Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-08
2001-08-07
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the construction of an IC card connector used with a PC card used as a storage medium of personal computers or the like and a CF (compact flash) card used in a digital camera and other electronic apparatuses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An IC card connector is commonly used as an additional storage unit of a personal computer. An IC card is coming into widespread use as a storage medium of the IC card connector.
The IC card is loaded in the IC card connector to write and read necessary information. To increase operability in loading and unloading the IC card, some IC card connectors have an ejection mechanism for ejecting the IC card.
It is known that the conventional IC card ejection mechanism includes a slide member for carrying an IC card, a locking member for holding the slide member in an IC card loaded position, and a spring member for energizing the slide member in an eject direction when the locking member is unlocked, wherein, when the IC card is ejected as the slide member moves in the eject direction, the IC card is pushed out in the eject direction by an energizing force of the spring member.
However, the above-described conventional IC card connector has the following problems in terms of construction. First, if the locking member and the slide member are not engaged in each other successfully when an IC card is inserted, the IC card cannot be held in the loaded position. Second, where the locking member and the slide member are disengaged from each other when the IC card is ejected, the IC card cannot be ejected if the slide member does not move due to static friction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For this reason, the present invention intends to solve the above problems by providing an IC card connector having a mechanism for ejecting an IC card, wherein the IC card connector, when an IC card is inserted, holds a slide member in an IC card loaded position without fail by a locking member, and, when the IC card is ejected, ejects the IC card without fail by operating the slide member.
To solve the above problems, an IC card connector of the present invention, as a first means, includes: a slide member that is slidable in directions in which an IC card loaded in and unloaded from a housing is inserted and ejected; a return spring for energizing the slide member in the direction in which the IC card is ejected; and a locking member for holding the slide member in the position in which the IC card is loaded, against an energizing force of the return spring, wherein the locking member comprises: an anchoring part that is turnably supported and can be engaged in and disengaged from the slide member; a turning operation part for turning the anchoring part in a direction in which the anchoring part is disengaged from the slide member; and a pressing operation part that abuts the slide member, and engages the anchoring part in the slide member in accordance with the movement of the slide member in the IC card insert direction and presses the slide member in the IC card eject direction in accordance with the movement of the turning operation part.
As a second means, the anchoring part, the turning operation part, and the pressing operation part are formed integrally with the locking member.
As a third means, at one end of the slide member are formed an engaging projection part engaged in the anchoring part and a pressing part abutting the pressing operation part, wherein, when the slide member is moved in the IC card insert direction and the anchoring part and the engaging projection part are engaged in each other, the locking member is turnably supported on a fixing member so that the pressing operation part and the pressing part are opposed to each other in a position close to each other.
As a fourth means, the fixing member is formed on the housing or a frame attached to the housing.
As a fifth means, the slide member is provided with a turnable eject arm, which is engaged in the IC card loaded in or unloaded from the housing, whereby as the IC card is inserted or ejected, the slide member slides in an insert or eject direction through the eject arm.
As a sixth means, first and second arm parts are formed on the eject arm, and when the IC card is inserted, the first arm part engages in the IC card and thereby the slide member is moved in an IC card insert direction; and when the IC card is ejected, the second arm part engages in the IC card and thereby the slide member is moved in an IC card eject direction, while, when the slide member has been moved up to an IC card eject position, the eject arm turns, whereby the IC card can be pulled out.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5573413 (1996-11-01), David et al.
patent: 5871365 (1999-02-01), Kajiura
patent: 5993227 (1999-11-01), Hsia et al.
patent: 6036514 (2000-03-01), Nishioka
patent: 6042401 (2000-03-01), Oguchi et al.
patent: 6042403 (2000-03-01), Nishioka
patent: 6089891 (2000-03-01), Nishioka
patent: 6095835 (2000-08-01), Oguchi
patent: Hei 11-135192 (1999-05-01), None
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Patel Tulsidas
LandOfFree
IC card connector having IC card ejection mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with IC card connector having IC card ejection mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and IC card connector having IC card ejection mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2527310