Thomas & Betts International LLC

Bernie Hammond

Ian Rubin De La Borbolla

Terry Ward

Terrence S Ward

The data connector of the present invention securably receives at least two distinct types of mating connector plugs having different contact arrangements. The data connector includes a housing having a mating connector receiving cavity partially defined by a rear wall. The data connector further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the housing cavity wherein the PCB has a plurality of signal contacts electrically coupled thereto and extending from a top surface thereof. The signal contacts, which are used to frictionally engage mating contacts in the plugs, are desirably arranged in at least two vertically spaced rows to accommodate the distinct plug configurations. Mounted behind a back surface of the PCB, the data connector includes cable termination devices for receiving and terminating individual conductors of a multiconductor cable. The conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts via an electrical trace on the PCB. In order to change the configuration of the signal contacts to accommodate different mating connectors, the present invention data connector includes a slidable switch device along a top surface of the PCB for selectively electrically connecting the signal contacts to the conductors of the multiconductor cable via the PCB logic. Slidable movement of the switch from its initial position to a second position on the PCB accommodates the contact arrangement of the second mating plug connector, ensuring that the signal contacts are correctly configured for the appropriate mating connector that is currently in use.

Data connector for selective switching between at least two distinct mating connector plugs

The data connector of the present invention securably receives at least two distinct types of mating connector plugs having different contact arrangements. The data connector includes a housing having a mating connector receiving cavity partially defined by a rear wall. The data connector further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the housing cavity wherein the PCB has a plurality of signal contacts electrically coupled thereto and extending from a top surface thereof. The signal contacts, which are used to frictionally engage mating contacts in the plugs, are desirably arranged in at least two vertically spaced rows to accommodate the distinct plug configurations. Mounted behind a back surface of the PCB, the data connector includes cable termination assemblies for receiving and terminating individual conductors of a multiconductor cable. The conductors are electrically connected to the signal contacts via an electrical trace on the PCB. In order to change the configuration of the signal contacts to accommodate different mating connectors, the present invention data connector includes a slidable switch device along a top surface of the PCB for selectively electrically connecting the signal contacts to the conductors of the multiconductor cable via the PCB logic. Slidable movement of the switch from its initial position to a second position on the PCB accommodates the contact arrangement of the second mating plug connector, ensuring that the signal contacts are correctly configured for the appropriate mating connector that is currently in use.

Switch within a data connector jack

A switch for a data connector jack adaptable to receive a plug operating in a high frequency range or a plug operating in a low frequency range therein. The data connector jack is coupled to a cable having a plurality of wires contained therein. The switch has a primary state, an intermediate state, and a secondary state, and includes a printed circuit board having a surface. A plurality of row contacts are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and a plurality of bifurcated contacts are spaced apart from the plurality of row contacts and mounted on the surface the printed circuit board. A grounding pad is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and a jumper assembly. The jumper assembly includes an insulator pad and a plurality of jumper springs flexibly connected to the insulator pad and in abutting contact with the surface of the printed circuit board such that at least one of the plurality of jumper springs is in abutting communication with the grounding pad when the plurality of jumper springs are in the open position, the transition position, and the closed position to prevent crosstalk among the plurality of jumper springs.

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Cordova, TN, United States of America

Bernie Hammond