Patent US5777856A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5777856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated shielding and mechanical support
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-06
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2016-08-06
Abstract
Abstract The integrated shielding and mechanical support simultaneously addresses the problems of providing RF shielding for an electronic device such as a radio transceiver and providing a rigid mechanical assembly for the electronic device. Two conductive rails (120, 130) hold together multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) (140, 160) having conductive layers (145, 165) to produce a four-sided shielding box (180) that protects certain electronic circuits on the PCBs from electromagnetic interference. An internal conductive shield (150) subdivides the inside of the shielding box to provide additional protection for sensitive circuitry. The shielding box inserts into an opening in a five-sided housing section (110) using guides (112, 114, 116, 118), which simplifies assembly of PCBs in the housing and facilitates automated assembly. A second housing section (190) attaches to the shielding box (180) once it is inserted into the five-sided housing section (110).
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Phillips
- 👤 Thomas J. Walczak
- 👤 Michael W. Schellinger
- 👤 Scott Semenik
- 👤 Thomas Carey Reardon, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/026; H04M1/0277; H05; H05K; H05K9/00; H05K9/0007; H05K9/002; H05K9/0022; H05K9/0037
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support for an electronic device having a highest frequency of interest for operation comprising: A. a shielding box comprising: a first printed circuit board having a first conductive layer; a second printed circuit board having a second conductive layer; a first conductive rail connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and a second conductive rail connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail, wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, wherein a maximum distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is less than a half-wavelength of the highest frequency of interest, and a maximum distance between the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail is less than the half-wavelength of the highest frequency of interest; and B. a housing surrounding a portion of the shielding box and supported by the shielding box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support for an electronic device having a highest frequency of interest for operation comprising: A. a shielding box comprising: a first printed circuit board having a first conductive layer; a second printed circuit board having a second conductive layer; a first conductive rail connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and a second conductive rail connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail, wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, wherein a maximum distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is less than a half-wavelength of the highest frequency of interest, and a maximum distance between the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail is less than the half-wavelength of the highest frequency of interest; and B. a housing surrounding a portion of the shielding box and supported by the shielding box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the first printed circuit board is oriented parallel to the second printed circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive rail is oriented parallel to the second conductive rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises: a first guide protruding from an inner circumference of the housing for engaging with one side of the shielding box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 4 wherein the first guide engages the first conductive rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 4 wherein the first guide comprises: a double guide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 4 wherein the housing further comprises: a second guide protruding from an inner circumference of the housing for engaging with another side of the shielding box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 further comprising: a non-planar internal conductive shield electrically connected to the first conductive rail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 8 wherein the non-planar internal conductive shield electrically connects to the second conductive rail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive layer is a central layer of the first printed circuit board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 10 wherein the second conductive layer is a central layer of the second printed circuit board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive rail comprises: a spring clip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 12 wherein the second conductive rail comprises: a spring clip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 13 wherein the spring clip of the second conductive rail is crenelated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 12 wherein the spring clip of the first conductive rail is crenelated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive rail has a serpentine cross section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 16 wherein the second conductive rail has a serpentine cross section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 further comprising: a second housing section connected to the shielding box.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 18 wherein the second housing section comprises: a first fastening section engaging with the first conductive rail; and a second fastening section engaging with the second conductive rail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
An integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 1 further comprising: a third printed circuit board having a third conductive layer, wherein the first conductive rail is connected to the third conductive layer, and the second conductive rail is also connected to the third conductive layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
182 words
A radiotelephone comprising: A. a shielding box comprising: a first printed circuit board having a first conductive layer; a second printed circuit board, oriented parallel to the first printed circuitboard, having a second conductive layer; a first conductive rail having a spring clip connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a second conductive rail having a spring clip connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail; wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, and an internal conductive shield coupled to the first conductive layer, wherein a maximum distance between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board and a maximum distance between the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail are less than a half-wavelength of a highest frequency of interest; and B. a housing having guides engaging with the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail, wherein the shielding box supports the housing, and the housing surrounds the shielding box.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
182 words
A radiotelephone comprising: A. a shielding box comprising: a first printed circuit board having a first conductive layer; a second printed circuit board, oriented parallel to the first printed circuitboard, having a second conductive layer; a first conductive rail having a spring clip connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a second conductive rail having a spring clip connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail; wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, and an internal conductive shield coupled to the first conductive layer, wherein a maximum distance between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board and a maximum distance between the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail are less than a half-wavelength of a highest frequency of interest; and B. a housing having guides engaging with the first conductive rail and the second conductive rail, wherein the shielding box supports the housing, and the housing surrounds the shielding box.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for assembling an integrated shielding and mechanical support system comprising the steps of: A. forming a shielding box comprising the steps of: attaching a first conductive rail to a first conductive layer of a first printed circuit board and a second conductive layer of a second printed circuit board that is oriented parallel to the first printed circuit board; and attaching a second conductive rail, oriented parallel to the first conductive rail, to the first conductive layer of the first printed circuit board and the second conductive layer of the second printed circuit board the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, and B. positioning the shielding box in a housing section having a inwardly protruding guide, wherein the shielding box engages with the guide and supports the housing.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for assembling an integrated shielding and mechanical support system comprising the steps of: A. forming a shielding box comprising the steps of: attaching a first conductive rail to a first conductive layer of a first printed circuit board and a second conductive layer of a second printed circuit board that is oriented parallel to the first printed circuit board; and attaching a second conductive rail, oriented parallel to the first conductive rail, to the first conductive layer of the first printed circuit board and the second conductive layer of the second printed circuit board the second conductive rail being separate and distinct from the first conductive rail wherein the second conductive rail does not mechanically contact the first conductive rail, and B. positioning the shielding box in a housing section having a inwardly protruding guide, wherein the shielding box engages with the guide and supports the housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for assembling an integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 22 wherein the step of positioning further comprises: inserting the shielding box through an opening in a five-sided housing section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for assembling an integrated shielding and mechanical support according to claim 23 further comprising the step of: attaching a second housing section to the shielding box after the step of inserting.
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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |