Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.

William F Weber

Leon Jinich

Larry D McPherson

Michael Brian

An easily attached and detached locking mechanism is provided to prevent accidental disconnection between mounted and removable connector elements. The mechanism comprises interconnected and tensioned arms with tangs that enclose the connector elements with the interconnection and the tangs providing forces in opposite directions to maintain the connector elements in contact. Inward forces, on the ends of the tensioned arms opposite the tangs, increase the distance between the tangs for attachment of or removal from the connectors to be locked together.

Connector restraining apparatus

A top cover and bottom cover made of an electrically conductive material that absorbs and reflects electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals are formed to fit without solder or welding as an EMI shield apparatus over EMI susceptible electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board. The EMI shield apparatus shields the circuitry from EMI while at the same time permitting the communication of desired electromagnetic radio frequency and electrical signals to the circuitry. The EMI shield apparatus includes the use of an electrically conductive layer that is integral to the top and bottom sides of the printed circuit board and which includes conductive channels that penetrate the printed circuit board. The channels prevent EMI from passing through the printed circuit board to the electronic circuitry. Also, the channels receive tangs found both on the top cover and bottom cover. The tangs are positioned to prevent EMI from passing through the top and bottom cover junctures with the conductive layer. As EMI signals reach the shield apparatus, they are absorbed and conducted through the shield EMI apparatus to an electrical ground or reflected from the EMI shield. Openings on the top cover permit desired electromagnetic radio frequency signals to reach the electronic circuitry. Passageways through the conductive layer permit electrical leads from the electronic circuitry to connect to external circuitry.

EMI shield apparatus and methods

An EMI internal shield made of an electrically conductive material that absorbs and reflects electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals associated to fit with an EMI shield top cover. The EMI internal shield is formed to fit without solder or welding as an EMI shield apparatus over EMI susceptible electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board. The EMI internal shield apparatus not only shields circuitry from EMI sources external to the printed circuit board, but also isolates certain electronic circuits from other electronic circuitry on the printed circuit board. Additionally, the EMI internal shield permits the communication of desired electromagnetic radio frequency and electrical signals to the circuitry inside the shield. The EMI internal shield apparatus includes the use of an electrically conductive layer that is integral to the top of the printed circuit board and which includes conductive channels that penetrate the printed circuit board. The channels prevent EMI from passing through the printed circuit board to the shielded electronic circuits. Also, the channels receive tangs found on the EMI internal shield. The tangs are positioned to prevent EMI from passing through the juncture of the EMI internal shield with the conductive layer. As EMI signals reach the EMI internal shield, they are absorbed and conducted to an electrical ground or reflected from the EMI internal shield. Signal trace openings through the conductive layer permit electrical leads from the electronic circuitry to connect to external circuitry.

EMI internal shield apparatus and methods

An EMI/RFI gasket provides a barrier to EMI and RFI radiation transmission to and from electronic circuits within an electronic system chassis having receptacles that receive electrical connectors and an electrically grounded cover plate that connects the chassis to an electrical ground. The EMI/RFI gasket helps to provide a 360.degree. EMI/RFI barrier for the electronic system chassis. The EMI/RFI gasket is a flexible, electrically-conductive material with sufficient surface area to adhere and electrically connect to the cover plate. The EMI/RFI gasket has a receiving slot that is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis of the gasket plate. A plurality of deflected teeth formed from the gasket plate are positioned around the receiving slot and deflected from the gasket plate to contact the connector at points separated by not greater than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is at least in part a function of the expected EMI and RFI radiation wavelengths. This maintains an electrical ground connection between the cover plate and the connector.

EMI/RFI gasket apparatus

A springy, low dielectric retainer device in the form of a rod, a triangle, an ellipse or whatever, is used in a compressed condition to hold RF energy absorber blocks in position juxtaposed 'energy leaky' RF circuitry. The absorber blocks are held in position due to frictional forces provided by the compressed retainer. In this manner, the absorber blocks can be re-positioned to obtain optimum amplitude/frequency response characteristics from the affected RF circuit.

Absorber tuning block retainer apparatus

A connector for connecting coaxial cable to a microstrip transmission line on a substrate is disclosed. The connector includes tapped threaded holes in a mounting plate, and an extended throat between the mounting plate and the threaded coaxial coupler. The threaded holes and extended throat allow for the mounting of the connector on the inner surface of the chassis wall, for example within a machined cavity or within a stamped dimple. The chassis bolt holes are oversized, to allow for fine adjustment of the vertical and lateral position of the connector on the chassis wall relative to the transmission line trace. The resulting connection has reduced UHF signal attenuation, and also a higher reliability connection to the transmission line.

Variable location connector for communicating high frequency electrical

A snap fit cable retainer is illustrated for accommodating multiple diameter cables in a snug fit configuration by having the bit portion between adjacent side legs being closer to the extremities of the legs than is the main bit portion of the overall connector. In this way, large diameter cables can be run lengthwise through the retainer and smaller diameter cables can be run crosswise through the retainer. The retainer can also accommodate a layer of cables in each direction simultaneously by placing the lower level in the crosswise direction through the retainer and the second layer on top in the lengthwise direction.

Multiple bit height snap fit cable holder apparatus

A snap fit cable holder in a U-shape with two legs is shown with snap fit projections on both the inside and outside of the legs of the holder and at different relative heights with respect to the bit portion of the device. In this manner, the legs can be inserted through first and second openings to be held by their inside edges of the openings or can be inserted in first and third openings to be held by the outermost edges of the first and third openings. This allows a single cable connector to be used with at least two different size cables. Further variations may be obtained by adjusting the thickness of the support base containing the openings.

Growing community of inventors

Allen, TX, United States of America

William F Weber