Eject activation mechanism for a memory card connector and method of use

Claim 1

A connector for a card-like data processing medium, said (a) a frame having a rear transverse end element and opposed longitudinal elements extending forward from said rear transverse element and spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of said card-like data processing medium, said opposed longitudinal elements defining a storage space, one end of said frame defining an insertion inlet for inserting the card-like data processing medium into the storage space; (b) a header positioned adjacent the rear transverse element of the frame opposite the insertion inlet; (c) a eject plate movably mounted on the frame and operable to slide toward the header to allow engagement of the card-like data processing medium with the header and away from the header eject the card-like data processing medium; (d) a link arm having a pivot point where the link arm is pivotally connected to the frame to move from a rearward position to a forward position to move the eject plate in a forward direction; and (e) means for moving the link arm from said rearward position to said forward position, locking means for restraining said link arm in said rearward position, said locking means comprising a vertical pin having a head with an enlarged diameter and said pin being at least in part superimposed over an elongated timing bar having front and rear apertures and a connecting slot, and trigger means for releasing said locking means, wherein the longitudinally directed force causes a rotational force transfer means to move the vertical pin out of engagement with the link arm.