GB2343282A

GB2343282A - Card ejector

Info

Publication number: GB2343282A
Application number: GB9925444A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenzo Horie; Takayuki Takahashi
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1998-10-30
Filing date: 1999-10-27
Publication date: 2000-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-27
Also published as: GB9925444D0; JP2000133380A; JP3446997B2; GB2343282B

Abstract

A card ejector comprising ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion 11A of the card 11 from the card connector 9 in accordance with rotation of an ejector lever 19, an ejector button which is movable in a card insertion direction and means for moving the ejector lever 19 in accordance with movement of the ejector button 28, an ejector knob 29 rotatably provided on the ejector button 28 and means for moving the knob 29 to a position in which the knob 29 projects outward from the device along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button 28. Preferably when the knob 29 is in a retracted position it is housed within the body of the device and holds an end of the card and holding means hold the ejector knob 29 in a retracted position. A card ejector comprising an ejector knob 29 which is movable into three positions, the card being held in a normal position when the knob 29 is in a first position, a locking mechanism being actuated to lock the ejector knob 29 when in the first position is also disclosed.

Description

CARD EJECTOR This invention relates to an ejector for a card such as a PC card (a personal computer memory card). Also, this invention relates to a portable device including a card ejector.

Personal computer memory cards (PC cards) have RAM's or memories loaded with application programs. Some portable devices or mobile devices are designed so that PC cards can be detachably inserted thereinto to add RAM's or application programs. Such portable devices or mobile devices include ejectors for PC cards. It is desirable that the ejectors are easily operated.

It is a first aim of this invention to provide an easilyoperated card ejector.

It is a second aim of this invention to provide a portable device including an easily-operated card ejector.

A first aspect of this invention provides a card ejector in a device having a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, and a card connector provided on the device body. The card ejector comprises card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via the card insertion opening, toward the card connector; a rotatable ejector lever; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction; ejector lever operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotating the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button; and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides a card ejector wherein the ejector knob is movable to a retracted position at which the ejector knob is substantially housed in the device body and holds an end of the card, and further comprising holding means for holding the ejector knob in its retracted position.

A third aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides a card ejector wherein the ejector knob operating means comprises a locking button with a knob engagement portion, means for forcing the knob engagement portion to engage the ejector knob to hold the ejector knob in its retracted position, and means for moving the knob engagement portion out of engagement with the ejector knob and moving the ejector knob to the position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

A fourth aspect of this invention provides a portable device comprising a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, a card connector provided on the device body, and a card ejector provided on the device body. The card ejector comprises card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via the card insertion opening, toward the card connector; a rotatable ejector lever; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction; ejector lever ,. operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotatirig the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button; and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides a portable device wherein the ejector knob is movable to a retracted position at which the ejector knob is substantially housed in the device body and holds an end of the card. and further comprising holding means for holding the ejector knob in its retracted position.

A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspect thereof, and provides a portable device wherein the ejector knob operating means comprises a locking button with a knob engagement portion ; means for forcing the knob engagement portion to engage the ejector knob to hold the ejector knob in its retracted position, and means for moving the knob engagement portion out of engagement with the ejector knob and moving the ejector knob to the position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

A seventh aspect of this invention provides a card ejector comprising an ejector knob movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position, the ejector knob holding a card in a normal position when being in the first position, the ejector knob separating from the card when being in the second position and the third position ; a rotatable ejector lever moving the card out of the normal position in accordance with rotation thereof ; means connecting the ejector knob and the ejector lever for rotating the ejector lever to move the card out of the normal position as the ejector knob is moved from the second position to the third position ; and a locking mechanism, actuated in response to movement of the ejector knob from the second position to the first position, for locking the ejector knob to the first position.

An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the seventh aspect thereof, and provides a card ejector further comprising a movable unlocking button, and means connecting the unlocking button and the locking mechanism for disabling the locking mechanism and allowing the ejector knob to move from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the unlocking button.

A ninth aspect of this invention provides a card ejector comprising an ejector knob rotatable between a first position and a second position, and linearly movable between the second position and a third position, the ejector knob holding a card in a normal position when being in the first position, the ejector knob separating from the card when being in the second position and the third position; a rotatable ejector lever moving the card out of the normal position in accordance with rotation thereof : means connecting the ejector knob and the ejector lever for rotating the ejector lever to move the card out of the normal position as the ejector knob is linearly moved from the second position to the third position; and a locking mechanism, actuated in response to rotation of the ejector knob from the second position to the first position, for locking the ejector knob to the first position.

A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides a card ejector further comprising a movable unlocking button, and means connecting the unlocking button and the locking mechanism for disabling the locking mechanism and allowing the ejector knob to rotate from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the unlocking button.

The invention will be described further below, with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a bottom view of a protable device including a prior art ejector.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an operation button in the prior-art ejector of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow L in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line M-M in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portable device including a card ejector according to an embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a right side view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a left side view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the portable device of Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a card holder in the card ejector according to the embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 15 is a view in the direction of the arrow F in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of an ejector button in the card holder of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a view in the direction of the arrow G in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a bottom view of the ejector button in Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the ejector button in Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line H-H in Fig. 17.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in Fig. 17.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of an ejector knob in the card holder of Fig. 14.

Fig. 23 is a view in the direction of the arrow J in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a view in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the ejector knob in Fig. 22.

Fig. 26 is a bottom view of a portion of the portable device in Fig. 5.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of the area B in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in Fig. 26.

A prior-art card ejector will be explained for a better understanding of this invention. Figs. 1, 2,3, and 4 show a prior-art ejector 90 for a PC card 96. The prior-art ejector 90 is provided on the parts-mounting surface of a printed circuit board (not shown) within a portable device 91.

The prior-art ejector 90 includes a card holder 92. A card connector 93 is provided on the parts-mounting surface of the printed circuit board. The card holder 92 has a connector cover 94 and a pair of card guide portions 95. The connector cover 94 extends over the card connector 93. The card guide portions 95 extend in parallel with each other. The card guide portions 95 are spaced from each other. The card guide portions 95 extend along opposite side edges of a card accommodation space (chamber) in the portable device 91, respectively. The card guide portions 95 act to guide the PC card 96 toward and away from the card connector 93. The PC card 96 can be moved into and out of the portable device 91 while being guided by the card guide portions 95. A front end of the PC card 96 has a connector portion. When the PC card 96 reaches its innermost position, the connector portion of the PC card 96 is connected with the card connector 93.

The connector cover 94 is provided with a rotatable ejector lever 97. The ejector lever 97 can engage the PC card 96. It is assumed that the PC card 96 is in its innermost position, and the connector portion of the PC card 96 and the card connector 94 are connected with each other. As the ejector lever 97 is rotated, it forces the PC card 96 outward so that the connector portion of the PC card 96 is disconnected from the card connector 93. At this time, a rear end of the PC card 96 projects outward from a card insertion opening 99 in the portable device 91.

The card insertion opening 99 is formed in a right-hand side wall 98a of a lower casing 98 of the portable device 91. The portable device 91 has the card accommodation space (chamber) which extends inward from the card insertion opening 99. As previously mentioned, the card guide portions 95 extend along the opposite side edges of the card accommodation space, respectively.

A lid 100 is rotatably provided on the right-hand side wall 98a of the lower casing 98. An outer end of the card insertion opening 99 can be closed by the lid 100.

A manually-operated lock button 101 is provided on the righthand side wall 98a of the lower casing 98. The lock button 101 can move relative to the right-hand wall portion 98a in the frontward and rearward directions with respect to the portable device 91.

The lock button 101 can engage and hold a rear edge of the lid 100.

An operation button 102 is provided on a front of a bottom portion 98b of the lower casing 98. The operation button 102 can slide relative to the bottom portion 98b of the lower casing 98 in the leftward and rightward directions with respect to the portable device 91. The operation button 102 is connected to the ejector lever 97. The operation button 102 and the ejector lever 97 are urged by a return spring (not shown). As the operation button 102 is moved, the ejector lever 97 is rotated.

The PC card 96 is inserted into the portable device 91 as follows. Firstly, the lock button 101 is moved rearward, and the lock button 101 comes out of engagement with the lid 100 so that the lid 100 is unlocked. Then, the lid 100 is rotated to expose the card insertion opening 99. The PC card 96 is inserted into the card accommodation space in the portable device 91 via the card insertion opening 99. Opposite sides of the PC card 96 are guided by the card guide portions 95 during the insertion of the PC card 96 into the card accommodation space. When the PC card 96 reaches its innermost position, the connector portion of the PC card 96 is connected with the card connector 93. Then, the outer end of the card insertion opening 99 is closed by the lid 100. Subsequently, the lock button 101 is moved frontward, and the lock button 101 comes into engagement with the lid 100 so that the lid 100 is locked.

The PC card 96 is removed or ejected from the portable device 91 as follows. Firstly, the lock button 101 is moved rearward, and the lock button 101 comes out of engagement with the lid 100 so that the lid 100 is unlocked. Then, the lid 100 is rotated to unblock the card insertion opening 99. The portable device 91 is turned over, and the operation button 102 is slid rightward against the return spring. The slide of the operation button 102 rotates the ejector lever 97. As the ejector lever 97 is rotated, it forces the front end of the PC card 96 outward so that the connector portion of the PC card 96 is disconnected from the card connector 93. At this time, the rear end of the PC card 96 projects outward from the card insertion opening 99. The PC card 96 is manually removed from the portable device 91.

Embodiment Fig. 5 shows a portable device"A"including a card ejector according to an embodiment of this invention. The portable device "A"has a body (a device body) 1.

As shown in Figs. 5-11, the device body 1 includes a lower casing 2, a printed circuit board 3, an inner frame 4, a liquid crystal display unit 5, and an upper casing 6. Electronic parts are mounted on the printed circuit board 3. The printed circuit board 3 is fixedly disposed in the lower casing 2. The inner frame 4 is superposed on the printed circuit board 3. The liquid crystal display unit 5 is superposed on the inner frame 4. The upper casing 6 holds the liquid crystal display unit 5. The lower casing 2 and the upper casing 6 are connected to each other. The upper casing 6 has a display window 6A at which a display surface 7 of the liquid crystal display unit 5 is exposed. A lid 8 is rotatably connected to the device body 1 by, for example, a hinge. The lid 8 can move between an open position and a closed position. The lid 8 covers the display surface 7 of the liquid crystal display unit 5 when being in its closed position. The display surface 7 of the liquid crystal display unit 5 is uncovered when the lid 8 assumes its open position.

A board installing portion 70 and a battery casing portion 71 are formed in the lower casing 2. The board installing portion 70 accommodates the printed circuit board 3. The battery casing portion 71 is designed to accommodate a battery.

A right-hand side wall 51 of the lower casing 2 has a card insertion opening 52. The card insertion opening 52 has a rectangular shape which is elongated in the frontward and rearward directions with respect to the device body 1. The device body 1 has a card accommodation space (chamber) extending inward from the card insertion opening 52. In addition, the right-hand side wall 51 of the lower casing 2 has a knob accommodation opening 53. The knob accommodation opening 53 extends rearward of the card insertion opening 52. The card insertion opening 52 and the knob accommodation opening 53 lead to the board installing portion 70.

As shown in Fig. 12, a partition wall 54 is located between the card insertion opening 52 and the knob accommodation opening 53. The device body 1 has a knob installing portion 65 which extends inward from the knob accommodation opening 53. The partition wall 54 separates the knob installing portion 65 from the card insertion opening 52 and the card accommodation space.

As best shown in Fig. 6, a rear-right part of the bottom surface 55 of the lower casing 2 has a recess 56 for allowing slide of a button. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, a central part of a bottom 56a of the button sliding recess 56 has a hole 57 for accommodating a spring. The bottom 56a of the button sliding recess 56 has slide holes 58 located at sides of the spring accommodation hole 57 respectively. The slide holes 58 extends along the frontward and rearward directions with respect to the device body 1. The wall of the lower casing 2 which defines a rear end of the spring accommodation hole 57 has a spring seat 59.

An unlocking button 60 is placed in the button sliding recess 56. A back side of the unlocking button 60 has a spring seat 61, and slide projections 62. The slide projections 62 are located at sides of the spring seat 61, respectively. A front-right part of the unlocking button 60 has a forward projection 63 constituting a knob engagement portion. The slide projections 62 extend into the slide holes 58, respectively. The spring seat 61 extends into the spring accommodation hole 57. The unlocking button 60 can move in the button sliding recess 56 along the frontward and rearward directions with respect to the device body 1. A spring 64 extending in the spring accommodation hole 57 is provided between the spring seats 59 and 61. The spring 64 urges the unlocking button 60 (the knob engagement projection 63) frontward. Thus, the unlocking button 60 is normally in its forwardest position at which the knob engagement projection 63 extends into the knob installing portion 65. These elements compose an ejector knob operating means (a holding means).

With reference to Figs. 11 and 14, the lower surface of the printed circuit board 3 is a parts-mounting surface 3A on which a card connector 9 is provided. The card connector 9 has a body, and a plurality of contacts mounted on the body. The contacts are arranged at a given pitch in two rows, that is, an upper row and a lower row extending along the leftward and rightward directions with respect to the device body 1. The contacts are attached to the connector body by, for example, a press fitting process. The contacts have respective lead terminals 10a projecting outward from an end surface of the connector body. The lead terminals 10a are soldered to the parts-mounting surface 3A of the printed circuit board 3 so that the card connector 9 is attached to the printed circuit board 3.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the device body 1 is provided with an ejector body 12 for a PC card (a personal computer memory card) 11. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the ejector body 12 includes a card holder 13. The card holder 13 has a connector cover 14 and a pair of card guide portions 15 and 16. The connector cover 14 extends over the card connector 9. The card guide portions 15 and 16 extend in parallel with each other. The card guide portions 15 and 16 are spaced from each other in the frontward and rearward directions of the device body 1. The card guide portions 15 and 16 define opposite side edges of the card accommodation space in the device body 1. The card guide portions 15 and 16 are designed to guide the PC card 11 toward and away from the card connector 9 along card movement directions CM (see Fig. 14). The card movement directions CM mean a card insertion direction and a card removal direction (a card ejection direction). The PC card 11 can be moved into and out of the device body 1 while being guided by the card guide portions 15 and 16.

Front and rear end walls 14a and 14b of the connector cover 14 have slits 17 and 18 extending parallel to the card movement directions CM. An ejector lever 19 is located in the connector cover 14. The ejector lever 19 extends along an inner surface of an upper portion 14c of the connector cover 144 An intermediate portion of the ejector lever 19 has a fulcrum portion 20 which is in contact with a fulcrum receiving portion 21 formed in the inner surface of the connector cover 14. The ejector lever 19 can rotate about the fulcrum portion 20. Front and rear ends 19a and 19b of the ejector lever 19 slidably extend into the slits 17 and 18. The ejector lever 19 has a card pressing portion 19c located near the front end 19a thereof. These elements compose a card ejecting means or a card removing means.

The inner surface of the front card guide portion 15 has a guide groove 20A extending in parallel with the card movement directions CM. A side edge of the PC card 11 can fit in the guide groove 20A. The inner surface of the rear card guide portion 16 has a guide groove 21A extending in parallel with the card movement directions CM. A side edge of the PC card 11 can fit in the guide groove 21A. The front card guide portion 15 is provided with a leaf spring 22 extending in an inlet portion of the guide groove 20A.

The leaf spring 22 faces in the card insertion direction. The rear card guide portion 16 is provided with a leaf spring 23 extending in an inlet portion of the guide groove 21A. The leaf spring 23 faces in the card insertion direction. The guide grooves 20A and 21A can receive opposite side edges of the PC card 11, respectively. An attachment portion 24 is provided on the outer surface of the front card guide portion 15. An attachment portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the rear card guide portion 16.

The outer surface of the rear card guide portion 16 is formed with a left-hand guide projection 26 and a right-hand guide projection 27. The right-hand guide projection 27 is located at an end of the attachment portion 25. An ejector button 28 is provided on the outer surface of the rear card guide portion 16. The ejector button 28 can move relative to the rear card guide portion 16 along ,. directions parallel to the card movement directions CM. The ejector button 28 is provided with an ejector knob 29.

With reference to Figs. 16-21, the ejector button 28 has a body 28A. The button body 28A has a left-hand opening 30, a right- hand opening 31, and an intermediate opening 32 which extend from the outer surface 28a to the inner surface 28b thereof. The button body 28A has slide rails 33 located in the left-hand opening 30. The button body 28A has stoppers 34 and 35 located at opposite ends of the slide rails 33. A wall 30a of the button body 28A which defines a right-hand edge of the left-hand opening 30 is formed with a spring engagement projection 36A. The button body 28A has slide rails 36 located in the right-hand opening 31. The inner surface 28b of the button body 28A is formed with a relief groove 37. A right-hand end of the button body 28A is provided with a knob attachment portion 38. A left-hand end of the button body 28A has an ejector lever accommodation slit 43.

The knob attachment portion 38 has a stopper accommodation recess 39 and an insertion portion 40. The insertion portion 40 is formed with a spring accommodation groove 41 and a pin accommodation hole 42.

The left-hand guide projection 26 of the rear card guide portion 16 slidably engages the slide rails 33 in the left-hand opening 30 of the ejector button 28. The right-hand guide projection 27 of the rear card guide portion 16 slidably engage the slide rails 36 in the right-hand opening 31 of the ejector button 28.

The ejector button 28 can move relative to the rear card guide portion 16 along directions parallel to the card movement directions CM. The rear end 19b of the ejector lever 19 slidably extends through the ejector lever accommodation slit 43 of the ejector button 28. Thus, the rear end 19b of the ejector lever 19 is connected to the ejector button 28. The ejector lever 19 rotates as the ejector button 28 moves. A spring 28B is provided between the spring engagement projection 36A on the ejector button 28 and the left-hand guide projection 26 on the rear card guide portion 16.

The spring 28B urges the ejector button 28 rightward relative to the rear card guide portion 16.

The ejector knob 29 is rotatably connected to the knob attachment portion 38. In other words, the ejector knob 29 is rotatably connected to the ejector button 28. The ejector button 28 can move together with the ejector knob 29 along directions parallel to the card movement directions CM.

With reference to Figs. 22-25, the ejector knob 29 has a body 29A. A base portion of the knob body 29A has a stopper portion 45.

A distal end of the knob body 29A has a lever portion 46. An intermediate portion of the knob body 29A has a recess 47. Walls of the knob body 29A which define upper and lower sides of the recess 47 have a pin accommodation hole 48. The ejector knob 29 can rotate relative to the knob attachment portion 38 about a pin 50 fitting into the pin accommodation hole 48 (see Fig. 14).

With reference to Figs. 26-28, a torsion spring 49 is placed in the spring accommodation groove 41 in the knob attachment portion 38. A first end 49a of the torsion spring 49 is fitted into an engagement groove 41a in the knob attachment portion 38 which communicates with the spring accommodation groove 41 (see Figs.

14 and 15). Thus, the first end 49a of the torsion spring 49 is connected to the knob attachment portion 38. The insertion portion 40 of the knob attachment portion 38 is fitted into the recess 47 in the knob body 29A. The stopper portion 45 of the knob body 29A is placed in the stopper accommodation recess 39 of the knob attachment portion 38. A second end 49b of the torsion spring 49 is fitted into an engagement groove 47a in the knob body 29A which communicates with the recess 47. Thus, the second end 49b of the torsion spring 49 is connected to the knob body 29A. A wall 39a of the knob attachment portion 38 which defines the recess 47 can engage the stopper portion 45 of the knob body 29A.

The torsion spring 49 urges the ejector knob 29 relative to the knob attachment portion 38. Therefore, the ejector knob 29 is normally in a position (an upright position) at which the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29 contacts the wall 39a of the knob attachment portion 38, and the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is parallel with the card movement directions CM (the axial direction of the ejector button 28). The ejector button 28 and the ejector knob 29 compose an ejector lever operating means.

As best shown in Fig. 26, a front end of the PC card 11 has a connector portion 11A. The connector portion 11A of the PC card 11 can be connected with the card connector 9.

The card holder 13 is fixed to the parts-mounting surface of the printed circuit board 3 by screws (not shown) connected with the attachment portions 24 and 25. As previously indicated, the connector cover 14 extends over the card connector 9.

The printed circuit board 3 which has the card holder 13 is attached to the lower casing 2 by screws (not shown). The printed circuit board 3 is disposed in the board installing portion 70 in the lower casing 2. Right-hand ends of the card guide portions 15 and 16 of the card holder 13 are located at front and rear ends of the card insertion opening 52. The ejector knob 29 can rotate between a retracted position and an upright position. When the ejector knob 29 assumes its retracted position, the almost whole of the ejector knob 29 is located in the knob installing portion 65 of the device body 1. In this case, the ejector knob 29 is substantially housed in the device body 1. When the ejector knob 29 assumes its upright position, the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 projects rightwardly out of the knob accommodation opening 53 in the lower casing 2.

The ejector knob 29 can move together with the ejector button 28. The ejector button 28 can move in directions parallel to the card movement directions CM. Thus, the ejector knob 29 can linearly move between the upright position to a depressed position.

As shown in Fig. 12, in the case where the ejector knob 29 assumes its upright position at which the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 extends rightwardly out of the knob accommodation opening 53, the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 contacts an outer surface 45a of the stopper potion 45 of the ejector knob 29. As the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is moved or rotated toward the card insertion opening 52 against the force of the torsion spring 49, the ejector knob 29 rotates from its upright position toward its retracted position while the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 is made by the spring 64 to successively slide on the outer surface 45a, an end surface 45b, and an inner surface 45c of the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29. When the ejector knob 29 reaches its retracted position, the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 is held by the spring 64 in contact with the inner surface 45c of the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29. Thus, the ejector knob 29 is locked to its retracted position. When the ejector knob 29 is in its retracted position, the almost whole of the ejector knob 29 is located in the knob installing portion 65 of the device body 1 and the distal end of the lever 46 extends into the card insertion opening 52.

The card ejector of the portable device"A"operates as follows.

The portable device"A"is turned over, and the unlocking button 60 is slid rearward against the force of the spring 64. When the unlocking button 60 is slid rearward, the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 moves out of engagement with the inner surface 45c of the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29. As a result, the ejector knob 29 is rotated from its retracted position to its upright position by the force of the torsion spring 49. When the ejector knob 29 is in its upright position, the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29 contacts the wall 39a of the knob attachment portion 38 while the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is parallel with the card movement directions CM.

As the ejector knob 29 is rotated from its retracted position to its upright position, the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 moves away from the card insertion opening 52. When the ejector knob 29 is in its upright position, the card insertion opening 52 is fully unblocked.

The PC card 11 is inserted into the card accommodation space in the portable device"A"via the card insertion opening 52 while the ejector knob 29 remains in its upright position. Two side edges of the PC card 11 are guided along the guide grooves 20A and 21 in the card guide portions 15 and 16, and are moved against the leaf springs 22 and 24 during the insertion of the PC card 11 into the card accommodation space in the portable device"A". When the PC card 11 reaches its innermost position, the connector portion 11A of the PC card 11 is connected with the card connector 9. At this time, the front end surface 11 a of the PC card 11 contacts the card pressing portion 19c of the ejector lever 19.

Subsequently, the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is moved or rotated toward the card insertion opening 52 against the force of the torsion spring 49 so that the ejector knob 29 rotates from its upright position toward its retracted position. When the ejector knob 29 reaches its retracted position, the spring 64 holds the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 in contact with the inner surface 45c of the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29. Thus, the ejector knob 29 is locked to its retracted position. When the ejector knob 29 is in its retracted position, the almost whole of the ejector knob 29 is located in the knob installing portion 65 of the device body 1 and the distal end of the lever 46 extends into the card insertion opening 52. Thus, the distal end of the lever 46 holds the rear end of the PC card 11 (see Fig. 27). Accordingly, the distal end of the lever 46 prevents the PC card 11 from moving out of the card insertion opening 52. In addition, the distal end of the lever 46 prevents the disconnection of the connector portion 11A of the PC card 11 from the card connector 9. Since the ejector knob 29 is locked to its retracted position, the PC card 11 can not be removed from the portable device"A"unless the unlocking button 60 is operated to set the ejector knob 29 upright.

The PC card 11 is removed or ejected from the portable device"A"as follows. The portable device"A"is turned over, and the unlocking button 60 is slid rearward against the force of the spring 64. When the unlocking button 60 is slid rearward, the knob engagement projection 63 of the unlocking button 60 moves out of engagement with the inner surface 45c of the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29. As a result, the ejector knob 29 is rotated from its retracted position to its upright position by the force of the torsion spring 49. When the ejector knob 29 is in its upright position, the stopper portion 45 of the ejector knob 29 contacts the wall 39a of the knob attachment portion 38 while the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is parallel with the card movement directions CM. As the ejector knob 29 is rotated from its retracted position to its upright position, the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 moves away from the card insertion opening 52. When the ejector knob 29 is in its upright position, the card insertion opening 52 is fully unblocked.

Subsequently, the lever portion 46 of the ejector knob 29 is manually pressed along the card insertion direction so that the ejector knob 29 is linearly moved from its upright position to its depressed position. As the ejector knob 29 is moved, the ejector button 28 is moved against the force of the spring 28B in the same direction (see Fig. 26). When the ejector button 28 is moved in the card insertion direction, the ejector lever 19 is rotated about the fulcrum portion 20 in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 26.

The rotation of the ejector lever 19 causes the card pressing portion 19c to press the front end surface 11 a of the PC card 11 in the card removal direction (the card ejection direction). As a result, the connector portion 11A of the PC card 11 is disconnected from the card connector 9, and the PC card 11 is moved in the card removal direction. Thus, the rear end 1 lb of the PC card 11 moves out of the card insertion opening 52. Then, the whole of the PC card 11 is manually removed from the portable device"A".

As previously mentioned, the ejector knob 29 is rotatably supported by the ejector button 28. When the ejector knob 29 is in its upright position, the ejector knob 29 projects outward from the device body 1 along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button 28. During the previously-mentioned process of ejecting the PC card 11 from the portable device"A", the ejector knob 29 is manually moved along the card insertion direction so that the ejector button 28 is moved in the same direction. As the ejector button 28 is moved, the ejector lever 19 is rotated. The rotation of the ejector lever 19 moves the PC card 11 in the card removal direction (the card ejection direction). In this case, the combination of the ejector knob 29 and the ejector button 28 provides a sufficient stroke of the ejector lever 19. Thus, it is possible to reliably and easily eject the PC card 11 from the portable device"A".

As understood from the previous explanation, the ejector knob 29 is moved from its retracted position to its upright position by operating the unlocking button 60. Thus, a direct manual access to the ejector knob 29 is unnecessary for the movement to its upright position. This is advantageous in making the portable device"A" compact.

As previously mentioned, the ejector knob 29 remains locked to its retracted position unless the unlocking button 60 is operated.

When the ejector knob 29 is in its retracted position, the distal end of the lever 46 holds the rear end of the PC card 11 and hence prevents the PC card 11 from moving out of the card insertion opening 52. Thus, it is possible to surely and reliably hold the PC card 11 in its normal position within the portable device"A".

