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US5608607A
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US
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PCMCIA card and associated support and circuitry augmenting apparatus and methods
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1995-04-24
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2015-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A PCMCIA card structure is operatively insertable into a dual PCMCIA card slot extending into the interior of a computer and comprises a PCMCIA card removably coupled to a circuitry augmenting and support structure that includes an attachment section and a support body portion. The attachment section is removably connectable to the outer end of the card, and the support body portion has a shape similar to that of the card, is secured to the attachment section, and is in a parallel, facing and closely adjacent relationship with the card. The attachment section forms an electrical interface connection between the PCMCIA card and an external device or system. Upon insertion of the PCMCIA card apparatus into the slot, side edge portions of the card and the support body portion are received in opposed channel member pairs within the slot, with the body portion bracing the attachment section. The support body portion may be permanently or removably secured to the attachment section, and may be a second PCMCIA card or a solid support structure. In a first embodiment of the PCMCIA card structure, the card is a modem card, and the attachment section has socket openings configured to receive a phone jack and a cellular phone connector plug. In a second embodiment the support body section is a second PCMCIA card. In a third embodiment the card has speaker phone capabilities, and the attachment section has mounted thereon a microphone, speaker, and headphone jacks.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H. Dittmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:02
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0256; H05K5/026; H05K5/0265; H05K5/0273; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
354 words
Computer card apparatus removably insertable into a computer card slot having first and second pairs of opposed card edge support structures therein, said computer card apparatus comprising: a computer card having first internal electronic circuitry, a first side surface, an inner end, and an outer end having first connector means thereon, and a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said inner and outer ends and being removably insertable into the first pair of opposed card edge support structures; and a circuitry augmenting and support structure having a body portion with a shape similar to that of said computer card, a second side surface, a first end, a second end, a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said first and second ends and being removable insertable into the second pair of opposed card edge support structures, an attachment section secured to said second end and having a first side portion projecting from said second side surface and facing toward said first end, second internal electronic circuitry disposed within said attachment section, and second connector means carried on said first side portion and being releasably mateable with said first connector means, and cooperative therewith to operatively interconnect said first and second electronic circuitry, when said first side portion is placed in a facing, closely adjacent relationship with said outer end of said computer card, said circuitry augmenting and support structure being releasably connectable to said computer card in an operating orientation in which said first and second connector means are releasably mated with said computer card and said circuitry augmenting device body portion being in a generally aligned relationship in which said first and second side surfaces face and are adjacent one another and said side edge portions of said computer card may be operatively inserted into the first pair of opposed card edge support structures in a manner causing said side edge portions of said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure to enter the second pair of card edge support structures and cause said body portion to brace said attachment section against movement relative to said computer card.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
354 words
Computer card apparatus removably insertable into a computer card slot having first and second pairs of opposed card edge support structures therein, said computer card apparatus comprising: a computer card having first internal electronic circuitry, a first side surface, an inner end, and an outer end having first connector means thereon, and a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said inner and outer ends and being removably insertable into the first pair of opposed card edge support structures; and a circuitry augmenting and support structure having a body portion with a shape similar to that of said computer card, a second side surface, a first end, a second end, a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said first and second ends and being removable insertable into the second pair of opposed card edge support structures, an attachment section secured to said second end and having a first side portion projecting from said second side surface and facing toward said first end, second internal electronic circuitry disposed within said attachment section, and second connector means carried on said first side portion and being releasably mateable with said first connector means, and cooperative therewith to operatively interconnect said first and second electronic circuitry, when said first side portion is placed in a facing, closely adjacent relationship with said outer end of said computer card, said circuitry augmenting and support structure being releasably connectable to said computer card in an operating orientation in which said first and second connector means are releasably mated with said computer card and said circuitry augmenting device body portion being in a generally aligned relationship in which said first and second side surfaces face and are adjacent one another and said side edge portions of said computer card may be operatively inserted into the first pair of opposed card edge support structures in a manner causing said side edge portions of said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure to enter the second pair of card edge support structures and cause said body portion to brace said attachment section against movement relative to said computer card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said computer card is a modem card, said attachment section has a second side portion, and said computer card apparatus further comprises socket means, disposed on said second side portion, for releasably receiving a phone connector device and operatively connecting the received phone connector device to said second electronic circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said socket means are configured to releasably receive an RJ-11 phone jack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said socket means are configured to releasably receive a pass-through cellular phone connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said modem card, via said first internal electronic circuitry, has speaker phone capability, and said attachment section has operatively mounted thereon and connected to said second internal electronic circuitry a microphone, a speaker, and audio ear phone jack sockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure is a second computer card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure is removably securable to said attachment section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure is a second computer card having third internal electronic circuitry coupled to said second internal electronic circuitry when said second computer card is secured to said attachment section.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
