Lucent Technologies Inc.

Sebastian J Messina

James Edward McCay

Donovan M Folkes

Perry W Diamantis

Nancy Susan Rush

Mark E Feiner

Joseph E Murphy

Savino Camporeale

A grounding clamp includes mechanical features for electrically interconnecting two or more shielding layers of shielded cables, and/or for interconnecting the shielding layer of one or more shielded cables to an electrically grounded chassis. The grounding clamp includes two elongated brackets, each having a first end and a second end, and each being formed of an electrically conductive material. The two brackets include undulating surfaces, and are interconnected to each other at their first ends by a tab and slot arrangement. When the two brackets face each other the undulations on their undulating surfaces are offset relative to one another. The second ends of the brackets are connected by a threaded fastener arrangement, so that cables may be pinched between the undulating surfaces to establish electrical conductivity between shielding layers of the cables and the grounding clamp. One of the two brackets may also include fastening features allowing the grounding clamp to be physically and electrically connected to a grounded chassis.

Electromagnetic interference grouping clamp

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Electro-static discharge protection for sensitive circuitry in devices, which have exposed metallic contacts for accessing such circuitry, is achieved by providing switching apparatus in these devices. The switching apparatus isolates the sensitive circuitry from static electricity which may be impressed upon the exposed metallic contacts. In operation, when a first device is placed in engagement with a second device for transferring data, charging a battery or the like, the switching apparatus relies on the weight exerted by the first device on the second device for establishing a conducting path between the contacts and the sensitive circuitry in each device. This conducting path is interrupted when the first device is removed from the second device thereby providing isolation for the sensitive circuitry from any static electricity which may be impressed upon the exposed metallic contacts. The switching apparatus also is configurable for establishing a conducting path from the contacts on each device to ground potential whenever the first device is removed from the second device. The ground potential conducting path provides additional protection for the sensitive circuitry against electro-static discharge damage.

Method and apparatus for protecting circuitry accessible through

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Fredon, NJ, United States of America

Sebastian J Messina