Apparatus for receiving a plurality of memory cards

An apparatus and corresponding memory card holder wherein the apparatus includes: a casing configured to enable a plurality of memory cards to be removably inserted into the casing; contact pads located within the casing configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the contact pads and at least one memory card when the plurality of memory cards are inserted within the casing; and at least one mounting portion configured to enable the apparatus to be mounted on a circuit board such that a first portion of the apparatus is positioned above the circuit board and a second portion of the apparatus is positioned below the circuit board.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for receiving a plurality of memory cards. In particular, they relate to an apparatus for receiving a plurality of memory cards and enabling an electrical connection to be established between the apparatus and the plurality of memory cards.

BACKGROUND

Devices which use memory cards such as SIM (subscriber identity module) cards are known. Memory cards such as SIM cards may store information such as identification information relating to a user, location information, phone number, network authorization information, personal security keys, contact lists or stored text messages or any other type of information. A SIM card may be inserted into a device to enable the information stored on the SIM card to be used to enable the device to communicate within a network such as a wireless communications network.

A user may own more than one memory card such as a SIM card. This may enable the same device to be used with different SIM cards. Each card may be associated with a different user or a different account and the user may be able to choose which card to use. For example they may have a first SIM card which enables a device to be used for work purposes and a second SIM card which enables the device to be used for social purposes. It may be useful to enable the same device to hold both of the SIM cards simultaneously. This may to make it easier for the user to switch between the two cards.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the disclosure there may be provided an apparatus comprising: a casing configured to enable a plurality of memory cards to be removably inserted into the casing; contact pads located within the casing configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the contact pads and at least one memory card when the plurality of memory cards are inserted within the casing; and at least one mounting portion configured to enable the apparatus to be mounted on a circuit board such that a first portion of the apparatus is positioned above the circuit board and a second portion of the apparatus is positioned below the circuit board.

In some embodiments the at least one mounting portion may comprise a support on at least one side of the casing. In some embodiments an upper portion of the casing may have a larger width than a lower portion of the casing to form the support. In some embodiments the support may comprise a projection from the at least one side of the casing.

In some embodiments the casing may be configured so as to receive the plurality of memory cards in a stacked configuration.

In some embodiments the casing may be configured to receive a memory card holder wherein the memory card holder is configured to hold the plurality of memory cards.

In some embodiments the contact pads may comprise a first set of contact pads and a second set of contact pads wherein the first set of contact pads may be configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the first set of contact pads and a first memory card and the second set of contact pads may be configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the second set of contact pads and a second memory card.

In some embodiments the first set of contact pads may be located on an opposing side of the casing to the second set of contact pads.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a spring mechanism which may be configured to enable the memory cards to be ejected from the casing.

In some embodiments the casing may comprise a metal layer.

In some embodiments the casing may comprise an insulating layer.

In some embodiments the contact pads may be mounted on the insulating layer.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the disclosure there may also be provided a memory card holder comprising at least one flat substrate configured to hold a plurality of memory cards wherein the memory card holder is configured to be removably inserted into the casing of an apparatus as claimed in claim1.

In some embodiments the memory card holder may be configured to hold the plurality of memory cards in a stacked configuration.

In some embodiments the at least one substrate may be configured to hold a first memory card and a second memory card such that contact points of the first and second memory cards face towards opposite directions.

In some embodiments the memory card holder may comprise a first substrate and a second substrate wherein the first substrate is configured to hold a first memory card and the second substrate is configured to hold a second memory card and the first and second substrates are configured to be moved with respect to each other.

In some embodiments the first and second substrates may be slid relative to each other in a direction parallel with a plane of the substrates.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the disclosure there may also be provided a memory card reader comprising an apparatus as claimed described above and a memory card holder as described above.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the disclosure there may also be provided a memory card holder configured to hold a plurality of memory cards comprising a first substrate and a second substrate wherein the first substrate is configured to hold a first memory card and the second substrate is configured to hold a second memory card and the first and second substrates are configured to be moved with respect to each other.

In some embodiments the memory card holder may be configured to hold the plurality of memory cards in a stacked configuration.

The apparatus may be for establishing an electrical connection with a plurality of memory cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate an apparatus1comprising: a casing3configured to enable a plurality of memory cards19to be removably inserted into the casing3; contact pads11located within the casing3configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the contact pads11and at least one memory card19when the plurality of memory cards19are inserted within the casing3; and at least one mounting portion12configured to enable the apparatus1to be mounted on a circuit board25such that a first portion14of the apparatus1is positioned above the circuit board25and a second portion16of the apparatus1is positioned below the circuit board25.

FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate an apparatus1according to a first examplary embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 1Aillustrates a cross section of the apparatus1.FIG. 1Billustrates a cross section of the apparatus1mounted within a circuit board26and with two memory cards19inserted within the apparatus1. The apparatus1and the memory card holder17may be coupled together to form a memory card reader. The memory card reader may be configured to read information stored on the memory card19and provide this to the electronic device.

The examplary apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 1Acomprises a casing3. The casing3comprises a metal layer5, at least one insulating layer7, at least one set of contact pads11and a mounting portion12.

The casing3forms a cavity15. The casing3may surround the cavity15so that the casing3defines the edges of the cavity15. As the apparatus1is illustrated in cross section inFIG. 1only the sides of the casing9are illustrated. It is to be appreciated that the casing3may extend into the page.

The casing3may have at least one open end which enables a plurality of memory cards19to be removably inserted within the cavity15of the casing3. The memory cards19are not illustrated inFIG. 1A.

The cavity15may be configured to receive the plurality of memory cards19. The cavity15may have a size and shape such that the plurality of memory cards19may fit tightly within the cavity15. The plurality of memory cards19may fit tightly within the cavity15so that there is no gap or very little gap between the edges of the memory cards19and the memory card holder17and the edge of the cavity15.

In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe casing3comprises a metal layer5. The metal layer5extends around the edge of the apparatus1and may form an outer surface of the apparatus1. The metal layer5may also form a support for the contact pads11.

The shape of the metal layer5may define the cross sectional shape of the apparatus1. In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe apparatus1comprises an upper portion14and a lower portion16. In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1the upper portion14has a larger width than the lower portion16. This creates a T-shaped cross section of the casing3. The change in width between the upper portion14and the lower portion16creates a projection out of the side of the casing3. The projection forms a support for the mounting portion12. In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe mounting portion12is provided at approximately the mid-height of the casing3.

In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe mounting portion12also comprises a securing portion10. The securing portion10is provided on the underside of the support projection. The securing portion10may comprise any means which may enable the apparatus1to be secured to a circuit board25such as a printed wiring board. The securing portion10may comprise a material which enables the apparatus1to be secured to the circuit board25for example by welding or soldering or an adhesive.

In the examplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1A and 1Ba mounting portion12and a securing portion10are provided on either side of the casing3. The two mounting portions12may be provided at the same height so that the apparatus1can be mounted with the upper and lower surfaces of the casing3in parallel with a surface of the circuit board25.

The casing3of the examplary apparatus ofFIGS. 1A and 1Balso comprises at least one insulating layer7. The insulating layer7may comprise any means which insulates the contact pads11and connecting wire13from the metal layer9. The insulating layer7may comprise any suitable insulating material. The insulating layer7may be mounted on the inside of the casing3so that the insulating layer7is within the cavity15.

In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe apparatus1comprises two insulating layers7mounted on opposing sides of the inside of the cavity15. The first insulating layer7may be mounted on the bottom surface of the cavity15and the second insulating layer7may be mounted on the upper surface of the cavity15.

In the examplary embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe apparatus1also comprises a first set of contact pads11and a second set of contact pads11. The contact pads11may comprise any means which may be configured to enable an electrical connection to be established between the contact pads11and at least one memory card19when the memory card19is inserted within the casing3. The contact pads11may enable information to be read from the memory card19and used by a device such as a communications device.

A connecting wire13may be provided to connect the contact pads11to the circuit board25and the rest of the device. In the cross sectional view of the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe connecting wire13extends into the page so that the connecting wire extends out of the back of the apparatus13to the circuit board25.

In the examplary illustrated embodiments the contact pads11may be mounted on the insulating layers7to protect the contact pads11from the metal layer5of the casing3.

The two sets of contact pads11may be provided on opposing sides of the inside of the cavity15. The first set of contact pads11may be mounted on the bottom surface of the cavity15and the second set of contact pads11may be mounted on the upper surface of the cavity15. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the disclosure other arrangements of the contact pads11may be used.

FIG. 1Billustrates the same apparatus ofFIG. 1Aand so the same reference numbers are used to refer to the same features. However. InFIG. 1Ba plurality of memory cards19have been inserted into the casing3and the apparatus1has been mounted on a circuit board25.

InFIG. 1Bthe memory cards19are held in a memory card holder17and both the memory card holder17and the plurality of memory cards19have been inserted within the casing3of the apparatus1.

The plurality of memory cards19may comprise any suitable type of memory cards. The memory cards may comprise any cards which may be configured to store information. For example the plurality of memory cards may comprise one or more SIM cards which may comprise identification information or other information which may enable a user to communicate within a communications network. As another example, in some embodiments of the disclosure the plurality of memory cards19may comprise one or more smart cards which may store information which may enable transactions such as financial transactions to be authorized.

The plurality of memory cards19inserted within the apparatus1inFIG. 1Bmay comprise different types of memory cards. In some embodiments of the disclosure the plurality of memory cards19may have the same sizes and/or shapes. In other examplary embodiments of the disclosure the plurality of memory cards19may have different sizes and/or shapes.

InFIG. 1Btwo memory cards19are inserted within the apparatus1. In other embodiments of the disclosure more than two memory cards19may be inserted in the apparatus1.

In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe plurality of memory cards19are held within a memory card holder17. The memory card holder17may comprise any means which may be configured to securely hold the plurality of memory cards19and enable them to be removably inserted into the casing3of the apparatus1. InFIG. 1Bthe memory card holder17is configured to hold two memory cards19. In other embodiments of the disclosure the memory card holder17may be configured to hold more than two memory cards19.

In the examplary embodiment ofFIG. 1Bthe memory card holder17comprises a substrate21. The substrate21comprises a flat portion which may be configured to support the plurality of memory cards19. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1Bthe substrate is configured to support a first memory card19on an upper surface of the substrate21and a second memory card19on a lower surface of the substrate21.

When the two memory cards19are held in the memory card holder17the memory cards may face in opposing directions. This may enable the two memory cards19to establish electrical connections with the two sets of contact pads11. In some embodiments of the disclosure the apparatus1and the memory card holder17may be configured so that both of the memory cards19may establish electrical connections with a set of contact pads simultaneously.

The memory card holder17may be configured to hold the plurality of memory cards19in a stacked configuration. When the memory cards19are in a stacked configuration the memory cards19may be positioned in layers overlaying each other. The substrate21of the memory card holder17may be provided between the plurality of memory cards19.

In the examplary embodiment ofFIG. 1Bthe memory card holder17may also comprise a plurality of grips23. The grips23may comprise any means which may be configured to secure the plurality of memory cards19to the memory card holder17. The grips may be configured to be biased towards to the substrate21so that when a portion of a memory card19is positioned between the grip23and the substrate21the grip23pushes the memory card19toward the substrate21.

The plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder17may be configured to be removably inserted within the casing3. The casing3may be configured so that the plurality of memory cards19may fit entirely within the casing9. The casing3may be configured so that the plurality of memory cards19may fit entirely within the casing9so that every part of the plurality of memory cards19is contained within the cavity15.

The apparatus1and memory card holder17may be configured to enable a user to push the plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder17into the casing3. The apparatus1and memory card holder17may also be configured to enable a user to remove the plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder from the casing3. In some embodiments of the disclosure the apparatus1and memory card holder17may be configured to enable a user pull the plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder17out of the casing3. In some embodiments the apparatus1and memory card holder17may be configured to enable a user to actuate a mechanism which may cause the plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder17to be pushed or pulled out of the casing3.

The memory card holder17may be configured to fit tightly into the casing3of the apparatus1. The memory card holder17may fit tightly within the cavity15so that there is no gap or very little gap between the edges of the memory card holder17and the edge of the cavity15. In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1Bthe memory card holder17has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. The shape of the cross-section of the memory card holder17corresponds to the shape of the cross-section of the cavity15of the casing3.

InFIG. 1Bthe apparatus1is also illustrated mounted on a circuit board25. The mounting portions12are used to support the apparatus1and the securing portions10may be used to secure the apparatus1to the circuit board25. As the mounting portions12are positioned midway up the side of the casing3when the apparatus1is mounted on the circuit board a first portion14of the apparatus1is positioned above the circuit board25and a second portion16of the apparatus1is positioned below the circuit board25.

FIG. 2illustrates an apparatus1similar to the apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Band described above. The same reference numerals have been used to refer to corresponding features. The examplary apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 2also comprises a casing3which comprises a metal layer5, at least one insulating layer7, at least one set of contact pads11and a mounting portion12.

The apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 2differs from the apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bin that in the cross sectional view of the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bthe connecting wire13extends into the page so that the connecting wire extends out of the back of the apparatus1. In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2the connecting wire13extends to the side of the apparatus1and through the securing portion10of the mounting portion12. As the connecting wire13extends out of the side of the apparatus the insulating layer7covers the sides of the cavity15as well as the upper and lower surfaces where the contact pads11are located.

FIGS. 3A and 3Balso illustrate a cross sectional view of an apparatus1similar to the apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 1A, 1BandFIG. 2described above. The same reference numerals have been used to refer to corresponding features. The examplary apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3Balso comprises a casing3which comprises a metal layer5, at least one insulating layer7, at least one set of contact pads11and a mounting portion12.

The apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3Bdiffers from the apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1BandFIG. 2in that it has a different cross sectional shape. The apparatus1illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3Bhas a substantially rectangular or rectangular cross section. The upper portion14and the lower portion16of the casing3of the apparatus1both have approximately the same width as each other. The side edges are both flat or substantially flat such that there is no step change in the level of the edge of the casing3.

FIG. 3Aillustrates the apparatus1with no memory cards19or memory card holder17inserted within. The walls of the casing3are of approximately the same thickness so that the cavity15also has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross section.

In the examplary apparatus1ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bthe mounting portion12comprises securing portions10. The securing portions10form projections out of the side of the casing3which may be used to support the apparatus1when it is mounted on a circuit board25. The securing portions10enable the apparatus1to be fixed to a circuit board25such as a printed wiring board. The securing portion10may comprises a material which enables the apparatus1to be secured to the circuit board25for example by welding or soldering or an adhesive. In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 3A and 3Btwo securing portions10are provided on either side of the casing3of the apparatus1. In other embodiments of the disclosure a different number of securing portions10may be provided.

In the examplary apparatus ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bthe securing portions10may be provided in a mid-portion of the casing3.

InFIG. 3Bthe apparatus1is illustrated with a plurality of memory cards19and a memory card holder17inserted within the casing3. The memory card holder17and the plurality of the memory cards19are similar to the memory card holder17and the plurality of the memory cards19described above in relation toFIG. 1B. However the cross sectional shape of the memory card holder17used in the embodiment ofFIG. 3Bis different to the cross sectional shape of the memory card holder17used in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B. The memory card holder17has a cross sectional shape corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the cavity15of the casing3so that in the embodiment of the disclosure illustrated inFIG. 3Bthe memory card holder17has a substantially cross sectional shape so that the upper portion and the lower portion are substantially the same width.

InFIG. 3Bthe apparatus1is also illustrated mounted on a circuit board25. The securing portions10are used to support the apparatus1and secure the apparatus1to the circuit board25. As the securing portions10are positioned midway up the side of the casing3when the apparatus1is mounted on the circuit board a first portion14of the apparatus1is positioned above the circuit board25and a second portion16of the apparatus1is positioned below the circuit board25.

FIGS. 4A to 4Cillustrate a side view of an apparatus1according to an examplary embodiment of the disclosure. The apparatus1and the memory cards19and memory card holder17may be as illustrated in any ofFIGS. 1A to 3Band described above and so the same reference numerals are used for corresponding features inFIGS. 4A to 4C. InFIG. 4Athe plurality of memory cards19and memory card holder17are positioned within the casing3. InFIG. 4Bthe plurality of memory cards19and memory card holder17have been removed from the casing3. InFIG. 4Cthe plurality of memory cards19and the memory card holder17have been removed but some examplary connections between the contact pads11and the circuit board25are illustrated.

The memory card holder17may comprises a substrate21and gripping portions23as described above in relation toFIG. 1B. However it can be seen from the side view ofFIGS. 4A and 4Bthat the card holder17may also comprise a closing portion31.

The closing portion31may be positioned at an end of the memory card holder17. The closing portion31may be configured such that when the memory card holder17is inserted within the apparatus1the closing portion31forms part of the external housing of the electronic device which uses the memory cards19. The apparatus1and circuit board25may be contained within the housing. The housing of the electronic device may provide protection for the components of the electronic device such as the apparatus1and the circuit board25. For example, the housing may protect the components of the electronic device from atmospheric conditions such as moisture or temperature variations. The housing may also be configured to protect the components of the device from mechanical shocks.

The closing portion31may be used by the user of the apparatus to push the card holder17into the apparatus1into a closed configuration as illustrated inFIG. 4A. In some embodiments the closing portion31may also be used by the user of the apparatus1to pull the card holder17out of the apparatus1into an open configuration as illustrated inFIG. 4B. In other embodiments an ejection mechanism may be used to push or pull the card holder17out of the apparatus1into the configuration illustrated inFIG. 4B. The ejection mechanism may be configured to be actuated by the user. Closing portion31may also form part of an outer casing of a device (not shown) when the card holder17is inserted fully into the apparatus1.

InFIG. 4Cthe connecting wires13are illustrated. In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4Cthe connecting wires13extend out of the back of the apparatus1. In some embodiments the arrangement of the connecting wires inFIG. 4Cmay be similar to the arrangement of the connecting wires of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

InFIG. 4Cthe connecting wires13from both sets of contact pads11may be coupled to the same side of the circuit board25. The connecting wires13from both sets of contact pads11may be coupled to the upper side of the circuit board25. This arrangement of the connecting wires13may make it easier for the contact pads11to be coupled to circuits on the circuit board25.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a side view of an apparatus according to another examplary embodiment of the disclosure. The apparatus1and the memory cards19and memory card holder17may be as illustrated in any ofFIGS. 1A to 4Band described above and so the same reference numerals are used for corresponding features inFIGS. 5A and 5B.FIG. 5Aillustrates the memory card holder17and the apparatus1in a configuration where one memory card19is inserted in the apparatus1and one memory card is outside of the apparatus1.FIG. 5Billustrates the memory card holder17and the apparatus1in a configuration where both the memory cards19are inserted in the apparatus1

The memory card holder17illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5Balso comprises grips23and a closing portion31as described above in relation toFIG. 1BandFIGS. 4A and 4B. However the memory card holder17illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5Bcomprises two substrates21A and21B.

In the examplary embodiments ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bthe memory card holder17comprises two substrates21A,21B. The two substrates21A,21B are arranged parallel to each other so that a first substrate21A supports a first memory card and a second substrate21B supports a second memory card19. The two substrates21A,21B may also be arranged overlaying each other so that the memory cards19may be configured in a stacked configuration. The two substrates21A,21B may be arranged so that the two memory cards19face in opposite directions when they are held in the memory card holder17.

The substrates21A,21B are configured to move relative to each other. In the particular embodiment ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bthe two substrates21A and21B may be slid relative to each other. The direction of the sliding may be in a plane parallel to the plane of the substrates21A,21B.

The two substrates may be slid into a configuration so that the two substrates21A,21B overlay each other. When the memory card holder17is in this configuration the whole of the memory card holder17and any memory cards19held in the memory card holder may be inserted within the cavity15of the casing3. When the memory card holder17is in this configuration the two memory cards19may also overlay each other.

The memory card holder17may be configured to enable a user to remove the first substrate21A of the memory card holder17from the casing3by applying a force to the first substrate. For example the user may pull the closing portion31or may actuate an ejection mechanism which may then cause a force to be applied to the first substrate21A. The memory card holder17may be configured so that the force causes the first substrate21A to move relative to the second substrate21B. This may cause the first substrate21A and any memory card19supported by the first substrate to be removed from the casing3while the second substrate21B and any memory card19supported by the second substrate21B remain within the casing3as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

Once the first substrate21A has been moved so that the edge of the first substrate21B is close to edge of the second substrate21B, as illustrated inFIG. 5Bthen the first substrate21A may couple to the second substrate21B. The coupling may be such that if the user pulls the cover portion31this pulls the first substrate21A and also the second substrate21B. This allows the second substrate21B and any memory card19mounted within the second substrate to be removed from the apparatus1as illustrated inFIG. 5B.

The memory card holder17described above provides a benefit that a user can remove a single memory card19at a time. This may enable a user to remove one memory card19while another memory card19may remain in electrical connection with the apparatus1. This may also enable the memory cards19to be changed one at a time which may reduce the likelihood of a user dropping a memory card or losing a memory card or mixing memory cards19up.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate an apparatus1according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The same reference numerals used inFIGS. 1A to 5Bare used for corresponding features. As with the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 5Band described above the apparatus1comprises a casing3. A card holder17and a plurality of memory cards19may be received within the casing3.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare plan views of an examplary apparatus1. The top of the casing3is not illustrated for clarity.

The memory card holder17comprises a closing portion31and a substrate21. The closing portion31and the substrate21may be as described above. The plurality of memory cards19may be supported by the substrate21.

InFIG. 6Athe memory card holder17is illustrated in an open position in which the plurality of memory cards19are not entirely contained within the apparatus1. In the configuration illustrated inFIG. 6Athe closing portion31of the memory card holder17is not aligned with the edge of the casing3.

InFIG. 6Bthe memory card holder17is illustrated in a closed position in which the plurality of memory cards19are entirely contained within the apparatus1. When the memory card holder17is in a closed position an electrical connection may be established between the plurality of memory cards19and the apparatus1. When the memory card holder is in the closed position the closing portion31of the memory card holder17may be aligned with the edge of the casing3.

In the examplary embodiments ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bthe memory card holder17comprises a projection41. The projection41may be positioned on a side of the substrate21of the memory card holder17. In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bthe projection41is positioned midway along the side of the substrate21. In other embodiments of the disclosure the projection41may be positioned in a different location.

The projection41provides means for coupling the memory card holder17to an ejection mechanism51. In some embodiments of the disclosure the projection41may be shaped so as to couple to the memory card holder17to the ejection mechanism51. In some embodiments of the disclosure the projection41may be fixed to the ejection mechanism51, for example by a nail or pin or any other suitable fixing means.

The ejection mechanism51may comprise any means which may enable the memory card holder17to be ejected from the apparatus1. The ejection mechanism51may comprise any means which may enable the memory card holder17to be moved between the open position illustrated inFIG. 6Aand the closed position illustrated inFIG. 6B. In the particular example ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bthe ejection mechanism51comprises a push-push mechanism. However it is to be appreciated that other types of mechanism could be used in other embodiments of the disclosure.

The ejection mechanism11ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bcomprises a sliding member53, a resilient member55and a locking member57.

The sliding member53may be configured to slide between an open configuration as illustrated inFIG. 6Aand a closed configuration as illustrated inFIG. 6B.

The sliding member53of the examplary embodiments ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bcomprises a projection52. The projection52may be configured to abut the projection41of the memory card holder17. This may enable the memory card holder17to be coupled to the ejection mechanism51so that movement of the sliding portion53may cause movement of the memory card holder17and movement of the memory card holder17may cause movement of the sliding member53.

The resilient member55may be coupled to the casing3and the sliding member53. The resilient member55may be configured to bias the sliding member53toward the open configuration illustrated inFIG. 6A. In the examplary embodiment ofFIG. 6Athe resilient member55comprises a spring. It is to be appreciated that other types of resilient member55may be used in other embodiments of the disclosure.

The locking member57may be coupled to the sliding member53and the casing3. The locking member57may be configured to fit into a recessed portion59of the sliding member53. The recessed portion59may be shaped so as to comprise a first locking position61and a second locking position63. The recessed portion59may also shaped to enable the locking member57to move between the first locking position61and the second locking position63.

In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6Athe apparatus1is configured so that the memory card holder17is positioned in a partially open position. In this configuration the locking member57is located in the first locking position61. This allows the sliding member53to be pushed outward by the resilient member55towards the open configuration.

In the examplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6Bthe apparatus1is configured so that the memory card holder17is positioned in a closed position. A user of the device3may cause the card holder17to be moved from the partially open position illustrated inFIG. 6Ato the closed position illustrated inFIG. 6Bby applying a force in an inwards direction to the closing portion31as indicated by the arrow65. This compresses the resilient member55and forces the locking member57along the recessed portion to the second locking position63.

In the examplary embodiment ofFIGS. 6A and 6Ba user may release the locking member57from the second locking position63by applying a force to the closing portion31in an inward direction as indicated by arrow67. Once the locking member57has been released the compressed resilient member55will cause an outwards force to be applied to the sliding member53and push the sliding member53and the memory card holder17to an open or partially open position so as to return the apparatus1to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 6A.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus1which may be receive a plurality of memory cards19simultaneously. This may enable the user of a device to easily switch between the use of the two or more memory cards19. In some embodiments it may also enable more than one memory card19to be used simultaneously.

The mounting portions12of the apparatus1may be configured so that the apparatus1may be positioned having a first portion14located above a circuit board25and a second portion16located below a circuit board25. This may enable the overall thickness of the circuit board25and the apparatus1to be minimised. This may enable a thinner device to be provided.

As the apparatus1is provided with the contact pads11on opposing sides of the casing3this enables the two sets of contact pads11to be accessed simultaneously. This may enable two memory cards19positioned within the apparatus1to establish an electrical connection with the contact pads11at the same time. This may enable a user of the device to switch between the two memory cards19without having to take either of the memory cards19out or make any manual change of the position of the memory cards19.

In the embodiments described above the term “coupled” means operationally coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements may exist between coupled components (including no intervening elements).