Shutter mechanism for card adapter

A spring loaded shutter with locking features is used to expose host pins of an adapter to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury. The locking mechanism for the shutter releases when a card is inserted into the host adapter. Engagement of locking pins by the card releases the locking pins and frees the shutter to be pushed backward as the card is connected to the host pins. The shutter is biased in a forward position so that removal of the card from the adapter results in a return of the shutter to its forward locked position where it effectively covers the pins to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to type II compact flash cards and 
adapters therefor. More specifically, the present invention relates 
generally to host adapters for compact flash cards. Still more 
specifically, the present invention relates to a shutter mechanism for 
protecting the contact pins of a host adapter before and during the 
connection with a flash card. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Computers require numerous multi-pin connections between various cards, 
such as compact flash (F) cards and circuit boards or processors. A 
typical multi-pin connection may involve fifty pins or more. Further, many 
signals may be used more than once so that a card having fifty female 
receptacles may need to be connected to a processor or board having 
sixty-eight pins. To alleviate this problem, adapters have been developed 
which include a fifty pin host end for connection to the card and a 
sixty-eight connector for connection to the board or processor. 
However, the connection of the card to the host connector with the fifty 
outwardly extending pins has proven to be problematic. Specifically, the 
pins extending from the adapter are exposed and spaced closely together. 
As a result, the sharp pins can engage a worker's hand or finger thereby 
causing injury. Further, an incorrect insertion of the card onto the 
adapter can result in damage to the pins. Once the pins are damaged, the 
adapter is generally rendered useless due to the time and labor involved 
in repairing the pins. 
Therefore, in order to improve worker's safety and to reduce the number of 
parts damaged or destroyed during the manufacture of computer components, 
an improved means for connecting cards such as compact flash cards to host 
adapters is required. More specifically, a means for protecting the male 
pins of the host adapter during the process of connecting the adapter to 
the card is needed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention satisfies the aforenoted needs by providing an 
adapter that comprises a frame having a proximal and a distal end. The 
frame supports a host member and slidably supports a shutter between the 
host member and the proximal end of the frame. The adapter further 
comprises a support disposed between a shutter and a distal end of the 
frame. The support traps a spring between the support and the shutter 
which biases the shutter towards the proximal end of the frame. The frame 
further comprises a recess for pivotally accommodating a locking tab. The 
locking tab is biased outward from the recess. The locking tab comprises a 
distal end and a middle portion. The shutter comprises a recess for 
receiving the distal end of the locking tab. The middle portion of the 
locking tab extends out of the recess of the frame and is disposed between 
the shutter and the proximal end of the frame when the distal end of the 
locking tab is received in the recess of the shutter. 
As a result, the shutter is biased forward by the spring disposed between 
the support and the shutter. In its forward biased position, the shutter 
surrounds or covers the male pins of the adapter. When the shutter is 
biased in its forward position, the distal end of the locking tab is 
accommodated in the recess of the shutter thereby locking the shutter in 
position. 
When a card, such as a compact flash card, is inserted through the proximal 
end of the frame towards the shutter, the forward end of the card engages 
the middle portion of the locking tab thereby pushing the locking tab into 
the recess of the frame and pivoting the distal end of the locking tab out 
of the recess disposed in the shutter. As a result, the shutter is 
unlocked from its forward biasing position and pushed back as the card is 
pushed forward towards the pins of the adapter. The card is continued to 
be pushed forward until it engages the shutter which is now in an unlocked 
position. The card pushes the shutter backwards toward the distal end of 
the frame and the female receptacles of the card slide onto the male pins 
of the adapter. 
In an embodiment, the locking tab further comprises a proximal end that is 
pivotally connected to the frame. 
In an embodiment, the middle portion of the locking tab is curved outwardly 
away from the frame. 
In an embodiment, the locking tab is biased outward from the recess of the 
frame by a compression spring disposed between the locking tab and the 
frame. 
In an embodiment, the locking tab is pivotally connected to the frame with 
a pin. 
In an embodiment, the frame comprises a slot for slidably receiving a flash 
card. The recess of the frame being disposed in the slot with the middle 
portion of the locking tab extending out of the recess of the frame and 
into the slot for engagement by the flash card as the flash card is pushed 
towards the shutter. 
In an embodiment, shutter comprises a rearwardly extending post that 
extends through the spring that is trapped between the shutter and the 
support. 
In an embodiment, the host adapter of the present invention comprises two 
opposing frames which provide a sliding track for the shutter and the 
flash card. In such an embodiment, at least one of the frame members 
comprises a support for trapping a spring between the support and the 
shutter for biasing the shutter towards the proximal ends of the frames 
and at least one of the frames comprises a recess for pivotally 
accommodating a locking tab. 
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a combination host adapter 
and flash card which comprises a host adapter comprising two opposing 
frames, each having a proximal end and a distal end with a slot extending 
there between. The two frames support a host member between the two 
frames. The host member comprises a proximal end that comprises a 
plurality of outwardly extending pins. The slots of the frames also 
slidably support a shutter between the proximal end of the host member and 
the proximal ends of the frames. Each of the frames comprises a support 
for trapping the spring between the support and the shutter for biasing 
the shutter towards the proximal ends of the frames and over the pins of 
the host adapter. Each frame further comprises a recess for pivotally 
accommodating a locking tab. Each locking tab is biased outward from its 
respective recess and each locking tab comprises a distal end and a middle 
portion. The shutter also comprises a pair of opposing recesses each of 
which sees the distal end of one of the locking tabs when the shutter is 
biased forward over the pins. The receipt of the distal end of the locking 
tabs in the recesses of the shutter prevents any further forward sliding 
movement of the shutter and any rearward sliding movement of the shutter. 
As a result, the shutter stays in place aver the pins thereby protecting 
the pins. The middle portion of each locking tab is disposed between the 
shutter and the proximal ends of the frames when the distal ends of the 
locking tabs are received in the respective recesses of the shutter. 
Accordingly, as a flash card is pushed down the slots of the frames toward 
the shutter, the front end of the flash card engages the outwardly 
extending middle portions of the locking tabs thereby releasing the distal 
ends of the locking tabs from the recesses of the shutter. As a result, 
the shutter is released from its locking position and engagement of the 
front end of the flash card with the shutter pushes the shutter in a 
rearward direction towards the distal end of the frames. Continued 
movement of the flash card results in an engagement of the flash card over 
the pins of the host adapter. 
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide an 
improved host adapter with a shutter mechanism for protecting the male 
pins thereof from damage prior to connection of the host adapter to a PC 
card. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved 
host adapter with a shutter mechanism that prevents injury from accidental 
engagement with the pins of the host adapter. 
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an 
improved host adapter and PC card combination. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an 
improved means for protecting the pins of a host adapter prior to and 
during connection with a compact flash card.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and 
that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom 
lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain 
instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the 
present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may 
have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention 
is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated 
herein. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Turning to FIG. 1, a host adapter 10 is shown partially connected to a 
compact flash (F) card 11. The card 11 has been inserted through the 
proximal ends 12, 13 of the frame members 14, 15 of the adapter 10. The 
frame members 14, 15 each include a slot, only one of which is shown at 16 
for receiving the opposing sides 17, 18 of the card 11. 
The frame members 14, 15 also support a host member 21. At the proximal end 
22 of the host member 21 (see FIG. 3), a plurality of pins 23 is provided. 
In order to protect the pins 23 from damage prior to and during the 
connection of the pins 23 with the PC card 11, a shutter 24 is provided. 
The shutter is slidably supported by the frame members 14, 15 as further 
illustrated in FIG. 2. 
Turning to FIG. 2, the shutter 24 includes two rearwardly extending posts 
25, 26. The posts 25, 26 extend through biasing springs 27, 28 which are 
trapped between the rear end 31 of the shutter 24 and the supports shown 
at 32, 33. The supports 32, 33 may be integrally molded with the frame 
members 15, 14. The springs 27, 28 bias the shutter 24 forward, or towards 
the proximal ends 12, 13 of the frames 14, 15 as shown in FIG. 2. In this 
position, recesses 34, 35 disposed in opposing sides 36, 37 of the shutter 
24 (see Figure 3) receive hook-shaped distal ends 38, 39 of locking tabs 
41, 42 respectively. The tabs 41, 42 are pivotally connected to the frames 
14, 15 by way of pins 43, 44 (see FIG. 2). The tabs 41, 42 further include 
curved middle portions 45, 46 which extend outward from the recesses 47, 
48 disposed in the frame members 14, is, respectively. 
Therefore, in the position shown in FIG. 2, the springs 27, 28 have biased 
the shutter 24 forward so that the hook-shaped distal ends 38, 39 of the 
locking tabs 41, 42 are accommodated in the recesses 34, 35 disposed on 
opposing sides 36, 37 of the shutter 24. The locking engagement of the 
distal ends 38, 39 of the locking tabs 41, 42 in the recesses 34, 35 of 
the shutter 24 prevents both forward and rearward movement of the shutter 
24. Thus, in the position shown in FIG. 2, the shutter 24 is locked into 
position. 
However, as the CF card 11 is pushed towards the distal ends 51, 52 of the 
frames 14, 15, the front end 53 of the card 11 will engage the middle 
portions 45, 46 of the locking tabs 41, 42. (The locking tabs 41, 42 can 
move in an inward direction which is toward the recesses 47, 48 or in an 
outward direction which is away from the recesses 47, 48.) This engagement 
will push the otherwise outwardly biased locking tabs 41, 42 inward into 
the recesses 47, 48 disposed in the frames 14, 15 thereby releasing the 
distal ends 38, 39 of the tabs 41, 42 from the recesses 34, 35 of the 
shutter 24. As a result, the shutter 24 is unlocked and is free to move 
rearwardly or towards the distal ends 51, 52 of the frames. Continued 
forward movement of the card 11 so that the front end 53 of the card 11 
engages the front end 54 of the shutter 24 will result in rearward 
movement of the shutter 24 thereby enabling the card 11 to be mounted onto 
the pins 23. 
It will be noted that the tabs 41, 42 are biased in an outward direction by 
the compression springs 55, 56 which are trapped between the frames 14, 15 
and the tabs 41, 42. 
In turning to FIG. 3, an exploded view is shown which clearly illustrates 
the proximal ends 58, 59 of the locking tabs 41, 42. It will be also 
noticed that the host adapter 21 comprises a card 61 sandwiched between 
housing member 62, 63. Further, the frames 14, 15 comprise upper and lower 
members 64, 65 and 66, 67, respectively. 
In addition to the helical springs 27, 28 shown, other means for biasing 
the shutter 24 forward are available such as compression springs. Further, 
only one spring is needed to bias the shutter 24 forward. Similarly, only 
one locking tab 41 or 42 is required to lock the shutter 24 in place. The 
locking tabs 41, 42 may also be disposed in the body of the shutter 24 
itself as opposed to being disposed in the frame members 14, 15. 
Similarly, the guide posts 25, 26 could be eliminated. The support 
structures 32, 33 may be incorporated into the host adapter 21 as opposed 
to the frame members 14, 15. These and other alternatives are considered 
equivalents and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the 
presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without 
diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such 
changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.