EP0462084A2 - Jack assembly - Google Patents
Jack assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0462084A2 EP0462084A2 EP91850109A EP91850109A EP0462084A2 EP 0462084 A2 EP0462084 A2 EP 0462084A2 EP 91850109 A EP91850109 A EP 91850109A EP 91850109 A EP91850109 A EP 91850109A EP 0462084 A2 EP0462084 A2 EP 0462084A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- jack
- plug
- housing
- support surface
- switch assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
- H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
- H01R13/7031—Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity
- H01R13/7032—Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2103/00—Two poles
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
- H01R2201/16—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for telephony
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/58—Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
Definitions
- This invention pertains to a jack assembly for use in the telecommunications or signal transmission industries. More particularly, this invention pertains to an improved switch assembly for such a jack.
- Switching coax jack assemblies for use in the telecommunications or signal transmission industries are well known.
- An example of such is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968 to Burroughs dated June 7, 1988.
- the Burroughs patent teaches a switching coax jack having a housing which contains two parallel spaced apart internal conductors. Ports on the forward end of the jack permit a plug to be inserted within the jack housing to make electrical contact with the conductors.
- the Burroughs patent teaches two configurations where the forward end of the jack has either one or two forward ports.
- a switch assembly is provided for normally connecting the internal conductors but breaking the electrical connection upon insertion of a jack plug into either of the forward ports.
- the jack includes a switch assembly 156 having a normal spring 164 in a generally V-shaped configuration extending between the conductors 150,158.
- a jack plug 52 engages a termination spring 168 which deflects to urge a first portion of a normal spring 164 away from conductor 150.
- the consequences of failure of the normal spring can best be appreciated by consideration of the environment in which a jack assembly is used.
- the jack assembly is one of several assemblies and other elements combined in a module (referred to as a "DSX module"). Examples of such modules are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,815,104 (Figs. 1-6).
- a normal spring in a jack assembly the entire module must be replaced. This has severe economic consequences.
- the spring which fails is typically inexpensive (for example, less than $1.00 U.S.).
- the module which must be replaced upon failure of this spring can be quite expensive (typically greater than $200.00 U.S.).
- Modules incorporating switching coax jacks are commonly used in the telecommunications industry for cross-connecting voice or data transmission lines. At high signal speed transmission rates (known in the industry as DS-3 rates or greater), a single DSX module may handle 672 voice conversations simultaneously. If a single normal spring fails within the DSX module, the module fails and the many customers being serviced by the module have their service interrupted.
- Cycle life means the number of times that a spring may be alternately deformed and released before failure.
- a switching coax jack having a jack housing containing first and second spaced apart conductors. At least one port is formed in the jack housing and sized to receive a jack plug which is inserted through the port. The plug engages the first conductor in electrical communication.
- the jack housing contains a switch assembly for electrically connecting the first and second conductors when a plug is absent from the port and for breaking the electrical connection upon insertion of a plug.
- the switch assembly includes a normal spring having a first portion biased into releasable electrical contact with the first conductor and a second portion in electrical contact with the second conductor.
- the switch assembly also includes a retaining mechanism for retaining a central portion of the normal spring at a fixed location.
- the normal spring is resiliently deformable in response to a force placed on the normal spring urging it away from the first conductor. As the normal spring deforms, it assumes a predetermined shape.
- the switch assembly further includes a support surface opposing the normal spring as it is deformed. The support surface is shaped to be complementary to the predetermined deformed shape of the normal spring.
- the jack 10 includes a housing 12. Disposed within the interior of housing 12 are a first electrical conductor 14 and a second electrical conductor 16. The forward end 13 of the housing 12 contains a first port 18 and a second port 20. Ports 18 and 20 are sized to receive a jack plug (not shown) of predetermined dimensions. The ports 18 and 20 are disposed for a plug to electrically engage conductors 14,16 respectively, upon insertion into ports 18,20.
- Fig. 1 has dual ports on the forward end 13. Alternatively, only a single port (such as port 18) could be provided. As shown in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968, switching coax jacks having dual or single forward port configurations are well known.
- a coax jack having an internal switch assembly is no part of this invention per se.
- Such a jack is the subject of U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968.
- the present invention is directed to an improvement in the jack assembly 80.
- Switch assembly 30 includes a switch assembly housing 32, a normal spring 34 and a termination spring 36.
- Normal spring 34 is generally V-shaped in configuration and includes a first portion 38 biased toward a first conductor (not shown) and a second portion 40 biased toward a second conductor (not shown).
- An arcuate central portion 42 is disposed within an arcuate slot 44 in switch housing 32 to retain the normal spring 34 in the switch housing 32.
- the termination spring 36 is generally U-shaped and includes a first arm 46 opposing first portion 38 and a second arm 48 opposing second portion 40.
- first and second arms 46,48 are provided with dielectric contact pads 50,52 which are engaged by a plug inserted within the jack to urge the arms 46,48 against first and second portions 38,40 to thereby urge the first portions 38,40 against their natural bias away from the internal conductors of the jack.
- the switch housing 32 includes a support post 54 which has a semi-circular surface 56 which opposes central portion 42 of normal spring 34. At the ends of the semi-circular portion 56, the support post 54 extends in flat surfaces 58 and 60 which are tangent to the semi-circular portion 56.
- the structure thus described produces localized stress points in the spring 34 as it is deformed by either of first or second arms 46,48.
- the localized stress occurs in portions 38,40.
- the localized stress is positioned at locations A and B which are located near or closely adjacent to the intersection of the flat surfaces 58,60 with the semi-circular surface 56.
- the localized stress locations A,B are attributable to the location of a fixed fulcrum point at these locations as the switch spring 34 is deflected.
- the spring can fail due to breakage or plastic deformation of the spring at the localized stress points A and B.
- Switch assembly 80 includes a housing 82 having an upper half 84 and a lower half 86 formed of dielectric material. For ease of illustration, only lower half 86 is shown in Fig. 4 and only a normal spring and support post are shown in Figs. 5-8.
- the housing 82 contains a generally V-shaped normal spring 88 and a generally U-shaped termination spring 90.
- normal spring 88 includes a first portion 92 and a second portion 94 joined by an arcuate central portion 96.
- Arcuate central portion 96 is retained in a fixed location in housing 82 by arcuate portion 96 being retained in a generally semi-circular slot 98 formed in lower switch housing half 86 adjacent a support post 114.
- First and second portions 92,94 terminate at contact ends 93,95.
- First and second arms 102,104 are provided with contact pads 108,109 of dielectric material. Contact pads 108,109 are engaged by a plug inserted within either of ports 18,20.
- normal spring 88 is shown in a relaxed position with no force being applied at the contacts 103,105.
- the spring 88 is partially deflected with arms 92,94 urged toward one another as shown in Fig. 1. This deflection is necessary for the resilient bias of the spring 88 to be utilized to insure a good electrical contact between contact ends 93,95 and conductors 14,16.
- Fig. 5 shows a portion of the view of Fig. 1 with the spring 88 partially deflected against a support post 114 by an amount equal to the deflection of the spring between conductors 14,16 (i.e., the amount of deflection shown in Fig. 1).
- Fig. 6 shows the shape of spring 88 with portions 92,94 deflected toward post 114 in response to a plug (not shown) partially inserted into ports 18,20.
- Fig. 7 shows the shape of the spring 88 deflected further toward post 114 in response to further insertion of a plug.
- Fig. 8 shows the shape of spring 88 with portions 92,94 fully deflected toward post 114 in response to a plug being fully inserted into ports 18,20.
- support post 114 has a generally semi-circular surface 116 opposing central portion 96.
- Support surfaces 110,112 are generally parabolic and are shaped to be complementary to and conform with the predetermined arcuate surface of arms 92,94 which have been fully deflected in response to urging forces by contacts 103,105. The surfaces 110,112 are positioned to abut arms 92,94 when they are so deformed.
- surfaces 110, 112 are generally parabolic. However, this shape may vary depending on the normal spring.
- the surfaces 110, 112 are selected to complement the shape of any deflected normal spring. This shape is preferably selected from empirical observations of a fully deflected normal spring so that a fulcrum or stress point on the normal spring is constantly moving along the length of the spring as the spring is being deformed.
- the switch assembly 80 of the present invention includes means for incorporating electrical elements in a more desirable manner.
- the central portion 91 of the termination spring is generally flat and, in the view of Fig. 3, is vertically oriented.
- a grounding clip 120 is shown connected to the dielectric housing 82.
- the grounding clip 120 includes a cantilevered grounding contact 122 (shown in Figs. 1 and 3).
- the grounding contact 122 has a contact surface 124 which is generally perpendicular to the plane of portion 91.
- a ramp 126 formed on a surface of top housing half 84.
- ramp 126 is positioned at about 50° to the parting line 129 between the upper and lower housing halves 84,86.
- a chip resistor 128 of known surface mount technology having contact pads 130,132 disposed on edges of the chip resistor 128. Edge pad 130 opposes surface 124 and edge pad 132 opposes surface 91.
- the resilient cantilevered contact 122 urges chip resistor 128 against portion 91 such that sound electrical contact is made between surfaces 124,91 and pads 130, 132 respectively upon attachment of the grounding clip 120 to the housing 82.
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention pertains to a jack assembly for use in the telecommunications or signal transmission industries. More particularly, this invention pertains to an improved switch assembly for such a jack.
- Switching coax jack assemblies for use in the telecommunications or signal transmission industries are well known. An example of such is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968 to Burroughs dated June 7, 1988. The Burroughs patent teaches a switching coax jack having a housing which contains two parallel spaced apart internal conductors. Ports on the forward end of the jack permit a plug to be inserted within the jack housing to make electrical contact with the conductors. The Burroughs patent teaches two configurations where the forward end of the jack has either one or two forward ports.
- In Burroughs, a switch assembly is provided for normally connecting the internal conductors but breaking the electrical connection upon insertion of a jack plug into either of the forward ports. With best reference to Fig. 11 of U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968, the jack includes a switch assembly 156 having a normal spring 164 in a generally V-shaped configuration extending between the conductors 150,158. Upon insertion, a
jack plug 52 engages a termination spring 168 which deflects to urge a first portion of a normal spring 164 away from conductor 150. - In switch designs, a risk of failure is presented by cyclic deformation of the normal spring by repeated insertion of a jack plug into the jack assembly. Namely, the deformation of the normal spring may result in breakage or plastic deformation of the normal spring.
- The consequences of failure of the normal spring can best be appreciated by consideration of the environment in which a jack assembly is used. The jack assembly is one of several assemblies and other elements combined in a module (referred to as a "DSX module"). Examples of such modules are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,815,104 (Figs. 1-6). In the event of failure of a normal spring in a jack assembly, the entire module must be replaced. This has severe economic consequences. The spring which fails is typically inexpensive (for example, less than $1.00 U.S.). On the other hand, the module which must be replaced upon failure of this spring can be quite expensive (typically greater than $200.00 U.S.).
- Even more significant than the adverse economic consequences resulting from spring failure is the interruption in data or signal transmission resulting from such failure. Modules incorporating switching coax jacks are commonly used in the telecommunications industry for cross-connecting voice or data transmission lines. At high signal speed transmission rates (known in the industry as DS-3 rates or greater), a single DSX module may handle 672 voice conversations simultaneously. If a single normal spring fails within the DSX module, the module fails and the many customers being serviced by the module have their service interrupted.
- Due to the significant economic and service interruption consequences attributable to spring failure, the telecommunications industry has prudently placed a high premium on reliability of spring contacts used in switching coax jacks. Accordingly, while designs such as that shown in the Burroughs patent are commercially satisfactory (i.e. the products are manufactured and designed to have a cycle life greater than any reasonably anticipated cycling in the field and, therefore, they very rarely, if ever, fail), the industry is continually looking for ways to increase the cycle life of such springs. Cycle life means the number of times that a spring may be alternately deformed and released before failure.
- Customers continue to look for improved cycle life and may often make purchasing decisions based on improved cycle life. This is true even though prior device cycle life greatly exceeds anticipated cycling experienced in the field. Therefore, improvements in cycle life are of significant economic consequence.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a switching coax jack having an improved switch assembly to dramatically enhance the cycle life of springs within the jack.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a switching coax jack is provided having a jack housing containing first and second spaced apart conductors. At least one port is formed in the jack housing and sized to receive a jack plug which is inserted through the port. The plug engages the first conductor in electrical communication. The jack housing contains a switch assembly for electrically connecting the first and second conductors when a plug is absent from the port and for breaking the electrical connection upon insertion of a plug. The switch assembly includes a normal spring having a first portion biased into releasable electrical contact with the first conductor and a second portion in electrical contact with the second conductor. Means are provided for urging the first portion away from the first conductor in response to insertion of a plug into the port. The switch assembly also includes a retaining mechanism for retaining a central portion of the normal spring at a fixed location. The normal spring is resiliently deformable in response to a force placed on the normal spring urging it away from the first conductor. As the normal spring deforms, it assumes a predetermined shape. The switch assembly further includes a support surface opposing the normal spring as it is deformed. The support surface is shaped to be complementary to the predetermined deformed shape of the normal spring.
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- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a switching coax jack according to the present invention with a portion of the jack housing removed to show the interior elements of the jack;
- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a prior art switch assembly;
- Fig. 3 is a side elevation view, shown partially in section, of a switch assembly according to the present invention;
- Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the switch assembly of Fig. 3 showing a normal spring in an undeflected position; and
- Figs. 5-8 are top plan views of a normal spring surrounding a support post with the spring shown in various states of compression from mild deflection (Fig. 5) through fully deflected (Fig. 8).
- Referring initially to Fig. 1, a switching
coax jack 10 according to the present invention is shown. Thejack 10 includes ahousing 12. Disposed within the interior ofhousing 12 are a firstelectrical conductor 14 and a secondelectrical conductor 16. Theforward end 13 of thehousing 12 contains afirst port 18 and asecond port 20.Ports ports conductors ports - The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 has dual ports on the
forward end 13. Alternatively, only a single port (such as port 18) could be provided. As shown in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968, switching coax jacks having dual or single forward port configurations are well known. - A
switch assembly 80 is provided for electrically connecting thefirst conductor 14 with thesecond conductor 16 when a plug is absent from either ofports switch assembly 80 is further selected such that the electrical connection is broken upon insertion of a plug into either ofports - It will be appreciated that a coax jack having an internal switch assembly is no part of this invention per se. Such a jack is the subject of U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968. The present invention is directed to an improvement in the
jack assembly 80. - Before proceeding with a detailed description of
jack assembly 80, a description of a prior art jack assembly will be given to facilitate an understanding and appreciation for the present invention. With best reference to Fig. 2, a priorart switch assembly 30 is shown.Switch assembly 30 includes aswitch assembly housing 32, anormal spring 34 and atermination spring 36. -
Normal spring 34 is generally V-shaped in configuration and includes a first portion 38 biased toward a first conductor (not shown) and asecond portion 40 biased toward a second conductor (not shown). An arcuatecentral portion 42 is disposed within an arcuate slot 44 inswitch housing 32 to retain thenormal spring 34 in theswitch housing 32. - The
termination spring 36 is generally U-shaped and includes afirst arm 46 opposing first portion 38 and asecond arm 48 opposingsecond portion 40. Each of first andsecond arms dielectric contact pads arms second portions 38,40 to thereby urge thefirst portions 38,40 against their natural bias away from the internal conductors of the jack. - The
switch housing 32 includes asupport post 54 which has asemi-circular surface 56 which opposescentral portion 42 ofnormal spring 34. At the ends of thesemi-circular portion 56, thesupport post 54 extends inflat surfaces semi-circular portion 56. - We have determined that the structure thus described produces localized stress points in the
spring 34 as it is deformed by either of first orsecond arms portions 38,40 are deflected towardsupport post 54, localized stress occurs inportions 38,40. The localized stress is positioned at locations A and B which are located near or closely adjacent to the intersection of theflat surfaces semi-circular surface 56. The localized stress locations A,B are attributable to the location of a fixed fulcrum point at these locations as theswitch spring 34 is deflected. During very high repeated cycling of the switch springs about the fixed fulcrum points A and B (i.e., test cycling beyond industry standards), the spring can fail due to breakage or plastic deformation of the spring at the localized stress points A and B. - Having described the prior
art switch assembly 30, attention is now directed to Figs. 3-8 which show aswitch assembly 80 according to the present invention. -
Switch assembly 80 includes ahousing 82 having anupper half 84 and alower half 86 formed of dielectric material. For ease of illustration, onlylower half 86 is shown in Fig. 4 and only a normal spring and support post are shown in Figs. 5-8. Thehousing 82 contains a generally V-shapednormal spring 88 and a generallyU-shaped termination spring 90. - Shown best in Figs. 4-8,
normal spring 88 includes afirst portion 92 and asecond portion 94 joined by an arcuatecentral portion 96. Arcuatecentral portion 96 is retained in a fixed location inhousing 82 byarcuate portion 96 being retained in a generallysemi-circular slot 98 formed in lowerswitch housing half 86 adjacent asupport post 114. First andsecond portions -
Termination spring 90 has itscentral portion 91 received within aslot 100 formed inhousing half 86. Afirst arm 102 extends fromportion 91 and terminates at acontact end 103 opposingfirst portion 92. Asecond arm 104 extends fromcentral portion 91 and terminates at acontact end 105 opposingsecond portion 94. The contacts 103,105 are first and second predetermined locations against which forces are applied on first andsecond portions normal spring 88 to deform as will be described. - First and second arms 102,104 are provided with contact pads 108,109 of dielectric material. Contact pads 108,109 are engaged by a plug inserted within either of
ports normal spring 88 is shown in a relaxed position with no force being applied at the contacts 103,105. When assembled into a completed switchingjack 10, as shown in Fig. 1, thespring 88 is partially deflected witharms spring 88 to be utilized to insure a good electrical contact between contact ends 93,95 andconductors - Fig. 5 shows a portion of the view of Fig. 1 with the
spring 88 partially deflected against asupport post 114 by an amount equal to the deflection of the spring betweenconductors 14,16 (i.e., the amount of deflection shown in Fig. 1). Fig. 6 shows the shape ofspring 88 withportions post 114 in response to a plug (not shown) partially inserted intoports spring 88 deflected further towardpost 114 in response to further insertion of a plug. Fig. 8 shows the shape ofspring 88 withportions post 114 in response to a plug being fully inserted intoports - Through empirical observation, the shape of
arms spring 88 is fully compressed (as shown in Fig. 8) is determinable. Having predetermined the shape of the resiliently deformednormal spring 88, the support surfaces or support ramps 110,112 ofsupport post 114 are shaped. - With best reference to Figs. 5-8, it is noted that
support post 114 has a generallysemi-circular surface 116 opposingcentral portion 96. Support surfaces 110,112 are generally parabolic and are shaped to be complementary to and conform with the predetermined arcuate surface ofarms arms - As a result of shaping surfaces 110,112 to be complementary to the deformed shape of
arms arms arms arms - With reference to Figs. 5-8, the fulcrum point of
portions portions portions - By distributing the stress over the length of the
arms normal spring 88 may be tripled (or better). This greatly enhances the projected reliability of thejack 10 and the module of which it is a part. - In Figs. 5-8, surfaces 110, 112 are generally parabolic. However, this shape may vary depending on the normal spring. The
surfaces - In addition to greatly enhancing the life of the
spring 88, theswitch assembly 80 of the present invention includes means for incorporating electrical elements in a more desirable manner. - As disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 4,749,968 termination springs such as
spring 90 are connected across a resistance to ground. The present invention incorporates a novel technique for accomplishing that function. - Shown best in Fig. 3, the
central portion 91 of the termination spring is generally flat and, in the view of Fig. 3, is vertically oriented. Agrounding clip 120 is shown connected to thedielectric housing 82. Thegrounding clip 120 includes a cantilevered grounding contact 122 (shown in Figs. 1 and 3). Thegrounding contact 122 has acontact surface 124 which is generally perpendicular to the plane ofportion 91. Disposed betweensurface 124 andportion 91 is aramp 126 formed on a surface oftop housing half 84. Preferably,ramp 126 is positioned at about 50° to theparting line 129 between the upper andlower housing halves - A
chip resistor 128 of known surface mount technology is provided having contact pads 130,132 disposed on edges of thechip resistor 128.Edge pad 130 opposessurface 124 andedge pad 132 opposessurface 91. The resilient cantileveredcontact 122 urgeschip resistor 128 againstportion 91 such that sound electrical contact is made betweensurfaces pads grounding clip 120 to thehousing 82. - Having described the present invention with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate the many modifications and variations to which the preferred embodiment may be made while retaining the concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended not to limit the scope of the protection of the present application to the preferred embodiment but to include such modifications and equivalents.
Claims (8)
- A switching coax jack assembly comprising:
a jack housing;
first and second spaced apart electrical signal conducting means disposed within said housing;
at least a first port formed in said jack housing and sized to receive a jack plug to be inserted through said port and into said housing with said plug in electrical communication with said first electrical signal conducting means;
a switch assembly for electrically connecting said first and second conducting means when a plug is absent from said first port and for breaking electrical connection between said first and second conducting means when the plug is inserted into said first port;
said switch assembly including a normal spring of electrically conducted material with said normal spring having a first portion biased into releasable electrical contact with said first conducting means and a second portion in electrical contact with said second conducting means;
said switch assembly further including urging means for urging said first portion away from said first conducting means in response to an insertion of a plug into said first port with said urging means applying an urging force on said first portion at a first predetermined location;
said switch assembly including means for retaining said normal spring in said jack housing with said normal spring having a portion held in a fixed location;
said normal spring first portion resiliently deformable from said fixed location to said predetermined location in response to said urging force, said first portion presenting a surface of predetermined shape as said first portion is deformed; and
said switch assembly including a support surface opposing said first portion as said first portion is deformed, said support surface selected to be complimentary to said predetermined shape. - A jack according to claim 1 wherein said support surface is positioned to abut said predetermined shape when said first portion is deformed.
