Patent Publication Number: US-2011059656-A1

Title: Electrical connector and terminal structure thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector having terminals formed by way of pressing in a material-saving manner. 
     2. Related Art 
     Terminals of an electrical connector are usually manufactured by pressing a metal sheet, and the pressed terminals are separately arranged and connected to a material tape according to a terminal gap of the electrical connector. Thus, the whole row of terminals may be assembled in a plastic base of the electrical connector at a time. 
     The whole row of continuously arranged terminals is formed by pressing a metal sheet, wherein the spaced region between two neighboring terminals is formed by removing a portion of the metal sheet. So, this portion becomes a waste product. Thus, the waste product has to be reduced if the cost of pressing the terminals has to be decreased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector having terminals formed by way of pressing, wherein extensions of two rows of terminals may be seamlessly oppositely connected together and then pressed, so that the material and the manufacturing cost may be reduced. 
     The invention achieves the above-identified object by providing an electrical connector including a plastic base and at least one row of terminals. The plastic base has at least one row of terminal slots. The at least one row of terminals is disposed in the at least one row of terminal slots of the plastic base. Each of the terminals has, from one end to the other end, an extension, a fixing portion and a pin portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the terminal slot. The extension is in surface contact with the terminal slot and has a connection point. The pin portion extends out of the plastic base. The at least one row of terminals is one of two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two of the terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. The oppositely torn and cut portion of the one terminal is seamlessly connected to the oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals when one of the terminals of the one row of terminals is reversely and oppositely connected to the two neighboring terminals. The oppositely torn and cut portions of the at least one row of terminals are the extensions. 
     According to the above-mentioned structure, the extensions of two rows of terminals may be seamlessly oppositely connected together and then pressed, so that the material and the manufacturing cost may be reduced. 
     Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorially exploded view showing a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorially assembled view showing the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view showing the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematic illustrations showing manufacturing processes of pressing terminals of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration showing cut surfaces of extensions of two rows of terminals according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration showing the cut surfaces of the extensions when one terminal of the first row of terminals is oppositely and reversely connected between two terminals according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration showing the cut surfaces of the extensions when one terminal of the first row of terminals is normally and reversely connected between two terminals according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a pictorially assembled view showing a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a pictorially assembled view showing a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view showing the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration showing manufacturing processes of pressing terminals according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration showing manufacturing processes of pressing terminals according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a pictorially exploded view showing a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration showing manufacturing processes of pressing terminals according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a pictorially exploded view showing a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a pictorial view showing a terminal according to the sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side view showing the sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic illustration showing manufacturing processes of pressing the terminals according to the sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a pictorially exploded view showing a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view showing the seventh embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  are pictorial views showing manufacturing processes of pressing terminals according to the seventh embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a display port connector of this embodiment includes a plastic base  30 , two rows of terminals  20  and a metal housing  60 . 
     The plastic base  30  has a tongue  31  and two rows of terminal slots  32 . The tongue  31  extends and projects frontward and has two sides formed with projections  31 P extending downward. The two rows of terminal slots  32  respectively extend to two surfaces of the tongue  31  and are staggered in the top-to-bottom direction. 
     The two rows of terminals  20  are disposed in the two rows of terminal slots  32  of the plastic base  30 . There is one row of ten terminals separately connected to a material tape  10 . The one row of terminals  20  is assembled into the one row of terminal slots  32 , and then the material tape  10  is broken for separation. The terminal  20  has, from front to rear, an extension  22 , a fixing portion  23  and a pin portion  24 . The middle of the rear end of the fixing portion  23  is connected to the pin portion  24 . Two sides of the rear end of the fixing portion  23  are connected to the material tape  10 , and the connection portions therebetween are formed with cutting marks  25  for facilitating the breaking. The width of the fixing portion  23  is greater than the width of the extension  22  and the width of the pin portion  24 . The fixing portion  23  is engaged with the terminal slot  32 . The extension  22  is in surface contact with the terminal slot  32  and has a front end formed with a connection point  21 . The pin portion  24  extends out of the bottom end of the plastic base  30 . The extensions  22  of the two rows of terminals  20  are in surface contact with the tow surfaces of the tongue  31  and are staggered in the top-to-bottom direction. 
     The metal housing  60  covers the plastic base  30  and has a front section formed with a connection slot  34 . The connection slot  34  has a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is narrower than the top end, and one side of the connection slot  34  is formed with an inclined edge  62 . The tongue  31  is disposed in the connection slot  34 . 
     Each of the two rows of terminals  20  is one of the two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. When one terminal of the one row of terminals  20  is reversely and oppositely connected between two neighboring terminals, the oppositely torn and cut portion of the terminal  20  is seamlessly connected to the two oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals  20 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the two rows of terminals  20  are the extensions  22 , and the gap A between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals is equal to a width B of the extension  22 . 
     According to the above-mentioned structure, the terminals may be manufactured by way of pressing, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The two rows of separately and oppositely arranged and connected terminals may be formed by pressing a metal sheet. Because the gap A between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals  20  is equal to the width B of the extension  22 , the extension  22  of each terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  is seamlessly oppositely connected between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals  20  of the second row of terminals  2 . Thus, the metal sheet is firstly cut into the first and second rows of terminals  1  and  2 , which are then separated, and then the pin portions  24  are formed by bending. 
     The manufacturing method of the electrical connector of the invention includes the following steps. 
     First, a plastic base  30  is provided. The plastic base  30  has a tongue  31  and two rows of terminal slots  32 . The tongue  31  extends and projects frontward and has two sides formed with downward projections  31 P. The two rows of terminal slots  32  respectively extend to two surfaces of the tongue  31  and are staggered in the top-to-bottom direction. 
     Next, two rows of terminals  20  are disposed in the two rows of terminal slots  32  of the plastic base  30 . Each row of terminals  20  has ten separate terminals connected to a material tape  10 . The one row of terminals  20  is assembled in the one row of terminal slots  32  and then separated from the material tape  10  by way of breaking. The terminal  20  has, form the front end to the rear end, an extension  22 , a fixing portion  23  and a pin portion  24 . The middle of the rear end of the fixing portion  23  is connected to the pin portion  24 . Two sides of the rear end of the fixing portion  23  are connected to the material tape  10 , and the connection portions therebetween are formed with cutting marks  25  for facilitating the breaking. The width of the fixing portion  23  is greater than the width of the extension  22  and the width of the pin portion  24 . The fixing portion  23  is engaged with the terminal slot  32 . The extension  22  is in surface contact with the terminal slot  32  and has a front end formed with a connection point  21 . The pin portion  24  extends out of the bottom end of the plastic base  30 . The extensions  22  of the two rows of terminals  20  are in surface contact with the two surfaces of the tongue  31  and are staggered in the top-to-bottom direction. 
     Each of the two rows of terminals  20  is one of the two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. When one terminal of the one row of terminals  20  is reversely and oppositely connected between two neighboring terminals, the oppositely torn and cut portion of the terminal  20  is seamlessly connected to the two oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals  20 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the two rows of terminals  20  are the extensions  22 , and the gap A between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals is equal to a width B of the extension  22 . 
     Then, a metal housing  60  is provided. The metal housing  60  covers the plastic base  30  and has a front section formed with a connection slot  34 . The connection slot  34  has a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is narrower than the top end, and one side of the connection slot  34  is formed with an inclined edge  62 . The tongue  31  is disposed in the connection slot  34 . 
     In the manufacturing of the terminals, when the two rows of terminals oppositely connected together are formed by way of pressing, the extensions of the two rows of terminals are seamlessly connected together, and the ratio of the length of the extension  22  to the length of the overall terminal is relatively large. The material can be significantly saved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the metal sheet of the invention is oppositely torn and pressed, the width s of the upper mold  31 M of the mold is inevitably smaller than the width b of the punched hole  33  of the lower mold  32 M. The extension of the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  and the extension of the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2  are seamlessly oppositely torn. So, the cut surface of the extension of the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  after pressing has an upper section formed with a smooth surface  36 , and a lower section formed with a burr  37 . However, the cut surface of the extension of the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2  has a lower section formed with a smooth surface  36 , and an upper section formed with a burr  37 . When the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  and the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2  are combined together, the burr  37  of the cut surface of the extension is combined with the smooth surface  36  of the cut surface of the extension so that the sealed connection can be formed. 
     Thus, the upper width of the extension of the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  after pressing and the lower width of the extension of the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2  are equal to b, while the lower width of the extension of the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  and the upper width of the extension of the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2  are equal to s, wherein b is slightly greater than s. That is, when the terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  is placed upside down, the cut surface of the extension thereof is the same as the cut surface of the extension of the terminal  20  of the second row of terminals  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , when one terminal  20 ′ of the first row of terminals  1  is oppositely and reversely connected between two terminals, the burr  37  of the cut surface of its extension is connected to the smooth surfaces  36  of the cut surfaces of the two neighboring terminals  20 , so that the sealed connection can be formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , when one terminal  20 ′ of the first row of terminals  1  is normally and reversely connected between two terminals, the smooth surface  36  of the cut surface of the extension thereof is connected between the smooth surfaces  36  of the cut surfaces of the extensions of the two neighboring terminals  20  so that the sealed connection cannot be formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second embodiment of the invention is a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector, which is almost the same as the first embodiment except that the connection slot  34  of this embodiment has the bottom end narrower than the top end, and has two sides formed with two inclined edges  62 , and that two sides of the tongue  31  are not formed with downward projections. The two rows of terminals  20  include one row of ten terminals and one row of nine terminals. The two rows of terminals  20  have extensions  22  in surface contact with two surfaces of the tongue  31  and are staggered in the top-to-bottom direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the third embodiment of the invention is an external serial ATA (eSATA) connector, which includes a plastic base  30 , one row of terminals  20  and a metal housing  60 . 
     The plastic base  30  has a tongue  31  and one row of terminal slots  32 . The tongue  31  extends and projects frontward, and the one row of terminal slots  32  extends to the top of the tongue  31 . 
     The one row of terminals  20  is disposed in the two rows of terminal slots  32  of the plastic base  30 . Each row of seven terminals  20  is connected to a material tape  10 . After the one row of terminals  20  is assembled into the one row of terminal slots  32 , the material tape  10  is broken for separation. The terminal  20  has, form the front end to the rear end, an extension  22 , a fixing portion  23  and a pin portion  24 . The rear end of the fixing portion  23  is connected to the material tape  10  and the connection portion is formed with a cutting mark to facilitate the breaking. The width of the fixing portion  23  is greater than the width of the extension  22  and the width of the pin portion  24 . The fixing portion  23  is engaged with the terminal slot  32 . The extension  22  is in surface contact with the terminal slot  32  and has a front end formed with a connection point  21 . The pin portion  24  extends out of the bottom end of the plastic base  30 . The lengths of the extensions  22  of the terminals  20  are different, wherein three long extensions and four short extensions are formed. 
     The metal housing  60  covers the plastic base  30 . The front section of the metal housing  60  and the plastic base  30  form a connection slot  34 , in which the tongue  31  is disposed. 
     The one row of terminals  20  is one row of terminals of two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. When one terminal  20  of the one row of terminals  20  is reversely and oppositely connected between two neighboring terminals, the oppositely torn and cut portion of the terminal  20  is seamlessly connected to the two oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals  20 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the two rows of terminals  20  are the extensions  22 , and the gap A between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals is equal to a width B of the extension  22 . 
     According to the above-mentioned structure, the terminals may be manufactured, as shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein two rows of terminals may be oppositely connected together and may be formed by pressing a metal sheet. Because the gap A between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals  20  is equal to the width B of the extension  22 , the extension  22  of each terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  is seamlessly oppositely connected between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals  20  of the second row of terminals  2 . Thus, the metal sheet is firstly oppositely cut into the first and second rows of terminals  1  and  2 , which are then separated, and then the pin portions  24  are formed by way of bending. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the fourth embodiment of the invention is almost the same as the third embodiment except that the extension  22  of this embodiment is not entirely the oppositely torn and cut portion, but is partially the oppositely torn and cut portion, and partially the non-oppositely torn and cut portion. So, when the extension  22  of each terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  is oppositely connected between the extensions  22  of the two neighboring terminals  20  of the second row of terminals  2 , the partially seamless connection is formed to form the gaps  29 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the fifth embodiment of the invention is a universal serial bus (USB) connector, which includes a plastic base  30 , one row of terminals  20  and a metal housing  60 . 
     The plastic base  30  has a tongue  31  and one row of terminal slots  32 . The tongue  31  extends and projects frontward. The one row of terminal slots  32  respectively extends to the top of the tongue  31 . In addition, a rear cover  39  is further provided to cover, from bottom to top, the rear end of the plastic base  30 . 
     The one row of terminals  20  is disposed in the one row of terminal slots  32  of the plastic base  30 . Each row of four terminals  20  is connected to a material tape  10 . The one row of terminals  20  is assembled in the one row of terminal slots  32  and then separated from the material tape  10  by way of breaking. The terminal  20  has, form the front end to the rear end, an extension  22 , a fixing portion  23  and a pin portion  24 . The rear end of the fixing portion  23  is connected to the material tape  10 , and the connection portion therebetween is formed with a cutting mark  25  for facilitating the breaking. The fixing portion  23  has a barb  27  to be engaged with the terminal slot  32 . The extension  22  is in surface contact with the terminal slot  32 , and an elastic sheet  26  is prodded and pressed near the plate surface of the front end. One end of the elastic sheet  26  is connected to the extension  22 , and the other end of the elastic sheet  26  extends backward and is opened. The elastic sheet has a projecting connection point  21 , and the pin portion  24  extends out of the bottom end of the plastic base  30 . 
     The metal housing  60  covers the plastic base  30 . The front section of the metal housing  60  is formed with a connection slot  34 , in which the tongue  31  is disposed. 
     The one row of terminals  20  is one of the two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. One terminal of the one row of terminals  20  is reversely and oppositely connected between two neighboring terminals, and the oppositely torn and cut portion of the one terminal  20  is seamlessly connected to the oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals  20 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the one row of terminals  20  are the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23 , and the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23  have the equal width. The gaps A between the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals are equal to the widths B of the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23 . 
     According to the above-mentioned structure, the terminals may be formed by way of pressing, as shown in  FIG. 15 . Two rows of separately arranged and connected terminals may be formed by oppositely pressing a metal sheet. Because the gaps A of the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals  20  are equal to the widths B of the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23 , the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23  of each terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  are seamlessly oppositely connected between the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals  20  of the second row of terminals  2 . Thus, the metal sheet is oppositely cut into the first and second rows of terminals  1  and  2 , which are then separated, and then the pin portion  24  is formed by way of bending. 
     In this embodiment, the oppositely torn and cut portions are the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23 , so the oppositely torn and pressed portion of the terminal is very long, and the used material of the terminals is significantly saved. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 to 19 , the sixth embodiment of the invention is a memory card connector including a plastic base  30 , one row of terminals  20  and a metal upper cover  65 . 
     The plastic base  30  has one row of separately arranged terminal slots  32  and a connection slot  34 . The connection slot  34  can accommodate a memory card. 
     The one row of terminals  20  is disposed in the one row of terminal slots  32  of the plastic base  30 . Each row of nine separately arranged terminals  20  is connected to a material tape  10 . The one row of terminals  20  is assembled in one row of terminal slots  32 , and then the material tape  10  is broken for separation. The terminal  20  has, form the front end to the rear end, an extension  22 , a fixing portion  23  and a pin portion  24 . The rear end of the fixing portion  23  is connected to the material tape  10 , and the connection portion therebetween is formed with a cutting mark for facilitating the breaking. The fixing portion  23  has a barb  27  to be engaged with the terminal slot  32 . The extension  22  is in surface contact with the terminal slot  32  and has a front end engaged with the terminal slot  32 . An elastic sheet  26  is formed near the plate surface of the front end of the extension  22  by way of prodding and pressing. The elastic sheet  26  has one end connected to the extension  22 , and the other end extending backward and being opened. The elastic sheet has a projecting connection point  21 , and the pin portion  24  extends out of the bottom end of the plastic base  30 . 
     The metal upper cover  65  has a top surface and two side surfaces, and covers the plastic base  30 . 
     The one row of terminals  20  is one row of two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. Two terminals of the two rows of terminals respectively have two oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly and oppositely connected together. When one terminal  20  of the one row of terminals  20  is reversely and oppositely connected between two neighboring terminals, the oppositely torn and cut portion of the one terminal  20  is seamlessly connected to the oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals  20 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the one row of terminals  20  are the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23 , and the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23  have the equal width. The gaps A between the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals are equal to the widths B of the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23 . 
     According to the above-mentioned structure, the terminals may be manufactured by way of pressing, as shown in  FIG. 19 . The two rows of separately arranged and connected terminals may be formed by oppositely pressing a metal sheet. The gaps A between the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals  20  are equal to the widths B of the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23 . So, the extension  22  and the fixing portion  23  of each terminal  20  of the first row of terminals  1  are seamlessly oppositely connected between the extensions  22  and the fixing portions  23  of the two neighboring terminals  20  of the second row of terminals  2 . Thus, the metal sheet is firstly oppositely cut into the first and second rows of terminals  1  and  2 , the front end of the extension  22  of each terminal of the first row of terminals  1  is firstly connected to the material tape  10  of the second row of terminals  2 , and the front end of the extension  22  of each terminal of the second row of terminals  2  is firstly connected to the material tape  10  of the first row of terminals  1 . Thus, the first row of terminals  1  and the second row of terminals  2  may be simultaneously plated, then cut, and then separated, so that the plating process may be simplified, and the two rows of terminals may be connected together more firmly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the seventh embodiment of the invention is a smart card connector, which includes a plastic base  30 , one row of first terminals  40  and one row of second terminals  50 . 
     The plastic base  30  has a base  36 , an upper cover  37  covering the base  36 , and a connection slot  34  for accommodating a smart card. The front end of the plastic base is formed with an insert port  38  of the connection slot. One pair of switch terminals  48  and  49  is disposed near the rear end of the base  36 . When the smart card is inserted into the connection slot  34 , the one pair of the switch terminals  48  and  49  may be triggered. The middle section of the base  36  is formed with one row of terminal slots  32 , which is separately arranged and penetrates through the base  36  in a front-to-rear direction. 
     The one row of first terminals  40  is disposed on the rear sections of the one row of terminal slots  32 . Each first terminal  40  has, from front to rear, an extension  41 , a fixing portion  42  and a pin portion  43 . The extension  41  extends horizontally and is in surface contact with the bottom surface of the terminal slot  32 . The plate surface of the front section thereof is upwardly prodded and pressed to form a projecting elastic sheet  44 . The elastic sheet has a projecting connection point  45 , one end connected to the front end of the extension, and the other end projectingly extending in the direction toward the pin portion  43  and being opened. The elastic sheet  44  projects beyond the terminal slot  32  to the connection slot  34 . The fixing portion  42  is fixed in the terminal slot  32 . The pin portion  43  extends to the rear end of the plastic base  30  and extends out of the plastic base  30 . 
     The one row of second terminals  50  is disposed in the front sections of the one row of terminal slots  32  and aligned with the one row of first terminals  40  in a front-to-rear direction. Each second terminal  50  has, from one end to the other end, an extension  51 , a fixing portion  52  and a pin portion  53 . The extension  51  extends horizontally, is shorter than the extension  41  of the first terminal  40 , and is in surface contact with the bottom surface of the terminal slot  32 . The plate surface of the front section of the extension  51  is downwardly prodded and pressed to form a projecting elastic sheet  54 . The elastic sheet  54  is an elastic sheet having one end connected to the extension, and the other end projectingly extending in a direction away from the pin portion  53  and being opened. The elastic sheet  54  projects beyond the terminal slot  32  to the connection slot  34 . The fixing portion  52  is fixed in the terminal slot  32 , and the pin portion  53  extends to the front of the plastic base  30  and extends out of the plastic base  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the one row of first terminals  40  and the one row of second terminals  50  are formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a copper sheet. Each terminal has an oppositely torn and cut portion. The one row of first terminals  40  and the one row of second terminals  50  are reversely and oppositely connected together. The oppositely torn and cut portion of each terminal of the one row of first terminals  40  is seamlessly connected between the oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals of the second row of terminals  50 . The oppositely torn and cut portions of the first and second terminals  40  and  50  are the extensions. The width of the extension  41  of each of the one row of first terminals  40  is the same as the gap between the extensions  41  of the two neighboring terminals. The width of the extension  51  of each of the one row of second terminals  50  is the same as the gap between the extensions  51  of the two neighboring terminals. The extension  51  of each terminal  50  of the one row of second terminals is reversely and seamlessly connected between the extensions  41  of the two neighboring terminals of the first row of terminals  40 . The front end of the extension  41  of each first terminal  40  of the one row of first terminals is connected to the material tape  10  of the one row of second terminals  50 . The front end of the extension  51  of each second terminal  50  of the one row of second terminals is connected to the material tape  10  of the one row of first terminals  40 . Thus, the one row of first terminals  40  and the one row of second terminals  50  may be simultaneously plated, then cut and then separated, so that the plating process may become more simplified and the two rows of terminals may be connected together more firmly. 
     Because the terminal gap of the smart card connector is equal to 2.54 mm, the width of the extension of each of the two rows of the first terminals and the second terminals is equal to 1.27 mm. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , two rows of second terminals  50  with the same shape are formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a copper sheet. In this example, the extensions  51  of two rows of second terminals  50  are reversely seamlessly connected together. In addition, two rows of first terminals  40  having the same shape may also be formed by oppositely tearing and pressing one copper sheet. 
     While the invention has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications.