US4477138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card biasing device for card edge connectors
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-31
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Granted: 1984-10-16
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Expires: 2002-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed herein relates to a biasing means provided in one end of a card-receiving slot of a card edge connector. The biasing means includes a spring loaded wedge slidably positioned in a sloping passage at one end of the slot. The wedge includes a vertical surface which engages a side of the card as the card is inserted in the slot. The wedge moving down the sloping passage increases the slot length to accommodate the card width without exerting significant longitudinal force against the end walls of the connector. Further, the wedge cannot be moved up the passage by an uneven force being exerted on the card; accordingly, the card can only be removed from the slot in a straight line.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard W. Andrews, Jr.
- 👤 Timothy B. Billman
- 👤 Robert F. Cobaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A card edge connector (56) having a card biasing device (50) at one end of a longitudinal, card-receiving slot (66), characterized in that the biasing device (50) comprises a passage (58) located adjacent one end of the card-receiving slot (66) and having a transverse rear wall (62) sloping obliquely downwardly towards a near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and a wedge (52) slideably positioned in the passage (58) and having a sloping surface (82) conformably sliding along the sloping transverse wall (82) of the passage (58) and a vertical surface (86) opposite the sloping surface (82) and facing into the slot (66) for abutting engagement with a card (16) which may be inserted into the slot (66) and means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A card edge connector (56) having a card biasing device (50) at one end of a longitudinal, card-receiving slot (66), characterized in that the biasing device (50) comprises a passage (58) located adjacent one end of the card-receiving slot (66) and having a transverse rear wall (62) sloping obliquely downwardly towards a near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and a wedge (52) slideably positioned in the passage (58) and having a sloping surface (82) conformably sliding along the sloping transverse wall (82) of the passage (58) and a vertical surface (86) opposite the sloping surface (82) and facing into the slot (66) for abutting engagement with a card (16) which may be inserted into the slot (66) and means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A card edge connector of claim 1 characterized in that the means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58) includes a coil spring (54).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A card edge connector of claim 2 characterized in that the coil spring (54) is located in an aperture (70) in the near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and the wedge (52) includes an arm (100) for engaging the coil spring (54).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A card edge connector of claim 2 characterized in that the coil spring (54) is located between the wedge (52) and a floor (122) of passage (58).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A card edge connector of claim 2 characterized in that the passage (58) further includes a transverse front sloping wall (60) with an opening (64) extending through the transverse front sloping wall (60) from the card-receiving slot (66).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A card edge connector of claim 5 characterized in that the vertical surface (86) is located on a nose-like portion (84) on the wedge (52) and with the nose-like portion (84) projecting through the opening (64).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A card edge connector of claim 2 characterized in that a ramp (92) extends from the top (94) of the wedge (52) to the top of the vertical surface (86).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A card edge connector of claim 1 wherein the transverse rear wall (62) slopes at an angle of from about seven degrees relative to the vertical to about thirty degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A card edge connector of claim 1 wherein the transverse rear wall (62) slopes at an angle of from about nine degrees relative to the vertical to about fifteen degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A card edge connector (56) having a biasing device (50) at one end of a longitudinal, card-receiving slot (66), characterized in that the biasing device (50) comprises a passage (58) located adjacent one end of the card-receiving slot (66) and having a transverse rear wall (62) sloping obliquely downwardly towards a near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and a wedge (52) slideably positioned in the passage (58) and having a sloping surface (82) conformably sliding along the sloping transverse wall (62) of the passage (58) and a surface (86) opposite the sloping surface (82) and facing into the slot (66) for abutting engagement with a card (16) which may be inserted into the slot (66) and further including means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
A card edge connector (56) having a biasing device (50) at one end of a longitudinal, card-receiving slot (66), characterized in that the biasing device (50) comprises a passage (58) located adjacent one end of the card-receiving slot (66) and having a transverse rear wall (62) sloping obliquely downwardly towards a near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and a wedge (52) slideably positioned in the passage (58) and having a sloping surface (82) conformably sliding along the sloping transverse wall (62) of the passage (58) and a surface (86) opposite the sloping surface (82) and facing into the slot (66) for abutting engagement with a card (16) which may be inserted into the slot (66) and further including means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A card edge connector of claim 10 characterized in that the means (54) for biasing the wedge (52) upwardly in the passage (58) includes a coil spring (54).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A card edge connector of claim 11 characterized in that the coil spring (54) is located in an aperture (70) in the near end wall (74) of the connector (56) and the wedge (52) includes an arm (100) for engaging the coil spring (54).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A card edge connector of claim 11 characterized in that the coil spring (54) is located between the wedge (52) and a floor (122) of passage (58).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A card edge connector of claim 10 characterized in that the passage (58) further includes a transverse front sloping wall (60) with an opening (64) extending through the transverse front sloping wall (60) from the card-receiving slot (66).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A card edge connector of claim 14 characterized in that the surface (86) is located on a nose-like portion (84) on the wedge (52) and with the nose-like portion (84) projecting through the opening (64).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A card edge connector of claim 10 wherein the transverse wall (62) slopes at an angle of from about seven degrees relative to the vertical to about thirty degrees.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A card edge connector of claim 10 wherein the transverse wall (62) slopes at an angle of from about nine degrees relative to the vertical to about fifteen degrees.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
Card biasing device for card edge connectors having a card slot, the device comprising: a. a passage adjacent one end of the card slot and extending obliquely downwardly in a direction away from the slot; b. an opening between the card slot and passage; and c. a wedge slideably positioned and biased upwardly in the passage and having a vertical surface thereon extending thru the opening into the card slot, said surface being adapted to abuttingly engage a side of a card being inserted into the slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
Card biasing device for card edge connectors having a card slot, the device comprising: a. a passage adjacent one end of the card slot and extending obliquely downwardly in a direction away from the slot; b. an opening between the card slot and passage; and c. a wedge slideably positioned and biased upwardly in the passage and having a vertical surface thereon extending thru the opening into the card slot, said surface being adapted to abuttingly engage a side of a card being inserted into the slot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The card biasing device of claim 18 wherein a coil spring biases the wedge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The card biasing device of claim 19 wherein the coil spring is located in an aperture adjacent the passage and the wedge includes an arm for engaging the coil spring.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The card biasing device of claim 19 wherein the coil spring is located between the wedge and a floor of the passage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The card biasing device of claim 18 wherein the passage includes transverse sloping walls.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The card biasing device of claim 22 wherein the transverse walls slopes at an angle of from about seven degrees relative to the vertical to about thirty degrees.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The card biasing device of claim 22 wherein the transverse walls slope at an angle of from about nine degrees relative to the vertical to about fifteen degree.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The card biasing device of claim 18 wherein the vertical surface is on a nose-like portion on the wedge and with the nose-like portion projecting thru the opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A card biasing device of claim 18 wherein a ramp extends from the top of the wedge to the top of the vertical surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-16 | 1988-04-16 | 1988-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-16 | 1992-04-16 | 1992-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-16 | 1996-04-16 | 1996-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |