Tracy Lee Boyd

US Patent:

6456504, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703514

Inventors:

Steven LoForte - Copperton UT
Mike Johnston - Tooele UT
Tracy Boyd - Ogden UT
Charles Eric Posey - Holladay UT
Tom Johnson - Draper UT

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H05K 714

US Classification:

361799, 361737, 361787, 361772, 439 92, 439 95

Abstract:

A contact system is disclosed that includes a metal contact clip capable of being surface-mounted to a printed circuit board that facilitates the electrical coupling of the opposing conductive covers in a circuit card assembly having conductive enclosures with a reference potential, such as ground, on the printed circuit card which provide protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) on the printed circuit card. The clip spans a cut-out region on the printed circuit card and includes opposing tabs the extend from the spanning portion for electrically contacting the conductive covers. The clip further includes geometries such as springs for exerting forces upon the conductive covers thereby providing a reliable contact interface with the conductive covers.