Multi-contact connector for an audio jack assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a stereo audio jack assembly that reduces or eliminates signal loss with an audio plug. The jack assembly employs a support housing having a passageway sized to receive the audio plug with an insulated first connector having first and second terminal strips, each formed integral to a first disk base and positioned to engage the grooved tip of an audio plug when engaged. A second isolated connector includes a terminal strip positioned to engage one side of an audio plug sleeve when engaged. And a third isolated connector includes a terminal strip positioned to engage another side of an audio plug sleeve when engaged to allow for a stereo connection by having distinct contacts.

Claims

1. A stereo audio jack assembly for receiving a conventional audio plug comprising: a support housing having a passageway sized to receive the audio plug, said support housing having an entry collar, a support surface adjoining said entry collar, and a mounting collar adjoining said support surface; a first insulating ring positionable on said mounting collar; a first connector having a first disk base with a centrally disposed aperture, said first disk base supporting first and second terminal strips each having a proximal end formed integral with said first disk base and extending obliquely and symmetrically from an outer edge of said first disk base to a distal end each positioned to engage a grooved tip of the audio plug when engaged, said first connector positionable on said mounting collar having a coupling tab 84 formed integral to said first and second terminal strips, said first connector electrically isolated from said support surface by said first insulating ring; a second insulating ring positionable on said mounting collar; a second connector having a second disk base with a centrally disposed aperture and a third terminal strip (106) having a proximal end extending from an outer edge of said second disk base to engage a portion of said audio plug when inserted, said second connector positionable on said mounting collar having a second coupling tab formed integral to said third terminal strip, said second connector electrically isolated from said first connector by said second insulating ring; a third insulating ring positionable on said mounting collar; a third connector having a third disk base with a centrally disposed aperture and a fourth terminal strip having a proximal end extending obliquely and symmetrically from an outer edge of said third disk base to a distal end positioned to engage a portion of the audio plug, said third connector positionable on said mounting collar having a third coupling tab formed integral to said third connector, said third connector electrically isolated from said second connector by said third insulating ring; wherein said connectors are fastened to said support housing.

2. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said entry collar has a first diameter, said support surface has a second diameter, and said mounting collar has a third diameter, said second diameter greater than said first diameter.

3. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said insulating ring includes a centrally disposed opening sized to fit over said mounting collar.

4. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second insulating ring includes alignment notches for maintaining said second third terminal strip in a predetermined axial alignment with said first and second terminal strips.

5. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said third insulating ring includes alignment notches for maintaining said fourth terminal strip in a predetermined axial alignment with said first and second terminal strips.

6. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said distal ends of each said connector include a scallop shape constructed and arranged to engage a section of the sleeve of an audio plug.

7. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said distal ends of each said second connector terminal strip include said scallop shape constructed and arranged to engage a section of the groove of an audio plug.

8. The audio plug assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting collar is threaded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stereo audio jack assembly;

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view thereof;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first connector;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second connector;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third connector; and

(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of the stereo audio jack assembly with a plug inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(10) Now referring to the drawings, set forth is a stereo audio jack assembly 10 for receiving a conventional audio plug. The preferred audio plug is a conventional 6.35 mm (¼ inch) plug that has been an industry standard for over a century. The audio plug includes a groove formed along a tip, which operates as a detent and is commonly used for securing the audio plug into a receiving jack assembly.

(11) The instant invention is directed to an improved stereo audio jack assembly 10, which consists of a support housing 20 having an entry collar 22 which is circular in shape and may include threads 24 for securement to a façade, not shown, commonly found on audio equipment. The threads 24 are used to engage a securement nut 25 placed on the access side of a support frame, not shown. A washer 27 can be used between the support housing 20 and the securement nut 25. A support surface 26 having an upper surface 28 adjoins the entry collar 22. The upper surface 28 may include a friction induced surface that aids in mounting of the assembly to prevent spinning of the support housing while being threaded. The support surface 26 has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the entry collar 22 for an adjoining mounting collar 30. In this manner, the support housing 20 having the upper surface 28 is used for engaging the remainder of the jack assembly, and the lower surface 32 is used for engaging the access side of the support frame. The support housing 20 has a passageway 34 extending through the mounting collar 30, the support surface 26, and the entry collar 22 to allow passage of the tip of an audio plug.

(12) A first insulating ring 50 is positionable over the mounting collar 30, having a central aperture 52 sized for placement over the mounting collar and an outer edge 54 of a diameter so as to engage surface 28. The insulating rings used herein are preferably constructed from a non-conductive material such as plastic, fiber, rubber, cord, paper or the like.

(13) The first insulating ring 50 supports the first connector 60 having a disk base 62 with a centrally disposed aperture 64, formed integral with a first terminal strip 66 and a second terminal strip 68. Each of the terminal strips 66, 68 extend obliquely and symmetrically from an outer edge of the first disk base 62. The first terminal strip 66 has a proximal end 72 extending from first disk base 62 to a distal end 74; the second terminal strip 68 has a proximal end 76 extending to a distal end 78, forming a mirror image of the first terminal strip 66. The first and second terminal strips 66, 68 have a length from the distal end to the proximal end sized to engage the groove on an audio plug. As illustrated, the first and second terminal strips are biased inward to provide a uniform clamping against the groove of an audio plug. The distal ends 74 and 78 include scallop formations depicted as numerals 80 and 82 which are constructed and arranged to grasp a portion of the groove, creating a semi-circular attachment to the groove to provide multiple contact points with the surface of the groove. The first connector 60 includes a coupling tab 84, of which an audio wire may be secured thereto. The tab 84 provides a resistant-free connection to the first and second terminal strips 66 and 68, and positive engagement to an audio plug.

(14) A second insulating ring 90 is made of a non-conductive material similar to the first insulating ring 50. The second insulating ring has a centrally disposed aperture 92 and an outer edge 94 having terminal strip sections 96, 98 for receipt of the proximal ends 72 and 76 of terminal strips 66, 68. The terminal strips 66, 68 maintain the second insulating ring 90 in a fixed position. The second insulating ring 90 encapsulating the base 62 to isolate the first connector 60.

(15) A second connector 100 is formed from a base 102 having a centrally disposed aperture 104, which frictionally engages the upper portion of the mounting collar 20. The second connector 100 can be snapped onto the support housing 20. A terminal strip 106 has a proximal end 108 and a distal end 110 so as to engage a portion of the sleeve of the audio plug. Similar to the first connector, a scallop shape 112 conforms to the portion of the audio plug, providing multiple contact points that are arranged to impact a greater portion of the audio plug to eliminate resistance. The second connector 100 includes a second coupling tab 114 for securement to an electrical wire for carrying of an audio signal.

(16) A third insulating ring 120 is made of a non-conductive material similar to the first and second insulating rings. The third insulating ring has a centrally disposed aperture 122 and an outer edge 124 having terminal strip sections 126 and 128 for receipt of the proximal ends of terminal strips 66 and 68. Section 130 positions terminal strip 106 of the second connector, and section 132 positions terminal strip 142 of the third connector. The sections maintain the second and third connectors in a fixed position.

(17) The third connector 140 is formed from a base 144 having a centrally disposed aperture 146 that frictionally engages the upper portion 26 of the mounting collar 30. The third connector 140 can be snapped onto the support housing 20 or secured thereto with a coupling such as a snap ring. Tab 145 may also be used to engage a section of an insulating ring to prevent rotation of the connector. A terminal strip 142 has a proximal end 148 and a distal end 150 so as to engage a portion of the sleeve of the audio plug. Similar to the first and second connectors, a scallop shape 152 conforms to the portion of the audio plug, providing multiple contact points that are arranged to impact a greater portion of the audio plug to eliminate resistance. The third connector 140 includes a third coupling tab 154 for securement to an electrical wire for carrying of an audio signal.

(18) For ease of clarification, a ¼ inch plug and audio jack assembly has been described as the primary embodiment. However, it is obvious to one skilled in the art, and to be understood, that the audio jack assembly illustrated can be scaled to received ⅛ inch plug or micro plug sizes using the same terminal configuration. The claims of this invention are not limited to the size of plug and are applicable to ¼ inch, ⅛ inch, or micro plugs.

(19) A conventional stereo plug 91 has a shank 93 which operates as a ground, a first stereo input section 95 and a second stereo input section 97. Isolation rings 99 and 101 provide spacing between the input sections and the ground. The addition of a grounding contact eliminates the unreliable pressure ground of a conventional jack plug that when pressure is provide by pushing the shank against the wall of the fack body.

(20) All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

(21) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.