Patent No. 4,740,172 to Tubbs.

A problem with such adaptors, however, is that they only enable connection between plugs/sockets of two different telephone systems. Hence, a traveler visiting a plurality of different countries with, for example, a computer modem having an RJ-ll plug, would require a suitable plug/socket interface arrangement for each country that utilized a different standard plug/socket for its national telephone equipment. This is a problem because of the cost and inconvenience associated with purchasing a plurality of different plug/socket interface arrangements, one for each country; the need to identify which plug/socket arrangement is utilized in each country; and the need to carry a plurality of plug/socket arrangements while traveling. Still another problem arises in having a traveler, who is potentially unfamiliar with telephone wiring, construct a plug/socket interface arrangement between different telephone systems.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems and others by providing a telephone adaptor that enables connection between an RJ-ll socket and plugs/sockets of a plurality of different telephone systems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a telephone adaptor that includes protection circuitry to protect electrical equipment connected to the RJ-ll socket from line surges and voltage spikes. Finally, it is an object of the

invention to provide a telephone adaptor that includes circuitry for detecting non-standard telephone line voltages and for providing an indication thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, I have invented a telephone adaptor that includes a first connector utilized in connection with a first national telephone system, a plug utilized in connection with a second national telephone system and a second connector utilized in connection with a third national telephone system. A plurality of electrical conductors electrically connect in parallel a plurality of contacts of the first connector, a plurality of contacts of the plug and a plurality of contacts of the second connector. A housing secures the first connector, the plug and the second connector relative to each other.

Preferably, the housing includes a base and a lid positioned in opposition by a plurality of braces. The plurality of braces are disposed between a periphery of the base and a periphery of the lid. A plurality of sides are selectively positioned between pairs of adjacent braces.

The first connector, the plug and the second connector are disposed in at least two different sides of the housing.

The telephone adaptor can include a surge protector connected between a pair of the electrical conductors; a surge protector connected between one of the electrical conductors and an electrical ground reference; an LED connected between a pair of electrical conductors; and/or a fuse disposed in series with one of the plurality of electrical conductors. The plurality of electrical conductors can include flexible conductive wires disposed through a side of the housing and connected to one of the first connector, the plug and/or the second connector.

The telephone adaptor can include a third connector separate from the housing and mateable with the first connector so that a plurality of contacts of the third connector and the plurality of contacts of the first connector are electrically connected in parallel. A

plurality of clips can be electrically connected to the plurality of contacts of the third connector via the electrical conductors. The electrical conductors extending between the third connector and the plurality of clips are flexible conductive wires that flexibly secure together the third connector and the plurality of clips.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a single telephone adaptor for connecting electrical equipment having an RJ-ll socket to a plurality of different sockets or plugs associated with different national telephone systems.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the telephone adaptor includes protection circuitry for protecting electrical equipment connected thereto from electrical spikes on the telephone lines.

Still another advantage is that the telephone adaptor includes a non-standard voltage detector for detecting the presence of non-standard telephone line voltages and providing an indication thereof.

Still another advantage is that different types of plugs/sockets can be utilized in the housing of the present invention.

Still other advantages will become apparent upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figs. la and lb are perspective views of a telephone adaptor in accordance with the present invention including sockets for one national telephone system and plugs for different national telephone systems; Fig. 2 is an electrical diagram of the interconnection of the contacts associated with the sockets and plugs of the telephone adaptor of Figs. la and lb; Figs. 3a and 3b are respective plan and elevational views of the base of the telephone adaptor of Figs. la and lb;

Figs. 4a and 4b are respective plan and elevational views of the lid of the telephone adaptor of Figs. la and lb; Figs. 5a-5d are isolated views of the respective front, side, top and bottom of one of the sides of the telephone adaptor of Figs. la and lb including RJ-ll telephone sockets utilized in the United States; Figs. 6a-6c are isolated views of the respective front, top and side of one of the sides of the telephone adaptor in Figs. la and lb including plugs for use with telephone systems in the United Kingdom and Germany; Fig. 7a is a partially assembled elevational view of the telephone adaptor of Figs. la and lb; Fig. 7b is a cross-sectional view of the partially assembled telephone adaptor taken along lines 7b- 7b in Fig. 7a; Figs. 8a-8d are isolated views of the respective front, side, top and back of one of the sides of the telephone adaptor in Figs. la and lb including a telephone plug for use with the telephone system in France; and Figs. 9a-9d show isolated views of the respective front, side, top and back views of one of the sides of the telephone adaptor in Figs. la and lb including a telephone plug for use with telephone systems in the Commonwealth of Independent States or Russia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figs. la and lb, a universal telephone adaptor A includes a cube shaped housing 2 which includes a plurality of different telephone connectors. In one embodiment, these telephone connectors include a plug 4 for the telephone system in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or Russia, a plug 6 for the telephone system in the United Kingdom, a plug 8 for the telephone system in Germany, a plug 10 for the telephone system in France and a pair of sockets 12 for the telephone system in the United States. One or more of the plugs 4, 6, 8 or 10 can be replaced with a plug (not shown) for

another telephone system. Hereinafter, plugs 4, 6, 8 and 10 are collectively referred to as "Telephone Plugs". The Telephone Plugs can be enclosed within the housing 2 or flexibly connected to the housing 2 by a cord or wires, such as wires 20 connected to plug 6.

If a telephone system is encountered that does not utilize one of the provided Telephone Plugs or sockets 12, spring loaded clips 14 are provided which are electrically connected to contacts (not shown) of a plug 16 which is receivable in one of the sockets 12 having mating contacts. In use, the clips 14 are connected directly to exposed conductors of the telephone system. To expose such conductors, it may be necessary to remove a wall plate and/or strip away conductor insulation from the conductors.

When the clips 14 are connected, electrical continuity is established via the plug 16 received in one of the sockets 12.

With reference to Fig. 2 and with continuing reference to Figs. la and lb, the housing 2 preferably includes the sockets 12, preferably RJ-ll jacks, having their contacts parallel connected with suitable contacts of each of the Telephone Plugs. The housing 2 preferably includes a pair of sockets 12, however, the housing can include only one socket 12.

The housing 2 includes a lid 22 and a base 24 positioned in opposition by a plurality of braces 26, preferably disposed between a periphery of the base 24 and a periphery of the lid 22. The housing 2 includes a plurality of sides 281-284, each of which preferably includes one or more of the Telephone Plugs or sockets 12 disposed therein. One or more of the sides 281-284 can also include a slot 30 adapted to receive and grasp flexible conductive wires, e.g., wires 20, connected between the housing 2 and a plug, e.g., plug 6.

With reference to Figs. 3a and 3b, the base 24 of the housing 2 preferably has a generally square or rectangular outline and each corner of the base 24 includes

one of the braces 26, preferably formed integrally therewith. Positioned in a central part of the base 24 is a mounting post 32 that preferably extends parallel with the braces 26. The mounting post 32 includes a threaded receiving aperture 34 coaxial with a lengthwise axis of the mounting post 32 at an end thereof opposite the base 24.

With reference to Figs. 4a and 4b and with ongoing reference to Figs. la and lb and Figs. 3a and 3b, the lid 22 includes a cylindrical standoff 36 extending from a central part of the lid 22. The standoff 36 has an inside diameter 38 of sufficient extent to receive a shaft of a screw 40. The lid 22 preferably has a generally rectangular outline and includes a lip 42 formed around the periphery of the lid 22. The lip 42 extends from the periphery of the lid 22 in the same direction as the standoff 36. Each corner of the lid 22 is rounded and includes an arcuate shaped guide 44 positioned adjacent the inside surface of the lip 42 and extending beyond a lower edge 47 of the lip 42. The outer surface 45 of each guide 44 and the inner surface 46 of each brace 26 opposite the base 24 are adapted to mate. Mating the outer surfaces 45 of the guides 44 and the inner surfaces 46 of the braces 26 aligns the lid 22 and the braces 26 so that the edge 47 of the lip 42 adjacent each corner of the lid 22 contacts ends 48 of the braces 26 opposite the base 24.

