Patent US5597316A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5597316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory card connector having improved eject mechanism and method of use
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
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Filing: 1996-02-29
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Granted: 1997-01-28
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Expires: 2016-02-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a connector from a memory card in which the eject plate bears on the link arm at a first contact position during insertion. During ejectment a separate contact position is engaged. The distance between the first contact position used during insertion and the pivot point of the link arm is greater than the distance between the second contact position and the pivot point of the link arm by a factor of between 3:1 to 6:1. A significant mechanical advantage is therefore realized so that the card may be inserted with little resistance force while ample ejecting force is available.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. David
- 👤 Scott S. Duesterhoeft
- 👤 John M. Spickler
- 👤 Naoki Hiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/02; G06K13/08; G06K13/0806; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A connector apparatus for a card-like electronic medium, said connector apparatus comprising: (a) a frame having a rear transverse 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 electronic medium, said opposing side elements defining a storage space, one end of said frame defining an insertion inlet for inserting the card-like electronic 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 electronic medium from the header and away from the header to eject the card-like electronic medium; and (d) a link arm having a pivot point where the link arm is connected to the frame having a first contact point where the link arm is engaged by the eject plate when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header and a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot point when the card-like electronic medium is inserted and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected and a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and said first distance being greater than said second distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A connector apparatus for a card-like electronic medium, said connector apparatus comprising: (a) a frame having a rear transverse 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 electronic medium, said opposing side elements defining a storage space, one end of said frame defining an insertion inlet for inserting the card-like electronic 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 electronic medium from the header and away from the header to eject the card-like electronic medium; and (d) a link arm having a pivot point where the link arm is connected to the frame having a first contact point where the link arm is engaged by the eject plate when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header and a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot point when the card-like electronic medium is inserted and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected and a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and said first distance being greater than said second distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the link arm pivots in a longitudinal arc parallel to the plane of the eject plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot point of the link arm is on the rear transverse end element of the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector apparatus of claim 3 wherein the link arm has a terminal end positioned in opposed relation to the pivot point and at said terminal end is connected to a means for moving said terminal end in a forward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector apparatus of claim 4 wherein the link arm is equipped with locking means for restraining said link arm in a rearward position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector apparatus of claim 5 wherein the link arm is moved from the rearward position to a forward position by the means for moving the terminal end in a forward direction when the locking means is disengaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector apparatus of claim 6 wherein in its rearward position the link arm is generally transversely oriented with respect to the frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connector apparatus of claim 7 wherein in its forward position there is an angle between the link arm and the rear transverse element of the frame which is from about 5° to about 20°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for moving the terminal end in a forward direction is a longitudinally oriented stored energy means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector apparatus of claim 9 wherein a second stored energy means is provided for moving the eject plate forward.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector apparatus of claim 10 wherein the eject plate is restrained from being moved forward by the locking means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector apparatus of claim 11 wherein the stored energy means is a first spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first spring is positioned adjacent one of the side elements of the frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second stored energy means is at least one second spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second spring is positioned adjacent one of the side elements of the frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second contact point is positioned medially between the opposed side elements of the frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector apparatus of claim 16 wherein the pivot point is positioned between the second contact point and one of the side elements of the frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first contact point is positioned laterally outwardly from the second contact point in the direction of said other side elements of the frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first contact point is a connecting means which projects vertically from the eject plate to engage the link arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second contact point is a tab which projects vertically from the link arm to engage the eject plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein first distance is greater than the second distance by a multiple of from about 3:1 to about 6:1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a connector apparatus for receiving a card-like electronic medium in a frame element having a rear transverse element and a pair of spaced longitudinal elements, a header means disposed adjacent the rear element of the frame member and means for moving a card-like electronic medium out of engagement with the header comprising an eject plate moved by a link arm connected at the frame at a pivot point wherein the improvement comprises a first contact point where the link arm is engaged by the eject plate when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header and a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected and a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and the first distance is greater than the second distance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a connector apparatus for receiving a card-like electronic medium in a frame element having a rear transverse element and a pair of spaced longitudinal elements, a header means disposed adjacent the rear element of the frame member and means for moving a card-like electronic medium out of engagement with the header comprising an eject plate moved by a link arm connected at the frame at a pivot point wherein the improvement comprises a first contact point where the link arm is engaged by the eject plate when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header and a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected and a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and the first distance is greater than the second distance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a method for operating a connector for receiving a card-like electronic medium frame element having a rear transverse apparatus element and a pair of spaced longitudinal elements, a header means disposed adjacent the rear element of the frame member and means for moving a card-like electronic medium out of engagement with the header comprising an eject plate moved by a link arm connected at the frame at a pivot point wherein the improvement comprises the steps of engaging the link arm with the eject plate at a first contact point when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header such that there is a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot point and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected such that there is a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and the first distance is greater than the second distance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a method for operating a connector for receiving a card-like electronic medium frame element having a rear transverse apparatus element and a pair of spaced longitudinal elements, a header means disposed adjacent the rear element of the frame member and means for moving a card-like electronic medium out of engagement with the header comprising an eject plate moved by a link arm connected at the frame at a pivot point wherein the improvement comprises the steps of engaging the link arm with the eject plate at a first contact point when the eject plate and the card-like electronic medium are being moved toward the header such that there is a first distance between the first contact point and the pivot point and a second contact point where the link arm engages the eject plate when the card-like electronic medium is ejected such that there is a second distance between the second contact point and the pivot point and the first distance is greater than the second distance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
183 words
A connector apparatus for a card-like electronic medium, said connector apparatus comprising: (a) a frame having a rear transverse 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 electronic medium, said opposing side elements defining a storage space, one end of said frame defining an insertion inlet for inserting the card-like electronic 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 electronic medium from the header and away from the header to eject the card-like electronic medium; and (d) A first means for providing a first force for resisting insertion of the card-like electronic medium into the storage plate and a second means for providing a second force for disengaging the card-like electronic medium from the header and ejecting said card-like electronic medium and said second force being greater than said first force.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
183 words
A connector apparatus for a card-like electronic medium, said connector apparatus comprising: (a) a frame having a rear transverse 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 electronic medium, said opposing side elements defining a storage space, one end of said frame defining an insertion inlet for inserting the card-like electronic 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 electronic medium from the header and away from the header to eject the card-like electronic medium; and (d) A first means for providing a first force for resisting insertion of the card-like electronic medium into the storage plate and a second means for providing a second force for disengaging the card-like electronic medium from the header and ejecting said card-like electronic medium and said second force being greater than said first force.
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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) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |