Memory card adapter with improved locking mechanism for mating with a mini memory card

Abstract

A memory card adapter (100) for receiving a memory card (6) includes an upper cover (2), a lower cover (1) engaging with the upper cover and defining a receiving space (10) therebetween, a contact module (3) and a conductive member (4). The contact module (3) includes a number of contacts (31), an insulative beam (32) over-molding the contacts and an insulative locking arm (33) integrally extending from the beam. The locking arm has a hook (331) extending into the receiving space (10) for mating with the memory card. The conductive member (4) has multiple conductive pads (42) electrically connecting with the contacts (31).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a memory card adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with insertion of a mini memory card;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view similar to FIG. 1, while taken from another aspect;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the memory card adapter showing the mini memory card detached from the memory card adapter and without an upper cover being mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the memory card adapter showing the mini memory card inserted into the memory card adapter and without the upper cover being mounted thereon;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the memory card adapter shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is another exploded view of the memory card adapter shown in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A memory card adapter for receiving a mini memory card, comprising: an upper cover;a lower cover engaging with the upper cover with a card receiving space defined therebetween for receiving the mini memory card; anda contact module mounted on a top face of the lower cover and comprising a plurality of contacts, an insulative beam and an insulative locking arm integrally extending from the insulative beam, the contacts comprising a plurality of contact portions protruding into the card receiving space, the insulative locking arm having a hook extending into the card receiving space for mating with the mini memory card.

2. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the contacts are retained in the insulative beam.

3. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the contacts are over-molded in the insulative beam.

4. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the insulative locking arm is integrally molded with the insulative beam.

5. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the hook locks with a notch defined on a side of the mini memory card.

6. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the insulative locking arm extends from a lateral side of the insulative beam with the hook disposed at a distal end thereof.

7. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the hook comprises a slant face guiding insertion of the mini memory card.

8. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the lower cover comprises a stop portion protruding into the card receiving space for abutting against the mini memory card.

9. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the lower cover comprises a positioning post, the beam defining a hole receiving the post.

10. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive member with a plurality of conductive pads electrically connecting with the contacts, the lower cover extending along a front-to-back direction and defining a plurality of through openings arrayed in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, the conductive pads exposed outside of the lower cover through corresponding through openings.

11. The memory card adapter according to claim 10, wherein the conductive member comprises a plurality of conductive wires electrically connecting with the conductive pads, the contacts having a plurality of soldering portions extending beyond the insulative beam and being soldered with the conductive pads.

12. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the memory card adapter is a SD card adapter and the mini memory card is a Micro SD card.

13. An electrical card connector for receiving a memory card, comprising: an upper cover;a lower cover engaging with the upper cover with a card receiving space defined therebetween for receiving the memory card; anda contact module mounted between the upper and lower covers and comprising an insulative beam, a plurality of contacts retained in the beam and an insulative locking arm integrally extending from the beam, the contacts comprising a plurality of contact portions protruding into the card receiving space, the locking arm having a hook extending into the card receiving space for mating with the memory card.

14. The electrical card connector according to claim 13, wherein the contacts are over-molded in the beam.

15. The electrical card connector according to claim 13, wherein the insulative locking arm is integrally molded with the insulative beam.

16. The electrical card connector according to claim 13, wherein the lower cover comprises a positioning post, the beam defining a hole receiving the post.

17. An electrical card adaptor comprising: a casing defining a receiving space;a contact module including an insulative body with a plurality of conductive contacts thereon, each of said contacts including a curved contact section and a flat soldering section;a printed circuit board having a plurality of traces thereon, said traces defining a first area in compliance with a first pitch of said contacts, and a second area having a second pitch larger than the first pitch and exposed to an exterior through said casing.

18. The adaptor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the casing defines a cutout around an insertion opening of the receiving space for receive a raised portion an inserted electronic card.

19. The adaptor as claimed in claim 17, wherein said insulative body further includes a locking arm unitarily formed thereon.

20. The adaptor as claimed in claim 17, wherein the contact module and the printed circuit board are respectively and independently fastened to the casing.