PCMCIA input/output card connector

(19)

(11)

EP 0 729 206 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	08.10.1997 Bulletin 1997/41

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	28.08.1996 Bulletin 1996/35

(21)	Application number: 96300459.3

(22)	Date of filing: 24.01.1996

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: H01R 43/24, H01R 13/64

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB IE IT NL SE

(30)

Priority:

22.02.1995 US 392430
22.02.1995 US 392435

(71)	Applicant: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
	Wilmington, Delaware 19808 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Simmons, Randy Gray Lewisville, North Carolina 27023 (US) Sizemore, Ronald Dillon Germanton, North Carolina 27109 (US)

(74)	Representative: Warren, Keith Stanley et al
	BARON & WARREN 18 South End Kensington London W8 5BU London W8 5BU (GB)

(54)	PCMCIA input/output card connector

(57) An input/output electrical connector (18) is compatible with the PCMCIA Open System Standard. A PCMCIA card assembly uses the connector. This connector (18) is a card I/O connector or header that is mounted on the edge of a PC card. The connector includes a plurality of terminals (60) insert molded in a housing (20). The housing includes a keyed spline (38) and an oppositely facing contact surface (50) with the tops of a row of terminals (60) exposed. The spline is molded by a mold slide that is retracted parallel to the tongue and groove keys and to the terminals (60). Molded ribs (54) are formed in front of the terminals to prevent stubbing during mating. A clam shell shield (80) surrounds the housing and a frame section (100) on the front of the shield defines the peripheral mating interface on the card I/O connector. The shield also includes mounting tabs (82) for securing the shield (80) and the connector (18) to a PC card without the use of separate rivets or fasteners.

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