The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
May. 25, 1999
3Com Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
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.