Abstract:
A data card drawer for installing a data card, such as a compact flash card, into a device that uses data cards. Devices that use data cards include, for example, medical devices, and more particularly defibrillators. The data card drawer electrically isolates the data card from the user when the user is installing or removing the data card from the device. The data card drawer may also be formed to provide a closure to the opening in the device housing provided to receive the data card. Further, the data card drawer may be formed to prevent damaging pins located on a pin connector within the receiving device which communicate data with the data card. The data card drawer preferably mates with the device to prevent ingress and egress of foreign matter and moisture.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/510,483, filed Feb. 23, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,117. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a data card drawer used to install a data card, such as a compact flash card, into a device that uses data cards. The data card drawer electrically isolates the data card from the user when the user is installing or removing the data card from the device. Further, the data card drawer prevents transfer of electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) from the user to the device. The data card drawer may also be formed to provide a closure to the opening in the device housing provided to receive the data card. Further, the data card drawer may be formed to prevent damaging pins located on a pin connector within the receiving device which communicate data with the data card. The data card drawer preferably mates with the device to prevent ingress and egress of foreign matter and moisture. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many electronic devices today use data cards, such as compact flash cards, (referred to as “cards”) for data storage. In order to maximize data storage capability, cards are typically manufactured using a predominantly metal housing. The vast majority of cards having a two metal sides separated by a three-sided plastic frame. The internal circuitry resides within the housing formed by the metal sides and plastic frame. The remaining face of the card is filled with a 50-position pin connector (in a socket arrangement). The receiving device has a 50-pin connector. The 50-position pin connector of the card mates with a 50-pin connector in the receiving device in a pin-socket arrangement. Once mated, data exchange is possible between the card and the receiving device. An example of a compact flash card used for data is the Compact 2000 Flash Disk by M-Systems or any other standard compact flash card. 
     When installing the card, the user typically grasps the card directly by the card housing and inserts the card into a data slot on the receiving device. Receiving devices are any devices that are configured to receive data from or store data on a card. 
     One such receiving device that utilizes cards is the Hewlett-Packard 620LX palmtop. The 620LX uses cards for data storage. A data card drawer is used to install and remove the data card from the 620LX. However, the data card drawer does not provide a user-device isolation function since, although the front of the drawer is hard plastic, the drawer body is metal. The use model of the 620LX is such that user isolation from the card during the installation and removal is not essential. Therefore, using a data card drawer with a metal body does not present a risk to the user from handling the card during installation and removal. 
     Survivalink uses a compact flash card in its defibrillator. Electrical isolation of the card from the user is enabled by manufacturing the data card with an all-plastic housing. The absence of any external metal allows the user to grasp the card directly without compromising user isolation. There are several drawbacks to this solution. First, all-plastic housings are supplied in very small quantities and by very few vendors. Further, because the all plastic housing is thicker, there is less usable space for data inside the card. This limits the card design to single-sided circuit boards and, hence, provides less memory. This design also requires the use of a special off-center connector in the card because of the single-sided circuit board. Because of these constraints, all-plastic cards are difficult to procure and significantly more expensive than the standard metal-sided variety with the added detraction of providing less memory. 
     Electrical isolation of the user from the device can be extremely important in some use models, such as when the card is used in a medical device, particularly where high voltages are present, or when there is a risk of damaging the device due to ESD transfer from the user to the device. Additionally, the ability to prevent damage to the installed card under mechanical impact. Finally, the ability to install the card in such a way as to prevent ingress of environmental residue is also important. What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus that electrically isolates the user from the device while the card is being installed such that a user is prevented from being simultaneously in electrical contact with the card while installing the card into a device. Further what is needed is an apparatus that prevents damage to the flash card connector mechanism when the installed card is subjected to mechanical force. Finally what is needed is an apparatus that installs the card into the receiving device while providing a mechanism to prevent ingress of environmental residue into the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A data card holder for installing a data card into a receiving device comprising: a housing having an interior portion formed from a bottom wall, a front wall and two side walls; a keying detent located on at least one side wall of the housing wherein the detent protrudes into the interior of the housing; and a handle formed on the front wall of the housing wherein the handle is formed on a face of the front wall that is exterior to the interior of the housing. In this data card holder, the interior portion of the housing further has a flange attached to the front wall and parallel to the bottom wall of the housing. The bottom wall of the housing may further have a cut-out portion. The front wall of the housing may further comprise a second keying detent. Along the front wall of the housing the data card holder may further comprise a safety rib along the front wall protruding into the interior of the housing. The front wall of the housing may also have a sealing rib around its perimeter. 
     In another embodiment, a data card holder for installing a data card into a receiving device comprising: a housing having an interior portion formed from a bottom wall, a front wall and two side walls; a safety rib located on the front wall of the housing wherein the safety rib protrudes into the interior of the housing; and a handle formed on the front wall of the housing wherein the handle is formed on a face of the front wall that is exterior to the housing. The interior portion of the housing may further have a flange attached to the front wall and parallel to the bottom wall of the housing. Again, the bottom wall of the housing may further have a cut-out portion. In this embodiment, the data card holder may also have at least one side wall of the housing further comprises at least one detent. Optionally, the front wall of the housing has a sealing rib around its perimeter. 
     A method of isolating a user from a device when installing a data card is also contemplated. The method comprises: installing a data card having a metal housing in a data card holder formed of a non-conductive material; and installing the data card holder into a receiving device. The installing step of the method may also comprise: installing the data card into the data card holder so that notches on either side of the data card mate with a detent located on at least one side of the data card drawer. 
     It is also contemplated that this invention includes a method for preventing damage to a pin-connector in a receiving device when installing a data card drawer. This method comprises: installing a data card in a data card holder so that the data card fits snugly against a front wall portion of the data card holder; and installing the data card holder into a receiving device so that a detent located on the front wall portion of the data card holder abuts against a portion of the receiving device to prevent further entry. 
     Another method contemplated, includes the ability to install a data card into a high energy device. The steps of the method comprise: installing a data card having a metal housing in a data card holder formed of a non-conductive material; and installing the data card holder into the high energy device, wherein the user is electrically isolated from the high energy device while installing the data card holder into the device. 
     A further method of isolating a device from electrostatic discharge when installing a data card is also included. This method comprises: installing a data card having a metal housing in a data card holder formed of a non-conductive material; and installing the data card holder into a receiving device. Additionally, the installing step may further comprise: installing the data card into the data card holder so that notches on either side of the data card mate with a detent located on at least one side of the data card drawer. 
     Yet another method is contemplated. Specifically, the method of sealing an opening in a device for receiving a data card from ingress or egress of environmental material. The steps of this method comprise: installing a data card in a data card holder having a face; and installing the data card holder into a receiving device such that a rib on a perimeter of the face of the data card holder sealingly mates with the device for receiving the data card. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is a top perspective view of a data card drawer illustrating the elastomeric sealing feature and the tongue handle located on the front portion of the drawer. FIG. 1 b  is a top perspective view of the data card drawer indicating the transverse sections of FIGS. 4-9. 
     FIG. 2 is bottom perspective view of the data card drawer. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a top perspective view of the data card drawer with the compact flash card installed shown in the receiving device. Cut away lines are provided showing the bottom portions of the data card drawer and the mating of the keying detents within the notches in the data card. FIG. 3 b  is a top perspective view of the compact flash card installed in the data card drawer. 
     FIG. 4 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  4 — 4  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  5 — 5  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  6 — 6  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  7 — 7  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  8 — 8  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 9 is a transverse-sectional view along the lines  9 — 9  shown in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment show, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     FIG. 1 a  is a top perspective view of the data card drawer assembly  100 . The main housing portion of the drawer  102  has a bottom  104 , a right side  106 , a left side  108  and a front side  110 . The main portion of the housing  102  is formed from a rigid plastic material such as a polycarbonate. Other suitable materials would be apparent to one of skill in the art. Suitable materials would have, for example, a modulus of elasticity in the range of 250,000 to 400,000 psi, most preferably 350,000 psi. 
     The bottom  104  portion of the housing has a cut-away section  112  to enable the user to grasp the card when it is installed. In this embodiment, the cut-away section  112  is essentially rectangularly dimensioned. Two ridges  114 ,  114 ′ are located on the rectangular portions of the bottom section that flank the cut-away section  112 . The two ridges  114 ,  114 ′ are provided to orient the installed card  200  (shown in FIG. 2) in a way that enables the card  200  to mate securely with a pin connector located within the housing of the receiving device (shown in FIG.  3 ). A flange  116  is provided along the top to secure the installed data card within the data card drawer  100 . 
     A pair of keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ are provided on the right  106  and left  108  side of the main portion of the housing. The keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ provide two functions. First, the keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ keep the data card  200  within the data card drawer  100  during installation and removal of the data card from the receiving device. Keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ are formed to fit within a notch located on either side of the card. Further keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ act as a key feature because the detents prevent the data card from being installed into the data card drawer  100  incorrectly (e.g. in an upside-down orientation). As will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art, the number and orientation of the keying detents can be changed as appropriate for the design of the card. Such an alteration is within the scope of the invention. 
     The front side of the housing has two openings  118 ,  118 ′ which are used to facillitate mating with a front panel section. 
     As shown, a front panel section  130  is formed to mate integrally with the main housing portion of the drawer  102 . In this embodiment, the front panel section  130  is formed from a non-conductive elastomeric substance. Suitable elastomeric substances, include, for example, Pellethane ® (manufactured by Dow-DuPont) having an elasticity between 70 and 90 durometers on the Shore A scale. Alternatively, the front panel section  130  may be formed integrally with the main housing portion of the drawer  102 . Where the front panel section is formed integrally with the main housing portion of the drawer  102 , either an elastomeric substance could be used or the front panel could be formed from the same material as the main housing portion of the drawer  102 . However, in the event that the front panel is manufactured from the same material as the main housing, the ability to form a suitable seal may be compromised. 
     The front panel portion has a main facing section  140  with two safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ formed as part of the front panel section  130  that extend through the openings  118 ,  118 ′ of the front section of the main portion of the housing (shown in more detail in the cross-section view of FIG.  7 ). The safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ provide a flexible surface for the card to engage when the card is being installed in the receiving device  300 . Further the top portion of the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ mate against a portion of the receiving device interior such as the printed circuit board housed within the receiving device. Thus, if the device were dropped on the surface containing the data card drawer, the mechanical impact would not force the data card drawer  100  into the housing. This results because the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ abut a portion of the receiving device interior thus preventing the card drawer from further entry into the device interior. By preventing the data card drawer  100  from being forced into the receiving device opening, the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ reduce the likelihood that the pin-connector located within the receiving device will be damaged. As will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art, the number and orientation of the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     A sealing rib  134  is formed along the front panel section  130 . The sealing rib  134  enables the front panel to seal the front portion of the front panel section  130  to the receiving device  300 . Thus, when the data card drawer  100  is installed, and the seal is formed, ingress of environmental materials is prevented. A tongue or handle  136  is further provided in the front panel section  130 . The tongue  136  provides the user with a convenient way to install and remove the data card drawer assembly  100  from the receiving device. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1 a , the front panel section  130  is formed at an angle with the main housing portion  102 . This orientation is employed in this example to enable the perimeter edges of the data card drawer assembly  100  to match the profile of the housing of the receiving device when installed. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, this off-set orientation is not necessary to practice the invention and is provided as an illustration only of a particular embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the data card drawer described in connection with FIG. 1 a . A ridge  140  and channel  142  is provided in the bottom surface of the main housing portion  102  adjacent to cut-away section  112  to enable the data card drawer assembly to latch upon installation in the receiving device. An advantage of this feature is that it provides tactile feedback to the user that the installation of the data card assembly  100  is complete. 
     FIG. 3 a  illustrates a data card drawer assembly  100  with a data card  200  installed and the assembly installed in a receiving device  300 . FIG. 3 b  illustrates the data card  200  installed in the data card drawer assembly  100 . As evidenced from the cut away lines shown in FIG. 3 b , the keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ mate with the notch  202  located on either side of the data card  200 . Further the face of the front portion of the data card assembly is oriented to mate with the face of the receiving device. The sealing rib  134  provides a sealing mechanism with the housing of the receiving device  300 . 
     FIGS. 4,  5  and  6  illustrate cross-sectional views of the data card drawer assembly along the lines  4 — 4 ,  5 — 5  and  6 — 6 , respectively, shown in FIG. 1 b . The cross-section shown in FIG. 4 cuts across the bottom  104  of the main housing portion of the drawer  102  and the front panel section  130 . As illustrated by the cross-hatching of the two sections, the bottom section  104  and the front panel section  130  are formed integrally from different materials. As will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art, this dual material configuration is not required to practice the invention. In the background is the right side  106  of the main housing portion of the drawer  102  with one of the keying detents  120 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the data card along the lines  5 — 5 . The cross-section at  5 — 5  cuts across a shortened portion of the bottom  104  of the main housing portion of the drawer  102  and the flange  116 . As will be apparent, the shortened portion of the bottom  104  is a result of cut-away section  112  shown in FIG. 1 b . With respect to the main facing section  130 , the cross-section cuts through the face  138 , the ridge  140 , and the handle  136 . 
     The cross-section shown in FIG. 6 taken along the lines  6 — 6  cuts through the bottom  104  of the main housing portion of the drawer  102 . Importantly, the cross-section cuts through at the location where the safety rib  132 ′ protrudes through the opening  118  in the front side  110  of the main housing portion  102 . 
     FIGS. 7,  8  and  9  illustrate cross-sectional views of the data card drawer along the lines,  7 — 7 ,  8 — 8  and  9 — 9 , respectively, also shown in FIG. 1 b . Lines  7 — 7 ,  8 — 8  and  9 — 9  are taken perpendicular to the views shown in FIGS. 4-6. 
     The cross-section at  7 — 7  shown in FIG. 7 cuts through the bottom portion that partially defines the cut-out portion  112  shown in FIG. 1 b . The cross-section at  8 — 8  shown in FIG. 8 cuts through the entire main housing portion of the drawer  102 , including the right side  106 , the left side  108  and the bottom  104 . Turning to the cross-section at  9 — 9  shown in FIG. 9, the cross-section again cuts through the entire main housing portion of the drawer  102  as well as the flange  116 . 
     Turning now to the use of the data card drawer  100 , a card  200  is inserted into the drawer assembly  100 . In inserting the card  200 , the card  200  is inserted at an angle such that the top face of the card is located below the flange  116  of the data card drawer and the bottom face of the card contacts the keying detents  120 ,  120 ′. In this orientation, the card  200  slides into the data card drawer  100  until the back portion of the card  200  meets with the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ located at the front of the data card drawer. At that point, the notches  202  located on the side of the card are aligned with the keying detents  132 ,  132 ′ and the card  200  is snapped into place within the data card drawer assembly  100 . If the card  200  had been inserted in an upside-down or backward orientation, the card  200  would not snap into its final position since the notches  202 ,  202 ′ and the keying detents  120 ,  120 ′ would not align in such a way as to enable final positioning of the card  200 . 
     Once the card  200  is completely installed in the drawer assembly  100 , the data card drawer assembly  100  is then installed into the receiving device  300  such that the card  200  mates with the pin-connector within the receiving device  300 . In installing the data card drawer assembly  100 , the assembly is pushed into the receptacle for receiving the data card drawer until the safety ribs  132 ,  132 ′ abut a portion of the device that prevents further insertion. At this same point, a snug mating is confirmed tactilely to the user when the notch  140  and channel  142  on the underside of the data card drawer  100  clicks into place within the device. The rib  134  of the data card drawer assembly  100  seals with housing of the receiving device  100  to prevent ingress of environmental materials. 
     It should be noted that a data card need not be installed in the data card drawer in order to effectively insert the data card drawer and effectuate a proper seal. 
     To remove the data card drawer assembly  100 , including the card, the user pulls on the tongue  136  located on the face  140  of the data card drawer assembly  100 . Pulling on the tongue  136  disengages the card  200  from the pin-connector within the device  300  and breaks the seal formed at the rib  134  between the data card drawer assembly  100  and the face of the device  300 .