Abstract:
An extendable/retractable media connector for extending from an electronic device such as a PCMCIA type-III card or other electronic device. The connector includes a slidable extendable/retractable frame having an aperture therein for physically receiving a media plug. The aperture further includes electrical contacts for operably mating with complementary contacts on the media plug. The connector further includes a rotatable electrical interface between the fime, a portion of which may be physically attached to the frame in the form of electrical tracks, which provides commutator-like electrical coupling between the electrical contacts in the aperture and electronic circuitry within the electronic device or card. The connector provides rotational freedom to the media connector and any accompanying cabling while coupled with the connector and further facilitates various angles of insertion of the media plug into the connector for user convenience and ease of attachment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electrical interface connections. More particularly, it relates to extendable media connectors that are configured to couple with physical/electrical media plugs. 
     2. The Relevant Technology 
     The ability to freely access data on a network and to transfer information between electrical apparatus can dramatically increase productivity and reduce overall production time. Accordingly, electrical apparatus have been equipped with means to access electronically retrievable data over networks, such as the Internet, a world wide network, local area networks (“LANs”) and wide area networks (“WANs”). The transfer of data over a network can be accomplished with wireless technology or by telephone lines and cables. The interface between a computer and a cable or telephone line is typically accomplished through a media connector. 
     One conventional type of media connector is the Registered Jack connector (RJ-series connector). RJ-series connectors are used by almost all telephone companies throughout the world for many applications, the most important of which is interconnection of telephones with telephone lines. For this reason, stringent standardization of connectors has been established to enable compatibility and interactivity. Due to the simplicity of the connection and the established standards, RJ-series connectors are used extensively in the computer industries and in other industries where communication over telephone lines or other types of cables is required. 
     RJ-series connectors include a plug or contact block and a receptacle or socket. The plug comprises a small block shaped body coupled with a cable, such as a telephone line. Housed within the body are several contact pins. Each of the contact pins is attached to a discrete wire within the cable. Mounted on the outside of the body is a flexible retention clip that is used for removably securing the body of the plug within the socket of an electrical apparatus. 
     The socket is typically formed on the side of the electrical apparatus and is configured to receive the plug. Disposed within the socket are electrical contact wires. During use, the contact wires within the socket are biased against corresponding contacts on the plug to complete an electrical connection between the plug and the electrical apparatus. 
     The interior surface of the socket comprises a latching mechanism that receives the retention clip of the plug so as to mechanically secure the plug within the socket by holding retention notches of the retention clip securely in place. To remove the plug, the retention clip is manually flexed towards the body of the plug to release the hold of the latching mechanism on the retention notches, thereby enabling manual removal of the plug from the socket. 
     As the computer industry continues to develop, new peripheral devices are created that enable users to freely access data on networks and to transfer information between electrical apparatus. There are many types of peripheral devices, including, but not limited to wireless cellular modems, facsimile modems, modular random access memory, and network interface connectors. However, because of size constraints, most computers, particularly portable computers, are designed to incorporate only some of the available peripheral devices. Incorporating every available device into a single computer would substantially increase the price of the computer while decreasing its portability. Furthermore, a computer user may not require or desire all of the available peripheral devices. Accordingly, the computer industry has developed standards that enable a computer user to selectively integrate and interchange various peripheral devices. 
     These standards have been promulgated by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA). PCMCIA standards specify spatial size restrictions and coupling interface restrictions. According to PCMCIA standards, there are three types of card architectures. A type-I PCMCIA card has a thickness of approximately 3.3 mm. A type-II PCMCIA card has a thickness of approximately 5 mm. A type-III PCMCIA card has a thickness of approximately 10.5 mm. Each of these card types also have a 68-pin female connector, a width of 55 mm, a length of 85 mm, and edges that are configured to slidably engage channels of a corresponding expansion slot in an electronic apparatus. 
     PCMCIA standards enable a computer user to selectively use a first peripheral device and later remove it when it is no longer needed. This is particularly useful because it enables a computer user to interchange peripheral devices based on particular needs. When a PCMCIA card is used to access a network or to transfer information between electrical apparatus, the PCMCIA card must be provided with an interface to a media link or media plug. One way to interface a PCMCIA card with an appropriate media plug is to use an adapter. One skilled in the art will recognize a dongle as a typical adapter. Although dongles and other adapters provide one means for interconnecting media plugs with PCMCIA cards, they are also problematic. In particular, they have to be stored and they can easily be misplaced. 
     One alternative to adapters is to design a socket into the PCMCIA card so that it can directly interface with an appropriate media plug. This is a viable solution for the thicker type-III PCMCIA cards. One problem encountered by this solution, however, occurs during nonuse, when the socket is not occupied by a media plug and is left open to the environment. This is a problem because the socket becomes a sink for dust and debris, which is harmful if it accumulates and prevent the contact pins of the media plug from successfully interfacing with the PCMCIA card. Debris and exposure to the environment can also cause ancillary damage to electrical contact wires within the PCMCIA card. For example, an object inadvertently inserted into the socket may electrically short out or physically deform the electrical contact wires of the PCMCIA card. One solution to these problems is to cap the socket with a plug during nonuse to protect it from harmful dust and debris. However, this solution has its own problems. As with adapters, plugs require additional handling, they must be stored and they can easily be misplaced. Accordingly, it would, therefore, be desirable to provide a media connector that can protect the socket and electrical contact wires from harmful dust and debris during nonuse without having to store additional components such as plugs. 
     Another problem encountered by traditional sockets is that they cannot accommodate both RJ-11 series plugs and RJ45 series plugs. Typically, RJ-11 series plugs are used as an interface to connect to the internet or for standard modem applications using normal telephone lines. RJ45 series plugs are typically used as an interface to connect to LANs. The body of an RJ-45 series plug is wider than the body of an RJ-11 series plug because it houses eight contact wires, whereas, the RJ-11 series plug houses only four or six contact wires. Accordingly, a socket that is configured to accommodate an RJ-11 series plug is too narrow to receive the body of an RJ-45 series plug. And a socket that is configured to couple an RJ-45 series plug is too wide to securely couple with an RJ-11 series plug because the space between the socket walls and the body of the RJ-11 series plug allows the plug to wiggle back and forth. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a media connector that can securely accommodate both RJ-11 and RJ-45 series media plugs so that only a single media connector is required for a PCMCIA card to access both the internet and LAN&#39;s. 
     Another problem encountered by traditional sockets is that they are configured to couple with a media plug from only a single direction. For example, when a media plug is attached to a very short cord its mobility is limited, restricting the directions from which it can be inserted into a socket. Yet another problem encountered by incorporating traditional sockets into an electrical apparatus or peripheral computer card device is that visibility to the socket is restricted because the socket is recessed beyond the profile of the electrical apparatus. Although a computer user may lean over to view the socket while manipulating the media plug into the socket, it is often necessary to move the electrical apparatus to provide a better angle of vision before the media plug can be successfully navigated into the socket. Accordingly, it would, therefore, be desirable to provide a media connector that can easily be coupled with media plugs from different angles of orientation without requiring the electrical apparatus to be moved and without requiring the computer user to exert undue effort. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an extendable media connector is provided for coupling with RJ-series media plugs. 
     The RJ-series media plug comprises a small block shaped body coupled with a cable, such as a telephone line. A flexible retention clip is mounted to the body of the plug and protrudes away from the body at a slight angle, terminating at a narrow free end. The retention clip has retention notches that define the edges where the retention clip significantly narrows. Housed within the plug body are distinct contact pins. Each of the contact pins is attached to a discrete wire within the cable. 
     The extendable media connector of the present invention comprises a frame, a rotatable electrical interface and electrical contacts. The frame is rotatably mounted to a type-III PCMCIA card housing and is slidably retractable into the housing of the PCMCIA card. The frame has an aperture that extends into the side of the frame and is configured to couple with a corresponding physical/electrical media plug. When the frame is retracted into the housing of the PCMCIA card, the aperture is sheltered and protected from dust and debris. 
     The aperture is configured to couple with both RJ-11 and RJ-45 media plugs. When such a media plug is inserted into the aperture, the electrical contacts of the extendable media connector bias against the contact pins of the media plug, effectuating an electrical connection between the media plug and the PCMCIA card through a rotatable electrical interface. The rotatable electrical interface enables the frame to rotate while maintaining an electrical connection between the media plug and the PCMCIA card. The rotatable electrical interface is useful because it enables a media plug to be coupled with a PCMCIA card from various angles of orientation. 
     The frame mechanically secures the media plug within the aperture by latching onto the retention notches of the retention clip. After use, the media plug can be removed from the aperture by manually flexing the retention clip towards the body of the plug. This releases the hold of the frame on the retention notches of the retention clip and allows the media plug to be freely removed. 
