PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8913400-B2
Application Number: US-201213608884-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly having a removable tab

Abstract:
This is directed to systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly. In some embodiments, a shield assembly may include a shield fence having a fence body, at least one fence finger extending from the bottom of the fence body for coupling to a circuit board, and a tab extending from the fence body. The tab is configured to be removed from the shield fence after the shield fence is coupled to the circuit board.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shield assembly comprising:
 a shield fence comprising:
 a fence body; and 
 a plurality of fence fingers extending from the bottom of the fence body for coupling to a circuit board; 
 
 a tab extending from the shield fence; and 
 a shield lid for coupling to the top of the fence body, wherein the tab is configured to be removed from the shield fence after the shield fence is coupled to the circuit board. 
 
     
     
       2. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is configured to be removed from the shield fence before the shield lid is coupled to the top of the fence body. 
     
     
       3. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is configured to be removed from the shield fence after the shield lid is coupled to the top of the fence body. 
     
     
       4. The shield assembly of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of the shield lid extends along a portion of the tab to provide leverage for the removal of the tab from the shield fence. 
     
     
       5. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a feature between the tab and the shield fence, wherein the feature promotes the removal of the tab from the shield fence. 
     
     
       6. The shield assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the feature comprises at least one of a cut into the tab, a perforation through the tab, a half shear into the tab, and solder between the tab and the shield fence. 
     
     
       7. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends from the fence body. 
     
     
       8. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends from a side of the fence body, wherein the side of the fence body extends from the top of the fence body to the bottom of the fence body. 
     
     
       9. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends from a portion of the fence body that is above a first fence finger of the plurality of fence fingers. 
     
     
       10. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends from a portion of the fence body that is not above any fence finger of the plurality of fence fingers. 
     
     
       11. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab and the shield fence are a single integrated component. 
     
     
       12. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends from a first fence finger of the plurality of fence fingers. 
     
     
       13. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab and the shield fence together form a continuous loop, and wherein the removal of the tab from the shield fence discontinues the continuous loop. 
     
     
       14. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the top of the tab is greater than the shape of any portion of the top of the fence body. 
     
     
       15. The shield assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the shape of the top of the tab is configured to be held by a tool, and wherein the shape of any portion of the top of the fence body is not configured to be held by the tool. 
     
     
       16. The shield assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the shield fence and the shield lid reduces electromagnetic interference. 
     
     
       17. An electronic device comprising:
 a circuit board comprising:
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface; and 
 a side surface that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface; 
 
 a shield assembly for coupling to the top surface of the circuit board; and 
 a tab extending from the shield assembly, wherein the tab is configured to be removed from the shield assembly after the shield assembly is coupled to the top surface of the circuit board. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the side surface of the circuit board resides in a first plane, and wherein at least a portion of the tab extends through the first plane when the shield assembly is coupled to the top surface of the circuit board and when the tab extends from the shield assembly. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the side surface of the circuit board resides in a first plane, wherein a free end of the tab extends a first distance beyond the first plane when the shield assembly is coupled to the top surface of the circuit board, and wherein the first distance provides leverage for the removal of the tab from the shield assembly. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 17 , further comprising an electronic component coupled to the top surface of the circuit board, and wherein the shield assembly protects the electronic component from electromagnetic interference when the shield assembly is coupled to the top surface of the circuit board. 
     
     
       21. A method comprising:
 coupling a shield fence to a top surface of a circuit board; and 
 removing a tab from the shield fence after the coupling. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coupling a shield lid to the shield fence before the removing. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coupling a shield lid to the shield fence after the removing. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the tab and the shield fence together form a continuous loop; and 
 the removing comprises discontinuing the continuous loop. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the coupling provides leverage for the removing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference and, more particularly, to systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly having a removable tab. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) and radio frequency interference (“RFI”) are two of the various types of unwanted disturbances that may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise affect or limit the effective performance of electronic circuitry due to electromagnetic conduction or electromagnetic radiation from an external source. One way to reduce such interference for electronic circuitry is to place electrically conducting metal around the circuitry. For example, an electronic circuit component on a circuit board is sometimes placed under a metal cover or can. A possible problem with the foregoing approach is that the metal shielding is typically soldered or otherwise fixed to the circuit board about the circuit component, such that, once the shielding is mounted to the circuit board, the circuit component cannot be physically accessed without removing the shielding from the circuit board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly having a removable tab are provided. 
     According to some embodiments, there may be provided a shield assembly that may include a shield fence having a fence body and a number of fence fingers extending from the bottom of the fence body for coupling to a circuit board. The shield assembly may also include a tab extending from the shield fence, and a shield lid for coupling to the top of the fence body. The tab may be configured to be removed from the shield fence after the shield fence is coupled to the circuit board. 
     According to some other embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device that may include a circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The electronic device may also include a shield assembly for coupling to the top surface of the circuit board. The electronic device may also include a tab extending from the shield assembly. The tab may be configured to be removed from the shield assembly after the shield assembly is coupled to the top surface of the circuit board. 
     According to yet some other embodiments, there may be provided a method that may include coupling a shield fence to a top surface of a circuit board, and removing a tab from the shield fence after the coupling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portion of an electronic device and a shield assembly, in a first stage of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view, similar to  FIG. 1 , of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIG. 1 , in a second stage of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken from line III-III of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 , taken from line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view, similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-4 , in a third stage of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-5 , taken from line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-6 , taken from line VII-VII of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view, similar to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-7 , in a fourth stage of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-8 , taken from line IX-IX of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view, similar to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 , and  8 , of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-9 , in an alternative third stage of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-10 , taken from line XI-XI of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and the shield assembly of  FIGS. 1-11 , taken from line XII-XII of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a shield fence coupled to a surface, in a first state of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of the shield fence and the surface of  FIG. 13 , taken from line XIV-XIV of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view, similar to  FIG. 13 , of the shield fence and the surface of  FIGS. 13 and 14 , in a second state of assemblage, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view of the shield fence and the surface of  FIGS. 13-15 , taken from line XVI-XVI of  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for shielding a circuitry region, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly having a removable tab are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-17 . 
       FIGS. 1-9 , for example, show various portions of an exemplary electronic device  10  that may include an electronic component  20 . Electronic component  20  may be coupled to a circuit board  90  and may be shielded by a shield assembly  70 . The term “electronic device” can include, but is not limited to, music players, video players, still image players, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, domestic appliances, transportation vehicle instruments, musical instruments, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, remote controls, pagers, computers (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, etc.), monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, set up boxes, set-top boxes, boom boxes, modems, routers, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, and combinations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , for example, electronic device  10  may include circuit board  90  and electronic component  20 . Circuit board  90  may be a central or primary printed circuit board (“PCB”) of electronic device  10 , and may also be known as a main circuit board, motherboard, mainboard, baseboard, system board, planar board, or logic board. Circuit board  90  may provide one or more attachment points to electronic component  20  of electronic device  10 . Although  FIGS. 1-9  only show one electronic component (i.e., component  20 ) coupled to circuit board  90 , in other embodiments, two or more electronic components may be provided on circuit board  90  of electronic device  10 . Generally, most of the basic circuitry and components required for electronic device  10  to function may be onboard or coupled (e.g., via one or more cables, bond pads, leads, terminals, cables, wires, contact regions, etc.) to circuit board  90 . For example, electronic component  20  may be mounted or otherwise coupled to a top surface  91  of circuit board  90 . Electronic component  20  may include one or more chipsets or specialized groups of integrated circuits. For example, circuit board  90  may include two components or chips, such as a Northbridge and Southbridge. Although in other embodiments, these chips may be combined into a single component. Electronic component  20  can also be one of various other types of component, including, but not limited to, a processor, memory, power supply, communications circuitry, input component, output component, and combinations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , for example, electronic component  20  may include a top surface  21 , a bottom surface  29 , and at least one terminal or bond pad or other component contact region  23  coupled to circuitry (not shown) of electronic component  20 . Each component contact region  23  of electronic component  20  may also be electrically coupled to a respective terminal, bond pad, or other type of board contact region  93  of circuit board  90 . Each board contact region  93  of circuit board  90  may also be coupled to one or more signal planes, vias, or other circuitry (not shown) of circuit board  90 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  9 , electronic component  20  may include component contact region  23  at, on, or coupled to bottom surface  29 . Component contact region  23  may be coupled to a respective board contact region  93  of circuit board  90 , which may be at, on, or coupled to top surface  91  of circuit board  90 , for example. Component contact region  23  and board contact region  93  may be directly coupled to one another. 
     Moreover, circuit board  90  may include one or more ground or common voltage contact regions  95 . Each common voltage contact region  95  may, for example, be provided on top surface  91  of circuit board  90 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  7 , and  9 , for example, each common voltage contact region  95  may be electrically coupled to a ground or common voltage plane  97  of circuit board  90  through a respective via  96 . It is to be understood that each component contact region  23 , board contact region  93 , and common voltage contact region  95  may have any of a variety of shapes, sizes, and locations relative to the remainder of the associated electronic component  20  or circuit board  90 . 
       FIGS. 1-9  illustrate shield assembly  70  in various stages of assemblage. When fully assembled, shield assembly  70  may protect a circuitry region  25  of electronic device  10  from interference, and each circuitry region  25  may include one or more electronic components. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , circuitry region  25  may include electronic component  20  protected by shield assembly  70 . Shield assembly  70  may include a shield fence  30  and a shield lid  40 . Shield fence  30  may be provided about the periphery of circuitry region  25  and may be coupled to circuit board  90 . Shield lid  40  may be coupled to shield fence  30 . Although  FIGS. 1-9  only show one electronic component (i.e., component  20 ) included within circuitry region  25 , in other embodiments, two or more electronic components may be included within the circuitry region protected by shield assembly  70 . 
     According to some embodiments, shield fence  30  may include a fence body  32  and a number of fence fingers  34 . Each fence finger  34  may extend from a body fence finger portion  33  coupled to fence body  32 , downwardly away from fence body  32 , to a free-end fence finger portion  35 . At least some free-end fence finger portions  35  of shield fence  30  may be coupled to top surface  91  of circuit board  90  about and/or adjacent to electronic component  20 . According to some embodiments, shield lid  40  may include a lid body  42 . Moreover, in some embodiments, shield lid  40  may also include at least one lid finger  44 . Each lid finger  44  may extend from a body lid finger portion  43  coupled to lid body  42 , downwardly away from lid body  42 , to a free-end lid finger portion  45 . When shield assembly  70  is fully assembled (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), portions of shield lid  40  may be electrically coupled to respective portions of shield fence  30  for forming an interference shield about circuitry region  25 . For example, when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled, at least a portion of lid body  42  of shield lid  40  may be electrically coupled to a portion of fence body  32  of shield fence  30 . Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled, at least one lid finger  44  of shield lid  40  may be electrically coupled to a respective fence finger  34  of shield fence  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , fence body  32  of shield fence  30  of shield assembly  70  may include a top fence body surface  31   t  and a bottom fence body surface  31   b . Fence body  32  may be any suitable shape. For example, as shown, fence body  32  may be rectangular with four sides. Shield fence  30  may also include any suitable number of fence fingers  34 , and each fence finger  34  may have an inner fence finger surface  34   i  and an outer fence finger surface  34   o . For example, as shown, shield fence  30  may include eight fence fingers  34  extending from fence body  32 . Although shield fence  30  is shown to include two fence fingers  34  extending from each one of the four sides of fence body  32 , shield fence  30  may include any suitable number of fence fingers  34 , and different sides of fence body  32  may have different numbers of fence fingers  34  extending therefrom. In some embodiments, at least one side of fence body  32  may have no fence fingers  34  extending therefrom. Fence fingers  34  may be provided to extend from any suitable positions of fence body  32  such that fence fingers  34  may be provided about at least a portion of the periphery of circuitry region  25  and/or adjacent at least a portion of circuitry region  25  when free-end fence finger portions  35  are coupled to circuit board  90 . 
     For example, in some embodiments, as shown, at least one fence finger  34  may extend substantially perpendicularly from fence body  32  (e.g., a fence finger  34  may extend in an X-Z plane or a Y-Z plane that may be perpendicular to fence body  32  that may reside in an X-Y plane). An inner surface  34   i  of at least one fence finger  34  may face an adjacent side of electronic component  20  of region  25  (e.g., a side of electronic component  20  extending between top surface  21  and bottom surface  23  of component  20 ). Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown, at least a portion of fence body  32  may be parallel to circuit board  90  (e.g., at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t  and/or at least a portion of bottom fence body surface  31   b  may be parallel to at least a portion of top surface  91  of circuit board  90 ). 
     Shield fence  30  may also include at least one fence body opening  39  that may be provided through fence body  32  between top surface  31   t  and bottom surface  31   b . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 , electronic component  20  of circuitry region  25  may be accessible through opening  39  (e.g., component  20  may be passed through opening  39  and coupled to board  90  after shield fence  30  is coupled to board  90 , and then an underfill (e.g., hardening epoxy material) may then be applied between component  20  and board  90  using needle applicators that may access the appropriate portions of component  20  through opening  39 , or fence  30  may be coupled to board  90  after component  20  is coupled to board  90 ). 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , lid body  42  of shield lid  40  of shield assembly  70  may include a top lid body surface  41   t  and a bottom lid body surface  41   b . Lid body  42  may be any suitable shape. For example, as shown, lid body  42  may be rectangular with four sides. In some embodiments, lid body  42  may be a stainless steel sheet cut to match the surface area of top fence body surface  31   t  and opening  39 , which may then be attached to top fence body surface  31   t  for covering opening  39 . Shield lid  40  may also include any suitable number of lid fingers  44 , and each lid finger  44  may have an inner lid finger surface  44   i  and an outer lid finger surface  44   o . For example, as shown, shield lid  40  may include a single lid finger  44  extending from lid body  42 . Although shield lid  40  is shown to include only a single lid finger  44  extending from a single side of lid body  42 , shield lid  40  may include any suitable number of lid fingers  44 , and different sides of lid body  42  may have different numbers of lid fingers  44  extending therefrom. For example, in some embodiments, two lid fingers  44  may extend from each one of the four sides of lid body  42 . Alternatively, two lid fingers  44  may extend from three of the four sides of lid body  42 , and no lid fingers may extend from the fourth side of lid body  42 . Each lid finger  44  may be provided to extend from any suitable position of lid body  42  such that each lid finger  44  may be provided about at least a portion of the periphery of circuitry region  25  when shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90  and shield lid  40 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown, at least one lid finger  44  may extend substantially perpendicularly from lid body  42  (e.g., lid finger  44  may extend in an X-Z plane or a Y-Z plane that may be perpendicular to lid body  42  that may reside in an X-Y plane). Alternatively or additionally, as shown, an inner surface  44   i  of at least one lid finger  44  may extend adjacent to and face an outer surface  34   o  of a fence finger  34 . Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown, at least a portion of lid body  42  may be parallel to circuit board  90  (e.g., at least a portion of top lid body surface  41   t  and/or at least a portion of bottom lid body surface  41   b  may be parallel to at least a portion of top surface  91  of circuit board  90 ). Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown, at least a portion of lid body  42  may be parallel to fence body  32  (e.g., at least a portion of top lid body surface  41   t  and/or at least a portion of bottom lid body surface  41   b  may be parallel to at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t  and/or at least a portion of bottom fence body surface  31   b  of fence body  32 ). 
     Shield assembly  70  may be assembled about circuitry region  25  in various suitable ways. For example, in some embodiments, shield fence  30  may be coupled to circuit board  90  about circuitry region  25  (e.g., by lowering shield fence  30  in the direction of arrow D of  FIG. 1  onto circuit board  90 ), and then shield lid  40  may be coupled to shield fence  30  (e.g., by lowering shield lid  40  in the direction of arrow D of  FIGS. 2-7  onto shield fence  30 ). In other embodiments, shield lid  40  may be coupled to shield fence  30 , and then shield fence  30  may be coupled to circuit board  90  about circuitry region  25 . Lid body  42  may be configured to cover at least a portion or the entirety of fence body opening  39  when lid  40  is coupled to fence  30  for forming shield assembly  70 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , when assembly  70  is assembled, bottom surface  41   b  of lid body  42  may face top surface  31   t  of fence body  32  and lid body  42  may cover opening  39 . 
     Shield fence  30  may be coupled to circuit board  90  by coupling at least one free-end fence finger portion  35  to top surface  91  of circuit board  90 , for example, such that free-end fence finger portions  35  of shield fence  30  may circumscribe at least a portion of circuitry region  25  (e.g., at least a portion of bottom surface  29  of electronic component  20 ). Shield fence  30  may be electrically coupled to at least one common voltage contact region  95  of circuit board  90 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  7 , and  9 , at least a portion of one free-end fence finger portion  35  of shield fence  30 , or each free-end fence finger portion  35  of shield fence  30 , may be disposed on top of and electrically coupled to a common voltage contact region  95  (e.g., via solder  94  and/or various other types of surface-mount technology (“SMT”)). However, in other embodiments, a portion of shield fence  30  may be electrically coupled to a common voltage contact region  95  in various other ways, such as via a wire (not shown). At least one free-end fence finger portion  35  of shield fence  30  may be fixedly attached to circuit board  90 , such that shield assembly  70  may maintain its positional relationship with respect to circuitry region  25  for providing interference shielding. For example, solder  94  may not only electrically couple a free-end fence finger portion  35  to circuit board  90 , but it may also fix fence shield  30  to circuit board  90 . Alternatively, shield fence  30  may be electrically coupled to circuit board  90  and fixed to circuit board  90  using different techniques. For example, a first portion of shield fence  30  may be electrically coupled to a common voltage contact region  95  of circuit board  90  by a wire or by simply resting a first portion of shield fence  30  on top of a common voltage contact region  95 , while a second portion of shield fence  30  may be fixedly attached to circuit board  90  by a screw, adhesive, or any other suitable securing technique. 
     Shield lid  40  may then be coupled to shield fence  30  in one or more various ways. For example, in some embodiments, lid body  42  may be lowered towards fence body  32  in the direction of arrow D, such that bottom lid body surface  41   b  may align with at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t  in order to be coupled to one another. For example, lid body  42  may be a stainless steel sheet with bottom lid body surface  41   b  cut to match the surface area of top fence body surface  31   t  and opening  39 , such that bottom lid body surface  41   b  may be electrically coupled to top fence body surface  31   t  about opening  39  for shielding circuitry region  25 . 
     Shield lid  40  may be coupled to shield fence  30  by interlocking at least one interlocking lid feature  46  of shield lid  40  with at least one respective interlocking fence feature  36  of shield fence  30  when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled. An interlocking fence feature  36  and an associated interlocking lid feature  46  may include any suitable elements that may interlock or otherwise interact with one another in any suitable manner for restricting the movement of shield lid  40  with respect to shield fence  30  in at least one direction or at least one degree of freedom when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled. Moreover, in some embodiments, the elements of an interlocking fence feature  36  and an associated interlocking lid feature  46  may also interlock or otherwise interact with one another to ensure or at least promote an interference fit or any suitable contact between one another. Such contact may electrically couple shield lid  40  to shield fence  30  for providing a ground point (e.g., G1) that may allow shield assembly  70  to properly shield electrical region  25  when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled. The elements of an interlocking fence feature  36  and an associated interlocking lid feature  46  may include any suitable elements that may appropriately interlock or otherwise interact with one another in any suitable manner, such as a protrusion/hole interaction, a flange/recess interaction, or any other suitable mechanical interaction. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , an interlocking lid feature  46  of shield lid  40  may include a dimple or protrusion  46   a  extending downwardly away from bottom lid body surface  41   b  of lid body  42 , and an associated interlocking fence feature  36  of shield fence  30  may include a hole  36   a  extending through top fence body surface  31   t  of fence body  32 . When shield lid  40  is lowered over shield fence  30  in the direction of arrow D, bottom lid body surface  41   b  may align with at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t  such that at least a portion of protrusion  46   a  may be configured to at least partially enter or otherwise interact with hole  36   a . Once shield lid  40  is lowered over shield fence  30  in the direction of arrow D far enough that protrusion  46   a  has snapped into, entered into, or otherwise interacted with hole  36   a , protrusion  46   a  may interact with a portion of fence body  32  about hole  36   a  to prevent or severely limit the movement of shield lid  40  with respect to shield fence  30  in at least one, if not all three, of the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction. Moreover, protrusion  46   a  and hole  36   a  may be relatively sized to ensure or at least promote an interference fit or any suitable contact between protrusion  46   a  and a portion of fence body  32  about hole  36   a . Such contact between protrusion  46   a  and a portion of fence body  32  about hole  36   a  may electrically couple shield lid  40  to shield fence  30 , which may provide at least one ground point G1, and which may allow shield assembly  70  to properly shield electrical region  25 . 
     In addition to or as an alternative to interlocking one or more interlocking fence features  36  with one or more interlocking lid features  46 , shield lid  40  may additionally or alternatively be coupled to shield fence  30  by ensuring contact between at least one contacting lid feature  48  of shield lid  40  with at least one respective contacting fence feature  38  of shield fence  30  when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled. A contacting fence feature  38  and an associated contacting lid feature  48  may include any suitable elements that may ensure contact between features  38  and  48  in any suitable manner for electrically coupling shield lid  40  to shield fence  30  for providing a ground point (e.g., G2) that may allow shield assembly  70  to properly shield electrical region  25  when shield assembly  70  is fully assembled. The elements of a contacting fence feature  38  and an associated contacting lid feature  48  may include any suitable elements that may appropriately ensure contact between features  38  and  48  in any suitable manner. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a contacting fence feature  38  of shield fence  30  may include a dimple or protrusion  38   a  extending out away from an outer fence finger surface  340  of a fence finger  34 , and an associated contacting lid feature  48  of shield lid  40  may include a flat or substantially flat surface portion  48   a  along an inner lid finger surface  44   i  of lid finger  44 . In some embodiments, when shield lid  40  is lowered over shield fence  30  in the direction of arrow D, not only may protrusion  46   a  be configured to interact with hole  36   a , but at least a portion of inner lid finger surface  44   i  may align with at least a portion of outer fence finger surface  34   o  such that protrusion  38   a  of shield fence  30  may be configured to initiate and maintain contact with surface portion  48   a  of shield lid  40 . Once shield lid  40  is lowered over shield fence  30  in the direction of arrow D far enough that protrusion  38   a  has contacted surface portion  48   a , protrusion  38   a  may be configured to (e.g., biased or sized to) interact with surface portion  48   a  of lid finger  44  to ensure and maintain suitable contact between protrusion  38   a  and surface portion  48   a  of lid finger  44  for electrically coupling shield lid  40  to shield fence  30 , which may provide a ground point G2 at the point of contact that may allow shield assembly  70  to properly shield electrical region  25 . This may ensure contact between a lid finger  44  and a fence finger  34  in a Y-Z plane extending along a side of circuitry region  25 . 
     Although only one set of interlocking features  36 / 46  and only one set of contacting features  38 / 48  may be shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , shield assembly  70  may include any number of sets of interlocking features  36 / 46  and/or any number of sets of contacting features  38 / 48  for providing any number of ground points between shield  30  and lid  40  for properly shielding electrical region  25 . 
     In some embodiments, when shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , shield fence  30  may be fixedly attached to circuit board  90  such that a user (e.g., a manufacturer of device  10 ) may not detach shield fence  30  from circuit board  90  (e.g., in the direction of arrow U of  FIG. 2 ) without a tool or without damaging the element or elements that fixedly attach fence  30  to board  90 . For example, if a screw (not shown) fixedly attaches shield fence  30  to circuit board  90 , then a user may need a screwdriver to detach shield fence  30  from circuit board  90 . As another example, if solder  94  fixedly attaches shield fence  30  to circuit board  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , then a user may need to irreversibly break solder  94  to detach shield fence  30  from circuit board  90  (e.g., new solder  94  may be needed to fixedly reattach shield fence  30  to circuit board  90 ). 
     However, when shield fence  30  is coupled to shield lid  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , shield lid  40  may be removably coupled to shield fence  30  such that a user (e.g., a manufacturer of device  10 ) may uncouple shield lid  40  from shield fence  30  (e.g., in the direction of arrow U of  FIG. 5 ) without a tool or without damaging or otherwise impairing the element or elements that removably couple fence  30  to lid  40 . For example, the interaction between each interlocking lid feature  46  of shield lid  40  and its associated interlocking fence feature  36  of shield fence  30  may not prevent a user from uncoupling lid  40  from fence  30  and/or may not irreversibly break when lid  40  is uncoupled from fence  30 . That is, at least one interlocking lid feature  46  of shield lid  40  and its associated interlocking fence feature  36  of shield fence  30  may not be impaired when lid  40  is uncoupled from fence  30 . Similarly, the interaction between each contacting lid feature  48  of shield lid  40  and its associated contacting fence feature  38  of shield fence  30  may not prevent a user from uncoupling lid  40  from fence  30  and/or may not irreversibly break when lid  40  is uncoupled from fence  30 . That is, at least one contacting lid feature  48  of shield lid  40  and its associated contacting fence feature  38  of shield fence  30  may not be impaired when lid  40  is uncoupled from fence  30 . Therefore, even after shield assembly  70  is fully assembled, a user may uncouple shield lid  40  from shield fence  30  (e.g., to access electronic region  25  through fence body opening  39  of fence body  32 ) without breaking or impairing one or more features  36 ,  38 ,  46 , or  48 . 
     Alternatively, in some embodiments, when shield fence  30  is coupled to shield lid  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , shield lid  40  may be fixedly attached to shield fence  30  such that a user (e.g., a manufacturer of device  10 ) may not detach shield lid  40  from shield fence  30  (e.g., in the direction of arrow U of  FIG. 8 ) without a tool or without damaging the element or elements that fixedly attach fence  30  to board  90 . For example, in some embodiments, shield lid  40  may be spot welded, laser welded, or soldered to shield fence  30  (e.g., bottom lid body surface  41   b  may be fixedly attached to top fence body surface  41   t  using one or more instances of welding or solder as a set of interlocking features  36 / 46  and a ground point (e.g., interlocking features  36   b / 46   b  and ground point G3 of  FIG. 9 )). 
     Every ground point of shield assembly  70  (e.g., G1-G3) may together define a closed loop of ground points along/about lid  40 . In some embodiments, in order for shield assembly  70  to provide appropriate interference shielding, each particular ground point of the closed loop may not be positioned more than a maximum threshold distance away from each of the two ground points adjacent to that particular ground point in the loop. For example, in some embodiments, any two adjacent ground points in a closed loop of ground points provided by shield assembly  70  must be positioned within a particular threshold distance of one another (e.g., 3.0 millimeters). Although lid body  42  is only shown to electrically couple with fence body  32  at ground points G1 and G3 positioned above fence fingers  34 , lid body  42  and fence body  32  may share any number of ground points about opening  39  (e.g., all about opening  39  along top fence body surface  31   t ). 
     Shield fence  30  and shield lid  40  may each be formed from any suitable material or groups of materials that may be at least partially conductive for shielding circuitry region  25 . For example, each one of shield fence  30  and shield lid  40  may be formed from any suitable metal, such as aluminum. In some embodiments, each one of fence  30  and lid  40  may be formed from a single piece of solid material. The single piece of material may, for example, be a piece of flat stock (e.g., sheet metal). Each one of fence  30  and lid  40  may be formed by one or more various suitable processes including, but not limited to, a machining process, an extrusion process, a forging process, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, each one of fence  30  and lid  40  may be at least partially formed by a forging process, which may include a process of working a hot or cold material, such as metal, to a desired shape by impact or pressure from hammers, presses, or forging machines. For example, forging may be used to help form the edges of fence body  32 , the edges of lid body  42 , the intersection of fence body  32  with one or more fence fingers  34 , and/or the intersection of lid body  42  with one or more lid fingers  44 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the process of forming each one of fence  30  and lid  40  may include drawing, and further deep drawing. Drawing may refer to forming sheet metal into shapes, such as cylindrical or box shaped parts, by using a punch that may press the sheet metal into a die cavity. Drawing may also refer to placing a flat blank over a shaped punch to draw the flat material over a die, thereby creating a formed shape. In some embodiments, one or more drawing techniques may be used to form the general shape of shield fence  30  and/or shield lid  40 , and thereafter forging may be used to adjust the thickness of the material at specific locations around the shaped part (e.g., forging can be used to create sharp edges at locations where drawing may have created edges with a radius). 
     One or more machining processes may further be applied to clean up one or more surfaces of shield fence  30  and/or shield lid  40  after other processes have been implemented. For example, machining may be used to clean up forged surfaces. Forging may be used to create coarse sharp corners and machining may be used to create fine sharp corners. As another example, forging may be used to over mold corners or edges of shield fence  30  and/or shield lid  40  so that there may be enough material to machine. Machining may also be used to add features on shield fence  30  and/or shield lid  40 . For example, one or more fence body openings  39  may be machined into or through fence body  32 . Additionally or alternatively, hole  36   a  may be machined into or through fence  30 , and/or protrusion  38   a  and protrusion  46   a  may be forged, machined, drawn, or otherwise formed from fence  30  or lid  40 . Moreover, spacings  37  provided between adjacent fence fingers  34  and/or spacings provided between adjacent lid fingers  44  may be machined, drawn, or otherwise formed into or through fence  30  or lid  40 . Moreover, one or more other features of assembly  70 , such as screw holes, posts, standoffs, bosses, recesses, and the like, may be created on or through surfaces of assembly  70 . Additionally or alternatively, other processes may be utilized for forming shield fence  30  and/or shield lid  40 , including, for example, punching, stamping, polishing, applying surface finishes (e.g., sand blasting, anodizing, etc.), ironing, extruding, cutting, molding, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , for example, fence body  32  may have a width W, at least along a portion of top fence body surface  31   t . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , this width W may be the same about substantially the entirety of opening  39 . For example, width W may be in the range of 0.2 millimeters to 2.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, width W may be in the range of 0.8 millimeters to 1.6 millimeters. In some embodiments, width W may be about 1.2 millimeters or any other suitable width. Width W may be chosen to be big enough to provide shield fence  30  with enough stability to retain its shape during use, while also being small enough that opening  39  may be as large as possible for accommodating large components therethrough. In some embodiments, despite the geometry of fence body  32  (e.g., width W) that may be chosen to meet the functional requirements of device  10 , shield fence  30  may also be provided with one or more tabs that may be releasably coupled to shield fence  30  for providing stability during the manufacturing of shield fence  30  and/or during the subsequent handling of shield fence  30  when assembling assembly  70 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , shield fence  30  may include a first tab assembly  50 . Tab assembly  50  may include a tab  52  that may be releasably coupled to at least one tab extension  56  via at least one weakening feature  54 . Each tab extension  56  may be fixedly coupled to shield fence  30 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a single tab extension  56  may extend at one end from an external side fence body surface  31   s  of fence body  32  (e.g., a portion of fence body  32  extending between top fence body surface  31   t  and bottom fence body surface  31   b  that is not exposed to opening  39 ), and tab  52  may extend from another end of tab extension  56 . At least one weakening feature  54  may be provided between tab  52  and extension  56  that may promote the breaking away of tab  52  from extension  56 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, a top surface  52   t  of tab  52  may have a length A and a width B that may define a surface area C. Length A and width B may be chosen to define a particularly sized and shaped surface area C that may be appropriate for use in manufacturing and/or handling shield fence  30 . For example, length A and/or width B may be designed to be greater than width W of fence body  32  such that top surface  52   t  of tab  52  may provide a larger surface area C than may be provided by an adjacent portion of top surface  31   t  of fence body  32  (e.g., such that the size and shape of top surface  52   t  of tab  52  is greater than the size and shape of any portion of top surface  31   t  of fence body  32 ). This geometry of tab assembly  50  may enable shield fence  30  to be held at surface area C by a tool that may not otherwise be able to successfully interact with shield fence  30  at a smaller surface area of fence body  32 . For example, a vacuum head (not shown) that may be used during the manufacturing of shield fence  30  and/or during the positioning of shield fence  30  on circuit board  90  may require a surface area of at least 3.0 millimeters by at least 3.0 millimeters on a surface of shield fence  30  in order to successfully pick up shield fence  30 . Thus, if the normal surface area defined by top surface  31   t  of fence body  32  (e.g., as defined by width W) is not large enough to interact with a certain tool, tab  52  of tab assembly  50  may be designed such that surface area C may be ample. For example, in some embodiments, length A may be in the range of 3.0 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters and width B may be in the range of 3.0 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters. 
     Weakening feature  54  of tab assembly  50  may be any suitable feature or combination of features suitable to provide at least one breaking point at which tab  52  may be releasable from extension  56  (e.g., after surface area C or any other geometry or property of tab  52  has been utilized). For example, weakening feature  54  may include one or more cuts or perforations into or through one or more surfaces of tab assembly  50 , solder or welding that may temporarily hold tab  52  to extension  56 , half shears, or combinations thereof. 
     As shown, in  FIG. 3 , for example, weakening feature  54  may include a first V-cut  54   a  formed into a first surface of tab assembly  50  (e.g., into a top surface  50   t  of tab assembly  50  that may extend from a top surface  52   t  of tab  52  to a top surface  56   t  of extension  56 , and that may be co-planar with at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t ) and/or a second V-cut  54   b  formed into a second surface of tab assembly  50  (e.g., into a bottom surface  50   b  of tab assembly  50  that may extend from a bottom surface  52   b  of tab  52  to a bottom surface  56   b  of extension  56 , and that may be co-planar with at least a portion of bottom fence body surface  31   b ). In some embodiments, as shown, first V-cut  54   a  and second V-cut  54   b  may at least partially overlap (e.g., in an X-Z plane) such that they may cooperate to provide a defined break away zone for tab assembly  50 . 
     In some embodiments, tab assembly  50  may be formed as an integral continuous portion of shield fence  30 . For example, extension  56  and tab  52  may initially be a single continuous piece of material that may extend from a portion of fence body  32  (e.g., away from side surface  31   s ). In some embodiments, tab assembly  50  may be formed in a single process with the formation of at least one other portion of shield fence  30 . For example, tab  52 , extension  56 , and at least a portion of fence body  32  may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., aluminum), and then feature  54  may be formed. This may increase the rigidity of tab assembly  50 . In other embodiments, tab assembly  50  may be initially independent from shield fence  30  and then releasably coupled to shield fence  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, extension  56  may have a thickness T between top surface  56   t  and bottom surface  56   b , which may be similar or equal to a thickness K of fence body  32  between top surface  31   t  and bottom surface  31   b , while first V-cut  54   a  may have a thickness Da and second V-cut  54   b  may have a thickness Db, such that a portion (e.g., a break away zone) of tab assembly  50  between first V-cut  54   a  and second V-cut  54   b  may have a thickness R. For example, thickness T may be about 0.15 millimeters, while thickness Da may be about 0.05 millimeters, thickness Db may be about 0.05 millimeters, and thickness R may be about 0.05 millimeters, such that the remaining thickness R of tab assembly  50  at weakening feature  54  may be about 33% of the total thickness T of tab assembly  50 . In some embodiments, extension  56  may not be necessary and weakening feature  54  of tab assembly  50  may be provided directly between tab  52  and a portion of shield fence  30  (e.g., fence body  32 ). 
     After the geometry or any other useful property of tab  52  has been utilized during the manufacturing and/or handling of shield fence  30  (e.g., after surface area C of tab  52  has been utilized by a vacuum head for properly positioning shield fence  30  about region  25  on circuit board  90 ), tab  52  may be broken away from extension  56  and/or the remainder of shield fence  30  at each weakening feature  54 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when weakening feature  54  extends along an X-Z plane, tab  52  may be bent with respect to feature  54  in one or more directions in a Y-Z plane (e.g., in one or more of directions N1 and N2). In some embodiments, tab assembly  50  may be configured such that tab  52  may break away from extension  56  at feature  54 , at least after three out of plane bends of tab  52  (e.g., in direction N1, then in direction N2, and then back in direction N1, where angle α1 of direction N1 may equal 90° and angle α2 of direction N2 may equal 90°). 
     As shown, each one of V-cuts  54   a  and  54   b  may extend along the entire length A of tab  52 . Alternatively, each V-cut or any other type of weakening feature may only extend along one or more discrete portions of length A. For example, weakening feature  54  may alternatively include multiple discrete perforations at least partially through tab assembly  50  (e.g., between top surface  50   t  and bottom surface  50   b ). Weakening feature  54  may be any suitable feature or group of features that may be configured to provide tab assembly  50  with sufficient rigidity or stability such that tab  52  may be utilized to manipulate shield fence  30  during its manufacturing or handling, while at the same time being configured to allow tab  52  to be broken away from the remainder of shield fence  30  after tab  52  has been utilized (e.g., to save space within device  10 ). Each weakening feature  54  may be formed during the initial creation of shield fence  30  (e.g., as the last or one of the last steps during the creation of fence  30 ), and/or right before shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 , and/or after shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 . 
     In some embodiments, when tab  52  is to be removed from shield fence  30  after shield fence  30  has been coupled to circuit board  90 , one or more coupling points of shield fence  30  to board  90  may be leveraged to aid in the removal of tab  52 . All or at least a portion of tab assembly  50  may be positioned adjacent to a fence finger  34  (e.g., all or at least a portion of tab assembly  50  may extend from a portion of fence body  32  from which a fence finger  34  also extends, as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and/or all or at least a portion of tab assembly  50  may be positioned between two fence fingers  34  (e.g., all or at least a portion of tab assembly  50  may extend from a portion of fence body  32  that extends between two adjacent fence fingers  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ), such that the fixed coupling (e.g., solder  94 ) of circuit board  90  to a free-end fence finger portion  35  of each fence finger  34  proximal to tab assembly  50  may provide leverage for the force that may be required to break tab  52  away from the remainder of shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , at least one portion of weakening feature  54  may be in the same Y-Z plane as a portion of a fence finger  34  fixed to circuit board  90  via coupling  94 . This attachment of fence finger  34  to circuit board  90  may enable tab  52  to be bent in direction N1 and/or direction N2 with enough force to break tab  52  away from the remainder of shield fence  30  at that portion of weakening feature  54 . Additionally or alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , at least one portion of weakening feature  54  may be in the same Y-Z plane as a portion of a spacing  37  between two adjacent fence fingers  34  fixed to circuit board  90  via couplings  94 , such that the attachment of each of the two adjacent fence fingers  34  to circuit board  90  may enable tab  52  to be bent in direction N1 and/or direction N2 with enough force to break tab  52  away from the remainder of shield fence  30  at that portion of weakening feature  54 . 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of tab assembly  50  may extend over and/or beyond an edge or surface of circuit board  90  such that there may be space adjacent to and/or below board  90  that may be used for leverage when removing tab  52  from the remainder of shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 , shield fence  30  may be coupled to circuit board  90  such that a side surface or edge  99  of circuit board  90 , which may extend between top surface  91  and a bottom surface  92  of board  90  (e.g., from top surface  91  to bottom surface  92 ), may be positioned directly underneath a portion of tab assembly  50 . As shown, a plane P1 including surface  99  (e.g., surface  99  resides in plane P1) may intersect any suitable portion of tab assembly  50  (e.g., a portion of tab assembly  50  may extend through plane P1), such as weakening feature  54 , such that a free-end  52   f  of tab  52  may extend beyond plane P1 of surface  99  of circuit board  90  by a distance E. Distance E may be any suitable distance that may allow a tool (e.g., tweezers) to properly grab and manipulate tab  52  (e.g., in direction N1 and/or N2) without impediment from board  90 , until feature  54  may release tab  52  from the remainder of shield fence  30 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , for example, shield fence  30  may additionally or alternatively include a second tab assembly  60 . Tab assembly  60  may be substantially similar to tab assembly  50  and may include a tab  62  that may be releasably coupled to at least one tab extension  66  via at least one weakening feature  64 . Each tab extension  66  may be fixedly coupled to shield fence  30 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , two tab extensions  66  may extend from distinct and separated portions of an external side fence body surface  31   s  of fence body  32  (e.g., distinct portions of fence body  32  separated by a spacing S, as shown in  FIG. 5 ), and tab  62  may extend from another end of each one of the two tab extensions  66 . At least one weakening feature  64  may be provided between tab  62  and each of the two extensions  66  that may promote the breaking away of tab  62  from each extension  66 . As shown, removal of tab  62  from the remainder of shield fence  30  may create discontinuous walls along shield fence  30  (e.g., spacing S between two extensions  66  and two portions of fence body  32  may create discontinuity along an otherwise continuous loop of fence body  32  about opening  39 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, a top surface  62   t  of tab  62  may also have a length A and a width B that may define a surface area C. Like that of tab  52 , length A and width B of tab  62  may be chosen to define a particularly sized and shaped surface area C that may be appropriate for use in manufacturing and/or handling shield fence  30 . This geometry of tab assembly  60  may enable shield fence  30  to be held at surface area C of tab  62  by a tool that may not otherwise be able to successfully interact with shield fence  30  at a smaller surface area of fence body  32 . For example, a first vacuum head (not shown) may interact with surface area C of tab  52  while a second vacuum head (not shown) may simultaneously interact with surface area C of tab  62  during the manufacturing of shield fence  30  and/or during the positioning of shield fence  30  on circuit board  90 . As shown, tab  52  and tab  62  may be positioned on opposite sides of shield fence  30  (e.g., on opposite sides of opening  39 ), such that a single tool or two distinct tools may simultaneously or cooperatively interact with pads  52  and  62  to evenly distribute or at least share the weight burden of shield fence  30 . 
     Each weakening feature  64  of tab assembly  60  may be any suitable feature or combination of features suitable to provide at least one breaking point at which tab  62  may be releasable from a respective extension  66  (e.g., after surface area C or any other geometry or property of tab  62  has been utilized). For example, like weakening feature  54 , each weakening feature  54  may include one or more cuts or perforations into or through one or more surfaces of tab assembly  60 . 
     As shown, in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, each weakening feature  64  may include a first V-cut  64   a  formed into a first surface of tab assembly  60  (e.g., into a top surface  60   t  of tab assembly  60  that may extend from a top surface  62   t  of tab  62  to a top surface  66   t  of each extension  66 , and that may be co-planar with at least a portion of top fence body surface  31   t ) and/or a second V-cut  64   b  formed into a second surface of tab assembly  60  (e.g., into a bottom surface  60   b  of tab assembly  60  that may extend from a bottom surface  62   b  of tab  62  to a bottom surface  66   b  of extension  66 , and that may be co-planar with at least a portion of bottom fence body surface  31   b ). In some embodiments, as shown, first V-cut  64   a  and second V-cut  64   b  may at least partially overlap (e.g., in an X-Z plane) such that they may cooperate to provide a defined break away zone for tab assembly  60  at each extension  66  on opposite sides of spacing S. 
     In some embodiments, tab assembly  60  may be formed as an integral continuous portion of shield fence  30 . For example, each extension  66  and tab  62  may initially be a single continuous piece of material that may extend from a portion of fence body  32  (e.g., away from side surface  31   s ). In some embodiments, tab assembly  60  may be formed in a single process with the formation of at least one other portion of shield fence  30 . For example, tab  62 , each extension  66 , and at least a portion of fence body  32  may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., aluminum), and then feature  64  of each extension  66  may be formed. 
     After the geometry or any other useful property of tab  62  has been utilized during the manufacturing and/or handling of shield fence  30  (e.g., after surface area C of tab  62  has been utilized by a vacuum head for properly positioning shield fence  30  about region  25  on circuit board  90 ), tab  62  may be broken away from each extension  66  and/or the remainder of shield fence  30  at each weakening feature  64 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when each weakening feature  64  extends along an X-Z plane, tab  62  may be bent with respect to each feature  64  in one or more directions in a Y-Z plane (e.g., in one or more of directions N3 and N4). In some embodiments, tab assembly  60  may be configured such that tab  62  may break away from each extension  66  at its feature  64 , at least after three out of plane bends of tab  62  (e.g., in direction N3, then in direction N4, and then back in direction N3, where angle α3 of direction N3 may equal 90° and angle α4 of direction N4 may equal 90°). 
     Like cuts  54   a  and  54   b , each one of V-cuts  64   a  and  64   b  of each extension  66  may extend along the entire length of that extension  66 . Alternatively, each V-cut or any other type of weakening feature may only extend along one or more discrete portions of its extension  66 . For example, each weakening feature  64  may alternatively include multiple discrete perforations at least partially through tab assembly  60  (e.g., between top surface  60   t  and bottom surface  60   b ). Each weakening feature  64  may be any suitable feature or group of features that may be configured to provide tab assembly  60  with sufficient rigidity or stability such that tab  62  may be utilized to manipulate shield fence  30  during its manufacturing or handling, while at the same time being configured to allow tab  62  to be broken away from the remainder of shield fence  30  after tab  62  has been utilized (e.g., to save space within device  10 ). Each weakening feature  64  may be formed during the initial creation of shield fence  30 , and/or right before shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 , and/or after shield fence  30  is coupled to circuit board  90 . 
     In some embodiments, when tab  62  is to be removed from shield fence  30  after shield fence  30  has been coupled to circuit board  90 , one or more coupling points of shield fence  30  to board  90  may be leveraged to aid in the removal of tab  62 . All or at least a portion of tab assembly  60  may be positioned adjacent to a fence finger  34  (e.g., all or at least a portion of tab assembly  60  may extend from a portion of fence body  32  from which a fence finger  34  also extends, as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and/or all or at least a portion of tab assembly  60  may be positioned between two fence fingers  34  (e.g., all or at least a portion of tab assembly  60  may extend from a portion of fence body  32  that extends between two adjacent fence fingers  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ), such that the fixed coupling (e.g., solder  94 ) of circuit board  90  to a free-end fence finger portion  35  of each fence finger  34  proximal to tab assembly  60  may provide leverage for the force that may be required to break tab  62  away from the remainder of shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , at least one portion of a weakening feature  64  may be in the same Y-Z plane as a portion of a fence finger  34  fixed to circuit board  90  via coupling  94 . This attachment of fence finger  34  to circuit board  90  may enable tab  62  to be bent in direction N3 and/or direction N4 with enough force to break tab  62  away from the remainder of shield fence  30  at that portion of that weakening feature  54 . Additionally or alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , at least one portion of a weakening feature  64  may be in the same Y-Z plane as a portion of a spacing  37  between two adjacent fence fingers  34  fixed to circuit board  90  via couplings  94 , such that the attachment of each of the two adjacent fence fingers  34  to circuit board  90  may enable tab  62  to be bent in direction N3 and/or direction N4 with enough force to break tab  62  away from the remainder of shield fence  30  at that portion of that weakening feature  64 . 
     In some embodiments, a side surface or edge of circuit board  90  may extend only a certain distance beyond tab assembly  60  such that there may be space adjacent to and/or below board  90  that may be used for leverage when removing tab  62  from the remainder of shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 , shield fence  30  may be coupled to circuit board  90  such that a side surface or edge  98  of circuit board  90 , which may extend between top surface  91  and a bottom surface  92  of board  90 , may be positioned beyond free-end  62   f  of tab  62 . As shown, a plane P2 including surface  98  may not intersect with any portion of tab assembly  60 , such that plane P2 of surface  98  of circuit board  90  may extend beyond free-end  62   f  of tab  62  by a distance F. Distance F may be any suitable distance that may still allow a tool (e.g., tweezers) to properly grab and manipulate tab  62  (e.g., in direction N3 and/or N4) without impediment from board  90 , until each feature  64  may release tab  62  from the remainder of shield fence  30 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, shield fence  30  may additionally or alternatively include a third tab assembly  70 . Tab assembly  70  may be substantially similar to tab assembly  50  and may include a tab  72  that may be releasably coupled to at least one tab extension  76  via at least one weakening feature  74 . Each tab extension  76  may be fixedly coupled to shield fence  30 . However, unlike tab assembly  50 , each tab extension  76  of tab assembly  70  may extend from a fence finger  34  (e.g., an outer surface  34   o  of at least one fence finger  34 ), and tab  72  may extend from another end of the tab extension  76 . At least one weakening feature  74  may be provided between tab  72  and each extension  76  that may promote the breaking away of tab  72  from each extension  76 . 
     Although each tab of shield fence  30  (e.g., tab  52 , tab  62 , and/or tab  72 ) may be removed from shield fence  30  after shield fence  30  has been coupled to board  90  but before shield lid  40  has been coupled to shield fence  30  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 ), in alternative embodiments, one or more tabs of shield fence  30  may be removed from shield fence  30  after circuit board  90  and shield lid  40  have each been coupled to shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , each one of tabs  52 ,  62 , and  72  may remain coupled to shield fence  30  until after shield lid  40  has been coupled to shield fence  30 . In some embodiments, this may provide additional leverage for removing a tab from the remainder of shield fence  30 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a portion of lid  42  may extend over at least a portion of tab assembly  60  (e.g., over at least a portion of each tab extension  66 ). For example, bottom surface  41   b  of lid body  42  may extend a distance Q along top surface  66   t  of tab assembly  60 . In some embodiments, lid body  42  may even be coupled (e.g., by solder) to tab assembly  60  along this distance Q. Such an extension of lid  40  along a portion of tab assembly may help provide additional leverage for the removal of tab  62  from the remainder of shield fence  30 . Moreover, it may be easier to couple shield lid  40  to shield fence  30  when shield fence  30  is as rigid as possible. Therefore, if shield fence  30  is more rigid when a tab assembly (e.g., tab assembly  60 ) is coupled to shield fence  30  than when a tab assembly is no longer coupled to shield fence  30 , it may be helpful to keep a tab assembly coupled to shield fence  30  until after shield lid  40  has been coupled to shield fence  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , for example, another shield assembly  170  may be provided to shield other components of electronic device  10 . Shield assembly  170  may include a shield fence  130  and a shield lid (not shown) that may be assembled with a portion of circuit board  90  for shielding a circuitry region  125 , which may include electronic components  120   a  and  120   b . Each one of electronic components  120   a  and  120   b  of circuitry region  125  may be mounted or otherwise coupled to top surface  91  of circuit board  90  similarly to electronic component  20  of circuitry region  25 . 
     Although not shown, each one of electronic components  120   a  and  120   b  may include at least one terminal or bond pad or other component contact region that may be coupled to circuitry (not shown) of the electronic component and that may be electrically coupled to a respective terminal, bond pad, or other type of board contact region of circuit board  90  (e.g., as described above with respect to regions  23  and  93  of  FIGS. 1-12 ). Such board contact regions of circuit board  90  may also be coupled to one or more signal planes, vias, or other circuitry (not shown) of circuit board  90  (e.g., a ground or common voltage plane  97  of circuit board  90 , as described above with respect to assembly  70 ). Moreover, circuit board  90  may include one or more ground or common voltage contact regions (not shown) that may be provided on top surface  91  of circuit board  90  and/or that may be electrically coupled ground or common voltage plane  97  of circuit board  90  through a respective via. 
       FIGS. 13-16  illustrate shield assembly  170  in various stages of assemblage. When fully assembled, shield assembly  170  may protect circuitry region  125  of electronic device  10  from interference. Shield fence  130  may be substantially similar to shield fence  30  and may be provided about the periphery of circuitry region  125  and may be coupled to circuit board  90 . Shield fence  130  may include one or more fence fingers  134  similar to fence fingers  34  that may extend from at least one fence body  132  about at least one opening  139  that may be similar to fence body  32  about opening  39 . A shield lid (not shown) of shield assembly  170  may be substantially similar to shield lid  40  and may be coupled to shield fence  130 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , shield fence  130  may include a first tab assembly  150 . Tab assembly  150  may be similar to tab assembly  50  and may include a tab  152  that may be releasably coupled to at least one tab extension  156  via at least one weakening feature  154 . Each tab extension  156  may be fixedly coupled to shield fence  130 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , a single tab extension  156  may extend at one end from an external side fence body surface  131   s  of fence body  132  (e.g., a portion of fence body  132  extending between top fence body surface  131   t  and bottom fence body surface  131   b  that is not exposed to opening  139 ), and tab  152  may extend from another end of tab extension  156 . At least one weakening feature  154  may be provided between tab  152  and extension  156  that may promote the breaking away of tab  152  from extension  156 . However, unlike shield fence  30 , at least a portion of shield fence  130  may include a free-end portion  131   f  of fence body  132  that extends outwardly away from opening  139  (e.g., towards edge  98  of board  90 ), as opposed to a free-end portion  31   f  of fence body  32  that extends inwardly towards opening  139  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , for example, a top surface  152   t  of tab  152  may have a length A and a width B that may define a surface area C. Length A and width B may be chosen to define a particularly sized and shaped surface area C that may be appropriate for use in manufacturing and/or handling shield fence  130 . For example, length A and/or width B may be designed to be greater than a width W of fence body  132  such that top surface  152   t  of tab  152  may provide a larger surface area C than may be provided by an adjacent portion of top surface  131   t  of fence body  132 . This geometry of tab assembly  150  may enable shield fence  130  to be held at surface area C by a tool that may not otherwise be able to successfully interact with shield fence  130  at a smaller surface area of fence body  132 . For example, a vacuum head (not shown) that may be used during the manufacturing of shield fence  130  and/or during the positioning of shield fence  130  on circuit board  90  may require a surface area of at least 3.0 millimeters by at least 3.0 millimeters on a surface of shield fence  130  in order to successfully pick up shield fence  130 . Thus, if the normal surface area defined by top surface  131   t  of fence body  132  (e.g., as defined by width W) is not large enough to interact with a certain tool, tab  152  of tab assembly  150  may be designed such that surface area C may be ample. For example, in some embodiments, length A may be in the range of 3.0 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters and width B may be in the range of 3.0 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters. 
     Weakening feature  154  of tab assembly  150  may be similar to weakening feature  54  and may be any suitable feature or combination of features suitable to provide at least one breaking point at which tab  152  may be releasable from extension  156  (e.g., after surface area C or any other geometry or property of tab  152  has been utilized). For example, weakening feature  154  may include one or more cuts or perforations into or through one or more surfaces of tab assembly  150 , solder or welding that may temporarily hold tab  152  to extension  156 , or combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, tab assembly  150  may be formed as an integral continuous portion of shield fence  130 . For example, extension  156  and tab  152  may initially be a single continuous piece of material that may extend from a portion of fence body  132  (e.g., away from side surface  131   s /free-end surface  131   f ). In some embodiments, tab assembly  150  may be formed in a single process with the formation of at least one other portion of shield fence  130 . For example, tab  152 , extension  156 , and at least a portion of fence body  132  may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., aluminum), and then feature  154  may be formed. 
     After the geometry or any other useful property of tab  152  has been utilized during the manufacturing and/or handling of shield fence  130  (e.g., after surface area C of tab  152  has been utilized by a vacuum head for properly positioning shield fence  130  about region  125  on circuit board  90 ), tab  152  may be broken away from each extension  156  and/or the remainder of shield fence  130  at each weakening feature  154 . 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of tab assembly  150  may extend over an edge of circuit board  90  such that there may be space adjacent to and/or below board  90  that may be used for leverage when removing tab  152  from the remainder of shield fence  130 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , shield fence  130  may be coupled to circuit board  90  such that a side surface or edge  99  of circuit board  90 , which may extend between top surface  91  and a bottom surface  92  of board  90 , may be positioned directly underneath a portion of tab assembly  150 . As shown, a plane P3 including edge  99  may intersect any suitable portion of tab assembly  150 , such as weakening feature  154 , such that a free-end  152   f  of tab  152  may extend beyond edge  99  of circuit board  90  by a distance E. Distance E may be any suitable distance that may allow a tool (e.g., tweezers) to properly grab and manipulate tab  152  without impediment from board  90 , until feature  154  may release tab  152  from the remainder of shield fence  130 . Moreover, because extension  156  may extend from a free-end  131   f  of fence body  132  extending outwardly away from opening  139  and at least one fence foot  134 , plane P3 including edge  99  may extend beyond outer surface  134   o  of foot  134 , and thus coupling  135  of foot  134  to board  90 , by a distance I. Distance I may be any suitable distance that may allow a tool (e.g., tweezers) to properly grab and manipulate tab  152  without impediment from outer surface  134   o  of fence foot  134 , until feature  154  may release tab  152  from the remainder of shield fence  130 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the width of fence body  132  may vary about opening  139  and, for example, a portion  192  of top surface  132   t  of fence body  132  may also have a length A and a width B that may define a surface area C. Like that of tab  152 , length A and width B of fence body portion  192  may be chosen to define a particularly sized and shaped surface area C that may be appropriate for use in manufacturing and/or handling shield fence  130 . This geometry of fence body portion  192  may enable shield fence  130  to be held at surface area C of fence body  132  by a tool that may not otherwise be able to successfully interact with shield fence  130  at a smaller surface area portion of fence body  132 . For example, a first vacuum head (not shown) may interact with surface area C of tab  152  while a second vacuum head (not shown) may simultaneously interact with surface area C of fence body portion  192  during the manufacturing of shield fence  130  and/or during the positioning of shield fence  130  on circuit board  90 . As shown, tab  152  and fence body portion  192  may be positioned on opposite sides of shield fence  130  (e.g., on opposite sides of opening  139 ), such that a single tool or two distinct tools may simultaneously or cooperatively interact with pad  152  and fence body portion  192  to evenly distribute or at least share the weight burden of shield fence  130 . 
     The size and shape of each fence body, fence finger, fence opening, lid body, lid finger, interlocking feature, and contacting feature of assembly  70  and/or assembly  170  may vary based on various factors, such as the size and shape of the electronic components of the circuitry region being shielded, the magnitude of the interference to be shielded, and the like. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , the shape of shield assembly  70  and circuitry region  25  above a portion of circuit board  90  may be substantially cuboidal, while shield assembly  170  and circuitry region  125  above another portion of circuit board  90  of  FIGS. 13-16  may be irregular and specific to various geometric features of device  10 . 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an illustrative process  1700  for shielding a circuitry region. Process  1700  may include a first step  1702  for coupling a shield fence to a top surface of a circuit board. For example, as described, shield fence  30  may be coupled to top surface  91  of circuit board  90 . Process  1700  may also include a step  1704  for removing a tab from the shield fence after the coupling of step  1702 . For example, as described, tab  52  may be removed from shield fence  30  after shield fence  30  may be coupled to top surface  91  of circuit board  90 . In some embodiments, process  1700  may also include coupling a shield lid to the shield fence before the removing of step  1704 . In alternative embodiments, process  1700  may also include coupling a shield lid to the shield fence after the removing of step  1704 . In some embodiments, the tab and the shield fence may together form a continuous loop and the removing of step  1704  may discontinue the continuous loop. For example, as described, removal of tab  62  from shield fence  30  may discontinue a continuous loop. In some embodiments, the coupling of step  1702  may provide leverage for the removing of step  1704 . For example, as described, a portion of shield lid  40  may extend along a portion of tab assembly  60  when shield lid  40  is coupled to shield fence  30  for leveraging the removal of tab  62  of tab assembly  60  from shield fence  30 . 
     It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 17  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified, added, or omitted. 
     While there have been described systems and methods for shielding circuitry from interference with a shield assembly having a removable tab, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms, such as “up” and “down,” “left” and “right,” “top” and “bottom,” “X-,” “Y-,” and “Z-,” and the like, are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of the invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120910
Publication Date: 20141216
Grant Date: 20141216
Priority Date: 20120910
Inventors: WERNER CHRISTOPHER M.
KOLE JARED MITCHELL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K3/30", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0032", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0032", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10371", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10371", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0052", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0243", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0243", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50233093