ELECTRONIC CARD WITH RF EXTENSION

Abstract: The electronic card comprises a printed circuit board assembly (1) interposed between first (7) and second (8) main card shields having edges wherein the improvement comprises tabs (9) on the edges of one shield that engage recesses (10) on the edge of the other shield and each of the tabs comprises a member having an oblique projection which engages the other shield. The first and second main card shields have rear edges and first (16) and second (56) shield extensions which project respectively from the first and second main shields.

Description: ELECTRONIC CARD WITH RF EXTENSION Cross Reference to Related Application This application is related to PCT Application Serial No. US97/ 14369 filed August 13, 1997 and to U.S. Application Serial No. 08/999,312 filed December 29, 1997, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to electronic cards and more particularly to exterior shells for such cards. 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments: Electronic cards are widely used, especially for adding capacity and/ or functionality to personal computers. The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) has established standards for such cards, and has categorized them as type I, type II and type III cards. Previously cards have employed cover shields latched and/ or adhesively fixed to an intermediate frame and covers laser welded or ultrasonically welded together. More recent cards employ metal shields that are directly fixed together, without a frame. However, there are difficulties experienced in having such structures maintain sufficient rigidity to withstand flexing, bending and tension forces which would be expected to be placed on it in the course of ordinary use. There is, therefore, a need for an electronic card which avoids the above mentioned difficulties. There is also a need for such a card with a shield extension. Summary of the Invention The electronic card of the invention comprises a printed circuit board interposed between card shields having edges. Tabs on the edges of one shield engage recesses on the edge of the other shield. Adequate rigidity is thereby provided. Also included is an I/O connector grounded without a separate ground contact and shielded over its length. The electronic card of another embodiment of the invention comprises a printed circuit board interposed between card shields having edges. Tabs on the edges of one shield engage recesses on the edge of the other shield. Adequate rigidity is thereby provided. A frame bar may also be interposed between the shields. Also included is a rear extension in which there is a top extension having a plurality of projections engages apertures on the top shield. A bottom of extensions engage the main bottom shield in the same way. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic card of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 wherein the main card shields have been emplaced but the extension has not; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fully assembled card with extension of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a rear top perspective of the card shown in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a perspective similar to Fig. 4 without the shield extensions being attached. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figs. 1-3, the PCB assembly consists of a board 1 and a receptacle connector 2 at the other end of the board. This connector 2 has the two coding keys 3 and 4 integrated to sides of the plastic housing, simultaneously an upstanding ridge 5 on the top and bottom of this housing. On each of the two coding key ends of the connector 2, top and bottom surfaces, are also located two recesses (not shown). The top and bottom card shields 7 and 8 are identical stampings of sheet metal eg. stainless steel. Over a substantial length of the shield, at one side are preferably periodically spaced, located upstanding tabs 9, and on the other side at same locations and periodicity appropriate recesses 10. In addition, at the front side 13 of a shield are located two fixation tabs 11. When the two card shield halves 7 and 8 are positioned and moved toward each other over on either side of the PCB assembly, the tabs 9 and fixation tabs 11 cooperate with oppositely positioned recess 10 and 6 respectively, to obtain a final card assembly 14 shown in Fig. 2. The shield also has an upper extension shown generally at numeral 16 which has a front section 18 with projections 20, 22,< 24, 26, 28 and 30. These projections engage respectively apertures 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 on the upper main shield. The upper shield extension 16 also includes a front step 44, a planar top surface 46, a rear side 48 and opposed lateral sides 50 and 52. Beneath the upper extension 16 there is a card extension 54. The card extension is superimposed over a lower extension 56 which like the upper extension 16 has a plurality of front projections as at projection 58 which engage apertures as at 60 along the rear edge of the main the upper extension 16 has a plurality of front projections as at projection 58 which engage apertures as at 60 along the rear edge of the main bottom cover. The lower extension 56 has a planar bottom surface 62, a rear side 64 and opposed lateral sides 66 and 68. Adjacent to the lateral sides there are a plurality of latches as at latch 70 which engage similarily positioned latches (not shown) on the upper shield extension 16. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the projections on the shield extensions enter the apertures on the main shield at an angle and that they are rotated against the apertures in the main shield and are pivoted in a vertical arc toward each other until the top extension engages the bottom extension by means of their latches. It will be understood that these card extensions allow for optimum shielding since when the main shields are open at their rear ends to allow for maximum component space shielding loss will occur without these shield extensions. While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single

Claims: Claims WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. In an electronic card comprising a printed circuit board assembly interposed between first and second main card shields having edges wherein the improvement comprises tabs on the edges of one shield that engages recesses on the edge of the other shield and each of said tabs comprises an member having an oblique projection which engages said other shield and said first and second main shields have rear edges and first and second shield extensions project respectively from the first and second main shields. 2. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of apertures adjacent the rear edges of the first and second main shields and there are a plurality of projections on the first and second shield extensions and said first and second shield extensions are connected to said first and second main shields by means of said projections which engage said apertures. 3. The electronic card of claim 2 wherein the first and second shield extensions are pivoted toward each other in vertical arcs. 4. The electronic card of claim 3 wherein the first and second shield extensions have latching means for their mutual engagement. 5. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the first and second main card shields are stainless steel. 6. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the first and second shield extensions are stainless steel.

Inventors: GERRITS ANTONIUS H J, GERRITS, ANTONIUS, H., J.
Applicants: BERG TECH INC, GERRITS ANTONIUS H J, BERG TECHNOLOGY, INC., GERRITS, ANTONIUS, H., J.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H05K1
IPC codes: H05K5