Abstract: A narrow flash-memory-drive card has an integrated slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector that fits into a standard USB socket. The slim USB connector has 4 metal contacts on a board that is encapsulated by a plastic case. Components are mounted onto the board on the side opposite the metal contacts. The flash-memory drive card is as narrow as the USB connector, with straight edges, since a narrow flash-memory chip is used that is packaged in a more area-efficient Ball Grid Array (BGA) package that has solder-ball connections in a two-dimensional array rather than leads around a perimeter. The BGA package and board are covered by a plastic case and a cover. The cover and case can be bonded together ultrasonically, with adhesive films, or using snaps. The cover and/or plastic case can also be formed by a molding process.

Abstract: A low-profile Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector includes a substantially flat base structure that is received in the lower section of a conventional female USB connector, and includes metal contacts formed on an upper surface of the base structure. Wobble or vertical play is reduced by rails extending along side edges of the base structure that are partially inserted into gaps formed between the metal case and base structure of the female USB connector. Between metal contacts on the low-profile USB connector are raised ribs (dividers) that prevent undesirable damage or contamination to the metal contacts. The connector base structure of the low-profile USB connector can be separate or can be integrated with a circuit board that holds a flash memory chip and a USB controller chip.

Abstract: A flash-memory-drive card has a Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector. The card has a printed-circuit board (PCB) that fits into a perimeter frame that surrounds the edges of the PCB. Metal or plastic upper and lower covers are snapped onto the frame to encapsulate the PCB. The USB connector can be a Full USB connector plug that extends from the perimeter frame and has a centerline approximately matching the PCB centerline for a balanced design, or can be a slim or reduced-height USB connector plug that has a frame closure bar that fits inside closure fittings on the perimeter frame. The USB connector can also be made from a frame extension that has four frame slots through the frame. The PCB has four PCB fingers that are inserted through the frame slots during assembly so that the PCB fingers fit within depressions in the frame extension to form the USB connector plug.

Abstract: A two-piece flash-memory-drive card has an integrated slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector that fits into a standard USB socket. The slim USB connector has 4 metal contacts on a board that is encapsulated by a lower plastic case but no upper plastic case. Components are mounted onto the board on the side opposite the metal contacts and are covered by the lower plastic case. A thinner portion of the plastic case forms a light window that allows a light-emitting diode on the board to shine through the case. The lower plastic case is bonded to the board with adhesive or using snaps. Supporting underside ribs in the lower plastic case opposite the metal contacts allow most of the card to be thinner than the space inside the standard USB socket.

Abstract: A flash-memory-drive card has an integrated slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector that fits into a standard USB socket. The slim USB connector has 4 metal contacts on a board that is encapsulated by upper and lower plastic cases. Components are mounted onto the board on the side opposite the metal contacts. A thinner portion of the plastic case forms a light window that allows a light-emitting diode on the board to shine through the case. The plastic cases can be bonded together ultrasonically or with adhesive or using snaps and groves. Supporting underside ribs in the lower plastic case opposite the metal contacts allow most of the card to be thinner than the spacing in the standard USB socket. Dividers between the metal contacts are formed between openings in the upper case. The dividers help to fill gaps between the slim USB connector and the standard USB socket.