US5885100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with light transmission means
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1997-05-12
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Granted: 1999-03-23
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Expires: 2017-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A modular jack is adapted for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a circuit board. The jack includes a housing having a front face with a receptacle for receiving the plug, a rear face and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board. A light guide is provided on the housing and includes a front end at the front face of the housing and a remote end near the bottom face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the front of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Talend
- 👤 Randy Joe Kempf
- 👤 James T. Roberts
- 👤 Charles T. Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/665; H01R13/6691; H01R13/717; H01R13/7172; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3817; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3829; G02B6/3895; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/724; H01R13/6608; H01R13/6641; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A modular jack for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a circuit board, comprising: a housing having a front face with a receptacle for receiving the plug, a rear face and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board; a light guide means on an outside of top and rear walls of the housing and including a front end at the front face of the housing and a remote end near the bottom face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the front of the modular Jack; wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece, L-shaped light pipe independent of the housing; and wherein said L-shaped light pipe includes top and rear legs disposed in recessed areas on the outside of the top and rear walls of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A modular jack for connecting a cable terminated with a plug to a circuit board, comprising: a housing having a front face with a receptacle for receiving the plug, a rear face and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board; a light guide means on an outside of top and rear walls of the housing and including a front end at the front face of the housing and a remote end near the bottom face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the front of the modular Jack; wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece, L-shaped light pipe independent of the housing; and wherein said L-shaped light pipe includes top and rear legs disposed in recessed areas on the outside of the top and rear walls of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular jack of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped light pipe includes generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular jack of claim 1 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical connector for mounting on a circuit board, comprising: a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board and a second face remote from the bottom face; a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end near the bottom face of the housing and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical connector for mounting on a circuit board, comprising: a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board and a second face remote from the bottom face; a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end near the bottom face of the housing and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from a source thereof on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said light pipe is disposed in a recessed area on the outside wall of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing visual indication of an electrical condition of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board, comprising: a circuit board having a light source mounted thereon; a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board adjacent said light source and a second face remote from the bottom face; a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end adjacent the light source and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from the light source on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing visual indication of an electrical condition of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board, comprising: a circuit board having a light source mounted thereon; a housing having a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board adjacent said light source and a second face remote from the bottom face; a light guide means on an outside wall of the housing and including a first end adjacent the light source and a second end at the second face of the housing for guiding light from the light source on the circuit board to the second face of the housing; and wherein said light guide means comprises a one-piece light pipe independent of the housing, and wherein said light pipe is generally L-shaped defining generally perpendicular legs joined at a juncture which includes an oblique reflecting surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said light pipe is disposed in a recessed area on the outside wall of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said light pipe is a homogeneous structure fabricated of substantially clear polycarbonate material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said light source comprises an LED device.
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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) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |