U.S. patent application number 11/384775 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for sim card holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to FIH CO.,LTD. Invention is credited to Chia-Hua Chen, Zhou-Quan Zuo.
Application Number | 20060286847 11/384775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37484617 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060286847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zuo; Zhou-Quan ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
SIM CARD HOLDER
Abstract
A SIM card holder includes a base (10) and a catching mechanism
(20). The base defines a receiving groove (114) and a slot (110).
The receiving groove is configured for receiving the SIM card
therein. The base comprises a protrusion (108). The protrusion and
the slot are arranged at two opposite sides of the receiving
groove. The catching mechanism comprises a main board (201) having
a bending piece (202) and a bending hem (204) at two opposite ends
thereof. The bending hem is engaged in the slot. The bending piece
is engagable with the base so as to lock the SIM card in the
receiving groove. The main board comprises an elastic slice
resisting the protrusion when the bending piece is engaged with the
base.
Inventors: |
Zuo; Zhou-Quan; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; Chen; Chia-Hua; (Tu-cheng, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. CHENG-JU CHIANG JEFFREY T. KNAPP
458 E. LAMBERT ROAD
FULLERTON
CA
92835
US
|
Assignee: |
FIH CO.,LTD
Shindian City
TW
|
Family ID: |
37484617 |
Appl. No.: |
11/384775 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/3816 20130101;
H04M 1/0202 20130101; H04M 2250/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/331 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/62 20060101
H01R013/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 3, 2005 |
CN |
200510035139.0 |
Claims
1. A SIM (subscriber identification module) card holder,
comprising: a base defining a receiving groove and a slot, the
receiving groove being configured for receiving a SIM card therein,
the base comprising a protrusion, the protrusion and the slot being
arranged at two opposite sides of the receiving groove; and a
catching mechanism comprising a main board having a bending piece
and a bending hem at two opposite ends thereof, the bending hem
being engaged in the slot, the bending piece being engagable with
the base so as to lock the SIM card in the receiving groove, the
main board comprising an elastic slice resisting the protrusion
when the bending piece is engaged with the base, wherein the
catching mechanism is configured such that, when the slice is
pulled to move away from the protrusion, the catching mechanism
slides relative to the base to make the catching mechanism
rotatable in a manner such that the catching mechanism can be
rendered removable from the base.
2. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is
substantially cuboid in shape, and has a front surface and a back
surface, and the receiving groove is located at the front
surface.
3. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bending
hem comprises a first bent portion bent substantially
perpendicularly downward from the end of the main board, and a
second bent portion bent substantially perpendicularly outward from
a free end of the first bent portion, the first bent portion
extending through the slot, and the second bent portion abuts with
the back surface when the bending piece is engaged with the
base.
4. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base
forms a batten at the back surface, the batten partly aligning with
the slot.
5. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bending
piece comprises a first bent portion bent substantially
perpendicularly downward from the end of the main board, and a
second bent portion bent substantially perpendicularly inward from
a free end of the first bent portion, the second bent portion
abutting with the back surface when the bending piece is engaged
with the base.
6. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base
defines a cavity adjacent the receiving groove, the base has a wall
portion facing the cavity, the wall portion defines a nick therein,
and the second bent portion of the bending piece extends to the
back surface via the nick.
7. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving
groove is formed by two opposite strips that are perpendicular to
the protrusion and the slot, and two opposite ends of each strip
bend towards the other strip.
8. The SIM card holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic
slice extends slantwise from the main board, and forms a rolled
portion at a free end thereof for resisting the protrusion, the
slice being disposed between the bending piece and the bending hem,
the rolled portion raising over the protrusion when the slice is
pulled to move away from the protrusion.
9. An electronic device comprising: front and rear covers
cooperatively defining an enclosed space; and a SIM (subscriber
identification module) card holder mounted in the enclosed space,
the SIM card holder comprising: a base defining a receiving groove
and a slot, the receiving groove being configured for receiving a
SIM card therein, the base comprising a protrusion, the protrusion
and the slot being arranged at two opposite sides of the receiving
groove; and a catching mechanism comprising a main board having a
bending piece and a bending hem at two opposite ends thereof, the
bending hem being detachably engaged in the slot, the bending piece
being engagable with the base so as to lock the SIM card in the
receiving groove, the main board comprising an elastic slice
resisting the protrusion when the bending piece is engaged with the
base, wherein the catching mechanism is configured such that, when
the slice is pulled to move away from the protrusion, the catching
mechanism slides relative to the base to make the catching
mechanism rotatable in a manner such that the catching mechanism
can be rendered removable from the base.
10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base
is substantially cuboid in shape, and has a front surface and a
back surface, and the receiving groove is located at the front
surface.
11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
bending hem comprises a fist bent portion bent substantially
perpendicularly downward from the end of the main board, and a
second bent portion bent substantially perpendicularly outward from
a free end of the first bent portion, the first bent portion
extending through the slot, and the second bent portion abuts
against the back surface when the bending piece is engaged with the
base.
