Abstract:
A stacked jack modular jack assembly is comprised of a multi-port housing, and a plurality of modular jack subassemblies. The jack subassemblies include upper and lower jack housings sandwiching therebetween, a cross-talk shield. The terminal subassembly is substantially Z-shaped, which allows for increased space there below for signal conditioning components. The terminal module also includes a center shield and a lower shield, and an outer shield, all of which are commoned together and grounded. An outer shield substantially surrounds the entire assembly, and is commoned to the other shield members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a connection assembly providing multiple port connections. 
   Known connector assemblies exist having multiple receptacle connectors in a common housing, which provide a compact arrangement of such receptacle connectors. Such a connector assembly is useful to provide multiple connection ports. Accordingly, such a connector assembly is referred to as a multiple port connector assembly. In preferred arrays, the housing has jacks one above the other, forming a plurality of arrays in stacked arrangement, so-called “stacked jack” arrangements. The receptacle connectors, that is, modular jacks, each have electrical terminals arranged in a terminal array, and have plug receiving cavities. Specifically, the receptacle connectors are in the form of RJ-45 type modular jacks that establish mating connections with corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs. 
   For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,612, a connector assembly has two rows of receptacle connectors, that is, modular jacks, arranged side-by-side in an upper row and side-by-side in a lower row in a common housing, which advantageously doubles the number of receptacle connectors without having to increase the length of the housing, because the housing is raised vertically. The receptacle connectors have plug receiving sections with plug receiving cavities that are profiled to surround modular plugs that are to be inserted in the cavities. The modular plugs have resilient latches, which engage with latching sections on the modular jacks. The latches are capable of being grasped by hand, and being resiliently bent inwardly toward the plugs to release them from engagement with the latching sections on the modular jacks. 
   One application for such connector assemblies is in the field of telephony, wherein the modular jacks provide ports for connection with a telephone switching network of a telephone service provider, such as a regional telephone company or national telephone company. The corresponding RJ-45 modular plugs terminate opposite ends of telephone cords leading to wall-mounted telephone outlets inside a building. The telephone outlets connect to telephone lines outside of the building, which, in turn, connect to the telephone switching network of the telephone service provider. 
   Alternatively, such connection systems have found utility in office computer networks, where desktops are interconnected to office servers by way of sophisticated cabling. Such networks have a variety of data transmission mediums including coaxial cable, fiber optic cable and telephone cable. One such network topography is known as the Ethernet network, which is subject to various electrical standards, such as IEEE 802.3 and others. Such networks have the requirement to provide a high number of distributed connections, yet optimally require little space in which to accommodate the connections. 
   Furthermore, such networks now operate at speeds of 1 gigabit and higher which requires significant conditioning to the signals. For instance, it is common to require shielding for controlling electromagnetic radiation per FCC standards, while at the same time controlling electromagnetic interference (EMI) within the assembly, between adjacent connections. It is therefore also a requirement to provide such components within the assembly as magnetic coils, inductors, chip capacitors, and the like, to condition the signals. While the technology exists for conditioning the signals, no connection devices exist which are capable of handling such speeds, while at the same time package the signal conditioning components required to maintain these speeds. Finally, it is also required to eliminate undesired transient wave forms from the intended pure signal wave forms. 
   Another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,911 to Boutros et al., which discloses a modular jack assembly having multiple ports for connection to multiple modular jacks. While this assembly further discloses having packaged magnetic assemblies, or other components, this design, as in other attempts to signal condition connection devices, simply adds the components to known connection devices. Therefore, the volume within the assembly is inadequate to provide the proper signal conditioning devices for the high speeds now required. 
   Furthermore, in order to ensure that a proper connection has been made and therefore a link is created between the electrical communication devices, indicators are often incorporated into circuits on the printed circuit board. These indicators are typically light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are turned on when a circuit is completed between the mating connectors and the communication devices. Additionally LEDs can be mounted on the printed circuit board to indicate a number of other conditions including the passage of communication signals between the two communication devices, indication of power, or indication that an error in transmitting the signals has occurred. 
   In an effort to miniaturize printed circuit boards and save board real estate, LED indicators have been integrated into these connectors. An example of such a connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,317 to Pocrass, which teaches a connector for receiving a plug having a visual indicator positioned within the front wall of the electrical connector housing. Incorporation of the indicator into the electrical connector eliminates the need for a separate location on the printed circuit board for mounting of such an indicator. The LED indicator is inserted into a recess of the electrical connector such that its electrical leads pass through the recess and connect to the printed circuit board. The indicator is then accommodated into the recess. The LEDs may also be molded into the electrical connector during the molding process of the housing. However, this device of Pocrass is shown for only a single cavity housing, and it is not readily ascertainable how it might be reconfigured for a multi-port or a stacked jack configuration. 
   A prior art multiple “stacked jack” electrical connector assembly is commonly owned and depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,673. This assembly generally comprises an inner housing comprised of an insulative material, where the housing is substantially surrounded by a metallic shield. The stacked jack assembly provides a plurality of ports configured for receiving modular plugs, which are well known in the art. The assembly includes the housing, a plurality of jack modules, a plurality of LEDs, and a plurality of LED modules. Finally, the assembly includes a lower printed circuit board. The entirety of U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,673 is incorporated herein by reference. 
   The objects of the inventions are therefore to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   The objects have been accomplished by providing an electrical connector assembly for mating with a plurality of electrical plugs comprising a housing having a plurality of ports arranged in a column, with a slot through the housing, intermediate the ports. A plurality of jacks are profiled to be arranged one above the other, with contact portions for arrangement adjacent to the ports, and the jacks being provided with a slot between them. An intermediate shield is profiled to be inserted through the slot of the housing and into the slots of the jacks so as to shield the jacks between them. An outer shield is also provided and sized to contain the housing and the jacks including a plurality of openings allowing access to the jacks. 
   The housing portions of the jacks are preferably identical and include a hollow area wherein the slot of the jacks is formed by the hollow area of two joined the housing portions. The housing includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of ports. The intermediate shield includes a cross bar portion and a plurality of individual shield portions, the individual shield portions are profiled to be received in the housing slots and through the slots in the jacks. The intermediate shield further includes a pair of grounding tabs attached to first and second ends of the cross bar portion for positioning through and contacting side wall portions of the outer shield. The intermediate shield includes a pair of side shield wings, and the grounding tabs extend from the side shield wings. 
   The individual shield of the intermediate shield includes at least one tab to be joined to the jacks in an electrical connection. The jacks further include a tie bar having a slot, the tabs extending through the slot and being electronically coupled to the tie bar. The intermediate shield includes a pair of the tabs for each of the extension. 
   In another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector assembly has a plurality of rows of jacks for mating with a plurality of electrical plugs, the connector assembly comprises a plurality of jack modules, where the jack modules each comprise a plurality of pairs of lead frames, the lead frames including front mating contact sections, and conductor contacting sections. An intermediate shield is positioned between each pair of the lead frames, the center shields being commoned to a common potential. First and second arrays of passive components are positioned on opposite sides of said lead frames. An insulating outer housing has a mating face having at least two connector receiving openings for receiving mating connectors therein, and module receiving openings for receipt of the pluggable contact modules. 
   Preferably, a plurality of intermediate shields are integrated into a single shield member. At least one of the shields comprises a shielding contact tab, and the jack modules comprise a slot with the shielding contact tab extending therethrough. The electrical connector assembly further comprises an outer shielding member including an opening therethrough for receiving the shielding contact tabs in an electrically engaging manner. The lead frames of the jack modules include a hollow area wherein the slot of the jack modules is formed by the hollow area of two joined the housing portions. 
   The center shield further includes a cross bar portion including a first end and a second end with extensions extending outward from positions intermediate the ends. The intermediate shield further includes a pair of locating portions attached to the first and second ends for positioning the shield on the housing. The locating portions include a plurality of tabs insertable into a receiving slot in the housing. The printed circuit board contacts for each lead frame extend from opposite side edges. The assembly further comprises two printed circuit boards mounted to the side board mounting edges, the printed circuit boards having signal conditioning components thereon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the multiple port jack assembly from the front side thereof; 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the components of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the housing parts of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show front and rear perspective views of the modular jack subassembly, respectively; 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the modular jack subassembly of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b;    
       FIG. 6A  shows a printed circuit board connector for use with the jack assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 6B  shows a lower plan view of the printed circuit board connector of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the integrated intermediate shield; 
       FIG. 8  shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the outer shield shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 10  shows an assembled view of the connector assembly without the outer shield of  FIG. 9  and without the integrated intermediate shield of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 11  shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  shows a view similar to that of  FIG. 10  with the integrated intermediate shield installed; 
       FIG. 13  shows a rear perspective of the connector shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  shows an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  shows a front perspective view of the assembled connector; 
       FIG. 16  shows an enlarged perspective view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view through lines  17 — 17  of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18  shows a lower perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 1  of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  shows a cross-sectional view through lines  20 — 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  shows a front plan view of the assembled connector assembly partially broken away; 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view through lines  22 — 22  of  FIG. 21 ; and 
       FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view through lines  23 — 23  of  FIG. 21 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference first to  FIG. 1 , the multi-port shield and jack assembly  2  is comprised of an outer shield  4 , a front housing portion  6 , a plurality of modular jack subassemblies  8  and an integrated intermediate shield  10 . As shown best in  FIG. 2 , assembly  2  is shown in an exploded fashion, and is shown to further include a rear housing portion  12  and a printed circuit board ground plane  14 . With the major components described above, the detail of the components will be described below. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , front housing portion  6  includes a front face  20 , side walls  22 ,  24 , top wall  26  and lower wall  28 . Housing  6  further comprises a plurality of individual ports  30  defined by horizontal center wall  32  and upright walls  34 . Each of the ports  30  is profiled to receive a single one of the modular jack subassemblies as will be more clear from a discussion herein. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , center wall  32  includes a plurality of recesses  36  having apertures  38  which extend through center wall  32  and into individual ports  30 . As should also be appreciated from  FIG. 3 , upper wall  26  includes a plurality of latch openings at  40 , which define a latching structure to receive the resilient latch of a modular plug as is well known in the art. Finally, front wall  32  includes individual slots at  42 , which bisects upper and lower ports  30  in the same column. As also shown best in  FIG. 3 , side wall  22  includes a recess portion at  44 , which communicates with a slotted opening at  46  as will be described further herein. Front housing portion  6  also includes a rear face at  48  for abutment with rear housing portion  12  as will be described herein. At the opposite end of top wall  26 , a plurality of latch arms  50  extend having latching openings at  52 , which as should be appreciated are used to latch together the front and rear housing portions  6 ,  12 . 
   With respect still to  FIG. 3 , rear housing portion  12  is complementary to front housing portion  6  and generally includes a top wall  60  having a plurality of latch projections at  62 , side walls  64 ,  66  and front face  68 . Rear housing portion  12  also includes columnar walls  70 , which subdivide the rear housing portion into a plurality of receiving sections  72 , which receive the rear half of modular jack subassemblies  8  as described herein. In particular, columnar walls  70  include horizontally extending guide channels  74  inwardly facing in each receiving section  72 . Front face  68  further includes a plurality of locating pins  76 , which match complementary locating apertures on rear face  48  (not shown) to locate the front and rear housing portions  6 ,  12  as should be appreciated. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5 , the individual modular jack subassemblies will be described. It should be appreciated that the modular jack subassemblies  8  are supported by the housing  6 , and define the contacts for the upper and lower ports as shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference first to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , individual modular jack subassemblies  8  are comprised of identical upper and lower halves  80 , signal conditioning printed circuit boards  82 , a grounding tie bar  84 , and, as best shown in  FIG. 4B , a lower connector  86 . With respect now to  FIG. 5 , the upper and lower connector halves  80  are shown, and each includes a front connector section  90 , which accommodates a plurality of modular jack terminals  92 , and a rear section  94  which embeds a lead frame  96  therein, resulting in orthogonally disposed printed circuit board contacts  98 . Each front section  90  includes an alignment bar  100  having semi-cylindrical projections at  102 , which cooperate to define a cylindrical projection as will be described herein. 
   As also shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner surface of upper and lower connector half  80  includes complimentary ramp surfaces  104  and an upper support surface  106  for receiving an intermediate shield as will be described herein. The identical upper and lower halves  80  also include complementary alignment posts  108 ,  110 , which correspond respectively with hexagonal alignment openings  112 ,  114 . An insulator  115  is applied to inner surface  106  beneath the rear connector section  94 . As also best shown in  FIG. 4B , grounding tie bar  84  includes a slotted opening  116 , a ground tab  117 , and ground pins  118 , on each side to interface with signal conditioning board  82 . 
   With respect again to  FIG. 5 , signal conditioning boards  82  include a printed circuit board  120  including plated through holes  122  in a corresponding spatial relationship with printed circuit board contacts  98 , a plurality of plated throughholes  124   a , plated throughhole  124   b , and plated ground holes  124   c ,  125  and  126 . Signal conditioning printed circuit board  82  further includes a plurality of electronic components shown generally at  128 , which could include filters, chokes, decoupling capacitors, magnetic coils, resistors and the like to provide signal conditioning to the associated modular jack terminals. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , connector  86  is shown generally comprised of an insulating housing  130 , a plurality of signal contacts  132 , ground contacts  134 , power contacts  136 , and ground contacts  138 . As best shown in  FIG. 6B , signal contacts  132  have upstanding contacts  132   a , and edge contacts  132   b ; ground contacts  134  have upstanding contacts  134   a  and edge contacts  134   b ; power contacts  136  have upstanding contacts  136   a  and edge contacts  136   b ; and ground contacts  138  have upstanding contacts  138   a  and edge contacts  138   b . It should be noticed that ground contact portions  138   a  do not upstand to the same extent as contact portions  132   a . As will be described herein, the contact portions  138   a  will only be connected to the printed circuit board ground plane  14 , they will not connect to the eventual board to which the entire connector assembly  2  is attached. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , integrated intermediate shield  10  will be described in greater detail as including a plurality of individual shields  140  integrated by a crossbar  142 . Shield  10  further includes side shield wings  144  having an upper tab  146  (which is shown in the bent position), an intermediate tab  148  and a printed circuit board tine at  150 . Each of the individual shields  140  further include a contacting edge  152  and two rear tabs  154 , as best shown in  FIG. 8 , which are also shown in the bent position. 
   With respect now to  FIG. 9 , outer shield  4  will be described in greater detail. Outer shield  4  includes a front plate portion  160 , top plate portion  162 , side plates  164 ,  166 , rear plate  168  and lower plate  170 . With respect still to  FIG. 9 , top plate portion includes a plurality of grounding tabs  172  struck from the top plate portion  162  and resiliently biased in an upward position. In a similar manner, side plate portions  164  and  166  include ground tabs  174  designed in a similar manner although side tabs  174  are only in view in  FIG. 9  as extending from side plate  164 . Each side plate  164  and  166  also includes a slot  176 , which is profiled to receive upper tabs  146  as will be described further herein. 
