US6483712B1 — Illuminating electrical jack system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 205 words

An apparatus that allows a RJ series connector plug to be connected to a communications card that conforms to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) requirements for a Type III PC card, the apparatus comprising: a housing including a first outer surface, an opposing second outer surface, and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance of 10.5 mm or less; and a receptacle located in the front surface of the housing that is sized and configured to receive the RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the housing when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; a contact at least partially disposed within the receptacle, the contact being sized and configured to allow electrical communication between the RJ series connector plug and the communications card when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; and means for illuminating the receptacle; wherein there is no cutout in the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the housing that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 205 words

An apparatus that allows a RJ series connector plug to be connected to a communications card that conforms to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) requirements for a Type III PC card, the apparatus comprising: a housing including a first outer surface, an opposing second outer surface, and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance of 10.5 mm or less; and a receptacle located in the front surface of the housing that is sized and configured to receive the RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the housing when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; a contact at least partially disposed within the receptacle, the contact being sized and configured to allow electrical communication between the RJ series connector plug and the communications card when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; and means for illuminating the receptacle; wherein there is no cutout in the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the housing that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the housing comprise generally solid, planar surfaces that prevent any portion of the RJ series connector plug from extending through the first or second outer surfaces.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least a portion of a modular jack.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least a portion of a housing of a PC card that meets the Type III PCMCIA size and configuration requirements.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises the housing of a modular jack and the modular jack is mounted to a PC card that meets the Type III PCMCIA size and configuration requirements.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the means for illuminating the receptacle comprises a light source mounted on the housing so as to communicate with the socket.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the means for illuminating the receptacle comprises a light source positioned a distance from the socket and a conduit extending between the light source and the socket.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 228 words

A communications card conforming to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association guidelines for a Type III PC card, the communications card comprising: a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface and a front surface; a circuit board disposed within the housing, the circuit board including one or more electrical contacts; a modular jack electrically connected to the circuit board, the modular jack including a first outer surface, a second outer surface and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance that is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm; a receptacle disposed in the front surface of the modular jack, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive a RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; and a light source coupled with the receptacle so as to selectively illuminate at least a portion of the RJ series connector plug when it is received within the receptacle; wherein there is no cutout in the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through the outer surfaces.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 228 words

A communications card conforming to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association guidelines for a Type III PC card, the communications card comprising: a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface and a front surface; a circuit board disposed within the housing, the circuit board including one or more electrical contacts; a modular jack electrically connected to the circuit board, the modular jack including a first outer surface, a second outer surface and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance that is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm; a receptacle disposed in the front surface of the modular jack, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive a RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; and a light source coupled with the receptacle so as to selectively illuminate at least a portion of the RJ series connector plug when it is received within the receptacle; wherein there is no cutout in the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through the outer surfaces.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on the receptacle and in communication with the receptacle.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 62 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises: an opening formed in the receptacle; a light emitter disposed a distance from the opening on the receptacle; and a conduit extending between the light emitter and the opening in the receptacle, the conduit being configured to channel light from the light emitter to the opening on the receptacle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 64 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises: a light emitting diode (LED) disposed a distance from the receptacle; and a conduit having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the conduit forming a portion of the modular jack bounding the receptacle, the second end of the conduit being disposed adjacent to the LED.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the modular jack comprise generally solid planar surfaces that prevent any portion of the RJ series connector plug front extending through the first outer surface or the second outer surface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 60 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the first outer surface of the modular jack is a generally solid, planar surface that is generally aligned with the top surface of the housing and the second outer surface of the modular jack is a generally solid, planar surface that is generally aligned with the bottom surface of the housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The communications card as in claim 8 , wherein the receptacle includes an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface that are separated by a distance that is generally equal to or less than about 10.1 mm.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The communications card as in claim 10 , wherein the receptacle is sized and configured to receive a RJ-11 connector plug.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The communications card as in claim 10 , wherein the conduit comprises a light pipe.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The communications card as in claim 11 , wherein the conduit comprises a light pipe.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 247 words

An electrical connector comprising: a communications card including a housing with an upper surface and two side walls, the upper surface and the side walls forming a cavity; a circuit board disposed within the cavity of the housing; one or more electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board; a modular jack coupled to the housing of the communications card, the modular jack including a first outer surface, a second outer surface and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance of about 10.5 mm or less, the modular jack being electrically connected to the one or more electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board; a receptacle in the modular jack that is sized aid configured to receive a RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; a light emitter disposed in electrical communication with the circuit board; and a conduit having a first end in communication with the light emitter and a second end in communication the receptacle such that at least a portion of the receptacle is capable of being illuminated with light; wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface do not include a cutout that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through the outer surfaces.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 247 words

An electrical connector comprising: a communications card including a housing with an upper surface and two side walls, the upper surface and the side walls forming a cavity; a circuit board disposed within the cavity of the housing; one or more electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board; a modular jack coupled to the housing of the communications card, the modular jack including a first outer surface, a second outer surface and a front surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface being separated by a distance of about 10.5 mm or less, the modular jack being electrically connected to the one or more electrical contacts disposed on the circuit board; a receptacle in the modular jack that is sized aid configured to receive a RJ series connector plug along a generally longitudinal axis such that no portion of the plug extends through either the first outer surface or the second outer surface of the modular jack when the plug is inserted into the receptacle; a light emitter disposed in electrical communication with the circuit board; and a conduit having a first end in communication with the light emitter and a second end in communication the receptacle such that at least a portion of the receptacle is capable of being illuminated with light; wherein the first outer surface and the second outer surface do not include a cutout that is configured to allow a biased clip of the plug to protrude through the outer surfaces.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the light emitter comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the conduit comprises a light pipe.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the PC card is a Type III PCMCIA card and the modular jack is configured to receive a RJ-type plug.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein at least one of the ends of the conduit has a substantially concave face.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the first end of the conduit is aligned with an opening formed in the modular jacks the opening communicating with the receptacle in the modular jack.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 27 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the first end of the conduit forms at least a portion of the modular jack bounding the receptacle.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrical connector as in claim 18 , wherein the receptacle of the modular jack is configured to receive a RJ-type plug.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-11-18	2006-05-20	2006-11-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-11-18	2010-05-20	2010-11-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-11-18	2014-05-20	2014-11-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Illuminating electrical jack system

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