Telecommunications jack assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an insert for a jack. The insert includes a connector mount having a main body including a first side positioned opposite from a second side. The connector mount also includes a snap-fit connection structure positioned at the main body for securing the connector mount to the jack, a divider positioned at the first side of the main body, and an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the main body. A plurality of contact springs are separated by the divider, and a plurality of insulation displacement terminals are housed by the insulation displacement terminal housing. The insert further includes a circuit board that provides electrical connections between the insulation displacement terminals and the contact springs. The circuit board is mounted at the second side of the main body.

1. An insert for a jack for use with a plug having plug contacts, the insert comprising:
 a) a connector mount having a main body including a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the connector mount including: 
 i) a snap-fit connection structure positioned at the main body for securing the connector mount to the jack;  
 ii) a contact spring holder;  
 iii) an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the main body;  
 
 b) a plurality of contact springs held by the contact spring holder, the contact springs including contact portions positioned at the first side of the main body for engaging the plug contacts of the plug, the contact springs each include a tip positioned at the second side of the main body;  
 c) a plurality of insulation displacement terminals housed by the insulation displacement terminal housing, the insulation displacement terminals each including a tip positioned at the second side of the main body; and  
 d) a circuit board providing electrical connections between the tips of the insulation displacement terminals and the tips of the contact springs, the circuit board being mounted at the second side of the main body.  
 
     
     
       2. The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the snap-fit connection structure includes two flexible lever members each having a locking tab, and the contact springs are positioned generally in a region between the flexible lever members. 
     
     
       3. A jack for use with a mounting fixture having a jack opening, the jack comprising:
 A) an insert assembly having a plurality of flexible contact springs and a plurality of connection locations linked to the contact springs;  
 B) a jack housing body configured to be mounted within the jack opening of the mounting fixture, the jack housing body including a first retaining structure positioned opposite from a second retaining structure, the first and second retaining structures being positioned to engage a front side of the mounting fixture when the jack housing body is mounted in the jack opening;  
 C) wherein the jack housing body includes a resilient cantilever member having a base end positioned opposite from a free end, the base end being integrally connected with the jack housing body, the cantilever member including a retaining tab positioned near the free end of the cantilever member, the retaining tab being positioned to engage a back side of the mounting fixture when the jack housing body is mounted in the jack opening;  
 D) wherein the jack housing body includes a front portion positioned opposite from a back portion, the front portion defining an inner chamber and also defining front and rear openings for accessing the inner chamber, the front opening comprising a port sized for receiving a plug, and the back portion of the jack housing body defining an open channel that extends in a rearward direction from the front portion, the jack housing body adapted to receive the insert assembly in the open channel, the jack housing body including a base and two opposite facing side walls, the base and the side walls defining at least a portion of the open channel;  
 E) wherein the insert assembly includes locking tabs, the jack housing body including a hole in each of the side walls to receive one of the locking tabs;  
 F) wherein the insert assembly includes outwardly facing slots, the jack housing body including guide rails for receipt in the slots of the insert assembly, wherein the rails are offset from the base so that alignment of the insert assembly within the jack housing body is not dependent on a surface of the insert assembly engaging the base.  
 
     
     
       4. The jack of  claim 3 , further including a second resilient cantilever member including a retaining tab positioned to engage the back side of the mounting fixture, the second cantilever member positioned on an opposite side of a front of the jack housing body. 
     
     
       5. The jack of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient cantilever member includes a front retaining tab to engage the front side of the mounting fixture. 
     
     
       6. The jack of  claim 4 , wherein the second cantilever member includes an open front end not engageable with the front side of the mounting fixture. 
     
     
       7. A jack comprising:
   a jack housing defining a port for receiving a plug;        an insert adapted to be inserted into the jack housing, the insert including:      a circuit board having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the circuit board also including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end;        a plurality of insulation displacement terminals positioned at the first side of the circuit board for terminating wires to the jack insert;        an insulation displacement terminal housing for supporting the insulation displacement terminals at the first side of the circuit board, the insulation displacement housing being positioned adjacent to the rear end of the circuit board;        a plurality of contact springs terminated to the first side of the circuit board, the contact springs including contact sections positioned at the first side of the circuit board and located adjacent the front end of the circuit board, wherein when the insert is positioned within the jack housing, the contact sections are adapted for contacting the plug inserted within the port of the jack housing; and        a divider positioned at the first side of the circuit board for separating the contact springs, the divider including channels that receive the contact springs, the channels having open sides that face away from the first side of the circuit board.       
     
     
       8. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the insert further includes elongate tabs for providing a snap- fit connection between the insert and the jack housing, the elongate tabs being elongated in a direction that extends generally between the front and rear ends of the circuit board.   
     
     
       9. The jack of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate tabs have cantilevered configurations and each include a base end and a free end, and wherein the free ends include ramp surfaces. 
     
     
       10. The jack of  claim 8 , wherein at least portions of the contact springs are located generally between the tabs. 
     
     
       11. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the insert further includes two tabs for providing a snap- fit connection between the insert and the jack housing, at least portions of the contact springs being located generally between the tabs.   
     
     
       12. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the insert further includes elongate tabs having a cantilevered configuration, the tabs being elongated in a direction that extends generally between the front and rear ends of the circuit board, the tabs being located at the first side of the circuit board, and the tabs being located on opposite sides of the divider. 
     
     
       13. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the insulation displacement terminal housing and the divider are part of a one- piece main body.   
     
     
       14. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the jack includes elongate tabs for providing a snap- fit connection between the insert and the jack housing, the elongate tabs having a cantilevered configuration.   
     
     
       15. The jack of  claim 7 , wherein the jack housing includes a front and a back, wherein the jack housing defines the port at the front of the jack housing, and wherein the back of the jack housing defines a rear opening for allowing the insert to be inserted into the jack housing. 
     
     
       16. A jack comprising:
   a jack housing defining a port for receiving a plug;        an insert adapted to be inserted into the jack housing, the insert including:      a circuit board having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the circuit board also including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end;        a plurality of insulation displacement terminals positioned at the first side of the circuit board for terminating wires to the jack insert;        an insulation displacement terminal housing for supporting the insulation displacement terminals at the first side of the circuit board;        a plurality of contact springs including contact sections positioned at the first side of the circuit board, wherein when the insert is positioned within the jack housing, the contact sections are adapted for contacting the plug inserted within the port of the jack housing;        a contact spring holder positioned at the first side of the circuit board; and          at least one of the insert and the jack housing including elongate tabs for providing a connection between the jack housing and the insert, the elongate tabs having a cantilevered configuration.     
     
     
       17. The jack of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate tabs include base ends and free ends, and wherein the free ends include ramp surfaces. 
     
     
       18. The jack of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate tabs are part of the insert and are elongated in a direction that extends generally between the front and rear ends of the circuit board. 
     
     
       19. The jack of  claim 18 , wherein at least portions of the contact springs are located generally between the elongated tabs. 
     
     
       20. The jack of  claim 19 , wherein the elongate tabs are located on opposite sides of the contact spring holder, and wherein the contact springs are terminated to the first side of the circuit board. 
     
     
       21. The jack of  claim 16 , wherein the insulation displacement terminal housing and the contact spring holder are part of a one- piece main body.   
     
     
       22. The jack of  claim 16 , wherein the jack housing includes a front and a back, wherein the jack housing defines the port at the front of the jack housing, and wherein the back of the jack housing defines a rear opening for allowing the insert to be inserted into the jack housing. 
     
     
       23. A jack comprising:
   a jack housing defining a port for receiving a plug;        an insert adapted to be inserted into the jack housing, the insert including:      a circuit board having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the circuit board also including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end;        a plurality of insulation displacement terminals positioned at the first side of the circuit board for terminating wires to the jack insert;        an insulation displacement terminal housing for supporting the insulation displacement terminals at the first side of the circuit board, the insulation displacement housing being positioned adjacent to the rear end of the circuit board;        a plurality of contact springs including contact sections positioned at the first side of the circuit board and located adjacent the front end of the circuit board, wherein when the insert is positioned within the jack housing, the contact sections are adapted for contacting the plug inserted within the port of the jack housing;        a contact spring holder positioned at the first side of the circuit board; and        two tabs each having a ramped surface, the tabs being positioned on opposite sides of the contact springs.       
     
     
       24. The jack of  claim 23 , wherein the tabs are located on opposite sides of the contact spring holder, and wherein the contact springs are terminated to the first side of the circuit board. 
     
     
       25. The jack of  claim 23 , wherein the insulation displacement terminal housing and the contact spring holder are part of a one- piece main body.   
     
     
       26. The jack of  claim 23 , wherein the jack housing includes a front and a back, wherein the jack housing defines the port at the front of the jack housing, and wherein the back of the jack housing defines a rear opening for allowing the insert to be inserted into the jack housing. 
     
     
       27. A jack comprising:
   a jack housing defining a port for receiving a plug;        an insert adapted to be inserted into the jack housing, the insert including:      a circuit board having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the circuit board also including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end;        a plurality of insulation displacement terminals positioned at the first side of the circuit board for terminating wires to the jack insert;        an insulation displacement terminal housing for supporting the insulation displacement terminals at the first side of the circuit board, the insulation displacement housing being positioned adjacent to the rear end of the circuit board;        a plurality of contact springs terminated to the first side of the circuit board, the contact springs including contact sections positioned at the first side of the circuit board and located adjacent the front end of the circuit board, wherein when the insert is positioned within the jack housing, the contact sections are adapted for contacting the plug inserted within the port of the jack housing; and        first and second combs positioned at the first side of the circuit board for separating the contact springs, the second comb being positioned closer to the front end of the circuit board than the first comb.       
     
     
       28. The jack of  claim 27 , wherein the jack further includes elongate tabs for providing a snap- fit connection between the insert and the jack housing.   
     
     
       29. The jack of  claim 28 , wherein the elongate tabs are part of the insert and are positioned on opposite sides of the first comb. 
     
     
       30. The jack of  claim 27 , wherein the insulation displacement terminal housing and the contact spring holder are part of a one- piece main body.   
     
     
       31. The jack of  claim 27 , wherein the first comb defines channels having open sides that face away from the first side of the circuit board. 
     
     
       32. The jack of  claim 27 , wherein the jack housing includes a front and a back, wherein the jack housing defines the port at the front of the jack housing, and wherein the back of the jack housing defines a rear opening for allowing the insert to be inserted into the jack housing. 
     
     
       33. A jack comprising:
   a jack housing including a front positioned opposite from a rear, the front of the jack housing defining a port for receiving a plug, the rear of the jack housing defining a rear opening;        an insert adapted to be inserted into the jack housing through the rear opening of the jack housing, the insert including:      a circuit board having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the circuit board also including a front end positioned opposite from a rear end;        a plurality of insulation displacement terminals positioned at the first side of the circuit board for terminating wires to the jack insert;        an insulation displacement terminal housing for supporting the insulation displacement terminals at the first side of the circuit board;        a plurality of contact springs terminated to the first side of the circuit board, the contact springs including contact sections positioned at the first side of the circuit board, wherein when the insert is positioned within the jack housing, the contact sections are adapted for contacting the plug inserted within the port of the jack housing; and          a slide interface for providing alignment between the insert and the jack housing, the slide interface including a pair of elongate guide members that slide within corresponding elongate slots.     
     
     
       34. The jack of  claim 33 , wherein the elongate guide members include rails provided within the jack housing, and wherein the elongate slots are provided along sides of the insert. 
     
     
       35. An insert for mounting within a jack, the insert comprising:
   a )  a connector mount having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the connector mount including:      i )  a divider including a plurality of channels having open sides that face away from the first side of the connector mount;        ii )  an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the connector mount;          b )  a plurality of contact springs separated by the divider; and        c )  a circuit board having a first side and a second side, the contact springs being terminated to the first side of the circuit board, and the circuit board being mounted at the second side of the connector mount with the first side of the circuit board facing toward the second side of the connector mount.     
     
     
       36. The insert of  claim 35 , wherein the connector mount is a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
       37. An insert for a jack, the insert comprising:
   a )  a connector mount including a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the connector mount including:      i )  two elongate tabs positioned at the first side of the connector mount, each tab having an end including a ramp surface;        ii )  a front divider positioned at the first side of the connector mount;        iii )  a rear connector assembly positioned at the first side of the connector mount, the rear connector assembly including two rows of means for terminating conductive wires extending from the first side on opposite sides of the first side;          b )  a plurality of contact springs separated by the divider, the contact springs each including a main bend between a base end portion and a free end portion, the base end portion including a distal tip; and        c )  a circuit board providing electrical connections between the rear connector assembly and the contact springs, the circuit board being mounted at the second side of the connector mount, with the distal tips of the contact springs mounted to the circuit board.     
     
     
       38. The insert of  claim 37 , wherein the divider defines a plurality of open slots that receive and separate the contact springs, the open slots having open sides that face away from the first side of the connector mount. 
     
     
       39. The insert of  claim 37 , wherein the connector mount is a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
       40. The insert of  claim 37 , wherein at least portions of the springs and the divider are positioned between the elongate tabs. 
     
     
       41. An insert for a jack, the insert comprising
   a )  a connector mount having a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the connector mount including:      i )  a divider positioned at the first side of the connector mount;        ii )  an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the connector mount;        iii )  elongate tabs positioned at the first side of the connector mount;          b )  a plurality of contact springs separated by the divider; and        c )  a circuit board to which the contact springs are terminated, the circuit board being mounted at the second side of the connector mount.     
     
     
       42. The insert of  claim 41 , wherein the divider includes channels having open sides that face away from the first side of the connector mount. 
     
     
       43. The insert of  claim 41 , wherein at least portions of the contact springs are positioned between the elongate tabs. 
     
     
       44. The insert of  claim 41 , wherein the divider is positioned between the elongate tabs. 
     
     
       45. The insert of  claim 41 , wherein the connector mount comprises a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
       46. The insert of  claim 41 , wherein the elongate tabs each include a free end having a ramp surface.