US5336099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Media connector interface for use with a PCMCIA-architecture communications card
Assignee: MEGAHERTZ HOLDING Corp
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Filing: 1993-10-01
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2013-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A communications card capable of being mounted in electrical communications with a computer has formed therethrough an aperture so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. The media connector has a biased retention clip, a contact pin block, and contact pins. The retention clip has several standardized characteristics including a broad fixed end protruding from an outer surface of the contact pin block. The broad fixed end tapers abruptly at a transition notch down to a narrow free end, capable of being manipulated by a user to remove the physical/electrical media connector from the aperture in the communications card. In use, a media connector is inserted directly into the aperture in the communications card, the aperture being in contact with a plurality of contact wires fixed within the communications card. The communications card is divided into a retractable access portion of the communications card which can be directly accessed by manipulating an actuating mechanism releasing a retention means thereby allowing a spring to push the retractable access portion of the card outside of the computer housing. The retractable access portion of the communications card may be reinserted back into the computer housing to be carried internally when not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Aldous
- 👤 Guy M. Dake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1632; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R31/00; H01R31/06; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06; H01R2201/16; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/928; Y10S439/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A communications connection system allowing connection of a physical/electrical media connector to a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing; (b) a PCMCIA credit card type communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; and (c) means for selectively moving the retractable access portion of the PCMCIA communications card to a position outside of the computer housing to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the physical/electrical media connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A communications connection system allowing connection of a physical/electrical media connector to a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing; (b) a PCMCIA credit card type communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; and (c) means for selectively moving the retractable access portion of the PCMCIA communications card to a position outside of the computer housing to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the physical/electrical media connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing comprise a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card further comprise means for guiding the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a channel formed in the edges of the communications card surrounding the portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding guide track formed in the edges of the portion of the communications card that travels in and out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the movement of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a guide track formed in the edges of the communications card surrounding the retractable access portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding channel formed in the edges of the portion of the communications card that travels in and out.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the travel of a retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a channel formed in the bottom of the retractable access portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding protruding guide track formed on a corresponding face of the communication card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing comprise a spring affixed to both the communications card and the retractable access portion of the communications card such that the spring biases the retractable access portion of the communications card in an outward direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a chevron-shaped groove formed in the retractable access portion and an actuating shaft pivotally affixed to the remainder portion of the communications card, the actuating shaft traveling within the chevron-shaped groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 12, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 12, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise: (a) a ratcheted groove formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card; and (b) an actuating shaft pivotally connected to the remainder portion, the actuating shaft traveling within the ratcheted groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 14, wherein the ratcheted groove is chevron-shaped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card an the remainder of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out through the computer housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card comprise a flexible wire ribbon attached at one end to the retractable access portion of the communications card and at the other end to the remainder of the communications card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing a retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise an actuating mechanism capable of releasing the retractable access portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
129 words
A communications media direct connection system providing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a housing; (b) a communications card capable of being stored in the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; (c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to move the aperture to a position outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and (d) means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
129 words
A communications media direct connection system providing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a housing; (b) a communications card capable of being stored in the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; (c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to move the aperture to a position outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and (d) means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing comprise a spring affixed to both the communications card and the retractable access portion of the communications card such that the spring biases the retractable access portion of the communications card in an outward direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
168 words
A communications connection system allowing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a computer having a housing; (b) a PCMCIA communications card in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; (c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and (d) means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance; (e) means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing; (f) means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out through the computer housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
168 words
A communications connection system allowing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising: (a) a computer having a housing; (b) a PCMCIA communications card in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; (c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and (d) means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance; (e) means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing; (f) means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out through the computer housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a chevron-shaped groove formed in the side of the retractable access portion and an actuating shaft pivotally affixed to a portion of the remainder of the card, the actuating shaft traveling within the chevron-shaped groove.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
84 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise: (a) a ratcheted groove formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card; and (b) an actuating shaft pivotally connecting to the remainder portion of the communications card.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 25, wherein the ratheted groove is chevron-shaped.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card comprise a flexible wire ribbon attached at one end to the retractable access portion of the communications card and at the other end to the remainder of the communications card.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
A direct communications media direct connection system as recited in claim 21, further comprising an actuating mechanism capable of releasing the retaining means thereby allowing the retractable access portion of the communications card along the guiding means until the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card is halted by the travel restricting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 28, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a notch formed in the side of the retractable access portion of the communications card and an exposed lever with a tip corresponding in shape to the notch, the lever being biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card and being accessible by a user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
100 words
A communications media connection system, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing; (b) a PCMCIA communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the PCMCIA communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card being substantially enclosed by the computer housing; and (c) an access tunnel formed in the computer housing through which electrical connection can be attained between a portion of the communications card and a media connector so as to provide for direct connection of a media connector to the communications card.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
100 words
A communications media connection system, the system comprising: (a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing; (b) a PCMCIA communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the PCMCIA communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card being substantially enclosed by the computer housing; and (c) an access tunnel formed in the computer housing through which electrical connection can be attained between a portion of the communications card and a media connector so as to provide for direct connection of a media connector to the communications card.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A communications media connection system as recited in claim 30, wherein the access tunnel is crescent shaped.
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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) | 1997-08-08 | 1998-02-07 | 1998-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-08 | 2002-02-07 | 2002-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-08 | 2006-02-07 | 2006-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |