Luis G Fernandez

US Patent:

D4233832, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

D/107257

Inventors:

Luis Fernandez - Santa Rosa CA
Karl Shubert - Healdsburg CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

1004

US Classification:

D10 76

US Patent:

62590324, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

May 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/321985

Inventors:

Luis Fernandez - Santa Rosa CA

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01B 1702

US Classification:

174138E

Abstract:

A circuit board grounding scheme has a series of slots that are self-aligning with a series of conductive standoffs. Each standoff has a tapered head supported by a neck and a base that is coupled to a conductive member. A narrow portion of the tapered head of each standoff penetrates a corresponding one of the slots in the circuit board, aligning the circuit board with the standoffs. Once aligned with the standoffs, the circuit board rests on the bases of the standoffs in a neutral position. The circuit board is then biased toward the necks of the standoffs, becoming wedged in a non-uniform gap that is formed between a wide end of the tapered head and the base of each standoff. One or more ground areas on the circuit board contacts the wide end of the tapered head or the base of the standoff. The standoffs are coupled to the conductive member using fasteners, or the standoffs are compression fit into the conductive member. Alternatively, the standoffs are formed to be continuous with the conductive member.

US Patent:

61295698, Oct 10, 2000

Filed:

Jun 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/334479

Inventors:

Luis Fernandez - Santa Rosa CA

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01R 1353

US Classification:

439181

Abstract:

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for coaxial systems ensures that center conductors of coaxial cables are discharged prior to insertion of the cables into a coaxial connector of an electronic instrument. The device includes a conductive mounting post fastened to the instrument and conductive hinge, pivotally mounted to an end of the post. The conductive hinge has a raised target area for contacting the center conductor of a conductive cable. Prior to insertion of the cable into the coaxial connector, the conductive hinge rests in a neutral position, obstructing access of the cable to the coaxial connector. When the cable is advanced toward the coaxial connector of an electronic instrument, the center conductor of the cable contacts the target area, thereby grounding the center conductor to the instrument through the conductive hinge and conductive mounting post. When the cable is further advanced toward the coaxial connector, the conductive hinge pivots to a second resting position in which the coaxial connector is accessible to the cable.