This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010634338.8, filed on Jul. 2, 2020, and claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202021290352.2, filed on Jul. 2, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Telecommunications connectors are manufactured to various specifications and standards. For example, specifications and standards exist for connecting modular jacks within openings defined by, for example, panels and plates. One industry-wide standard exists for what is typically referred to as a “keystone jack” in which a flexible tab is provided on the top of the jack, among other structural features, that allows the jack to be snapped into a mounting plate. Manufacturers have also defined their own specifications for proprietary and non-proprietary jack types. It is typically the case that a jack made to one specification cannot be used with an opening made to a different specification. Accordingly, this lack of cross-compatibility reduces flexibility and requires manufacturers to maintain large inventories.
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As the latching approach used with an M series style jack 30 and the opening structure 40 is completely different than that used for keystone and SL type jacks, the opening structure 40 is generally incompatible and unusable for keystone and SL style jacks. Other types of jack styles with differing latch systems also exist that similarly require openings configured specifically for that style of jack.
A telecommunications jack connection kit can include an opening structure defining a first central passageway, the opening structure defining a first attachment arrangement for securing a first jack type to the main body within the central passageway, and an adapter for connection to a second jack type and a third jack type, the adapter being configured for connection to the first attachment arrangement, wherein the first, second, and third jack types have different connection arrangements for facilitating connection to an opening structure.
In some examples, the first attachment arrangement includes oppositely positioned recesses and catch surfaces located on opposite sides of the first central passageway, the catch surfaces being for engaging laterally positioned latch members of the first jack type.
In some examples, the first jack type is a COMMSCOPE M-series type jack.
In some examples, the second jack type is a keystone type jack.
In some examples, the third jack type is a COMMSCOPE SL-series type jack.
In some examples, the adapter includes a main body defining a second central opening for receiving either of the first and second jack types.
In some examples, the adapter includes a pair of oppositely positioned deflectable latch members for engaging with the catch surfaces of the first attachment arrangement, the pair of latch members being located on first and second side structures on the adapter.
In some examples, the adapter includes a third side structure extending between the first and second side structures, the third side structure defining oppositely facing catch surfaces for engaging with a deflectable latch member of the first or the second jack type.
In some examples, the adapter includes a fourth side structure extending between the first and second side structures, the third side structure defining oppositely facing catch surfaces for engaging with a fixed latch member of the first or the second jack type.
In some examples, the adapter includes a first stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the opening structure.
In some examples, the adapter includes a second stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the first jack type or the second jack type.
In some examples, the pair of deflectable latch members extend within a recess defined by the first and second side structures, and wherein the main body further includes a first spring arm straddling the first side structure recess and a second spring arm straddling the second side structure recess.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each have a curved or arched shape.
A telecommunications jack adapter for enabling jacks of a first and second type to be inserted into an opening structure configured for a third jack type can include a main body defining first, second, third, and fourth side structures, the side structures defining a central opening for receiving a jack, a first deflectable latch member formed as part of the first side structure and a second deflectable latch member formed as part of the second side structure, the first and second deflectable latch members being configured to engage with the opening structure configured for the third jack type, a first attachment arrangement for receiving and retaining a first jack type within the central opening, the first attachment arrangement being defined by a first catch surface defined in the third side structure, a second catch surface defined in the fourth side structure, and a first stop surface, and a second attachment arrangement for receiving and retaining a second jack type within the central opening, the second attachment arrangement being defined by the first and second catch surfaces, a third catch surface defined in the third side structure, and a fourth catch surface defined in the fourth side structure, wherein the first, second, and third jack types have different connection arrangements for facilitating connection to an opening structure.
In some examples, the third jack type is a COMMSCOPE M-series type jack.
In some examples, the first jack type is a keystone type jack.
In some examples, the second jack type is a COMMSCOPE SL-series type jack.
In some examples, the adapter includes a second stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the opening structure.
In some examples, the first and second deflectable latch members extend within a recess defined by the first and second side structures, and wherein the main body further includes a first spring arm straddling the first side structure recess and a second spring arm straddling the second side structure recess.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each have a curved or arched shape.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each define a portion of the first stop surface.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each define a second stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the opening structure.
A telecommunications jack adapter for receiving multiple types of jacks can include an opening structure having a main body defining a central opening for receiving a first jack type having a first dimension and a second jack type having a second dimension greater than the first dimension, wherein the main body is flexible such that the opening structure matches the first dimension in a relaxed state and matches the second dimension in an expanded state.
In some examples, the opening structure is defined by first, second, third, and fourth side structures and the main body further includes a first deflectable latch member formed as part of the first side structure and a second deflectable latch member formed as part of the second side structure, the first and second deflectable latch members being configured to engage with a second opening structure configured for receiving a third jack type.
In some examples, the main body includes a pair of flexible arms enabling the main body to move between the relaxed and expanded states.
In some examples, the adapter further includes a first attachment arrangement for receiving and retaining a first jack type within the central opening, the first attachment arrangement being defined by a first catch surface defined in the third side structure, a second catch surface defined in the fourth side structure, and a first stop surface, and a second attachment arrangement for receiving and retaining a second jack type within the central opening, the second attachment arrangement being defined by the first and second catch surfaces, a third catch surface defined in the third side structure, and a fourth catch surface defined in the fourth side structure, wherein the first, second, and third jack types have different connection arrangements for facilitating connection to an opening structure.
In some examples, the third jack type is a COMMSCOPE M-series type jack.
In some examples, the first jack type is a keystone type jack.
In some examples, the second jack type is a COMMSCOPE SL-series type jack.
In some examples, the first and second deflectable latch members extend within a recess defined by the first and second side structures, and wherein the pair of spring arms includes a first spring arm straddling the first side structure recess and a second spring arm straddling the second side structure recess.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each have a curved or arched shape.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each define a portion of a first stop surface.
In some examples, the first and second spring arms each define a second stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the opening structure.
A telecommunications jack adapter for receiving multiple types of jacks can include an opening structure defining a central opening for receiving a first jack type having a first height dimension and a second jack type having a second height dimension greater than the first height dimension; a pair of flexible arms connected to the opening structure such that the central opening is located between the flexible arms; wherein when the pair of flexible arms are in a relaxed state, the central opening corresponds to the first height dimension and wherein when the pair of flexible arms are in an expanded state, the central opening corresponds to the second height dimension.
In some examples, the opening structure is defined by first, second, third, and fourth side structures and the main body further includes a first deflectable latch member formed as part of the first side structure and a second deflectable latch member formed as part of the second side structure, the first and second deflectable latch members being configured to engage with a second opening structure configured for receiving a third jack type.
In some examples, the pair of flexible arms each have a curved or arched shape.
In some examples, the pair of flexible arms each define a portion of a first stop surface.
In some examples, the pair of flexible arms each define a second stop surface for engaging with a corresponding stop surface of the opening structure.
A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
With reference to
As shown, the adapter 100 includes a main body 102 having side structures 104, 106, 108, 110 that define a generally rectangular central passageway 112 for receiving and supporting either of the jacks 10, 20. In one aspect, the side structures 104, 106 each include a wall portion 104a, 106a defining a recess area 104b, 106b within which a deflectable latch member 104c, 106c extends from the wall portion 104a, 106a. The deflectable latch member 104c, 106c includes a flexible or deflectable arm portion 104d, 106d extending to a free end 104e, 106e and a catch portion or surface 104f, 106f located at the free end 104e, 106e, When the adapter 100 is received within the opening structure 40, as can be seen at
In one aspect, the spring arm 104g, 106g is configured as a curved or arch-shaped member with a central portion extending away from the central passageway 112. As related previously, keystone type jacks 10 and SL type jacks 20 differ in height, with the former requiring an opening structure having a height H1 and the latter requiring a height H2 which is greater than H1. In order for the adapter 100 to be able to accommodate both types of jacks 10, 20, the spring arms 104g, 106g provide a flexible feature which allows the adapter 100 to expand in height when an SL type jack 20 is inserted into the adapter 100. As constructed, the adapter 100 defines an opening structure between the side structures 108, 110 generally defining the height H1, when in a relaxed state, such that a keystone type jack 10 can be received into the adapter 100. When an SL type jack 20 is inserted into the adapter 100, the greater height of the jack forces the spring arms 104g, 106g to extend or flatten such that the height H2 for the jack 20 is achieved. In this state, slight bending of the side structures 104, 106 adjacent the recesses 104b, 106b also occurs. With such a construction, a single opening structure provided by the adapter 100 can be provided that can advantageously accommodate the two different jack types having different opening requirements.
The provided shape of the spring arms 104h, 106h also enables a front side 104h, 106h of the spring arm 104g, 106g to act as a stop surface against the rear-facing surface 48 of the opening structure 40 to prevent the adapter 100 and attached jack 10, 20 from being further inserted through the central passageway 42 in the direction D1, as is illustrated at
In one aspect, the side structure 110 of the main body 102 includes a wall portion 110a extending between the side structures 104, 160. As shown, the wall portion 110a defines a recess or opening 110b. The wall portion 110a can be characterized as having a front portion 110c on one side of the recess 110b and a rear portion 110d on the other side of the recess 110b. The rear portion 110d can be further characterized as defining oppositely facing catch surfaces 110e, 110f that are generally disposed perpendicular to the wall portion 110a. As shown, the catch surface 110e faces towards the opening 110b while catch surface 110f faces way from the opening 110b. When a jack 10 is inserted into the adapter 100, the single-sided latch member 16 snaps into the opening 110b and catches against the catch surface 110e to prevent the jack 10 from being removed or separated from the adapter 100 in the first direction D1, as is illustrated at
In one aspect, the side structure 108 includes a member 108a extending between the side structures 104, 106. The member 108a can be characterized as defining oppositely facing catch surfaces 108b, 108c that are generally disposed generally parallel to the catch surfaces 110e, 110f. As shown, the catch surface 108b faces in the same direction as the catch surface 110e and towards a front end of the adapter 100. The catch surface 108c faces in the same direction as the catch surface 110e and towards a rear end of the adapter 100. When a jack 10 is inserted into the adapter 100, the single-sided latch member 16 snaps over the member 108a catches against the catch surface 108b to prevent the jack 10 from being removed or separated from the adapter 100 in the first direction D1, as is illustrated at
Many materials can be used for the components of the disclosed components herein. For example, the components can be formed from polymeric materials, such as injection molded plastics.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202010634338.8 | Jul 2020 | CN | national |
202021290352.2 | Jul 2020 | CN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2021/040362 | 7/2/2021 | WO |