Patent ID: 6213801
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
An electrical coupling and switching device, comprising:a housing defining first and second equipment ports each having a conductor pin for connection with a center conductor of a respective equipment plug inserted into the equipment port the housing further defining first and second patch ports for receiving first and second patch plugs;first and second insulative actuators each having a conducting portion and positioned to be engaged by the respective patch plug inserted into the respective patch port and to be urged by the patch plug toward the opposite equipment plug such that a conductor of the patch plug contacts the conducting member of the actuator which in turn contacts the conductor pin of the equipment port so as to establish connection between the patch plug and the equipment port; anda flexible microstrip comprising a conducting track proximate a dielectric layer, the flexible microstrip having first and second portions biased into contact with the conductor pins of the first and second equipment ports, respectively, so as to establish a connection therebetween when no patch plugs are inserted into the patch ports, the insulative actuators and microstrip being structured and arranged such that each actuator urges the respective portion of the microstrip out of contact with the conductor pin on the respective equipment port when the patch plug is inserted into the respective patch port.