Computer peripheral device with integral ground clip

A computer peripheral device with an integral ground clip. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a substrate. The substrate has a ground signal receptacle location coupled thereto. The present embodiment further includes an enclosure which adapted to be coupled to the substrate. In this embodiment, the enclosure has a conductive region coupled thereto. The enclosure further includes a grounding member which is integral therewith. The grounding member is disposed such that the grounding member is electrically coupled to the ground signal receptacle location when the enclosure is assembled to the substrate. In so doing, the present invention provides a computer peripheral device which, among other benefits, effectively dissipates ground signals.

TECHNICAL FIELD
 This invention pertains to computer peripheral devices. More specifically,
 the present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for dissipating
 ground signals in order to control the level of electromagnetic
 interference emissions generated by computer communications I/O devices,
 such as PC (personal computer) cards and compact flash cards.
 BACKGROUND ART
 Computer peripheral devices, such as Local Area Network (LAN) or modem
 Personal Computer (PC) Cards perform input/output (I/O) communications
 functions in portable computers. These computer peripheral devices,
 generate some level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions during
 data transmission. The permissible level of EMI is strictly regulated by
 national or regional regulatory bodies. For instance, in the U.S., any
 portable computer or handheld computer used in a home environment may only
 use a PC card which meets FCC Class B standards for EMI. In Europe, the
 corresponding requirement is the CE standard.
 The ability of a LAN or modem I/O card to meet the proscribed EMI levels is
 directly related to effectiveness with which ground signals are dissipated
 from the I/O card during active LAN or modem data transmissions. In PC
 cards, the PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international
 association) industry standard allocates and designates 4 pins out of a
 total of 68 interface pins as ground signal pins.
 In one prior art approach, even 4 pins prove inadequate to sufficiently
 dissipate the ground signals, thereby requiring manufacturers to add a
 bulky ferrite core externally to the I/O cable used in conjunction with
 the PC Card, to limit EMI to the required levels. This method adds cost
 and bulk to the PC Card, and is aesthetically displeasing to the end-user.
 In another prior art approach, in addition to using the 4 pins available
 for ground signals, some manufacturers use a complicated arrangement of
 individual and separate ground clips, which are then assembled onto the
 card frame to provide additional grounding paths from the I/O card through
 the host computer. Assembly of these clips onto the card frame requires
 time-consuming, multi-step manual operations. Such extensive manual labor
 results in a more costly finished product. The manual assembly process is
 also prone to wide variation in skill level among individual manual
 assemblers, and results in inconsistent quality of finished product, as
 regards effectiveness in meeting regulatory EMI limits.
 In yet another attempt to control the EMI levels generated in PC Cards,
 other manufacturers, in addition to using the 4 pins designated, use metal
 tabs on the top surface of the 15 pin I/O connector at the I/O end of the
 card. This arrangement is intended to provide an additional grounding path
 from the card circuitry, through the metal tabs being in direct contact
 with the metal covers of the card, which in turn are electrically
 connected to a grounding signal path on the host computer. However, the
 location of such metal tabs at that I/O end of the card results in the
 tabs being continually subjected to compressive forces during user
 insertion and removal of the card into the host computer PC Card slot.
 These repeated cycles of compressive forces result in the metal tabs being
 permanently deformed after only a few hundred cycles of usage, so that
 they are no longer in contact with the metal cover of the card, and this
 feature ceases to function as a grounding path. Thus, a PC card which
 might meet EMI regulatory requirements upon shipment of the product to a
 customer, gets progressively worse when used as intended.
 As handheld computers, which are even smaller than portable computers,
 become more widespread, users will increasingly have a need for
 correspondingly smaller I/O cards to handle LAN and modem communications
 functions. Currently, the Compact Flash Card is a relatively newer form
 factor which is about one-third the overall size of a PC card. The Compact
 Flash Association has allocated and designated 2 pins out of a total of 50
 interface pins as ground signal pins. For LAN or modem I/O cards having a
 Compact Flash form factor, it will be practically impossible, or extremely
 difficult at least to meet FCC Class B and CE regulatory requirements
 during active data transmission, when only the allocated 2 pins are
 available as ground signal pins.