   Front plate portion  160  further includes a plurality of openings at  180 , which are profiled to receive a conventional modular plug, and therefore includes a contoured opening portion at  182 , and further includes side grounding tabs  184 . Finally, top plate portion  162  includes a side marginal portion at  188  and a rear plate portion  168  includes side marginal portion at  190 . Side marginal portion  190  includes openings at  192  and includes an extending leg portion  194 . Leg portion  194  is profiled to lie planar with side plate portion  164  and includes a ground tine at  196 . Side plate portion  164  further includes half moon-shaped outward projections  198 , which correspond with openings  192  to retain the shield in the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 9 . It should be appreciated that the rear plate portion rotates about a rear edge  200 , between an opened and closed position. With the individual components as described above, the assembly will now be described herein below. 
   With respect again to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5 , the subassembly of the individual modular jack will be described. With respect first to  FIG. 5 , insulator  115  is first applied to the inner surface  106  as described above at a position overlying the lead frame portion  96  within rear connector section  94 . The insulators  115  are applied to each upper and lower connector half  80 , for example by an adhesive-backed tape or in another manner well known in the art. The identical upper and lower connector halves  80  are thereafter positioned one above the other such that alignment posts  108  and  110  match with corresponding hexagonal openings  112 ,  114 . It should be appreciated that hexagonal openings are designed such that they provide an interference fit with their corresponding post such that the two connector halves  80  will be pressed together and will interferingly be held together. 
   It should also be appreciated from  FIG. 5  that upper surface  106  is somewhat recessed from upper surface  111  of side bars  100 . Thus, when upper and lower connector halves  80  are positioned adjacent to each other with corresponding surfaces  111  abutting each other, an interior slot  202  ( FIG. 4A ) is formed between opposing interior surfaces  106 , and a lead-in is formed by opposing ramped surfaces  104  as best shown in  FIG. 4A . 
   The assembly is completed by assembling together, signal conditioning printed circuit boards  82  such that pins  98  extend through openings  122 ; and such that tie bar  84  and connector  86  are positioned between opposing signal conditioning boards  82  as shown in  FIG. 4B . This positions ground pins  118  of tie bar  84  through plated ground holes  126 . Signal contact portions  132   b  are also aligned with holes  124   a ; ground contact  138  aligned with hole  125 ; ground contact  134  aligned with hole  124   c ; and power contact  136  aligned with hole  124   b . It should be appreciated that all of the above-mentioned printed circuit board contacts are soldered to their adjacent plated through holes to electrically connect the various modular jack terminals  92  to the corresponding printed circuit board contacts  134 , and which are signal conditioned by the various components  128  as is described above. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , modular jack subassemblies  8  are shown received in their individual ports  30  with projections  102  extending through corresponding openings  38  ( FIG. 3 ) and shown in a heat-staked manner retaining the modular jack subassemblies  8  in position. Rear housing portion  12  can now be placed in a position as shown in  FIG. 10  where front face  68  of rear housing portion  12  abuts rear face  48  of front housing portion  6  and latch arm  50  engages latch projection  62  at latch opening  52 , thereby retaining the front and rear housing portions  6 ,  12  together. 
   With respect to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  11 , as assembled, it should be appreciated that slot  42  is in alignment with the slot  202  provided between ramped surfaces  104  ( FIG. 4A ) and opposing upper support surfaces  106  is aligned with slotted opening  116  ( FIG. 4B ). Thus, with respect to  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , the integrated intermediate shield  10  can be installed as shown in  FIG. 12 , with individual shields  140  ( FIG. 7 ) positioned within individual slots  42  ( FIG. 11 ) and such that side shield wings  144  reside within recessed portions  44  ( FIG. 3 ). When in this position, intermediate tab  148  ( FIG. 7 ) is positioned in slotted opening  46  ( FIG. 3 ), as shown in  FIG. 12 . With respect now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the shields  140  are shown projecting through the modular jack subassemblies with the grounding tab  117  of tie bar  84  in contact with grounding contact edge  152  of individual shield  140 . This also positions rear tabs  154  in a position where they extend through slotted opening  116 , as shown best in  FIG. 14 . 
