Patent ID: 6134114
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G06K,Y10S

Abstract:
A contacting unit (1) comprising:a housing comprising a base plate (3) and a cover plate (6);said housing having two longitudinal sides (13, 14) and two narrow sides extending perpendicularly to said two longitudinal sides;said cover plate (6) having a plastic frame (27);a printed circuit board (7), having a strip plug (4) for contacting a port at a notebook computer and a contact field (11') for contacting a chip card (9);said printed circuit board (7) mounted in parallel between said cover plate (6) and said base plate (3) such that between said printed circuit board (7) and said base plate (3) a slot-shaped insertion channel (8) is defined and such that said strip plug (4) is located at a first one of said two narrow sides, wherein said printed circuit board (7) is secured by said plastic frame (27);said insertion channel (8) open at said two longitudinal sides;said insertion channel (8) having an insertion guide (5) located at a second one (15) of said narrow sides opposite said strip plug (4);wherein said base plate (3) and said cover plate (6) are separate stamped sheet metal parts having peripheral edges;wherein at least said peripheral edges at said two longitudinal sides (13, 14) of said housing have inwardly bent tabs (12);wherein said base plate (3) has plastic holders (19, 20) at said two longitudinal sides (13, 14) for securing opposite ends of said strip plug (4);wherein said insertion guide (5) is a profiled plastic member (18) having a length matching a length of said second narrow side (15);wherein said profiled plastic member (18) is connected to said base plate (3) and has an insertion slot (10) allowing passage of a chip card (9) into said insertion channel (8);wherein said profiled plastic member (18) has a platform (21) projecting into said housing and providing a support surface for said printed circuit board (7);wherein said plastic holders (19, 20) and said profiled plastic member (18) are injection-molded onto said tabs (12) of said base plate (3);wherein said plastic frame (27) is injection-molded to said tabs (12) of said cover plate (6);said cover plate (6) and said base plate (3) are fastened to one another by a plastic connection effected by an adhesive, ultrasound welding or hot-pressing.