Claims

1. A card ejector in a device having a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, and a card connector provided on the device body, the card ejector comprising: card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via -the card insertion opening, toward the z ard cOnnfbotnr- a rotatable ejector lever; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction; ejector lever operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotating the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button; and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

2. A card ejector as recited in claim 1, wherein the ejector knob is movable to a retracted position at which the ejector knob is substantially housed in the device body and holds an end of the card, and further comprising holding means for holding the ejector knob in its retracted position.

3. A card ejector as recited in claim 2, wherein the ejector knob operating means comprises a locking button with a knob engagement portion, means for forcing the knob engagement portion to engage the ejector knob to hold the ejector knob in its retracted position, and means for moving the knob engagement portion out of engagement with the ejector knob and moving the ejector knob to the position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

4. A portable device comprising a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, a card connector provided on the device body, and a card ejector provided on the device body, wherein the card ejector comprises: card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via the card insertion opening, toward the card connector; a rotatable ejector lever; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction; ejector lever operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotating the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button ; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button; and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

5. A portable device as recited in claim 4, wherein the ejector knob is movable to a retracted position at which the ejector knob is substantially housed in the device body and holds an end of the card, and further comprising holding means for holding the ejector knob in its retracted position.

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6. A portable device as recited in claim 5, wherein the ejector knob operating means comprises a locking button with a knob engagement portion, means for forcing the knob engagement portion to engage the ejector knob to hold the ejector knob in its retracted position, and means for moving the knob engagement portion out of engagement with the ejector knob and moving the ejector knob to the position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

7. A card ejector comprising: an ejector knob movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position, the ejector knob holding a card in a normal position when being in the first position, the ejector knob separating from the card when being in the second position and the third position ; a rotatable ejector lever moving the card out of the normal position in accordance with rotation thereof ; means connecting the ejector knob and the ejector lever for rotating the ejector lever to move the card out of the normal position as the ejector knob is moved from the second position to the third position; and a locking mechanism, actuated in response to movement of the ejector knob from the second position to the first position, for locking the ejector knob to the first position.

8. A portable device including a card ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7.

8. A card ejector as recited in claim 7, further comprising a movable unlocking button, and means connecting the unlocking button and the locking mechanism for disabling the locking mechanism and allowing the ejector knob to move from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the unlocking button.

9. A card ejector comprising: an ejector knob rotatable between a first position and a second position, and linearly movable between the second position and a third position, the ejector knob holding a card in a normal position when being in the first position, the ejector knob separating from the card when being in the second position and the third position; a rotatable ejector lever moving the card out of the normal position in accordance with rotation thereof ; means connecting the ejector knob and the ejector lever for rotating the ejector lever to move the card out of the normal position as the ejector knob is linearly moved from the second position to the third position; and a locking mechanism, actuated in response to rotation of the ejector knob from the second position to the first position, for locking the ejector knob to the first position.

10. A card ejector as recited in claim 9, further comprising a movable unlocking button, and means connecting the unlocking button and the locking mechanism for disabling the locking mechanism and allowing the ejector knob to rotate from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the : e unlocking button.

11. A card ejector constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 28 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A portable device including a card ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 11.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A card ejector in a device having a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, and a card connector provided on the device body, the cardejector comprising: card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via the card insertion opening, toward the card connector : a rotatable ejector lever ; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction; ejector lever operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotating the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button ; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button ; and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

4. A portable device comprising a body, a card insertion opening formed in the device body, a card connector provided on the device body, and a card ejector provided on the device body, wherein the card ejector comprises: card guiding means for guiding a card, which is inserted via the card insertion opening, toward the card connector; a rotatable ejector lever ; card ejecting means for disconnecting a connector portion of the card from the card connector in accordance with rotation of the ejector lever; an ejector button movable in a card insertion direction and a card removal direction : ejector lever operating means for moving the ejector button in the card insertion direction and rotating the ejector lever in accordance with the movement of the ejector button; an ejector knob rotatably provided on the ejector button : and ejector knob operating means for moving the ejector knob to a position at which the ejector knob projects outward from the device body along an extension line of an axis of the ejector button.

7. A card ejector constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 28 of the accompanying drawings.