Jumper with integrated switch

摘要

This novel jumper features an integrated mechanical switch that allows resetting the CMOS memory of computer motherboards just by actuating a reset button on the jumper, instead of moving a prior-art jumper back and forth over the CMOS-reset block. The disclosed jumper can also be adapted for use as temporary button for powering on, restarting and resetting motherboards when tested alone; in this case the jumper just needs to be inserted over the corresponding pair of pins on the front-panel header of the motherboard. This jumper is also applicable to other electric or electronic devices where operating the jumper's integrated switch is more convenient or safer than moving prior-art jumpers or manually shorting up pins on printed circuit boards.

主权项

1. A jumper for keeping current configuration values or restoring default configuration values in the CMOS memory of computer motherboards, said jumper comprising:
a) three independent generally cylindrical sleeves to be slipped over respectively the first, second and third pin of the CMOS-reset block of a computer motherboard; every said sleeve providing a suitable contact area for adequate electrical connection; b) a metallic jumper element that electrically interconnects said sleeves via said contact areas; said jumper element being shaped such that only the first and second of said sleeves, or only the second and third of said sleeves, are interconnected at the same time; said jumper element having as well suitable contact areas for adequate electrical connection with said sleeves, two of said contact areas being located close to each end of said jumper element, and the third of said contact areas being located midway between said first and second contact areas; c) an electrically non-conductive housing that fixedly embeds said sleeves, and at the same time encloses said jumper element such that said element is only allowed to move as to interconnect either the first and second of said sleeves, or the second and third of said sleeves; d) an elastic element mounted between said jumper element and said housing, said elastic element pushes against said jumper element through an area physically contacting and jumper element, and such that said elastic element simultaneously pushes against said housing through an area physically contacting said housing, said elastic element driving said jumper element to fully contact and thus interconnect said first and second sleeves; and, e) a reset button to manually actuate said jumper element against said elastic element, in order to break the electrical connection between the first and second of said sleeves, and make an electrical connection between the second and third of said sleeves; said reset button being mounted in said housing such that:
said button when fully released into a normally released position allows said elastic element to drive said jumper element against said first and second sleeves;said button when fully actuated forces said jumper element to fully contact said second and third sleeves; and,said button when released is urged into and kept in said normally released position directly by said jumper element.