With reference to Figs. 5a-5d, a printed circuit board 50 is preferably secured at a right angle to the side 281 having the sockets 12 disposed therein. More specifically, the sockets 12 each include a plurality of contacts 52 therein. A proximal end of each contact 52 extends through a socket housing 54, preferably formed integrally with the side 281, and is soldered into a through-hole (not shown) in the printed circuit board 50.

A plurality of electrical conductors 55, formed on the printed circuit board 50 and electrically connected to the through-holes thereof, parallel connect the contacts 52 of the pair of sockets 12. The printed circuit board 50 can

also receive electronic components, such as a surge protector 56, e.g., a varistor, and/or a fuse 58. A jumper 60 can be provided in one of the electrical conductors of the printed circuit board 50 in the absence of a fuse 58.

With reference to Figs. 6a-6c, a plurality of contacts 62 are positioned at a distal end of the plug 6 disposed through the side 282. The contacts 62 are electrically connected to the electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 via the conductors 20 which are disposed in a sheath 64 between the plug 6 and the slot 30 formed in the side 282. More specifically, the ends of the conductors 20 opposite the plug 6 are electrically connected to electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 which parallel connect the contacts 62 of the plug 6 and the contacts 52 of the sockets 12.

A plurality of contacts 66 are positioned at a distal end of the plug 8 disposed in the side 282. The contacts 66 are electrically connected to electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 via conductors 67 connected therebetween. The electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 parallel connect the contacts 66 of the plug 8 and the contacts 52 of the sockets 12.

With reference to Figs. 7a and 7b, the sides 281- 282, including sockets 12, and connectors 6, 8, respectively, are positioned between adjacent braces 26 on opposite sides of the housing 2. Each brace 26 includes, on opposite sides thereof, a lengthwise receiving slot or groove 68 which extends between the base 24 and the end 48 opposite the base 24. The edges of the sides 281-284 each include a tongue 70 that is receivable in one of the grooves 68. The side 281, including the sockets 12, is positioned between adjacent braces 26 so that a mounting hole 72 (Fig. 5d) in the printed circuit board 50 is aligned with the threaded receiving aperture 34 of the mounting post 32. The side of the printed circuit board 50 having the components 56, 58 and 60 thereon is preferably

positioned so that it faces the mounting post 32. The side 282, including the plugs 6, 8, is positioned between adjacent braces 26 and the conductors 20 and 67, respectively, are disposed inside the housing 2 between the printed circuit board 50 and the base 24. Positioning the lid 22 on the ends 48 of the braces 26 opposite the base 24 aligns the cylindrical standoff 36, the mounting hole 72 and the threaded receiving aperture 34 to receive the screw 40 therethrough. Preferably, the cylindrical standoff 36 and the mounting post 32 sandwich the printed circuit board 50 therebetween.

To receive each side 281-284 between adjacent braces 26, the tongues 70 on opposite sides of each side 281-284 is aligned with opposing grooves 68. Each side 281- 284 are then moved towards the base 24 so that the tongues 70, on opposite sides of each side 281-284, are slidably received in opposing grooves 68 of adjacent braces 26.

With reference to Figs. 8a-8d, a plurality of contacts 74 are disposed on a distal end of the plug 10 disposed in the side 283. A proximal end of each contact 74 is secured by a screw 76 to a terminal block 78 formed integrally on an inside surface of the side 283. The contacts 74 are parallel connected with contacts of the sockets 12 via conductors 80 extending between the screws 76 and the electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50.

With reference to Figs. 9a-9d, the plug 4 includes a plurality of spade lug contacts 82 which project through the side 284. The plug 4 also includes an alignment key 84 integrally formed in an outside surface of the side 284. The alignment key 84 is positioned to mate with an alignment aperture in a receiving socket (not shown) to avoid misorientation of the spade lug contacts 82 with mating contacts of the receiving socket. Each spade lug contact 82 has a proximal end connected by a screw 88 to a terminal block 86 formed integrally on an inside surface of the side 284. The spade lug contacts 82 are parallel

connected with contacts of the sockets 12 via conductors 89 extending between the screws 88 and the electrical conductors 55 of the printed circuit board 50.

Because each side 281-284 is slidably receivable between adjacent braces 26, the Telephone Plugs and the sockets 12 can be positioned as desired. Moreover, other connectors can be substituted for one or more of the Telephone Plugs or the sockets 12 shown. Similarly, blank sides 28, not having a plug and/or socket, can replace one or more of the sides 281-284 including the Telephone Plugs or the sockets 12. Hence, the telephone adaptor A can be adaptively configured to include selected connectors thereby avoiding unnecessary cost associated with providing undesired connectors. When the sides 281-284 containing the Telephone Plugs and sockets 12 are suitably arranged, the lid 22 is positioned on the ends of the braces 26 opposite the base 24 as shown in Fig. 7a. Thereafter, a threaded end of screw 40 is mated with the threads of the threaded receiving aperture 34 to secure the housing 2 together.

In the above described embodiment, the sockets 12 and the printed circuit board 50 are rigidly connected together by soldering proximal ends of contacts 52 to through-holes in the printed circuit board 50. However, the contacts 52 can be electrically connected to the conductive lines on the printed circuit board 50 via flexible conductors (not shown). In an embodiment where the printed circuit board 50 is not rigidly secured to one of the sides 281-284, the sandwiching of the printed circuit board 50 between the mounting post 32 and the cylindrical standoff 36 is sufficient to secure the position of the printed circuit board 50 inside the housing 2.

With reference back to Fig. 2, the printed circuit board 50 can include the surge protector 56, such as a varistor, connected between a pair of electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50. Moreover, the fuse 58 can be installed in series with one of the electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 to

avoid excessive current flowing therethrough. The printed circuit board 50 can also include a pair of surge protectors 90 connected between a pair of electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50. In this embodiment, a junction of the pair of surge protectors 90 is connected to an earth or reference ground 92. The surge protectors 56 and 90 are selected to protect electrical equipment, such as a computer, connected to the telephone line via one of the sockets 12 or Telephone Plugs from potentially damaging voltage spikes. Moreover, one or more additional fuses 94 can be connected in series with another one of the electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50 to avoid excessive current flowing therethrough.

A standard analog phone line has 24 volts impressed on certain conductors. In contrast, some non- standard phone lines, such as digital phone lines, utilize higher voltages, e.g., 109 volts. These higher voltages are potentially damaging to electrical devices designed to interface with the standard phone line. To provide an indication when a non-standard phone line voltage is encountered, a circuit 96 is connected between a pair of electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50.

The circuit 96 includes one or more LEDs 98 electrically connected between the pair of electrical conductors 55 on the printed circuit board 50. A switch 100 is provided between the LEDs 98 and one of the pair of electrical conductors to selectively permit a non-standard voltage test to be conducted. To limit the current through the one or more LEDs 98, resistors 102 are provided in series therewith. Preferably, the one or more LEDs 98 and the switch 100 are positioned to be viewed and activated, respectively, from outside the housing 2. Activating the switch 100 in the presence of a non-standard voltage causes the one or more LEDs 98 to illuminate and alert of a non- standard phone line voltage. Hence, non-standard phone line voltages can be detected prior to connecting

electrical equipment to one or more of the Telephone Plugs or sockets 12.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example, while each Telephone Plug and/or socket 12 preferably has four parallel connected contacts, one or more of the Telephone Plugs and/or sockets 12 may only have two or three contacts connected in parallel with contacts of the other Telephone Plugs and/or sockets 12. Moreover, while described in connection with a cube shaped housing, the housing could have a circular, oval, triangular or other shape. Further, the position of the plugs/sockets in the sides of the housing is not limited to the four sides shown. Moreover, while the present invention has been shown in connection with connectors formed integrally with the sides of the housing, each side of the housing can be adapted to receive one or more connectors formed separate from the sides. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.