     It should be appreciated that the extendable media connector of the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the frame of the extendable media connector may comprise various shapes and configurations. In particular, the rotatable electrical interface may also comprise various configurations of armatures and commutators. 
     In one embodiment, the frame is rotatably connected to a type-III PCMCIA card and comprises a rectilinear block that is slidably retractable into the housing of the PCMCIA card. In this embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface may include a substantially flat surface having a plurality of electrical tracks that make contact with electrical brushes of the PCMCIA card. In an alternative configuration, the rotatable electrical interface may include an armature that makes electrical contact with brushes of the PCMCIA card. The rotatable electrical interface may also include brushes that are attached to the frame and make contact with electrical tracks of the PCMCIA card. 
     In another embodiment, the frame is rotatably connected to a type-III PCMCIA card and comprises a cylindrical block that is slidably retractable into the PCMCIA card housing. In this embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface may include a substantially flat surface having a plurality of electrical tracks or an armature that makes contact with electrical brushes of the PCMCIA card. Alternatively, the rotatable electrical interface may include brushes that are attached to the frame and make contact with electrical tracks of the PCMCIA card. 
     In yet another embodiment, the frame comprises a cylindrical block that is rotatably mounted to a rectilinear block that is slidably retractable within a type-III PCMCIA card housing. In this embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface is attached to the cylindrical block and includes a plurality of electrical tracks that are disposed on a substantially flat surface at the end of the cylindrical block. The electrical tracks make contact with corresponding electrical brushes housed within the rectilinear block. In an alternative configuration of this embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface may include brushes that are attached to the frame and make contact with electrical tracks of a PCMCIA card that are mounted on the slidably retractable rectilinear block. It is also possible for the electrical tracks to be disposed around a shaft running through the center of the cylindrical block that make contact with electrical brushes located on the cylindrical block. 
     In yet another embodiment, the slidably retractable frame may retract directly into the body of the host system or device wherein an intermediary PCMCIA card is not employed. In such an embodiment, the extendable media connector directly mounts to the circuitry within the host or device system. 
     One of the benefits of the present invention is that it provides an extendable media connector that can couple with both RJ-11 series plugs and RJ45 series plugs from various angles of orientation. The present invention also provides a flexible and mobile connection between the extendable media connector of the present invention and a suitable physical/electrical media plug while protecting the aperture and electrical contacts of the extendable media connector from ancillary damage and the accumulation of harmful dust and debris. These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical apparatus with a communications card device that includes one embodiment of an extendable media connector of the present invention that is retractably mounted to communications card device. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of a physical/electrical media connector that is suitably configured to be coupled with the extendable media connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a back perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a rectilinear and slidably retractable frame, electrical contacts, and a rotatable electrical interface comprising a plurality of electrical tracks that are in contact with electrical brushes of a communications card device. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a rectilinear and slidably retractable frame and a rotatable electrical interface comprising an armature that is in contact with electrical brushes of a communications card device. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a back perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a cylindrical and slidably retractable frame and a rotatable electrical interface comprising a plurality of electrical tracks that are in contact with electrical brushes of a communications card device. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a rectilinear and slidably retractable frame and a rotatable electrical interface comprising an armature that is in contact with electrical brushes of a communications card device. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a cylindrical block that is rotatably attached to a slidably retractable rectilinear block and a rotatable electrical interface comprising a plurality of electrical tracks. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector of the present invention that includes an aperture extending into a cylindrical block that is rotatably attached to a slidably retractable rectilinear block and a rotatable electrical interface comprising a plurality of electrical brushes that are in contact with electrical tracks disposed on a shaft that extends through the center of the cylindrical block. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to extendable media connectors for coupling with physical/electrical media plugs. 
     The extendable media connector of the present invention is configured to electrically and mechanically couple with a corresponding physical/electrical media plug, hereinafter “media plug.” Examples of media plugs include, but are not limited to, RJ-11 and RJ45 series plugs. In many of the depicted examples, the inventive modular jack is configured to receive RJ-series plugs. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates that it would be obvious to one skilled in the art based on the present disclosure to modify the depicted modular jack to receive other types of media plugs including nonstandard plugs and media plugs that are developed or standardized in the future. 
     The term “electrical apparatus,” as used in the specification and appended claims, is broadly intended to include any apparatus having electrical components. By way of example and not limitation, some of the more conventional electrical apparatus include: network computers, laptop computers, personal computers, notebook computers, PDA&#39;s, and modems. Non-conventional electrical apparatus can include, among other things, televisions, stereo equipment, other electrical musical devices, electrical tools, electrical appliances, and automobiles. 
     The extendable media connector of the present invention is depicted in the preferred embodiments as being connected to a conventional type-III PCMCIA card. However, it should be appreciated that the extendable media connector of the present invention can be modified and attached directly to various peripheral computer devices or electrical apparatus without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As depicted in FIG. 1, the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention is connected to a communications card device  12  that can be inserted into an expansion slot of an electrical apparatus  14 . In one presently preferred embodiment, the communications card device  12  has a type-III PCMCIA card housing  16 . However, it should be appreciated that the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention can be modified to connect to a variety of peripheral communications card devices  12  and may even be modified to connect directly to an electrical apparatus  14 . 
     The extendable media connector  10  has an aperture  18  that is configured to couple with a media plug  20 . In FIG. 1, the aperture  18  is shown to be open and exposed to the environment and is located at the end of the extendable media connector  10 . In other embodiments, as will be described herein, the aperture  18  is hidden within the housing  16  of the communications card device  12 , during nonuse, when it is not coupled with a media plug  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a typical embodiment of a media plug  20  that is suitable for coupling with the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention. As shown, the media plug  20  comprises a small block shaped body  22  coupled with a cable  24 , such as a telephone line. The plug body  22  has a plug nose  26  extending away from the body  22  in the opposite direction of the cable  24 . A flexible retention clip  28  is mounted on the plug nose  26  and protrudes away from the plug body  22  at a slight angle, terminating at a narrow free end  30 . The retention clip  28  has retention notches  32  that define the edges where the retention clip  28  significantly narrows. Housed within the plug body  22  are distinct contact pins  34 . Each of the contact pins  34  is attached to a discrete wire within the cable  24 . During use, when the media plug  20  is inserted into the aperture  18 , the electrical contacts  42  of the extendable media connector  10  bias against the contact pins  34  of the media  20 , thereby providing an electronic link between the media plug  20  and the communications card device  12  via the extendable media connector  10 . 
     When a media plug  20  as described, is inserted into the aperture  18  of the extendable media connector  10 , retention tabs  44  latch onto the retention notches  32  of the retention clip  28 . This mechanically secures the media plug  20  within the aperture  18 . To remove the media plug  20  from the aperture  18 , the free end  30  of the retention clip  28  is flexed towards the body  22  of the media plug  20 . This releases the hold that the retention tabs  44  have on the retention notches  32 , allowing the media plug  20  to be freely removed from the aperture  18 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the aperture  18  is configured to receive both RJ-11 and RJ-45 series media plugs  20 . It should be appreciated that this is a useful improvement over traditional sockets that can securely accommodate only a single type of media plug  20 . Traditional sockets that accommodate RJ-45 series plugs  20  must be at least as wide as the RJ-45 series plug body  22 , which is too wide to securely couple with the narrower RJ-11 series plugs  20  because the space between the socket walls and the body  22  of an RJ-11 series plug  20  allows the plug to wiggle back and forth. In contrast, a socket that is configured to securely accommodate an RJ-11 series plug  20  is too narrow to receive the body  22  of an RJ45 series plug  20 . 
     The present invention in one embodiment overcomes these problems by providing an aperture  18  that is wide enough to receive both RJ-11 and RJ-45 series media plugs  20  while providing alignment surfaces  46  that slidably engage the retention clip  28  of the media plug  20 , and align the media plug  20  within the aperture  18 . This alignment is secured when the retention tabs  44  of the frame  50  mechanically latch onto the retention notches  32  of the retention clip  28 , holding the media plug  20  securely in place. Apertures designed for only a specific dimension media plug are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention. As shown, the extendable media connector  10  comprises a frame  50 . In this embodiment, the frame  50  comprises a rectilinear block  52  having an aperture  18  that extends therein. The aperture  18  is configured to receive the body  22  of an appropriate media plug  20 , as described above. During normal use, the frame  50  protrudes out of the communications card device  12 , as shown in FIG. 3 so that a media plug  20  can be inserted into the aperture  18 . During normal nonuse, the frame  50  is slidably retracted into the housing of the communications card device  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Although FIG. 1 depicts an aperture  18  extending into the end of the frame  50 , this is only one possible location for the aperture  18 . In other embodiments, the aperture  18  extends into the side of the frame  50 , as shown in FIG. 3, to provide a means for sheltering the aperture  18  during nonuse so that it does not become a sink for the harmful accumulation of dust and debris. Dust and debris can be harmful when it accumulates within the aperture  18  and prevents the contact pins  34  of a media plug  20  from completing an electrical connection with the electrical contacts  42  of the extendable media connector  10 . The electrical contacts  42  are depicted in FIGS.  4  and  6 - 8 . Sheltering the aperture  18  during nonuse also proves to be beneficial for protecting the electrical contacts  42  from ancillary damage, such as electrical shorts and physical deformation. Damage and can occur, for example, when an object is inadvertently inserted into the aperture  18  during nonuse. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, the frame  50  is rotatably mounted to the communications card device  12  and can freely rotate about a central axis  54  that extends through the center of the frame  50 . When the frame  50  is rotated about the central axis  54  then the aperture  18  is also forced to rotate about the same axis  54 . One of the benefits of having a frame  50  that can rotate is that it enables a media plug  20  to be coupled with the extendable media connector  10  from various angles. One reason this is useful is because it facilitates the insertion of a media plug  20  into the aperture  18  by providing a user with better visibility to the aperture  18  while inserting a media plug  20  into the aperture  18 . Another benefit is that a user can rotate the aperture  18  to the most convenient position for coupling with a media plug  20 . The most convenient position will vary, depending on personal preferences and environmental conditions. One practical example, illustrating the usefulness of having a rotating frame  50 , occurs when the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention is coupled with a media plug  20  that is attached to a very short cable  24 . The short cable  24  limits the mobility of the media plug  20  so that it can only be coupled with the extendable media connector  10  from certain angles of insertion. However, the rotatably mounted frame  50  can be rotated until the aperture  18  faces the media plug  20 , enabling the media plug  20  to be inserted into the aperture  18 , despite the constraints of the short cable  24 . 
     Another benefit of having a rotating frame  50  is to prevent or minimize damage to a cable  24  attached to a media plug  20 , the media plug  20  itself, and the extendable media connector  10 . For example, when an inadvertent force is applied to a cable  24  of a media plug  20  that is already coupled with a media connector  10 , tension is created that can break or deform the cable  24 , the media plug  20 , and the media connector  10 . However, if the frame  50  is free to rotate, as in the presently preferred embodiment, the frame  50  can provide slack to the cable  24 , minimizing the potential for damage. 
     FIG. 3 also illustrates a rotatable electrical interface that enables the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention to maintain an electrical connection between a media plug  20  and the communications card device  12  even when the frame  50  is being rotated. As shown, the rotatable electrical interface comprises a plurality of electrical tracks  60  that are mounted on a substantially flat surface of the back of the frame  50 . Each electrical track is attached to an individual electrical contact and a corresponding electrical brush of the communications card device  12 . When a media plug  20  is inserted into the aperture  18 , each contact pin of the media plug  20  is electronically connected to a corresponding electrical contact, electrical track, and electrical brush, thereby completing an electrical connection between the media plug  20  and the communications card device  12 . 
     Because the rotatable electrical interface is mounted to the frame  50 , electrical contact between the electrical tracks  60  and the corresponding electrical brushes  62  is maintained even when the frame  50  is rotated. Accordingly, the electrical connection between a media plug  20  and the communications card device  12  is not compromised by the functionality of rotatably mounting the frame  50  to the communications card device  12 . 
     As previously addressed, one of the benefits of the present invention is that the frame  50  can be slidably retracted into the housing of the communications card device  12  during nonuse to protect the aperture  18  and electrical contacts  42  from harmful dust and debris. However, before the frame  50  can be slidably retracted into the housing of the communications card device  12 , it must be aligned with a corresponding opening  64  in the housing of the communications card device  12 . It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that detents or raised surfaces  61  can be formed in the frame  50  to aid a user in aligning the frame  50  with the opening  64  by providing a means for the user to feel differences in torque when rotating the frame  50  to know when the frame  50  is aligned with the opening  64  without having to visually inspect the alignment. When the frame  50  is aligned, it can be slidably retracted into the housing of the communications card. To prevent the electrical brushes  62  from being damaged, they are also retracted with the frame  50 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates one alternative embodiment of the rotatable electrical interface of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface comprises an armature  70  having electrical tracks  60  disposed on a cylindrical shaft. As shown, the electrical brushes  62  rest on the electrical tracks  60  of the armature  70 , thereby maintaining electrical contact between the rotatable electrical interface and the electrical brushes  62  at all times, even when the frame  50  is rotated about the central axis  54 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frame  50  comprises a cylindrical block  72  that is rotatably mounted to a communications card device  12 . The cylindrical frame  50  rotates about a central axis  54  that extends through the center of the frame  50 . This embodiment may be preferred in some circumstances because the cylindrical block  72  frame  50  does not have to be rotated into a specific alignment with the opening  64  in the housing of the communications card device  12  before it is slidably retracted into the housing because the frame  50  and the housing have the same shape and are in perpetual alignment. 
     Also shown in FIG. 5, the rotatable electrical interface comprises a plurality of electrical tracks  60  that are disposed on a substantially flat surface and are in contact with corresponding electrical brushes  62  of the communications card device  12 . It should be appreciated, however, that the configuration of electrical tracks  60  and electrical brushes  62  can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the electrical brushes  62  may be mounted on the frame  50  and the electrical tracks  60  may be mounted on the communications card device  12 , completely opposite of the depicted embodiment. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrical tracks  60  may be mounted on an armature  70 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the extendable media connector  10  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frame  50  comprises a cylindrical block  76  that is rotatably mounted to a rectilinear block  74  that is slidably retractable into the housing of a communications card device  12 . An upper cover plate  80  and a lower cover plate  82  extend out of the rectilinear block  74  and cover the cylindrical block  76 , to protecting the cylindrical block when the frame  50  is extended. The cylindrical block  76 , mounted on the cover plates  80  and  82  of the rectilinear block  74 , can freely rotate around a central axis  54  that extends through the center of the cylindrical block  76 . 
     In this presently preferred embodiment, the rotatable electrical interface is located on the top surface of the cylindrical block  76 . The rotatable electrical interface comprises a plurality of electrical tracks  60  that are in contact with corresponding electrical brushes  62  of the communications card device  12  that are mounted on the slidably retractable rectilinear block  74 . 
     One benefit of this presently preferred embodiment is that a media plug  20  can be coupled within the aperture  18  of the frame  50  while the frame  50  is extended and can remain coupled within the aperture  18  when the frame  50  is slidably retracted within the housing of a communications card device  12 . This embodiment may be preferred by users who like the functionality of a slidably retractable frame  50  but do not want the frame  50  to extend away from the communications card device  12  after the media plug  20  has been inserted into the aperture  18  of the frame  50  for various reasons, such as aesthetics. 
     Using this embodiment, a user can initially extend the frame  50  away from the communications card device  12  to facilitate the insertion of a suitable media plug  20  into the aperture  18  of the frame  50 . After a media plug  20  has been inserted into the aperture  18 , the frame  50  can be slidably retracted into the housing of the communications card device  12  without removing the media plug  20  from the aperture  18 . It should be appreciated that even when the frame  50  is slidably retracted, it retains the benefits previously attributed to the present invention. In particular, the cylindrical block  76  can rotate, even while retracted, so as to provide slack when an inadvertent force is applied to a cable  24  of a media plug  20  that is mechanically secured within the aperture  18 , to minimize the potential for damage to the cable  24 , the media plug  20 , and the extendable media connector  10 . 
     During nonuse, after the media plug  20  is removed, the aperture  18  can be rotated behind the protective profile of the rectilinear block  74  so as to protect the aperture  18  and electrical contacts  42  from ancillary damage and the harmful accumulation of dust and debris. To assist a user in rotating the aperture  18  behind the protective profile of the rectilinear block  74 , the cylindrical  72  and rectilinear blocks  74  can be equipped with interacting irregular surfaces and detents  61  that enable the user to feel differences in torque, while rotating the cylindrical block  76 , that indicate when the aperture  18  is successfully positioned behind the protective profile of the rectilinear block  74  without requiring the user to make a visual confirmation. 
     In one variation of this presently preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical block  76  is rotatably mounted to the rectilinear block  74  by a shaft  84  that extends between the upper and lower cover plates. In this embodiment, the electrical contacts  42  extend through the shaft  84  and terminate in electrical brushes  62  that make electrical contact with electrical tracks  60  that are located on the shaft  84 . The electrical tracks  60  are connected to contact wires that extend to the communications card device  12  through the shaft  84 , the cover plates and the rectilinear block  74 . Even though this example has gone into some detail regarding a specific configuration of electrical tracks  60  and electrical brushes  62 , it should be construed as merely illustrative. One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are various armature and commutator configurations that can be incorporated by the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.