Patent ID: 7601024
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A connector assembly for electrically connecting each of at least a first pair and a second pair of conductors of a first cable termination to a corresponding one of a first pair and a second pair of conductors of a second cable termination, the first cable termination including a first plug connector defining a corresponding plug body supporting each of at least a first pair and a second pair of electrical contacts for terminating the first pair and second pair of conductors of the first cable termination, and the second cable termination including a second plug connector defining a corresponding plug body supporting each of at least a first pair and a second pair of electrical contacts for terminating the first pair and second pair of conductors of the second cable termination, the connector assembly comprising: a. a housing defining a first jack opening configured and dimensioned to receive the first plug connector and a second jack opening configured and dimensioned to receive the second plug connector; b. a first plurality of electrical contacts supported by the housing and positioned in the first jack opening, the electrical contacts of the first plurality being arranged according to a first contact layout geometry and including at least respective first and second pairs of electrical contacts configured and dimensioned to achieve electrical communication with the respective first and second pairs of electrical contacts associated with the first plug connector; c. a second plurality of electrical contacts supported by the housing and positioned in the second jack opening, the electrical contacts of the second plurality being arranged according to a second contact layer geometry and including at least respective first and second pairs of electrical contacts configured and dimensioned to achieve electrical communication with the respective first and second pairs of electrical contacts associated with the second plug connector; and d. an electrically conductive shield associated with the housing; wherein the shield includes a shielding extent extending between the first and second jack openings of the housing for establishing a ground continuity across the housing, and for at least partially shielding the housing against an electromagnetic interference; wherein each electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts is electrically continuous with at least one electrical contact of the second plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein each electrical contact of the second plurality of electrical contacts is electrically continuous with at least one electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts, including wherein the electrical contacts of the first pair of electrical contacts associated with the first plurality of electrical contacts are electrically continuous with the electrical contacts of the first pair of electrical contacts associated with the second plurality of electrical contacts, and the electrical contacts of the second pair of electrical contacts associated with the first plurality of electrical contacts are electrically continuous with the electrical contacts of the second pair of electrical contacts associated with the second plurality of electrical contacts; wherein at least with respect to the respective first pairs of electrical contacts associated with the first and second pluralities of electrical contacts of the connector assembly, the first contact layout geometry and the second contact layout geometry are the same; and wherein at least with respect to the respective second pairs of electrical contacts associated with the first and second pluralities of electrical contacts of the connector assembly, the first contact layout geometry and the second contact layout geometry are different.