 Therefore, a need exists for a computer communications I/O device structure
 that will effectively dissipate ground signals while not requiring more
 than two interface pins dedicated to ground signals. A further need exists
 for a computer communications I/O device structure which effectively
 dissipates ground signals wherein the device does not require costly,
 labor intensive, manual operations which are likely to result in widely
 varying finished product quality, in terms of EMI effectiveness. Still
 another need exists for a computer communications I/O device structure
 which effectively dissipates ground signals, and in which the
 effectiveness of any ground signal paths used does not degrade relatively
 rapidly with time, and wherein the device does not violate EMI regulatory
 requirements when used as intended.
 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention provides a computer communications I/O device
 structure to effectively dissipate ground signals that does not require
 more than 2 interface pins dedicated to ground signals. The present
 invention further provides a computer communications I/O device structure
 to effectively dissipate ground signals that does not require costly,
 labor intensive manual operations that are likely to result in widely
 varying finished product quality, in terms of EMI effectiveness.
 Additionally, the present invention provides a computer communications I/O
 device structure which effectively dissipates ground signals, and in which
 the effectiveness of any ground signal paths used does not degrade
 relatively rapidly with time, and wherein the device does not violate EMI
 regulatory requirements when the device is used as intended. The present
 invention achieves the above accomplishments with a computer peripheral
 device with an integral ground clip.
 Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention includes a
 substrate. The substrate has a ground signal receptacle location coupled
 thereto. The present embodiment further includes an enclosure which
 adapted to be coupled to the substrate. In this embodiment, the enclosure
 has a conductive region coupled thereto. The enclosure further includes a
 grounding member which is integral therewith. The grounding member is
 disposed such that the grounding member is electrically coupled to the
 ground signal receptacle location when the enclosure is assembled to the
 substrate. In so doing, the present invention provides a computer
 peripheral device which, among other benefits, effectively dissipates
 ground signals.
 In another embodiment, the present invention includes the features of the
 above-described embodiment and further recites a plurality of ground
 receptacle locations and a plurality of grounding members wherein the
 plurality of grounding members are integral with the enclosure. The
 plurality of grounding members are disposed such that each of the
 plurality of the grounding members is electrically coupled to a respective
 one of the plurality of the ground signal receptacle locations when the
 enclosure is assembled to the substrate.
 In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes the features of
 the first above described embodiment and further includes a second
 enclosure. In such an embodiment, the second enclosure is adapted to be
 coupled to the substrate. The second enclosure has at least a second
 conductive region coupled thereto. The second enclosure further comprises
 a second grounding member integral with the second enclosure. The second
 grounding member is disposed such that the second grounding member is
 electrically coupled to the ground signal receptacle location when the
 second enclosure is assembled to the substrate.
 These and other advantages of the present invention will no doubt become
 obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the
 following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are
 illustrated in the various drawing figures.

The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not
 being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.
 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
 Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
 invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
 While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
 embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the
 invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended
 to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be
 included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
 appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the
 present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
 provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it
 will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
 invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
 instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have
 not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of
 the present invention.
 With reference now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a substrate 100 of one
 embodiment of the present invention is shown. As will be described in
 detail below, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and method
 for effectively dissipating ground signals from a computer peripheral
 device. In the present application, computer peripheral devices will be
 understood to include, but not be limited to, PCMCIA cards, Network
 Interface Cards (NICs), LAN cards, WAN cards, Flash memory cards, Compact
 Flash Cards, compact form factor computer communications I/O cards, and
 the like.
