Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Coupling part for receiving edge of planar board moving...
Patent
1995-02-24
1997-09-23
Nguyen, Khiem
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Coupling part for receiving edge of planar board moving...
439136, H01R 1362
Patent
active
056697813
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a connection mechanism for a cartridge adapted to be connected to a domestic video game machine.
BACKGROUND ART
In typical domestic video game machines, a cartridge is removably connected to a body in the form of a small-sized case. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a substrate having information recorded thereon, the substrate being enclosed in the cartridge case. The case-like body on the other hand includes an insertion hole for receiving the cartridge, and a connector provided therewithin for electrical connection to the substrate of the cartridge so as to read the information recorded on the substrate. In such domestic video game machines, the information recorded on the substrate is transmitted by way of the connector to external equipment such as a television set for reproduction as a video image and/or audio sounds. A control means is also provided for controlling the reproduced information.
Such domestic video game machines will enable any general family to readily play games therewith, since domestic televisions may be used as the external video equipment. In addition, different games can be played with appropriate selection, by merely replacing one cartridge with another, which will allow users in a variety of age groups to utilize such video game machines.
However, the prior art entails the following problems. The cartridge insertion hole provided on the body is formed so as not to cause an accident such as detachment of the inserted cartridge due to a little vibration. In order to firmly retain the cartridge case, the insertion hole is shaped to such a degree that it is slightly larger than the cartridge case. On the inside of the insertion hole, an engagement means is provided for engaging with the cartridge case. The engagement means can be, for instance, a clamping section made of a resilient material or an engagement click. For this configuration, upon the insertion the cartridge must be precisely carried to an inlet of the insertion hole, with the need for the direction of insertion orthogonal to the body. Also, an engagement force of approximately 3 kg or over is needed to achieve an engagement with the engagement means. It is thus necessary for the establishment of a secure connection of the cartridge to the body to define the direction of the insertion or extraction with careful attention as well as to bring the cartridge into engagement with the engagement means using an engagement force of approximately 3 Kg or over. Also, at the time of extracting the cartridge, the same force is naturally required to release the engagement.
If the attention to the inserting direction or the engagement force as described above is poor, the cartridge is not able to be securely engaged with the body, and hence the substrate and the connector are not coupled with each other, making it impossible to execute the video game. Moreover, in the worst case, a breakage of the substrate and/or connector will occur within the interior of the insertion hole, and in turn may possibly destroy the video game machine.
In recent years, particularly, besides the cartridge allowing the domestic video game machine to be used to play a game, another type of cartridge is provided which allows the same to be used as an intellectual toy for infants and children in the second grade or under. It is however hard to ask the infants or children in the second grade or under for sufficient attention to the inserting direction or enough engagement force, thus resulting in a higher incidence of the above problems. It is difficult for the preschool children, in particular, to securely insert the cartridge into the hole due to their level of dexterity and strength. For this reason, help of their seniors such as parents is required and therefore additional labor and time have been hitherto necessitated.
Also, in an upward protruding manner, the cartridge is connected to the body horizontally placed for use, with the result that the user's hand or an object is apt to come int
REFERENCES:
patent: 4200349 (1980-04-01), Holland
patent: 4426122 (1984-01-01), Lainez et al.
patent: 4468075 (1984-08-01), Tamura et al.
patent: 4773032 (1988-09-01), Uehara et al.
patent: 5026297 (1991-06-01), Krehbiel
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