CA2130410C — Retractable expandable jack

USPTO Abstract

An expandable jack is disclosed having a first member and a second member attached by a pivotal connection. The members can be expanded about the pivotal connection to form a receptacle for receiving a plug and collapsed about the connection, when not in use, to fit into storage spaces of reduced size. The jack is of particular use in application interface cards for use in laptop, notebook and palmtop computers. In such cards, the jack is mounted on a platform which is moveable between an exposed position, external of the card and a retracted position within the body of the card. The platform thereby moves the jack between a storage position within the card and a position for use, wherein the jack is external of the card. The jack allows direct connection between the card and a communication line without the use of a separate Data Access Arrangement and without interfering with adjacent card slots. The plug can be inserted into the card while avoiding interference with obstructions such as a communication line extending from an adjacent card in the computer.