Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-25
2003-02-25
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
active
06524122
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a retractable connector that allows electrical communication to be established with an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spring driven system that smoothly moves the retractable connector between an extended position and a retracted position.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices are widely used and have often become an indispensable resource for businesspersons, students and others. For example, the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, palm computers, portable computers, mobile telephones and other types of electronic devices are becoming commonplace and new electronic devices, such as digital music players and cameras, are being introduced. Significantly, many of these electronic devices are readily portable and designed to be used in a variety of situations.
Electronic devices, such as portable computers, are also beginning to provide functionality to users beyond their original purpose. For example, many conventional portable computers did not provide a user with access to remote computer systems such as the Internet. Today, however, many computers provide a user with the ability to access remote computer networks or systems, including the Internet. The ability to access these remote computer systems, however, requires a connection that allows the computer to communicate with the remote computer system. Accordingly, many conventional portable computers require an interface that permits the computer to be connected with the Internet or other computer system.
Frequently computer expansion cards are used with these conventional portable computers to allow a user to access the Internet or other remote computer networks. Known expansion cards, such as modem cards, often include a retractable platform that can be stored inside the card in a retracted position or it can extend outwardly from the card in an extended position. In the extended position, a receptacle is exposed to receive a communication plug that allows the modem card to be connected to a telephone network. Thus, the retractable platform provides an electrical and physical interface between the modem card and the telephone network.
In greater detail, when the retractable platform is extended and the receptacle or jack portion is exposed, a communication plug is inserted into the receptacle. The communication plug is typically a RJ series connector plug and it is attached to one end of a cable. The other end of the cable may include another RJ series connector plug that is connected to the telephone network, which provides access to remote computer networks and systems such as the Internet. Thus, the modem card with the retractable platform allows as a portable computer to be electrically connected to the telephone network, which provides access to remote!computer systems such as the Internet.
The retractable platform for a conventional modem card is a slidable plate that fits within grooves or tracks in the modem card. The slidable plate includes the receptacle that receives the RJ series connector plug and the slidable plate is movable between the extended and retracted positions. A compression spring is attached to one side of the slidable plate and it assists in moving the plate between the extended and retracted positions. In particular, the compression spring aids in pushing the slidable plate into the extended position and holding it in that position. The compression spring also helps hold the slidable plate in the retracted position such that the plate is not inadvertently extended. Because the compression spring is located on one side of the slidable plate, it provides an uneven spring force on the plate. In addition, the compression spring creates a moment arm as the slidable plate is moved between the retracted and extended positions because the spring force is directed only towards one side of the plate.
Conventional modem cards also include a flex circuit that electronically connects the retractable platform to the communication card. The flex circuit is located in the slot in the modem card that receives the retractable platform, and the flex circuit is repeatedly bent and straightened as the slidable plate is moved between the extended and retracted positions. Because the movement of the flex circuit is not constrained or controlled, the flex circuit may be caught between moving parts, or the flex circuit may become twisted, tangled or bent as the retractable platform is extended and retracted. This may cause the flex circuit to break, fracture, malfunction or otherwise stop working. In addition, the flex circuit may become loosened or even disconnected from either the retractable platform and/or the communication card because the movement of the flex circuit is not constrained. Disadvantageously, if the flex circuit malfunctions or becomes disconnected, the modem card cannot be used and this may prevent the user from communicating with the remote computer system. In addition, the flex circuit may be difficult to repair or replace because of the tight tolerances and small space in which the circuit is located.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a communication card with a retractable connector that provides effective and reliable communication with a remote computer or network system, and eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect of the present invention is a communication card with a retractable connector and a torsion spring. The torsion spring is generally U-shaped with a first end engaging the communication card and a second end engaging the retractable connector. The spring force of the torsion spring is preferably generally aligned with the center portion of the retractable connector and along an axis upon which the connector is extended and retracted. Because the spring force is generally centrally aligned with the retractable connector and along the axis upon which the connector is extended and retracted, the connector smoothly extends and retracts without binding, sticking or twisting. In addition, the torsion spring preferably has a generally constant or linear spring force so that the retractable connector moves uniformly.
Another aspect is la communication card with one or more cutouts or notches that are sized and configured to receive the torsion spring when the retractable connector is in the retracted position. Significantly, the cutouts or notches allow the torsion spring to have a relatively large radius of curvature and the spring is not excessively compressed, deformed or pinched in the retracted position. Advantageously, the cutouts or notches can be located in the retractable connector and/or a portion of the communication card, such as the printed circuit board. The cutouts and notches also guide the torsion spring into a storage position and help prevent damage to the torsion spring.
Still another aspect is a communication card with a flexible circuit attached to the torsion spring. Because the flexible circuit is attached to the torsion spring, it helps control the movement of the circuit and that improves the life of the circuit. For example, because the torsion spring has a relatively large radius of curvature, the flexible circuit also has a relatively large radius of curvature. This prevents the flexible circuit from being excessively compressed, inched or twisted, and this prolongs the life of the circuit. In addition, the flexible circuit has greater reliability and integrity because the circuit has a larger bending radius and is subjected to less force. The flexible circuit is also protected from damage because it is contained within the sidewalls of the housing of the communication card. Additionally, because the flexible circuit is generally a constant distance from the housing, this improves the performance and reliability of the circuit because there is little or no impedance change.
Yet another aspect is a communication card with a flexible circuit that ele
Johnson Thomas A.
Jones Jeffrey L.
Oliphant David
3Com Corporation
Le Thanh-Tam
Patel Tulsidas
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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