Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20020004340?dq=5572193
Timestamp: 2014-03-09 20:52:43
Document Index: 291724078

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 31', 'art 32', 'art 31', 'art 32', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 32', 'art 31', 'art 32']

Patent US20020004340 - Connector with adjustable thickness - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA connector for connecting a circuit board with at least one signal line, each signal line comprises a plug with a plurality of electric contacts. The connector includes a base, a cover, a plurality of base electric contacts, and at least one adjustable means. The cover is provided above the base, the...http://www.google.com/patents/US20020004340?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20020004340 - Connector with adjustable thicknessAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20020004340 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 09/507,567Publication dateJan 10, 2002Filing dateFeb 18, 2000Priority dateFeb 18, 2000Also published asUS6354883Publication number09507567, 507567, US 2002/0004340 A1, US 2002/004340 A1, US 20020004340 A1, US 20020004340A1, US 2002004340 A1, US 2002004340A1, US-A1-20020004340, US-A1-2002004340, US2002/0004340A1, US2002/004340A1, US20020004340 A1, US20020004340A1, US2002004340 A1, US2002004340A1InventorsLi-shaing JaingOriginal AssigneeJaing Li-ShaingExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManClassifications (6), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetConnector with adjustable thicknessUS 20020004340 A1Abstract A connector for connecting a circuit board with at least one signal line, each signal line comprises a plug with a plurality of electric contacts. The connector includes a base, a cover, a plurality of base electric contacts, and at least one adjustable means. The cover is provided above the base, the plurality of base electric contacts is provided on the base, and the adjustable means is connected to the base and the cover, whereby the cover is able to move from a preparation position that the distance between the cover and the base is smaller, to an operation position that the distance between the cover and the base is larger. When the cover is at the preparation position, the plug is inserted and held between the base and the cover, and each of the plurality of electric contacts of the plug is in electric contact with the corresponding base electric contact to transmit signals between the signal line and the circuit board. Images(3) Claims(19)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention. [0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the cover is at the preparation position. [0016]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the cover is at the operation position. [0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention which is connected with a RJ-11 plug.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] The connector of the invention is now described in detail reference to the preferred embodiment diagrammed in the drawings. [0019] Referring to FIG. 1 the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a base 1, a cover 2 and two adjustable means 3. The connector according the preferred embodiment is to connect a RJ-11 plug having a bias clip and a PCMCIA card. Of course, the connector of the invention is not limited to the type or the number of the plug, or the type of the card. [0020] Base 1 includes an upper surface 11, and the cover 2 includes a lower surface 21. The upper surface 11 and the lower surface 21 face and are parallel with each other, and the plug is held between them. A plurality of base electric contacts 4 are provided on the upper surface 11 of the base 1. The cover 2 has a clip retention recess 22 and a clip passing recess 23. The clip retention recess 22 is generally T-shaped, and is fit with the bias clip of a RJ-l1 plug. The clip passing recess 23 is formed on the lower surface of the cover 2, so that when a RJ-11 plug is inserted into the connector, the bias clip can pass into and fit in the clip retention recess 22. [0021] The adjustable means 3 may be any device that can change the distance between the base 1 and the cover 2. In the present embodiment, two rigid parts, a lower adjustable part 31 and an upper adjustable part 32 construct each adjustable means 3. The lower adjustable part 31 that is in the shape of a groove is connected to the side of the base 1, and extends perpendicular to the upper surface 11 upwardly. The upper adjustable part 32 which is in the shape of a slider that fits with the lower adjustable part 31 is connected to the side of the cover 2, and extends perpendicular to the lower surface 21 downwardly. [0022] The lower adjustable part 31 has a lower adjustable part side surface 311 inside the channel, and the upper adjustable part 32 has an upper adjustable part side surface 321. When the lower adjustable part 31 is assembled with the upper adjustable part 32, the lower adjustable part side surface 311 and the upper adjustable part side surface 321 face are parallel with each other. A preparation position groove 312 and an operation position groove 313 are formed on the lower adjustable part side surface 311. The extension directions of the preparation position groove 312 and the operation position groove 313 are both parallel to the upper surface 11, and the operation position groove 313 is farther to the upper surface 11 than the preparation position groove 312. A projection portion 322 is formed on the upper adjustable part side surface 311. The projection portion 322 is shaped to fit the preparation position groove 312 and the operation position groove 313, so that the projection portion 322 can engage with the preparation position groove 312 or the operation position groove 313. [0023] In FIG. 1, the adjustable means on the right side and left side of the connection apparatus are formed symmetrically with each other. However, the two adjustable means do not have to be formed symmetrically. For example, the preparation position groove and the operation position groove may only be formed on the lower adjustable part side surface on the lower adjustable part on the left side, and the projection potion may only be formed on the on the upper adjustable part side surface on the upper adjustable part on the left side. The upper adjustable part and the lower adjustable part on the right side may be in a simple slider-channel relationship. [0024] Such design does not effect the function of the adjustable means. FIG. 2 is a sectional view, showing the connector according the preferred embodiment of the invention that is in a preparation status. When the projection portion 322 is engaged with the preparation position groove 312, the cover 2 is closer to the base 1, so the overall thickness of the connector is thinner. [0025] Referring to FIG. 3, when the projection portion 322 is engaged with the operation position groove 313, the cover 2 is farther from the base 1. So, the overall thickness of the connector is thicker, and the space between the lower surface 21 and the upper surface 11 is enough to hold a RJ-11 plug. [0026] Referring to FIG. 4, when a RJ-11 plug 80 is to be inserted into the connector between the base 1 and the cover 2, the direction which the RJ-11 plug travels is substantially parallel to the lower surface 21 and the upper surface 11, that is, the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 4. When the RJ-11 plug is inserted, the bias clip 81 is firstly pressed toward the RJ-11 plug. After passing through the clip passing recess 23, the bias clip 81 returns to its original position, and engages into the clip retention recess 22. When the removal of the RJ-11 plug 80 is desired, the bias clip 81 is compressed manually so that it can pass through the clip passing recess 23. Then, the RJ-11 plug 80 can be removed. By the operations mentioned above, the RJ-11 plug 80 can be hold in the connector according to the invention and be withdrew manually, and the base electric contact 4 on the base 1 can be electrically contacted with the corresponding electric contact 82 on the RJ-11 plug 80. [0027] According to the invention, the connector has a preparation mode in which the thickness of the connector is thinner and an operation mode in which the thickness of the connector is thicker. So, when the plug is not inserted, the connection apparatus can be in the preparation mode and occupies less space. Besides, when the signal line connected to the plug is pulled by an external force, the direction that the connection apparatus resists the force is parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface. According to the invention, each part of the connection apparatus, including the adjustable means, may be formed by rigid material. So, the mechanical strength of each part of the connection apparatus according to the invention is stronger along the direction that the connection apparatus resists the external force. Therefore, the connection apparatus can hold the plug firmly. The connection apparatus will not be damaged easily by external forces, and the plug held in the connection apparatus will not loose easily. Thus, the connection apparatus according to the invention has the advantage of both the adjustable thickness and the stronger mechanical strength. [0028] In addition to the embodiment described above, the invention may be embodied in different ways without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, by varying the dimension of the connector, a plurality of plugs can be held between the base and the cover at the same time. The shape of the upper adjustable part and the lower adjustable part can also be modified without departing from the function of changing the distance between the base and the cover. Furthermore, the connector according to the invention is not limited to the type or the number of the plug, or the type of the card it connected. So, the connector may be utilized more extensively by modifying its dimension or the standard of its electric contact. [0029] So, the above embodiment is considered in all aspects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes and modifications that come within the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Classifications U.S. Classification439/626International ClassificationH01R13/506, H01R27/00Cooperative ClassificationH01R27/00, H01R13/506European ClassificationH01R27/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 11, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Aug 20, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8May 17, 2005FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Feb 18, 2000ASAssignmentOwner name: ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, TAIWANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JAING, LI-SHAING;REEL/FRAME:010582/0621Effective date: 20000128Owner name: ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION SCIENCE-BASED INDUSTRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google