 With reference still to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, substrate 100 is
 comprised of a printed circuit board. However, the present embodiment is
 well suited to having substrate 100 comprised of numerous other materials
 or structures. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, substrate 100 has a ground
 signal receptacle location 102 coupled thereto. Ground signal receptacle
 location 102 is a conductive area such as, for example, a conductive pad
 which is electrically coupled to any one or more of various ground signal
 connections present in various components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108)
 disposed on substrate 100. As mentioned above, it is desired to dissipate
 such ground signals in many computer peripheral devices. The components
 (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100 perform the requisite
 tasks needed to create an operational computer peripheral device. In the
 present embodiment, ground signal receptacle location 102 is formed of
 copper. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is well
 suited to having ground signal receptacle location 102 formed of various
 other conductive materials. Additionally, in the present embodiment,
 ground signal receptacle location 102 is disposed near the edge of
 substrate 100. Although such a placement of ground signal receptacle
 location 102 is shown in the present embodiment, the present invention is
 also well suited to having ground signal receptacle location 102 disposed
 at various other locations on substrate 100.
 With reference next to FIG. 2, another embodiment of substrate 100 of one
 embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,
 multiple ground signal receptacle locations, 200a and 200b, are coupled to
 substrate 100. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, ground signal receptacle
 locations 200a and 200b are comprised of conductive areas such as, for
 example, conductive pads which are electrically coupled to any one or more
 of various ground signal connections present in various components (e.g.
 104, 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100. Again, it is desired to
 dissipate such ground signals in many computer peripheral devices. In this
 present embodiment, ground signal receptacle locations 200a and 200b are
 formed of copper. It will be understood, however, that the present
 invention is well suited to having ground signal receptacle locations 200a
 and 200b formed of various other conductive materials. Additionally, in
 the present embodiment, ground signal receptacle locations 200a and 200b
 are disposed near the edge of substrate 100. Although such a placement of
 ground signal receptacle locations 200a and 200b is shown in the present
 embodiment, the present invention is also well suited to having ground
 signal receptacle locations 200a and 200b disposed at various other
 locations on substrate 100.
 Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of substrate 100 of another
 embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the present embodiment,
 substrate 100 has a ground signal receptacle location 300 coupled thereto.
 Ground signal receptacle location 300 is comprised of a through-hole which
 is electrically coupled to any one or more of various ground signal
 connections present in various components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108)
 disposed on substrate 100. Once more, it is desired to dissipate such
 ground signals in many computer peripheral devices. In the present
 embodiment, through-hole ground signal receptacle location 300 is formed
 of copper. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is
 well suited to having through-hole ground signal receptacle location 300
 formed of various other conductive materials. Additionally, in the present
 embodiment, through-hole ground signal receptacle location 300 is disposed
 near the edge of substrate 100. Although such a placement of through-hole
 ground signal receptacle location 300 is shown in the present embodiment,
 the present invention is also well suited to having through-hole ground
 signal receptacle location 300 disposed at various other locations on
 substrate 100.
 With reference now to FIG. 4, still another embodiment of a substrate 100
 of yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the
 present embodiment, substrate 100 has a ground signal receptacle location
 400 coupled thereto. In this embodiment, ground signal receptacle location
 400 is comprised of conductive area which is disposed among the outer
 edges of substrate 100. Edge-oriented ground signal receptacle location
 400 is electrically coupled to any one or more of various ground signal
 connections present in various components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108)
 disposed on substrate 100. As mentioned above, it is desired to dissipate
 such ground signals in many computer peripheral devices. In the present
 embodiment, edge-oriented ground signal receptacle location 400 is formed
 of copper. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is
 well suited to having edge-oriented ground signal receptacle location 400
 formed of various other conductive materials.
 With reference now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an enclosure 500 of one
 embodiment of the present invention is shown. Enclosure 500 of the present
 embodiment is, for example, the top casing of a computer peripheral
 device. That is, enclosure 500 is configured to be coupled to substrate
 100 of, for example, FIG. 1. In so doing, enclosure 500 comprises the
 cover of the computer peripheral device formed by components (e.g. 104,
 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100 of FIG. 1. Although enclosure 500
 is cited as being the top casing of a computer peripheral device in the
 present embodiment, the present invention is also well suited to having
 enclosure 500 comprise the base or "bottom casing" of a computer
 peripheral device.
 As shown in FIG. 5, enclosure 500 has a grounding member 502 formed
 integral therewith. In the present embodiment, enclosure 500 further
 includes a conductive region 504 to which integral grounding member 502 is
 electrically coupled. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, conductive region 504
 is comprised of the edge portion of enclosure 500. Further, in the present
 embodiment, conductive region 504 is integral with enclosure 500. That is,
 conductive region 504 forms a part of enclosure 500. The present invention
 is also well suited to an embodiment in which the conductive region is
 comprised, for example, of a conductive plate which is coupled to
 enclosure 500 and which is electrically coupled to integral grounding
 member 502. Although conductive region 504 is disposed along the edge
 portion of the enclosure 500 in the present embodiment, the present
 invention is also well suited to an embodiment in which conductive region
 504 is located elsewhere on enclosure 500. Additionally, in the present
 embodiment, enclosure 500 also includes a region 506 which is not
 conductive. In the present embodiment, region 506 is, for example, a
 plastic region. Although such material is recited as forming region 506 of
 the present embodiment, the present invention is also well suited to an
 embodiment in which the region 506 is formed of material other than
 plastic.
 Referring still to FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, grounding member 502
 is comprised of a compliant tab, which extends under the bottom edge of
 enclosure 500. More specifically, integral grounding member 502 is adapted
 to be resiliently coupled to a ground signal receptacle location such as,
 for example, ground signal receptacle location 102 of FIG. 1. That is,
 integral grounding member 502 is disposed on enclosure 500 such that
 integral grounding member 502 will be electrically coupled to ground
 signal receptacle location 102 when enclosure 500 is assembled to
 substrate 100. (During typical assembly, a first casing such as enclosure
 500 is coupled to one side of substrate 100, and a second casing is
 attached to the other side of substrate 100 so as to protectively cover
 both sides of substrate 100.) In so doing, ground signal receptacle
 location 102 will be electrically coupled to conductive region 504 via
 integral grounding member 502. As a result, the comparatively large
 surface area of conductive region 504 will assist in the dissipation of
 ground signals from the components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) of substrate
 100. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, integral grounding member 502
 is actually compressed against ground signal receptacle location 102 so as
 to create a reliable physical and electrical connection.
 With reference still to FIG. 5, the present invention is particularly
 beneficial in applications such as compact form factor I/O cards where
 only a limited number of dedicated ground pins are available. Hence, the
 present invention improves ground signal dissipation by providing a
 comparatively large ground plane (e.g. conductive region 504) which is
 coupled by an integral grounding member (e.g. integral grounding member
 502) to a ground signal receptacle location (e.g. ground signal receptacle
 location 102 of FIG. 1). Therefore, the present invention effectively
 dissipates ground signals without requiring more than the two dedicated
 ground signal pins allotted to conventional compact computer peripheral
 devices.
 With reference again to FIG. 5, as yet another advantage, the present
 invention accomplishes the task of coupling conductive region 504 to
 ground signal receptacle location 102 of FIG. 1, without requiring costly,
 labor intensive manual operations that are likely to result in widely
 varying finished product quality, in terms of EMI effectiveness. That is,
 enclosure 500 and integral grounding member 502 are fabricated without
 requiring the numerous parts and costly labor associated with prior art
 devices.
 Referring yet again to FIG. 5, during normal operation, a user of a
 computer peripheral device will typically grasp the computer peripheral
 device in the region depicted by bracket 508. As a result, the area at
 region 508 is commonly subjected to rigorous compression, shock, and
 torque forces. In the present embodiment, however, integral grounding
 member 502 is disposed in a location where it will not be subjected to the
 aforementioned harsh handling forces. As a result, the physical and,
 hence, the electrical connection between integral grounding member 502 and
 ground signal receptacle location 102 is not compromised or degraded by
 repeated handling and use.
 With reference now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of an enclosure 600 of
 another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As with enclosure
 500 of FIG. 5, enclosure 600 of the present embodiment is, for example,
 the top casing of a computer peripheral device. That is, enclosure 600 is
 configured to be coupled to substrate 100 of, for example, FIG. 1. In so
 doing, enclosure 600 comprises the cover of the computer peripheral device
 formed by components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100 of
 FIG. 1. Although enclosure 600 is cited as being the top casing of a
 computer peripheral device in the present embodiment, the present
 invention is also well suited to having enclosure 600 comprise the base or
 "bottom casing" of a computer peripheral device.
 As shown in FIG. 6, enclosure 600 has a grounding member 602 formed
 integral therewith. In the present embodiment, enclosure 600 is comprised
 of electrically conductive material. In this embodiment, enclosure 600 is
 comprised of copper. The present embodiment is, however, well suited to
 having enclosure 600 formed of various other material.
 Referring still to FIG. 6 in the present embodiment, grounding member 602
 is comprised of a compliant tab, which extends under the bottom edge of
 enclosure 600. More specifically, integral grounding member 602 is adapted
 to be resiliently coupled to a ground signal receptacle location such as,
 for example, ground signal receptacle location 102 of FIG. 1. That is,
 integral grounding member 602 is disposed on enclosure 600 such that
 integral grounding member 602 will be electrically coupled to ground
 signal receptacle location 102 when enclosure 600 is assembled to
 substrate 100. In so doing, ground signal receptacle location 102 will be
 electrically coupled to conductive enclosure 600 via integral grounding
 member 602. As a result, the comparatively large surface area of
 conductive enclosure 600 will assist in the dissipation of ground signals
 from the components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) of substrate 100.
 With reference now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of an enclosure 700 of
 another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As with enclosure
 500 of FIG. 5, enclosure 700 of the present embodiment is, for example,
 the top casing of a computer peripheral device. That is, enclosure 700 is
 configured to be coupled to substrate 100 of, for example, FIG. 2. In so
 doing, enclosure 700 comprises the cover of the computer peripheral device
 formed by components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100 of
 FIG. 2. Although enclosure 700 is cited as being the top casing of a
 computer peripheral device in the present embodiment, the present
 invention is also well suited to having enclosure 700 comprise the base or
 "bottom casing" of a computer peripheral device.
 As shown in FIG. 7 enclosure 700 has a plurality of grounding members 702a
 and 702b formed integral therewith. In the present embodiment, enclosure
 700 is comprised of electrically conductive material. In this embodiment,
 enclosure 700 is comprised of copper. The present embodiment is, however,
 well suited to having enclosure 700 formed of various other material.
 Referring still to FIG. 7 in the present embodiment, plurality of integral
 grounding members 702a and 702b are comprised of compliant tabs, which
 extend under the bottom edge of enclosure 700. More specifically,
 plurality of integral grounding members 702 are adapted to be resiliently
 coupled to a respective plurality of ground signal receptacle locations
 such as, for example, ground signal receptacle locations 200a and 200b of
 FIG. 2. That is, plurality of integral grounding members 702a and 702b are
 disposed on enclosure 700 such that plurality of integral grounding
 members 702a and 702b will be electrically coupled to ground signal
 receptacle locations 200a and 200b when enclosure 700 is assembled to
 substrate 100. In so doing, ground signal receptacle locations 200a and
 200b will be electrically coupled to conductive enclosure 700 via
 plurality of integral grounding members 702a and 702b. As a result, the
 comparatively large surface area of conductive enclosure 700 will assist
 in the dissipation of ground signals from the components (e.g. 104, 106,
 and 108) of substrate 100.
 With reference now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of an enclosure 800 of
 another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As with enclosure
 500 of FIG. 5, enclosure 800 of the present embodiment is, for example,
 the top casing of a computer peripheral device. That is, enclosure 800 is
 configured to be coupled to substrate 100 of, for example, FIG. 3. In so
 doing, enclosure 800 comprises the cover of the computer peripheral device
 formed by components (e.g. 104, 106, and 108) disposed on substrate 100 of
 FIG. 3. Although enclosure 800 is cited as being the top casing of a
 computer peripheral device in the present embodiment, the present
 invention is also well suited to having enclosure 800 comprise the base or
 "bottom casing" of a computer peripheral device.
