Patent ID: 6511350
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A card connector having a connector body for removably holding an IC card and electric contacts for making electric connection with the IC card inserted into the connector body, wherein the IC card has on its back surface a raised portion and is slightly narrower than a connector body width between its both side surfaces, the connector body comprising:a pair of left and right side portions each having a first side wall, the first side walls guiding left and right side surfaces of the IC card in an insertion/retraction direction of the IC card; a bottom portion having a support surface to support a front surface or back surface of the IC card and a pair of left and right second side walls, the second side walls projecting inwardly from the first side walls and, in an IC card back surface supporting state, guiding side surfaces of the raised portion formed on the back surface of the IC card in the insertion/retraction direction of the IC card; a top plate portion provided opposite the bottom portion to keep the inserted IC card from floating up; and an erroneous insertion prevention mechanism to allow the insertion of the IC card when it is inserted into the connector body in an appropriate state with the front surface of the IC card facing up and, when the IC card is inserted in an inappropriate state with the front surface facing down, to block the forward movement of the IC card in the card insertion direction at a blocking position, the blocking position being set a predetermined distance forward from a rear end of the card body; wherein the erroneous insertion prevention mechanism has: a blocking member retractably supported on one of the first side walls in such a manner that when the blocking member is projected, it is situated inward from the second side wall and that when the blocking member is retracted, it is situated outward from the first side wall; and an urging means to normally urge the blocking member to project inwardly from the second side wall; wherein when the IC card is correctly inserted, the blocking member is guided by the inclined surface formed in the IC card to be retracted outwardly from the first side wall and when the IC card is wrongly inserted, the blocking member abuts against a front end of the IC card, blocking the further insertion of the IC card at the blocking position; wherein the left and right second side walls and the support surface of the bottom portion are eliminated in an area ranging from a rear end of the first side wall to the blocking position.