Supports – Resilient support – Including additional energy absorbing means – e.g. – fluid or...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-04
2004-11-16
Baxter, Gwendolyn (Department: 3632)
Supports
Resilient support
Including additional energy absorbing means, e.g., fluid or...
C361S689000, C439S378000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817588
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a port replicator and a resilient piece used therein; in particular, a resilient piece that can properly dissipate electromagnetic interference generated from an electronic device abutting the resilient piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
All electronic devices radiate electromagnetic energy as they operate. To prevent such emissions from interfering with the operation of other nearby devices, and to comply with emission standards set by bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission, electronic devices are designed to provide shielding or coupling which limits the electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the devices. Designing devices for EMI compliance includes both electronic and physical design considerations. Also, devices must be EMI-compliant in different, realistic operating modes, including any mode of operation considered worst-case for EMI radiation. Therefore, there is a continuing need for creative approaches to the problem of EMI compliance (It is noted that while the invention, as described, has particular applicability to EMI compliance, similar structures, approaches, etc., similar techniques may also be used for electrostatic discharge [ESD] design).
For example, a resilient piece may be disposed in an electronic device so as to dissipate EMI. Generally, the resilient piece for dissipating EMI is fixed in the electronic device at both ends. However, in some situations, the resilient piece protrudes from the electronic device. For example, in a port replicator supporting a portable computer, a resilient piece disposed in the port replicator protrudes from the port replicator. Thus, when the portable computer is disposed on the port replicator, it is in contact with the resilient piece of the port replicator so that EMI generated by the portable computer is dissipated via the resilient piece. Specifically, the resilient piece is disposed in the port replicator in a cantilevered manner so as to provide the resilient piece with supporting resilience.
Referring to
FIG. 1
a
, a cantilevered resilient piece
10
includes a fixed portion
11
and a cantilevered portion
12
. A nut
13
is disposed on the cantilevered portion
12
. The fixed portion
11
is disposed in an electronic device (not shown) by two rivets
14
.
FIG. 1
b
shows that the resilient piece
10
is disposed in a port replicator
20
. The port replicator
20
includes a base
21
and a cover
22
. The fixed portion
11
of the resilient piece
10
is fixed on the base
21
of the port replicator
20
by two rivets
14
. The cover
22
includes an opening
221
for the nut
13
of the resilient piece
10
to protrude from the port replicator
20
.
Referring to
FIG. 1
c
, when a portable computer
30
is disposed on the port replicator
20
as shown in
FIG. 1
b
, an abutting portion
31
of the portable computer
30
abuts the nut
13
of the resilient piece
10
. By means of the resilient piece
10
, EMI generated from the portable computer
30
is dissipated.
However, the cantilevered resilient piece has the following disadvantages:
1. It is difficult to align the protruding nut of the cantilevered resilient piece with the opening of the electronic device due to the cantilevered design.
2. The elasticity of the cantilevered resilient piece is not sufficient to closely abut the electronic device disposed on it.
3. When an external force, which is over the elastic limit of the cantilevered resilient, presses down the nut of the resilient piece, the cantilevered resilient piece is easily deformed and the resilience of the cantilevered resilient is deteriorated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to address the disadvantages of the aforementioned resilient piece, the invention provides a resilient piece that can properly dissipate electromagnetic interference generated from an electronic device abutting the resilient piece.
Accordingly, the invention provides a resilient piece. The resilient piece is disposed in a port replicator supporting a portable computer, and comprises a body and an abutting member. The body includes a first portion and a second portion integrally formed with the first portion. The first portion includes a first end connecting with the second portion and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is fixedly disposed in the port replicator. The second portion includes a third end connecting with the first portion and a fourth end opposite the third end. A cross section of the second portion is substantially zigzag-shaped. The fourth end is fixedly disposed in the port replicator. The abutting member is disposed on the second portion near the third end and protruding from the port replicator so as to abut the portable computer disposed on the port replicator. Thus, electromagnetic interference generated from the portable computer is dissipated via the resilient piece.
In a preferred embodiment, the resilient piece further comprises a post disposed on the second portion near the third end and opposite the abutting member. The post abuts the port replicator to prevent the resilient piece from excessive deformation.
Furthermore, the second portion is formed with a hole for the post to pass through.
In another preferred embodiment, the second portion includes two bending portions, each of rounded.
In another preferred embodiment, both of the first portion and the second portion are riveted to the port replicator. The abutting member is a nut.
In another preferred embodiment, this invention provides a port replicator supporting a portable computer. The port replicator comprises a base, a cover and the resilient piece stated above. The cover is disposed on the base, and the resilient piece is disposed on the base and located between the base and the cover.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5644474 (1997-07-01), Jang
patent: 6135801 (2000-10-01), Helot et al.
patent: 6195265 (2001-02-01), Choi
patent: 6305067 (2001-10-01), Horng
patent: 6310766 (2001-10-01), Bae
patent: 6366458 (2002-04-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 6424538 (2002-07-01), Paquin
patent: 6501645 (2002-12-01), Hanazawa et al.
patent: 6534706 (2003-03-01), Rapp et al.
patent: 0410768 (1990-07-01), None
patent: 457843 (2001-10-01), None
Baxter Gwendolyn
Quanta Computer Inc.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
LandOfFree
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