Abstract:
A memory card connector is provided for receiving a memory card having a plurality of conductive contacts. The connector includes an insulating housing mounting a plurality of conductive terminals. A cover has a receptacle for receiving the memory card. A pivot-detent mechanism is operatively associated between the cover and the housing and movably mounts the cover to the housing. The mechanism includes a pivot device engageable between the cover and the housing to mount the cover for pivotal movement between an open position to allow the memory card to be received on the cover and a closed position bringing the contacts of the memory card into engagement with the terminals on the housing. The mechanism includes a detent device engageable between the cover and the housing to allow the cover to slidably move from the closed position to a latched position. A portion of the pivot device provides a dual function of forming a portion of the detent device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a memory card connector. The invention is specifically directed to a memory card connector which includes a cover and an improved means for pivotally and slidably mounting the cover to the connector housing.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Memory cards are known in the art and contain intelligence in the form of a memory circuit or other electronic program. Some form of card reader reads the information or memory stored on the card. Such cards are used in many applications in today&#39;s electronic society, including video cameras, digital still cameras, smartphones, music players, ATMs, cable television decoders, toys, games, PC adapters, multi-media cards and other electronic applications. Typically, a memory card includes a contact or terminal array for connection through a card connector to a card reader system and then to external equipment. The connector readily accommodates insertion and removal of the card to provide quick access to the information and program on the card. The card connector includes terminals for yieldingly engaging the contact array of the memory card.  
         [0003]     For instance, a portable telephone is provided with a memory card capable of storing such information as a telephone number, melody information of incoming sound or the like along with subscriber identification information. The memory card can be inserted into and withdrawn from a memory card connector attached to a main body of the portable telephone. When the memory card is inserted into the card connector, the information stored on the card can be used. Therefore, even in the case of interchanging a portable telephone with a new telephone, it is not necessary for a user to write or rewrite new information on a memory card.  
         [0004]     A typical memory card connector is provided with a dielectric housing in the form of a base on which the contacts or terminals are mounted. A cover is attached to the base and is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the base. A memory card is inserted into the cover when the cover is in its open position, and the cover and memory card then can be moved relative to the base to bring the contacts on the card into engagement with the terminals on the base. An example of such a card connector is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 200048879. The card connector in that publication is designed so that the cover is not intended to be detached from the base. Therefore, if the cover is accidentally detached, all kinds of problems can be encountered to remount that cover or a new cover to the base. In addition, there are no means for confirming whether or not the memory card has been brought into a fully locked condition properly mounted on the base. The cover may be unintentionally opened due to incomplete locking. The present invention is directed to solving these various problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved memory card connector of the character described.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pivot-detent means for mounting a cover on a housing of a memory card connector.  
         [0007]     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a memory card connector is designed for receiving a memory card having a plurality of conductive contacts. The connector includes an insulating housing mounting a plurality of conductive terminals. A cover is provided with receptacle means for receiving the memory card. A pivot-detent mechanism is operatively associated between the cover and the housing and movably mounts the cover to the housing. The pivot-detent mechanism includes pivot means engageable between the cover and the housing to mount the cover for pivotal movement between an open position to allow the memory card to be received on the cover and a closed position bringing the contacts of the memory card into engagement with the terminals on the housing. The pivot-detent mechanism also include detent means engageable between the cover and the housing to allow the cover to slidably move from the closed position to a latched position. A portion of the pivot means provides a dual function of forming a portion of the detent means.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the invention, the pivot means of the pivot-detent mechanism comprises a pivot socket in one of the cover and housing for receiving a pivot projection on the other of the cover and housing. The detent means of the pivot-detent mechanism includes a detent socket separate from and independent of the pivot socket for receiving the pivot projection and defining the latched position of the cover. The pivot projection thereby performs a dual function of forming a portion of both the pivot means and the detent means.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the detent projection may be cone-shaped. In another embodiment, the detent projection may be flat, round and chamfered about the periphery thereof.  
         [0010]     According to another aspect of the invention, complementary interengaging latch means is provided between the cover and the housing and is automatically engageable when the cover slides to its latched position. As disclosed herein, the latch means is provided by a latching flange on the cover slidable under a latching flange on the housing when the cover slides to its latched position.  
         [0011]     According to a further aspect of the invention, the housing is generally flat and mounts the terminals in a generally side-by-side array. The housing includes a pair of mounting portions at opposite sides thereof. The cover is stamped and formed of conductive sheet metal material and, like the housing, is generally flat, with the receptacle means on the cover including a mouth at one end thereof for insertion of the memory card thereinto. The cover has a pair of spring arms at an opposite end thereof and juxtaposed alongside the pair of mounting portions of the housing. The pivot-detent mechanism is operatively associated between the mounting portions of the housing and the spring arms of the cover. Specifically, a pivot socket and a detent socket, as described above, are formed in each of the mounting portions of the housing. A pivot projection is stamped and formed out of each spring arm of the cover. With the cover stamped and formed of sheet metal material, the spring arms are resilient to self-bias the pivot projections thereon into the pivot sockets and the detent sockets in the mounting portions of the housing.  
         [0012]     As disclosed herein, the cover includes a cover plate spanning an area between the spring arms of the cover. A pair of side walls depend from opposite sides of the cover and define opposite sides of the card receptacle means on the cover. Latch means are provided between the side walls of the cover and opposite sides of the housing, the latch means being automatically engageable when the cover slides to its latched position. Specifically, the latch means is provided by latching flanges formed inwardly from the side walls of the cover and slidable under latching flanges at opposite sides of the housing when the cover slides to its latched position.  
         [0013]     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is fragmented perspective view of a portion of a portable telephone base having a memory card connector according to a first embodiment of the invention mounted in the telephone base;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the card connector of the first embodiment, with the cover of the connector and the memory card in the closed and latched position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a fragmented vertical section taken generally along line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cover of the connector removed from the housing;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is an end elevational view of the cover looking in the direction of arrow X in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is an end elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 6 , but of a modified version;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the cover;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a vertical section (with the memory card in elevation, taken generally along line IX-IX in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the housing of the first embodiment of the connector;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the housing as shown in  FIG. 10 , on a reduced scale, and with the cover in disassembled condition above the housing;  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 11 , with the cover just about to be assembled to the housing;  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 12 , with the cover moved to its pivoted position mounted on the housing;  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 4 , with the cover pivoted to an open, card loading position;  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 14 , with the cover being pivoted toward its closed position;  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a vertical section with the cover in somewhat the same position as  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 2 , but with the cover pivoted to its closed position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the connector in the condition of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a section through the telephone base, with a side elevational view of the connector in the condition of  FIGS. 17 and 18 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is a vertical section similar to that of  FIG. 16 , but with the connector in the condition of  FIGS. 17-19 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIGS. 2 and 17 , but with the cover shown in an intermediate state of moving from its closed position ( FIG. 17 ) to its latched position ( FIG. 2 );  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the connector, with the cover in the condition of  FIG. 21 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a card connector according to the invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the housing of the second embodiment;  
         [0039]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the connector of the second embodiment, with the cover in the closed position;  
         [0040]      FIG. 26  is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrow “X” in  FIG. 25 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 27  is a side elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 26  wherein the cover has been sidably moved to an unlatched pivotable state;  
         [0042]      FIG. 28  is a side elevational view wherein the cover has been pivoted upwardly from the position of  FIG. 27  to allow the memory card to be inserted or withdrawn from the cover;  
         [0043]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a card connector according to a third embodiment, with the cover in a closed position;  
         [0044]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the connector, with the cover in an open position;  
         [0045]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of the cover as viewed in the direction of arrow ‘Y’ in  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the housing of the third embodiment of the card connector;  
         [0047]      FIG. 33  is an enlarged perspective view of the area within the circle “Z” in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 34  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 30 , but of a modified version of the third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 35  is a vertical section through the modified version of  FIG. 34 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 36  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 35 , with the cover pivoted to its closed position;  
         [0051]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a second modified version of the third embodiment of the card connector;  
         [0052]      FIG. 38  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 33  but of the version shown in  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 39  is a vertical section taken generally along line “W-W” in  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0054]      FIG. 40  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 39 , but with the cover pivoted to its closed position; and  
         [0055]      FIG. 41  is an enlarged perspective view of the area encircled at “V” in  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0056]     Referring to the drawings in greater detail, a first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-22 . Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a memory card connector, generally designated  1 , receives a memory card  2  having a plurality of conductive contacts  2   a . Card connector  1  is shown mounted in a recess  3   a  of a base  3   b  of a portable telephone, generally designated  3 . However, it should be understood that the various embodiments and versions of the card connectors shown herein are applicable for a wide range of uses other than portable telephones, as pointed out in the “background” herein.  
