Method for ejecting a pcmcia card from a housing

Abstract

A housing and ejection mechanism for PCMCIA electronic 'smart cards' is disclosed. The ejection mechanism comprises a pair of cooperating lever arms and springs. When a 'smart card' is inserted into the housing, the two lever arms pivot into the housing, extending an ejection spring. As the spring is pulled back by means of the lever arms, insertion of the card requires only slightly more force than would be needed to connect a 'smart card' with its socket were no spring present. Full insertion of the card leaves the two lever arms coupled, but with only one of the lever arms locked in position. When the user triggers the ejection process, the two levers are mechanically separated and one of them applies the full spring force to the 'smart card', freeing it from its socket and starting to push it out of the housing. After the first arm frees the 'smart card' from its socket, it frees the second lever arm from its latch. The two lever arms then cooperate to push the 'smart card' further out of the housing. Once the ejection spring is fully released, a second small spring reunites the two levers, preparing the mechanism for the next insertion of a 'smart card'. As only a small amount of force is needed to separate the two lever arms, a simple electronic ejection means can be used to trigger the ejection of the 'smart cards'.