EP0849842A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smart card connector module
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1997-12-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A smart card connector module (2) comprises two rows of (10,12) of terminals (6,8) stamped and formed from a single piece of sheet metal and interconnected by a carrier strip (14). An insulative housing (4) may either be overmoulded or assembled to the carrier strip (14), the terminals subsequently being electrically disconnected by stamping away portions (42) of the carrier strip through windows (40) provided in the housing. Manufacturing of the module is thus particularly cost-effective.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Claude Joly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/24; G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/0013; G06K7/0021; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A connector module (2) for connection to contact pads of
a smart card, the module comprising an insulative housing (4)
and terminals (6,8) mounted therein and arranged in pairs
(18) disposed in a juxtaposed manner to form at least one row
(10,12) extending in a carrier direction (D), each pair (18)
comprising a connection terminal (8) and a smart card
terminal (6) electrically interconnected thereto, the smart
card terminal comprising a spring arm (26) and contact
portion (28) extending therefrom and protruding beyond an
upper surface (50) of the housing (4) for resiliently biasing
against a contact pad of the smart card, the row of terminals
of the module being stamped and formed from a single piece of
sheet metal where the terminals are interconnected to each
other by a carrier strip (14) during manufacturing, wherein
the housing comprises windows (40) above the carrier strip
(14) for passage of a cutting die therethrough to remove
portions of the carrier strip such that adjacent terminal
pairs viewed in the direction (D) of the carrier strip (14)
are electrically separated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The module according to claim 1 wherein there are two
terminal rows (10,12), one either side of the carrier strip
(14), formed from the same piece of sheet metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The module according to claim 2 wherein the rows (10,12)
of terminals (6,8) are disposed in mirror image symmetry
about the carrier strip (14).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The module according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the smart card terminals (8) each comprise a
cantilever spring arm (26) extending from an attachment end
(23) at an attachment portion (20) of the carrier strip (24).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The module according to claim 4 wherein the connection
terminals (8) also extend from the attachment portions (20)
of the carrier strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The module according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the smart card terminal and connection terminal of
each pair (18), are arranged adjacent each other in the
carrier direction (D).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The module according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the smart card terminals extend obliquely away from a
plane (15) of the carrier strip (14).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The module according to claim 7 wherein the connection
terminals extend obliquely away from the plane of the carrier
strip (14), on an opposed side to the smart card terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The module according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the smart card and/or connection terminals are pre-stressed
by abutment in a resilient manner against shoulders
(63,65) of the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The module according to claim 9 wherein the smart card
terminals each comprise free ends (30) extending from their
contact portions (28), each free end engaging the shoulder of
the housing for pre-stressing the contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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