GB2479419A

GB2479419A - Telecommunications connector assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2479419A
Application number: GB1008230A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rowland White
Original assignee: Wheeler and Clinch Ltd
Current assignee: Wheeler and Clinch Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-20
Filing date: 2010-05-18
Publication date: 2011-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-18
Also published as: GB201008230D0; GB201000863D0; GB2479419B

Abstract

A telecommunications connector assembly 7 comprises a circuit board 9 and a connector body 10 (e.g. UK style telephone jack socket) to enable circuits (e.g. DSL filter circuit) to be integrated into a standard jack enclosure. The circuit board 9 has a first push-fit formation (e.g. mounting aperture) and a plurality of elongate contacts, which are connected to, and supported by, the circuit board 9. The connector body 10 has a second push-fit formation (e.g. mounting member) and a recess to receive a telecommunications connector. The first and second push-fit formations releasably engage one another to releasably attach the circuit board 9 to the connector body 10 with the elongate contacts extending from the circuit board 9 into the connector body recess 10. In a separate embodiment, a telephone system comprises a cable having two wires and a telephone socket incorporating a circuit, the circuit comprising only two input terminals which are connected to the two wires in the cable.

Description

Title: A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

Description of Invention

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly relates to a connector assembly for use in a telecommunications system.

Early telephone wall sockets incorporate a female jack connector socket which is attached directly to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is attached to a faceplate which is provided with an aperture to allow a user to insert a telephone plug through the aperture and into the female jack socket.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a prior art telephone connector 1 which was developed by the same inventor, and which is described in US-A-462451 6. The prior art connector 1 is known as British Telecom connector LJU6C.

The prior art connector 1 incorporates a faceplate 2 which is provided with a rectangular aperture 3. The aperture 3 is normally closed by a spring-loaded moveable door 4.

A female jack connector assembly 5 is attached to the back of the faceplate 2. The connector assembly 5 incorporates a socket (not shown) which is aligned with the aperture 3 in the faceplate 2 so that a telephone plug (not shown) can be inserted through the aperture 3 and into the socket of the connector assembly 5.

Snap-fit attachments 6 extend rearwardly from the four corners of the faceplate 2. The attachments 6 are configured to engage the edges of a mounting aperture to enable the prior art connector 1 to be mounted to a mounting plate.

The prior art connector 1 does not incorporate a printed circuit board and there is no printed circuit board mounted to the faceplate 2. A printed circuit board assembly must, however, be used with the prior art connector 1 to enable the prior art connector 1 to be used with a conventional UK telephone system.

It has been proposed previously to connect a remotely mounted circuit board assembly to the prior art connector 1. In the UK, the circuit board assembly is known as British Telecom part number BT81A. It is, however, inconvenient and costly to install circuit assemblies, such as the BT81A, separately from telephone connectors.

It has been proposed previously to incorporate a printed circuit board into a telephone connector. However, the prior art arrangements are difficult and expensive to assemble because they require the circuit board to be soldered by hand or by a robotically controlled laser.

Figure 1 a of the accompanying drawings shows part of a conventional telephone wiring system la. External network wiring 2a which incorporates two conductors A,B is fed into a building to network termination equipment (NTE) which usually takes the form of a master socket 3a.

The master socket 3a incorporates a circuit which splits the two conductors A,B of the network wiring 2a into four terminals 2-5. Each of the terminals 2-5 is connected to a wire in a conventional four-wire telephone cable 4a.

Telephone sockets 5a,6a,7a, etc. are connected in series along the telephone cable 4a at spaced apart positions.

Conventional telephone systems such as the system shown in figure 1 a are often also used to transmit data, for instance, to provide an internet connection within a building. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology is used to transmit data over the network wiring 2a. The network wiring 2a can be used for voice communication at the same time as data communication, provided that a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) micro-filter is connected between the telephone and the telephone line. The DSL filter filters out the ADSL signals so that the ADSL signals do not interfere with the voice communication.

It is known to provide DSL filters in adaptors or splitters which are plugged into each telephone socket where a telephone is to be connected.

Conventional DSL filters and splitters are, however, costly and unattractive because they are usually in the form of a separate dongle which must hang from a telephone socket.

It has been proposed previously to provide a DSL filter circuit in a conventional full-size telephone socket, with the socket mounted directly to the circuit board. Filtered sockets of this kind are, however, difficult and expensive to manufacture.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved connector assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly for use in a telecommunications system, the connector assembly comprising a circuit board which is provided with a first push-fit formation, the circuit board being provided with a plurality of elongate contacts which are connected to and supported by the circuit board, the connector assembly further comprising a connector body having a recess which is configured to receive a telecommunications connector, the connector body being provided with a second push-fit formation, the first and second push-fit formations releasably engaging one another by push-fit engagement to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body with the elongate contacts extending from the circuit board into the recess in the connector body.

In one embodiment, the connector body comprises a first part and a second part which are releasably attached to one another.

Preferably, the first part of the connector body is attached to the second part of the connector body by push-fit engagement.

Conveniently the connector body is a UK style telephone jack socket.

Advantageously the UK style telephone jack socket is in accordance with British standard BS6312-2.1.

In another embodiment the connector body is an RJ1 1 telephone connector.

In a further embodiment the connector body is an RJ45 data communications connector.

Preferably part of the circuit board defines a part of a wall of the recess in the connector body.

Conveniently the first push-fit formation is at least one mounting aperture provided in the circuit board.

Advantageously the second push-fit formation is at least one mounting member which is provided on the connector body.

Preferably the connector assembly further comprises a support element which is connected to the circuit board to support the circuit board.

Conveniently the support element is provided with a third push-fit formation.

Advantageously the third push-fit formation is at least one mounting aperture, the at least one mounting member engaging the at least one mounting aperture in the support element with a push-fit engagement.

In one embodiment the circuit board incorporate components which are connected to form a DSL filter circuit.

In a further embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form a network termination equipment master circuit.

In a still further embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form a BT81A circuit.

Preferably the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a surge arrester diode.

Conveniently the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a bell capacitor.

Advantageously the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a line test resistor.

In one embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 36 of the accompanying drawings.

In another embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 37 of the accompanying drawings.

In a further embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 38 of the accompanying drawings.

In a yet further embodiment the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 39 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably the circuit board incorporates only two input terminals.

Conveniently each one of the two input terminals is connected to a wire in a telephone cable.

Advantageously the telephone cable is a four-wire cable and the input terminals are connected to two of the four wires in the cable.

Preferably the connector assembly has a footprint which is not greater than 21mm x 32mm.

Conveniently the connector assembly is dimensioned to fit within a mounting box in accordance with British standard number BS4662.

Advantageously the mounting box has a depth of 16mm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly for use in a telecommunications system, the connector assembly comprising a circuit board which is provided with a first push-fit formation, the circuit board being provided with a plurality of elongate contacts which are connected to and supported by the circuit board, the connector assembly further comprising a UK style telephone jack socket in accordance with British standard BS6312-2.1, the connector body being provided with a second push-fit formation, the first and second push-fit formations releasably engaging one another by push-fit engagement to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body with the elongate contacts extending from the circuit board into the jack socket.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a connector for use in a telephone communications system, the method comprising providing a circuit board with a first push-fit formation, connecting a plurality of elongate contacts to the circuit board so that the contacts are connected to and supported by the circuit board, providing a connector body having a recess which is configured to receive a telecommunications connector, the body having a second push-fit formation, positioning the elongate contacts in the recess of the connector body and push-fitting the first and second formations together to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body.

Preferably the elongate contacts are each pre-formed to incorporate an angled portion, a flattened portion and a leg portion, the leg portion being substantially perpendicular to the flattened portion and the angled portion being at an angle of substantially 72° to the flattened portion.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone system comprising a cable having two wires and a telephone socket which incorporates a circuit, the circuit comprising only two input terminals which are connected to the two wires in the cable.

Preferably the cable is a four-wire cable and the input terminals are connected to two of the four wires in the cable.

In one embodiment the circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 36 of the accompanying drawings.

In another embodiment the circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 37 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably the system comprises a further telephone socket which incorporates a further circuit, the further circuit comprising only two input terminals which are connected the two wires in the cable.

In another embodiment the further circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 38 of the accompanying drawings.

In a further embodiment the further circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 39 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably the system further comprises a data socket which is connected to the two wires in the cable.

Conveniently the data socket is an RJ1 1 modem socket.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a prior art connector, Figure 1 a is a diagrammatic view of part of a conventional telephone system, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector assembly of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a support element which forms part of the connector assembly of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top view of the support element shown in figure 3, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the support element shown in figure 3, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the support element shown in figure 3, Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a circuit board assembly which forms part of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector body of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 9 is a diagrammatic top view of the connector body shown in figure 8, Figure 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the connector body shown in figure 9, Figure 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first part of the connector body of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 12 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the first part of the connector body shown in figure 11, Figure 13 is a diagrammatic side view of the first part of the connector body shown in figure 11, Figure 14 is a diagrammatic side view of the first part of the connector body shown in figure 11, Figure 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second part of the connector body of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 16 is a diagrammatic top view of the second part of the connector body shown in figure 15, Figure 17 is a diagrammatic side view of the second part of the connector body shown in figure 15, Figure 18 is a diagrammatic top view of the connector assembly of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, Figure 19 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the connector assembly shown in figure 18, Figure 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector assembly of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 21 is a diagrammatic top view of the connector assembly shown in figure 20, Figure 22 is a circuit diagram of a filter which forms part of the further embodiment of the invention, Figure 23 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector assembly of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 24 is a diagrammatic side view of a circuit board support element of the connector assembly shown in figure 23, Figure 25 is a diagrammatic front view of a circuit board assembly of the connector assembly shown in figure 23, Figure 26 is a diagrammatic side view of the circuit board assembly shown in figure 25, Figure 27 is a diagrammatic end view of the circuit board assembly shown in figure 25, Figure 28 is a diagrammatic view of the underside of the circuit board assembly shown in figure 25, Figure 29 is a diagrammatic top view of the circuit board assembly shown in figure 25, Figure 30 is a circuit diagram showing the components and connections of the circuit board assembly shown in figure 25, Figure 31 is a diagrammatic top view of a connector body of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 32 is a diagrammatic sectional view through the connector body shown in figure 31, Figure 33 is an enlarged view of part of the connector body shown in figure Figure 34 is an enlarged view of part of a connector body in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 35 is a diagrammatic view of part of a telephone system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, Figure 36 is a circuit diagram of a fully mastered primary telephone socket which incorporates a DSL filter, Figure 37 is a circuit diagram of a DSL filtered secondary telephone socket, Figure 38 is a circuit diagram of an unfiltered telephone master circuit, and Figure 39 is a circuit diagram of an unfiltered secondary telephone circuit.

Referring now to figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a connector assembly 7 of an embodiment of the invention incorporates a planar circuit board support element 8, a circuit board assembly 9 and a jack connector body 10.

The support element 8 and the parts of the connector body 10 are all preferably manufactured independently of one another using injection moulding.

The connector assembly 7 has a footprint which is not greater than approximately 21 mm wide and 32 mm long. The connector assembly 7 is dimensioned for use in a mounting box which has a depth of approximately 16 mm, according to British standard BS4662. The connector assembly 7 of embodiments of the invention provides a complete "master" British Telecom style connector which can be fitted into a module of the type shown in figure 1 and described in US-A-4624516.

The terms push-fit and snap-fit are used below to describe an interference or friction-fit attachment between two components. It is, however, to be appreciated that the components may also be attached to one another using adhesive and/or welding.

The support element 8, the circuit assembly 9 and the connector body 10 will now be described in detail.

Referring now to figures 3-6 of the accompanying drawings, the support element 8 is a planar, generally rectangular, component which is preferably integrally formed from injection moulded plastic. The support element 8 incorporates a base 11 which has a planar lower face 12, as shown in figure 6. A rectangular recess 13 is formed in the upper face 14 of the base 11.

Side edges 15,16 of the recess 13 incorporate spaced apart rounded notches 17.

A pair of spaced apart upstanding rectangular supports 18,19 protrude from a retaining end 20 of the support element 8.

A retaining member 21 is positioned in the middle of the retaining end 20, between the rectangular supports 18,19. The retaining member 21 has an upstanding flat rear edge 22 which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base 11. The retaining member 21 has an angled front face 23 which is angled relative to the base 11. An elongate rectangular slot 24 is provided along the lower edge of the front face 23 of the retaining member 21. The slot 24 is dimensioned to receive one edge of the printed circuit assembly 9. The retaining member 21 thus defines a resilient push-fit clip.

The support element 8 incorporates a mounting flange 25 at a mounting end 26 of the support element 8. The mounting flange 25 is provided with two spaced apart mounting apertures 27,28.

The support element 8 is preferably a one-piece injection moulded element which is of resiliently deformable plastic. It is, however, to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, the support element 8 may be formed from separate components which are joined together.

Referring now to figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, the printed circuit board assembly 9 incorporates a generally rectangular printed circuit board 29. The printed circuit board 29 is preferably approximately 20 mm long and approximately 20.5 mm wide. The printed circuit board 29 is preferably less than two thirds the size of a conventional BT81A circuit board.

Electrical components are soldered onto the printed circuit board 29, for instance by through-hole soldering. The components include six connectors to which wires from a telecommunication system can be connected.

Further components, such as a capacitor 31 or other electrical components (not shown) can be soldered onto the printed circuit board 29 to form an electrical circuit. In this embodiment of the invention, the components of the printed circuit board assembly 29 are connected to form a circuit which is equivalent to a British Telecom BT81A circuit.

Spaced apart jack contacts 32 are soldered in a line along a mounting flange 33 at one end of the printed circuit board 29. The jack contacts 32 are attached to the printed circuit board 29 preferably by through-hole soldering.

The jack contacts 32 are elongate components which are formed from a resiliently deformable metal, such as copper, and the jack contacts are initially straight. The ends of the jack contacts 32 which are remote from the printed circuit board 29 are initially joined together by an integrally formed salvage strip 34. The salvage strip 34 serves to keep the jack contacts 32 parallel and evenly spaced from one another during assembly. As discussed below, the salvage strip 34 is removed when the connector assembly 7 is being assembled.

The mounting flange 33 is provided with two spaced apart mounting apertures 35. The mounting flange 33 has notches 36,37 cut at each end so that the width of the mounting flange 33 is less than the width of the main body of the printed circuit board 29. The reduced width of the mounting flange 33 and the mounting apertures 35 enable the printed circuit board 29 to be attached to the connector body 10 of the connector assembly 7.

Referring now to figures 8-14 of the accompanying drawings, the connector body 10 is formed from a first part 38 and a second part 39 to define a line jack connector socket. The first and second parts 38,39 of the connector body 10 are formed separately from one another from injection-moulded plastic. The first and second parts 38,39 are initially separate from one another but are attached to one another during assembly by push or snap-fit attachment.

The first part 38 of the connector body 10 has a main body portion 40 of generally rectangular cross-section. Mounting flanges 41 protrude from the lower edges of each side of the main body portion 40. Mounting elements in the form of two spaced apart cylindrical mounting pegs 42,43 protrude downwardly from the underside of the main body portion 40. The mounting pegs 42,43 are spaced apart from one another and configured to be received with a push-fit attachment in the mounting apertures 35 of the printed circuit board 29.

Two spaced apart support flanges 44,45 project generally perpendicularly to the mounting pegs 42,43 from one side of the main body portion 40. The support flanges 44,45 engage the upper side of the printed circuit board 29 when the connector assembly 7 is assembled.

A generally rectangular connector recess 46 is formed in one face of the main body portion 40. A plurality of straight, spaced apart, contact channels 47 are formed across the rear side of the connector recess 46. The contact channels 47 continue around the lower edge of the main body portion 40, as shown in figure 12. As will become clear from the description below, the contact channels 47 receive the jack contacts 32 of the printed circuit board 29 when the connector assembly 7 is assembled.

The upper end of the first part 38 of the connector body 10 optionally incorporates an arched member 48. The arched member 48 is omitted from the view of the connector assembly 7 shown in figure 2. The arched member 48 serves to secure a cable tie to restrain wires connected to the connectors on the circuit board assembly 9 to prevent the wires becoming disconnected from the connectors 30 when the wired connector is being assembled into a wall outlet.

Elongate wedge-shaped formations 49,50 protrude from each side of the main body portion 40. The wedge-shaped formations 49,50 are configured to be engaged and retained by formations provided on the second part 39 of the connector body 10.

Referring now to figures 15-17 of the accompanying drawings, the second part 39 of the connector body 10 incorporates a generally planar supporting wall 51 and generally perpendicular side walls 52,53. The inner face of the supporting wall 51 is provided with indentations and protrusions 54 which correspond to indentations and protrusions on a telephone jack plug (not shown), such as a UK style telephone plug according to British standard BS6312-2.1. A mounting flange 55 extends around the base of the second part 39 of the connector body 10.

Retaining elements in the form of resiliently deformable generally C-shaped clips 56,57 extend from the ends of the side walls 52,53. The clips 56,57 are configured to clip onto the wedge-shaped formations 49,50 on the first part 38 of the connector body 10 when the connector body 10 is assembled.

The method of assembling the connector assembly 7 will now be described in detail.

The printed circuit board 8 is manufactured and the components are soldered onto the printed circuit board 8. The jack contacts 32 are bent and angled to fit in the contact channels 47 of the first part 38 of the connector body 10, as shown in figures 18 and 19. The salvage strip 34 is removed from the jack connectors 32. The first part 38 of the connector body 10 is attached to the printed circuit board 8 by push-fitting the mounting pegs 42,43 into the mounting apertures 35 on the printed circuit board 8 with the jack contacts 32 extending into the recess 46 of the connector body 10. The end part of the circuit board 8 defines a part of a wall of the recess 46 in the connector body 10, as shown in figure 19.

The second part 39 of the connector body 10 is clipped onto the first part 38 by pushing the two parts 38,39 together so that the clips 56,57 deform as they move along the angled parts of the wedge-shaped formations 49,50 and then clip around the flat part of the wedge-shaped formations 49,50, as shown in figure 2. The second part 39 of the connector body 10 covers and protects the jack contacts 32.

The support element 8 is then attached to the connector body 10 by push-fitting the mounting pegs 42,43 into the mounting apertures 27,28 in the support element 8.

As the support element 8 is pushed onto the pegs 42,43, the supports 18,19 align with the end of the printed circuit board 29 and the edge of the printed circuit 29 deforms the retaining member 21 until the printed circuit board 29 becomes clipped in the slot 24 in the retaining member 21, as shown in figure 2.

All of the parts of the connector assembly 7 are thus assembled by push or snap-fitting the parts together. This can be done by hand without assembly tools. An operator of an injection moulding machine who is making support elements 8 and connector bodies 10 can therefore assemble previously made parts together whilst the injection moulding machine is cycling. The connector assembly 7 is thus quick and easy to assemble.

Whilst in the embodiment described above the circuit assembly 9 is a circuit, such as a British Telecom BT81A circuit, which enables the connector assembly to be used in a UK telephone system, in other embodiments the circuit assembly 9 may be a different circuit. For instance, in other embodiments the circuit assembly 9 is a circuit which is selected to allow the connector assembly 7 to be used in telephone systems in countries other than the UK. In further embodiments, the circuit assembly 9 is a circuit which configures the circuit assembly 7 for use with a data network.

Whilst in the embodiments described above the connector body 10 is a British Telecom jack connector, in other embodiments, the British Telecom jack connector can be interchanged with an RJ45 data communications connector to enable the connector assembly 7 to be used with a category 5, 5e, 6 or 6a data network or any other kind of data network. In further embodiments, the connector body 10 is an RJ1 1 type telephone connector which is, for instance, used in the Republic of Ireland.

It is to be appreciated that the connector body 10 and/or the circuit assembly 9 can be interchanged respectively with different connector bodies and circuit assemblies to configure the connector assembly 7 appropriately for use in different telecommunications systems. The configuration can be done easily by hand because the components push-fit together.

Referring now to figures 20 and 21 of the accompanying drawings, a connector assembly 58 of a further embodiment of the invention incorporates a connector body 59 and a support element (not shown), which are identical to the connector body 10 and the support element 8 of the embodiment described above. However, this further embodiment incorporates a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) noise filter circuit 60 in place of the circuit assembly 9 of the preferred embodiment described above.

The DSL filter circuit 60 incorporates two line connectors 61 to enable the circuit 60 to be connected to a telephone cable. The DSL filter circuit comprises DSL filter components which include two inductors L1,L2 components, a capacitor Cl and two resistors Ri,R2 which are connected as shown in the circuit diagram of figure 22 of the accompanying drawings.

It is to be appreciated that the DSL filter components L1,L2,C1,R1 and R2 may be replaced by other DSL filter components which are connected differently to form a modified DSL filter in other embodiments of the invention.

The DSL filter circuit 60 also incorporates a surge arrester diode Dl, a bell capacitor C2 and a line test resistor R3. The components are connected according to the circuit diagram shown in figure 22 to three of six jack connector contacts 62.

The line connectors 61 provide two connection points to connect to two conductors in a telephone cable. This is in contrast to the embodiment described above which incorporates six connectors 30 to connect to six conductors in a telephone or network cable.

The surge arrester diode Dl, the bell capacitor 02 and the line test resistor R3 are all optional components and some or all of these components may be omitted in other embodiments of the invention.

The connector assembly 58 of this further embodiment of the invention provides a compact connector assembly which includes a DSL filter which is interchangeable with a British Telecom LJU6C style housing.

The connector assembly 58 of this further embodiment of the invention provides a means for configuring a telephone socket for use with a telephone in a building which has ADSL or another data connection on the telephone line without the need for a separate DSL filter dongle or splitter. A telephone can simply be plugged into the connector assembly 58 without the user having to provide a separate DSL filter.

The connector assembly 58 can be retro-fitted in LJU6C points which are already installed in a building.

Referring now to figure 23 of the accompanying drawings, a connector assembly 63 of a preferred embodiment of the invention is similar to the connector assembly 7 described above. However, the connector assembly 63 of this preferred embodiment incorporates a modified circuit board support element 64, a modified circuit board assembly 65 and a modified connector body 66. Parts of the components of the connector assembly 63 of this preferred embodiment which are identical to parts described above will be described and illustrated using the same reference numerals.

Referring now to figure 24 of the accompanying drawings, the support element 64 of this preferred embodiment incorporates a plurality of recesses 67 in the upper face 14 of the base 11, instead of the single rectangular recess 13 of the embodiments described above. The recesses 67 receive the ends of the terminals of components mounted to the circuit board assembly so that the underside of the circuit board can sit flush against the upper face 14 of the base 11 of the support element 64.

The support element 64 of this preferred embodiment incorporates a pair of inwardly directed clips 68 which extend perpendicularly upwardly from the base 11 adjacent the mounting flange 25. The inwardly directed clips 68 are formed integrally with the base 11 of the support element 64 and are resiliently deformable.

The support element 64 is clipped onto the underneath of the circuit board assembly 65 during assembly. As the support element 64 is clipped onto the circuit board assembly 65 the inwardly directed clips 68 deform resiliently and clip around the support flanges 44,45 on the connector body 66. The inwardly directed clips 67 provide an additional attachment to the connector body 66 which secures the circuit board assembly 65 between the support element 64 and the connector body 66.

Referring now to figures 25-30 of the accompanying drawings, the circuit board assembly 65 of this preferred embodiment incorporates connector terminals 30, a capacitor 31, a resistor 69 and a diode 70. The capacitor 31 is preferably substantially 1.5j.iF, the diode is preferably an SNTPA180 diode and the resistor preferably has a resistance of substantially 470k«=).

The circuit board assembly 65 of this preferred embodiment incorporates pre-formed jack contacts 71. The jack contacts 71 comprise six elongate spaced apart contacts 72 which are joined initially at one end by a salvage strip 73.

The ends of the contacts 72 which are remote from the salvage strip 73 are pre-formed into legs 74 and flattened portions 75 which are substantially perpendicular to the legs 74, as shown in figure 26. The contacts 72 have an angled portion which extend at an angle of substantially 72° from the flattened portions 75. The jack contacts 71 are thus pre-formed before the circuit board 65 is assembled so that the legs 74 can be soldered through holes in the circuit board 8 so the flattened portions 75 lie against the top of the circuit board 8. The salvage strip 73 is removed from the ends of the contacts 72 after the contacts 72 have been soldered onto the circuit board 8.

Referring now to figure 31-33 of the accompanying drawings, the connector body 66 of this preferred embodiment has substantially the same internal and external shape as the connector body 10 described above. However, the connector body 66 of this preferred embodiment is a single piece injected moulded part. The connector body 66 defines a UK style telephone jack generally in accordance with British standard BS6312-2.1.

The connector body 66 incorporates an arched member 76 which serves as a cable tie on the side of the connector body 66, rather than on the end of the connector body as is the case in the embodiments described above.

Contact channels 47 of the connector body 66 incorporate inclined cutaway sections 77, as shown in figures 32 and 33. The cutaway sections 77 form a space adjacent the angled part of the jack contacts 72 when the jack contacts 72 are situated within the contact channels 47 when the connector body 66 is attached to the printed circuit board 8. The recesses allow the jack contacts 72 to be pushed through the contact channels 47 during assembly when the connector body 66 is being attached to the circuit board 8. The jack contacts 72 are thus attached and supported by the circuit board 8, but the jack contacts 72 extend through the contact channel 47 and into the central socket part of the connector body 66, as shown in figure 32.

In use, the recesses defined by the cutaway sections 77 allow the jack contacts 71 to deform resiliently when a plug is inserted into the connector body 66.

Referring now to figure 34 of the accompanying drawings, a further embodiment of the invention is identical to the preferred embodiment described above, except the connector body 66 is provided with a smaller, steeper cutaway sections 78 in each of the contact channels 47. The upper end of the cutaway sections 78 contact a point on each of the jack contacts 72 in each contact channels 47 so that the jack contacts 72 deform resiliently about that point when a plug is inserted into the connector body 66.

The connector assembly 63 of the preferred embodiment of the invention may, in other embodiments, incorporate a DSL filter circuit or a BT81A circuit as described above. The connector body 66 of the preferred embodiment of the invention may be interchanged with an RJ45 data communications connector, or an RJ1 1 type telephone connector, as described above.

Referring now to figure 35 of the accompanying drawings, a telephone system 79 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is a modified version of the conventional telephone system shown in figure la. External network wiring 80 is connected to a junction box 81.

Two conductors of an internal telephone cable 82 are also connected to the junction box 81. The two conductors may be two conductors of a two or four-wire telephone cable or two wires of a telephone having more than four wires.

The junction box 81 may be network termination equipment (NTE) which is installed by the telephone service provider. Alternatively, if network termination equipment is not installed, the junction box 81 provides a direct connection between the external network wiring 80 and the internal telephone cable 82.

Sockets 83-87 are connected at spaced apart positions along the telephone cable 82. Three of the sockets 83-85 are telephone sockets and two of the sockets 86,87 are data or modem sockets. It is, however, to be appreciated that there may be a greater or fewer number of telephone and data/modem sockets in the system than the number shown in figure 35.

The data sockets 86,87 are preferably RJ1 1 modem sockets to which an ADSL modem can be connected.

The telephone sockets 83,85 each incorporate one of the four circuits 88-91 shown in figures 36-39. The choice of which circuit 88-91 is used in each socket 83-85 will depend upon which other circuit 88-91 is used in the system 79 and whether the system is to be used for voice only communications or voice and data communications.

Figure 36 shows a CBT2-i circuit 88 which is part of a fully mastered primary British Telecom telephone socket which incorporates a DSL filter. The circuit is the same as the DSL filter circuit 60 described above and shown in figure 22.

The inductors Li,L2, the capacitor 02 and the resistors Ri, R2 are connected i 0 together to define the DSL filter circuit.

The surge arrester diode Di, the bell capacitor Ci and the line test resistor R3 define network termination equipment which ensures that the socket acts as a master socket. The CBT2-i circuit 88 is intended to be used when there is is no network termination equipment installed by the telephone service provider.

The two terminals 2,5 of the CBT2-i circuit 88 connect to the two conductors of the telephone cable 82. A telephone may be connected to the telephone socket incorporating the CBT2-i circuit 88 and used for voice communication with the DSL filter components Li,L2,C2,Ri and R2 filtering out any ADSL signals in the system 79 from the telephone connection.

Figure 37 shows a CBT2-2 circuit 89 which is part of a DSL filtered secondary British Telecom telephone socket. The CBT2-2 circuit 89 is identical to the CBT2-i circuit 88 but the mastering components (the surge arrester diode Di and the line test resistor R3) are omitted. The mastering components are omitted because the CBT2-2 circuit 89 is for use when network termination equipment is installed elsewhere in the system 79 by the telephone service provider or if the CBT2-i circuit 88 which includes the mastering components is installed elsewhere in the system 79.

The mastering components are omitted from the CBT2-2 circuit 89 because it is not necessary to duplicate the surge arrester diode Dl and the line test resistor R3 in the system 79 if these components are present elsewhere in the system 79. Duplicating the surge arrester diode Dl and the line test resistor R3 would cause unnecessary attenuation in the system.

Figure 38 shows an unfiltered primary British Telecom master circuit 90 (CTB2-3). Like the CBT2-1 circuit 88 described above, the CBT2-3 circuit 90 is only intended to be used where there is no network termination equipment or other mastering circuit such as the CBT2-1 circuit 88 installed elsewhere in the system 79. The unfiltered CBT2-3 circuit 90 is used in telephone-only systems which do not carry ADSL data signals.

Figure 39 shows an unfiltered secondary British Telecom telephone socket circuit 91 (CTB2-4). The CBT2-4 circuit 91 is for use in a system which incorporates network termination equipment or another mastering circuit such as the CBT2-3 circuit 90. The CBT2-4 circuit 91 is identical to the mastering CBT2-3 circuit 90, but the surge arrester diode Dl and the line test resistor R3 are omitted. The CBT2-4 circuit 91 does, however, still incorporate the bell capacitor Cl which allows a telephone connected to the socket to ring.

All of the telephone socket circuits 88-91 incorporate the bell capacitor Cl to enable a telephone connected to the socket to ring. The inclusion of the bell capacitor Olin the secondary telephone socket circuits CBT2-2 and CBT2-4 is unusual because a bell capacitor Cl is not normally required in a standard telephone system since a separate wire is provided for ringing in a conventional four-wire telephone cable.

The circuits 88-91 may be provided in a connector assembly, such as the connector assembly 58 described above. Alternatively, the circuits 88-91 may be incorporated in telephone sockets of a different configuration.

The two-wire telephone system has several advantages over a conventional four-wire telephone system: * Most buildings are already wired with conventional four-wire telephone cable. The components of the two-wire system of embodiments of the invention can be connected to two of the wires in the four-wire cable, leaving the other two wires in the cable free for use as a second telephone line. The second line could, for instance, be used for facsimile communication.

The installation time of the two-wire system is reduced compared with the four-wire system because modem or telephone sockets can be installed wherever they are needed without having to install separate DSL filters.

* No additional DSL filters of splitters are needed in the two-wire system and so the two-wire system is cheaper and more aesthetically appealing than a conventional system.

* The use of separate telephone and modem sockets in the two-wire system reduces the risk of incorrect connection of telephones and modems to the system. This is a simpler arrangement than the conventional four-wire arrangement in which telephone sockets are used throughout with adaptors or splitters to connect modems to the system.

* The two-wire system is better for the environment than the conventional four-wire system because the two-wire system uses less wire, less plastic and less precious metal components than the conventional four-wire system.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A connector assembly for use in a telecommunications system, the connector assembly comprising: a circuit board which is provided with a first push-fit formation, the circuit board being provided with a plurality of elongate contacts which are connected to and supported by the circuit board, the connector assembly further comprising: a connector body having a recess which is configured to receive a telecommunications connector, the connector body being provided with a second push-fit formation, the first and second push-fit formations releasably engaging one another by push-fit engagement to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body with the elongate contacts extending from the circuit board into the recess in the connector body.
2. A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector body comprises a first part and a second part which are releasably attached to one another.
3. A connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the connector body is attached to the second part of the connector body by push-fit engagement.
4. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector body is a UK style telephone jack socket.
5. A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the UK style telephone jack socket is in accordance with British standard BS6312-2.1.
6. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector body is an RJ1 1 telephone connector.
7. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector body is an RJ45 data communications connector.
8. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein part of the circuit board defines a part of a wall of the recess in the connector body.
9. A connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first push-fit formation is at least one mounting aperture provided in the circuit board.
10. A connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second push-fit formation is at least one mounting member which is provided on the connector body.
11. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector assembly further comprises a support element which is connected to the circuit board to support the circuit board.
12. A connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support element is provided with a third push-fit formation.
13. A connector assembly according to claims 11 and 12 as dependent on claim 10, wherein the third push-fit formation is at least one mounting aperture, the at least one mounting member engaging the at least one mounting aperture in the support element with a push-fit engagement.
14. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form a DSL filter circuit.
15. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form a network termination equipment master circuit.
16. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form a BT81A circuit.
17. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a surge arrester diode.
18. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a bell capacitor.
19. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board comprises an electrical circuit which incorporates a line test resistor.
20. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 36 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 37 of the accompanying drawings.
22. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 38 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the circuit board incorporates components which are connected to form the circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 39 of the accompanying drawings.
24. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board incorporates only two input terminals.
25. A connector assembly according to claim 24, wherein each one of the two input terminals is connected to a wire in a telephone cable.
26. A connector assembly according to claim 25, wherein the telephone cable is a four-wire cable and the input terminals are connected to two of the four wires in the cable.
27. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector assembly has a footprint which is not greater than 21mm x 32mm.
28. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector assembly is dimensioned to fit within a mounting box in accordance with British standard number BS4662.
29. A connector assembly according to claim 28, wherein the mounting box has a depth of 16mm.
30. A connector assembly for use in a telecommunications system, the connector assembly comprising: a circuit board which is provided with a first push-fit formation, the circuit board being provided with a plurality of elongate contacts which are connected to and supported by the circuit board, the connector assembly further comprising: a UK style telephone jack socket in accordance with British standard BS6312-2.1, the connector body being provided with a second push-fit formation, the first and second push-fit formations releasably engaging one another by push-fit engagement to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body with the elongate contacts extending from the circuit board into the jack socket.
31. A method of assembling a connector for use in a telephone communications system, the method comprising: providing a circuit board with a first push-fit formation, connecting a plurality of elongate contacts to the circuit board so that the contacts are connected to and supported by the circuit board, providing a connector body having a recess which is configured to receive a telecommunications connector, the body having a second push-fit formation, positioning the elongate contacts in the recess of the connector body and push-fitting the first and second formations together to releasably attach the circuit board to the connector body.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the elongate contacts are each pre-formed to incorporate an angled portion, a flattened portion and a leg portion, the leg portion being substantially perpendicular to the flattened portion and the angled portion being at an angle of substantially 72° to the flattened portion.
33. A telephone system comprising a cable having two wires and a telephone socket which incorporates a circuit, the circuit comprising only two input terminals which are connected to the two wires in the cable.
34. A telephone system according to claim 33, wherein the cable is a four-wire cable and the input terminals are connected to two of the four wires in the cable.
35. A telephone system according to claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 36 of the accompanying drawings.
36. A telephone system according to claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 37 of the accompanying drawings.
37. A telephone system according to any of claims 33-36, wherein the system comprises a further telephone socket which incorporates a further circuit, the further circuit comprising only two input terminals which are connected the two wires in the cable.
38. A telephone system according to claim 37, wherein the further circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 38 of the accompanying drawings.
39. A telephone system according to claim 37, wherein the further circuit is a circuit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in figure 39 of the accompanying drawings.
40. A telephone system according to any one claims 33-39, wherein the system further comprises a modem socket which is connected to the two wires in the cable.
41. A telephone system according to claim 40, wherein the data socket is an RJ11 modem socket.
42. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 2-19 of the accompanying drawings.
43. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 20-22 of the accompanying drawings.
44. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 23-33 of the accompanying drawings.
45. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 34 of the accompanying drawings.
46. A method of assembling a connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2-19 of the accompanying drawings.
47. A method of assembling a connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 20-22 of the accompanying drawings.
48. A method of assembling a connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 23-33 of the accompanying drawings.
49. A method of assembling a connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 34 of the accompanying drawings.
50. A telephone system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 35-39 of the accompanying drawings.
51. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.