Contact configuration for smart card reader
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A smart card reader having a base, a cover secured to the base over a card receiving area, a contact carrier being pivotally attached to the base, a plurality of contacts secured to the base and extending into contact receiving areas of the contact carrier, the cover being characterized by:
- a top wall having a first edge proximate a mating end of the base, a pair of side edges proximate side walls of the base, and a rear edge extending between the side edges; and
at least one spring arm having a free end and extending from the top wall into the card receiving area; and
wherein the spring arm and the contact carrier cooperate such that, when a card is not occupying the card receiving area, the free end urges the contact carrier away from the card receiving area, and, when a card is inserted into the card receiving area, the card contacts a portion of the spring arm extending into the card receiving area thereby urging the spring arm to facilitate movement of the contact carrier toward the card receiving area such that the contacts contact the card.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A landing type smart card reader 10 is provided having a base 14, a cover 12, and a contact carrier 50. Spring arms 22 formed in the cover 12 cooperate with the contact carrier 50 to bias the contacts 18 away from an inserted smart card 102. Upon insertion of a smart card 102, the spring arms 22 will disengage the contact carrier 50 and the contacts 18 will land on and make electrical connection with pads of the smart card 102.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A smart card reader having a base, a cover secured to the base over a card receiving area, a contact carrier being pivotally attached to the base, a plurality of contacts secured to the base and extending into contact receiving areas of the contact carrier, the cover being characterized by:
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a top wall having a first edge proximate a mating end of the base, a pair of side edges proximate side walls of the base, and a rear edge extending between the side edges; and at least one spring arm having a free end and extending from the top wall into the card receiving area; and wherein the spring arm and the contact carrier cooperate such that, when a card is not occupying the card receiving area, the free end urges the contact carrier away from the card receiving area, and, when a card is inserted into the card receiving area, the card contacts a portion of the spring arm extending into the card receiving area thereby urging the spring arm to facilitate movement of the contact carrier toward the card receiving area such that the contacts contact the card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A smart card reader having an insulative base and a plurality of cantilevered electrical contacts extending from ends of the base toward a center comprising:
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a contact carrier having a contact receiving area disposed proximate the center of the insulative base and on a first side of a pivot joint, a cam surface disposed on a second side of the pivot joint, and a switch actuator disposed adjacent the cam surface;
the contact carrier being pivotably attached to the insulative base and in engagement with free ends of the cantilevered electrical contacts,whereby the electrical contacts and the contact receiving area are biased toward the insulative base until a card is inserted into the smart card reader and urged against the cam surface to pivot the carrier toward the card such that the electrical contacts engage pads of the inserted card.
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11. A card reader having a base and a cover to define a card receiving area, the card reader comprising:
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a contact carrier being pivotally attached to the base and connected to one or more contacts; at least one spring arm having a free end and extending from the cover into the card receiving area; wherein the spring arm and the contact carrier cooperate such that, when a card is not occupying the card receiving area, the free end urges the contact carrier away from the card receiving area, and, when a card is inserted into the card receiving area, the card contacts a portion of the spring arm extending into the card receiving area thereby urging the spring arm away to facilitate movement of the contact carrier toward the card receiving area such that the contacts contact the card; a switch located in the base adjacent the card receiving area; and a switch actuator located in the base so as to be in communication with the switch. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A card reader comprising:
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a housing defining a card receiving area; a contact carrier in the housing and operatively connected to one or more contacts; a contact carrier actuator having a contact portion that extends into the card receiving area when there is no card occupying the card receiving area; wherein the contact carrier actuator and the contact carrier are configured and cooperate such that, when a card is not occupying the card receiving area, the contact carrier is disposed away from the card receiving area, and, when a card is inserted into the card receiving area, the card contacts the contact portion causing the contact carrier actuator to move thereby effecting the movement of the contact carrier toward the card receiving area such that the contacts contact the card. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification