US6053771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic shield connector
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1997-08-20
•
Granted: 2000-04-25
•
Expires: 2017-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference such as a ground plane. The system includes a voltage reference and a multi conductor connector having a plurality of conductors. The conductors of the multiconductor connector are electrically coupled to the voltage reference. The system also includes an electromagnetic shield and an extension, such as a tab, electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield. The extension has a first portion that is inserted into an opening of the multiconductor connector to electrically contact the conductors of the multiconductor connector to electrically couple the electromagnetic shield to the voltage reference.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Hood, III
- 👤 Damon W. Broder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/652; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/64; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; wherein the shield is formed from a sheet of metal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; wherein the shield is formed from a sheet of metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of conductors are accessible via an opening of the multiconductor connector; the first portion is inserted into the opening of the multiconductor connector to make electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 2 wherein: the opening having a width and a depth, the width substantially greater than the depth; and the first portion having a width and a depth, the width and the depth of the first portion are less than the width and the depth, respectively, of the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: the plurality of conductors are accessible via an opening of the multiconductor connector; the first portion is inserted into the opening of the multiconductor connector; the wedge structure is positioned within the multiconductor connector to wedge the first portion against the at least two of the plurality of conductors to make electrical contact between the first portion and the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the extension is integrally connected to the electromagnetic shield.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the extension is a tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the multiconductor connector is a flex circuit connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the multiconductor connector is a non zero insertion force (non ZIF) type connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the multiconductor connector is a zero insertion force (ZIF) type connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the electromagnetic shield has a generally planar side; and the first portion of the extension is generally perpendicular to the generally planar side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the sheet of metal is bent at an angle to form the extension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the voltage reference has a voltage potential that is at a computer system ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: the voltage reference is a voltage reference plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a mounting board, the multiconductor connector is mounted on the mounting board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 14 wherein: the mounting board is a printed circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the at least two of the plurality of conductors are soldered to at least one trace layer electrically coupled to the voltage reference plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 wherein; the voltage reference is a voltage reference plane is embedded with the mounting board.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a mounting board, the multiconductor connector is mounted on the mounting board; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the mounting board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; and a second extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the second extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a mounting board, the multiconductor connector is mounted on the mounting board; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the mounting board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; and a second extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the second extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising: a second electromagnetic shield; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the mounting board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; and a second extension extending from the second electromagnetic shield, the, the second electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 19 wherein: the multiconductor connector mounted on a first planar side of the mounting board, the second multiconductor connector mounted on a second planar side of the mounting board, the first side being an opposite side of the second side.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising: a second electromagnetic shield; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the mounting board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to a second voltage reference of the mounting board, and a second extension extending from the second electromagnetic shield, the second extension having a first portion, the second electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the second voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 21 wherein: the voltage reference has a voltage potential that is a computer system ground; the second voltage reference has a voltage potential that is different than computer system ground.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 14 wherein: the voltage reference is a voltage reference plane; the mounting board includes a via with electrically conductive plating electrically connected to the voltage reference plane; and the at least two of the plurality of conductors are soldered to the electrically conductive plating to electrically couple the at least two of the conductors to the voltage reference plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14 wherein; the mounting board includes a via; one of the at least two of the conductors extends into the via.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a mounting board, the multiconductor connector is mounted on the mounting board; wherein the mounting board having a planar side; and wherein the multiconductor connector is mounted to the mounting board in an orientation such that the opening of the multiconductor connector is generally parallel to the planar side of the mounting board.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference comprising: a voltage reference; a multiconductor connector having a plurality of conductors, at least two of the plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a mounting board, the multiconductor connector is mounted on the mounting board; wherein the mounting board having a planar side; and wherein the multiconductor connector is mounted to the mounting board in an orientation such that the opening of the multiconductor connector is generally parallel to the planar side of the mounting board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit having a grounding connection; a memory electrically coupled to the central processing unit; a printed circuit board having a voltage reference, the central processing unit mounted on the printed circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the printed circuit board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit having a grounding connection; a memory electrically coupled to the central processing unit; a printed circuit board having a voltage reference, the central processing unit mounted on the printed circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the printed circuit board, at least two of the plurality of conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 26 further comprising: an enclosure housing the printed circuit board and the electromagnetic shield.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system of claim 27 wherein: the electromagnetic shield extending over a first side of the central processing unit, the first side generally parallel to a planar side of the printed circuit board.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 26 wherein the multiconductor connector is a flex circuit connector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer system of claim 26 wherein the multiconductor connector is a non zero insertion force type connector, the voltage reference has a voltage potential that is at a DC voltage with respect to the voltage potential of the ground plane.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system of claim 26 wherein the voltage reference is a ground plane embedded in the printed circuit board, the grounding connection of the central processing unit electrically coupled to the ground plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer system of claim 26 wherein the grounding connection is electrically coupled to a ground plane having a voltage potential; the voltage reference has a voltage potential that is at a DC voltage with respect to the voltage potential of the ground plane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the plurality of conductors are accessible via an opening of the multiconductor connector; the first portion is inserted into the opening of the multiconductor connector to make electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the all of the plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to the voltage reference.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least a majority of the plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to the voltage reference, wherein the first portion is in electrical contact with the at least the majority of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
166 words
A computer system comprising: a circuit board having a voltage reference; an integrated circuit located on the circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; a second extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the second extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
166 words
A computer system comprising: a circuit board having a voltage reference; an integrated circuit located on the circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; a second multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the second multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; a second extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the second extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion of the second extension being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors of the second multiconductor connector.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein: the electromagnetic shield extends over a first side of the integrated circuit, the first side generally parallel to a planar side of the printed circuit board.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein the integrated circuit includes a central processing unit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein the multiconductor connector is a flex circuit connector.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein the voltage reference is a ground plane embedded in the circuit board.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein: the plurality of conductors are accessible via an opening of the multiconductor connector; the first portion is inserted into the opening of the multiconductor connector to make electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein: the integrated circuit is located on a first planar side of the circuit board; and the multiconductor connector is mounted on the first planar side of the circuit board.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein at least a majority of the plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to the voltage reference, wherein the first portion is in electrical contact with the at least the majority of the plurality of conductors.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a circuit board having a voltage reference; an integrated circuit located on the circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; wherein the shield is formed from a sheet of metal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a circuit board having a voltage reference; an integrated circuit located on the circuit board; a multiconductor connector mounted on the circuit board, at least two of the conductors of the multiconductor connector electrically coupled to the voltage reference; an electromagnetic shield; and an extension electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield, the extension having a first portion, the electromagnetic shield electrically coupled to the voltage reference via the first portion being in electrical contact with the at least two of the plurality of conductors; wherein the shield is formed from a sheet of metal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 36 wherein the all of the plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to the voltage reference.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 44 wherein: the sheet of metal is bent at an angle to form the extension.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-25 | 2003-10-25 | 2004-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-25 | 2007-10-25 | 2008-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-25 | 2011-10-25 | 2012-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |