Modular telephone line coupler

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is a modular coupler for interconnecting two modular plug-ended telephone lines.
The coupler is formed of dielectric material and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Wire contact elements are formed to proper shape by the coupler itself during assembly.
The coupler includes a first section having a center wall extending in a transverse or width direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupler.
A second section has first and second forming walls also extending in a width direction.
The forming walls are spaced apart longitudinally to form an aperture of size to receive therebetween an end portion of the center wall of the first section.
A plurality of electrical contact elements comprising lengths of straight wire are positioned parallel to each other over the center wall and across the first and second forming walls.
The contact elements extend in a lengthwise direction along the first and second sections.
During assembly, the center wall of first section will project between the first and second forming walls of the second section to clampingly hold the plurality of contact elements.
The contact elements are bent over the center wall as the first and second sections are moved together and outer end portions of the contact elements extend toward opposite ends of the first section.
Means for retaining the first and second sections in an assembly are included.
Once assembled, the first and second sections form at the opposite ends two hollow cavities in which the end plugs of two modular plug-ended lines are secured and electrically interconnected by the contact elements.
In the preferred embodiment of the coupler, the center wall of the first section and the first and second forming walls of the second section include a plurality of parallel slots extending in the length direction.
The slots are used to position the contact elements.
The slots in the first and second forming walls slope inward toward the aperture separating the walls