Abstract:
To restrain the motion of a card in such a way as to allow the card to be pulled out even from a card locked state or card ejected state, the card connector of the present invention includes: a housing formed by a base plate and a metal plate cover mounted on the base plate; an eject mechanism provided in the housing to eject a card, the eject mechanism including an operation member mounted slidable along one side of the housing, a spring member to elastically urge the operation member, and an eject member integrally formed with the operation member and driven by an accumulated elastic force of the spring member to push the operation member to eject the card; and a feeling lock mechanism having a feeling lock member adapted to engage a lock recess of the card.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2001-353566 filed Nov. 19, 2001, 2002-022366 filed Jan. 30, 2002 and 2002-316701 filed Oct. 30, 2002, which are incorporated hereinto by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a card connector for electronic devices such as cellular phones, telephones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), portable audio devices, cameras and information terminal devices, and more particularly to a card connector that ensures a smooth withdrawing of a card without damaging it, as would occur if an inserted card in a locked state or ejected state were allowed to be forcibly pulled out.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In electronic devices such as cellular phones, telephones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), portable audio devices, cameras and information terminal devices, the use of small memory cards with a built-in IC chip for CPU and memory, such as IC cards, PC cards and SD cards, has become very widespread in recent years and there are growing demands for card connectors that can accept these small memory cards (see referenced patent 1, for example).  
         Referenced Patent 1  
         [0006]    Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-143789 (FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, pages 3 and 4)  
           [0007]    There are market demands on conventional card connectors such as described above that they be reduced in height and volume and strong enough to withstand card insertion and withdrawing operations. Another trend in the market is for card connectors to be able to firmly hold and release an inserted card with ease. To meet these demands, the card connectors have a metal plate cover at the top secured to a base plate of insulated material and also include a card eject mechanism and a card lock mechanism for easily releasing and locking a card.  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 17 to FIG. 22 of the drawings illustrate an example of such conventional card connector. FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view of a conventional card connector  100 , FIG. 18 a perspective view of the conventional card connector with the metal plate cover removed, FIG. 19 a plan view showing the conventional card connector in a card locked state, FIG. 20 an enlarged view of a lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 19, FIG. 21 a plan view of the conventional card connector in a card ejected state, and FIG. 22 an enlarged view of the lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 21.  
           [0009]    As shown in these figures, the conventional card connector  100  basically comprises a base plate  102 , a metal plate cover  103 , a eject mechanism  104  for releasing a card  110 , and a lock mechanism  105  for locking the card  110 .  
           [0010]    In the conventional card connector  100  with the above construction, the base plate  102  is molded of an appropriate insulating material such as synthetic resin and is combined with the metal plate cover  103  made of a metal plate to form a hollow, flat housing in which the card  110  can be inserted. Along one side of the base plate  102  of the insulating material is arranged the eject mechanism  104  which ensures a smooth extraction of the card  110  from the card connector  100 . The eject mechanism  104  is provided with the lock mechanism  105  that locks the card  110  inserted in the card connector  100 .  
           [0011]    The eject mechanism  104  in its basic construction comprises an operation lever  106  as an operation member mounted slidable along a side edge of a chamber formed in the base plate  102 , a spring member  107  such as a coil spring for elastically urging the operation lever  106 , and a push member  108  formed integral with the operation lever  106  to push out the card  110  so that the card can be taken out. When the lock mechanism  105  of the eject mechanism  104  is unlocked, an accumulated elastic force of the spring member  107  pushes the operation lever  106  to eject the card  110  through the push member  108 . The push member  108  extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever  106  is operated. The front end portion of the card  110  engages the push member  108  to activate the operation lever  106 .  
           [0012]    The lock mechanism  105  has a lock arm  109  which is provided at its free end with a locking piece  112  engageable with a lock recess  111  of the card  110 . The lock arm  109  is made from a rodlike or elongate platelike member and, at its base end (opposite the locking piece  112  end), is secured to a root portion of the push member  108  so that it is elastically supported like a cantilever. The locking piece  112  has one corner  112   a  rounded in arc so that, during a card locking operation, the locking piece  112  can easily fall into the lock recess  111  of the card. The other corner  112   b  of the locking piece  112  is pointed like a barb to prevent the locking piece  112  from inadvertently slipping out of the lock recess  111  of the card  110  and unlocking the card.  
           [0013]    After having been inserted and used in such a conventional card connector  100 , the memory card  110  such as IC card, PC card or SD card needs to be withdrawn easily. For this purpose, the conventional card connector is provided with the eject mechanism  104 . Further, because the inserted card  110  must be held immovable, the conventional card connector  100  is also provided with the lock mechanism  105  for locking the inserted card  110 .  
           [0014]    In the eject mechanism  104 , the push member  108  for pushing the card  110  outwardly is interlocked with or formed integral with the operation lever  106 . The locking piece  112  that engages the lock recess  111  of the card  110  is provided to the operation lever  106 . In a card ejection operation, the locking piece  112  is disengaged from the lock recess  111  of the card  110  to unlock the card, which can now be pulled out from the card connector  100  easily.  
           [0015]    In a card locked state, the locking piece  112  engages the lock recess  111  of the card  110 , preventing the card from being withdrawn easily. Therefore, with the card  110  in the locked state, an attempt to withdraw the card forcibly will damage the lock recess  111  and in the worst case even the card connector  100  itself.  
           [0016]    To solve these problems experienced with the conventional card connector, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card connector which has a feeling lock mechanism having a feeling lock member adapted to engage the lock recess of the card so that the card can be drawn out both in the card locked state and in the card ejected state.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    To achieve the above objective, the card connector of the present invention comprises: a housing formed by a base plate and a metal plate cover mounted on the base plate; an eject mechanism provided in the housing to eject a card, the eject mechanism including an operation member mounted slidable along one side of the housing, a spring member to elastically urge the operation member, and an eject member integrally formed with the operation member; and a feeling lock mechanism to restrain a motion of the card. This construction allows the lock projection of the feeling lock member of the feeling lock mechanism to disengage easily from the lock recess if the card is forcibly pulled out from a card locked state or a card ejected state. This in turn allows the card to be drawn out easily without causing any damage to the card or the connector itself. This construction also reduces the size of the card connector so that it can be used on information terminal devices such as cellular phones.  
