Compact mechanism for removable insertion of multiple integrated circuit cards into portable and other electronic devices

A mechanism for connecting first and second integrated circuit cards with a host electronic device within an enclosure, comprising:

• an opening extending into the electronic device enclosure over an area of the enclosure sufficient to accept a broad surface of the first card, said opening extending a first depth to first surface extending over an area sufficient to accept a broad surface of the second card, the first surface being surrounded by a second surface extending into the opening a second depth that is less than the first depth,
• a first set of a plurality electrical contacts positioned across the first surface in a pattern corresponding to contacts on a broad surface of the second card, wherein said first set of contacts are resiliently urged out of the first surface in a manner to be pushed into the first surface when the second card is positioned against the first surface,
• a second set of a plurality electrical contacts positioned across the second surface in a pattern corresponding to contacts on a broad surface of the first card, wherein said second set of contacts are resiliently urged out of the second surface in a manner to be pushed into the second surface when the first card is positioned against the second surface, and
• a carrier that accepts the first card being hingedly connected along one side thereof to the device enclosure within said opening in a manner to permit the first card to be inserted into or removed from the carrier by hand when pivoted out of the opening and with the second card having its contacts held against the first set of contacts when the carrier is pivoted into the opening to a position against the second surface, said carrier additionally including a surface on one side thereof that resiliently urges the second card against the first surface,
• whereby both of said first and second cards are compactly removably held within the opening in electrical contact with the host electronic device.

A mechanism for connecting first and second integrated circuit cards with a host electronic device within an enclosure, comprising:

• an opening extending into the electronic device enclosure over an area of the enclosure sufficient to accept a broad surface of the first card,
• a first set of a plurality electrical contacts positioned within the opening in a pattern corresponding to contacts on a broad surface of the first card, wherein said first set of contacts are resiliently held in a manner to be pushed against their resilience when the first card is positioned against the first set of contacts,
• a second set of a plurality electrical contacts positioned within the opening in a pattern corresponding to contacts on a broad surface of the second card, wherein said second set of contacts are resiliently held in a manner to be pushed against their resilience when the second card is positioned against the second set of contacts, and
• a carrier that accepts both the first and second cards being hingedly connected along one side thereof to the device enclosure within said opening in a manner to permit the first and second cards to be inserted into or removed from the carrier by hand when pivoted out of the opening and with the first and second cards having their contacts held respectively against the first and second set of contacts when the carrier is pivoted into the opening about the hinge,
• whereby both said first and second cards are compactly removably held within the opening in electrical contact with the host electronic device.