3com Corporation

3 Com Corporation

Ryan A Kunz

David D Oliphant

Steven Lo Forte

Thomas A Johnson

Brent Delbert Madsen

Gary H Stout

Jeffrey L Jones

John Marshall

Tim Urry Price

Sy Prestwich

Joel J Yeh

Paul E Nagel

John P Evans

Ryan Yeh

Dirk Ostermiller

David C Andrus

Kenneth S Morley

Dexter W Francis

Douglas Alan Sward

Darrin J Gibbs

Hui-Tze Tsai

Sy Prestwitch

Josh Randall

Joshua Randall

A connector adapter that can be used to directly connect a peripheral device to a host device. The connector adapter is adjustable so as to allow selective reorientation of the peripheral with respect to the host device. The connector adapter includes a limiting mechanism that restricts the degree to which the adapter can be selectively rotated. In addition, the adapter includes an indexing mechanism that allows the position of the adapter to be locked in predetermined positions. In one embodiment, the connector adapter is partially formed from a compliant material so that the adapter can bend when submitted to an external force, and thereby resist breakage. The connector adapter may also have a physical geometry that provides additional strain relief, such as a plurality of serrations formed on the outer surface. An extension spring can be positioned within the connector adapter so as to return the adapter to substantially its original shape when the external force is removed.

Rotating connector adapter with strain relief

A retractable platform allows communication to be established with an electronic device, such as a computer expansion card. The retractable platform is preferably slidably attached to the electronic device and retractable platform includes a wireless interface that allows the communication between the platform and the electronic device to be established. The wireless interface may use an optical coupling, inductive coupling, capacitive coupling or other suitable wireless or non-mechanical interface to allow communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device. Advantageously, the retractable platform can be removed and replaced, which virtually eliminates breakage, and it allows the platform to be easily repaired, replaced, upgraded, and the like. The retractable platform can also include electronic circuitry and other suitable components that process or condition the incoming and outgoing signal.

Retractable platform with wireless electrical interface

The modular jack allows a RJ series connector plug to be attached to a communications card that conforms to the PCMCIA requirements for a Type III card. The modular jack includes a main body portion including a top surface, a bottom outer surface and a front surface. The receptacle is disposed entirely within the front surface of the modular jack such that no portion of the plug extends through either the top surface or the bottom surface of the main body portion of the modular jack. Thus, the modular jack allows the communications card to be connected to standard RJ series plugs without deviating from the Type III PCMCIA card height requirement, even when the plug is inserted into the jack. Desirably, the main body portion has a height measured from the top surface to the bottom surface that is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm. Additionally, the receptacle preferably 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. The modular jack may also include a latching area that securely holds the connector plug within the receptacle, but allows the connector plug to be removed from the receptacle without the user depressing a biased clip of the connector plug if a predetermined force is applied to a body of the connector plug.

Modular jack for type III PCMCIA cards

A retractable media connector assembly with a compressible electrical contact between a contact pin assembly and a flex circuit. Two plastic posts are molded into a retractable platform of the media connector assembly to align with the flex circuit, which has opposing holes, and is inserted over the tops of the posts. An arch in the retractable platform properly positions the contact pin assembly. When properly seated the contact pins are aligned directly over contact pads on the flex circuit. Proper alignment creates a positive stop and lock for the contact assembly and the flex circuit increasing the reliability and reducing the production cost. Molded locking features on the media connector assembly secure the entire system including a cap cover, the contact pins, the flex circuit, and the platform.

Electrical compression connection for retractable connectors

A media connector including a shield. The media connector includes an arch formed within the media connector. The arch has pin guides that allow the contact pins to be properly positioned within the media connector. The pin guides also keep the contact pins from touching each other. The arch forms an arch channel through which the shield exits the media connector. The shield extends out beneath the media connector beyond the portion of the contact pins that are exposed for contact with contacts of a media plug. When the media plug is inserted in the media connector, the shield covers the electrical connection thus formed to provide both protection and insulation of the electrical connection. The arch also includes a groove that permits the shield to rest within the confines of the media connector when the media connector is retracted.

Connector with an insulation shield

A connector adapter that can be used to directly connect a peripheral device to a host device. The connector adapter is adjustable so as to allow selective reorientation of the peripheral with respect to the host device. The connector adapter includes a limiting mechanism that restricts the degree to which the adapter can be selectively rotated. In addition, the adapter includes an indexing mechanism that allows the position of the adapter to be locked in predetermined positions.

Rotating connector adaptor

An extendable media connector for coupling a physical/electrical media plug to an electrical apparatus either directly or indirectly via a communications device. The extendable media connector is slidably retractable and has a frame with an aperture extending therethrough and a rocker arm mounted thereon. The rocker arm is configured to capture a retention clip mounted on the media plug to securely latch the media plug to the extendable media connector. The rocker arm also has alignment arms configured to engage the sides of the retention clip so that the connection between the media plug and the extendable media connector is aligned and tight even if the aperture is wider than the body of the media plug. The connection between the extendable media connector and the plug includes biasing electrical contacts connected to internal circuitry of the electrical apparatus against contact pins of the media plug.

Low profile connector with extending latch mechanism

A generally planer antenna structure for connecting to a transceiver is provided with the antenna structure having a printed circuit board including a radiating element etched or fabricated thereon. The printed circuit board and radiating element are thereafter encapsulated within an overmolded sheath which provides a protective enclosure for the antenna elements while maintaining the desirable thin profile of the generally planer antenna structure. The antenna structure is created by forming a printed circuit board having the overall general desirable dimensions and affixing thereto a radiating element capable of propagating and receiving the desirable frequency spectrum. The printed circuit board and radiating element are insert injection molded to form the overmolded sheath thereabout. A portion of the printed circuit board having an interface connector for the transceiver is enclosed using a multi-piece housing.

Method and apparatus for overmolded antenna

Antenna

Modular jack for Type III PCMCIA cards

PCMCIA card with extendable antenna

An electrical coupling system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that is selectively fixed to an electrical apparatus. The PCB has an elongated finger with a plurality of partially exposed contact lines formed thereon. A jack includes a slide plate having an aperture extending therethrough and a channel communicating with the aperture. The aperture is configured to receive a media plug. Mounted on the slide plate so as to be positioned over the channel is a pin block. The pin block has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein. The slots face the channel and are separated by insulating walls. Disposed within each of the elongated slots is a substantially S-shaped pin. Each pin has a tail end that is mounted to the pin block, a downwardly curved portion that extends within the channel, and an opposing lead end which is freely disposed within the aperture of the slide plate. The finger of the PCB is slidably received within the channel of the slide plate such that the jack can be selectively moved between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the aperture is openly exposed to receive the media plug and the downwardly curved portion of each pin is biased against the exposed portion of a corresponding contact line on the PCB.

Electrical connectors having dual biased contact pins

A system for housing and receiving a media jack includes (i) an adaptor having an adaptor body having a track for receiving a media jack; and a wing extending from one side of the adaptor body; and (ii) first and second shells. Each shell includes a plate and a rail mounted on the plate. The wing is configured to be coupled between the first and second shells. Thus the wing is maintained securely between the shells. The wing has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for receiving posts extending from the shells. The wing also has a plurality of posts extending therefrom which are positioned within recesses in the shells.

Media jack adaptor and system

An antenna system for a portable computer allows communication between a portable computer and a wireless communication system to be established. The antenna is placed in a use position when the computer is opened to facilitate wireless communication and the antenna is placed in a storage position when the computer is closed. In the storage position, the antenna is placed in a storage compartment in the base unit of the computer. Additionally, the antenna has a first position in which the antenna is generally linearly aligned and a second position in which the antenna is positioned at approximately a 90&deg; angle.

Growing community of inventors

Roy, UT, United States of America

Ryan A Kunz