WO2007047708A2

WO2007047708A2 - Rj female connector with integrated magnetic components

Info

Publication number: WO2007047708A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/040611
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan L. Pocrass
Original assignee: Pocrass Alan L
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-17
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: TW200731619A; WO2007047708A3

Abstract

The invention is an RJ female connector that has contact pins received in a housing. The first, contact end of each contact pin is disposed in an aperture in the housing that is configured to receive an RJ male connector such that the contact end of the contact pin touches a contact of the RJ male connector. Each contact pin also has a second end coupled to a PCB that has a magnetic component coupled thereto which is operative for conditioning computer network signals. The PCB facilitates the passage of computer network signals conditioned by the magnetic component from the contact pins to electrically conductive pins that project from the housing, and/or vice versa. The magnetic component is disposed inside of an enclosure to which the PCB is mounted, wherein the enclosure having the PCB with the magnetic component and the contact pins coupled thereto is slidable into the housing.

Description

RJ EEMALE CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRATED MAGNETIC COMPONENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an RJ female connector with integrated magnetic component(s) in a modular design and, more particularly, to an RJ female connector having a module that supports the magnetic component(s), wherein the module can be tested before being made part of the connector or can be readily removed from the connector if desired.

Description of Related Art

[0002] RJ connectors are commonly used in computer networks and the telephone industry for connecting twisted wire pairs.

[0003] An RJ connector comprises a physical interface utilized for terminating twisted wire pairs. "RJ" stands for Registered Jack which is part of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. It has eight "Pins" or electrical connections per connector. An RJ connector comprises an RJ plug (male) connector and an RJ socket (female) connector. [0004] RJ is a generic term for electrical connectors registered with the United States Federal Communications Commission, including the RJ-Il₅ RJ-14, RJ-25, RJ-48, RJ-61 and RJ-45 connectors. An electrical connector is a device for joining electrical circuits together. Jn computing, an electrical connector is also known as a physical interface. [0005] The most familiar RJ type connectors are the four-conductor and the six- conductor connectors known variously as RJ-Il, RJ-12 and RJ-14, and the eight-conductor connector known as RJ-45, all sometimes simply called RJ connectors. These are commonly used in building wiring for telephone and local area networks, such as an Ethernet network. They were originally designed and patented in the United States under U.S. Patent No. 3,860,316, issued 14 January 1975.

[0006] Twisted wire pairs is a common form of wiring in which two conductors are wound around each other for the purpose of canceling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) which can cause so-called crosstalk. The number of twists per unit length make up part of the specification for a given type of twisted wire pair cable. The greater number of twists, the more crosstalk is reduced.

[0007] So-called magnetic components are used in local area networks for improvement in performance of the signal over twisted wire pairs. These magnetic components can include one or more of the following: an isolation transformer, a common-mode choke (inductors), a low pass filter, one or more resistors, a capacitor, or some combination thereof. These components can be mixed and matched in any desirable manner and integrated into one or more suitable surface mount or through-hole packages which are interfaced with a data communication system transceiver chip that utilizes unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wiring as a transmission medium. The UTP wiring is prone to noise pickup that leads to conducted and radiated noise emission. Therefore, one or more magnetic components are needed for local area network systems to pass FCC, VDE and signal integrity requirements. These one or more magnetic components provide impedance matching, signal shaping and conditioning, high voltage isolation and common-mode noise reduction.

[0008] A transformer is a magnetic component that determines the local area network analog interface characteristics required by the IEEE 802.3u specification. [0009] At high frequencies, common-mode chokes (or inductors) are necessary for a system to pass FCC testing requirements. These chokes display high impedance for common mode noise components, but low impedance for differential-mode noise. [0010] A filter is a magnetic component that provides signal shaping and conditioning to reduce overshoot and ringing. A filter improves the signal-to-noise ratio of incoming data signals by attenuating any high frequency, differential-mode noise.

[0011] A common-mode choke (inductor) is a magnetic component that reduces electromagnetic interference and - random noise that may be introduced into the UTP. Sometimes, the UTP contains significant ambient energy which, if not blocked, will cause transmitted signals to be distorted outside their operating range.

[0012] It would be desirable to provide an RJ female connector wherein one or more magnetic components thereof can readily be replaced in the event of a failure without having to replace the entire connector. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide an RJ female connector wherein a module comprising one or more magnetic components can be tested in advance of the module being included in the final form of the connector. Still other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention is an RJ female connector that includes an electrically insulative enclosure including electrically conductive mounting pins extending therefrom and a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted to the housing and supporting thereon at least one magnetic component that is operative for conditioning computer network signals. A contact pin assembly including electrically conductive contact pins disposed in spaced relation is mounted to the housing. The PCB includes electrical conductors which are coupled to the mounting pins, to terminals of the magnetic component, to the contact pins or some combination thereof in a manner to facilitate conditioning by the magnetic component of computer network signals passing from the contact pins to the mounting pins, or vice versa.

An electrically insulative housing is provided that has an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector and a recess including therein the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto. The enclosure is supported in the recess with the contact pins of the contact pin assembly facing the opening of the housing and with the mounting pins of the base projecting from the housing. An electrically conductive shield is mounted to the housing including the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto.

The shield includes an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector in alignment with the opening in the housing.

[0014] The enclosure can include an opening therein. The PCB can be mounted to the housing with the magnetic component disposed therein via the opening.

[0015] The housing recess can be defined by a pair of spaced walls configured to slidably receive the housing therebetween. The spaced walls and the enclosure can include complimentary means for enabling the enclosure to be slidably received between the spaced walls in one direction but for avoiding movement of the enclosure between the spaced walls in a direction transverse to the one direction. The complimentary means can include a slot in each wall and projections on the enclosure configured to slide into the slots.

[0016] The can further include at least one LED mounted in the housing such that, when illuminated, the LED visible via the housing opening.

[0017] Each LED can include at least one conductive pin. The shield can include at least one conductive pin. The conductive pins of the LED and the shield, and the mounting pins of the enclosure, when the enclosure is included in the recess, can extend or project in the same direction.

[0018] At least part of the shield can be moveable such that the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto is moveable (slidable) in the recess while the remainder of the shield remains about the housing.

[0019] The magnetic component can include at least one of the following: a transformer, an inductor (or choke), a filter, a resistor network, and a capacitor. [0020] The PCB electrical conductors can be coupled to the mounting pins, the terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof on a side of the enclosure opposite the mounting pins.

[0021] The invention is also an RJ female connector that includes an electrically conductive shield including an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector and an electrically nonconductive housing received within the shield, the housing having an opening configured to receive the RJ male connector, the housing opening aligned with the shield opening, the housing further including a slot spaced from the housing opening. An electrically nonconductive enclosure having electrically conductive mounting pins extending therefrom is received in the slot with the mounting pins protruding from the housing and not enclosed by the shield. Electrically conductive contact pins are coupled to the enclosure. Each contact pin has a first, contact end that projects toward the housing opening and a second end that projects toward the enclosure. A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided that has integral electrical conductors. The PCB is coupled to the enclosure. The PCB has mounted thereon at least one magnetic component that is operative for conditioning computer network signals. The PCB electrical conductors are coupled to the mounting pins, terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof in a manner to facilitate conditioning by the magnetic component of computer network signals passing from the contact pins to the mounting pins, or vice versa.

[0022] The magnetic component can be disposed in an aperture in the enclosure. [0023] The housing slot can be defined by a pair of spaced walls configured to slidably receive the housing therebetween. The spaced walls and the enclosure can have complimentary means for enabling the enclosure to be slidably received between the spaced walls in one direction but for avoiding movement of the enclosure between the spaced walls in a direction transverse to the one direction. The complimentary means can include a slit in each wall and projections on the enclosure configured to slide into the slits. [0024] The connector can further include at least one LED mounted in the housing such that, when illuminated, the LED is visible via the shield opening

[0025] Each LED includes at least one conductive pin. The shield includes at least one conductive pin. The conductive pins of the LED and the shield, and the mounting pins of the enclosure, when the enclosure is included in the slot, extend in the same direction. [0026] At least part of the shield is moveable such that the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto is displaceable in the slot while the remainder of the shield remains about the housing. [0027] The magnetic component can include at least one of the following: a transformer, an inductor (or choke), a filter, a resistor network, and a capacitor.

[0028] The PCB electrical conductors can be coupled to the mounting pins, the terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof on a side of the enclosure opposite the mounting pins.

[0029] Lastly, the invention is an RJ female connector comprising contact pins received in a housing with a first, contact end of each contact pin disposed in an aperture in the housing that is configured to receive an RJ male connector whereupon the contact pin contacts a contact of the RJ male connector, each contact pin having a second end coupled to a PCB that has at least one magnetic component coupled thereto which is operative for conditioning computer network signals, the PCB facilitating the passage of computer network signals conditioned by the magnetic component from the contact pins to electrically conductive pins that project from the housing, or vice versa, the magnetic component disposed inside of an enclosure to which the PCB is mounted, wherein the enclosure having the PCB with the magnetic component and the contact pins coupled thereto is slidable into the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Fig. Ia is an exploded perspective view of a standalone RJ female connector in accordance with the present invention; [0031] Fig. Ib is a view taken along lines Ib-Ib in Fig. Ia;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a partially assembled perspective view of the RJ female connector shown in Fig. Ia;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a further, partially assembled perspective view of the RJ female connector shown in Figs. Ia and 2;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a fully assembled perspective view of the RJ female connector shown in Figs. Ia, 2 and 3;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of side-by-side RJ female connectors in accordance with the present invention in a common housing;

[0036] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of side-by-side RJ female connectors in accordance with the present invention, including LED's, in a common housing; and [0037] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of RJ connectors in accordance with the present invention arranged in a side-by-side and stacked manner in a common housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, where like reference numbers correspond to like elements.

[0039] With reference to Figs. Ia and Ib, a female RJ connector A in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 2, an enclosure 4, a contact pin assembly 6, a housing 8 and an electrically conductive shield 10.

[0040] PCB 2 has a first end 12, a second end 14, a first side 16 and a second side 18. PCB 2 also includes a plurality of plated mounting holes 20 that extend through PCB 2 between first side 16 and second side 18 adjacent first end 12 and another plurality of mounting holes 22 that extend through PCB 2 between first side 16 and second side 18 adjacent second end 14 thereof.

[0041] Adjacent. a front edge 24 thereof, PCB 2 includes a plurality of conductive edge contacts 26 of the type known in the art that are coupled either directly or by way of vias in PCB 2 to electrical conductors or traces 28 of PCB 2.

[0042] Electrical conductors or traces 28 are utilized to connect one or more so-called magnetic components 30-1, 30-2 and 30-3 mounted to PCB 2, desirably second side 18 of PCB 2, in a manner known in the art. Each magnetic component 30 includes one or more of the following: a transformer, an inductor, an electrical filter, one or more resistors, a capacitor, or some combination thereof.

[0043] , Enclosure 4 includes a non-conductive body 36 having any suitable and/or desirable shape or configuration. Enclosure 4 further includes a plurality of electrically conductive mounting pins 38, each of which has a first end 40 that extends upward from body 36 and a second end 42 that extends downward from body 36. The second end 42 of each mounting pin 38 is configured to be received in a plated through-hole of printed circuit board (not shown) on which the RJ female connector A of the present invention is mounted to in use. The first end 40 of each mounting pin 38 is positioned to be received in a plated mounting hole 20 or 22 of PCB 2 when PCB 2 is mated with enclosure 4 by moving PCB 2 in the manner shown by arrow 44. Thus, when PCB 2 is mated to enclosure 4, the first end 40 of each mounting pin is received in a mounting hole 20 or 22 of PCB 2. Thereafter, at a suitable time, the first end 40 of each mounting pin 38 is soldered to its corresponding mounting hole 20 or 22.

[0044] Enclosure 4 includes an opening or aperture 46 for receiving magnetic component(s) 30 mounted to PCB 2 when PCB 2 is mated to enclosure 4 via the first ends 40 of mounting pins 38 and mounting holes 20 and 22 of PCB 2. [0045] Contact pin assembly 6 includes a non-conductive housing 50 enclosing a plurality of spaced electrically conductive contact pins 52. Each contact pin 52 includes a first, contact end 54 and a second end 56. First contact end 54 of each contact pin 52 is configured to make contact with a mating contact of an RJ male connector (not shown) in a manner known in the art. The shape of the first end 54 of each contact pin 52 and the spacing of contact pins 52 are well-known in the art and will not be described herein. [0046] The second end 56 of each contact pin 52 extends from housing 50 a sufficient distance to facilitate mating (soldering) of said second end 56 to a corresponding edge contact 26 on first side 16 of PCB 2. More specifically, second ends 56 of contact pins 52 are soldered to edge contacts 26 on first side 16 of PCB 2 in a manner known in the art. Contact pin assembly 6 and enclosure 4 can also include any suitable and/or desirable means for supporting contact pin assembly 6 on enclosure 4 when second ends 56 of contact pins 52 are soldered to edge contacts 26 of PCB 2 which is mated with enclosure 4 via mounting holes 20 and 22 and first ends 40 of mounting pins 38. Such means can include, without limitation, a tongue and groove arrangement, a friction fit between sides 58 and 60 of housing 50 and the sides of a slot 48 of enclosure 4, etc. The combination of enclosure 4 having contact pin assembly 6 and PCB 2 mounted thereto comprises a module B.

[0047] With reference to Fig. 2 and with continuing reference to Figs. Ia and Ib, housing 8 includes an opening or aperture 66 adjacent one end thereof and a recess or slot 68, desirably positioned opposite opening 66. Recess 68 is defined by a pair of spaced walls 70 and 72 of housing 8 and internal structure, such as, without limitation, an internal brace 74 of housing 8. Brace 74 can be configured to support housing 50 and/or contact pins 52 of contact pin assembly 6 when module B is inserted into recess 68 in the direction shown by arrow 76 in Fig. 2. Desirably, spaced walls 70 and 72 and module B comprise complementary means for enabling module B to be slidably received between spaced walls 70 and 72 when module B is inserted into recess 68 in the direction shown by arrow 76, but for avoiding movement of module B between spaced walls 70 and 72 in a direction transverse to the direction shown by arrow 76 once module B is received in recess 68. In the illustrated embodiment, said complementary means includes slots 78 and 80 in walls 70 and 72, respectively, and mating projections 82 on body 36 of enclosure 4. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the invention since it is envisioned that any suitable and/or desirable means for enabling module B to be slidably received and supported between spaced walls 70 and 72 can be utilized. [0048] When assembling module B to housing 8, enclosure 4 is positioned with projections 82 on opposite sides of body 36 aligned with slots 78 and 80 of walls 70 and 72, respectively. Thereafter, module B is moved in the direction shown by arrow 76 whereupon projections 82 slide into slots 78 and 80 until projections 82 bottom out in slots 78 and 80. The combination of module B in housing 8 defines a module C.

[0049] With reference to Fig. 3 and with continuing reference to Figs. Ia, Ib, and 2, as can be seen, second ends 42 of mounting pins 38 extend from housing 8 when module B is inserted into recess 68. This may be accomplished by housing 8 not having any structure adjacent the second ends 42 of mounting pins 38. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the invention since housing 8 may include structure that permits second ends 42 of mounting pins 38 to project therethrough. As shown in Figs, la-3, housing 8 can include one or more optional mounting post(s) 84 to facilitate mounting of RJ female connector A of the present invention to an other printed circuit board (not shown).

[0050] With continuing reference to Figs, lb-3, if desired, one or more optional LED's 90 can each be included in an optional receiving aperture 92 of housing 8, desirably positioned adjacent opening 66. When mounted in receiving aperture 92, each LED 90, when illuminated, will be visible via opening 66. However, the use of each LED 90 and the position of each LED 90 in housing 8 described herein is not to be construed as limiting the invention since it is envisioned that each LED 90 can be omitted and/or each LED 90 can be positioned in any suitable and/or desirable location on or within housing 8. [0051] With reference to Fig. 4 and with continuing reference to Figs, la-3, in the illustrated embodiment of RJ female connector A in accordance with the present invention, when each LED 90 is positioned in the corresponding receiving aperture 92 of housing 8, conductive pins 94 of each LED 90 desirably extend from housing 8 in the same direction as second ends 42 of mounting pins 38. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0052] Shield 10 includes a top 100, a back 102, and sides 104 and 106. Shield 10 also includes an opening or aperture 108 defined by top 100, sides 104 and 106 and a brace 110 positioned adjacent a mouth of opening 108 opposite top 100. Shield 10 is made of any suitable and/or desirable conductive material known in the art. Desirably, shield 10 defines an opening 112 opposite top 100 to facilitate the second ends 42 of mounting pins 38, each mounting post 84 and, if provided, the conductive pins 94 of each LED 90 extending therefrom when module C and, optionally, one or more LED's 90 are disposed inside of shield 10. [0053] To facilitate installing module C in shield 10, top 100 and back 102 of shield 10 are pivoted together upwardly in the direction shown by arrows 114 in Fig. 3 about a pivot edge 117 of shield 10 disposed opposite brace 110. In other words, top 100 and back 102 pivot upwardly together toward a space above the mouth of opening 108 whereupon module C can be inserted between sides 104 and 106 of shield 10. Thereafter, top 100 and back 102 are pivoted in a direction opposite arrows 114 to form the completed RJ female connector A shown in Fig. 4.

[0054] The embodiment of shield 10 shown in the figures includes one or more so-called optional grounding tabs 116 for making contact with a mating RJ male connector (not shown) when inserted into opening 108 of RJ female connector A. As also shown in the figures, shield 10 desirably includes at least one conductive pin 118 that extends therefrom in the same direction as the second ends 42 of mounting pins 38, each mounting post 84 and, if one or more LED's 90 are provided, conductive pins 94 thereof. Conductive pin 118 can be coupled to a suitable ground when the RJ female connector A shown in the figures is mounted to an other circuit board.

[0055] Two or more RJ female connectors A or two or more modules C discussed above can be included in a single enclosure. For example, two RJ female connectors A, without LED's, or two modules C can be included within a single conductive or non-conductive enclosure 120 in the side-by-side relation shown in Fig. 5. Also or alternatively, two RJ female connectors A with LEDs 90 or two modules C along with LEDs 90 can be included in a single conductive or non-conductive enclosure 122 in the side-by-side relationship shown in Fig. 6. Still further, a plurality of RJ female connectors A or a plurality of modules C can be included in a single conductive or non-conductive enclosure 124 in the side-by-side and stacked arrangement shown in Fig. 7.

[0056] The side-by-side and/or stacked arrangements of RJ female connectors A or modules C shown in Figs. 5-7, are not to be construed as limiting the invention since it is envisioned that any suitable and/or desirable number of RJ female connectors A or modules C can be included in a side-by-side and/or stacked arrangement as deemed suitable and/or desirable by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] Still further, it is envisioned that a plurality of side-by-side housings 8 can be formed as a unitary piece, with or without shared sides, between adjacent housings 8. Other than being formed together in a side-by-side manner and, if applicable, sharing a common side, each housing 8 of such piece would be substantially the same as the housing 8 shown in Figs. la-4. [0058] Where two or more RJ female connectors A or two or more modules C are included in a single enclosure in a side-by-side and/or stacked arrangement, the number and location of mounting posts 84 required can be selected in any suitable and/or desirable manner by one of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, where two or more RJ female connectors A or two or more modules C are disposed in a stacked arrangement, the second ends 42 of the mounting pins 38 of the RJ female connector A can be offset from each other in any suitable and/or desirable manner to facilitate connection thereof to an other printed circuit board.

[0059] As can be seen, the present invention is an RJ female connector A comprising an enclosure, that supports a contact pin assembly and a PCB with integrated magnetic components, that can be inserted into a housing which in-turn is then inserted into a shield. A benefit of the present invention is that the combination of the enclosure, the contact pin assembly and the PCB with integrated magnetic components form a module B can be tested as a unit before said module B is included in housing 8.

[0060] PCB 2 is made from materials and in a manner known in the art of printed circuit board assembly. Body 36 of enclosure 4, housing 50 of contact pin assembly 6 and housing 8 are each made of a suitable and/or desirable non-conductive material, such as a nylon plastic. Mounting pins 38, contact pins 52, conductive pins 94, shield 10 and conductive pin 118 are each made of a suitable and/or desirable conductive material known in the art. [0061] The present invention enables the cost of manufacturing RJ female connector A to be reduced and for better quality control during manufacture. More specifically, the sub- assembly comprising enclosure 4, contact pin assembly 6 and PCB 2 including magnetic components 30 thereon can be assembled into a module B that can be tested before being mounted to housing 8. In this manner, faulty magnetic components can be isolated before the final assembly of RJ female connector A is completed whereupon the incorporation of faulty magnetic components into the final assembly of RJ female connector A can be avoided. Another advantage of RJ female connector A in accordance with the present invention is that it facilitates replacement of PCB 2 including one or more faulty magnetic components, even after RJ female connector A is installed on an other printed circuit board. [0062] The present 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. It is intended that the invention be . construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

THE INVENTION CLAIMED IS:

1. An RJ female connector comprising: an electrically insulative enclosure including electrically conductive mounting pins extending therefrom; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted to the housing and supporting thereon at least one magnetic component that is operative for conditioning computer network signals, the PCB including electrical conductors; a contact pin assembly including electrically conductive contact pins disposed in spaced relation, the contact pin assembly mounted to the housing, wherein the PCB electrical conductors are coupled to the mounting pins, to terminals of the magnetic component, to the contact pins or some combination thereof in a manner to facilitate conditioning by the magnetic component of computer network signals passing from the contact pins to the mounting pins, or vice versa; an electrically insulative housing including an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector and a recess including therein the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto, the enclosure supported in the recess with the contact pins of the contact pin assembly facing the opening of the housing and with the mounting pins of the base extending from the housing; and an electrically conductive shield mounted to the housing including the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto, wherein the shield includes an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector in alignment with the opening in the housing.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein: the enclosure includes an opening therein; and the PCB is mounted to the housing with the magnetic component disposed therein via the opening.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing recess is defined by a pair of spaced walls configured to slidably receive the housing therebetween.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the spaced walls and the enclosure comprise complimentary means for enabling the enclosure to be slidably received between the spaced walls in one direction but for avoiding movement of the enclosure between the spaced walls in a direction transverse to the one direction.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the complimentary means includes a slot in each wall and projections on the enclosure configured to slide into the slots.

6. The connector of claim 1, further including at least one LED mounted in the housing such that, when illuminated, it is visible via the housing opening.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein: each LED includes at least one conductive pin; the shield includes at least one conductive pin; and the conductive pins of the LED and the shield, and the mounting pins of the enclosure, when the enclosure is included in the recess, extend in the same direction.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least part of the shield is moveable such that the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto is displaceable in the recess while the remainder of the shield remains about the housing.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the magnetic component includes at least one of the following: a transformer, an inductor (or choke), a filter, a resistor network, and a capacitor.

10. The connector of claim 11, wherein the PCB electrical conductors are coupled to the mounting pins, the terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof on a side of the enclosure opposite the mounting pins.

11. An RJ female connector comprising: an electrically conductive shield including an opening configured to receive an RJ male connector; an electrically nonconductive housing received within the shield, the housing having an opening configured to receive the RJ male connector, the housing opening aligned with the shield opening, the housing further including a slot spaced from the housing opening; an electrically nonconductive enclosure having electrically conductive mounting pins extending therefrom, the enclosure received in the slot with the mounting pins protruding from the housing and not enclosed by the shield; electrically conductive contact pins coupled to the enclosure, each contact pin having a first, contact end that projects toward the housing opening and a second end that projects toward the enclosure; and a printed circuit board (PCB) having integral electrical conductors, the PCB coupled to the enclosure, the PCB having mounted thereon at least one magnetic component that is operative for conditioning computer network signals, wherein the PCB electrical conductors are coupled to the mounting pins, terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof in a manner to facilitate conditioning by the magnetic component of computer network signals passing from the contact pins to the mounting pins, or vice versa.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the magnetic component is disposed in an aperture in the enclosure.

13. The connector of claim 11 , wherein: the housing slot is defined by a pair of spaced walls configured to slidably receive the housing therebetween; and the spaced walls and the enclosure comprise complimentary means for enabling the enclosure to be slidably received between the spaced walls in one direction but for avoiding movement of the enclosure between the spaced walls in a direction transverse to the one direction.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the complimentary means includes a slit in each wall and projections on the enclosure configured to slide into the slits.

15. The connector of claim 11 , further including at least one LED mounted in the housing such that, when illuminated, the LED is visible via the shield opening

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein: each LED includes at least one conductive pin; the shield includes at least one conductive pin; and the conductive pins of the LED and the shield, and the mounting pins of the enclosure, when the enclosure is included in the slot, extend in the same direction.

17. The connector of claim 11, wherein at least part of the shield is moveable such that the enclosure having the PCB and contact pin assembly mounted thereto is displaceable in the slot while the remainder of the shield remains about the housing.

18. The connector of claim 11, wherein the magnetic component includes at least one of the following: a transformer, an inductor (or choke), a filter, a resistor network, and a capacitor.

19. The connector of claim 11, wherein the PCB electrical conductors are coupled to the mounting pins, the terminals of the magnetic component, the contact pins or some combination thereof on a side of the enclosure opposite the mounting pins.

20. An RJ female connector comprising contact pins received in a housing with a first, contact end of each contact pin disposed in an aperture in the housing that is configured to receive an RJ male connector whereupon the contact pin contacts a contact of the RJ male connector, each contact pin having a second end coupled to a PCB that has at least one magnetic component coupled thereto which is operative for conditioning computer network signals, the PCB facilitating the passage of computer network signals conditioned by the magnetic component from the contact pins to electrically conductive pins that project from the housing, or vice versa, the magnetic component disposed inside of an enclosure to which the PCB is mounted, wherein the enclosure having the PCB with the magnetic component and the contact pins coupled thereto is slidable into the housing.