- A jack according to claim 1 comprising at least a second port formed in said jack housing and sized to receive a jack plug through said port and into said housing with said plug in electrical communication with said second electrical signal conducting means;
said normal springs second portion being resiliently biased into electrical contact with said second conducting means;
said switch assembly urging means including means for urging said second portion away from said second conducting means in response to an insertion of a plug into said second port by applying an urging force on said second portion at a second predetermined location;
said normal spring second portion being resiliently deformable from said fixed location to said second predetermined location in response to said urging force, said second portion presenting a surface of predetermined shape as said second portion is deformed;
said switch assembly including a second support surface opposing said second portion as said second portion is deformed, said second support surface selected to be complimentary to said second predetermined shape. - A jack according to claim 3 wherein said second support surface is positioned to abut said second portion.
- A jack according to claim 1 wherein said first support surface is generally parabolic.
- A jack according to claim 3 wherein said second support surface is generally parabolic.
- A jack according to claim 1 wherein said first support surface extends at least to said first predetermined location.
- A jack according to claim 3 wherein said second support surface extends at least to said second predetermined location.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US53696690A | 1990-06-12 | 1990-06-12 | |
US536966 | 1990-06-12 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0462084A2 true EP0462084A2 (en) | 1991-12-18 |
EP0462084A3 EP0462084A3 (en) | 1992-02-26 |
Family
ID=24140653
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910850109 Ceased EP0462084A3 (en) | 1990-06-12 | 1991-04-29 | Jack assembly |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0462084A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH04248282A (en) |
KR (1) | KR920001783A (en) |
AU (1) | AU646856B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2040398A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL97886A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ238471A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2725841A1 (en) * | 1994-10-17 | 1996-04-19 | Cablage Cie Francaise | MALE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
EP0788194A2 (en) * | 1995-09-27 | 1997-08-06 | HARTING Elektronik GmbH | Switch connector |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0035776A2 (en) * | 1980-03-06 | 1981-09-16 | Magnetic Controls Company | Electrical jack frame |
US4685887A (en) * | 1985-11-13 | 1987-08-11 | C.A. Weidmuller Gmbh & Co. | Electrical connector arrangement with a short-circuit bridge |
US4749968A (en) * | 1985-12-13 | 1988-06-07 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Jack device |
US4894019A (en) * | 1988-06-16 | 1990-01-16 | Delta Systems, Inc. | Torsion spring shorting connector |
-
1991
- 1991-04-15 CA CA002040398A patent/CA2040398A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-16 AU AU75009/91A patent/AU646856B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-04-17 IL IL9788691A patent/IL97886A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-04-27 KR KR1019910006830A patent/KR920001783A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-04-29 EP EP19910850109 patent/EP0462084A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-06-10 NZ NZ238471A patent/NZ238471A/en unknown
- 1991-06-12 JP JP3167550A patent/JPH04248282A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0035776A2 (en) * | 1980-03-06 | 1981-09-16 | Magnetic Controls Company | Electrical jack frame |
US4685887A (en) * | 1985-11-13 | 1987-08-11 | C.A. Weidmuller Gmbh & Co. | Electrical connector arrangement with a short-circuit bridge |
US4749968A (en) * | 1985-12-13 | 1988-06-07 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Jack device |
US4894019A (en) * | 1988-06-16 | 1990-01-16 | Delta Systems, Inc. | Torsion spring shorting connector |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2725841A1 (en) * | 1994-10-17 | 1996-04-19 | Cablage Cie Francaise | MALE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
EP0708500A1 (en) * | 1994-10-17 | 1996-04-24 | Compagnie Francaise De Cablage | Male electrical connector |
EP0788194A2 (en) * | 1995-09-27 | 1997-08-06 | HARTING Elektronik GmbH | Switch connector |
EP0788194A3 (en) * | 1995-09-27 | 1997-09-03 | Harting Elektronik Gmbh |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU646856B2 (en) | 1994-03-10 |
CA2040398A1 (en) | 1991-12-13 |
IL97886A (en) | 1994-06-24 |
NZ238471A (en) | 1993-04-28 |
EP0462084A3 (en) | 1992-02-26 |
AU7500991A (en) | 1991-12-19 |
KR920001783A (en) | 1992-01-30 |
JPH04248282A (en) | 1992-09-03 |
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