US5284447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact terminal for modular plug
Assignee: ABB Installation Products International LLC
•
Filing: 1993-03-29
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2013-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved contact terminal for modular, telephone-style plugs. An elongated opening is provided in the central portion of the contact terminal for reducing capacitive coupling between contacts, resulting in better cross-talk isolation. Two parallel signal paths are also provided thereby, reducing signal reflections and improving the VSWR. A substantial savings in gold-plating is also provided by reducing the surface area of the contact terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Kristiansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2404; H01R13/00; H01R13/646; H01R13/6461; H01R13/6473; H01R13/6474; H01R13/6476; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R13/02; H01R13/03; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/941
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A contact terminal for use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, comprising: a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion; said middle body portion being of reduced width compared to said upper and lower body portions; said upper portion having a pair of shoulders extending laterally from both sides thereof for seating said blade in said plug, and an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack; said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug; and an opening formed in the central part of said blade and extending from said upper portion through said middle portion toward said lower portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A contact terminal for use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, comprising: a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion; said middle body portion being of reduced width compared to said upper and lower body portions; said upper portion having a pair of shoulders extending laterally from both sides thereof for seating said blade in said plug, and an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack; said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug; and an opening formed in the central part of said blade and extending from said upper portion through said middle portion toward said lower portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening extends into said lower portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening has an oval shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening has a rectangular shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening is shaped so as to provide a pair of parallel signal paths of substantially uniform width.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
For use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, a contact terminal of the type that includes a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion, said middle body portion being of reduced width compared to said upper and lower body portions, said upper portion having a pair of shoulders extending laterally from both sides thereof for seating said blade in said plug, and an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack, said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug, the improvement comprising: an opening formed in said central part of said blade and extending from said upper portion through said middle portion toward said lower portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
For use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, a contact terminal of the type that includes a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion, said middle body portion being of reduced width compared to said upper and lower body portions, said upper portion having a pair of shoulders extending laterally from both sides thereof for seating said blade in said plug, and an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack, said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug, the improvement comprising: an opening formed in said central part of said blade and extending from said upper portion through said middle portion toward said lower portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 6, wherein said opening extends into said lower portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said opening has an oval shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said opening has a rectangular shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said opening is shaped so as to provide a pair of parallel signal paths of substantially uniform width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
A contact terminal for use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, comprising: a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion; said upper portion having an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack; said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug; and means formed in said central portion of said blade for reducing the cross-talk between adjacent contact terminals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A contact terminal for use in combination with a modular telephone-style plug, comprising: a substantially planar blade having upper, middle and lower body portions and a central portion; said upper portion having an upper surface for making electrical contact with a spring contact of a mating modular jack; said lower portion including a pair of tangs for piercing the insulation of an electrical wire located in said plug; and means formed in said central portion of said blade for reducing the cross-talk between adjacent contact terminals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cross-talk reducing means comprises an opening formed in said blade and extending from said upper portion through said middle portion toward said lower portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein said opening extends into said lower portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein said opening has an oval shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein said opening has a rectangular shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contact terminal as set forth in claim 12, wherein said opening is shaped so as to provide a pair of parallel signal paths of substantially uniform width.
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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) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |