Patent GB-1462111-A (GB)
Title: Electrical jack assembly
IPC: H01R13/71
Filed: 1974-03-29
Abstract: 1462111 Two-part connectors DYNATECH LABORATORIES Inc 29 March 1974 [30 Nov 1973] 13926/74 Heading H2E A jack assembly comprises three sockets, each adapted to receive a patch cord plug, and a plurality of through circuits, each completing a connection between respective first and second terminals 164, 138, such that (a) with the plug in the first socket 67, the connections between the first and second terminals are opened and connections are made between the first terminals and the plug contacts, (b) with the plug in the second socket 68, the connections between the first and second terminals are opened and connections are made between the second terminals and the plug contacts, and (c) with the plug in the third socket 69, the connections between the first and second terminals remain completed and connections are made between the first terminals and the plug contacts. Each jack assembly comprises a housing of two moulded pieces 86, 88, sets of first, second and third contact springs 76, 77, 78 associated with each socket 68, 69, 67 respectively. Each spring is a strip bent to hairpin shape, springs 76, 78 have a bifurcated tail (Figs. 11, 15, not shown) and springs 76, 77 are arranged in pairs in grooves (142) formed by ribs 124 with the free end 148 of each spring 77 seating against a portion 134 of a respective spring 76; tail portions 136, 150 of springs 76, 77 lie across apertures 120, 121 leading to sockets 68, 69 so that they are engageable by the contacts 58 of the plug (Fig. 17) when inserted into the sockets. Contact springs 78 are simiilarly carried in grooves (168) formed by ribs 128 in housing piece 88 and lie across apertures 126 leading to socket 67; rivets 147, 172 hold the contact springs in place. Between opposed grooves (142, 168) extends a respective bore 180, 182 carrying a contact pin 74 interconnecting contact springs 76, 77 at their bifurcated tails when no plug is present in socket 67 or 68. Each socket 67, 68, 69 has a keyway (286, 287, 288) respectively (Figs. 4, 19, not shown) and a compression spring 80, 81, 82 for receiving the contacts 58 and engaging the nose of the plug. The plug contacts 58 are mounted in bores 236 of a plastics strip 232 held in a cavity 250 of the plug body 230. A ferrule 270 mounted in an annular groove 274 around an extension 272 of the body is crimped around the cable and surrounded by a sheath 276. In use the plug is inserted into the chosen socket 76, 77 or 78 with the plug contacts 58 travelling along the keyway (286, 287 or 288) until a shoulder 282 on the plug limits further insertion and the nose of the plug engages the spring 80, 81 or 82, the plug is then rotated and a locking pin 280 moves into a recess (298) in the housing until it seats in a socket (306) against the compression of the spring; the rotation brings the plug contacts into engagement with the contact springs 76, 77 or 78 to connect therewith and, if in socket 67 or 68 to move springs 76 or 77 out of connection with contacts 74 and so open and/or make the connections (a)-(c) specified above (Fig. 23, not shown). The jack assembly is mounted, along with similar assemblies, on a cabinet panel (52) forming a jack-patch cord equipment.