Electrical connector for removable components

An electrical connector assembly combines a latch (34) and electrical contacts (60a-60f) into an integral connector assembly. The latch (34) is partially surrounded by a stacked connector (36). The latch (34) lathes with a housing (22) and the stacked connector (36) includes a connector contact housing (40) that includes a plurality of stacked contacts (60a-60f) to provide an electrical connection between a first (60) and second (64) electrical circuit. In one embodiment, the connector contact housing (40) is in a "U" shape and partially surrounds at least a portion of the latch (34). The stacked connector (36) engages with a receptacle well (38) having a plurality of corresponding stacked receptacle contacts (62a-62f). The plurality of stacked contacts (60a-60f) is positioned in a manner to provide balanced contact loading along at least one axis (100) of the stacked connector (36). As such, in one embodiment, the stacked contacts (60a-60f) are arranged in an opposing manner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more
 particularly to electrical connectors employed in electronic appliances
 and in removable battery covers.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Portable devices that employ batteries, such as handheld cell phones,
 Internet appliances, personal organizers, point of sale (POS) terminals,
 portable computing devices and any other portable devices are increasingly
 using small removable accessories which are typically as small as a parent
 device to which they connect. For example, cell phones are proposed that
 employ card reader devices to allow a user to insert a credit card, smart
 card, or other information input devices into the cell phone to create
 smart card enabled telephone appliances, Internet appliances, portable ATM
 devices, and a litany of other compact portable products. Such small
 handheld devices typically require compact connectors to electrically and
 mechanically interconnect differing subsystems or components.
 Accordingly, removable accessories typically must be connected to a mother
 board or other electrical circuitry in another part of the parent device.
 A problem arises when such accessories are to be integrated in small
 handheld devices. Batteries, which are typically used to provide power to,
 for example, cell phone circuitry or circuitry of a POS terminal, can be
 expensive items and can also take up large amounts of volume of a parent
 device or accessory device.
 Batteries usually are one of the largest components of the hand held
 device. In addition, it is desirable to maximize battery storage areas
 since typically larger batteries can provide longer battery life for the
 parent device and/or accessory device. Conventional cell phones, for
 example, have battery covers that do not house a battery, but which merely
 cover the primary battery that is located in the body of the parent
 device. One example is a Motorola Inc. model number P7389 GSM Tri-band
 cell phone distributed from Motorola Inc., Harvard, IL, USA. A push button
 latch allows a user to attach or remove the battery cover to replace the
 primary battery in the parent device when needed. However, such battery
 covers do not typically include accessory devices, nor do they include
 electrical connection between the battery cover and a circuit in the
 parent housing.
 With respect to a card reading accessory, one solution has been to redesign
 the battery compartment for the parent device and redesign the battery
 itself to accommodate the addition of an accessory component. For example,
 one design combines the accessory, such as a card reader, with an
 integrated battery in an integral accessory module, so that a user needs
 to purchase the entire accessory module when the accessory battery needs
 to be replaced. The accessory battery usually replaces the primary battery
 used by the parent device. In order to provide connection of electrical
 circuits including signaling busses, power and ground lines and other
 signaling lines between the accessory and parent circuitry, flexible
 circuits are typically added and designed to wrap around the accessory
 battery and electrically connect a circuit board in the accessory device
 with a circuit board in the parent device through a contact interface.
 These flexible circuits and connector interfaces add cost, take up
 additional volume and can reduce reliability. They also can increase the
 size of the accessory device and/or the parent device.
 Alternatively, accessory devices are sometimes attached to existing cell
 phones and other electronic appliances through a base plug typically
 located, for example, at the base of a parent device housing. Base plugs
 are typically used to allow an external power connection to recharge the
 battery. For example, car lighters and conventional outlets can be used to
 recharge a battery through the base plug. In addition, other accessories
 such as microphones, speakers and other accessories may also be coupled to
 the base plug. Typical larger accessories, however, slide over the battery
 cover and obtain their power from the base plug. Such accessories
 typically overhang the profile of the parent housing thus making the
 parent device unnecessarily longer. Attaching in this fashion may cover
 the base plug. An additional base plug may have to be added in the
 accessory device to provide access to the primary device. This can
 increase cost. A further problem arises. Card readers and other devices
 that communicate highly proprietary information need to comply with tamper
 evidence standards.
 For example, portable devices and nonportable devices typically need to be
 designed in such a way that if the device is tampered with, such tampering
 can be recognized readily. With credit card reading devices attached to
 cell phones or other appliances, financial transactions may require the
 device to send confidential credit card information and bank account
 information. Such devices should not typically allow access through
 external plugs so that a potential hacker can obtain the confidential
 information. Accordingly, base plugs should not typically provide outside
 access if they are coupled to a card reading device or other suitable
 device. Accordingly, duplicate base plugs must typically be provided which
 are isolated from the accessory while still allowing the parent device to
 accept power to the base plug or other information for other accessories.
 This can significantly increase costs and device complexity.
 Other solutions have been to provide smart batteries having card reader
 capabilities. For example, some cell phones have subscriber identity
 modules (SIMs) which can be slipped into a battery slot. The battery
 contains an electrical circuit that can read the SIM and provide
 information to the accessory device. In addition, card reading circuitry
 is also integrated into the battery. However, such devices typically
 employ an additional battery within the accessory device and are typically
 integrated into an integral module that requires a user to purchase a new
 accessory device when the battery of the accessory device needs to be
 replaced. In addition, another battery is typically required for normal
 operation of the phone when the accessory is removed. This can
 unnecessarily increase the cost and complexity of the system. In addition,
 such systems typically employ connectors that use the same electrical
 contacts for the accessory as were used for the parent circuits. For
 example, a SIM may be removed as part of the phone and placed as a plug-in
 SIM as part of the accessory. The existing SIM contacts in the parent
 device are used to connect with a multiplexing circuit within the
 accessory (e.g., smart battery) to allow both the SIM and an accessory to
 be multiplexed to the parent devices SIM contact block. However, such
 devices can be quite costly and complex.
 Other cell phones are known which allow battery modules, with integral
 batteries, to be interconnected with a parent housing and/or accessories
 through two rows of stacked contacts. The two rows of stacked contacts are
 typically offset in height so that, depending upon the type of accessory,
 different contacts are utilized. Such stacked contacts are typically
 arranged such that the resiliency of the contacts from the phone body with
 the battery module typically act to force the battery module away from the
 phone body. This can result in increased gaps between the battery and the
 device. For example, such phones with two rows of stacked contacts
 typically have their two rows of contacts located on a back surface and
 the battery module is slid into place so that compliant contacts of the
 battery module contact with non-compliant stacked contacts coming out of
 the phone body. Moreover, the battery modules do not include removable
 battery covers and require a user to purchase an entire battery module if
 the battery needs to be replaced.
 Consequently, a need exists for an improved electrical connector, removable
 battery cover and electronic appliance which attempts to overcome the
 above problems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 An electrical connector assembly combines a latch and electrical contacts
 into an integral connector assembly. The latch is partially surrounded by
 a stacked connector. The latch latches with a housing and the stacked
 connector includes a connector contact housing that includes a plurality
 of stacked contacts to provide an electrical connection between a first
 and second electrical circuit. In one embodiment, the connector contact
 housing is in a "U" shape and partially surrounds at least a portion of
 the latch, such as a latch well. The stacked contacts of the stacked
 connector engage with a plurality of corresponding stacked receptacle
 contacts in a receptacle well. The plurality of stacked contacts is
 positioned in a manner to provide balanced contact loading along at least
 one axis of the stacked connector. As such, in one embodiment, the stacked
 contacts are arranged in an opposing manner.
 In another embodiment, a removable battery cover employs the latch and
 stacked connector. The removable battery cover includes an electrical
 circuit that is housed inside the removable battery cover on, for example,
 a printed circuit board. The removable battery cover may include a printed
 circuit board support plate wherein the electrical circuit is electrically
 connected through the stacked connector to another printed circuit board
 located in a separate housing such as a parent device housing. The
 separate housing includes a battery storage area. The removable battery
 cover covers the battery located in the battery storage area. Where the
 removable battery cover includes an electrical circuit(s) to provide, for
 example, a card reader or other accessory, the removable battery cover can
 be less expensive since it does not house the battery. If an accessory is
 not desired, a conventional battery covers with no electrical circuitry
 may be used to provide compatibility between, for example, a parent
 electronic appliance having an accessory and an electronic appliance that
 does not require an accessory.
 In another embodiment, an electronic appliance includes a housing with a
 battery storage area, the connector receptor well and an electrical
 circuit that receives energy from a battery stored in the battery storage
 area. The electronic appliance also includes the removable battery cover
 that includes the latch and stacked connector. Accordingly, an electronic
 appliance electrically and mechanically connects with the removable
 battery cover that houses the accessory.
 FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an electronic appliance 10, such as a
 cellular phone, which includes an accessory device, such as a card reader
 to read, for example, a magnetic card or smart card 12, or any other
 accessory device. For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, the
 disclosed invention will be described with reference to an electronic
 appliance in the form of a handheld telephone appliance. However, it will
 be recognized that the invention is equally applicable to other electronic
 appliances. For example, Internet appliances, personal organizers,
 portable computing units, touch pad or touch screen-based devices, digital
 audio players, and any other suitable device may also suitably use the
 electrical connector as described herein. The electronic appliance
 includes, by way of example, a display screen 14, telephone key inputs 16,
 a plurality of control keys 18, and an antenna 20 for providing wireless
 communication. The card 12 may be a storage medium, a smart card
 containing microprocessor or other circuits, or any other suitable card,
 information processor or information provider or receiver.
 FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic appliance 10 housing a
 housing 22 and a removable battery cover 24 that includes a card slot 26
 and a suitable card reading circuit. The electronic appliance 10 also
 includes a base plug 28 located at a base of the housing 22.
 FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the electronic appliance 10 wherein
 the housing 22 includes a front housing 25 and the rear housing 26.
 However, it will be recognized that a single housing may also be
 desirable. The housing 22 includes a battery storage area 28 located in
 the rear housing 26. The housing 22 also includes a first electrical
 circuit 30 such as telephone related circuitry or other suitable
 electronic circuit or circuits that receive power from the battery stored
 in the battery storage area 28. As used herein, "electrical circuit" can
 include, but is not limited to, any optical or electrical component(s),
 circuit(s), interface, electrical contacts, electrical systems and
 subsystems including, but not limited to, electrical/mechanical
 subsystems, systems or any suitable connectable entity. In this example,
 the first electrical circuit 30 receives power from a battery in battery
 storage area 28 through protruding contacts (not shown) that pass through
 contact openings 32 as known in the art, from the front housing 25 into
 the rear housing 26. Corresponding contacts on an outer surface of the
 battery (not shown), as known in the art, make suitable contact with the
 protruding contacts when the battery is inserted into the battery storage
 area 28.
 Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, an electronic appliance with an electrical
 connector assembly will be described. The removable battery cover 24
 includes a latch 34 engaged with a stacked connector 36. As used herein,
 "latch" can include a structure having only a portion of an
 interconnecting latch arrangement, or it can include a complete latching
 arrangement. The stacked connector 36 is engageable with a connector
 receptor well 38. In this embodiment, the connector receptacle well 38 may
 snap fit into the housing 22, for example, into the rear housing 26. The
 stacked connector 36 includes a molded connector contact housing 40 that
 is adapted to at least partially surround at least a portion of the latch
 34. In this example, the connector contact housing 40 is in a "U" shape.
 However, it will be recognized that any suitable orientation or shape may
 be used.
 The latch 34 may be formed by a latch well 42 that may be integrally molded
 as part of the removable battery cover 24. The latch well 42 accepts
 travel of a latch member, such as member 50 of the button. However, it
 will be recognized that the latch well 42 may also be a separate piece if
 desired. The latch well 42 includes a molded spring guide post 44, a
 locking release surface 46, such as a latch button, and a biasing member,
 such as a spring 48. The locking release surface 46 in this embodiment
 includes a protruding locking member 50 which lockingly engages a
 corresponding lip 52 in the housing 22, namely, in the rear housing 26.
 The latch button, spring 48 and spring guide post 44 may be of a
 conventional battery cover latch design. When the removable battery cover
 24 is suitably slid over the battery, the latch 34 latches with the rear
 housing 26 so that the removable battery cover 24 does not fall off. The
 spring 48 biases the locking member 50 in an upward position with respect
 to the front housing 25 to force the locking member 50 to engage with the
 lip 52. To remove the removable battery cover 24, the locking release
 surface is depressed, thus depressing the spring to allow the lip 52 and
 the locking member 50 to disengage.
 The latch well 42 has an outer surface that is operatively engageable with
 an inner surface of the connector contact housing 40. A pair of guide
 slots 53a and 53b are located on either side of the latch well to receive
 guide ribs 55a and 55b (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the latch well 42
 and connector contact housing 40 are matingly engageable in a snap fit
 fashion to provide a combined latch and stacked connector assembly. The
 connector contact housing 40 includes a plurality of stacked contacts
 60a-60f. The plurality of stacked contacts 60a-60f provide an electrical
 connection between the removable battery cover 24 and the electrical
 circuit 30 housed in the housing 22.
 Referring to FIG. 3, the receptacle well 38 includes a plurality of
 corresponding stacked receptacle contacts 62a-62f The plurality of
 corresponding stacked receptacle contacts 62a-62f are positioned to engage
 (e.g., resiliently contact) with the plurality of stacked contacts 60a-60f
 to provide electrical connection between the first circuit 30 in the
 housing 22 and a second circuit 64 located in the removable battery cover
 24. As shown, the connector contact housing 40 and the receptacle well 38
 are three dimensional connector components.
 The receptacle well 38 is defined by a base 66, a first sidewall 68 and a
 second sidewall 70. The first sidewall 68 includes a portion of the
 plurality of stacked receptacle contacts, namely receptacle contacts
 62a-62c whereas the second sidewall 70 includes stacked receptacle
 contacts 62d-62f. The receptacle well 38 is designed to snap fit into
 opening 72 to provide a receptacle for the stacked connector 36.
 Referring to FIG. 4, the removable battery cover 24 includes the integral
 latch well 42 located on a distal end thereof. The removable battery cover
 24 includes the electrical circuit 64 operatively connected inside the
 removable battery cover 24. The electrical circuit 64 may be positioned,
 for example, on a printed circuit board 76 which is supported by a printed
 circuit board support plate 78. The support plate 78 is secured to the
 removable battery cover 24 through screws 80a and 80b which are screwed
 into respective bosses 82a and 82b. In this embodiment, where the
 removable battery cover 24 includes a card reader, a card retaining spring
 84 is suitably positioned with respect to the card slot 26 and is
 supported by a spring receptacle 86 such that when a card is inserted in
 slot 26, it is forcibly retained to come in contact with a smart card
 reading circuit on the printed circuit board 76. The printed circuit board
 support plate 78 includes the card support walls 92 along a periphery
 thereof to ensure that the card is a predetermined height above the
 circuit 64. A flexible circuit 90 serves as an interface between stacked
 contacts 60a-60f and conductors from circuit 64 to provide electrical
 continuity between the circuit 64 and the stacked contacts 60a-60f.
 The stacked connector 36 includes a connector tab 94 protruding from a top
 surface to engage with a corresponding receptacle 112 in an end surface of
 support plate 78 in the removable battery cover 24. The stacked connector
 36 is coupled to the latch 34, for example through protruding compliant
 portion 104 and aperture 110 or other suitable attachment arrangement, and
 is also coupled to the removable battery cover 24.
 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector contact housing 40. The
 plurality of stacked contacts 60a-60f are positioned in a manner to
 provide balanced contact loading along an axis of the stacked connector
 36. In this example, the plurality of stacked contacts 60a-60f are
 positioned to provide balance along the direction of the longitudinal axis
 100. For example, stacked contact 60a is opposingly positioned with
 respect to stacked contact 60d. The stacked contacts 60a, 60b and 60c are
 symmetrically located about the longitudinal axis 100 with respect to
 stacked contacts 60d, 60e and 60f. The stacked contacts 60a-60c are
 positioned (i.e., stacked) in a vertical direction with respect to a
 horizontal plane formed by the base 106. The stacked contacts 60a-60c are
 positioned on an outer surface of the connector contact housing.
 Similarly, the stacked contacts 60d-60f are also positioned (i.e.,
 stacked) in a vertical direction in the same horizontal planes as stacked
 contacts 60a-60c. The stacked contacts 60d-60f are also positioned on an
 outer surface of the connector contact housing.
 The connector contact housing 40 includes a pair of integrally formed
 contact protection tabs 102a and 102b. These contact protection tabs 102a
 and 102b are positioned underneath each set of stacked contacts and are in
 vertical alignment therewith to protect against contact damage when the
 latch 34 and stacked connector 36 are inserted into the receptacle well
 38. The contact protection tabs 102a and 102b have a generally curved
 shape corresponding to a protruding compliant portion 104 of the stacked
 contacts 60a-60f. The contact protection tabs 102a and 102b project
 outwardly from the connector contact housing 40. The plurality of stacked
 contacts 60a-60f are compliant by virtue of the protruding compliant
 portion 104. Accordingly, portions of the stacked contacts 60a-60f
 resiliently project from the connector contact housing 40 outwardly to
 engage (e.g., resiliently contact) the receptacle contacts 62a-62f.
 Alternatively, the stacked contacts 60a-60f may be non-compliant. In such
 an embodiment, the receptacle contacts 62a-62f would protrude inwardly to
 frictionally engage the non-compliant stacked contacts. Accordingly, it
 may be desirable to provide the compliant contacts in the receptacle well
 instead of on the stacked connector.
 The contact protection tabs 102a and 102b are located on a base 106 of the
 connector contact housing 40 and serve both as an insert guide into the
 receptacle well 38 in a front portion 108 thereof (FIG. 3) and to protect
 the stacked contacts 60a and 60d from being inadvertently damaged upon
 downward axial insertion into the receptacle well 38. For example, the
 contact protection tabs 102a and 102b prevent sidewalls 66 and 68 from
 initially contacting the stacked contacts when the removable battery cover
 24 is inserted downwardly into the receptacle well 38. The contact
 protection tabs 102a and 102b also serve as keying tabs so that the
 removable battery cover 24 cannot be inserted into older appliances.
 However, older battery covers can be used to cover the battery in the
 electronic appliance 10 since the latch area of the older covers is of the
 same design and area allowed by the receptacle well.
 The connector contact housing 40 also includes an attachment member, such
 as latch tab 109, adjacent to the base 106 that lockingly engages with an
 aperture 110 (see FIG. 4) in a base of the latch well 42. The connector
 tab 94 lockingly engages with a surface in the removable battery cover. In
 this example, the connector tab 94 engages with a protruding surface in
 slot 112 of the PCB support plate 78. The connector contact housing 40
 accordingly includes an attachment member, such as latch tab 109 or other
 suitable attachment mechanism, which is connectable with the latch 36
 through, for example, the base of the latch well, and also includes a
 second attachment member, such as connector tab 94, which is connectable
 with a housing. However, it will be recognized that the connector contact
 housing 40 may be suitably attached to the removable battery cover in any
 suitable location, orientation or manner.
 Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the flexible circuit 90 includes a plurality of
 apertures 114 that receive projecting ends 116 on each of the stacked
 contacts 60a-60f to suitably align the flexible circuit 90 in place. The
 apertures 114 are plated and are soldered to the projecting ends 116. The
 connector contact housing 40 includes a contact alignment groove 120 for
 each of the plurality of stacked contacts 60a-60f. Each contact alignment
 groove 120 includes an alignment groove surface 122 which aligns a
 respective stacked contact 60a-60f. The alignment groove surface 122 is
 suitably shaped to accommodate a non-compliant portion 124 of each stacked
 contact.
 The connector contact housing 40 also includes a plurality of contact
 alignment slots 126a and 126b associated with each stacked contact
 60a-60f. The contact alignment slots 126a and 126b receive contact
 attachment tabs 128a and 128b, respectively. The contact attachment tabs
 128a and 128b are formed to project perpendicularly from a stem surface
 130 of each contact. Each stacked contact 60a-60f includes a non-compliant
 portion 124 and compliant portion 104. In this embodiment, the compliant
 portion 104 is a curved distal portion of a contact. A contact retaining
 surface 132 located at an end of the compliant portion 104 is placed
 against a pair of retaining surfaces 134a and 134b in the connector
 contact housing 40 such that the compliant portion 104 is retained in
 place when no external force is present. The contact alignment groove
 surface 122 is interposed between the retaining surfaces 134a and 134b.
 Each stacked contact 60a-60f is retained in the connector contact housing
 40 through the attachment tabs 128a and 128b. Each of the attachment tabs
 128a and 128b are pressed into the alignment slots 126a and 126b. The
 alignment slots 126a and 126b are defined by slot walls having slanted
 surfaces 136 which are slanted inwardly so that the attachment tabs 128a
 and 128b are easily guided into the slots. The attachment tabs 128a and
 128b are engageable with a surface in the connector contact housing,
 namely walls defining the slots 126a-126b. The width of alignment slots
 126a and 126b is suitably dimensioned to be slightly smaller than a width
 of a head 140 of the attachment tab 128 a and 128b. In this way, the
 plastic connector contact housing 40 will allow insertion of the
 attachment tabs 128a and 128b into the alignment slots 126a and 126b but
 the head being larger, prevents the contact from falling out of the
 alignment groove 120. Accordingly, each of the stacked contacts has a
 curved compliant portion 104 and at least one attachment tab 128a or 128b.
 It will be recognized that any suitable connection technique or mechanism
 may also be used. Each stacked contact 60a-60f may be formed of a suitable
 conductive material, such as metal, plated metal, plated plastic or any
 other suitable electrically conductive material.
 FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the receptacle well 38. The receptacle
 well 38 is preferably made by molding the plastic portion of the
 receptacle well 38 around a metal lead frame 150. The metal lead frame 150
 includes the stacked receptacle contacts 62a-62f. The receptacle contacts
 62a-62f are located at one end of the lead frame 150, and interconnect
 surfaces 152a-152f are located at another end. The interconnect surfaces
 152a-152f are used to interconnect with a printed circuit board in the
 parent device, or provide other electrical connection that is desired.
 Receptacle contact 62d is shorter than other receptacle contacts 62a-62c
 and 62b and 62f so that it is the last contact to mate with the electrical
 connector assembly. This contact is usually used to provide power to the
 accessory device. In this way, a last to mate, first to break connection
 is provided so that signal lines are properly connected prior to power
 being connected or disconnected.
 The connector receptacle well 38 not only receives the stacked connector
 36, but also includes an extension 154 adapted to receive a flexible
 connector 156 to position the flexible connector to complete a connection
 with contacts on a PCB in the housing. The extension 154 includes the
 interconnect surfaces 152a-152f. The extension 154 receives the flexible
 connector 156, such as an elastomeric membrane, or any other suitable
 electrical connector. The flexible connector 156 is pressed in contact
 with connections on the printed circuit board in the parent device so that
 electrical connection between the accessory device through the stacked
 connector is made with the printed circuit board in the parent device.
 However, it will be recognized that any suitable connector may also be
 used such as flex strips, or any suitable connectors. The extension 154 is
 integrally molded as part of the receptacle well 38. The extension 154
 includes a mounting surface 158 which is used to mechanically engage with
 a corresponding mounting surface in the housing 22 to hold the receptacle
 well in a fixed position.
 The receptacle well 38 includes an inclined surface 160 on each of
 sidewalls 68 and 70. Each of the inclined surfaces 160 serves as a
 transition surface for the compliant portion 104 of the contacts 60a-60f
 as the stacked connector 36 and latch 34 are being inserted into the
 receptacle well 38. The receptacle well 38 also includes lower guide slots
 162 into which the protection tabs 102a and 102b are guided when the
 stacked connector is slid forward to provide contact with the receptacle
 contacts.
 To place the removable battery cover 24 onto the housing 22, the protection
 tabs 102a and 102b are positioned to align in a rear end 170 (see FIG. 3)
 of the receptacle housing. The electrical connector assembly in the
 removable battery cover is then pushed downward so that the removable
 battery cover 24 rests on guide services 54. The electrical connector
 assembly and removable battery cover is then slid in a forward
 longitudinal direction toward the forward end 172 of the receptacle well
 38. As the electrical connector assembly is moved forward, the compliant
 stacked contacts slide along inclined surfaces 160 and contact with
 receptacle contacts 62a-62f. The protruding locking member 50 latches with
 lip 52 to lock the cover and electrical contacts in place.
 To remove the removable battery cover, the latch button is depressed and
 the cover is slid backwards towards the end of the housing 22. The
 electrical connector assembly will then abut the battery in the battery
 storage area. The removable battery cover may then be lifted upwardly away
 from the housing.
 The disclosed compact combined latch and electrical connector is sized to
 occupy the same space as a conventional latch so as to allow the use of
 older style battery covers on newer electronic appliances that can
 interface with accessories. The load balanced stacked contacts can reduce
 contact bounce problems and are suitably protected upon insertion. In
 addition, the removable battery cover does not need to include a battery
 thereby reducing the cost of the accessory. Other advantages will be
 apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
 It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and
 modifications of the invention in its various aspects will be apparent to
 those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the invention is not limited
 by the specific embodiments described. For example latching members may
 include projections and corresponding detents, sliding lateral latching
 projections or interconnections, or any other suitable mechanisms. The
 latch may include a relieved piece of plastic or other material extending
 from the cover which obtains its bias by nature of the compliancy of the
 plastic. In this embodiment, the latch need not include a button and
 spring arrangement. Other latch arrangements may also be used. It is
 therefore contemplated to cover by the present invention, any and all
 modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the spirit and
 scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.