Abstract:
A connector comprises a housing, a lever and a lock portion. The housing receives terminals. The lever is rotatably attached to the housing, and is configured to be rotatable between a first position, where an initial stage of fitting of the connector to a counterpart connector is established, and a second position, where the fitting thereof to the counterpart connector is completed. The lock portion is capable of locking the lever at the second position. The lock portion is slidably attached to a body portion of the lever, and is configured to be slid between a lock position where the lever is locked and a lock release position where the lever is released. The lever is provided with a positioning latch-portion that is configured to latch the lock portion at the lock position and the lock release position. The positioning latch-portion is provided with a concaved latch-portion and a convexed latch-portion that is configured to be elastically displaced to be engaged in or disengaged from the concaved latch-portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The Present Invention relates generally to a card edge connector, and, more particularly, to a card edge connector in which a plurality of contact portions are formed on opposed terminals, thereby preventing the contact portions from being damaged or contaminated by foreign substances on the tip of the card. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Hitherto, a card edge connector has been used as a direct type connector of the type in which a card edge that is a tip of a board such as a printed circuit board, namely, a card, is directly inserted as a plug part to accomplish fitting (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) 09-148009). 
         [0005]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B and  12 C are cross-sectional views of a conventional card edge connector.  FIG. 12A  illustrates a connector main body in a state thereof prior to insertion of a board therein.  FIGS. 12B and 12C  illustrate a state where a terminal of the connector is in contact with the board, respectively. 
         [0006]    As shown in  FIG. 12A , the card edge connector has a housing  811  made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and a plurality of terminals  851  made of a conductive material such as a metal and held by the housing  811 . Each of tail portions  852  of the terminal  851  protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the housing  811 . The tail portion  852  is inserted into a through hole in a motherboard (not shown) and is soldered thereto. 
         [0007]    The housing  811  includes a rectangular long groove-like recess part  813  opened at an upper surface thereof. An edge portion  911  of a board or a card  901  is inserted into the recess part  813 . The housing  811  also includes a plurality of slits  814  arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the recess part  813 . The portions close to the tips of the paired terminals  851  are arranged to oppose to each other inside the slit  814 . Two bent convex parts, that is, a contact portion  854   a  and a wiping portion  854   b  arranged to protrude in the direction toward the center of the housing  811  are formed on the portion close to the tip of each terminal  851 . 
         [0008]    When the edge portion  911  of the card  901  is inserted into the recess part  813  of the housing  811 , the wiping portion  854   b  of the terminal  851  rubs against a pad  951  formed on the surface of the card  901  while being pressed against the same prior to the contact portion  854   a  as shown in  FIG. 12B . This removes, as shown in  FIG. 12C , foreign substances  991  attached to the surface of the pad  951 , such as dust, dirt and an oxide film by way of the wiping effect by the wiping portion  854   b,  thereby causing the contact portion  854   a  to come into contact with the center portion of the pad  951 . This ensures that the terminal  851  and the pad  951  are electrically connected with each other without intervention of any foreign substance  991  between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951 . 
         [0009]    Nevertheless, with the conventional card edge connector, the contact portion  854   a  of the terminal  851 , together with the wiping portion  854   b,  rubs against the tip of the edge portion  911  while being pressed against the same when the edge portion  911  of the card  901  is inserted into the recess part  813  of the housing  811 . As a result, the surface of the contact portion  854   a  may be abraded or glass fibers or the like may attach to the surface of the contact portion  854   a,  thus degrading the contact between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951  and electrically isolating the terminal  851  from the pad  951 . 
         [0010]    As shown in  FIGS. 12B and 12C , in general, chamfered portions, each being a tilted surface is formed at a tip of the edge portion  911  of the card  901  so that the tip will be smoothly inserted into the recess part  813  of the housing  811 . Glass fibers or the like as the parent material of the card  901  are exposed on the chamfered portions. When the contact portion  854   a  rubs against the corresponding chamfered portion of the edge portion  911  while being pressed against the same, a conductive plating film formed on the surface of the contact portion  854   a  is abraded or foreign substances such as glass fibers adhere to the surface of the contact portion  854   a  and are interposed between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951 . This degrades the contact between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951 . 
         [0011]    The foreign substances such as glass fibers also attach to the surface of the wiping portion  854   b.  When the wiping portion  854   b  rubs against the pad  951  while being pressed against the same, foreign substances such as glass fibers attach to the surface of the pad  951  to contaminate the surface of the pad  951  and come to be interposed between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951 . This may result in degrading the contact between the contact portion  854   a  and the pad  951 . 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems encountered by the conventional card edge connector through provision of a reliable card edge connector in which a plurality of contact portions are formed on opposed terminals, and one of the contact portions that is disposed closer to a fitting end of a connector main body comes into contact with a tip of a card being inserted and only the other of the contact portions come into contact with the connecting electrodes of the card, thereby preventing the connecting electrodes and the other contact portion or portions from being contaminated by foreign substances on the tip of the card and preventing the other contact portion or portions from being damaged, maintaining a good contacting state between the other contact portions and the connecting electrodes, and ensuring electric connection between the terminals and the connecting electrodes while offering high durability. 
         [0013]    In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a card edge connector comprising a connector main body configured to be fitted with a card provided with connecting electrodes and terminals loaded in the connector main body, each being configured to include a plurality of contact portions capable of coming into contact with the card, wherein respective of the contact portions are arranged to form rows opposed to each other, and wherein, when the contact portions out of the plurality of contact portions which are disposed closer to a fitting end of the connector main body with the card are in contact with a tip portion of the card, the other contact portions are not in contact with the same tip portion, and when the other contact portions are in contact with the connecting electrodes of the card, the contact portions disposed closer to the fitting end is not in contact with the same connecting electrodes. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the card edge connector is provided, wherein the plurality of contact portions of each of the terminals are arranged in a front-and-rear direction of the connector main body, and wherein in comparison with an amount of protrusion of the contact portion which is disposed to the fitting end of the main connector main body with the card, that of protrusion of the other contact portion is configured to be larger. 
         [0015]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the card edge connector is provided, wherein the terminal comprises a main body secured to the connector main body, a cantilever-like arm part configured to extend obliquely from one end of the main body, and the plurality of contact portions formed in a free end part of the arm part. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the card edge connector is provided, wherein each of the plurality of contact portions comprises a part of a swelling portion formed at a bent portion, which is bent so as to protrude toward a center of the connector main body in a thickness direction thereof and is formed at the free end part of the arm part. 
         [0017]    In accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the card edge connector is provided, wherein at least a surface of the other contact portion out of the plurality of contact portions us formed therein with a film having a good conductivity. 
         [0018]    In accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the card edge connector is provided, wherein the plurality of contact portions comprises a first contact portion and a second contact portion. 
         [0019]    In accordance with the present invention, the card edge connector is configured so that a plurality of contact portions are formed in opposing terminals and only the contact portions disposed closer to a fitting end of a connector main body come into contact with the tip of a card and only the other contact portions come into contact with the connecting electrodes of the card. This prevents the connecting electrodes and the other contact portions from being contaminated by foreign substances on the tip of the card and also prevents the other contact portions from being damaged, maintains a good connection state between the other contact portions and the connecting electrodes, and ensures electric connection between the terminals and the connecting electrodes while offering a high durability of the card edge connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]    The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a state before fitting of a card edge connector with a card and a counterpart connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a state after fitting of the card edge connector with the card and the counterpart connector, according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of a card edge connector, illustrating a state before fitting of the card edge connector with the card and the counterpart connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the card edge connector, illustrating a state after fitting of the card edge connector with the card and the counterpart connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4C  is a rear view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4D  is a side view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of an important part of a terminal of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 7A to 7D  are cross-sectional views illustrating a sequence of movements for fitting the card edge connector with the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a first view illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a second view illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a third view illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a fourth view illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional card edge connector, illustrating a state of a connector main body before a board is inserted; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 12B and 12C  are cross-sectional views of the conventional card edge connector, illustrating a state where one of terminals is in contact with the board. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    While the Present Invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the discussion herein is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Invention, and is not intended to limit the Present Invention merely to that as illustrated. Further, in the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Invention, are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly. 
