Abstract:
An assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug, including a chassis for inserting an electrical connector plug therein, two slideable grooved latches mounted on two opposite side surfaces of the chassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force, two springs fastened to respective ones of the two slideable latches, mounted on the two opposite side surfaces of the chassis, a bar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug, mounted on the bar and including a plurality of contact pins for electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) when the connector plug is pushed into the receptacle, the two slideable latches are pushed away from respective ones of the two springs, causing the two springs to stretch and to exert tensions thereon, and (ii) when the connector plug is pushed a second time, the two slideable latches are released, causing the connector plug to be partially ejected from the receptacle.

Description:
PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/060,522, entitled PUSH-TO-INSERT, PUSH-TO-EJECT AND PULL-TO-EXTRACT CARD CONNECTOR, filed on Jun. 11, 2008 by inventors Eyal Bychkov, Yaniv Maydar, Noam Bernstein and Itay Cohen. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the present invention is connectors for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The feats of miniaturization are astounding. Given Imaging, Ltd. of Yoqneam, Israel, manufactures a miniature 11 mm×26 mm video camera that fits inside a pill that is swallowed by a patient. SanDisk Corporation of Milpitas, Calif., manufactures a 16 GB MicroSDHC card having physical dimensions 15 mm×11 mm×0.7 mm, which is the size of a fingernail. Western Digital Corporation of Lake Forest, Calif. now manufactures a 320 GB portable hard drive having physical dimensions 126 mm×79 mm×15 mm, which is the size of a passport, and weighs 180 g. Three of these passport drives together contain almost a terabyte of data, weigh slightly over half a kilogram, and can be held in the palm of one&#39;s hand. 
     Many difficult challenges are encountered when attempting to miniaturize devices, relating to electronic circuitry, power management, heat generation, mechanical structures, and more. Conventional electronic and mechanical components generally require specific amounts of space, and thus limit the ability to miniaturize. As such, miniaturization often involves developing new components and new designs. Reductions in size by as little as 1 mm are often breakthrough achievements in miniaturization. 
     As miniature electronic devices are often attached to larger devices, they require suitable connector plugs for connecting them to the larger devices. To make electrical connection, a connector plug is engaged with metal contact pins housed in a receptacle for the connector. Conventional receptacles have insert and eject mechanisms, for inserting a connector plug into a receptacle and for extracting the connector plug from the receptacle, respectively. However, the insert/eject mechanisms impose limitations on miniaturization, which is one of the challenges that must be overcome in order to reduce sizes of electronic devices. 
     One type of conventional receptacle, used for SD cards and memory sticks, uses as a “push-to-insert and push-to-eject” mechanism. An example of such a receptacle is the Pitch ExpressCard® Ejector, manufactured and distributed by Molex Incorporated of Lisle, Ill. For insertion, a user pushes the card/memory stick into a host device until it locks into its receptacle, and for extraction, the user again pushes the card/memory stick into the host device until the lock is released and the card/memory stick pops out. Such receptacles require that the card/memory stick has slack length to span movement of the card/memory stick beyond the locked position. Additionally, in order to enable sufficient force to fully extract the connector plugs from the contact pins of the receptacles, such receptacles generally have a flat pad structure to minimize the friction, resulting in the pad being exposed on the surface of the host device. 
     It would thus be of advantage to have connectors and receptacles that do not require conventional insert/eject mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to miniaturization of connector plugs for electronic devices. When attempts are made to reduce electronic devices to miniature sizes, the small available space makes it impossible or impractical to use many of the conventional mechanical structures. Thus challenges arise in finding alternative structures that require less space. 
     Embodiments of the present invention address the challenge of designing connector plugs, used for attaching one electronic device to another. Conventional receptacles use insert and eject mechanisms that require slack space for pushing a connector plug into a receptacle beyond its locked position, and thus impose limitations on how small a connector plug may be. 
     Embodiments of the present invention overcome the need for slack length on a connector plug by introducing a movable receptacle for the connector plug. Whereas conventional receptacles are rigidly fixed to their chassis, the movable receptacle slides, or “floats” in its chassis. The movable receptacle has mechanical parts including a locking system, a flexible PCB, and a retractable mechanism. The movable receptacle is designed so as to have two stationary positions. After the receptacle is pushed for inserting a connector plug therein, the receptacle locks into a first stationary position. After the receptacle is pushed to extract the connector plug therefrom, the receptacle rests in a second stationary position. The connector plug is still attached to and in electrical contact with the receptacle when the receptacle is in the rest position; however, the device housing the connector plug protrudes sufficiently so that a person can grasp the device and pull it out, thereby disengaging the connector plug from the pins of the receptacle. Such a “push-to-insert, push-to-eject and pull-to-extract” mechanism enables use of shorter connector plugs, by avoiding the need for slack space on the connector plug side, and requiring slack space only for movement of the receptacle. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are of advantage to a wide variety of devices, including inter alia miniature devices, such as small memory cards and small communication cards, that are attached to larger devices, such as computers, cameras, cell phones and game stations. One embodiment of the present invention applies to a miniature wireless communicator that attaches to a container device that provides a user interface therefore. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug, including a chassis for inserting an electrical connector plug therein, two slideable grooved latches mounted on two opposite sides of the chassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force, two springs fastened to respective ones of the two slideable latches, mounted on the two opposite sides of the chassis, a bar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug, mounted on the bar and including a plurality of contact pins for electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) the two slideable latches are pushed away from respective ones of the two springs, causing the two springs to stretch and to exert tensions thereon, when the connector plug is pushed into the receptacle, and (ii) the two slideable latches are pulled towards respective ones of the springs, when the connector plug is extracted from the receptacle. 
     There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug, including a chassis for sliding an electrical connector plug therein, two slideable latches mounted on two opposite sides of the chassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force, a bar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug mounted on the bar, including a plurality of contact pins for making electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) the slideable guides advance along the two opposite surfaces of the chassis when the connector plug is pushed into the chassis for insertion into the receptacle, and (ii) the slideable guides advance and then retract along the two opposite sides of the chassis when the connector plug is pushed into the chassis for extraction from the receptacle. 
     There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a system including a device including an electrical connector plug, and a container for the device including a housing with a cavity for inserting the device therein, two movable latches mounted in the housing, that move relative to the housing under applied force, a bar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug, mounted on the bar, including a plurality of contact pins for making electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) the slideable latches advance to allow the device to sit fully within the cavity when the device is pushed into the container for insertion of the connector plug into the receptacle, and (ii) the slideable latches advance and retract such that the device extends out of the cavity and may be pulled for release from the receptacle when the device is pushed into the housing for extraction of the connector plug from the receptacle. 
     There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug, including a chassis, and a receptacle mounted within the chassis that moves relative to the chassis into a locked position in response to an electrical connector plug being pushed into the chassis for insertion into the receptacle, and that moves relative to the chassis into a rest position in response to the electrical connector plug being pushed into the chassis for extraction from the receptacle, wherein the rest position is different than the locked position relative to the chassis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified generic block diagram of a miniature device connected to a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a miniature wireless communicator being inserted into a jacket or host, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of a miniature wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a miniature connector plug, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of a jacket or host in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a miniature receptacle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified illustration of a device being inserted into and extracted from a container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified diagram of a grooved latch that controls movement of a slideable bar, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the slideable bar in its rest state within a chassis, prior to insertion of the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of insertion of the device into the chassis, prior to the connector plug being engaged with the receptacle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of the device pushed into the chassis, with the connector plug engaged with the receptacle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of the latch locked into place by the clip, and the slideable bar in its locked stationary position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of extraction of the device from the chassis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a sequence of illustrations of the device (i) being pushed into the chassis for insertion, then (ii) being locked into its locked stationary position, then (iii) being pushed into the chassis for extraction, then (iv) being pulled out for disengagement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the receptacle is connected to an array of wires instead of to a flex, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a miniature electrical connector plug for an electronic device, and a receptacle therefore. A miniature electrical connector plug is set into a surface of an electronic device, and a receptacle is mounted into a container chassis. Due to its small size, the miniature connector plug may not have the necessary slack length for use with a conventional push-push insert/eject mechanism, whereby the connector plug must be pushed into the chassis beyond its locked engaged position in order to fully disengage the connector plug with pins in the receptacle. 
     To overcome this limitation, embodiments of the present invention introduce a receptacle mounted on a slideable bar that has two stationary positions. The first stationary position, a locked position, is attained after the electronic device is pushed into the housing of the receptacle for insertion of the connector plug into the receptacle. The second stationary position, a rest position, is attained after the device is again pushed into the housing of the receptacle for extraction of the connector plug from the receptacle. When the bar is in the rest position the connector plug is still attached to and in electrical contact with the receptacle, but the miniature device extends outside out of the housing for the receptacle, enabling one to grasp and pull the device, and thereby free the connector plug from the receptacle. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention have widespread application to an unlimited variety of electronic devices that connect to one another; e.g., small communication cards that attach to computers, small memory cards that attach to cameras or to cell phones or game stations, and small cameras that attach to personal digital assistants (PDAs). 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified generic block diagram of a miniature device  100  connected to a container  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device  100  has a miniature connector plug  105 , and container  200  has a receptacle  205  for connector plug  105 . Device  100  may be inter alia a communication card, a memory card or a camera. Container  200  may be inter alia a computer, a camera, a cell phone, a game station or a PDA. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, receptacle  205  is mounted on a slideable bar  210  inside of container  200 , which has two stationary positions. When slideable bar  210  is in the first stationary position, a locked position, device  100  is substantially enclosed by container  200 . When slideable bar  210  is in the second stationary position, a rest position, device  100  protrudes out of container  200 . In the rest position, connector plug  105  is still engaged and in electrical contact with receptacle  205 , and a person can grasp and pull device  100  to free connector plug  105  from receptacle  205 , as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The portion of device  100  protruding out of container  200  is indicated by area BCDE in  FIG. 1 . For the embodiment of the present invention to modular wireless communicators described hereinbelow, the length BC is on the order of 8 mm, which is sufficient for grasping by a person. Mechanical structures for implementing slideable bar  210  and its chassis in container  200  are described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 9-16 . 
     In one embodiment, the present invention applies to a small modular wireless communicator that attaches to container devices. There are two general types of container devices to which the wireless communicator may be attached; namely, “jackets” and “hosts”. A jacket is a device that provides a user interface for the wireless communicator, enriches the capabilities of the wireless communicator, and is not able to operate independently when the wireless communicator is not connected thereto. A host is a device that is able to operate independently when the wireless communicator is not attached thereto, and whose capabilities are enriched by the wireless communicator when the wireless communicator is attached thereto. Generally a host does not have communication functionality independent of the wireless communicator. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 2  are a variety of wireless communicators  100   a - 100   c , including 2.5G communicators for a GSM network, 3G communicators for a GSM network, and CDMA communicators for a CDMA network. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the networks illustrated in  FIG. 2  are exemplary of a wide variety of networks and communication protocols that are supported by the wireless communicators of the present invention, such networks and communication protocols including inter alia WiFi, Bluetooth and WiMax. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2  are a variety of jackets and hosts  200   a - 200   h . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each wireless communicator  100   a - 100   c  may be attached to any of the jackets and hosts  200   a - 200   h , so as to operate in combination therewith. The wireless communicators  100   a - 100   c  are substantially of the same form factor and, as such, are able to be attached to the various jackets and hosts  200   a - 200   h.    
     Reference is made to  FIG. 3 , which is an illustration of a miniature wireless communicator  100  being inserted into a jacket or host  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Jacket or host  200  as shown in  FIG. 3  includes a hollow cavity at the top for insertion of wireless communicator  100  therein. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of wireless communicator  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator  100  is miniature; in one embodiment, its dimensions are approximately 72 mm×38 mm×8 mm. Use of the present invention achieves a reduction in length of wireless communicator  100 , on the order of 3 mm or more. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is of advantage when wireless communicator  100  is manufactured with other dimensions, as well. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , wireless communicator  100  includes miniature connector plug  105 , which attaches to receptacle  205 . Reference is made to  FIG. 5 , which is an illustration of connector plug  105 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The specific connector plug shown in  FIG. 5  includes a 24-pin proprietary connector, labeled J1, and also includes a 5-pin mini-USB connector, labeled J2. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of a jacket or host  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , jacket or host  200  includes miniature receptacle  205  for connector plug  105 . Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , which is an illustration of receptacle  205  and its contact pins, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle  205  generally engages the 24-pin connector J1 of connector plug  105 , and not the 5-pin connector J2. 
     The ensuing description refers generically to a first device  100  having a connector plug  105 , which attaches to a container  200  having a receptacle  205  for connector plug  105 . Device  100  may be, inter alia, a wireless communicator as described hereinabove, a small memory card or a small camera. Container  200  may be, inter alia, a jacket or host for the wireless communicator as described hereinabove, a computer, a cell phone, a camera, a game station or a PDA. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 8 , which is a simplified illustration of device  100  being inserted into and extracted from container  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 8  are device  100  and container  200  with a slideable bar  210  that slides forward and back within container  200 . Device  100  has a connector plug that engages with a receptacle mounted on slideable bar  210 . In order to electrically connect device  100  and container  200 , the connector plug must engage with contact pins of the receptacle. 
     Four stages are illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; namely, a first stage prior to insertion of device  100  into container  200 , a second stage during insertion of device  100  into container  200 , a third stage after insertion of device  100  into container  200 , and a fourth stage during extraction of device  100  from container  200 . In the first stage, slideable bar  210  is at rest in a retracted position. The first stage is further illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , as described hereinbelow. 
     In the second stage, slideable bar  210  is advanced far into container  200 , in response to device  100  being pushed into container  200 . The second stage is further illustrated in  FIG. 12 , as described hereinbelow. 
     In the third stage, slideable bar  210  has retracted somewhat and is locked in an advanced position. The third stage is further illustrated in  FIG. 13 , as described hereinbelow. 
     In the fourth stage, slideable bar  210  is at rest in the retracted position again, and device  100  protrudes outside of container  200 . In the fourth stage, the connector plug is still engaged with the contact pins of the receptacle. However, device  100  protrudes far enough out of container  200  such that it can be grasped and pulled out of container  200 , thereby disengaging the connector plug from the contact pins of the receptacle. The fourth stage is further illustrated in  FIG. 14 , as described hereinbelow. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are two stationary positions for slideable bar  210 ; namely, the rest position in stages one and four, and the locked position in stage three. The position in stage two is not a stationary position, and shows slideable bar  210  pushed into container  200  beyond its locked position. As soon as device  100  stops being pushed, slideable bar  210  retracts to its locked position. When slideable bar  210  is in its locked position, device  100  does not substantially protrude out of container  200 . When slideable bar  210  is in its rest position, device  100  protrudes out of container  200  such that it can be grasped and pulled. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that whereas conventional connector plugs and receptacles are rigidly fixed, slideable bar  210  provides a “floating” receptacle. A mechanical structure for enabling the floating receptacle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, includes two latches, two springs for applying tensions to the latches, two clips for locking the latches into place, and means for electrically connecting the receptacle pins to an electrical circuit while accommodating movement of the receptacle, as described hereinbelow. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 9 , which is a simplified diagram of a grooved latch  215  that controls movement of slideable bar  210 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown below in  FIGS. 10-14 , a clip is used to lock latch  215  into place, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The end of the clip extends at a right angle into the grooves of latch  215 , and catches on the contours of the grooves. When device  100  is pushed into container  200 , latch  215  is pushed accordingly, and the contours of the grooves of the latch abut against the clip, raising and lowering the end of the clip. 
     Two such latches  215  and two such clips are mounted on two opposite sides of the housing, and slideable bar  210  is mounted between the two latches. When latches  215  are pushed forward, they advance alongside of the clips. The clips remain in rigid positions, but tilt at an angle due to the raising and lowering of the ends of the clips by the contours of the grooves in latches  215 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 9  are seven locations on latch  215 , numbered  1 - 7 . These locations correspond to positions of the end of the clip when device  100  is inserted in container  200  and extracted therefrom. The first stage of  FIG. 8  corresponds to the end of the clip being located at position  1 . The second stage of  FIG. 8  occurs when device  100  is pushed into container  200  for insertion. Latch  215  is pushed accordingly so that the end of the clip is raised to position  2 , and then to position  3 . The third stage of  FIG. 8  occurs when the push force on device  100  is released, and latch  215  retracts so that the end of the clip lodges and locks at position  4 , which is a locked stationary position. The fourth stage of  FIG. 8  occurs when device  100  is pushed into container  200  for extraction. Latch  215  is pushed accordingly so that the end of the clip is lowered to position  5 . When the push force on device  100  is released, latch  215  retracts and the end of the clip moves to position  6  and then to position  7  and then up to position  1 , which is a stationary rest position. When the end of the clip rests at position  1 , device  100  protrudes out of container  200 , and can then be grasped and pulled completely out of container  200 . 
     As noted hereinabove with respect to  FIG. 8 , slideable bar  210  has two stationary positions; namely, a locked state corresponding to the end of the clip being lodged at position  4  of latch  215 , and a rest state corresponding to the end of clip  225  being at position  1  of latch  215 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 10 , which is an illustration of slideable bar  210  in its rest state within a chassis  250 , prior to insertion of device  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The chassis  250  for the wireless communicator shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is approximately 43 mm wide and 9 mm deep. 
     Chassis  250  holds two grooved latches  215 , two springs  220  and two clips  225  mounted on opposite sides. The two springs  220  attach to respective ones of latches  215 , and the two clips  225  lodge in grooves of respective ones of latches  225  to lock them into place. When device  100  is pushed into container  200 , latches  215  are pushed accordingly and move to the various positions relative to clip  225  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Receptacle  205  is attached to a flex  230 , which connects the contact pins of receptacle  205  to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is fastened to container  200 . Flex  230  accommodates movement back and forth of receptacle  205 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 11 , which is an illustration of insertion of device  100  into chassis  250 , prior to connector plug  105  being engaged with receptacle  205 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  shows device  100  being pushed into chassis  250 , along the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 10 . Latches  215  are pushed towards clips  225  accordingly. At the stage illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the ends of clips  225  are at position  1  of latches  215 , as indicated in  FIG. 9 , and connector plug  105  is not yet engaged with receptacle  205 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 12 , which is an illustration of device  100  pushed into chassis  250  with connector plug  105  engaged with receptacle  205 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As device  100  is pushed, latch  215  moves so that clip  225  is at position  2  and then at position  3 , as indicated in  FIG. 9 . Whereas clip  225  is horizontally aligned with chassis  250  in  FIG. 11 , clip  225  is inclined at an angle in  FIG. 12 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 13 , which is an illustration of latch  215  locked into place by clip  225 , and slideable bar  210  in its locked stationary position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When the pushing force on device  100  is released, latch  215  retracts under tension of spring  220 , and the end of clip  225  lodges into a groove of latch  215 , locking it into place. The end of clip  225  is at position  4  of latch  215 , as indicated in  FIG. 9 , and is inclined at an angle. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 14 , which is an illustration of extraction of device  100  from chassis  250 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device  100  is pushed into chassis  250  so that latch  215  moves and the end of clip  225  is released from its lodged position in the groove of latch  215 . The end of clip  225  is then at position  5  of latch  215 . When the pushing force on device  100  is released, latch  215  retracts under tension of spring  220 , and the end of clip  225  moves to position  6  and then to position  7  of the latch. Connector plug  105  is still engaged and in electrical contact with receptacle  205 , but device  100  protrudes out of chassis  250 , making it possible to grasp and pull on device  100  and thereby disengage connector plug  105  from receptacle  205 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 15 , which is a sequence of illustrations of device  100  (i) being pushed into chassis  250  for insertion, then (ii) being locked into its locked stationary position, then (iii) being pushed into chassis  250  for extraction, then (iv) being pulled out for disengagement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 16 , which is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein receptacle  205  is connected to an array of wires  240  instead of to flex  230 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As receptacle  205  advances and retracts, it slides forward and back along wires  240  all the while maintaining electrical contact between the pins of receptacles  205  and the PCB of container  200 . 
     It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the “push-to-insert, push-to-eject and pull-to-extract” embodiment of the present invention offers many advantages. It yields reduction in length of device  100 . It allows for continued operation of devices  100  and  200  during ejection, since connector plug  105  is still engaged with receptacle  205  during the “push-to-eject” movement. It also provides an early warning that the user is removing device  100  from device  200 , prior to the “pull-to-extract” movement. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.