12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
bending piece comprises a first bent portion bent substantially
perpendicularly downward from the end of the main board, and a
second bent portion bent substantially perpendicularly inward from
a free end of the first bent portion, the second bent portion
abutting against the back surface when the bending piece is engaged
with the base.
13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the base
defines a cavity adjacent the receiving groove, the base has a wall
portion facing the cavity, the wall portion defines a nick therein,
and the second bent portion of the bending piece extends to the
back surface via the nick.
14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
receiving groove is formed by two opposite strips that are
perpendicular to the protrusion and the slot, and two opposite ends
of each strip bend towards the other strip.
15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
elastic slice extends slantwise from the main board, and forms a
rolled portion at a free end thereof for resisting the protrusion,
the slice being disposed between the bending piece and the bending
hem, the rolled portion raising over the protrusion when the slice
is pulled to move away from the protrusion.
16. A SIM Subscriber identification module) card holder for an
electronic device, the holder comprising: a base defining a
receiving groove configured for receiving a SIM card therein; and a
catching mechanism comprising a main board having a first end
movably attached to the base adjacent a first side of the receiving
groove, and a second opposite end engagable with the base adjacent
an opposite second side of the receiving groove to allow the main
board to cover the receiving groove, wherein the second end of the
main board is disengagable from the base by moving the catching
mechanism along an axis parallel to the receiving groove.
17. The SIM card holder of claim 16, wherein the first end is
attached to the base in such a manner that the catching mechanism
is pivotable with respect to the base.
18. The SIM card holder of claim 17, wherein the first end is
disengagable from the base after pivoting the first end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to SIM card
(subscriber identification module cards) holders and, more
particularly, to a SIM card holder for seating a SIM card onto an
electronic device such as a mobile phone.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Nowadays, mobile phones are widely used and bring
convenience to our lives, mobile phones have become a part of
modern life. Every mobile phone has a SIM card for carrying
information which is necessary for people to operate the mobile
phone. The SIM card may also contain personal information for the
subscriber, for example, a listing of frequently used telephone
numbers. Therefore, a SIM card holder is necessary for holding the
SIM card in electronic devices such as mobile phones.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a typical SIM card holder is disclosed
as follows. The SIM card holder includes a mounting base 80 and a
locking element 90. A receiving groove 801 is defined in the
mounting base 80 for receiving a SIM card. The locking element 90
includes a fixing portion 901, an operating portion 903 and a
deformable portion 905. The locking element 90 is mounted on the
mounting base 80. The fixing portion 901 protrudes over the
receiving groove 801 to hold the SIM card. When the operating
portion 903 is pulled manually, the deformable portion 905 deforms
and the fixing portion 901 moves away from the receiving groove
801, thereby the SIM card can be removed from the receiving groove
801 of the mounting base 80.
[0006] It can be seen that the deformable portion 905 of the
locking element 90 is very large, and a height of the deformable
portion 905 will increase when pulling the operating portion 903.
Thus, the SIM card holder occupies too much space, which results in
an overly large size for electronic devices such as mobile phones.
In addition, when a person is installing or removing the SIM card,
he or she must hold the mobile phone and operate the locking
element 90 with one hand and remove the SIM card simultaneously
with another hand. That is, it is very inconvenient for the user to
operate the SIM card holder.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a SIM card holder which has
small height and is easily operated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A SIM card holder includes a base and a catching mechanism.
The base defines a receiving groove and a slot. The receiving
groove is configured for receiving the SIM card therein. The base
comprises a protrusion. The protrusion and the slot are arranged at
two opposite sides of the receiving groove. The catching mechanism
comprises a main board having a bending piece and a bending hem at
two opposite ends thereof. The bending hem is engaged in the slot.
The bending piece is engagable with the base so as to lock the SIM
card in the receiving groove. The main board comprises an elastic
slice resisting the protrusion when the bending piece is engaged
with the base.
[0009] Other advantages and novel features of preferred embodiments
of the present hinge system and its applications will become more
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Many aspects of the present SIM card holders and their
applications can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings. The components in the drawings are not
necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of SIM card holders. Moreover,
in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding
parts throughout the several views.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional SIM
card holder;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a SIM card holder
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present SIM card
holder;
[0013] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but viewed from another
direction;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an assembled, isometric view of the SIM card
holder of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but viewed from another
direction;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the SIM card holder
taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, showing another state of the
SIM card holder; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the holder for a mobile phone
which employs the SIM card holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a SIM card holder includes a
housing 10 and a catching mechanism 20. A SIM card 30 is fixed on
the housing 10 by the catching mechanism 20, and the SIM card 30 is
electrically connected to a print circuit board (PCB, not shown) by
a connector 40.
[0020] The housing 10 is approximately cuboid-shaped with a front
surface 100 and a back surface 101. A receiving cavity 102 is
defined in a bottom portion of the housing 10 for receiving a
battery (not shown), and an opening 104 is defined in a top portion
of the housing 10 for receiving the connector 40. The receiving
cavity 102 is defined by four sidewalls 103. A nick or a hole 105
is defined in a sidewall 103 near the opening 104. Being adjacent
to the nick 105, a protrusion 108 is formed on the front surface
100 of the housing 10, and located between the nick 105 and the
opening 104. A slot 110 is defined at the front surface 100 of the
housing 10 and is opposite to the protrusion 108 relative to the
opening 104. Two strips 112 are formed on the housing 10 at the
front surface 100 and are perpendicular to the protrusion 108 and
the slot 110. Two ends of each strip 112 bend towards another strip
112, thereby cooperatively defining a receiving groove 114 for
receiving the SIM card 30. A batten 116 is formed on the back
surface 101 of the housing 10, aligning with the slot 110. Two
catch boards 118 and two catch pieces 120 are formed on the back
surface 101 of the housing 10 surrounding the opening 104 for
housing the connector 40. The connector 40 is disposed at the back
surface 101 and exposed out of the front surface 100 via the
opening 104.
[0021] The catching mechanism 20 is approximately sheet-shaped
having a main board 201. Two ends of the main board 201
perpendicularly bend in a same direction to form first bent
portions and part of the first bent portions further
perpendicularly bend in a same direction to form second bent
portions, thereby forming a bending piece 202 and an opposite
bending hem 204 at two ends of the main board 201. The bending
piece 202 bends inward of the main board 201, and the bending hem
204 bends outward of the main board 201. An elastic slice 206 is
forced out of the main board 201 adjacent to the end of the bending
piece 202 by a punch. An end of the slice 206 adjacent to the
bending piece 202 is a free end and the opposite end connects to
the main board 201. A hook 207 is formed at the free end of the
slice 206. A width of the main board 201 is corresponding to a
minimal distance between the two strips 112 of the housing 10. A
width of the slice 206 is corresponding to a length of the
protrusion 108. The bending hem 204 of the catching mechanism 20 is
inserted into the slot 110 of the housing 10 and the slice 206
resists the protrusion 108.
[0022] The SIM card 30 carries information that is necessary for
operating the telephone and personal information of the owner. The
SIM card 30 is a kind of integrated circuit card. The SIM card 30
is mounted in the receiving groove 114 and electrically connected
with the connector 40.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, in assembly, the SIM card 30
is mounted in the receiving groove 114 beforehand. The bending hem
204 of the catching mechanism 20 is inserted into the slot 110 of
the housing 10, and the catching mechanism 20 is rotated about an
angle of 90.degree. afterward to make the main board 201
approximately parallel to the front surface 100 of the housing 10.
The catching mechanism 20 is moved in a direction parallel to the
strips 112 to make the catching mechanism 20 move towards the
receiving cavity 102. Then the catching mechanism 20 is pressed
downwards. The catching mechanism 20 is moved in a direction
parallel to the strips 112 to make the catching mechanism 20 move
away from the receiving cavity 102, thereby the bending piece 202
engages with the housing 10 at the position adjacent to the nick
105 and the bending hem 204 engages with the housing 10 at the
position of the slot 110. The hook 207 of the catching mechanism 20
resists the protrusion 108. A cooperation of the bending piece 202,
the bending hem 204 and the hook 207 with the housing 10 holds the
catching mechanism 20 in position. The SIM card 30 is thus held on
the housing 10. It can be seen that the SIM card holder merely
includes two simple elements, i.e. the housing 10 and the catching
mechanism 20. Thus, the SIM card holder is quite simple. In
addition, the catching mechanism 20 is a thin board. Thus, the SIM
card holder does not occupy much space.
[0024] Referring to the FIG. 7, when removing the SIM card 30 from
housing 10, at first, the hook 207 of the catching mechanism 20 is
clawed and raised over the protrusion 108 of the housing 10, then
the catching mechanism 20 is moved in parallel relative to the
front surface 100 of the housing towards the receiving cavity 102.
Thus, the bending piece 202 and the bending hem 204 disengage with
the housing 10, shown in FIG. 7. Finally, the catching mechanism 20
is rotated through an angle, thereby the SIM card 30 is made
removable from the housing 10. The SIM card 30 can also be removed
after removing the catching mechanism 20 as the catching mechanism
20 is also removable from the housing 10. As such, the SIM card
holder has greater ease of use.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 8, the SIM card holder is applied in an
exemplary mobile phone having a front cover 60 and a rear cover 70.
The front cover 60 and the rear cover 70 cooperatively define an
enclosed space. The housing 10 is mounted in the enclosed
space.
[0026] In alternative embodiment, the receiving groove 114 can also
be a slot defined in the housing 10, correspondingly, the strips
112 can be omitted. The housing 10 can be just a base for mounting
the catching mechanism 20 and the SIM card 30 without the receiving
cavity 102 for the battery.
[0027] It is believed that the embodiments and their advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of
its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely
being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *