Add-on electrical assembly with light transmission means

US6174194A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Molex, LLC · US

Inventors

• Matthias Bleicher · Weinsberg, DE
• Frank Bordron · Paris, FR
• Martin Buss · Untergruppenbach, DE
• Michael Fasold · Auenwald, DE
• Thomas Hans Foerner · Heilbronn, DE
• Michael Follmann · Bad Rappenau, DE
• Heinrich Fuchslocher · Mannheim, DE
• Gerd Klaiber · Oedheim, DE
• Reinhold Müller · Baiersdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 1999
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2001
• Expiry date: May 12, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R24/64
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An add-on electrical assembly is provided for association with an electrical connector for receiving a complementary mating plug to a circuit board. The electrical connector may be a standard modular jack including a connector housing having a front face with a receptacle receiving the plug, a top wall, a rear wall and a bottom face adapted for mounting on the circuit board. A plurality of terminals each include one end extending into the receptacle for making electrical contact with a corresponding terminal on the plug and the other end adapted to contact the circuit board. A separate LED assembly is provided with housing for mounting over the top and rear walls of the connector housing. A light emitting device is mounted on the LED housing and is viewable through a front face thereof adjacent the receptacle. Conductors extend from the light emitting device through the LED housing for connection to the circuit board. At least one snap latch is provided between the LED housing and the connector housing.