Planar shield with high density, interleaved contacts for grounding electromagnetic emissions

Abstract

A shield for resisting the passage of electromagnetic emissions in a computer is formed from a rectangular plate having apertures for receiving various electrical connectors that insert into the computer. Each aperture in the plate has grounding members for engaging the connectors. The plate also has a row of spring-like wiping members along each of the four side edges. Two edges of the plate each have a single row of wiping members, and two edges of the plate have two opposed rows of wiping members. The opposed rows are interposed with each other in an alternating sequence. One of the two opposed rows forms a series of folds, and the other row forms a series of tabs. The shield is mounted to the side edge flanges of a rectangular opening in the wall of the computer. Two of the flanges slidingly engage the single row of wiping members. The other two flanges insert into the folds and contact with both the folds and the tabs. After the shield is installed, the computer cables and connectors are inserted through the apertures and interconnected with the computer. As the cables and connectors move, the double-row wiping members allow the shield to float in the computer opening while maintaining electrical grounding contact with all four of its flanges.