Bix block adapter

Claim 2

A telecommunications adapter for connecting a modular connector to the mating end of a BIX-type block terminal, comprising: a. a modular electrical connector having bent wire leads terminating in connection means; b. a printed circuit board having a conductive network and being communicatively connected to said modular connector via said connection means; c. a plurality of planar contact blades mounted to said printed circuit board and being communicatively connected to said modular connector via said conductive network; and d. a housing structure having a central cavity enclosing said printed circuit board, said modular connector and said blades, said central cavity having a central aperture exposing said modular connector for connection, and a plug end portion exposing said contact blades outside said housing structure and being connectible to the BIX-type block terminal, said plug end having a partition area having a plurality of apertures receptive of mating projections on the BIX-type block terminal, said partition area further having a plurality of slots for extension of said blades from said central cavity, and means for supporting and stabilizing the adapter when connected to the BIX-type block terminal.

Claim 3

The telecommunications adapter of claim 1, wherein said plug end apertures are linearly aligned and separated a predetermined distance from one another by a segment of said partition area, and wherein each said slot is defined by two parallel protrusions in said apertures, said protrusions being closely spaced a predetermined distance from each other.

Claim 4

The telecommunications adapter system of claim 1, wherein said support and stabilizing means comprises top and bottom spacially parallel extension members integrally formed with said housing structure at said plug end, and providing an interspace therebetween enclosing said extended portions of said contact blades.

Claim 5

A telecommunications interface adapter system, comprising: a. modular connection means; b. a housing structure enclosing said modular connection means and having a central cavity and a tapered plug end, said plug end having a receptacle structure for connection to the telecommunications interface, said receptacle structure further including a channel structure; c. a plurality of upstanding conductive blades spaced a predetermined distance apart and extending from said central cavity through said channel structure to the exterior of said housing structure at said plug end, so that portions of said blades are exposed for mating contact with the telecommunications interface; and d. a printed circuit board having means to electrically connect said modular connection means and said blades, said printed circuit board being located in said central cavity.

Claim 6

A telecommunications interface adapter system, comprising: a. modular connection means; b. a housing structure enclosing said modular connection means and having a central cavity and a tapered plug end, said plug end having a receptacle structure for connection to the telecommunications interface, said receptacle structure further including a channel structure; c. a plurality of upstanding conductive blades spaced a predetermined distance apart and extending from said central cavity through said channel structure to the exterior of said housing structure at said plug end, so that portions of said blades are exposed for mating contact with the telecommunications interface; and d. a printed circuit board having means to electrically connect said modular connection means and said blades, said printed circuit board being located in said central cavity.

Claim 7

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 4, wherein said housing structure is a bifurcated structure having a top member and a bottom member, said top and bottom members being coupled via a sonic fusion process.

Claim 8

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 4, wherein said modular connection means is a modular jack assembly.

Claim 9

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 6, wherein said modular jack assembly is exposed for mating via an aperture in said housing structure.

Claim 10

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 4, wherein said housing structure is generally cube-shaped and wherein said plug end extends planarly therefrom.

Claim 11

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 8, wherein said plug end is constructed and arranged to mate with a BIX-type block telecommunications interface.

Claim 12

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 9, wherein said receptacle structure is a partition area, and wherein said channel structure comprises a plurality of apertures receptive of mating projections on the BIX-type telecommunications interface, each said aperture having a plurality of spacially aligned slots engaging said blades.

Claim 13

The telecommunications interface adapter of claim 10, wherein said apertures are linearly aligned and separated a predetermined distance from one another by a segment of said partition area, and wherein each said slot is defined by two parallel protrusions in said apertures, said protrusions being closely spaced a predetermined distance from each other.

Claim 14

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 9, further comprising means for supporting and stabilizing the adapter system in operative connection to the telecommunications interface.

Claim 15

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 12, wherein said support and stabilizing means comprises top and bottom spacially parallel extension members integrally formed with said housing structure at said plug end, and providing an interspace therebetween enclosing said exposed portions of said blades.

Claim 16

The telecommunications adapter of claim 13, wherein said extension members have connection recesses for engaging connection posts on the BIX-type telecommunications interface, and connection teeth for engaging a connection channel on the BIX-type telecommunications interface.

Claim 17

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 9, wherein each said blade has a substantially planar configuration with a tapered tip at one end and means for mounting said blade to said printed circuit board at its other end.

Claim 18

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 15, wherein said contact blades are constructed of hardened spring temper phosphor bronze alloy, coated with a substance selected from the group consisting of nickle, nickle/gold, and bright tin.

Claim 19

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 15, wherein said blades are aligned vertically through said channel structure and extend horizontally beyond the perimeter of said printed circuit board.

Claim 20

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 17, wherein said modular connection means has a connection port arranged spacially parallel to said printed circuit board, and wherein said blades extend from said printed circuit board opposite said connection port.

Claim 21

The telecommunications interface adapter system of claim 18, wherein said housing structure has means for supporting and stabilizing said printed circuit board in said central cavity, said means for supporting and stabilizing said printed circuit board including at least one ledge structure integrally formed with said housing structure at a predetermined location and having a lower portion contacting said printed circuit board at a bottom side thereof, and an upper portion contacting said printed circuit board at a rear edge thereof, whereby said printed circuit board is horizontally stabilized by said upper portion during connection of said adapter system to a telecommunications interface.

Claim 22

A unitary and compact adapter useable in the telecommunications field for connecting a modular connector to a BIX-type block interface terminal having electrical contacts, and mating projections, said adapter comprising: a. a modular electrical jack assembly having bent wire leads terminating in solder tails; b. a rectilinear printed circuit board communicatively connected to said modular jack via said solder tails and having a conductive network; c. an array of separated and spacially parallel, upstanding contact blades vertically mounted to one side of said printed circuit board a predetermined distance from each other, said contact blades extending horizontally beyond the periphery of said printed circuit board, said con tact blades being communicatively connected to said modular jack via said conductive network; and d. a housing structure having a central cavity enclosing said printed circuit board and said modular jack assembly, a posterior aperture in said central cavity exposing said modular jack for external connection, and a rectilinear, generally planar, and tapered plug extension structure having a partition segment separating said central cavity from the exterior of the adapter and including an array of slots for extension of a portion of each said blade from the central cavity for communicative connection with the electrical contacts of the BIX-type block, and apertures for reception of the mating projections of the BIX-type block, said plug extension structure further having a pair of spacially parallel lip members creating an interspace enclosing said extended blade portions and being for stabilized engagement with the BIX-type block, said plug extension structure being connectible to the BIX-type block for electrical communication therewith.

Claim 23

A unitary and compact adapter useable in the telecommunications field for connecting a modular connector to a BIX-type block interface terminal having electrical contacts, and mating projections, said adapter comprising: a. a modular electrical jack assembly having bent wire leads terminating in solder tails; b. a rectilinear printed circuit board communicatively connected to said modular jack via said solder tails and having a conductive network; c. an array of separated and spacially parallel, upstanding contact blades vertically mounted to one side of said printed circuit board a predetermined distance from each other, said contact blades extending horizontally beyond the periphery of said printed circuit board, said con tact blades being communicatively connected to said modular jack via said conductive network; and d. a housing structure having a central cavity enclosing said printed circuit board and said modular jack assembly, a posterior aperture in said central cavity exposing said modular jack for external connection, and a rectilinear, generally planar, and tapered plug extension structure having a partition segment separating said central cavity from the exterior of the adapter and including an array of slots for extension of a portion of each said blade from the central cavity for communicative connection with the electrical contacts of the BIX-type block, and apertures for reception of the mating projections of the BIX-type block, said plug extension structure further having a pair of spacially parallel lip members creating an interspace enclosing said extended blade portions and being for stabilized engagement with the BIX-type block, said plug extension structure being connectible to the BIX-type block for electrical communication therewith.