         [0057]     With that understanding, card connector  1  includes two basic components, namely a housing, generally designated  4 , and a cover, generally designated  6 . The housing may be fabricated of dielectric material such as plastic or the like. The cover may be stamped and formed of sheet metal material. The cover is pivotally and slidably mounted to the housing by a pivot-detent mechanism, generally designated  8 . Memory card  2  is insertable into the cover in the direction of arrow “C” ( FIG. 1 ) and is removable from the cover in the direction of arrow “D”.  FIGS. 2-4  show memory card  2  received by cover  6 , with the cover in its closed and latched position relative to housing  4 . The cover is slidable to a latched position in the direction of arrow “F” ( FIG. 2 ) and from its latched position in the direction of arrow “G”.  
         [0058]     Before proceeding with the operation of connector  1 , reference is made to  FIGS. 5-9  wherein cover  6  is shown isolated from the housing. As stated above, the cover may be stamped and formed of sheet metal material. As shown, the cover is generally flat and includes a cover plate  6   a  and a pair of side walls  6   b  depending from opposite sides of the cover plate. Two latching flanges  6   c  are bent inwardly from the bottom edges of side walls  6   b . A pair of card guide flanges  6   d  are bent inwardly from side walls  6   b  at a card loading end  6   e  of the cover. Therefore, cover plate  6   a , side walls  6   b , and card guide flanges  6   d  define a receptacle  6   f  ( FIG. 5 ) for receiving memory card  2  in the direction of arrow VI in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0059]     Still referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , as part of the pivot-detent mechanism  8 , a pair of spring arms  10  extend from opposite sides of cover plate  6   a  of cover  6 , the spring arms forming extensions of side walls  6   b  of the cover as clearly seen in  FIGS. 5 and 8 . A conically shaped detent projection  12  is formed from a distal end  10   a  of each spring arm, with the conically shaped detent projections pointing inwardly toward each other on an imaginary pivot line  14  ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ). As will be seen hereinafter, pivot projections  12  perform a dual function of providing a pivoting means for cover  16  as well as part of the detent means for defining the sliding latched position of the cover.  FIG. 8  shows that the width “W 2 ” of cover  6 , including side walls  6   b , is wider than the width “W 1 ” between the distal ends  10   a  of spring arms  10 . This is due to the fact that the distal ends of the spring arms are bent inwardly as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 7  shows a modified version wherein card guide flanges  6   d  are bent at angles so that the flanges do not engage contact face  2   b  of memory card  2 . In essence, guide flanges  6   d  engage only corner edges of the card as seen in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 10  shows the details of housing  4 . As can be seen, the housing is generally flat and includes a main body  4   a  which has a plurality of recess  4   b  which mount a plurality of conductive terminals  16  in two rows of side-by-side arrays. Each terminal includes a tail portion  16   a  for connection, as by soldering, to an appropriate circuit trace on a printed circuit board (not shown) within recess  3   a  ( FIG. 1 ) of base  3  of the portable telephone. The terminals are generally U-shaped and form flexible contact portions  16   b  which project upwardly from the top face of main body  4   a  of the housing for engaging contacts  2   a  of the memory card.  
         [0062]     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , housing  4  has a pair of cover attaching arms  4   b  which have enlarged distal ends  4   c . A conically shaped pivot socket  18  and a conically shaped detent socket  20  are formed in the outside surface of each enlarged distal end  4   c  of each cover attaching arm  4   b . The sockets are separated by lands  22 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 10  shows that housing  4  has latching means  24  at opposite sides of main body  4   a . Specifically, the latching means include a pair of latching flanges  24   a  which, as will be seen hereinafter, engage latching flanges  6   c  of cover  6  in the latched position of the cover. Open areas  24   b  behind latching flanges  24   a  allow the cover to be lifted away from the housing to its open, loading position as will be seen hereinafter. A stop flange  24   c  defines the closed position of the cover.  
         [0064]     The assembly of cover  6  on housing  4  now will be described in relation to  FIGS. 11-13 . Cover  6  is assembled to the housing in the direction of arrow “A” in  FIG. 11 . The cover is moved until pivot projections  12  engage the tops of distal ends  4   c  of cover attaching arms  4   b  of the housing as seen in  FIG. 12 . With the pivot projections being conically shaped, as the cover is moved further in the direction of arrow “A”, the conically shaped projections will spread spring arms  10  outwardly until the pivot projections snap into pivot sockets  18  as seen in  FIG. 13 . The cover now is free to pivot relative to the cover about a pivot axis ( 14  in  FIGS. 5 and 8 ) extending between pivot projections  12  of the cover and pivot sockets  18  of the housing.  
         [0065]      FIG. 14  shows that cover  6  has been pivoted back to a position where it can rest on a corner  26  of base  3  of the portable telephone. In this position, memory card  2  can easily be inserted into cover  6  in the direction of arrow “C” and withdrawn from the cover in the direction of arrow “D”. Of course, as seen in  FIG. 15 , the memory card can be inserted into and removed from cover  6  at any position that the cover might be pivoted above housing  4 . At this point, referring back to  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIGS. 14 and 15 , memory card  2  has a leading edge  2   c  and a trailing edge  2   d  in relation to the direction of inserting the card into cover  6 . When inserting the card, contacts  2   a  ( FIG. 1 ) of the card should face aware from cover plate  6   a  ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ) so that the contacts on the cover can engage flexible contact portions  16   b  of terminals  16  mounted on the housing.  
         [0066]     Once memory card  2  is inserted into cover  6 , the cover and card are pivoted downwardly in the direction of arrow “E” ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ) until the memory card reaches its closed position as seen in  FIGS. 17-20 . In this closed position as shown, pivot projections  12  of cover  6  still are pivotally engaged within pivot sockets  18  on housing  4 . During closing, latching flanges  6   c  ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ) of the cover pass through open areas  24   b  ( FIG. 10 ) at the outsides of housing  4  until the rearwardly located latching flanges  6   c  rest on top of stop flanges  24   c  ( FIG. 10 ) to define the fully closed position of the cover.  
         [0067]     After the cover is pivoted relative to the housing to its closed position, the cover then can be slidably moved relative to the housing to a latched position. This movement is shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  where it can be seen that pivot projections  12  on the cover have moved out of pivot sockets  18  and onto lands  22  between the pivot sockets and detent sockets  20 , as the cover slides in the direction of arrows “F”. This position shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  might be considered an intermediate position, because the cover has not yet been slidably moved to its fully latched position.  
         [0068]     Further movement of the cover  6  in the direction of arrow “F” ( FIG. 21 ) causes the cover to move to its fully closed and latched position as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . In the latched position, pivot projections  12  of the cover snap into detent recesses  20  of the housing under the biasing of spring arms  10  of the cover and give an audible and tactile “clicking” sound and feel. In addition, inwardly turned latching flanges  6   c  of the cover slide under latching flanges  24   a  at the outsides of the housing as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cover now is held against sliding movement by the interengagement of the pivot projections in the detent recesses, and the cover is prevented from pivoting upwardly by the interengagement of the latching flanges on the cover and the latching flanges on the housing.  
         [0069]     In order to move the cover back to its open (card loading) position, the cover is sidably moved in the direction of arrow “G” ( FIG. 4 ) so that pivot projections  12  on the cover move back out of detent recesses  20  in the housing and snap back into pivot recesses  18 , whereupon the cover and the memory card can be pivoted upwardly to the open/card loading position described above.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 23-28  and  41  show a second embodiment of the invention. Basically, the differences between the first and second embodiments reside in the locations of the pivot recesses and the latching flanges on the housing. Therefore, like reference numerals have been applied in  FIGS. 23-28  and  41  corresponding to like components described above in relation to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-22 .  
         [0071]     More specifically, and referring first to  FIG. 10 , it can be noted that pivot recesses  18  at the outsides of housing  4  are located rearwardly of detent recesses  20 . It also should be noted in  FIG. 10  that latching flanges  24   a  sort of “open” in a rearward direction. Now, referring to the second embodiment and particularly  FIGS. 24 and 41 , it can be seen that pivot recesses  18  are located forwardly of detent recesses  20 . Detent recesses  20  are semi-conical. This reduces the length of the housing and, thereby, saves plastic material and its costs. In addition, latching flanges  24   a  “open” in a forward direction.  
         [0072]     With those understandings, the pivoting movement of cover  6  in the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment. However, the sliding movement of the cover to its latched position is reversed from that of the first embodiment. In other words, the cover in the second embodiment slides rearwardly to its fully closed and latched position.  
         [0073]     This can be seen with reference to the drawings of the second embodiment. Specifically,  FIGS. 23 and 28  show cover  6  pivoted to its open position and memory card  2  inserted into the cover in the direction of arrow “H”. The cover can be removed in the direction of arrow “I”. In this position, pivot projections  12  on the cover are in the forward pivot recesses  18  of the housing.  
         [0074]      FIG. 27  shows cover  6  and memory card  2  of the second embodiment pivoted to its closed but unlatched position. In other words, pivot projections  12  of the cover still are located in pivot recesses  18  of the housing. From this position, the cover can be slidably moved relative to the housing in the direction of arrow “J” ( FIG. 27 ).  
         [0075]      FIGS. 25 and 26  show cover  6  of the second embodiment slidably moved from the closed position of  FIG. 27  to its closed and latched position. In the latched position, pivot projections  12  move from pivot recesses  18  onto lands  22  and into detent recesses  20 . In addition, latching flanges  6   c  of the cover move under latching flanges  24   a  of the housing. This prevents the cover from any further pivotal movement. As with the first embodiment, in order to re-open the cover, the cover is slidably moved back in the direction of arrow “I” shown in  FIG. 26 , whereupon pivot projections  12  move back out of detent recesses  20  and into pivot recesses  18  while latching flanges  6   c  of the cover move out of engagement with latching flanges  24   a  of the housing.  
         [0076]      FIGS. 29-33  show a third embodiment of the invention. The third embodiment differs from the first two embodiments primarily in (1) the configuration of the pivot projections and the pivot and detent recesses, and (2) the shape of the cover. The pivoting operation of the third embodiment is the same as the first two embodiments and will not be repeated. In addition, the location of the pivot and detent recesses and the direction of sliding movement of the cover are the same as the second embodiment and will not be repeated. Further, like reference numerals again have been applied and are being used to describe the third embodiment corresponding to like components described above in relation to the first two embodiments.  
         [0077]     With those differences, it can be seen best in  FIG. 31  that pivot projections  12  are round and more fiat than the conically shaped pivot projections of the first two embodiments. Correspondingly, as best seen in  FIG. 33 , pivot recesses  18  and detent recesses  20  on housing  4  are round and flat or shallow in comparison to the conically shaped recesses of the first embodiment. These flat projections and recesses may allow for spring arms  10  to be more robust or stiffer because they do not have to be spread apart with the flat projections as if the projections were conically shaped. Again, a “clicking” sound or feel is created when the projections move in and out of the recesses.  
         [0078]     Another difference in the third embodiment can be seen best in  FIGS. 29-31  wherein cover  6  is shown to be sufficiently large to substantially cover the entirety of memory card  2 . The cover has an end flange  40  which extends over trailing edge  2   d  of the memory card. A card support flange  42  is formed at the opposite end of the cover. A leaf spring  44  is stamped and formed out of card support flange  42  for biasing the memory card securely against end flange  40 . The card is inserted into the cover by inserting leading edge  2   c  of the card under latching flanges  6   c  of the cover in the direction of arrow “L” ( FIG. 30 ) until the leading edge of the cover engages leaf spring  44 . The cover is moved against the biasing of the leaf spring until trailing edge  2   d  of the cover passes end flange  44  whereupon the card snaps into the cover. The card ends up sandwiched between leaf spring  44  and end flange  40 .  
         [0079]      FIGS. 34-36  show a modified version of the third embodiment. In other words, like the third embodiment, the version of  FIGS. 34-36  includes leaf spring  44  stamped and formed out of card support flange  42  whereby memory card  12  becomes sandwiched between the leaf spring and end flange  40 . However, the modified version of  FIGS. 34-36  includes a cantilevered spring arm  46  which is stamped and formed to extend away from a base  48  which extends from card support flange  42 . As seen in  FIG. 35 , cantilevered spring arm  46  engages a surface  50  of housing  4  to hold cover  6  and memory card  2  in an elevated or open position.  FIG. 36  shows the cover closed, whereupon cantilevered spring arm  46  is bent and becomes “cocked” whereat energy is stored in the cantilevered spring arm. When the cover is moved back from its closed and latched position to its initial closed position as described in the three embodiments, above, cantilevered spring arm  46  is effective to automatically move the cover and memory card back to the open position of  FIG. 35 .  FIG. 35  also shows memory card  2  in phantom to illustrate how the memory card is initially loaded in the direction of arrow “L” into the underside of cover  6 .  
         [0080]      FIGS. 37-40  show yet a further version of the invention which includes a number of different features in the pivot-detent mechanism  8  between cover  6  and housing  4  of connector  1 . Specifically, the housing includes pivot recesses  18  and detent recesses  20  located rearwardly and forwardly, respectively, of each other as shown in the very first embodiment of the invention in  FIGS. 1-22 . However, this version includes a guide groove  54  ( FIG. 38 ) leading to each pivot recess  18  for guiding the respective pivot projection  12  into the pivot recess in the direction of arrow “M” ( FIG. 38 ). This guide groove  54  can be of any cross-sectional configuration as long as it provides a guiding means for the projections to be inserted into pivot recesses  18 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 38  shows another feature wherein an outer surface  56  on the distal end  4   c  of each cover attaching arm  4   b  of housing  4  is rounded on a radius “R” as seen in  FIG. 38 . The radius “R” of surface  56  is concentric to the radius “r” of circular pivot recess  18 . In other words, these surfaces are rounded and concentric with pivot axis or line  14  as described in relation to  FIGS. 5 and 8 . Therefore, if cover  6  does not have a card support flange  42  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 30 , the leading edge  2   c  ( FIG. 39 ) of memory card  2  can directly engage surface  56  by gravity as the cover pivots in relation to the housing. The engagement of the leading edge of the card against surface  56  is clearly shown in  FIG. 39 .  
         [0082]     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.