 As shown in FIG. 8 enclosure 800 is comprised of an extending portion
 adapted to be electrically coupled to through-hole 300. In the present
 embodiment, enclosure 800 is comprised of electrically conductive
 material. In this embodiment, enclosure 800 is comprised of copper. The
 present embodiment is, however, well suited to having enclosure 800 formed
 of various other material.
 Referring still to FIG. 8 in the present embodiment, extending portion
 integral grounding member 802 is comprised of a pin type appendage, which
 extends under the bottom edge of enclosure 800. More specifically,
 extending portion integral grounding member 802 is adapted to be inserted
 into a respective through-hole ground signal receptacle location such as,
 for example, through-hole ground signal receptacle locations 300 of FIG.
 3. That is, extending portion integral grounding member 802 is disposed on
 enclosure 800 such that it will be inserted into and electrically coupled
 to through-hole ground signal receptacle location 300 when enclosure 800
 is assembled to substrate 100. In so doing, through-hole ground signal
 receptacle location 300 will be electrically coupled to conductive
 enclosure 800 via extending portion integral grounding member 802. As a
 result, the comparatively large surface area of conductive enclosure 800
 will assist in the dissipation of ground signals from the components (e.g.
 104, 106, and 108) of substrate 100.
 With reference now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the present invention
 is shown in which a computer peripheral device 900 is comprised of a first
 enclosure 902 and a second enclosure 904. In the present embodiment, first
 enclosure 902 includes integral grounding members 906 which are disposed
 such that they are electrically coupled to respective ground signal
 receptacle locations (hidden) when enclosure 902 is assembled to a
 substrate (hidden). Similarly, second enclosure 904 includes integral
 grounding members 908 which are disposed such that they are electrically
 coupled to respective ground signal receptacle locations (hidden) when
 enclosure 904 is assembled to a substrate (hidden).
 Referring still to FIG. 9, in one such embodiment, the substrate (hidden)
 has ground signal receptacle locations disposed on both the upper and
 lower surface thereof. After assembly, the ground signal receptacle
 locations on the upper surface of the substrate will be coupled to
 integral grounding members 906, and the ground signal receptacle locations
 on the lower surface of the substrate will be coupled to integral
 grounding members 908 of the second enclosure. In so doing, the present
 embodiment effectively dissipates ground signals through both the top
 enclosure 902 and the bottom enclosure 904.
 Referring now to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the present invention is
 shown in which a computer housing 1000 is adapted to receive a computer
 peripheral device 900. In the present embodiment, computer housing 1000
 has an opening or receptacle 1002 which is adapted to conductively receive
 computer peripheral device 900. More specifically, computer housing 1000
 configured with electrical connectors 1004 which electrically couple
 computer housing 1000 to computer peripheral device 900 when computer
 peripheral device 900 is inserted into receptacle 1002 of computer housing
 1000. In one embodiment, receptacle 1002 of computer housing 1000 is
 comprised of a Compact Flash Card slot. In yet another embodiment,
 receptacle 1002 of computer housing 1000 is comprised of a PC Card slot.
 Although such specific embodiments are recited here, the present invention
 is well suited for use with various other types of computer housings and
 computer housing receptacles.
 Thus, the present invention provides a computer communications I/O device
 structure to effectively dissipate ground signals that does not require
 more than 2 interface pins dedicated to ground signals. The present
 invention further provides a computer communications I/O device structure
 to effectively dissipate ground signals that does not require costly,
 labor intensive manual operations that are likely to result in widely
 varying finished product quality, in terms of EMI effectiveness.
 Additionally, the present invention provides a computer communications I/O
 device structure which effectively dissipates ground signals, and in which
 the effectiveness of any ground signal paths used does not degrade
 relatively rapidly with time, and wherein the device does not violate EMI
 regulatory requirements when the device is used as intended.
 The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention
 have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
 not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
 forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
 possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and
 described in order best to explain the principles of the invention and its
 practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art best to
 utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications
 suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope
 of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their
 equivalents.