IP Library Granted Patent US 7,249,961
Granted Patent B1
US 7,249,961 · App. 11/462,239 · Granted Jul 31, 2007

Jack assembly and method of performing electrical coupling

Assignee: Direct Connect
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,249,961
App. No.
11/462,239
Granted
Jul 31, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

A jack assembly and method for electrically coupling a jack assembly to a plurality of wires. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are jack assemblies comprising a first portion, a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion, and a wire guide configured to detachably couple within an internal cavity defined by the first and second portions (the wire guide defining an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to receive a plurality of wires). The jack assembly is configured to electrically couple to the plurality of wires when the first portion is closed onto the second portion by way of the hinged coupling.

Claims (28)

1. A jack assembly comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion; and

a wire guide configured to detachably couple within an internal cavity defined by the first and second portions, the wire guide defining an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to receive a plurality of wires such that excess wire protrudes from an end of the wire guide;

wherein the jack assembly is configured to electrically couple to the plurality of wires when the first portion is closed onto the second portion by way of the hinged coupling, and wherein the wire guide is configured to remain in a substantially fixed position while the first portion is closed onto the second portion.

2. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises a first end having an external connector receiving slot and a second end having a wire guide receiving slot.

3. The jack assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the wire guide is configured to couple within the wire guide receiving slot.

4. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the aperture comprises a plurality of channels configured to receive the plurality of wires.

5. The jack assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the wire guide maintains the plurality of wires substantially fixedly positioned within the plurality of channels.

6. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising a retaining element having a plurality of slots and a first locking tab, wherein the first portion comprises a first tab, and wherein the retaining element is configured to couple to the first portion by way of the first locking tab engaging with the first tab.

7. The jack assembly as defined in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of electrically conductive contact members detachably coupled within the plurality of slots.

8. The jack assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of electrically conductive contact members have a first end configured to electrically couple to an external connector by way of an external connector receiving slot and a second end configured to electrically couple to the plurality of wires.

9. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a first locking member, wherein the second portion comprises a first notched edge, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to lock to each other by way of the first locking member engaging with the first notched edge.

10. The jack assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a clip configured to couple the jack assembly to a decorative faceplate.

11. A method comprising:

passing a plurality of wires through a wire guide such that excess wire protrudes from an end of the wire guide;

inserting the wire guide into a first member of a jack assembly; and

closing the first member of the jack assembly onto a second member, thereby electrically coupling the jack assembly to the plurality of wires;

wherein the wire guide is configured to remain in a substantially fixed position while the first member is closed onto the second member.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the passing further comprises passing the plurality of wires through an aperture defined by the wire guide.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the passing further comprises passing the plurality of wires through a plurality of channels disposed within the aperture of the wire guide.

14. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein inserting further comprises inserting the wire guide into the first member comprising a first end having an external connector receiving slot and a second end having a wire guide receiving slot.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the inserting further comprises inserting the wire guide into the wire guide receiving slot.

16. The method as defined in claim 13 further comprising maintaining, by the wire guide, the plurality of wires in a substantially fixed relationship within the plurality of channels.

17. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising trimming the excess wire.

18. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising locking the first and second members to each other, wherein the first member comprises a first locking member, wherein the second member comprises a first notched edge, and wherein the first locking member engages with the first notched edge to accomplish the locking.

19. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising trimming a jacket of a cable to expose the plurality of wires.

20. The method as defined in claim 14 further comprising coupling the jack assembly to the plurality of wires by way of a plurality of electrically conductive contact members coupled within the jack assembly, wherein each of the plurality of electrically conductive contact members have a first end configured to electrically couple to an external connector by way of the external connector receiving slot and a second end configured to electrically couple to the plurality of wires.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 8, 2026
From: ADEMCO INC.
To: RESIDEO LLC
Reel/Frame 075929/0497 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 8, 2026
From: RESIDEO LLC
To: ADI GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION LLC
Reel/Frame 075994/0508 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 4, 2026
From: ADEMCO INC.
To: RESIDEO LLC
Reel/Frame 075686/0660 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 4, 2026
From: ELECTRONIC CUSTOM DISTRIBUTORS, INC.; ADEMCO INC.
To: ADEMCO INC.
Reel/Frame 074848/0826 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 27, 2022
From: ELECTRONIC CUSTOM DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061552/0416 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2006
From: PROVENZANO, CHARLES J
To: ELECTRONIC CUSTOM DISTRIBUTORS, INC. D/B/A DIRECT CONNECT
Reel/Frame 018053/0578 →