Abstract:
A signal adapter for memory card serving as a signal bridge for transfer data between a memory card and a computer, etc, mainly comprise a base plate and an upper and a lower board, which enclose a plurality of overlapped slot space for receiving memory cards in different measurements. The signal adapter may be transplanting to a generic card reader to become a low-cost universal card reader for reading various memory cards.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an adapter, more particularly, it relates to a signal adapter, which serves as a universal signal communicator between a memory card of different measurements and a read/write machine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE OF INVENTION 
     “Memory” is undoubted an indispensable element in todays various electronic devices, such as home computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital camera, business machine, etc, and “bigger capacity with smaller volume” seems always a motto that spurs and urges every maker in this competitive field. Now, we a have a name-card sized memory card tat can store data more than 64 MB, for example, the Multi Media Card, the Smart Media Card, the Memory Stick Card, etc. 
     A card reader is needed for reading the stored data in such a memory card as shown in FIG. 1, wherein a memory card (C) is supposed to be plugged in a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) regulated plugging interface (A) to thereby couple indirectly with a machine terminal (B) (a notebook computer in this instance). Another example shown in FIG. 2 is to plug the memory card (C) in an eternal card reader (D) via an optimum interface (not shown) for reading data. 
     In whichever of the abovesaid examples, either through the PCMCIA plugging interface (A) in FIG. 1 or the card reader (D) in FIG. 2, only one of the mentioned memory cards is permitted to be inserted and read, otherwise, a plurality of plugging interfaces or card reader must be prepared for overcoming the problem of incompatibility of memory card that would entail an extra else. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to curtail the extra expense, the primary object of this invention is to provide a signal adapter for memory card comprising a base plate, an upper board, and a lower board to enclose different slot spaces for plugging memory card in different sizes. The slot spaces are overlapped and communicable to each other that can provide different spaces for fitting different memory cards without needing to purchase more PCMCIA plugging interfaces or card readers. 
     For more detailed information regarding this invention together with further advantages or features thereof, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The related drawings in connection with the detailed description of this invention, which is to be made later, are described briefly as follows, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a communication mode of plugging a conventional memory card (C) in a machine terminal (B) through a PCMCIA adapter interface (A); 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing that the memory card (C) is plugged in a card reader(D); 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of this invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an assembled elevational view of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of plugging a Smart Media Card in the base plate of this invention; 
     FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of plugging a Memory Stick Card in the base plate of this invention; 
     FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of plugging a Multi Media Card in the base plate of this invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a structural side view of the plugged Smart Media Card and the base plate of this invention; 
     FIG. 9 shows this invention being installed in the PCMCIA adapter interface; 
     FIG. 10 shows this invention being installed in an external card-reader, 
     FIG. 11 shows this invention being applied in a computer, and 
     FIG. 12 is a structural side view showing that an auxiliary plate is connected with an upper and a lower board of this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a signal adapter for memory card of this invention mainly comprises a base plate  10 , an upper board  20 , and a lower board  30 . 
     In the base plate  10 , a plurality of slot-spaces  13 ,  14 ,  15  for accommodating various memory cards in different measurements is extended from an open end  11  toward the other end  12 . 
     A plurality of contact terminals is soldered on the upper and the lower board  20 ,  30  including a fist set of contact terminals  211  and a second set of contact terminals  212  on a downward surface of the upper board  20 , and a third set of contact terminals  311  on an upward surface of the lower board  30  for transmitting data of an inserted memory card Moreover, a plurality of conductive elements  201  is arranged between those upper and lower boards for signal coupling. An auxiliary plate  31  is disposed on one of the boards (the lower board  30  in this case) at a father end from the memory card entrance, wherein a plurality of contacts  32  for connecting with a machine terminal is aligned on a terminal surfing of the auxiliary plate  31  to enable the machine terminal to read/write data from or to an inserted memory card Meanwhile, several logic-control ICs  33  are disposed on the auxiliary plate  31  for controlling signal&#39;s convention or flow directions. 
     In the embodiment above, the auxiliary plate  31  and the lower board  30  are made integrally and conducively jointed through respective electronic circuits. However, this design may be altered slightly by laying the auxiliary plate  31  between the upper and the lower board  20 ,  30  and connected therewith through respective conductive elements  201 ,  301  as shown in FIG. 12 for data transfer of an inserted a memory card. 
     The mentioned base plate  10  and the boards  20 ,  30  are combined together with positioning plugs  40  to build a flat box as shown in FIG. 4, wherein a multiple-slot channel is formed serving as the slot spaces  13 ,  14 ,  15  for loading memory cards in different sizes. In FIG. 5 for instance, a Smart Media Card  51  is inserted in an upside-down reversed base plate  10  shown in FIG. 3 (for showing relative position of the card to the slot space  13  more clearly), and inside the flat box, a plurality of contacts  511  on the Smart Media Card  51  is in contact with the prelocated third set of contact terminals  311  on the lower board  30  shown in FIG. 8 so as to communicate the memory card with a machine terminal through a signal adapter  1 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a Memory Stick Card  52  being plugged in the slot space  14  of the base plate  10 , wherein the slot space  14  is viewed overlapping part of the slot space  13 . In such a way by slot-space variation of the base plate  10 , the signal adapter  1  obviously needs only a wider and deeper slot space for receiving memory cards in different size instead of two or three. Besides, one set of contacts  521  is also disposed on the Memory Stick Card  52  for contact with the first set of contact terminals  211  on the upper board  20 . 
     Similarly, a Multi Media Card  53  is en route plugged in or pulled from the base plate  10  along a slot space  15  shown in FIG.  7 . Because the Multi Media Card  53  is relatively shorter and slightly wider in comparison with the Memory Stick Card  52 , the slot space  15  is therefore arranged at the front half of the slot space  14 , which is reamed on both sides to form respective ladder portions  151  for fitting recess portions  532  of the Multi Media Card  53 . And, a set of contacts  531  is disposed on the Multi Media Card  53  for contact with the second set of contact terminals  212  of the upper board  20  after the Multi Media Card  53  is plugged in the signal adapter  1 . 
     From FIGS. 5-7, it can be seen that in order to support memory cads of different sizes stably and reliably, the base plate  10  hat a multi-step structure. A channel with specific width and length is formed at each step structure for receiving a memory card of a specific size. In addition, the signal adapter  1  for memory card of this invention may be built in a conventional PCMCIA plugging interface (A) shown in FIG. 9 for reading different memory cards in different types, or in a card reader  60  shown in FIG. 10, or a computer  70  shown in FIG. 11 to realize a low cost universal card reader. 
     In the above described, at least one preferred embodiment has been elucidated with reference to the drawings annexed, and it is apparent that numerous variations or modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below.