Card fitting mechanism having a plurality of card receiving portions and yet capable of being reduced in size

• US 7,108,530 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: JAE Hirosaki, Ltd. (Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited), Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Kimura, Akira, Kato, Nobukazu, Kamata, Kazushi, Tamada, Tomohiko
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US10/930,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20050048833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 439/218, 439/64, 439/377, 439/924.2, 361755-756, 361/737, 361/736, 361/802, 361/686, 361/684, 361/685
• US Class Current: 439/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0034 the connector being capable of simultaneously receiving a plurality of cards in the same insertion slot
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0043 the plurality of cards being cards of different formats, e.g. SD card and memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7005 Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors for printed circuit boards H05K
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

In a card fitting mechanism for receiving a card fitted thereto, a plurality of card receiving portions are arranged parallel to one another. Each of the card receiving portions is adapted to receive the card. A guiding member is disposed between adjacent ones of the card receiving portions so as to enter into adjacent ones of the card receiving portions. When the card is inserted in only one of the adjacent card receiving portions, the guiding member is moved by the card to serve as a guide for guiding the card that is inserted into another of the adjacent card receiving portions.

Claims

1. A card fitting mechanism for receiving a card fitted thereto, said card fitting mechanism comprising:

plurality of card receiving portions arranged parallel to one another, each of said card receiving portions being adapted to receive said card; and

guiding member disposed between adjacent ones of said card receiving portions so as to enter into adjacent ones of said card receiving portions, said guiding member being moved by insertion of said card into only one of said adjacent ones to serve as a guide for guiding insertion of said card into another of said adjacent ones, said first guiding member having a first guide portion and a second guide portion rotatable with respect to said first guide portion.

2. The card fitting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base plate defining said card receiving portions;

a shaft portion perpendicular to said base plate and rotatably supporting said second guide portion on said base plate;

a connecting shaft portion parallel to said shaft portion and rotatably connecting said first guide portion to said second guide portion;

a spring member urging said first and said second guide portions so that a predetermined angle is maintained therebetween; and

another spring member urging said guiding member to make said first guide portion enter into one of adjacent ones of said card receiving portion.

3. The card fitting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of guide frames disposed on said base plate with a space kept therebetween, said guide frames defining opposite ends of an array of said receiving portions.

4. A card fitting mechanism for receiving a card fitted thereto, said card fitting mechanism comprising:

a plurality of card receiving portions arranged parallel to one another, each of said card receiving portions being adapted to receive said card;

a guiding member disposed between adjacent ones of said card receiving portions so as to enter into adjacent ones of said card receiving portions, said guiding member being moved by insertion of said card into only one of said adjacent ones to serve as a guide for guiding insertion of said card into another of said adjacent ones; and

a spring member urging said guiding member in one direction.

5. The card fitting mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said guiding member comprises:

an assembly composed of a plurality of parts connected to one another; and

a spring member urging said assembly so that said parts are arranged along a single straight line.

6. A card fitting mechanism for receiving a card fitted thereto, said card fitting mechanism comprising:

a plurality of card receiving portions arranged parallel to one another, each of said card receiving portions being adapted to receive said card;

a guiding member disposed between adjacent ones of said card receiving portions so as to enter into adjacent ones of said card receiving portions, said guiding member being moved by insertion of said card into only one of said adjacent ones to serve as a guide for guiding insertion of said card into another of said adjacent ones; and

a shaft portion rotatably supporting said guiding member, said guiding member having a first part and a second art, said first part being located on one side of said shaft portion and entering into one of adjacent ones of said card receiving portions, said second part being located on the other side of said shaft portion and entering into the other of adjacent ones of said card receiving portion.

7. The card fitting mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a stopper for engaging said second part.