Portable smart card reader assembly

A portable smart card reader assembly comprising an upper housing unit (25) having a first set of mounting means (28, 29), and an lower housing unit (12) having a second set of mounting means (20, 21), said upper housing unit (25) and said lower housing unit (12) together defining a cavity (50) for accommodating an electronic insert (17), said electronic insert (17) comprising a receptacle connector (2) for establishing electronic contact with an associated electronic device and a contact array (8) having terminals (51, 52) designed to mate with contact pads on a smart card (7) upon insertion of the smart card (7) into the portable smart card reader assembly (1), wherein upon mating said upper housing unit (25) with said lower housing unit (12) said first set of mounting means (28, 29) and said second set of mounting means (20, 21) are moved into locking engagement, and wherein said upper housing unit (25) comprises a dielectric top cover (45) integral with and generally above an upper sheet metal cover (33).