Patent ID: 6540552
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An electronic card connector assembly comprising:a first electronic card, comprising: a first insulative housing retaining first conductive contacts, each first contact having a first tail extending beyond the first housing, and a second housing comprising an insulative frame supporting a first shielding shell made of a conductive material, a passageway being defined in the insulative frame for guidingly receiving a first electronic card, the insulative frame defining an opening in which the first insulative housing is received and retained; a second electronic card connector attached to the second housing, the second electronic card connector comprising an insulative header retaining second conductive contacts, each second contact having a second tail extending beyond the header; and a connection device comprising a flexible printed circuit board defining holes therein for receiving the first and second tails of the first and second contacts to form electrical connection between the flexible printed circuit board and the first and second contacts: wherein the connection device further comprises a board-to-board connector comprising mateable first and second portions, the first portion being mounted to the flexible printed circuit board, while the second portion is adapted to connect to an external device; wherein the second electronic card connector comprises a second shielding shell supported on the first shielding shell and defining an interior space for receiving a second electronic card; wherein two guide arms extend from opposite ends of the header forming a space therebetween continuous with the interior space defined by the second shielding shell, the guide arms guidingly receiving the second electronic card therebetween; wherein two latches are formed on the header of the second electronic card connector, two slots being defined in the first housing of the first electronic card connector for engaging the latches; wherein the latches have barbs for engaging the slots; wherein the opening of the frame of the first electronic card connector is defined by opposite side walls, each side wall forming a step, the first housing having flanges along opposite sides thereof for being positioned on and supported by the steps of the frame; wherein at least one cylindrical projection is formed on each flange of the first housing for being fit into a corresponding hole defined in the corresponding step of the frame; wherein an end wall of the first housing defines a recess for engaging with a tab extending from the first shielding shell; wherein the first housing of the first electronic card connector is interposed between the header of the second electronic card connector and the frame of the first electronic card connector; wherein the first electronic card connector is a Smart Card connector; wherein the second electronic card connector is a Card Bus connector.