         [0040]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a card edge connector in the state thereof before being fitted with a card and a counterpart connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the card edge connector in the state thereof after being fitted with the card and the counterpart connector, according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sectional views illustrating the card edge connector in the state thereof before and after being fitted with the card and the counterpart connector, respectively, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    In the drawing figures, a connector as a card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is generally represented by reference numeral  1  and is provided with one end thereof (a left end in  FIG. 3 ) to which a card  101  as a board is fitted and the other end thereof (a right end in  FIG. 3 ) to which a counterpart connector  201  is fitted. 
         [0042]    The card  101  may be a printed circuit board used in an electronic device such as a computer, or an electric appliance such as a home electronics product, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), or a flat cable called an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) or the like, a memory card, or of any other type. In this example, the card  101  is assumed to be comprised of a printed circuit board throughout the description. 
         [0043]    A plurality of connecting electrodes  151  having a flat plate shape, respectively, and arranged at a predetermined pitch along a tip edge  111   a  are exposed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the card  101 . The respective connecting electrodes  151  are electrically connected to a conductive trace (not shown) of the card  101 . A film having a good conductivity made of a substance having a good conductivity such as gold may be formed by way of plating or the like on the surface of the connecting electrodes  151 , as required. While four connecting electrodes  151  are arranged on each surface of the card  101  in the illustrated example, it is possible to arbitrarily set the number and the pitch of the connecting electrodes  151 . In each of portions adjacent to the tip edge  111   a  on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the card  101  is formed a tapered surface  111   b  inclining rearward. A portion comprised of the tip edge  111   a  and the tapered surfaces  111   b  on both sides is called a tip portion  111  of the card  101 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the tip portion  111  has a cross section converging toward the tip thereof which allows smooth insertion into the connector  1 . 
         [0044]    The counterpart connector  201  is a connector to which the end of each of conductors  251  such as a coaxial cable is connected. The conductor  251  connected is not necessarily a coaxial cable but a flat cable such as an FPC or FFC. While eight conductors  251  are used in the illustrated example, the number of the conductors  251  may be arbitrarily set as required. 
         [0045]    In this embodiment, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of each part of the connector  1 , the card  101 , the counterpart connector  201  and other members are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when each part of the connector  1 , the card  101 , the counterpart connector  201  and other members is in the position shown in the figures. If the position of the connector  1 , the card  101 , the counterpart connector  201  and other members changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed according to the change of the connector  1 , the card  101 , the counterpart connector  201  and other members in the position. 
         [0046]    The connector  1  includes a housing  11  as a connector main body integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and a plurality of terminals  51  formed of a conductive metal and loaded in the housing  11 . The housing  11  is a member in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped body and includes a front recess part  12  formed to be opened at a fitting end to the card  101 , that is, at the end face of a front end (the left end in  FIG. 3 )  11   a  and a rear recess part  22  formed to be opened at a fitting end to the counterpart connector  201 , that is, at the end face of a rear end (the right end in  FIG. 3 )  11   b . The rear end  11   b  includes a collar-shaped flange part  21  integrally connected thereto. 
         [0047]    A slit-shaped card-accommodating groove part  13  opened toward the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  and configured to extend in the direction of width of the housing  11  is arranged inside the front recess part  12 . A plurality of terminal-accommodating groove parts  14  opened in the upper and lower faces of the card-accommodating groove part  13  is also arranged inside the front recess part  12 . Four of the terminal-accommodating groove parts  14  are arranged on each of the upper and lower faces of the card-accommodating groove part  13  side by side in the direction of width of the housing  11 . One terminal  51  is accommodated and loaded in each of the terminal-accommodating groove parts  14  in the example shown in  FIG. 1 . Each terminal-accommodating groove part  14  extends in a front-and-rear direction of the housing  11  (a horizontal direction in  FIG. 3 ). When the card  101  is inserted and fitted into the card-accommodating groove part  13 , the terminal  51  in each terminal-accommodating groove part  14  is configured to come into contact with the corresponding connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 . The number and pitch of the terminal-accommodating groove part  14  may be changed as appropriate to match the number and pitch of the connecting electrodes  151 . The terminals  51  need not always be loaded in every terminal-accommodating groove part  14 . Some of the terminals  51  may be omitted as appropriate to match the array of the connecting electrodes  151  of the card  101 . 
         [0048]    A preload imparting portion  15  configured to extend in the direction of width of the housing  11  is arranged on each of the upper and lower sides of the front end of the card-accommodating groove part  13  in the front recess part  12 . The preload imparting portion  15  is formed to cross the front end of each terminal-accommodating groove part  14 . In a state where the card  101  is not inserted in the card-accommodating groove part  13 , a tip portion  55  of the terminal  51  accommodated in each terminal-accommodating groove part  14  is engaged with the preload imparting portion  15 . This imparts a preload to the terminal  51 . The spacing between the upper and lower preload imparting portions  15  is set larger than the vertical dimension of the card  101 , namely, a thickness dimension thereof. 
         [0049]    Furthermore, a plate-shaped terminal supporting plate part  23  configured to extend in the direction of width of the housing  11  is arranged inside the rear recess part  22 . A tail contact portion  52   a  as a counterpart connector contact portion of each terminal  51  is arranged on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal supporting plate part  23 . Each tail contact portion  52   a  extends in the front-and-rear direction of the housing  11 . When the counterpart connector  201  is inserted into the rear recess part  22 , each tail contact portion  52   a  comes into contact with a corresponding counterpart terminal  254  of the counterpart connector  201 . 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the counterpart connector  201  has a counterpart housing  211  integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and a plurality of counterpart terminals  254  made of a conductive metal and loaded in the counterpart housing  211 . The counterpart housing  211  is a member in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped body and includes an integrally connected collar-shaped counterpart flange part  214  and a fitting convex part  212  configured to extend frontward (leftward in  FIG. 3 ) from the counterpart flange part  214  and inserted into the rear recess part  22  of the connector  1 . 
         [0051]    A fitting recess part  213  formed to be opened at the end face of the fitting end to the connector  1 , namely, at the end face of the front end (the left end in  FIG. 3 ) is formed at the fitting convex part  212 . A conductor insertion opening  215  opened at the end face of the end opposite to the fitting end, that is, at the end face of the front end (the right end in  FIG. 3 ) is formed on the counterpart housing  211 . The tip of each conductor  251  is accommodated in the conductor insertion opening  215 . A conductor terminal  253  is connected to the tip of each of the conductors  251 . The conductor terminals  253  are connected to the corresponding counterpart terminals  254 . The counterpart terminals  254  are arranged along the inner surface of each of the upper and lower sides of the fitting recess part  213 . This electrically connects each conductor  251  to each of the counterpart terminals  254  arranged in the fitting recess part  213 . Furthermore, a counterpart contact portion  254   a  of the counterpart terminal  254  protrudes inwardly than each of the upper and lower inner side surfaces of the fitting recess part  213 . 
         [0052]    When the connector  1  is fitted to the counterpart connector  201 , the fitting convex part  212  of the counterpart connector  201  is inserted into the rear recess part  22  of the connector  1  and the terminal supporting plate part  23  is inserted into the fitting recess part  213  of the fitting convex part  212 . This causes each of the tail contact portions  52   a  arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal supporting plate part  23  to come into contact with the counterpart contact portion  254   a  of the corresponding counterpart terminal  254  arranged along each of the upper and lower inner side surfaces of the fitting recess part  213 . In this case, the terminal supporting plate part  23  is inserted between the counterpart contact portions  254   a  on both sides, which increases a spacing between the counterpart contact portions  254   a  on both sides and causes the counterpart terminals  254  to be elastically deformed thereby producing an elastic urging force which presses the counterpart contact portion  254   a  against the tail contact portion  52   a.  This reliably maintains the electrical connection between the terminal  51  and the counterpart terminal  254 . The counterpart contact portions  254   a  on both sides sandwich the terminal supporting plate part  23 , so that the fitting between the connector  1  and the counterpart connector  201  is reliably maintained. 
         [0053]    The terminal  51  has a main body  53  configured to extend linearly in the front-and-rear direction of the housing  11  and fixedly disposed inside the terminal-accommodating groove part  14 , a tail portion  52  configured to extend rearward from the rear end of the main body  53 , and an arm part  56  configured to extend frontward from the front end of the main body  53 . The tail portion  52  includes a tail connecting part  52   b  bent substantially orthogonal to the main body  53  and a tail contact portion  52   a  configured to be bent substantially orthogonal to the tail connecting part  52   b  and configured to extend rearward in parallel with the main body  53 . As described above, the tail contact portions  52   a  are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal supporting plate part  23  and come into contact with the corresponding counterpart terminals  254  of the counterpart connector  201 . 
         [0054]    The arm part  56  is a cantilever-like elastic plate member configured to extend obliquely frontward and is inclined toward the center of the housing  11  in a thickness direction from the front end of the main body  53 . A bent portion  54  as a contact portion bent so as to protrude toward the center of the housing  11  in its thickness direction and a tip portion  55  configured to extend frontward from the front end of the bent portion  54  are formed in a free end, namely, the front end of the arm part  56 . The tip portion  55  is engaged with the preload imparting portion  15 . 
         [0055]    Assuming that no preload imparting portion  15  exists, in a state where the card  101  is not inserted in the card-accommodating groove part  13 , the front end of the arm part  56  would be in a position closer to the center of the thickness direction of the housing  11  than the position shown in  FIG. 3A . To the contrary, when the tip portion  55  is engaged with the preload imparting portion  15 , the arm part  56  is elastically deformed so that the front end thereof is displaced vertically, or in other words, the arm part  56  is placed in a state where a predetermined pressure, namely, a preload is imparted thereto. 
         [0056]    In a state where the card  101  is not inserted in the card-accommodating groove part  13 , that is, in the initial state, the spacing between the upper and lower bent portions  54  opposing to each other is set smaller than the thickness dimension of the card  101 . The card  101  inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13  advances between the upper and lower bent portions  54  opposing to each other, which increases the spacing between the bent portions  54  and causes the arm part  56  to be elastically deformed. The resulting urging force presses each of the bent portions  54  against the corresponding connecting electrode  151  on the upper or lower surface of the card  101 . This reliably maintains the electrical connection between the terminal  51  and the connecting electrode  151 . The upper and lower bent portions  54  sandwich therebetween the card  101  so that the fitting between the connector  1  and the card  101  is reliably maintained. The contact state between the bent portion  54  and the connecting electrode  151  will be later described in detail. 
         [0057]    Next, the construction and arrangement of the connector  1  will be described in detail hereinbelow. 
         [0058]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a top view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4C  is a rear view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4D  is a side view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of an important part of a terminal of the card edge connector, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , four of the terminal-accommodating groove parts  14  are arranged side by side in a direction of width of the housing  11  on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the card-accommodating groove part  13 . Thus, the terminals  51  accommodated and loaded in the terminal-accommodating groove parts  14  are also arranged side by side in the direction of width of the housing  11  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0060]    A locking projection  53   a  is formed on each of the edges of the main body  53  of the terminal  51 . The locking projection  53   a  is engaged into each of the inner wall walls on both sides of each terminal-accommodating groove part  14  to fix the main body  53  in the terminal-accommodating groove part  14 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bent portion  54  formed by bending the front end of the arm part  56  as a plate member has a bulge-like swelling portion  54   a  formed therein further swelling in an outer direction of the bent surface. The portion of the terminal  51  loaded in the housing  11  and configured to protrude furthest toward the center of the housing  11  in its thickness direction is the swelling portion  54   a.  Thus, the swelling portion  54   a  comes into contact with the card  101  inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13 . 
         [0062]    When observed more microscopically, as shown in  FIG. 6 , two apex portions, namely, a first apex portion  54   b  and a second apex portion  54   c  are formed side by side on the swelling portion  54   a  in the front-and-rear direction of the housing  11 . When the terminals  51  are loaded so as to be arranged up and down while opposing vertically to each other within the housing  11 , the first apex portions  54   b  and the second apex portions  54   c  are arranged so as to form rows that oppose to each other. In  FIG. 6 , only one of the paired terminals  51  arranged vertically while opposing to each other is shown and the other is not shown. The first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  are the portions protruding furthest toward the center of the housing  11  in its thickness direction on the swelling portion  54   a  of the terminal  51  loaded in the housing  11 . Thus, the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  come into contact with the card  101  inserted in the card-accommodating groove part  13  and respectively function as a first contact portion and second contact portion of the terminal  51 . 
         [0063]    The second apex portion  54   c  protrudes further toward the center of the housing  11  in its thickness direction than the first apex portion  54   b.  In other words, the amount of protrusion of the second apex portion  54   c  is larger than that of the first apex portion  54   b  although the first apex portion  54   b  is positioned closer to the tip portion  55  than the second apex portion  54   c.  Thus, only the first apex portion  54   b  comes into contact with a tip portion  111  of the card  101  inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13  and the second apex portion  54   c  does not. When the first apex portion  54   b  comes into contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 , the second apex portion  54   c  comes into contact with a local portion of the tip portion  111 . When the card  101  is inserted further, only the second apex portion  54   c  comes into contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101  and the first apex portion  54   b  does not. While the difference between the protrusion amount of the first apex portion  54   b  and that of the second apex portion  54   c  is, for example, 0.15 [mm], an arbitrary value may be set as required. A film having a good conductivity made of a substance having a good conductivity such as gold may be formed by way of plating or the like on the surface of the swelling portion  54   a  or at least on the surface of the second apex portion  54   c,  as required. 
         [0064]    Next, a description of the movement of fitting the connector  1  to the card  101  will be provided below. The movement of fitting the connector  1  to the counterpart connector  201  will not be described herein. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 7A to 7D  are cross-sectional views illustrating a sequence of movement of fitting the card edge connector with the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a first figure illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card, according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a second figure illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a third figure illustrating a positional relationship between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a fourth figure illustrating a positional relation between the terminal of the card edge connector and the card according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 8 to 11  illustrate only one of the arm portions of the paired terminals arranged vertically while opposed to each other and do not illustrate the other. 
         [0066]    The operator relatively moves a card  101  with respect to the connector  1  and inserts the tip portion  111  of the card  101  into the front recess part  12  opened at the end face of the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  as shown in  FIG. 7A . When the operator further moves the card  101  toward the rear of the connector  1 , the tip portion  111  of the card  101  moves between the upper and lower preload imparting portions  15  arranged at the front end of the card-accommodating groove part  13  and is inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13 . In this case, the tip portion  111  has a cross section converging toward the tip thereof, and the spacing between the upper and lower preload imparting portions  15  is set larger than the thickness dimension of the card  101 , so that the tip portion  111  of the card  101  is smoothly inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13 . 
         [0067]    When the operator further moves the card  101  toward the rear of the connector  1 , the tip portion  111  of the card  101  advances between the bent portions  54  of the upper and lower terminals  51  and abuts against the bent portions  54  as shown in  FIG. 7B . In this case, the tip portion  55  of the terminal  51  is engaged with the preload imparting portion  15  so that the spacing between the bent portions  54  of the upper and lower terminals  51  is somewhat increased thus causing the tip portion  111  of the card  101  to be smoothly inserted between the bent portions  54  of the upper and lower terminals  51 . 
         [0068]    When this state is observed microscopically, only the first apex portion  54   b  at the bent portion  54  is in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101  and the second apex portion  54   c  is not in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101  as shown in  FIG. 8 . This is because the first apex portion  54   b  is positioned closer to the tip portion  55  than the second apex portion  54   c.    
         [0069]    Next, when the operator further moves the card  101  toward the rear of the connector  1 , the tip portion  111  of the card  101  further advances between the upper and lower bent portions  54  opposing to each other as shown in  FIG. 7C . This increases the spacing between the bent portions  54  and causes the arm part  56  to be elastically deformed. That is, the upper and lower bent portions  54  opposing to each other are elastically deformed in a direction distant away from the center of the housing  11  in its thickness direction. This moves the tip portion  55  of the terminal  51  to be separated apart from the preload imparting portion  15 . 
         [0070]    When this state is observed microscopically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the first apex portion  54   b  relatively slides rearward along the tapered surface  111   b  inclined, thus causing the bent portion  54  to be displaced downward in  FIG. 9 . The second apex portion  54   c  does not come into contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101  in the meantime. This is because the first apex portion  54   b  is positioned closer to the tip portion  55  than the second apex portion  54   c  and the difference between the amount of protrusion of the first apex portion  54   b  and that of the second apex portion  54   c  is not so great. By adjusting the difference between the amount of protrusion of the first apex portion  54   b  and that of the second apex portion  54   c,  it is possible to make an arrangement so that only the first apex portion  54   b  will come into contact with the tapered surface  111   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  will not come into contact with the tapered surface  111   b  even in case the inclination angle of the tapered surface  111   b  has changed with the type of the card  101 . 
         [0071]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the first apex portion  54   b  relatively slides rearward along the surface of the connecting electrode  151 , the second apex portion  54   c  comes into contact with only a local portion of the tapered surface  111   b  of the tip portion  111 , that is, a portion of the tapered surface  111   b  on the side of the connecting electrode  151 . 
         [0072]    In this way, while only the first apex portion  54   b  is in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , the second apex portion  54   c  does not come into contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 . Thus, it is possible to prevent foreign substance, if any on the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , from attaching to the second apex portion  54   c.  For example, even in case glass fibers or the like as a parent material of the card  101  are exposed on the tapered surface  111   b,  the glass fibers or the like may attach to the first apex portion  54   b  sliding along the tapered surface  111   b  but may scarcely attach to the second apex portion  54   c.  The second apex portion  54   c  scarcely slides along the tapered surface  111   b  as a coarse surface where glass fibers or the like are exposed so that the surface of the second apex portion  54   c  is free from damage application. For example, a plating film having a good conductivity coated on the second apex portion  54   c  does not peel off. Even in case any foreign substance has attached to the first apex portion  54   b,  the surface of the second apex portion  54   c  is neither contaminated with such foreign substance nor damaged, which maintains a clean and good conductivity state. 
         [0073]    Next, when the operator further moves the card  101  toward the rear of the connector  1 , a portion of a predetermine length from the tip edge  111   a  of the card  101  is inserted into the card-accommodating groove part  13 , and the fitting between the connector  1  and the card  101  is completed as shown in  FIG. 7D . Each of the bent portions  54  of the upper and lower terminals  51  comes into contact with a corresponding connecting electrode  151  on the upper or lower surface of the card  101 . In this case, the card  101  advances between the upper and lower bent portions  54  opposing to each other, which increases the spacing between the bent portions  54  and causes the arm part  56  to be elastically deformed. The resulting elastically urging force presses each of the bent portions  54  against the corresponding connecting electrode  151 . This reliably maintains the electrical connection between the terminal  51  and the connecting electrode  151 . The upper and lower bent portions  54  sandwich therebetween the card  101 , so that the fitting between the connector  1  and the card  101  is reliably maintained. 
         [0074]    When this state is observed microscopically, only the second apex portion  54   c  of the bent portion  54  is in contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101  and the first apex portion  54   b  is not in contact with the connecting electrode  151 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . More specifically, the first apex portion  54   b  slides along the surface of the connecting electrode  151  while only a microscopic portion of the tapered surface  111   b  of the second apex portion  54   c  slides along the same. After that, when the second apex portion  54   c  comes into contact with the connecting electrode  151 , the first apex portion  54   b  moves away from the connecting electrode  151 . This is because the amount of protrusion of the second apex portion  54   c  is larger than that of the first apex portion  54   b.    
         [0075]    In this way, only the clean second apex portion  54   c  comes into contact with the connecting electrode  151  and the first apex portion  54   b  which may carry any foreign substance thereon scarcely comes into contact with the connecting electrode  151 , thus preventing foreign substance from attaching to the connecting electrode  151 . The first apex portion  54   b  which may carry foreign substance thereon scarcely rubs against the surface of the connecting electrode  151 . Therefore, any application of damage to the surface of the connecting electrode  151  can be avoided. For example, a plating film having a good conductivity coated on the surface of the second apex portion  54   c  does not peel off. This eliminates the probability of foreign substances being interposed between the second apex portion  54   c  and the connecting electrode  151  and prevents the surfaces of the second apex portion  54   c  and the connecting electrode  151  from being damaged, thereby maintaining a clean and good conductivity state. This provides an excellent contact between the second apex portion  54   c  and the connecting electrode  151  and maintains an excellent electric connection therebetween. 
         [0076]    Only the second apex portion  54   c  out of the two apex portions is in contact with the connecting electrode  151 , thus generating no vibration, which reliably maintains the contact between the second apex portion  54   c  and the connecting electrode  151 . Assuming that both of the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  are in contact with the connecting electrode  151 , the urging force is dispersed into two sections since the swelling portion  54   a  where the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  are formed and the bent portion  54  are formed of an elastic plate member. Thus, the urging force per section is reduced and the resulting vibrations are likely to occur between the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c.  Upon such vibrations, neither the first apex portion  54   b  nor the second apex portion  54   c  maintains contact with the connecting electrode  151 , thus causing poor contact. 
         [0077]    While two apex portions are formed on the swelling portion  54   a  in this embodiment, three or more apex portions may be formed. Any number of apex portions greater than one may be formed. 
         [0078]    It is now assumed that three apex portions are formed. While one apex portion closest to the fitting end of the housing  11  to the card  101 , namely, the front end  11   a  is in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , the other two apex portions are not in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , and while the two other apex portions are in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , the apex portion closest to the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  is not in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 . An arrangement may also be made so that, while two apex portions closer to the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  are in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , the other one apex portion is not in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101  and while the other one apex portion is in contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 , the other two apex portions closer to the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  are not in contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 . 
         [0079]    In this way, according to this embodiment, a connector  1  has a housing  11  which is fitted with a card  101  including a connecting electrode  151  on each of both surfaces thereof and terminals  51 , each including a plurality of apex portions in contact with both surfaces of the card  101 , that is, a first apex portion  54   b  and a second apex portion  54   c.  The first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  are arranged to form rows opposing to each other. The spacing between the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  on both sides is initially smaller than the thickness of the card  101 . While the contact portion closer to the front end  11   a  of the housing  11  out of the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c,  that is, the first apex portion  54   b  is in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , only the first apex portion  54   b  is in contact. While the other contact portion, that is, the second apex portion  54   c  is in contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 , only the second apex portion  54   c  is in contact with the connecting electrode  151 . 
         [0080]    This prevents the connecting electrode  151  and the second apex portion  54   c  from being contaminated with foreign substance on the tip portion  111  of the card  101  and the second apex portion  54   c  from being damaged. This ensures an excellent contact between the second apex portion  54   c  and the connecting electrode  151  and an electric connection between the terminal  51  and the connecting electrode  151 . 
         [0081]    The first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  of each terminal  51  are arranged side by side in the front-and rear direction of the housing  11  and the amount of protrusion of the second apex portion  54   c  is larger than that of the first apex portion  54   b.  Thus, while the first apex portion  54   b  is in contact with the tip portion  111  of the card  101 , only the first apex portion  54   b  is in contact and the second apex portion  54   c  is not contact with the same. While only the second apex portion  54   c  is in contact with the connecting electrode  151  of the card  101 , the first apex portion  54   b  is not in contact with the same. 
         [0082]    The terminal  51  has a main body  53  secured to the housing  11 , a cantilever-like arm part  56  obliquely extending from one end of the main body  53 , and a first apex portion  54   b  and a second apex portion  54   c  formed in a free end of the arm part  56 . 
         [0083]    An urging force generated by the arm part  56  presses the second apex portion  54   c  against the corresponding connecting electrode  151 , thus reliably maintaining an electric connection between the terminal  51  and the connecting electrode  151 . Both second apex portions  54   c  sandwich therebetween the card  101 , thus reliably maintaining the fitting between the connector  1  and the card  101 . 
         [0084]    While the terminals  51  are arranged opposing to each other on the upper and lower sides of the housing  11  in the foregoing embodiment, the terminals  51  may be arranged only on the upper or lower side. The above-mentioned advantage is also obtained by providing the first apex portion  54   b  and the second apex portion  54   c  of the bent portion  54  of the terminal  51 . 
         [0085]    While a preferred embodiment of the Present Invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.