Grounding system for IC cards

U.S. Patent Number: 5725394

Abstract: A grounding system is provided for a card-receiving header connector assembly. The header connector assembly includes a header connector mounted on a printed circuit board for receiving an IC card. The IC card includes a receptacle connector and a receptacle shield. A plurality of terminals are mounted within the header connector and are adapted for mating to terminals of the receptacle connector of the IC card. A grounding shroud is mounted on the header connector and includes a main body plate and a plurality of ground contact portions formed therein for engaging corresponding contacts on the receptacle shield of the IC card. The ground contact portions each are formed by a generally C-shaped spring arm having opposite ends joined to the main body plate of the shroud, with a portion of the spring arm between the ends being formed downwardly for asymmetrically engaging the contacts on the receptacle shield of the IC card.

Inventors: Banakis; Emanuel G. (Naperville, IL), Hays; Richard A. (Montgomery, IL), Janota; Kenneth F. (Lisle, IL), Lang; Harold Keith (Fox River Grove, IL)

Assignee: Molex Incorporated (Lisle, IL)

Application Number: 08/731,231

Issued: 1998-03-10

Expired: 2006-03-10

Classes: 439/607 ; 439/108

Field of search: 439/607-610,98,99,101,108

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