Abstract: The present invention is directed to connector apparatus comprising a jack (20) usable with either a conventional plug (400) terminating a coaxial cable (410) or a special plug (200) terminating a shielded, twisted pair cable (202). Such versatility was made possible by a full body first conductor (68) having spring contactors (130) which may be separated from grounding contact with barrel (36) of housing (32) by an insulator (216) of plug (200) includes a protruding insulator (216) for separating the contactors (130) and functioning the switching mechanism. Plug (200) also includes first and second conductors (212) and (214) for connection with second and first jack conductors (76) and (68), respectively. In addition, unique structures for pieceparts and assembly details resulting in various interlocking arrangements are disclosed with respect to the structure of jack (20) and plug (200).

Abstract: A miniature telephone jack with a molded housing especially adapted for use on printed circuit boards in which spring metal contacts grasp an inserted plug at the proper locations along its length with balanced, firm forces even though the contacts are all inserted from one side of the housing and have lugs extending therefrom through holes in the other side of the housing to make contact directly with a circuit board. The spring metal contacts include specially designed barbs which fit in slots molded on the sides of the housing to lock them in place.

Abstract: A molded electrical jack housing adapted for mounting directly on a printed circuit board in which the electrical contacts are all inserted from one side of the housing and have connection lugs extending through the opposite side of the housing and in which the electrical contacts are formed from spring metal material and shaped to have tabs which rest on special plateau areas formed in the housing.

Abstract: An intermediate patch cord for connecting together two other patch cords including a connecting wire with a standard plug receiving jack at each end. The plug receiving jack is formed from a pair of identical plastic molded housings and incorporates a pair of springable plug grasping fingers extending from one end to hold a standard plug in the jack housing.