Abstract: A primary conductor having a solid wire or wire strands that are enclosed by an insulating coating which has ribs that extend radially outwardly. The insulating coating provides electrical insulation between neighboring conductors. The ribs define air spaces which are between the ribs and space the insulated primary conductors from each other, thereby reducing the overall dielectric constant of the cable assembly. This in turn reduces the line-to-line capacitance between adjacent conductors, thereby minimizing Near End Cross Talk.

Abstract: A modular plug assembly for convenient interconnection, analysis, impedance matching or testing of computer, communication, local area network or other electronic equipment. The assembly comprises a plug of physical configuration generally similar to the modular plugs used for terminating cables. The plug contains all circuit elements required to apply one or more specified signals to contacts of a modular jack formed in the electronic equipment upon insertion thereinto of the modular plug of the invention. The circuit elements are formed on a flexible substrate which is entirely contained within the plug assembly. Contact between the circuit and the contacts of the jack on the equipment is provided by a number of terminals which are inserted into recesses formed in the body of the plug and retained therein. The terminals comprise tangs which pierce conductors formed on the circuit board and which comprise contact surfaces for contacting the contacts of the jack.

Abstract: A new and improved modular jack which employs a unique jack cap that prevents accidental electrical malfunctions when the conductors of the modular jack are in an overstressed condition. The jack cap also features means for inhibiting high voltage arcing, and for securing the cap to the jack housing even under such extreme conditions.

Abstract: An improved modular connector coupler for joining two modular plugs features an improved spring contact portion and a selective, continuous commoning system. The spring contact portion of the conductors substantially increases the area of contact with the mating plug's terminals, and prevents overstressing of the conductors. The permanently installed commoning bar assembly provides continuous electrical connection between two or more of the main conductors in such a manner that micromovements of the conductors are easily followed and do not cause open circuits. The housing structure features two substantially identical housing halves which are connected back-to-back in a 180.degree. rotated configuration.

Abstract: An electrical connector or modular jack for directly coupling a printed circuit board and a standard, miniature, telephone-style modular plug. The jack housing includes an opening in the front portion thereof for receiving the modular plug that features a plurality of planar, insulation-piercing contact terminals. The jack includes conductors having spring contact portions that extend angularly forwardly from the rear part of the opening to be engaged with the similarly spaced contact terminals of the modular plug. The other ends of the jack's conductors extend normally from an outer wall of the housing in an alternating, staggered fashion to fit within correspondingly spaced apertures in the printed circuit board. An alternate embodiment provides a low profile modular jack particularly adapted for use with closely-spaced printed circuit boards. The low profile embodiment features a side-mounted latching assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to receive a modular plug comprises a housing having a front portion, a rear portion and an outer wall, a plug receiving opening in the front portion and extending toward the rear portion, the plug receiving opening comprising a rear portion, a plurality of conductors associated with the housing, each conductor comprising a first end portion extending from the outer wall, a first intermediate portion substantially perpendicular to the first end portion, a second intermediate portion substantially perpendicular to the first intermediate portion, and a second end portion extending generally from the rear portion of the plug receiving opening toward the front portion of the housing. A method for assembling the connector comprises substantially, in proper sequence, forming specified bends in conductors associated with the connector and inserting the conductors in the housing.

Abstract: The cable comprises one or more layers of insulated conductors disposed in circumferentially spaced relation. At least one layer is surrounded by a flexible shield formed from a inner layer of metallic foil bonded to a layer of flexible plastic. A ground conductor in the form of an uninsulated metal wire or a semi-conductive wire is disposed in the conductor layer directly adjacent to the shield. The ground conductor and the insulated conductors all have approximately the same outside diameter. This promotes intimate contact between the ground conductor and the shield.The cable is used in modular conjunction with a connector which holds the cable in pressurized engagement within a cable receiving opening. The pressure produced by the connector insures that intimate contact between the ground conductor and the shield will be maintained. The connector is designed such that the pressure applied to the cable can be varied.

Abstract: A modular connector or coupler (10) for electrically connecting two cordsets each of which is terminated by a modular plug. The coupler is characterized by a central partition (49, 49') extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coupler for supporting a plurality of side-by-side conductors (70) therethrough. The conductors extend from both sides of the partition into plug-receiving cavities (40, 40') formed on each side of the partition. The ends of the conductors in each cavity comprise spring contacts (76, 76') adapted to mate with correspondingly aligned contact terminals (78, 78') similarly spaced in the mating modular plug (60, 60'). The two plug-receiving cavities may be arranged as mirror images of one another along the partition whereby the signals on the respective contact terminals of the two modular plugs will be positionally transposed.

Abstract: An electrical connector or modular jack for directly coupling a printed circuit board and a standard, miniature, telephone-style modular plug. The jack housing includes an opening in the front portion thereof for receiving the modular plug that features a plurality of planar, insulation-piercing contact terminals. The jack includes conductors having spring contact portions that extend angularly forwardly from the rear part of the opening to be engaged with the similarly spaced contact terminals of the modular plug. The other ends of the jack's conductors extend normally from an outer wall of the housing in an alternating, staggered fashion to fit within correspondingly spaced apertures in the printed circuit board. An alternate embodiment provides a low profile modular jack particularly adapted for use with closely-spaced printed circuit boards. The low profile embodiment features a side-mounted latching assembly.

Abstract: A shielded conductor is formed by bonding a thin layer of conductive material to the outer surface of an insulated wire. The bonding may be achieved by coating the outside surface of the insulated wire with a metallic particle and solvent solution, and then heating the coated wire to flash off the solvent. A grounding conductor is disposed adjacent to the outer conductive layer and is in electrical contact therewith. The grounding conductor may take the form of a center ground wire surrounded by a semiconductive material whose outer diameter is substantially the same as that of the shielded conductor. One or more unshielded insulated conductors may also be provided within the cable assembly which is particularly designed to be terminated in a miniature, modular plug.The cable assembly may also include a plurality of shielded conductors disposed in laterally adjacent relationship. Conductive coatings on adjacent shielded conductors are in electrical communication.