Shielded printed circuit card holder

Abstract

This invention is directed to a fully shielded printed circuit (PC) card holder, that may be readily "snapped" into the assembly, or disassembled, as the case may be. The holder is intended to receive a PC card, where at least one end of the card is adapted to be electrically connected to an I/O type connector. The holder comprises a generally rectangular bottom cover member formed of a conductive material, corner supports integrally molded to the bottom cover member at the respective corners thereof, where each support includes a lower flange portion to which the bottom cover member is exposed. Further, a generally rectangular upper cover member is provided where the periphery thereof includes a downwardly extending flange adapted to engage the lower flange portion in electrical contact with the bottom cover member over a substantial portion of the periphery thereof. In the assembled condition, the holder provides continuous shielding against distortion of data signals between the PC card and the I/O type connector.

We claim: 
     
       1. A shielded printed circuit (PC) card holder for receiving a PC card, where at least one end of said card is adapted to be electrically connected to an I/O type connector, said holder comprising a rectangular bottom cover member formed of a conductive material, corner supports integrally molded to said bottom cover member at the respective corners thereof, where each said support includes a lower flange portion to which said bottom cover member is exposed, and a rectangular upper cover member whose periphery includes a downwardly extending flange adapted to engage said lower flange portion in electrical contact with said bottom cover member over a major portion of the periphery thereof, whereby to provide continuous shielding against distortion of data signals between the PC card and said I/O type connector. 
     
     
       2. The shielded PC card holder according to claim 1, wherein said molded bottom cover member and said frame includes at least one transverse support member against which said PC card lies. 
     
     
       3. The shielded PC card holder according to claim 1, wherein adjacent said corner supports are joined by rails, and said rail include a tapered edge to facilitate the assembly of said holder. 
     
     
       4. The shielded PC card holder according to claim 3, wherein said rails include a plurality of recesses for receiving a disassembly tool. 
     
     
       5. The shielded PC card holder according to claim 1, including a grounding tab internal with said upper cover member for electrically engaging corresponding grounding traces on said PC card. 
     
     
       6. The shielded PC card holder according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending flange is in a flexed state when the holder is assembled, whereby to provide a constant contact force between said bottom and upper cover members. .Iadd. 
     
     
       7.  A shielded printed circuit (PC) card holder for receiving a PC card, where at least one end of said card is adapted to be electrically connected to an I/O type connector, said holder comprising an integrated lower cover and frame member, said lower cover comprising a metallic plate member having upturned portions adjacent to side edges thereof, said frame member comprising a pair of side rails molded on said lower cover member and encapsulating said upturned portions therein to secure said frame member to said lower cover, said card holder further comprising an upper cover securable to said integrated lower cover and frame member, for enclosing a PC card therein. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. The card holder of claim 7, wherein the upper cover comprises a metallic plate member shield. .Iaddend..Iadd.9. The card holder of claim 8, further comprising a PC card positioned therein which is grounded to one of said upper or lower covers. .Iaddend..Iadd.10. The card holder of claim 7, wherein the lower cover member comprises a peripheral shoulder portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. The card holder of claim 10, wherein said peripheral shoulder portion is raised relative to a plane defined by the metallic plate member of said lower cover member. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. The card hold holder of claim 11, wherein the upturned portions extend over the peripheral shoulder portions to facilitate molding of the upturned portions in the frame members. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. The card holder of claim 12, wherein the upturned portions are formed at the free edges of the lower cover, and are 
     
     
        reversely bent inwards. .Iaddend..Iadd.14.  The card holder of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the side rails are molded over at least a portion of said shoulder portion, and the frame member conforms to said shoulder portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The card holder of claim 7, wherein the upturned portions are formed at the free edges of the lower cover, and are reversely bent inwards. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. The card holder of claim 7, wherein said side rails further define a support surface for the printed circuit card. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. The card holder of claim 7, wherein said frame member comprises at least one transverse member integrally molded with said side rails and spanning between said side rails. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The card holder of claim 7, wherein said side rails form an upper surface for contacting said upper cover. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The card holder of claim 7, wherein said upper cover is fixed to said integrated lower cover and frame member. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The card holder of claim 19, wherein said upper cover is removably fixed to said integrated lower cover and frame member. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. A printed circuit (PC) card holder, comprising a lower cover comprising a metal shell having upturned sections extending from said metal shell adjacent an outer periphery thereof, and an insulative frame member molded on said metal shell, said frame member encapsulating said upturned sections therein to secure said frame member to said metal shell; a printed circuit card within said lower cover; and an upper cover secured to said lower 
     
     
        cover and enclosing said printed circuit card. .Iaddend..Iadd.22.  The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 21, wherein the metal shell comprises a metal plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 22, wherein the upper cover and lower cover are in grounding contact along a substantial portion of their respective outer peripheries. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 21, wherein the upturned sections extend from outer edges of said metal shell. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 21, wherein the upturned sections are turned inwardly so as to grip 
     
     
        the frame member. .Iaddend..Iadd.26.  A printed circuit (PC) card holder, comprising a frame member and a lower cover comprising a metal shell having at least one fixing section integrally molded in said frame member to secure said frame member to said metal shell; a printed circuit card peripherally within said lower cover; and an upper cover secured to said integrally molded frame and lower cover and enclosing said printed circuit card. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 26, wherein the metal shell comprises a metal plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 27, wherein the upper cover and lower cover are in grounding contact along a substantial portion of their respective outer peripheries. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 26, wherein the at least one fixing section extends upwardly from an outer edge of said metal shell. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 26, wherein the at least one fixing section is turned inwardly so as to grip the frame member. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 26, wherein the frame member is molded of insulative material. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The printed circuit (PC) card holder of claim 26, further comprising a connector mounted on said printed circuit card to provide an I/O interface. .Iaddend.