EP0428294A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deflectable contact for providing positive surface contact for shielding electromagnetic interference
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-10-30
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an electromagnetic compatibility grounding connector having a contact portion deflectable between a first and a second position. In the first position only a line contact is established in contact with a complementary connector. In a second position a surface contact is established of greater surface contact area than the line contact. Electrical resistance is thus reduced and conductivity increased. Also disclosed is a support for an electronic device having such a connector and a personal computer housing having such supports and interconnecting with such connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin Kiefer Cooke
- 👤 John Robinson Dewitt
- 👤 Paul Jeffrey Galinis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An electromagnetic compatibility grounding connector for an equipment housing (1) having an electromagnetic interference shield panel (3a) mountable on one surface of the housing adjacent to a front surface of at least one electronic device, and a moveable support comprising a base (15) having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having the electronic device mounted thereon; the connector comprising:- conductive means (23) on the upper surface of the base interspersed between the electronic device and the upper surface, and electrically connected to a ground connection of the electronic device; and deflectable contact means (27) extending outwardly from the horizontal plane of the base (15), connected to the conductive means (23), and the contact (27) deflectable between a first position and a second position, for providing a line contact when in the first position, and for providing a surface contact of greater contact surface area than the line contact when deflected into the second positionby pressure exerted thereon by the electromagnetic interference shield panel (3a), in physical and electrical contact therewith, when the housing (1) is fully assembled to provide enhanced shielding against electromagnetic interference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electromagnetic compatibility grounding connector for an equipment housing (1) having an electromagnetic interference shield panel (3a) mountable on one surface of the housing adjacent to a front surface of at least one electronic device, and a moveable support comprising a base (15) having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having the electronic device mounted thereon; the connector comprising:- conductive means (23) on the upper surface of the base interspersed between the electronic device and the upper surface, and electrically connected to a ground connection of the electronic device; and deflectable contact means (27) extending outwardly from the horizontal plane of the base (15), connected to the conductive means (23), and the contact (27) deflectable between a first position and a second position, for providing a line contact when in the first position, and for providing a surface contact of greater contact surface area than the line contact when deflected into the second positionby pressure exerted thereon by the electromagnetic interference shield panel (3a), in physical and electrical contact therewith, when the housing (1) is fully assembled to provide enhanced shielding against electromagnetic interference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector as in claimed claim 1 wherein the means (25) is a straight strip of stamped metal and the contact means (27) is an accurate strip of stamped metal integral with and extending from the conductive means (28) and the arcuate strip of stamped metal is rotated 90 degrees relative to the horizontal surface of the straight strip to extend vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arcuate strip of stamped metal is fixed at both ends of the arc to the support and extends horizontally theref rom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein one end of the arcuate strip is loosely connected in a manner permitting a sufficient amount of play before the arcuate strip deflects sufficiently to ensure a maximum area of surface contact when deflected into the second position by a complementary connecting contact of the shield panel (3a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bases (15) is made of polycarbonate material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A connector as claimed in any preceding wherein the connector is made of one of stainless steel and beryllium copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connector is made of stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer system comprising a connector as claimed in any preceding claim.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer system as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the electronic device is a magnetic disk drive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer system as in claimed 9 further comprising a plurality of magnetic disk drives on a corresponding plurality of supports having a corresponding plurality of conductive means (23) and deflectable contact means (27) all mounted in the housing (1).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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