US6007368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telecommunications connector with improved crosstalk reduction
Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-18
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2017-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A telecommunications connector includes a body having a first end to mate with a mating connector and a second end having an aperture. A plurality of connector elements have a connection portion to make electrical contact with individual wires from wire cables. In an exemplary embodiment, the individual wires are in the form of twisted pair cables. The connector elements also include a terminating portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector, and an elongated intermediate portion coupling the corresponding connection and terminating portions. The elongated intermediate portion minimizes the overall surface area of the electrical contacts thereby reducing the capacitance between individual ones of the connector elements. In addition, the connector elements are mounted in a low dielectric constant material to further reduce capacitance between individual ones of the connector elements. The connection portions of the connector elements are arranged in a first sequence to permit the twisted pair cables to remain twisted throughout the body of the connector to an area proximate the connection portion of the connector elements. The terminating portions of the connector elements are in a sequential arrangement different from the sequential arrangement of the connection portions of the connector elements to maintain an industry standard arrangement. The elongated intermediate portions of at least some of the connector elements extend laterally and cross over other connector elements to permit the terminating portions of the connector elements to conform to industry standards while permitting the twisted pair cables to remain in a twisted configuration for the length of the cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan S. Lorenz
- 👤 Franklin C. Marti
- 👤 Clifford R. Curry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/646; H01R13/6461; H01R13/6463; H01R13/6464; H01R13/6473; H01R13/6477; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/04; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2404; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/941
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A telecommunications connector assembly coupleable to a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second end portions along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end portion being configured to mate with the mating connector; an electrical cable extending within said body from said second end portion to said first end portion, said cable comprising a plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors which remain twisted while within said body until in proximity with said first end portion; and a plurality of connector elements at said body first end portion, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion piercing one conductor of said plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors, a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end portion is mated to the mating connector, said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, and an elongated aim extending between and electrically connecting together said connection portion and said contact portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A telecommunications connector assembly coupleable to a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second end portions along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end portion being configured to mate with the mating connector; an electrical cable extending within said body from said second end portion to said first end portion, said cable comprising a plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors which remain twisted while within said body until in proximity with said first end portion; and a plurality of connector elements at said body first end portion, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion piercing one conductor of said plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors, a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end portion is mated to the mating connector, said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, and an elongated aim extending between and electrically connecting together said connection portion and said contact portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors is covered by an insulating material and said connection portions include a piercing element to pierce said insulating material and thereby establish electrical contact between corresponding ones of said plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors and said connector elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of connector elements are at least partially embedded in a material having a dielectric constant less than 2.8, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of connector elements are at least partially embedded in a polymethyl pentene material, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said connection portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, said contact portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of said elongated arms extend between one of said connection portions and one of said contact portions which are positioned out of coplanar relation with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein at least two of said elongated arms cross by each other within said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said connection portions and said contact portions are arranged in coplanar pairs comprised of one of said connection portions and one of said contact portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said at least two of said elongated arms cross by each other at a substantially right angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said body includes a chamber extending longitudinally therewithin said cable extends therethrough, and further including a ferrite member positioned within said chamber and containing a plurality of spaced apart passageways disposed in general alignment with said longitudinal axis and with passageway openings facing towards said first and second end portions, said ferrite member having a ferrite wall portion positioned between individual ones of said passageways, said passageways each being sized to receive and receiving at least one conductor of a different one of said twisted pair conductors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said body conforms to industry standards for an RJ45 plug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said body conforms to industry standards for an RJ45 jack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion for piercing one of the plurality of electrical conductors and a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when mated to the mating connector, said connection portion and said contact portion defining an intermediate area therebetween,said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, each of said connector elements further includes an intermediate portion extending between and electrically connecting together said connection portion and said contact portion, said intermediate portion occupying an area between said connection portion and contact portion less than said intermediate area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion for piercing one of the plurality of electrical conductors and a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when mated to the mating connector, said connection portion and said contact portion defining an intermediate area therebetween,said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, each of said connector elements further includes an intermediate portion extending between and electrically connecting together said connection portion and said contact portion, said intermediate portion occupying an area between said connection portion and contact portion less than said intermediate area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of electrical conductors is covered by an insulating material and said connection portions include a piercing element to pierce the insulating material and thereby establish electrical contact between corresponding ones of the plurality of electrical conductors and said connector elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said body is made with a material having a dielectric constant less than 2.8, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said body is made with a polymethyl pentene material, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said connection portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, said contact portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of said intermediate portions extend between one of said connection portions and one of said contact portions which are positioned out of coplanar relation with each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein at least two of said intermediate portions cross by each other within said body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said connection portions and said contact portions are arranged in coplanar pairs comprised of one of said connector portions and one of said contact portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said at least two of said intermediate portions cross by each other at a substantially right angle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
166 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body manufactured at least in part from a material have a dielectric constant less than 2.8; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body at least partially embedded in said dielectric material, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion for contacting one of the plurality of electrical conductors and a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when mated to the mating connector; wherein said connection portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, said contact portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of said elongated arms extend between one of said connection portions and one of said contact portions out of coplanar relation with each other; and wherein at least two of said elongated arms cross by each other at a substantially right angle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
166 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body manufactured at least in part from a material have a dielectric constant less than 2.8; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body at least partially embedded in said dielectric material, each of said plurality of connector elements having a connection portion for contacting one of the plurality of electrical conductors and a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when mated to the mating connector; wherein said connection portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, said contact portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of said elongated arms extend between one of said connection portions and one of said contact portions out of coplanar relation with each other; and wherein at least two of said elongated arms cross by each other at a substantially right angle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector assembly of claim 20 wherein said body is made with a polymethyl pentene material, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector assembly of claim 20 wherein each of said plurality of connector elements includes an elongated arm each of said elongated arms being electrically coupled to said connection portion and to said contact portion therebetween.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connector assembly of claim 20 wherein said connection portions and said contact portions are arranged in coplanar pairs comprised of one of said connector portions and one of said contact portions cross by each other within said body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
235 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second ends along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end being configured to mate with the mating connector and said second end adapted to receive the electrical cable; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body at least partially embedded in said dielectric material, each of said plurality of connector elements being integrally formed from an electrically conductive material and having a connection portion for piercing one of the plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors, a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end is mated to the mating connector, said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, and a rigid intermediate portion with at least two of said rigid intermediate portions crossing by each other within said body wherein said connection portions have sequential positions in a first ordered sequence to receive predetermined ones of the plurality of electrical conductors and said contact portions have sequential positions in a second ordered sequence different from said first ordered sequence, ones of said connector and contact portions in differing sequential positions being electrically connected together by said rigid intermediate portions, which cross by each other within said body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
235 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive a plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second ends along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end being configured to mate with the mating connector and said second end adapted to receive the electrical cable; and a plurality of connector elements retained by said body at least partially embedded in said dielectric material, each of said plurality of connector elements being integrally formed from an electrically conductive material and having a connection portion for piercing one of the plurality of twisted pair electrical conductors, a contact portion to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end is mated to the mating connector, said connection portions being located in a row directly above the contact portions, and a rigid intermediate portion with at least two of said rigid intermediate portions crossing by each other within said body wherein said connection portions have sequential positions in a first ordered sequence to receive predetermined ones of the plurality of electrical conductors and said contact portions have sequential positions in a second ordered sequence different from said first ordered sequence, ones of said connector and contact portions in differing sequential positions being electrically connected together by said rigid intermediate portions, which cross by each other within said body.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said body is made with a material having a dielectric constant less than 2.8, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said body is made with a polymethyl pentene material, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said at least two rigid intermediate portions cross by each other at a substantially right angle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
292 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive at least two pairs of twisted pair electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second end portions along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end portion being configured to mate with the mating connector and said second end portion being adapted to receive the electrical cable; and first, second, third and fourth rigid integrally formed electrical connector elements including first, second, third, and fourth sequentially arranged connection portions, respectively, said first and second connection portions being mounted within said body to contact first and second electrical conductors, respectively, of a first one of the twisted pair electrical conductors, and said third and fourth connection portions being mounted within said body to contact first and second electrical conductors, respectively, of a second one of the twisted pair electrical conductors, said first, second, third and fourth rigid integrally formed electrical connector elements also including first, second, third, and fourth sequential arranged contact portions, respectively, to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end portion is mated to the mating connector and first, second, third, and fourth intermediate portions extending and providing an electrical connection between certain ones of said connection portions and said contact portions, said first intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said first connection portion and said second contact portion, said second contact portion providing an electrical connection between said second connection portion and said third contact portion, said third intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said third connection portion and said first contact portion, and said fourth intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said fourth connection portion and said fourth contact portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
292 words
A telecommunications connector assembly configured to receive at least two pairs of twisted pair electrical conductors in an electrical cable and mate with a mating connector, the connector assembly comprising: a body having first and second end portions along a longitudinal axis of said body, said first end portion being configured to mate with the mating connector and said second end portion being adapted to receive the electrical cable; and first, second, third and fourth rigid integrally formed electrical connector elements including first, second, third, and fourth sequentially arranged connection portions, respectively, said first and second connection portions being mounted within said body to contact first and second electrical conductors, respectively, of a first one of the twisted pair electrical conductors, and said third and fourth connection portions being mounted within said body to contact first and second electrical conductors, respectively, of a second one of the twisted pair electrical conductors, said first, second, third and fourth rigid integrally formed electrical connector elements also including first, second, third, and fourth sequential arranged contact portions, respectively, to make electrical contact with the mating connector when said first end portion is mated to the mating connector and first, second, third, and fourth intermediate portions extending and providing an electrical connection between certain ones of said connection portions and said contact portions, said first intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said first connection portion and said second contact portion, said second contact portion providing an electrical connection between said second connection portion and said third contact portion, said third intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said third connection portion and said first contact portion, and said fourth intermediate portion providing an electrical connection between said fourth connection portion and said fourth contact portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said body is made with a material having a dielectric constant less than 2.8, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said body is made with a polymethyl pentene material, and said connector elements are at least partially surrounded by said material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said connection portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and said contact portions are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and said first, second, and third intermediate portions pass by each other within said body.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector assembly of claim 31 wherein said first, second, and third intermediate portions pass by each other at a substantially right angle.
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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) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |