Grounding means for memory card connector

• US 5,588,850 A
• Filed: 08/08/1995
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tongrand Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Tongrand Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Chu-Mei, Pan, H. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/512,335
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 439/92, 439/157, 439/159, 439/153, 439/155, 439/95, 439/108, 439/74, 439/377
• US Class Current: 439/92
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0047 for reading/sensing record carriers having edge contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0082 comprising an arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharge, e.g. by grounding part of the conductive housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/648 Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices , e.g. anti-static shielding coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38

Abstract

A grounding strip for a memory card connector is disclosed to provide the electrical grounding of the memory card inserted. The memory card connector comprises a guide frame having a pair of guiding slots. Each of the guiding slots has formed therein a pair of notches and a receiving slot. The grounding strip comprises a substantially elongated body. A curved contact portion is formed approximate one end of the elongated body that arises generally above the surface of the elongated body. An end portion is formed at the remote end beyond the contact portion of the elongated body. A first pair of bent portions are respectively located at the opposing sides of the elongated body and extending away from the surface of the elongated body, and each of the first bent portions has formed thereon a latching means. When the grounding strip is assembled to the designated location on the guide frame of the memory card connector, the end portion would be received in the receiving slot of the guiding slot. Each of the first pair of bent portions would be inserted into a corresponding one of the first pair of notches, and the latching means of the first pair of bent portions would latch with the corresponding configuration inside the corresponding notch. Firm attachment of the grounding strip to the guide frame of the memory card connector can therefore be secured.

Claims

1. A grounding arrangement for a memory card connector, said memory card connector comprising a guide frame having a pair of guiding slots, each of said guiding slots having formed therein a first pair of horizontally extending notches and a vertically extending receiving slot, said grounding arrangement being fastened to and generally received within only a corresponding one of said guiding slots and comprising:

an elongated body;

a curved contact portion proximate one end of said elongated body that has a portion above a surface of said elongated body;

an end portion integrally extending from said contact portion and positioned at a remote end beyond said contact portion of said elongated body;

a first pair of horizontally extending bent portions respectively located at opposing sides of said elongated body and extending perpendicular to and away from the surface of said elongated body, each of said first bent portions having thereon a latching arrangement;

wherein when said grounding arrangement is assembled to a designated location on said guide frame of said memory card connector, said end portion is received in said receiving slot of said guiding slot, each of said first pair of bent portions is inserted into a corresponding one of said first pair of notches, and said latching arrangement of said first pair of bent portions latch with corresponding configurations inside said corresponding notches.

2. The grounding means for a memory card connector of claim 1, wherein said memory card connector further comprises a second pair of notches formed inside said guide slot, and said grounding means further comprises:

a second pair of bent portions respectively located at opposing sides of said elongated body and extending away from the surface of said elongated body, said second pair of bent portions being located between said first pair of bent portions and said contact portion; and

a third pair of bent portions respectively located at opposing sides of said elongated body and extending away from the surface of said elongated body, said third pair of bent portions being located between said second pair of bent portions and said contact portion;

wherein when said grounding means is assembled to a designated location on said guide frame of said memory card connector, each of said third pair of bent portions is inserted into a corresponding one of said second pair of notches, and each of said second pair of bent portions partially covers a surface of said guide frame of said memory card connector.

3. The grounding means for a memory card connector of claim 2, wherein said end portion extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said grounding means.

4. The grounding means for a memory card connector of claim 2, wherein said end portion extends in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said grounding means.

5. The grounding means of claim 1, wherein each of said latching means is a resilient plate extending out of the surface of said first bent portion that mates with the corresponding configuration inside said notch.

6. The grounding means of claim 1, wherein each of said latching means is a stopping protruded section that mates with the corresponding configuration inside said notch.

7. A memory card connector comprising:

a guide frame having a pair of guiding slots forming a space for receiving a memory card therein, the guide frame having at least a pair of notches horizontally extending within the guide frame and in communication with a corresponding one of the guiding slots;

a grounding arrangement adapted to be attached to and generally positioned within said corresponding one of the guiding slots, said grounding arrangement comprising;

a main body;

a contact portion positioned proximate one end of said main body and projecting into the space;

a pair of bent portions respectively horizontally extending from opposite sides of the main body; and

a retention structure formed on each of said pair of bent portions and adapted to be latchably engaged within the corresponding notch of the guide frame such that the grounding arrangement can be securely positioned within the guide slot.

8. The memory card connector as described in claim 7, wherein said guide slot further includes a receiving slot at an end for receiving corresponding end portion of grounding means, and end portion is generally closer to the contact portion than the bent portions.

9. The memory card connector as described in claim 7, wherein said contact portion and said bent portions are substantially positioned adjacent two opposite ends of the main body of the grounding means, respectively.