US4873395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personal computer expansion slot seal and method
Assignee: OLSON METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY A TEXAS CORP
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Filing: 1988-11-14
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2008-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A personal computer CPU chassis (10) is sealed from the emission of radio frequency (RF) through the expansion slots (24) in the rear panel (18). An expansion slot seal (37) is dimensioned to fit over the edges or strips (32-34) of the slots (24) and is held in place by a slot cover (26). The seal (37) has a flat portion (46) for direct contact with the strips (32-34) and an angled portion (48) for direct contact with the cover (26). The cover (26) is held in place by a screw (54) and a retaining device (60) which forces the cover (26) into the seal (37). Thus a metal-to-metal seal is formed around the expansion slots (24) to inhibit the emission of RF therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Mast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/182; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/186; H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1422; H05K7/1427; H05K7/1429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An improved personal computer chassis, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one expansion slot on a base for receiving electronic circuit cards, said slot having edges; at least one expansion slot cover; a spring-loaded retainer fixed to said base to bias said slot cover against said expansion slot edges; and an expansion slot seal disposed between said expansion slot edges and said slot cover such that said retainer forces said cover into said seal, and said seal into said slot edges, to retard the escape of radio frequency from the chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An improved personal computer chassis, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one expansion slot on a base for receiving electronic circuit cards, said slot having edges; at least one expansion slot cover; a spring-loaded retainer fixed to said base to bias said slot cover against said expansion slot edges; and an expansion slot seal disposed between said expansion slot edges and said slot cover such that said retainer forces said cover into said seal, and said seal into said slot edges, to retard the escape of radio frequency from the chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said seal comprises a resilient electrical conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said conductor further comprises a non-corrosive metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said material comprises stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said seal comprises: a flat portion for contact with said slot edges; and an angled portion for contact with said slot cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said angled portion is angled away from said edge toward said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one expansion slot comprises a gap between spaced apart first and second metallic strips.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
35 words
A method for improving a personal computer chassis, comprising the steps of: forming an expansion slot on a base for receiving electronic circuit cards, said slots having edges; covering said slot with a slot cover;
Claim 10
Independent Claim
35 words
A method for improving a personal computer chassis, comprising the steps of: forming an expansion slot on a base for receiving electronic circuit cards, said slots having edges; covering said slot with a slot cover;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
fixing a spring-loaded retainer to said base to hold said cover against said slot edges; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
fixing a spring-loaded retainer to said base to hold said cover against said slot edges; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
disposing an expansion slot seal between said slot cover and said slot edges to retard the escape of radio frequency energy from the chassis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
disposing an expansion slot seal between said slot cover and said slot edges to retard the escape of radio frequency energy from the chassis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of disposing an expansion slot seal further comprises forming said seal from a resilient electrical conductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of disposing comprises:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
positioning a flat portion of said seal against said slot edge; and positioning an angled portion of said seal against said slot cover.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
positioning a flat portion of said seal against said slot edge; and positioning an angled portion of said seal against said slot cover.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of forming expansion slots comprises spacing apart a first metallic strip from a second metallic strip to form a gap therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |