Jennifer R Mcdowell

US Patent:

D454875, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

29/116222

Inventors:

Jennifer L. McDowell - Cordova TN
Ronald W. McDowell - Cordova TN

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Logistics AG - Steinach

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14385

US Patent:

D456407, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

29/116221

Inventors:

Jennifer L. McDowell - Cordova TN
Ronald W. McDowell - Cordova TN

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Logistics AG - Steinach

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14385

US Patent:

62449028, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

May 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/566281

Inventors:

Jennifer L. McDowell - Cordova TN
Ronald W. McDowell - Cordova TN
Douglas L. Meister - Loganville GA

Assignee:

Thomas & Betts International, Inc. - Sparks NV

International Classification:

H01R 2370

US Classification:

439630

Abstract:

The present invention provides an electrical connector for connecting a contact pad of an IC card to a printed circuit board. In particular, a smart card connector is provided which elevates the connector above the PCB for placement of additional components therebeneath. The connector includes a housing having a top component and a bottom component affixed thereto wherein the top and bottom components together define a card insertion ingress at a front portion of the connector. The ingress is sized and shaped to accommodate linear sliding insertion of a smart card therein along a card insertion plane defined between the top and bottom portions. The top portion of the connector supports a plurality of electrical contacts therein wherein each contact includes an inner extent having a spring-like undulation at a freely deflectable extent positioned in the card insertion plane. Upon card insertion, a contact pad on the card engages the freely deflectable extent such that the undulation moves upward into a corresponding indentation defined along a bottom surface of the top portion of he connector. Upon retraction of the card, the undulation resiliently returns to its original position in the card insertion plane.