Patent ID: 7758365

Claim:
A self-muting audio connector for use with a complementary external jack, comprising: a conductive ground sleeve having an interior, an exterior and two ends configured to electrically couple the ground sleeve to at least two external circuits; at least one signal conductor at least partially disposed within said interior and comprising at least a pair of terminals, wherein (i) one terminal passes through one end of the sleeve for establishing a connection to at least one external circuit; and (ii) the other terminal passes through the other end of the sleeve for establishing a connection to at least one other external circuit; and an electrically conductive spring switch at least partially disposed within and electrically coupled to the interior of the ground sleeve, wherein the spring is configured to establish electrical contact with the at least one signal conductor in response to removal of the connector from the external jack, wherein the spring switch comprises a conductor-engaging member, a sleeve-engaging member and a resilient intermediate member, wherein the sleeve-engaging member is in substantially continuous contact with the sleeve and wherein the conductor-engaging member is in selective contact with the at least one signal conductor.