US 5,472,351 AGranted

Personal computer modem card interface construction

AssigneeU.S. Robotics, Inc.

InventorsGerald A. Greco, Bernard G. Sepaniak, Jr.

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A construction for an interface between a computer and a transmission medium, such as a telephone line. A memory card may be inserted into the computer and interconnected to an interface module, such as a direct access arrangement, which, in turn, is interconnected to a telephone line. The electronic card and interface module each include a connector for transmitting data signals between each other. Each connector includes two rows of contacts. Each contact in the first row is interconnected to a particular contact in the second row. As a result, the electronic card and interface module cannot be attached to each other "upside down." Further, the electronic card and interface module cooperatively define a latch mechanism for releasably holding the two units together. Further, the two units further define a guide assembly for guiding the contacts of the two units into a correct alignment with one another. The latch mechanism and guide assembly add structural integrity to the construction. Accordingly, there is a lower risk that the electronic card and interface module will be unintentionally pulled apart.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A construction for first and second interface units, said units including an electronic card and an interface module, said electronic card and interface module defining a common side, comprising, in combination:

a connector on said first interface unit, said connector including first and second rows of contacts, said first row of contacts being in a sequence of 1, 2 . . . N, starting from said common side, said second row of contacts being in a sequence of N, N-1, . . . 1, starting from said common side, said contacts having similar designations being electrically interconnected;
a connector on said second interface unit, said connector including first and second rows of complimentary contacts, said first row of contacts being in a sequence of 1, 2 . . . N, starting from said common side, said second row of contacts being in a sequence of N, N-1 . . . 1, starting from said common side, said contacts having similar designations being electrically interconnected;
guide means cooperatively defined by:
a pair of elongate guide pins extending from one of said interface units, and
a pair of corresponding guide apertures, within another of said interface units, for receiving said guide pins;
and
a latch mechanism for releasably holding said units in a fixed relation, said latch mechanism including:
a catch protruding from one of said units, said catch including a wedge and a stem,
a spring for urging said catch toward a normal position, and
an aperture, within another of said units, to engagingly receive said catch, said aperture being adjacent a ledge,
said wedge of said catch engaging said ledge, as said units are pressed together, and urging said catch away from said normal position until said stem is substantially adjacent said ledge and said spring urges said stem against said ledge.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.