3com Corporation

Steven Lo Forte

David D Oliphant

Ryan A Kunz

Thomas A Johnson

Jeffrey L Jones

Sy Prestwich

Brent Delbert Madsen

Kurt Stewart

Tim Urry Price

John P Evans

David Moore

Gary H Stout

John Wheeler

An integrated shield wrap suitable for use in an electronic device including electronic circuitry. The integrated shield wrap includes an insulator section composed of an electrically insulative material, as well as a shield section joined to the insulator section and composed of an electrically conductive material. The integrated shield wrap can be configured as necessary to suit a particular application and, in general, serves to electrically insulate the electronic circuitry from other circuitry and components within the electronic device while simultaneously implementing a shielding functionality that permits management of electromagnetic emissions from some or all of the electronic circuitry.

Integrated shield wrap

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 modular jack, for coupling with a physical/electrical media plug, comprises a frame, a rocker arm, electrical contacts, and a retractable cover guard for protecting the electrical contacts during nonuse. The retractable cover guard moves from a protective position to a retracted position when a physical/electrical media plug is inserted into the modular jack and returns to the protective position when the physical/electrical media plug is removed. While only a shallow insertion depth of the physical/electrical media plug is permitted, the rocker arm aligns and mechanically secures the physical/electrical media plug within the modular jack.

Retracting modular jack for portable appliance connections

A hinged or rotatable antenna working in conjunction with a ground plane element which discloses a coaxial cable connection that maintains electrical contact between the ground plane element and the coaxial cable shielding through the use of a compression retainer block or plate. Some embodiments of the present invention also disclose channel geometry for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between cable shielding and a ground plate element.

Method and apparatus for connection to a rotatable antenna

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

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

The present invention provides a retractable connector with a guide structure for use with electronic devices. The guide structure minimizes the lateral movement of the retractable connector and helps ensure that the retractable connector moves smoothly between the extended and retracted positions. The retractable connector and guide structure are preferably used in conjunction with multiple receptacles so that the connector can be connected to more than one communication system or network simultaneously. Advantageously, the guide structure allows the retractable connector to have a larger size while permitting smooth and controlled movement of the connector. The large size retractable connector can also include one or more antennas used for wireless communication.

Retractable connector with an alignment mechanism for use with electronic devices

An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the conductive connection clip is operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion of the conductive connection clip contacts the conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing to allow signals to be transmitted from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

Antenna for a portable information device

Modular jack for Type III PCMCIA cards

The present invention discloses antenna structures for portable digital devices that continuously receive radio signals in both the extended and the retracted antenna positions. In addition, the disclosed antenna structures tune the antenna based on the position of the antenna to achieve good impedance matching, which is particularly useful in reducing the noise and interference, while maximizing the available power for radiation from the portable digital devices. More specifically, a multiple position stylus antenna is disclosed that incorporates an antenna into a stylus for use with a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The stylus antenna uses one radiating element tuned for optimal performance in the extended position and synthesizes a compensation impedance to match the impedance of the feeding transmission line in the retracted position.

Stylus 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.

Growing community of inventors

Midvale, UT, United States of America

Steven Lo Forte