John M Quick

US Patent:

7484896, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314665

Inventors:

Casimer M. DeCusatis - Poughkeepsie NY, US
John H. Quick - Kingston NY, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G02B 6/36

US Classification:

385 53

Abstract:

A conductive, compliant, deformable boot for a fiber optic or other cable assembly is described, which both provides traditional cable strain relief functions and extends over the body of the connector to form an electrically conductive shield over the cable receptacle aperture when the cable assembly is plugged into the aperture. The boot deforms slightly upon insertion of the cable assembly and compresses against a mating component to form a shield against electrostatic discharge which can accumulate on the cable or card and also to shield against electromagnetic emissions entering or leaving the circuit card package. The boot also shields against emissions when two cable assemblies are mated together by deforming slightly upon mating and then returning to its original state when the assemblies are disconnected.