US5633490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card reader with spring contacts
Assignee: Info Telecom SA
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Filing: 1995-04-07
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2015-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A card reader comprising a housing having a contact surface with a plurality of apertures. A reader circuit is contained within the housing, the reader circuit having a plurality of contact pads, and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in the housing and at least partially extending into the apertures, wherein each electrical contact comprises a conductive torsion spring that slidably engages one of the contact pads.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald W. Vandenengel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06K19/00; G06K19/005; G06K7/00; G06K7/0013; G06K7/0021; G06K7/0056; G06K7/006; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G07F7/0873; G07F7/088; G07F7/0886
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A card reader for reading information stored on a card, said reader comprising: a housing having a contact surface, said contact surface having a plurality of apertures; a reader circuit contained within said housing, said reader circuit having a plurality of contact pads; and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in said housing and at least partially extending into said apertures; wherein each said electrical contact comprises a torsion spring having a conductive element that slidably engages one of said contact pads; and wherein each said torsion spring comprises a continuous conductive element having two linear portions joined by a coiled portion, said two linear portions forming an acute angle therebetween when said contact is in an uncompressed state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A card reader for reading information stored on a card, said reader comprising: a housing having a contact surface, said contact surface having a plurality of apertures; a reader circuit contained within said housing, said reader circuit having a plurality of contact pads; and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in said housing and at least partially extending into said apertures; wherein each said electrical contact comprises a torsion spring having a conductive element that slidably engages one of said contact pads; and wherein each said torsion spring comprises a continuous conductive element having two linear portions joined by a coiled portion, said two linear portions forming an acute angle therebetween when said contact is in an uncompressed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A card reader according to claim 1 further comprising a display on said housing and connected to said reader circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A card reader according to claim 1 wherein said linear portions are movable to be substantially coplanar to thereby place said contact in a compressed state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The card reader of claim 3 wherein said coiled portion of each of said torsion springs extends into one of said apertures, and wherein said linear portions contact one of said pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The card reader of claim 1 wherein each of said torsion springs protrudes from one of said apertures, and wherein when a smart card is placed against said contacts, said contacts form an electrical connection between said smart card and said reader circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The card reader of claim 1 wherein said contact surface further comprises guides protruding from said contact surface to guide said card to position contacts on a surface of said card against said contacts on said contact surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card reader of claim 1 wherein said reader includes no rigid surface that is located below said contact surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The card reader of claim 1 further comprising a switch on an upper surface of said reader and wherein said reader is activated by placing said reader over a smart card and squeezing said reader and said smart card together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The card reader of claim 1 wherein said reader circuit is movable toward and away from said contact surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card reader of claim 9 wherein each said electrical contact biases said reader circuit away from said contact surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The card reader of claim 1 further comprising a writing circuit for writing information onto a smart card.
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) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |