Card edge connectors

Abstract: A card edge connector (1) has frames (2) facing each other. A partition (14) is secured by means of lances (60) retained by protrusions made in a main body (16). By inserting partition (14), one can obtain cavities (28) formed on both sides of the partition (14) for accommodating thin cards. By removing partition (14) one can obtain a single cavity (29). Thus the cavities (28) can be combined to accommodate thick cards.

Description: This invention relates to card edge connectors designed for the insertion of cards, especially of memory cards carrying IC (integrated circuits) according to the preamble of claim 1. Memory cards (below, simply "cards") are widely used in computers where they are connected, as required, to other components of the computer by means of card edge connectors. For example, a card edge connector is known in the art such as one described in JP-U-4-87 179 (See Fig. 13, item 100). The known card edge connector 100 consists of a frame 104 having an opening 102 provided for the insertion of a card (not shown in the Figure), an ejector 106 used for removal of the inserted card, and an ejection device 108. In addition, at the end opposite to the opening 102, there are pin contacts 110 for connection to the base board. There are various types of cards, thin and thick, as shown in Figs. 6-8. These cards, especially cards shown in Figs. 6 and 7, cannot be used with the same card edge connector 100 having the opening of the same size, but they need specialized connectors for each type of card. Therefore, it was impossible to reduce the price of card edge connectors 100 or to arrange them using as little space as possible. The present invention consists in a card edge connector as defined in claim 1. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the connector shown in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the connector shown in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector similar to one shown in Fig. 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of connector shown in Fig. 1 with the partition removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a thin card used in the connectors according to the present embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a thin card similar to one shown in Fig. 6 used in the connectors according the present embodiment. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a thick card used in the connectors according to the present embodiment. Figure 9 is a side view of a connector according to the present embodiment with thin cards similar to one shown in Figure 6 inserted in it. Figure 10 is a side view of a connector according to the present embodiment with thin cards similar to one shown in Fig. 7 inserted in it. Figure 11 is a side view of a connector according to this embodiment with a thick card similar to one shown in Figure 8 inserted in it. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a conventional connector. Figs. 1 through 3 represent a card edge connector (referred to herein below as "connector") according to this embodiment, with Fig. 1 being a top view, Fig. 2 being a front view and Fig. 3 being a side view. In the middle of Fig. 1, there is a frame stamped from a metal sheet material. Both ends 4 of frame 2 are bent to form U-shaped profiles with tongues 6 protruding outwardly. A nearly rectangular opening 8 is made in frame 2. As one can see in Fig 3, a removable flat partition 14 is inserted between two frames 2 where it is secured by holders 10 (Fig. 2), 12 (Fig. 3). In this embodiment, two frames 2 are of different shapes, however they can be of the same shape as well. The rectangular shape shown in these drawings with a dash-and-dot line is the outline of an inserted card. As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 16 formed by two frames 2 has two operating sticks 18 fitted in the sides of frames 2. Operating sticks 18 are secured on both sides by tabs 20 cut out from frame 2 and can slide back and forth in a longitudinal direction. In the front end of operating sticks 18, slit 24 is formed which is engaged with end 26 of the lever (not shown in the Figure) of the ejecting device. Ejecting devices are provided for each frame 2, and they make it possible to eject card 200 from the frame 2 by turning the other end of the lever around the fulcrum (not shown in the Figure) in the opposite direction. The main body 16 is connected to the base board 30 by means of contacts 32 located at one end of the main body between two frames 2. In Fig. 3, cavities 28 are shown for the insertion of the cards which are formed by removable partition 14 and both frames 2. Each cavity 28 has two rows of contacts intended to form electrical connection with contacts on the card. In the fastener 12 there are grooves into which tongues 6 of frame 2 fit, so that when the tongue is completely inserted, hole 34 of tongue 6 is aligned with hole 36 of the fastener. Frames 2 are fixed to the base board (not shown in the Figure) by bolts (not shown in the Figure) passed through hole 34 of tongue 6 and hole 36. Fig. 4 represents basically the same connector as the one shown in Figs. 1-3. Fastener 10 is the same as the one shown in Fig. 1, and it consists of a flat shoulder 42 with a threaded opening 38 and two stiffening ribs 40 stamped from one piece of a metal sheet material. Flat shoulder 42 and stiffening ribs 40 snap into depressions 44 made in both sides of the main body 16. Depression 44 has a through hole 46, and when the connector is attached to the base board, a bolt (not shown in the Figure) is inserted from the side of the base board and it is screwed in the threaded opening 38, thus securing the connector to the board. Holder 48, which is different from the similar element shown in Fig. 1, is an L-shaped metal piece consisting of the main section 50 with tabs 54 bent at its edges which fit into slits 52 made in the main body 16. Approximately in the middle between tabs 54, there is a protrusion 56 made in the main section. This protrusion 52 fits between upper and lower frames 3 and keeps them at a predetermined distance. The holder 48 is used for securing the connector to the base board by means of a bolt (not shown in the Figure) passed through a threaded opening 58. In Fig. 4 is also shown the mutual relationship between the connector and two cards to be inserted into cavities 28. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of connector 1 shown in Fig. 2 with pulled out partition 14 forming cavities 28. At the both lateral sides 12 of partition 14, there are lances 60. At the front ends of lances 60, lugs 62 are formed which are snapped between two protrusions (not shown in the Figure) made in frames 2 when partition 14 is inserted between frames 2, thus securing it in this position. The method to secure the partition is not limited to the locking by means of lugs 62 as other solutions may be implemented. Figs. 6 through 8 represent perspective views of cards to be inserted into connector 1. Fig. 6 is a thin card 200 with a thickness H of about 3.3 mm. Card 200 is of a rectangular shape, and is inserted in connector 1 with its left side (in the figure) first. Fig. 7 represents card 300 which is slightly thicker than card 200, and has a thickness of approximately 5 mm. On both of the surfaces of card 300 there are rectangular protrusions 304 whose thickness (h) is about 0.8 mm. The protrusions 304 contain IC's. Fig. 8 represents card 400 that is even thicker than card 300. Its thickness H is about 10.5 mm. On its smaller surface, there is a rectangular protrusion 402 similar to protrusions on card 300 whose thickness is about 6.4 mm. The protrusion 402 also contains IC's. The contacts of card 400 are arranged in rows like those of cards 200 and 300, and they match contacts 32 located in the lower section of cavity 28 of edge connector 1. All of the cards, 200, 300 and 400, have the same width (54 mm) and length (86 mm). The hatched areas in Figs. 9-11 represent the cards 200, 300 and 400 inserted in cavities 28 of connector 1. In Fig. 9, the cards 200 are inserted in their respective cavities 28. The upward or downward movement of cards 200 are prevented by lugs 64 made in upper and lower walls of frames 2. In Fig. 10, cards with a thickness of 5 mm are inserted in the cavities 28. Protrusions 304 fit into empty space of cavities 28. Cards 200 may be used with cards 300 in the same connector. In Fig. 11, partition 14 is removed, and the thickest card 400 (thick card) is inserted. Due to removal of partition 28, two cavities 28 are combined in one larger cavity 29 which can accommodate card 400. In such a case, contacts of card 400 (not shown in the Figure) form electrical connection with contacts 32 located at the lower portion of cavity 28 of connector 1. Fig. 12 depicts connector 70 according to another embodiment of this invention. In this case, fasteners 10 and 12, as well as partition 14 have been removed. Upper and lower frames 2 are identical and are assembled together. Operating sticks 18 are placed on both sides of the main body 76. Since the operating sticks 18 are located at the left and right sides of the cavities 29, they are easy to operate. The connectors made according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments discussed above, but may also comprise various modifications. For example, the arrangement of the contacts on the base board can be changed in such a manner that thin cards are in the same plane or face each other. Contacts can also be located on the outer surface of the frame. As described above, the connectors made according to this invention are suitable both for thin and thick cards, due to the fact that the partition between cavities can be easily removed or reinstalled. Since it is possible to use the same connector with cards of different types, the installation of individual connectors for each type of cards can be avoided, thus saving the space occupied by connectors and reducing its cost. The connectors are especially effective in saving space in personal computers of the notebook type. These connectors are very flexible from the standpoint of use in multiple application environment.

Claims: A card edge connector (1) for electrical connection to memory cards, the connector (1) comprising a main body (16) having a main cavity therein with electrical contacts and an operating stick (18) on a side of the main body (16); characterized in that the main cavity is defined by frames (2) mounted one on top of the other and having sides with turned-in ends, an operating stick (18) being mounted on a respective side of each frame (2), ejecting devices being provided on respective frames (2) for ejecting one of a pair of memory cards from the main body (16), and fasteners (10,12,48) being removably mounted on the frames (2) for maintaining the frames (2) in position to define said main cavity and for mounting the frames (2) to a surface. A connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the frames are stamped sheet metal frames. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized by tabs (20) cut out from the frames (2), for mounting the operating sticks (18) on the frames (2). A connector as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the operating sticks (18) are mounted along opposite sides of the main body (16). A connector as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by a removable partition (14) mounted between the turned-in ends of said sides, thereby dividing the main cavity into two cavities. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that front removable fasteners (10) of the frames (2) have flat shoulders (42) and stiffening ribs (40) fitted into depressions (44) in the sides of the frames (2). A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that rear removable fasteners (48) of the frames (2) are L-shaped, including a main section (50) having at its edges, bent-in tabs (54) which fit into slits (52) in the main body (16), the main section (50) having a protrusion (56) which fits between the frames (2).

Inventors: FUJIURA YOSHITSUGU, YAMADA SHOJI, FUJIURA, YOSHITSUGU, YAMADA, SHOJI
Applicants: WHITAKER CORP, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H01R23
IPC codes: H01R12, G06K17, G06K19, G06K7, H05K7, H01R13