Modular connector coupler with selective commoning system

Claim 2

A modular jack for receiving a modular plug of the type which includes a dielectric housing having a free end for insertion into the modular jack, a cord input end having a cavity for receiving a multi-conductor cord, a resilient latching arm integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the free end of the dielectric housing and extending obliquely rearwardly therefrom, a terminal-receiving side having partitions which define side-by-side slots in communication with the cavity, electrically conductive contact terminals positioned within the slots and extending into the cavity for making electrical engagement with associated conductors of the cord, the contact terminals including insulation-piercing tangs at the lower portion thereof and an outer edge surface, the modular jack comprising: (a) an insulating housing having a front end and a rear end; (b) plug-receiving cavity means for receiving the modular plug extending into said front end of said insulating housing and having a plurality of internal walls including a rear wall; (c) a wall member extending adjacent said rear wall of said plug-receiving cavity means and having conductor-receiving means formed therein; (d) a plurality of electrical conductors in side-by-side spaced-apart relationship in said insulating housing, each of said conductors comprising: (i) a first portion positioned in said conductor receiving means of said supporting wall; and (ii) a spring contact portion extending from said front end toward said rear end of said housing from said first portion into said plug-receiving cavity means; (e) commoning bar assembly means positioned adjacent said conductor-receiving means of said wall member and including means for maintaining continuous electrical contact between at least two conductors which may be preselected from said plurality of electrical conductor; said commoning bar assembly means maintaining continuous electrical contact between said conductors when a plug is inserted into said plug receiving cavity means; (f) said spring contact portions of said conductors engaging the contact terminals of the modular plugs after insertion of the plug into said plug-receiving cavity means; and (g) said plug-receiving cavity means further having recess means formed therein for receiving and releasably retaining the latching arm of the modular plug.

Claim 3

The modular jack of claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining continuous electrical contact comprises at least two conductive fingers in spring contact engagement with said at least two of said plurality of electrical conductors.

Claim 4

The modular jack of claim 2, wherein said commoning bar assembly means further comprises an elongated conductive strip extending transversely of and adjacent to said first portions of said conductors, said at least two conductive fingers extending integrally from said conductive strip.

Claim 5

The modular jack of claim 3, wherein said commoning bar assembly further comprises means for mounting and retaining same in said insulating housing.

Claim 6

The modular jack of claim 4, wherein said mounting and retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining legs formed integrally with said conductive strip and extending therefrom.

Claim 7

The modular jack of claim 1, wherein said spring contact portion extends from said first portion into said plug-receiving cavity means from said rear wall of said cavity means towards said front end of said insulating housing.

Claim 8

The modular jack of claim 6, wherein said outer edge surface of said contact terminal comprises a flat upper edge and wherein said spring contact portions of said conductors include a substantially linear lower surface for engaging said flat upper edge of said contact terminals.

Claim 9

A double-ended modular jack for coupling two modular plugs, each of the modular plugs being of the type which includes a dielectric housing having a free end for insertion into the modular jack, a cord input end having a cavity for receiving a multi-conductor cord, a resilient latching arm integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the free end of the dielectric housing and extending obliquely rearwardly therefrom, a terminal-receiving side having partitions which define side-by-side slots in communication with the cavity, electrically conductive contact terminals positioned within the slots and extending into the cavity for making electrical engagement with associated conductors of the cord, the contact terminals including insulation-piercing tangs at the lower portion thereof and a substantially flat portion of an upper edge surface on at least one end of which is formed a crown, the modular jack comprising: (a) an insulating housing having first and second ends and a central housing portion; (b) first and second plug-receiving cavity means for receiving the modular plugs extending into said first and second ends of said insulating housing, each cavity means having a rear wall and a plurality of internal side walls; (c) conductor-receiving means extending through said central housing portion from said first to said second plug-receiving cavity means; (d) a plurality of electrical conductors in side-by-side spaced-apart relationship, each of said conductors comprising: (i) a central portion extending through said conductor-receiving means of said housing; and (ii) first and second spring contact portions extending from said central portion into said first and second plug-receiving cavity means, respectively, in the direction of the first and second ends of said housing; (e) commoning bar assembly means positioned adjacent said conductor-receiving means and including means for maintaining continuous electrical contact between at least two conductors which may be preselected from said plurality of electrical conductors said commoning bar assembly means maintaining continuous electrical contact between said conductors when said plugs are inserted into said plug receiving cavity means; (f) said spring contact portions of said conductors including a mating surface for engaging the contact terminals of the modular plugs after insertion of the plugs into said plug-receiving cavity means; and (g) said plug-receiving cavity means each further having recess means formed therein for receiving and releasably retaining the latching arms of the modular plugs.

Claim 10

A double-ended modular jack for coupling two modular plugs, each of the modular plugs being of the type which includes a dielectric housing having a free end for insertion into the modular jack, a cord input end having a cavity for receiving a multi-conductor cord, a resilient latching arm integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the free end of the dielectric housing and extending obliquely rearwardly therefrom, a terminal-receiving side having partitions which define side-by-side slots in communication with the cavity, electrically conductive contact terminals positioned within the slots and extending into the cavity for making electrical engagement with associated conductors of the cord, the contact terminals including insulation-piercing tangs at the lower portion thereof and a substantially flat portion of an upper edge surface on at least one end of which is formed a crown, the modular jack comprising: (a) an insulating housing having first and second ends and a central housing portion; (b) first and second plug-receiving cavity means for receiving the modular plugs extending into said first and second ends of said insulating housing, each cavity means having a rear wall and a plurality of internal side walls; (c) conductor-receiving means extending through said central housing portion from said first to said second plug-receiving cavity means; (d) a plurality of electrical conductors in side-by-side spaced-apart relationship, each of said conductors comprising: (i) a central portion extending through said conductor-receiving means of said housing; and (ii) first and second spring contact portions extending from said central portion into said first and second plug-receiving cavity means, respectively, in the direction of the first and second ends of said housing; (e) commoning bar assembly means positioned adjacent said conductor-receiving means and including means for maintaining continuous electrical contact between at least two conductors which may be preselected from said plurality of electrical conductors said commoning bar assembly means maintaining continuous electrical contact between said conductors when said plugs are inserted into said plug receiving cavity means; (f) said spring contact portions of said conductors including a mating surface for engaging the contact terminals of the modular plugs after insertion of the plugs into said plug-receiving cavity means; and (g) said plug-receiving cavity means each further having recess means formed therein for receiving and releasably retaining the latching arms of the modular plugs.

Claim 11

The double-ended modular jack as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first and second spring contact portions extend from said central portion of said conductors into said first and second cavity means, respectively, from said rear wall of said cavity means towards said first and second ends of said insulating housing, respectively.

Claim 12

The double-ended modular jack of claim 8, wherein said conductors comprise stamped-and-formed contacts, said mating surface of said spring contact portion including a substantially flat lower surface for contacting said flat upper edge surface of said contact terminal, whereby the resultant contact area between said spring contact portion and said contact terminal when in normal alignment comprises a quadrilateral.

Claim 13

The double-ended modular jack of claim 8, wherein said conductors comprise round wires, said mating surface of said spring contact portion including a rounded outer surface for contacting said flat upper edge surface of said contact terminal, whereby the resultant contact area between said spring contact portion and said contact terminal, when in normal alignment, comprises a substantially thin elongated line.

Claim 14

The double-ended modular jack as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for maintaining continuous electrical contact comprises at least two conductive fingers in spring contact engagement with said at least two of said plurality of electrical conductors.

Claim 15

The double-ended modular jack as set forth in claim 12, wherein said commoning bar assembly means further comprises an elongated conductive strip extending transversely of and adjacent to said central portions of said conductors, said at least two conductive fingers being formed integrally with and extending from said conductive strip.

Claim 16

The double-ended modular jack as set forth in claim 13, wherein said commoning bar assembly means further comprises means for mounting and retaining same in said insulating housing.