Patents by Inventor Akira Natori

Akira Natori has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7533825
    Abstract: In an electronic apparatus adapted to load and unload an object, a contact is held by a base having a principal surface. The contact has a contacting portion which is formed on the principal surface and elastically displaceable in a direction intersecting the principal surface. A holder is coupled to the base to be rotatable around an axis extending in a first direction perpendicular to the principal surface. The holder has a receiving portion adapted to hold the object and is adapted to bring the object into contact with the contacting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7407399
    Abstract: A card connector for connecting an electronic card with an electronic device is disclosed. The connector comprises a base member and a metal cover (10), which define a receptacle for receiving at least partially the electronic card therein. The connector further comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting the electronic card, at least in part, from the receptacle. The ejector mechanism comprises: a cam portion (60) which provides a cam path; a cam follower (50); and a resilient supporter (40) which supporter supports the cam follower (50) to allow the cam follower (50) to travel along the cam path. The ejection mechanism is formed integrally with the metal cover (10). Instead, the cam portion (60) may be formed integrally with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Joe Motojima, Akihiro Matsunaga, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080009163
    Abstract: A card connector for connecting an electronic card with an electronic device is disclosed. The connector comprises a base member and a metal cover (10), which define a receptacle for receiving at least partially the electronic card therein. The connector further comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting the electronic card, at least in part, from the receptacle. The ejector mechanism comprises: a cam portion (60) which provides a cam path; a cam follower (50); and a resilient supporter (40) which supporter supports the cam follower (50) to allow the cam follower (50) to travel along the cam path. The ejection mechanism is formed integrally with the metal cover (10). Instead, the cam portion (60) may be formed integrally with the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Joe Motojima, Akihiro Matsunaga, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7314380
    Abstract: In a card connector including a fixed portion adapted to receive a card, a conductive contact is coupled to the fixed portion and adapted to be connected to the card received in the fixed portion. An eject mechanism is coupled to the fixed portion and adapted to eject the card from the fixed portion in an ejecting direction. A braking mechanism is coupled to the eject mechanism and adapted to supply a controlled braking force to the eject mechanism. The controlled braking force is variable in an ejecting process of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7086882
    Abstract: In a card connector for use in connecting a card, an eject mechanism is coupled to a housing for receiving the card. The eject mechanism is for executing an ejecting operation of ejecting the card from the housing. The card connector is provided with a retarding mechanism which cooperates with the eject mechanism to retard the ejecting operation. The retarding mechanism may include a braking mechanism for braking the card in response to an operation of the eject mechanism. Alternatively, the braking mechanism may be for braking an eject bar which is included in the eject mechanism and movable along the housing for ejecting the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7070429
    Abstract: In a card connector for connection to a card, a housing is provided therein with a contact for contacting the card. For ejecting the card from the card connector, an ejecting mechanism includes an ejecting bar coupled to the housing and movable in directions of insertion and ejection of the card. For controlling an operation of the ejecting bar, a cam mechanism is coupled to the ejecting bar. The ejecting bare is constantly biased by an elastic member towards direction of the ejection of the card. The ejecting bar has a retaining portion for retaining the card. The ejecting bar moves along with the card with the retaining portion retaining the card when the ejecting bar is operated to eject the card from the card connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7063552
    Abstract: In a connector for electrically connecting a mating object, a cover 12 is used for pressing the mating object against a contact 16 held by a housing 11. The cover is held on the housing 11 to be rotatable in a first direction and to be movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The cover is kept in a connected state by locking portions 14 and 21 which are engaged with each other in a direction opposite to the first direction and in the second direction. Upon disconnection of the mating object, the cover is rotated in the first direction to release the engagement of the locking portions and is moved in the second direction, thereby allowing the mating object to be disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Akira Natori
  • Patent number: 7048566
    Abstract: In a card connector for connecting a card to a connection object, a cover member is faced to a base member to press the card towards a conductive contact. The cover member is slidable along the base member in first and second directions. The base member has a locking member and an elastic member. The locking member has a locking portion to be engaged with the cover member to inhibit movement of the cover member in the second direction when the cover member slides in the first direction. The locking member further has a first terminal portion to be connected to the connection object. The elastic member has a press-contact portion to be contacted with the cover member and a second terminal portion to be connected to the connection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Akira Natori
  • Patent number: 7029287
    Abstract: In an electrical connector to be connected to a mating connector in a predetermined direction, an insulator defines an accommodating space and an opening communicating the accommodating space in the predetermined direction. A contact as a base portion held by the insulator and a spring portion connected to the base portion. The spring portion has a first portion extending from the base portion in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, a second portion turned opposite to the opening from the first portion and extending in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, and a third portion extending from the second portion to pass through the opening. The third portion has a contact portion located outside the accommodating space to be elastically contacted with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Masaaki Shimada, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20060016888
    Abstract: In an electronic apparatus adapted to load and unload an object, a contact is held by a base having a principal surface. The contact has a contacting portion which is formed on the principal surface and elastically displaceable in a direction intersecting the principal surface. A holder is coupled to the base to be rotatable around an axis extending in a first direction perpendicular to the principal surface. The holder has a receiving portion adapted to hold the object and is adapted to bring the object into contact with the contacting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20050277319
    Abstract: In a card connector for use in connecting a card, an eject mechanism is coupled to a housing for receiving the card. The eject mechanism is for executing an ejecting operation of ejecting the card from the housing. The card connector is provided with a retarding mechanism which cooperates with the eject mechanism to retard the ejecting operation. The retarding mechanism may include a braking mechanism for braking the card in response to an operation of the eject mechanism. Alternatively, the braking mechanism may be for braking an eject bar which is included in the eject mechanism and movable along the housing for ejecting the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20050277338
    Abstract: In an electrical connector to be connected to a mating connector in a predetermined direction, an insulator defines an accommodating space and an opening communicating the accommodating space in the predetermined direction. A contact as a base portion held by the insulator and a spring portion connected to the base portion. The spring portion has a first portion extending from the base portion in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, a second portion turned opposite to the opening from the first portion and extending in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, and a third portion extending from the second portion to pass through the opening. The third portion has a contact portion located outside the accommodating space to be elastically contacted with the mating connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Masaaki Shimada, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6955566
    Abstract: In a connector (1) having a slider (4) movable in a predetermined direction (A1) with respect to a housing (2) to carry a card (11) to a particular position faced to a contact (3), the slider has a pressing part (4a) which is non-flat and elastically deformed to cause restring force while the card is carried towards the particular position. When the card is placed at the particular position, the pressing part presses the card towards the contact by the restoring force. It is preferable that the slider has a butting part (4c) to be brought into contact with a front end of the card and a locking part (4b) to be engaged with a rear end of the card. The pressing part may be formed into a plate-like shape with a protruding part (4e) formed at an intermediate portion in the predetermined direction to protrude towards the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki, Yoichi Kanao
  • Publication number: 20050221651
    Abstract: In a card connector for connecting a card to a connection object, a cover member is faced to a base member to press the card towards a conductive contact. The cover member is slidable along the base member in first and second directions. The base member has a locking member and an elastic member. The locking member has a locking portion to be engaged with the cover member to inhibit movement of the cover member in the second direction when the cover member slides in the first direction. The locking member further has a first terminal portion to be connected to the connection object. The elastic member has a press-contact portion to be contacted with the cover member and a second terminal portion to be connected to the connection object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Akira Natori
  • Publication number: 20050208805
    Abstract: In a card connector including a fixed portion adapted to receive a card, a conductive contact is coupled to the fixed portion and adapted to be connected to the card received in the fixed portion. An eject mechanism is coupled to the fixed portion and adapted to eject the card from the fixed portion in an ejecting direction. A braking mechanism is coupled to the eject mechanism and adapted to supply a controlled braking force to the eject mechanism. The controlled braking force is variable in an ejecting process of the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6929490
    Abstract: A housing (1) is provided with an eject lever (3) for ejecting a card (10). The eject lever holds a locking member (4) to be swingable around a support shaft (13). The housing is provided with a cam portion (7). The locking member is provided with a cam follower portion (14) to be engaged with the cam portion and a locking portion (15) for locking the card to inhibit the release of the card. When the eject lever is made to perform sliding movement, the cam portion and the cam follower portion cooperate to swing the locking member so that the card is locked and unlocked by the locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20050142914
    Abstract: In a card connector for connection to a card, a housing is provided therein with a contact for contacting the card. For ejecting the card from the card connector, an ejecting mechanism includes an ejecting bar coupled to the housing and movable in directions of insertion and ejection of the card. For controlling an operation of the ejecting bar, a cam mechanism is coupled to the ejecting bar. The ejecting bare is constantly biased by an elastic member towards direction of the ejection of the card. The ejecting bar has a retaining portion for retaining the card. The ejecting bar moves along with the card with the retaining portion retaining the card when the ejecting bar is operated to eject the card from the card connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6899565
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulator to be mounted to a substrate, a conductive cover member coupled to the insulator, and a conductive holddown held by the insulator to connect the cover member and a ground conductor portion formed on the substrate. The cover member has first and second cover contacting portions. The holddown has a holddown contacting portion extending to face an outer surface of a side wall portion of the insulator. The holddown contacting portion is clamped between the first and the second cover contacting portions in a direction along the outer surface of the side wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Masafumi Kodera, Joe Motojima, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6890203
    Abstract: In a connector including an insulator (21), a conductive contact (11) held by the insulator, and a cover (31) openable and closable for bring the card into press contact with the contact, the insulator has a holding portion (21) formed at its one end to hold one end portion of the card. On the other hand, the cover has an acting portion (33, 33a) to be engaged with the other end portion of the card to press the card towards the contact when the cover is closed. The card is mounted so as to face a principal surface (21a) of the insulator and brought into contact with a contacting portion (13) of the contact protruding on the principal surface of the insulator. The cover has a pivot portion to be rotatably engaged with the other end of the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Akira Natori, Masaaki Shimada, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6881085
    Abstract: In a connector for a small circuit board, contacting means is formed independently of elastic means that provides contact pressure on the small circuit board when the edge portion of the small circuit board is fitted to the connector. The contacting means comprises for example an insulator film and electrical contacts corresponding to terminals of the plate object. The insulator has first and second surfaces and the electrical contacts are formed on the first surface. The elastic means is for example arranged within a housing of the connector. Within the housing, the second surface of the insulator is fixed on the elastic means, so that the electrical contacts are also arranged on the elastic means via the insulator film. When the edge portion of the small circuit board is accommodated within the housing, the elastic means gives the contact pressure to the edge portion of the small circuit board so that the electrical contacts are connected with the terminals of the small circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yasufumi Yahiro, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki