| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention is directed generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to improved modular connectors and associated bridging adapter assemblies which may be, for example, advantageously applied in the interconnection of individual telephone receivers to telephone system equipment. The proliferation of different species of telephone connector hardware has required that technicians be familiar with the peculiarities and wiring requirements for a maze of adapters and connectors and that the telephone companies maintain correspondingly large part inventories. The telephone companies have focused considerable emphasis on the development of standardized or modularized telephone cables, connectors and associated adapters. The modular connectors and their associated adapters must be creatively designed to provide a wide ranging flexibility in the interfacing with existing telephone system equipment, as well as a suitability for new installations, while retaining simplicity in installation and a relatively modest initial manufacturing cost. The present invention is directed to a modular connector which meets the aforementioned requirements, and to novel adapter assemblies which allow the novel modular connector to be utilized in a wide variety of system applications. According to the present invention, the modular connector and a mounting plate are structured so that the connector sidewalls with integral bosses and/or the apertured mounting plate are resiliently deformable to permit simple insertion and snap-locking of the connector and mounting plate. Various adapter configurations utilizing one or more modular connectors in unique system arrays for interconnection to nonmating signal equipment are also disclosed.</p> |
