Smart card connector with retain and eject means
US6382995B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S439/923
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A smart card connector of simple design and small size is provided, which retains a fully inserted smart card until a person deflects a tab (172) that releases the smart card, with the connector including a spring (130A) which then partially ejects the smart card so it can be grasped and removed. The apparatus includes a housing (302A) with a dielectric plastic plate-shaped support (72A) that holds contacts (94) with pad-engaging ends (92) projecting above an upwardly-facing face (106) of the plate to engage contact pads of the smart card. The housing forms a forwardly-opening cavity (88) for receiving the smart card when it is rearwardly inserted therein, the housing having a stop (109) that limits rearward movement of the card to a fully inserted position. A card retainer (304A) has a largely rearwardly-facing shoulder (166A) at the front of the cavity to resist withdrawal of the card until the tab is manually deflected. The spring has a spring end (138) lying at the rear of the cavity and biased toward a position forward of the stop, to directly engage the card rear edge to urge the card forwardly out of the cavity. Thus, manual deflection of the tab allows the spring to automat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.