           [0018]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock mechanism has a feeling lock member adapted to engage a lock recess of the card inserted in the housing, if the card is pulled out forcibly, it can be drawn out easily without damaging the card or the card connector.  
           [0019]    Furthermore, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is formed with a lock projection adapted to engage the lock recess of the card inserted in the housing, the card inserted in the housing can be pulled out without causing any damage to the card or the card connector, if the card is pulled out forcibly.  
           [0020]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is so formed that the lock projection can engage the lock recess of the card whether the card inserted in the housing is in a locked state or ejected state, the card can be pulled out from the card locked state or card ejected state without causing any damage to the card or the card connector.  
           [0021]    In the card connector of the present invention, the feeling lock member is formed from an elongate platelike spring member and the lock projection is triangular shaped with an apex thereof rounded. This construction allows the card connector to be manufactured easily in small size.  
           [0022]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is provided on the operation member of the eject mechanism, the card connector can be manufactured in a simple, small structure.  
           [0023]    Furthermore, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is slightly bent to one side, as the card is inserted, an apex portion of the portion slightly bent to one side engages a wall of the base plate to increase a spring load, preventing the card from being pulled out with a small force and ensuring a firm holding of the card.  
           [0024]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is supported at one end thereof like a cantilevered spring and, at the other end, is formed with the lock projection, the card connector can be manufactured in a simple, robust, small structure easily.  
           [0025]    In the card connector of the present invention, the lock projection is formed in a triangular that has a predetermined range of contact angle. If the card is forcibly pulled out from a card locked state or a card ejected state, this construction allows the lock projection of the feeling lock mechanism to disengage easily from the lock recess, assuring an easy withdrawal of the card without damaging the card or the card connector.  
           [0026]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the range of contact angle of the lock projection is about 66.75° to 71.35°, if the inserted card is forcibly pulled out from a card locked state or a card ejected state, the lock projection of the feeling lock mechanism can easily disengage from the lock recess of the card in this range of contact angle, allowing the card to be drawn out without causing any damage to the card or the card connector.  
           [0027]    The card connector of the present invention comprises: a housing formed by a base plate and a metal plate cover mounted on the base plate; an eject mechanism provided in the housing to eject a card, the eject mechanism including an operation member mounted slidable along one side of the housing, a spring member to elastically urge the operation member, and an eject member integrally formed with the operation member; and a feeling lock mechanism to restrain a motion of the card, the feeling lock mechanism having a feeling lock member supported at both ends thereof, the feeling lock member having a lock projection formed at almost a middle thereof, the lock projection being adapted to engage a lock recess of the card inserted in the housing. This construction increases a card holding force in the card locked state, holds the card firmly against larger vibrations and impacts, allows the card to be drawn out without damaging the card or the card connector even if the card is forcibly pulled out, and enables the card connector to be manufactured in a simple, robust, small structure.  
           [0028]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is so formed that the lock projection can engage the lock recess of the card whether the card is in a locked state or ejected state, the card can properly be withdrawn without causing any damage to the card or the card connector even if the card is forcibly pulled out.  
           [0029]    Furthermore, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is formed from an elongate platelike spring member and the lock projection is a triangular shape with an apex thereof rounded, it is possible to manufacture the card connector in small size with ease, allow the card to be withdrawn properly without damaging the card or the card connector even if the card is forcibly pulled out, increase a card holding force in the card lock state, and thereby hold the card reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
           [0030]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is provided on the operation member of the eject mechanism, the card connector can be manufactured in a simple, robust, small structure.  
           [0031]    Furthermore, in the card connector of the present invention, since the feeling lock member is slightly bent to one side, it can be efficiently installed in a limited narrow space to properly increase a contact pressure. As the card is inserted, the apex portion formed by slightly bending the feeling lock member to one side engages a wall of the base plate to increase the spring force, thereby preventing the card from being withdrawn with a small pulling force and ensuring a reliable holding of the card.  
           [0032]    Further, in the card connector of the present invention, since the lock projection is formed in a triangular shape that has a predetermined range of contact angle, if the card is forcibly pulled out from a card locked state or a card ejected state, the lock projection of the feeling lock mechanism can easily disengage from the lock recess of the card, permitting the card to be drawn out easily without causing any damage to the card or the card connector.  
           [0033]    In the card connector of the present invention, since the range of contact angle of the lock projection is about 100° to 120°, if the card is forcibly pulled out from a card locked state or a card ejected state, the lock projection of the feeling lock mechanism can easily disengage from the lock recess of the card, allowing the card to be withdrawn without damaging the card or the card connector.  
           [0034]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a card connector in embodiment 1 of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 1 with a metal plate cover removed;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 2 in a card locked state;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the card connector of the present invention in a card ejected state;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 4;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a card connector in embodiment 2 of the present invention in a card locked state;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the card connector of FIG. 6 in a card ejected state;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of FIG. 4;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a card connector in embodiment 3 of the present invention in a card locked state;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of FIG. 9;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the card connector of FIG. 9 in a card ejected state with the card removed;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of FIG. 11;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a card connector in embodiment 4 of the present invention in a card locked state;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of FIG. 13;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 15 is a plan view of the card connector of FIG. 13 in a card ejected state with the card removed;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion and its associated parts in the card connector of FIG. 15;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view of a conventional card connector;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 18 is an overall perspective view of the conventional card connector of FIG. 17 with a metal plate cover removed;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the conventional card connector in a card locked state;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing a lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 19;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the conventional card connector of FIG. 17 in a card ejected state; and  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing a lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 19. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     Embodiment 1  
       [0057]    [0057]FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 show a first embodiment of the card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the card connector of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 1 with a metal plate cover removed, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 2 in a card locked state, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the card connector in the card ejected state, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a feeling lock portion of the card connector of the present invention of FIG. 4.  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the card connector  1  of the present invention has a flat housing formed by a base plate  2  and a metal plate cover  3  mounted on the base plate  2 . The card connector  1  is open at one end in the form of a card insertion opening  6  and, at the other end, is closed and has a plurality of contacts  7  that make electrical contacts with a card  10  and which extend into the card connector  1  up to its central portion.  
         [0059]    In this embodiment, a card  10  used in the card connector  1  of the present invention may for example be an SD card. The card connector of the present invention is not limited to the use of SD card but other similar memory cards such as IC card can also be used without problem.  
         [0060]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  1  of the present invention has the base plate  2 , the metal plate cover  3 , an eject mechanism  4  for ejecting a card, a feeling lock mechanism  5  for restraining the movement of the card, and a plurality of contacts  7 , and may be used, for example, on information terminal devices.  
         [0061]    In this card connector  1  of the present invention, the base plate  2  is molded of an insulating material such as an appropriate synthetic resin and is combined with the metal plate cover  3  made from a metal plate to form a hollow, flat housing. The card connector  1  of course has an insertion opening to accept the card  10 . Along one side of the base plate  2  of the insulating material is arranged the eject mechanism  4  which, when operated, allows the card  10  to be taken out from the card connector  1  smoothly by the operation of the eject mechanism  4 .  
         [0062]    The eject mechanism  4  has an operation lever  8  as an operation member mounted slidable along one side edge of a chamber formed in the base plate  2  and a spring member  9  such as a coil spring that elastically urges the operation lever  8 . To push out the card  10  by the eject mechanism  4 , a latch of the operation lever  8  is released to allow an accumulated elastic force of the spring member  9  to push the operation lever  8  outwardly. A push member  14  is a member for ejecting the card  10  and is formed integral with the operation lever  8 .  
         [0063]    The push member  14  extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever  8  is activated, and engages a front end portion of the card  10 . A connecting portion between the operation lever  8  and the push member  14  is formed at its corner with a receiving portion  15  which a cut-off corner portion  12  of the card  10  engages. In this eject mechanism  4 , therefore, the card  10  can come into contact with the push member  14  so that the card can push the operation lever  8  through the push member  14  and that the operation lever  8  can eject the card  10  through the push member  14 .  
         [0064]    For prevention of erroneous operation, the card  10  has one corner cut off to form a cut-off corner portion  12 , which prevents the card  10  from being placed upside down and inserted into the card connector  1 .  
         [0065]    In addition to the eject mechanism  4 , the card connector  1  of the present invention has a feeling lock mechanism  5 . The feeling lock mechanism  5  for the present invention has a feeling lock member  16 , which is a cantilevered member made from an elongate platelike spring member secured to the operation lever  8 . The feeling lock member  16  has its free end curved to form a lock projection  17  in a rounded triangular configuration which is engageable with a lock recess  11  of the card  10 .  
         [0066]    The feeling lock member  16  is slightly bent to one side so that it is shaped like a flattened arcuate shape. Bent in the shape of a flattened arcuation and supported at one end, the feeling lock member  16  can produce an increased contact pressure when appropriately installed in a limited space. In other words, when the card  10  is inserted, an apex portion of the feeling lock member  16 , formed by slightly bending the feeling lock member  16  to one side, engages a wall of the base plate  2  to increase a spring load, thereby preventing the card  10  from being pulled out with a small force and ensuring a firm holding of the card.  
         [0067]    The shape of the feeling lock member  16  is not limited to the flattened arcuate shape but may take any other desired shape, such as bowlike, dishlike and arc configurations.  
         [0068]    In the card connector  1  of the present invention, the feeling lock member  16  of the feeling lock mechanism  5  has one end thereof secured to the operation lever  8  and is thus supported as a cantilevered spring. Therefore, when the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock mechanism  5  engages the lock recess  11  of the card  10 , the feeling lock mechanism  5  can support and hold the card  10  reliably with an elastic force of the cantilevered spring. Further, when a withdrawing force is applied to the card  10 , a corner of the lock recess  11  of the card  10  pushes the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  outwardly, disengaging the lock projection  17  from the lock recess  11 , with the result that the card  10  can be pulled out from the card connector  1 .  
         [0069]    Therefore, in the card locked state (FIG. 3) in which the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  engages the lock recess  11  of the card  10  or in the card ejected state (FIG. 4), an attempt to forcibly pull out the card  10  can easily disengage the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  from the lock recess  11  of the card  10 . This is because the feeling lock member  16  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card connector  1  allows the card  10  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  10  or the card connector  1 .  
         [0070]    The card connector  1  of the present invention in use is shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the card connector  1  in a card locked state, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the card connector  1  in a card ejected state, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the feeling lock portion in the card connector  1  of FIG. 4.  
         [0071]    Referring to FIG. 3, the card connector  1  of the present invention is mounted on a printed circuit board of an information terminal device or electronic device, with the contacts  7  connected to associated circuits. In the state of FIG. 3 the card  10  is shown to be inserted in the card connector  1  and locked by the feeling lock mechanism  5 .  
         [0072]    When the memory card  10 , for example an SD card, is inserted into the card connector  1 , the front end portion of the card  10  engages the push member  14  in the card locked state of FIG. 3. The card is further advanced sufficiently inwardly, causing the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  to fall into the lock recess  11  to lock the card  10 . Thus, in the card locked state of FIG. 3, the card  10  is fixed by the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  engaging the lock recess  11  after the card  10  is inserted sufficiently into the card connector  1 . Hence, the card  10  in this locked state is prevented from coming off by the feeling lock member  16 .  
         [0073]    In this card locked state, if it is attempted to forcibly pull out the card  10 , the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  can easily disengage from the lock recess  11  of the card  10 . This is because the feeling lock member  16  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card  10  can easily be pulled out from the card connector  1  without being damaged.  
         [0074]    Next, let us consider a case where the eject mechanism  4  is activated to bring the card  10  from the locked state shown in FIG. 3 to an ejected state of FIG. 4. When the eject mechanism  4  is operated, the spring member  9  of the eject mechanism  4  drives the operation lever  8  outwardly, pushing the card  10  to the card ejected position of FIG. 4 through the push member  14 . In this state the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  of the eject mechanism  4  remains engaged in the lock recess  11  of the card  10  as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. That is, the card  10  is ejected outwardly with the lock projection  17  still engaging the lock recess  11 . Hence, the card  10  is prevented from being ejected alone and falling out of the card connector  1  and can reliably be stopped at the ejected position shown in FIG. 4 and held there.  
         [0075]    In this ejected state, if the card  10  is forcibly pulled out, the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  can easily disengage from the lock recess  11  of the card  10 . This is realized because the feeling lock member  16  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card connector  1  allows the card  10  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  10  or the card connector  1  itself.  
         [0076]    As described above, the card connector  1  of the present invention has a hollow, flat housing formed by the base plate  2  and the metal plate cover  3  mounted on the base plate  2 . In this housing the feeling lock mechanism  5  is provided in addition to the eject mechanism  4 . This arrangement of the card connector  1  allows the card  10  to be pulled out without being damaged even if the card  10  inserted in the card connector  1  is forcibly drawn out from the card locked state or the card ejected state. This can be realized because the lock projection  17  of the feeling lock member  16  of the feeling lock mechanism  5  can easily be disengaged from the lock recess  11  of the card  10 . Hence, with this card connector  1 , the card can easily be taken out also without damaging the card connector  1  itself. When viewed in terms of a technological trend for a smaller card size, the construction of the present invention has an advantage of being able to manufacture a small card connector capable of accepting and ejecting a small card with ease and to suitably apply such a small card connector to information terminal devices such as cellular phones.  
       Embodiment 2  
       [0077]    [0077]FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show a second embodiment of the card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the card connector of embodiment 2 of the present invention in a card locked state. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the card connector of FIG. 6 in a card ejected state. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a feeling lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 6.  
         [0078]    As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the card connector  20  in embodiment 2 of the present invention is similar in a basic construction to that of embodiment 1, except that a feeling lock member  36  of a feeling lock mechanism  25  is supported at both ends.  
         [0079]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  20  of the present invention has a flat housing formed by a base plate  22  and a metal plate cover  23  mounted on the base plate  22 . The card connector  20  is open at one end in the form of a card insertion opening  26  and, at the other end, is closed and has a plurality of contacts  27  that make electrical connections with a card  30  and which extend into the card connector  1  up to its central portion.  
         [0080]    In this embodiment, the card  30  used in the card connector  20  of the present invention may for example be an SD card, as in embodiment 1. The card connector of the present invention is not limited to the use of SD card but other similar memory cards such as IC card can also be used without problem.  
         [0081]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  20  of the present invention has the base plate  22 , the metal plate cover  23 , an eject mechanism  24  for ejecting a card, a feeling lock mechanism  25  for restraining the movement of the card, and a plurality of contacts  27 . This card connector may be used, for example, on information terminal devices.  
         [0082]    In this card connector  20 , the base plate  22  is molded of an insulating material such as an appropriate synthetic resin and is combined with the metal plate cover  23  made from a metal plate to form a hollow, flat housing. The card connector  20  of course has an insertion opening to accept the card  30 . Along one side of the base plate  22  of the insulating material is arranged the eject mechanism  24  which, when operated, allows the card  30  to be taken out from the card connector  20  smoothly.  
         [0083]    The eject mechanism  24  has an operation lever  28  as an operation member mounted slidable along one side edge of a chamber formed in the base plate  22  and a spring member  29  such as a coil spring that elastically urges the operation lever  28 . To push out the card  30  by the eject mechanism  24 , a latch of the operation lever  28  is disengaged to allow an accumulated elastic force of the spring member  29  to push the operation lever  28  outwardly. A push member  34  is a member for ejecting the card  30  and is formed integral with the operation lever  28 .  
         [0084]    The push member  34  extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever  28  is activated, and engages a front end portion of the card  30 . A connecting portion between the operation lever  28  and the push member  34  is formed at its corner with a receiving portion  35  which a cut-off corner portion  32  of the card  30  engages. In this eject mechanism  24 , therefore, the card  30  can come into contact with the push member  34  so that the card  30  can push the operation lever  28  through the push member  14  and that the operation lever  28  can eject the card  30  through the push member  34 .  
         [0085]    For prevention of erroneous operation, the card  30  has one corner cut off to form a cut-off corner portion  32 , which prevents the card  30  from being placed upside down and inserted into the card connector  20 .  
         [0086]    The base plate  22 , the metal plate cover  23  and the eject mechanism  24  of the card connector  20  in embodiment 2 of the present invention have essentially the same constructions as those of embodiment 1.  
         [0087]    In addition to the eject mechanism  24 , the card connector  20  of embodiment  2  of the present invention has a feeling lock mechanism  25 . The feeling lock mechanism  25  has a feeling lock member  36 , which is a doubly supported member made from an elongate platelike spring member secured to the operation lever  28 . The feeling lock member  36  is supported at both ends and has a middle portion thereof curved to form a lock projection  37  in a rounded triangular shape which is engageable with a lock recess  31  of the card  30 .  
         [0088]    The feeling lock member  36  is very slightly bent to one side, i.e., toward the inner side, so that it is shaped like a flattened arcuate shape. Bent in the shape of a flattened arcuation and supported at both ends, the feeling lock member  36  can produce an increased contact pressure when appropriately installed in a limited space. In other words, when the card  30  is inserted, an apex portion of the feeling lock member  36 , formed by slightly bending the feeling lock member  36  to one side, engages a wall of the base plate  22  to increase a spring load, thereby preventing the card  30  from being pulled out with a small force and ensuring a reliable holding of the card with an increased holding force.  
         [0089]    The shape of the feeling lock member  36  is not limited to the flattened arcuate shape but may take any other desired shape, such as bowlike, dishlike and arc configurations.  
         [0090]    In the card connector  20  of the present invention, the feeling lock member  36  of the feeling lock mechanism  25  has both ends thereof secured to the operation lever  28  and is thus supported as a doubly supported spring. Therefore, when the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock mechanism  25  engages the lock recess  31  of the card  30 , the feeling lock mechanism  25  can support and hold the card  30  reliably with an increased elastic holding force of the doubly supported spring. Further, when a withdrawing force is applied to the card  30 , a corner of the lock recess  31  of the card  30  pushes the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  outwardly, disengaging the lock projection  37  from the lock recess  31 , with the result that the card  30  can be pulled out from the card connector  20  smoothly.  
         [0091]    Therefore, in the card locked state (FIG. 6) in which the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  engages the lock recess  31  of the card  30  or in the card ejected state (FIG. 7), an attempt to forcibly pull out the card  30  can easily disengage the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  from the lock recess  31  of the card  30 . This is because the feeling lock member  36  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported at both ends as a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card connector  20  allows the card  30  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  30  or the card connector  20  itself. Moreover, in this embodiment, the doubly supported feeling lock member  36  increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  30  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
         [0092]    The card connector  20  of embodiment 2 of the present invention in use is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 illustrates a card locked state and FIG. 7 represents a card ejected state.  
         [0093]    Referring to FIG. 6 of the card locked state, the card connector  20  of this embodiment is mounted on a printed circuit board of an information terminal device or electronic device, with the contacts  27  connected to associated circuits. In the state of FIG. 6 the card  30  is shown to be inserted in the card connector  20  and locked by the feeling lock mechanism  25 .  
         [0094]    When the memory card  30 , for example an SD card, is inserted into the card connector  20 , the front end portion of the card  30  engages the push member  34  in the card locked state of FIG. 6. The card is further advanced sufficiently inwardly, causing the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  to fall into the lock recess  31  to lock the card  30 . Thus, in the card locked state of FIG. 6, the card  30  is fixed by the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  engaging the lock recess  31  after the card  30  is inserted sufficiently into the card connector  20 . Hence, the card  30  in this locked state is prevented from coming off and reliably held by the feeling lock member  36 .  
         [0095]    In this card locked state, if it is attempted to forcibly pull out the card  30 , the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  can easily disengage from the lock recess  31  of the card  30  because the feeling lock member  36  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported at both ends like a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card  30  can easily be pulled out from the card connector  20  without being damaged.  
         [0096]    Next, let us consider a case where the eject mechanism  24  is activated to bring the card  30  from the locked state shown in FIG. 6 to an ejected state of FIG. 7. When the eject mechanism  24  is operated, the spring member  29  of the eject mechanism  24  drives the operation lever  28  outwardly, pushing the card  30  to the card ejected position of FIG. 7 through the push member  34  as in the case of embodiment 1. In this state the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  of the eject mechanism  24  remains engaged in the lock recess  31  of the card  30  as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. That is, the card  30  is ejected outwardly with the lock projection  37  still engaging the lock recess  31 . Hence, the card  30  is prevented from being ejected alone and falling out of the card connector  20  and can reliably be stopped at the ejected position shown in FIG. 7 and held there.  
         [0097]    In this ejected state, if the card  30  is forcibly pulled out, the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  can easily disengage from the lock recess  31  of the card  30 . This is realized because the feeling lock member  36  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card connector  20  allows the card  30  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  30  or the card connector  20  itself.  
         [0098]    As described above, the card connector  20  of embodiment 2 of the present invention has a hollow, flat housing formed by the base plate  22  and the metal plate cover  23  mounted on the base plate  2 . In this housing the feeling lock mechanism  25  is provided in addition to the eject mechanism  24 . This arrangement of the card connector  20  allows the card  30  to be pulled out without being damaged even if the card  30  inserted in the card connector  20  is forcibly drawn out from the card locked state or the card ejected state. This can be realized because the lock projection  37  of the feeling lock member  36  of the feeling lock mechanism  25  can easily be disengaged from the lock recess  31  of the card  30 . When viewed in terms of a technological trend for a smaller card size, the construction of the present invention has an advantage of being able to provide a card connector capable of accepting and ejecting a small card with ease without damaging the card or the card connector itself.  
         [0099]    Further, with embodiment 2 of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture the card connector  20  in a small and robust structure so that it can suitably be applied to information terminal devices such as cellular phones. In this embodiment in particular, the feeling lock member  36  in the form of doubly supported spring increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  30  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
       Embodiment 3  
       [0100]    [0100]FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 illustrate a third embodiment of the card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the card connector of embodiment 3 in a card locked state. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a feeling lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the card connector in a card ejected state with a card removed. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing a feeling lock portion of the card connector of FIG. 11.  
         [0101]    As shown in FIG. 9 through FIG. 12, the card connector  40  in embodiment 3 of the present invention is similar in a basic construction to that of embodiment 1, except that a contact angle θ 1  of a lock projection  57  of a feeling lock member  56  of a feeling lock mechanism  45  is restricted to a specified range.  
         [0102]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  40  of embodiment 3 of the present invention has a flat housing formed by a base plate  42  and a metal plate cover  43  mounted on the base plate  42 . The card connector  40  is open at one end in the form of a card insertion opening  46  and, at the other end, is closed and has a plurality of contacts  47  that make electrical connections with a card  50  and which extend into the card connector  40  up to its central portion.  
         [0103]    In this embodiment, the card  50  used in the card connector  40  of the present invention may for example be an SD card, as in embodiment 1. The card connector of this embodiment is not limited to the use of SD card but other similar memory cards such as IC card can also be used without problem.  
         [0104]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  40  of the present invention has the base plate  42 , the metal plate cover  43 , an eject mechanism  44  for ejecting a card, a feeling lock mechanism  45  for restraining the movement of the card, and a plurality of contacts  47 . This card connector may be used, for example, on information terminal devices.  
         [0105]    In this card connector  40 , the base plate  42  is molded of an insulating material such as an appropriate synthetic resin and is combined with the metal plate cover  43  made from a metal plate to form a hollow, flat housing. The card connector  40  of course has an insertion opening to accept the card  50 . Along one side of the base plate  42  of the insulating material is arranged the eject mechanism  44  which, when operated, allows the card  50  to be taken out from the card connector  40  smoothly.  
         [0106]    The eject mechanism  44  has an operation lever  48  as an operation member mounted slidable along one side edge of a chamber formed in the base plate  42  and a spring member  49  such as a coil spring that elastically urges the operation lever  48 . To push out the card  50  by the eject mechanism  44 , a latch of the operation lever  48  is disengaged to allow an accumulated elastic force of the spring member  49  to push the operation lever  48  outwardly. A push member  54  is a member for ejecting the card  50  and is formed integral with the operation lever  58 .  
         [0107]    The push member  54  extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever  48  is activated, and engages a front end portion of the card  50 . A connecting portion between the operation lever  48  and the push member  54  is formed at its corner with a receiving portion  55  which a cut-off corner portion  52  of the card  50  engages. In this eject mechanism  44 , therefore, the card  50  can come into contact with the push member  54  so that the card  50  can push the operation lever  48  through the push member  54  and that the operation lever  48  can eject the card  50  through the push member  54 .  
         [0108]    For prevention of erroneous operation, the card  50  has one corner cut off to form a cut-off corner portion  52 , which prevents the card  50  from being placed upside down and inserted into the card connector  40 .  
         [0109]    The base plate  42 , the metal plate cover  43  and the eject mechanism  44  of the card connector  40  in embodiment 3 of the present invention have essentially the same constructions as those of embodiment 1.  
         [0110]    In addition to the eject mechanism  44 , the card connector  40  of embodiment 3 of the present invention has a feeling lock mechanism  45 . The feeling lock mechanism  45  has a feeling lock member  56 , which is a cantilevered member made from an elongate platelike spring member secured to the operation lever  48 . The feeling lock member  56  has its free end curved to form a lock projection  57  in a rounded triangular shape which is engageable with a lock recess  31  of the card  50 .  
         [0111]    The feeling lock member  56  is very slightly bent to one side, i.e., toward the inner side, so that it is shaped like a flattened arcuate shape. Bent in the shape of a flattened arcuation and supported at one end, the feeling lock member  56  can produce an increased contact pressure when appropriately installed in a limited space. In other words, when the card  50  is inserted, an apex portion of the feeling lock member  56 , formed by slightly bending the feeling lock member  56  to one side, engages a wall of the base plate  42  to increase a spring load, thereby preventing the card  50  from being pulled out with a small force and ensuring a reliable holding of the card with an increased holding force.  
         [0112]    The shape of the feeling lock member  56  is not limited to the flattened arcuate shape but may take any other desired shape, such as bowlike, dishlike and arc configurations.  
         [0113]    In the card connector  40  of the present invention, the feeling lock member  56  of the feeling lock mechanism  45  has one end thereof secured to the operation lever  48  and is thus supported like a cantilevered spring. Therefore, when the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock mechanism  45  engages the lock recess  51  of the card  50 , the feeling lock mechanism  45  can support and hold the card  50  reliably with an increased elastic holding force of the cantilevered spring. Further, when a withdrawing force is applied to the card  50 , a corner of the lock recess  51  of the card  50  pushes the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  outwardly, disengaging the lock projection  57  from the lock recess  51 , with the result that the card  50  can be pulled out from the card connector  40  smoothly.  
         [0114]    Therefore, in the card locked state (FIG. 9) in which the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  engages the lock recess  51  of the card  50  or in the card ejected state, an attempt to forcibly pull out the card  50  can easily disengage the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  from the lock recess  51  of the card  50 . This is because the feeling lock member  56  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card connector  40  allows the card  50  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  50  or the card connector  50  itself. Moreover, in this embodiment, the cantilevered feeling lock member  36  increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  50  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
         [0115]    Further, in the card connector  40  of embodiment 3 of the present invention, the contact angle θ 1  of the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  is restricted in a predetermined range, as shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0116]    That is, the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  in the card connector  40  of embodiment 3 has a contact angle θ 1  restricted in the range of 66.75° to 71.35°. As long as the contact angle θ 1  is within this range, the card  50  can be pulled out properly from the card locked state without damaging the card connector  40 . However, if the contact angle θ 1  is less than 66.75°, withdrawing the card  50  may cause damages to the card connector  40 . If on the other hand the contact angle θ 1  exceeds 71.35°, the card  50  cannot be held reliably and may fall off the connector. Hence, it is desired that the contact angle θ 1  of the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  be set in the range of between 66.75° and 71.35°.  
         [0117]    The card connector  40  of embodiment 3 of the present invention in use is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a card locked state and FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the feeling lock portion of FIG. 9.  
         [0118]    The card connector  40  of this embodiment is mounted on a printed circuit board of an information terminal device or electronic device, with the contacts  47  connected to associated circuits. In the state of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 the card  50  is shown to be inserted in the card connector  40  and locked by the feeling lock mechanism  45 .  
         [0119]    When the memory card  50 , for example an SD card, is inserted into the card connector  40 , the front end portion of the card  50  engages the push member  54  in the card locked state of FIG. 9. The card is further advanced sufficiently inwardly, causing the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  to fall into the lock recess  51  to lock the card  50 . Thus, in the card locked state of FIG. 9, the card  50  is fixed by the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  engaging the lock recess  51  after the card  50  is inserted sufficiently into the card connector  40 . Hence, the card  50  in this locked state is prevented from coming off and reliably held by the feeling lock member  56 .  
         [0120]    In this card locked state, if it is attempted to forcibly pull out the card  50 , the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  can easily disengage from the lock recess  51  of the card  50  because the feeling lock member  56  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card  50  can easily be pulled out from the card connector  40  without being damaged.  
         [0121]    Next, let us consider a case where the eject mechanism  44  is activated to bring the card  50  from the locked state shown in FIG. 9 to an ejected state. When the eject mechanism  44  is operated, the spring member  49  of the eject mechanism  44  drives the operation lever  48  outwardly, pushing the card  50  to the card ejected position through the push member  54 , as in the case of embodiment 1. In this state the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  of the eject mechanism  44  remains engaged in the lock recess  51  of the card  50  as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. That is, the card  50  is ejected outwardly with the lock projection  57  still engaging the lock recess  51 . Hence, the card  50  is prevented from being ejected alone and falling out of the card connector  40  and can reliably be stopped at the ejected position and held there.  
         [0122]    In this ejected state, if the card  50  is forcibly pulled out, the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  can easily disengage from the lock recess  51  of the card  50 . This is realized because the feeling lock member  56  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a cantilevered spring. Thus, the card connector  40  allows the card  50  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  50  or the card connector  40  itself.  
         [0123]    As described above, the card connector  40  of embodiment 3 of the present invention has a hollow, flat housing formed by the base plate  42  and the metal plate cover  43  mounted on the base plate  42 . In this housing the feeling lock mechanism  45  is provided in addition to the eject mechanism  44  and the contact angle θ 1  of the lock projection  57  is set in a predetermined range. This arrangement of the card connector  40  allows the card  50  to be pulled out without being damaged even if the card  50  inserted in the card connector  40  is forcibly withdrawn from the card locked state or the card ejected state. This can be realized because the lock projection  57  of the feeling lock member  56  of the feeling lock mechanism  45 , which is set in a predetermined contact angle range, can easily be disengaged from the lock recess  51  of the card  50 . This embodiment, therefore, ensures an easy withdrawing of the card without damaging the card connector  40  as well as the card.  
         [0124]    Further, with embodiment 3 of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture the card connector  40  in a small and robust structure so that it can suitably be applied to information terminal devices such as cellular phones. In this embodiment in particular, the feeling lock member  56  in the form of a cantilevered spring increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  50  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
       Embodiment 4  
       [0125]    [0125]FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 represent a fourth embodiment of the card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the card connector of embodiment 4 of the present invention in a card locked state. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a feeling lock portion in the card connector of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the card connector in a card ejected state with a card removed. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing a feeling lock portion in the card connector of FIG. 15.  
         [0126]    As shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 16, the card connector  60  in embodiment 4 of the present invention is similar in a basic construction to that of embodiment 2, except that a contact angle θ 2  of a lock projection  77  of a feeling lock member  76  of a feeling lock mechanism  65  is restricted to a specified range.  
         [0127]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  60  of embodiment 4 of the present invention has a flat housing formed by a base plate  62  and a metal plate cover  63  mounted on the base plate  62 . The card connector  60  is open at one end in the form of a card insertion opening  66  and, at the other end, is closed and has a plurality of contacts  67  that make electrical connections with a card  70  and which extend into the card connector  60  up to its central portion.  
         [0128]    In this embodiment, the card  70  used in the card connector  60  of the present invention may for example be an SD card, as in embodiment 1. The card connector of this embodiment is not limited to the use of SD card but other similar memory cards such as IC card can also be used without problem.  
         [0129]    As shown in the figures, the card connector  60  of the present invention has the base plate  62 , the metal plate cover  63 , an eject mechanism  64  for ejecting a card, a feeling lock mechanism  65  for restraining the movement of the card, and a plurality of contacts  67 . This card connector may be used, for example, on information terminal devices.  
         [0130]    In this card connector  60 , the base plate  62  is molded of an insulating material such as an appropriate synthetic resin and is combined with the metal plate cover  63  made from a metal plate to form a hollow, flat housing. The card connector  60  of course has an insertion opening to accept the card  70 . Along one side of the base plate  62  of the insulating material is arranged the eject mechanism  64  which, when operated, allows the card  70  to be taken out from the card connector  60  smoothly.  
         [0131]    The eject mechanism  64  has an operation lever  68  as an operation member mounted slidable along one side edge of a chamber formed in the base plate  62  and a spring member  69  such as a coil spring that elastically urges the operation lever  68 . To push out the card  70  by the eject mechanism  64 , a latch of the operation lever  68  is disengaged to allow an accumulated elastic force of the spring member  69  to push the operation lever  68  outwardly. A push member  74  is a member for ejecting the card  70  and is formed integral with the operation lever  68 .  
         [0132]    The push member  74  extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever  68  is activated, and engages a front end portion of the card  70 . A connecting portion between the operation lever  68  and the push member  74  is formed at its corner with a receiving portion  75  which a cut-off corner portion  72  of the card  70  engages. In this eject mechanism  64 , therefore, the card  70  can come into contact with the push member  74  so that the card  70  can push the operation lever  68  through the push member  74  and that the operation lever  68  can eject the card  70  through the push member  74 .  
         [0133]    For prevention of erroneous operation, the card  70  has one corner cut off to form a cut-off corner portion  72 , which prevents the card  70  from being placed upside down and inserted into the card connector  60 .  
         [0134]    The base plate  62 , the metal plate cover  63  and the eject mechanism  64  of the card connector  60  in embodiment 4 of the present invention have essentially the same constructions as those of embodiment 2.  
         [0135]    In addition to the eject mechanism  64 , the card connector  60  of embodiment 4 of the present invention has a feeling lock mechanism  65 . The feeling lock mechanism  65  has a feeling lock member  76 , which is a doubly supported member made from an elongate platelike spring member secured to the operation lever  68 . The feeling lock member  76  is supported at both ends by the operation lever  68  and has a middle portion thereof curved to form a lock projection  77  in a rounded triangular shape which is engageable with a lock recess  71  of the card  70 .  
         [0136]    The feeling lock member  76  is very slightly bent to one side, i.e., toward the inner side, so that it is shaped like a flattened arcuate shape. Bent in the shape of a flattened arcuation and supported at both ends, the feeling lock member  76  can produce an increased contact pressure when appropriately installed in a limited space. In other words, when the card  70  is inserted, an apex portion of the feeling lock member  76 , formed by slightly bending the feeling lock member  76  to one side, engages a wall of the base plate  62  to increase a spring load, thereby preventing the card  70  from being pulled out with a small force and ensuring a reliable holding of the card  70 .  
         [0137]    The shape of the feeling lock member  76  is not limited to the flattened arcuation but may take any other desired shape, such as bowlike, dishlike and arc configurations.  
         [0138]    In the card connector  60  of the present invention, the feeling lock member  76  of the feeling lock mechanism  65  has both ends thereof secured to the operation lever  68  and is thus supported as a doubly supported spring. Therefore, when the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock mechanism  65  engages the lock recess  71  of the card  70 , the feeling lock mechanism  65  can support and hold the card  70  reliably with an elastic force of the doubly supported spring. Further, when a withdrawing force is applied to the card  70 , a corner of the lock recess  71  of the card  70  pushes the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  outwardly, disengaging the lock projection  77  from the lock recess  71 , with the result that the card  70  can be pulled out from the card connector  40  smoothly.  
         [0139]    Therefore, in the card locked state (FIG. 13) in which the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  engages the lock recess  71  of the card  70  or in the card ejected state, an attempt to forcibly pull out the card  70  can easily disengage the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  from the lock recess  71  of the card  70 . This is because the feeling lock member  76  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card connector  60  allows the card  70  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card  70  or the card connector  60  itself. Moreover, in this embodiment, the doubly supported feeling lock member  76  increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  70  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
         [0140]    Further, in the card connector  60  of embodiment 4 of the present invention, the contact angle θ 2  of the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  is restricted in a predetermined range, as shown in FIG. 16.  
         [0141]    That is, the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  in the card connector  60  of embodiment 4 has a contact angle θ 2  determined in the range of 100° to 120°. As long as the contact angle θ 2  is within this range, the card  70  can be pulled out properly from the card locked state without damaging the card connector  60  of the present invention. However, if the contact angle θ 2  is less than 100°, withdrawing the card  70  may cause damages to the card connector  60 . If on the other hand the contact angle θ 2  exceeds 120°, the card  70  cannot be held reliably and may fall off the connector. Hence, it is desired that the contact angle θ 2  of the lock projection  77  of the doubly supported feeling lock member  76  be set in the range of between 100° and 120°.  
         [0142]    The card connector  60  of embodiment 4 of the present invention in use is shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 13 illustrates a card locked state and FIG.  14  shows an enlarged view of the feeling lock portion of FIG. 13.  
         [0143]    The card connector  60  of this embodiment is mounted on a printed circuit board of an information terminal device or electronic device, with the contacts  67  connected to associated circuits. In the state of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 the card  70  is shown to be inserted in the card connector  60  of the present invention and locked by the feeling lock mechanism  65 .  
         [0144]    When the memory card  70 , for example an SD card, is inserted into the card connector  60 , the front end portion of the card  70  engages the push member  74  in the card locked state of FIG. 13. The card is further advanced sufficiently inwardly, causing the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  to fall into the lock recess  71  to lock the card  70 . Thus, in the card locked state of FIG. 13, the card  70  is fixed by the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  engaging the lock recess  71  after the card  70  is inserted sufficiently into the card connector  60 . Hence, the card  70  in this locked state is prevented from coming off and reliably held by the feeling lock member  76 .  
         [0145]    In this card locked state, if it is attempted to forcibly pull out the card  70 , the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  can easily disengage from the lock recess  71  of the card  70  because the feeling lock member  76  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card  70  can easily be pulled out from the card connector  60  without being damaged.  
         [0146]    Next, let us consider a case where the eject mechanism  64  is activated to bring the card  70  from the locked state shown in FIG. 13 to an ejected state. When the eject mechanism  64  is operated, the spring member  69  of the eject mechanism  64  drives the operation lever  68  outwardly, pushing the card  70  to the card ejected position through the push member  74 , as in the case of embodiment 2. In this state the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  of the eject mechanism  64  remains engaged in the lock recess  71  of the card  70  as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. That is, the card  70  is ejected outwardly with the lock projection  77  still engaging the lock recess  71 . Hence, the card  70  is prevented from being ejected alone and falling out of the card connector  60  and can reliably be stopped at the ejected position and held there.  
         [0147]    In this ejected state, if the card  70  is forcibly pulled out, the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  can easily disengage from the lock recess  71  of the card  70 . This is realized because the feeling lock member  76  is formed from an elongate platelike spring member elastically supported like a doubly supported spring. Thus, the card connector  60  allows the card  70  to be pulled out easily without damaging the card connector  60  itself as well as the card  70 .  
         [0148]    As described above, the card connector  60  of embodiment 4 of the present invention has a hollow, flat housing formed by the base plate  62  and the metal plate cover  63  mounted on the base plate  62 . In this housing the feeling lock mechanism  65  is provided in addition to the eject mechanism  64  and the contact angle θ 2  of the lock projection  77  is set in a predetermined range. With this arrangement of the card connector  60 , if the card  70  inserted in the card connector  60  is forcibly drawn out from the card locked state or the card ejected state, the lock projection  77  of the feeling lock member  76  of the feeling lock mechanism  65 , which is set in a predetermined contact angle range, can easily be disengaged from the lock recess  71  of the card  70 . This ensures that the card  70  can be pulled out easily without causing any damage to the card  70  or the card connector  60  itself.  
         [0149]    Further, with embodiment 4 of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture the card connector  60  in a small and robust structure so that it can suitably be applied to information terminal devices such as cellular phones. In this embodiment in particular, the feeling lock member  76  in the form of a doubly supported spring increases the card holding force in the card locked state and thus can hold the card  70  reliably against larger vibrations and impacts.  
         [0150]    The present invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments, and it will now be apparent from the foregoing to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it is the intention, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit of the invention.