Memory card connector

Details Memory card connector Memory card connector

2000-02-18

2001-06-19

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With coupling separator

Nonconducting pusher

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247947

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention relates to connectors and, in particular, the present invention relates to a memory card connector for use in portable electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
The popularity of the Internet among consumers over the last few years has resulted in it becoming a storage place for such digital media as audio and video recordings. Current web locations allowing such digital media to be downloaded from the Internet include: MP3.com, Liquidaudio.com, Launch.com, and Realnetworks.com. This digital media is now downloadable to portable electronic devices that contain a memory card, such as a flash memory card, for storing the digital media.
Connectors for coupling the memory cards to a PCB in the portable device are required by industry and consumers to have an ejector mechanism built-in for removing the memory cards upon actuation of a push button. Currently, such connectors have complex ejector mechanisms, requiring numerous individual parts, which greatly increases installation time and costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention eliminates the above difficulties and disadvantages by providing a memory card connector that includes an ejector having an actuator rod and lever arm that are preferably integrally formed to a housing, thereby greatly reducing the installation time and cost of the memory card connector. This integral coupling is preferably accomplished by flexible actuator and lever webs but can also be performed at least in part by an actuator band integrally formed between the housing and actuator rod. In another embodiment the actuator rod is a separate part and the lever arm is integrally molded into the housing. In still another embodiment the lever arm is pivotally mounted on the housing and the actuator arm is integrally formed within the housing.
A push button is formed on one end of the actuator rod and a plurality of actuator coupling members are formed on the housing for snap fitting the actuator rod thereto if needed and that allow the actuator rod to slide therein.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4694380 (1987-09-01), Mallory et al.
patent: 5466166 (1995-11-01), Law et al.
patent: 5871365 (1999-02-01), Kajiura

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