3com Corporation

Margaret Wong

Brent Delbert Madsen

Tg Hien

A connector is provided for mating to a communication connector, where the communication connector includes a plurality of connector elements extending on at least a first side. The connector comprises a platform and a receptacle structure that is moveably coupled to the platform to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The receptacle structure includes an opening contoured to receive the communications connector when in the raised position. A connector surface includes a plurality of connector elements positioned on the platform to contact connector elements on the communication connector when the receptacle structure receives the communication connector.

Communication connector for compact computer devices

An input/output (I/O) media connector for a reduced sized communication cards. A metallic shield is wrapped substantially about the connector and secured to the connector by a plurality of pins integral with the connector. The shield has a plurality of tabs securely connected and grounded to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is interposed between the top and bottom covers of a compact flash card. Since the connector shield is securely connected and grounded to the PCB, the shield reflects and/or absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the connector. Further, a plurality of cantilever beam springs integral with the shield, and biased towards the covers of the compact flash card, serve to ensure that the shield remains in substantial physical contact and electrical communication with the metallic covers of the compact flash card. Because the covers of the compact flash card are bonded and grounded with both the PCB and the shield, the covers are grounded and thus also reflect and/or absorb the harmful electromagnetic radiation emitted by the PCB and connector. The connector has an aperture formed in it to receive a media plug; the aperture is so formed as to preclude insertion of electrically non-compatible media plugs. Finally, the connector has an integral beam which terminates in a free end that occupies at least a portion of the aperture when the media plug is not present. The beam has a protruding retainer portion that mates with a corresponding recess formed on a tongue that is integral with the media plug. The beam and tongue arrangement provides tactile and audible feedback which ensure that the user is aware when the media plug is properly secured within the connector. This arrangement also exerts a retention force sufficiently large to preclude inadvertent removal of the plug.

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Richmond, CA, United States of America

Margaret Wong