Patent ID: 6241550
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H01R,H05K,Y10S

Abstract:
A PCMCIA communications device for interfacing between an RJ-type modular connector plug and a host system, the communications device comprising:a housing having a front end and a rear portion, the rear portion of the housing defining a receptacle having an interior sized and configured to closely receive an RJ-type modular connector plug, the RJ-type modular connector plug having a translucent body carrying a plurality of contacts;a substrate contained within the housing, the substrate carrying circuit elements and including a rear margin carrying terminals connected to circuit elements on the substrate;a light source within the housing, the light source being energizable to indicate a status and/or activity condition of the communications device;a contact block disposed within the housing forwardly of the receptacle, the contact block carrying at least two contact wires, each of the at least two contact wires carried by the contact block having a first portion connected to a terminal on the rear margin of the substrate and a second portion extending into the interior of the receptacle, the second portion of each contact wire being shaped and positioned for engagement with a corresponding contact on the RJ-type modular connector plug when the plug is inserted into the interior of the receptacle; anda light pipe for conducting light from the light source to illuminate the interior of the receptacle and at least a portion of the translucent body of the RJ-type modular connector plug when the connector plug is inserted in the interior of the receptacle, the light pipe having a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end optically coupled to the interior of the receptacle.