263 words
A method of removably connecting a computer card to a computer having a computer slot disposed therein and including first and second pairs of opposed support structures, said computer card having first internal electronic circuitry therein, a first side surface, inner and outer ends, and a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said inner and outer ends and receivable in said first pair of support channel structures when said computer card is inserted, inner end first, into said slot, said method comprising the steps of: providing a circuitry augmenting and support structure having: a body portion with a shape similar to that of said computer card, a second side surface, first and second ends, and side edge portions extending between said first and second ends, and an attachment section secured to said second end and having second internal electronic circuitry and a first side portion projecting from said second side surface and facing toward said first end; removably securing said attachment section to said outer end of said computer card in a manner such that said attachment section is in a parallel relationship with said computer card with said first and second side surfaces facing one another and said first internal electronic circuitry being coupled to said second internal electronic circuitry; and inserting said computer card apparatus into said computer card slot in a manner such that said side edge portions of said computer card and said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure respectively enter and are supported in said first and second pairs of opposed support structures.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
263 words
A method of removably connecting a computer card to a computer having a computer slot disposed therein and including first and second pairs of opposed support structures, said computer card having first internal electronic circuitry therein, a first side surface, inner and outer ends, and a pair of opposite side edge portions extending between said inner and outer ends and receivable in said first pair of support channel structures when said computer card is inserted, inner end first, into said slot, said method comprising the steps of: providing a circuitry augmenting and support structure having: a body portion with a shape similar to that of said computer card, a second side surface, first and second ends, and side edge portions extending between said first and second ends, and an attachment section secured to said second end and having second internal electronic circuitry and a first side portion projecting from said second side surface and facing toward said first end; removably securing said attachment section to said outer end of said computer card in a manner such that said attachment section is in a parallel relationship with said computer card with said first and second side surfaces facing one another and said first internal electronic circuitry being coupled to said second internal electronic circuitry; and inserting said computer card apparatus into said computer card slot in a manner such that said side edge portions of said computer card and said body portion of said circuitry augmenting and support structure respectively enter and are supported in said first and second pairs of opposed support structures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein: said providing step is performed by the steps of providing said attachment section and removably securing an end of a second computer card thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein: said providing step includes the step of permanently securing said body portion to said attachment section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
185 words
For use in conjunction with a computer card slot extending into the interior of a computer and having first and second pairs of opposing card edge support structures, computer card apparatus operatively insertable into said slot and comprising: a computer card having opposite side edge portions removably receivable in said first pair of card edge support structures, and a first end; and means for electrically coupling said computer card to a device external to the computer, including: attachment means removably connectable to said end of said computer card, and additionally connectable to the device external to the computer, for providing an electrical interface between said computer card and the device, and support means for bracing said attachment means relative to said computer card, said support means including a support member having a shape similar to that of said computer card, an end secured to said attachment means, and opposite side edge portions configured and positioned to enter said second pair of opposed card edge support structures as said opposite computer card edge portions are being inserted into said first pair of card edge support structures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
185 words
For use in conjunction with a computer card slot extending into the interior of a computer and having first and second pairs of opposing card edge support structures, computer card apparatus operatively insertable into said slot and comprising: a computer card having opposite side edge portions removably receivable in said first pair of card edge support structures, and a first end; and means for electrically coupling said computer card to a device external to the computer, including: attachment means removably connectable to said end of said computer card, and additionally connectable to the device external to the computer, for providing an electrical interface between said computer card and the device, and support means for bracing said attachment means relative to said computer card, said support means including a support member having a shape similar to that of said computer card, an end secured to said attachment means, and opposite side edge portions configured and positioned to enter said second pair of opposed card edge support structures as said opposite computer card edge portions are being inserted into said first pair of card edge support structures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said support means are defined by a second computer card, and said attachment means function to electrically couple the two computer cards.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said second computer card is removably connected to said attachment means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said computer card is a modem card, and said computer card apparatus further comprises socket means, disposed on said attachment means, for releasably receiving a phone connector device and operatively connecting the received phone connector device to said computer card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said socket means are configured to releasably receive an RJ-11 phone jack.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said socket means are configured to releasably receive a pass-through cellular phone connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer card apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said modem card has speaker phone capability, and said attachment means have operatively mounted thereon and electrically coupled thereto microphone, a speaker, and audio ear phone jack sockets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |