and second pairs of switch contact springs positioned within the cavity adjacent to the connector contact springs, each pair including one contact spring that is biased against the other contact spring, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a complementary plug of a first size, and the biased contact spring remaining in engagement with the other contact spring upon the insertion in the opening of the complementary plug of a second size; and a third pair of switch contact springs positioned adjacent to the plurality of connector contact springs, one spring of the third pair of switch contact springs being biased against the other spring of the third pair of switch contact springs, the biased contact spring being deflected away from the other contact spring responsive to the insertion within the cavity of a plug having a protrusion that is received by the key slot, and remaining in contact with the other spring of the third pair of contact springs upon insertion of a plug not having such a protrusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
A telephone jack comprising: a housing having a cavity for accommodating a complementary plug inserted into the cavity, and having a key slot to a side of said cavity for receiving a protrusion that is a discontinuity of and projects outwardly from a surface of the plug; a plurality of connector contact springs positioned within the cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs, the connector contact springs extending into the cavity from a first location; and a pair of switch contact springs positioned within the cavity adjacent to the plurality of connector contact springs, the switch contact spring pair being substantially displaced from the first location of the connector contact springs relative to the direction of plug insertion, the switch contact spring pair extending adjacent to the key slot and being operated responsive to the insertion within the cavity of the plug having the protrusion that is received by the key slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
A telephone jack comprising: a housing having a cavity for accommodating a complementary plug inserted into the cavity, and having a key slot to a side of said cavity for receiving a protrusion that is a discontinuity of and projects outwardly from a surface of the plug; a plurality of connector contact springs positioned within the cavity for engaging contacts of the complementary plugs, the connector contact springs extending into the cavity from a first location; and a pair of switch contact springs positioned within the cavity adjacent to the plurality of connector contact springs, the switch contact spring pair being substantially displaced from the first location of the connector contact springs relative to the direction of plug insertion, the switch contact spring pair extending adjacent to the key slot and being operated responsive to the insertion within the cavity of the plug having the protrusion that is received by the key slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A telephone jack as in claim 6 wherein the connector contact springs are generally positioned in a common plane within the cavity and the switch contact spring pair is positioned within the cavity in a substantially different plane from the common plane of the connector contact springs to place the switch contact spring pair in both a substantially different orientation and a substantially different location from that of the connector contact springs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A telephone jack as in claim 6 wherein the connector contact springs extend rearwardly from an entrance to the cavity of the housing while the switch contact spring pair extends generally parallel to the entrance of the cavity to place the switch contact spring pair in both a substantially different orientation and a substantially different location from that of the connector contact springs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A telephone jack as in claim 6 wherein the second location of the switch contact spring pair is displaced from the first location of the connector contact springs in the direction of plug insertion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A telephone jack as in claim 9 wherein the connector contact springs extend rearwardly from an entrance to the cavity of the housing while the switch contact spring pair extends generally parallel to the entrance of the cavity to place the switch contact spring pair in both a substantially different orientation and a substantially different location from that of the connector contact springs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-12 | 1991-04-13 | 1991-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-12 | 1995-04-13 | 1995-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-12 | 1999-04-13 | 1999-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |