Electrical connectors – Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move... – Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-01-30
Patel, T. C. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...
Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
C439S262000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179638
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for use in a memory card reader and, more particularly, to a novel connector for memory card readers that will increase operative reliability and endurance by ensuring an exact electrical contact between the memory card and the connector.
2. The Background Art
In recent years, many different kinds of cards have become more popular and have been widely used. Credit cards, bank cards, identification cards and many other cards are used in our increasingly complicated and rapidly changed society. More recently, a memory card or a smart card having an integrated circuit (IC) memory chip has been developed with increased capability of storing data, which can hold much more information than a magnetic strip type card. Use of the memory cards is rapidly increasing in the banking industry and for the purpose of storing personal data, such as electronic identification cards, driver's licenses, social security cards, financial cards and others.
Accordingly, a memory card reader which can read the data stored on a memory card has also been developed. To access the information stored on the memory card, the card reader should be equipped with a connector making an electrical connection with the contact elements of the semiconductor device, e.g. the IC chip. The present invention is related to a novel means of ensuring good connection with the memory card contact elements.
Typically, terminals of the memory card reader and the contacting elements touch each other to provide electrical connection between the terminals and the contacting elements. To provide good connection between the terminals of the memory card reader and the contacting elements of the memory card, a narrow slot of the memory card reader for inserting a card has been designed to hold the memory card tightly in a proper position. Moreover, the memory card must be pressed against the terminals of the memory card reader to reduce change of resistance at the terminals. However, the contact surface area between the memory card and the card reader should be minimized for smooth insertion and removal of the memory card. Less contact surface can provide operative reliability and durability for the card and for the memory card reader. In addition, malfunctioning by static electricity caused by sliding contact between parts can be reduced.
A number of attempts have been made in the prior art to accomplish an effective memory card reader. One attempt to solve the problems of prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,272 (which is hereby incorporated by reference) which presses the memory card against the terminals of memory card reader in an attempt to ensure consistent contact with the contact elements of memory card.
However, the prior art has some disadvantages which are generally recognized in the industry. Even though in the prior art the memory card is held in pressed contact with the reader, the contacting force is no more than the bending force generated by the terminals. Moreover, terminals can easily be bent from a sudden insertion of card or any other strong force, resulting in a short circuit in the card reader. When a terminal is bent and touches an adjacent terminal, the card reader no longer functions properly. Furthermore, because of the pressure against the terminals, strong force has to be applied to insert or remove the memory card. Consequently, prior art devices have low durability and a short useful life. While attempts have been made in the prior art to increase the durability and efficiency of these components, those attempts were not successful until the time of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a connector for use in a card reader, which is capable of increased operative reliability and endurance, and at the same time, ensuring an exact electrical contact between the memory card and the card reader.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a connector for use in a card reader, which is capable of having a card smoothly inserted into it and removed from it.
Consistent with the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied broadly described herein, a connector for use in a card reader is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a frame for accommodating the card therein, the frame having an opening through which the card may be inserted into the frame and removed from the frame; a plurality of connector terminals mounted on the frame, being insulated from one another and each of the connector terminal being extended from the frame to be contacted with each of the card contact element; a card sensor switch for detecting a complete insertion of the memory card is mounted in an inner rear portion of the frame, maintaining an insulation state; and a landing yoke supporting one portion of each of the connector terminals and being pivotly mounted in the frame to minimize sliding contact area of the memory card with the connector terminals during insertion or removal of the memory card.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hyosung Electronics Co., Ltd
Lee Jaiwook
McCarthy Daniel
Patel T. C.
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