   With the jack assembly as now assembled, the outer shield  4  may be placed in surrounding relation to the front and rear housing portions  6 ,  12 . With respect to  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17 , the outer shield  10  can enclose the assembly as shown. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the upper tabs  146  of shield  10  are shown projecting through and bent over slot  176 . This provides ground contact between tabs  146  and side plate portions  164 . Side marginal portion  190  is also shown snapped in place by opening  192  being snapped over half moon-shaped outward projection  198 . 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 12 ,  17  and  18 , intermediate shield  10  is shown extending between identical upper and lower connector halves  80  in contact with ground tab  117  and with rear tab portions  154  extending through slot  200  of rear plate portion  168 . 
   With the connector assembly as shown in  FIG. 12 , the assembly may be completed by assembling the outer shield  4 . With respect now to  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17 , the connector assembly  2  can be completed by assembling outer shield  4 . As mentioned above, rear plate portion  168  of shield  4  may rotate about rear edge  200  to receive the combination of the front and rear housing portions  6 ,  12  therein. The outer shield  4  is assembled such that upper tabs  146  extend through slots  176  and then are bent downwardly against the side plate portion  164 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Rear plate portion  168  can then be rotated downwardly also to the position of  FIG. 16 , where openings  192  overlap half-moon-shaped outward projections  198 , as also shown in  FIG. 16 . In this position, tabs  154  of individual shields  140  extend through openings  204  in rear plate portion  168 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , and can be bent downwardly against rear plate portion  168 . 
   Finally, printed circuit board ground plane  14  can be positioned over the plurality of printed circuit board contacts  132 ,  134 ,  136 , and  138  as shown in  FIG. 18 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , shield  4  includes ground tabs  208 , struck from lower plate  170 , and printed circuit board ground plane  14  includes ground trace  210 . Tabs  208  are preferably soldered to ground trace  210 . Upstanding portions  134   a ,  138   a  are also soldered adjacent the printed circuit board ground plane  14  to common the grounds. It should be appreciated that the throughholes in the printed circuit board ground plane  14 , adjacent the contact portions  134   a ,  138   a  have metallized vias, to which the solder makes connection. The holes through the printed circuit board ground plane  14 , signal contacts  132 , are not metallized, and thus no shorting occurs. 
   Advantageously, as shown in  FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18 , a plurality of ports are defined by modular jack subassemblies, which are signal conditioned, have an intermediate shield  10  between upper and lower ports, where the intermediate shield is commoned to the front face of shield  4  by cross bar  142 , the shields  10  are commoned to the rear plate portion  168  by tabs  154 , and upper tabs  146  are commoned to side plate portions  164 . Meanwhile, tie bar  84  ( FIG. 14 ) is grounded to tab  117 , which in turn is grounded through contacts  134 . Also due to the mid-plane shield  10  and the common grounds, the floating grounds have been eliminated. 
   With respect now to  FIGS. 19 through 23 , a further embodiment of the multi-port shielded jack assembly will be described herein. Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the assembly is shown at  302  to include many identical components as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 18 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , outer shield  4 , modular jack subassemblies  8 , rear housing portion  12  and printed circuit board ground plane  14  are substantially identical to those same components as described above. The major difference in the embodiment of  FIG. 19  is that the intermediate shield  310  of assembly  302  has individual and discrete shields as opposed to having an integrated shield, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In a like manner, front housing portion  306  is modified to accommodate the individual shields  440 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 20 , individual shield plate  440  is insertable into the modular jack subassembly into the configuration shown into the slot defined between upper and lower housing portions  80  as in the prior embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 19 , front housing portion  306  has a center wall  332 , which includes an internal slot at  342  (see  FIG. 22 ), however, the slot does not extend entirely through the front of center wall  332 . Rather, the modular jack subassembly, including the center shield  440 , is insertable to the position shown in  FIG. 22 , where the front edge of shield  440  is positioned in slot  342 . Rear tabs  454  on shields  440  are again positioned through apertures  204  of rear plate portion  168  ( FIG. 9 ) and are bent downwardly into contacting relationship therewith, as shown best in  FIGS. 22 and 23 .