Patents by Inventor Shelby Ball

Shelby Ball has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10212863
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding gasket is disclosed, the gasket having a series of slots thereon. The gasket may include an electrically-conductive outer layer adhered to a resiliently compressible core, and may further include a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for adhering the gasket to a substrate. Each slot is a portion of the gasket that has been removed from the gasket by, for example, cutting a portion of the outer layer and core and removing a substantial majority of the core and all but the base of the gasket, thereby leaving a strip of electrically-conductive outer layer in each slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Laird Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Patent number: 9936618
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of board level shields that include film and/or foil (e.g., electrically-conductive plastic film, metallized or metal plated film, metal foil, reinforced foil, poly-foil, etc.) covers or lids. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods relating to making EMI shielding apparatus or assemblies. Additionally, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of methods relating to providing shielding for one or more components on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby Ball, Gerald R. English
  • Patent number: 9832915
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of board level shields. In an exemplary embodiment, a board level shield (BLS) includes a fence and a lid. The fence is solderable to a printed circuit board (PCB). When the lid is engaged to the fence that has been soldered to the PCB, the BLS provides substantial electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding protection to the components covered by the BLS. The lid may be constructed of a frame and a cover. The cover may be a film or foil. The lid may attach to the fence via a one way directional latching mechanism, which may be enhanced by the use of one or more interior downward tabs on the lid that meet one or more inward protrusions from the fence to create pressure on the lid and fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Publication number: 20170231123
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of board level shields. In an exemplary embodiment, a board level shield (BLS) includes a fence and a lid. The fence is solderable to a printed circuit board (PCB). When the lid is engaged to the fence that has been soldered to the PCB, the BLS provides substantial electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding protection to the components covered by the BLS. The lid may be constructed of a frame and a cover. The cover may be a film or foil. The lid may attach to the fence via a one way directional latching mechanism, which may be enhanced by the use of one or more interior downward tabs on the lid that meet one or more inward protrusions from the fence to create pressure on the lid and fence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Publication number: 20170171961
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of board level shields that include film and/or foil (e.g., electrically-conductive plastic film, metallized or metal plated film, metal foil, reinforced foil, poly-foil, etc.) covers or lids. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods relating to making EMI shielding apparatus or assemblies. Additionally, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of methods relating to providing shielding for one or more components on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Shelby Ball, Gerald R. English
  • Publication number: 20160113161
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of EMI shields that include see-through portions. In an exemplary embodiment, an EMI shielding apparatus or assembly generally includes a cover, lid, or top. The cover includes at least a portion that is see-through. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods relating to making EMI shielding apparatus or assemblies. Additionally, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of methods relating to providing shielding for one or more components on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shelby Ball, Larry D. Creasy, JR.
  • Patent number: 7527506
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of EMI shielding/electrical grounding members configured to be installed to a substrate for interposition between electrically-conductive surfaces, for establishing electrical grounding contact from the substrate to the electrically-conductive surfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, an EMI shielding/electrical grounding member generally includes first and second generally opposing sides hingedly connected and having respective first and second contact faces configured such that the first and second contact faces are each relatively independently operable and freely compressible upon contact with the respective first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, regardless of whether the other of said first and second contact faces is in contact with the corresponding first or second electrically-conductive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignees: Laird Technologies, Inc., Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shelby Ball, Karl Hamand
  • Patent number: 7528328
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of gaskets that can protect fingerprint readers from receiving electrostatic discharge surges when a user's finger is placed in contact with the electronic scanning portion of the fingerprint reader. In exemplary embodiments, a gasket can provide an electrically-insulative barrier between the exposed contact points on the sides of the fingerprint reader, the electrostatic discharge, and the electrically-conductive side of the gasket. The gasket can also include an electrically-conductive side that provides a relatively short path to ground for the electrostatic discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Patent number: 7504590
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a gasket is configured for providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and/or grounding of one or more electrical components on a substrate disposed within a passageway of a member having a generally circular cross-section. The gasket may include inner and outer portions that cooperatively define a generally circular annular shape with a generally central opening. The outer portion may be configured to be disposed circumferentially along and in electrical contact with an electrically-conductive surface of the member in a first direction. The inner portion may be configured to be disposed circumferentially along an edge portion of the substrate and in electrical contact with at least one electrically-conductive portion on the substrate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Accordingly, the gasket may establish electrical grounding contact from the at least one electrically-conductive portion on the substrate to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Publication number: 20090061683
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of EMI shielding/electrical grounding members configured to be installed to a substrate for interposition between electrically-conductive surfaces, for establishing electrical grounding contact from the substrate to the electrically-conductive surfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, an EMI shielding/electrical grounding member generally includes first and second generally opposing sides hingedly connected and having respective first and second contact faces configured such that the first and second contact faces are each relatively independently operable and freely compressible upon contact with the respective first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, regardless of whether the other of said first and second contact faces is in contact with the corresponding first or second electrically-conductive surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Shelby Ball, Karl Hamand
  • Publication number: 20080271916
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of gaskets that can protect fingerprint readers from receiving electrostatic discharge surges when a user's finger is placed in contact with the electronic scanning portion of the fingerprint reader. In exemplary embodiments, a gasket can provide an electrically-insulative barrier between the exposed contact points on the sides of the fingerprint reader, the electrostatic discharge, and the electrically-conductive side of the gasket. The gasket can also include an electrically-conductive side that provides a relatively short path to ground for the electrostatic discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Patent number: 7399931
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of gaskets that can protect fingerprint readers from receiving electrostatic discharge surges when a user's finger is placed in contact with the electronic scanning portion of the fingerprint reader. In exemplary embodiments, a gasket can provide an electrically-insulative barrier between the exposed contact points on the sides of the fingerprint reader, the electrostatic discharge, and the electrically-conductive side of the gasket. The gasket can also include an electrically-conductive side that provides a relatively short path to ground for the electrostratic discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Publication number: 20080137320
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a gasket is configured for providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and/or grounding of one or more electrical components on a substrate disposed within a passageway of a member having a generally circular cross-section. The gasket may include inner and outer portions that cooperatively define a generally circular annular shape with a generally central opening. The outer portion may be configured to be disposed circumferentially along and in electrical contact with an electrically-conductive surface of the member in a first direction. The inner portion may be configured to be disposed circumferentially along an edge portion of the substrate and in electrical contact with at least one electrically-conductive portion on the substrate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Accordingly, the gasket may establish electrical grounding contact from the at least one electrically-conductive portion on the substrate to the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Shelby Ball
  • Publication number: 20070209832
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of gaskets that can protect fingerprint readers from receiving electrostatic discharge surges when a user's finger is placed in contact with the electronic scanning portion of the fingerprint reader. In exemplary embodiments, a gasket can provide an electrically-insulative barrier between the exposed contact points on the sides of the fingerprint reader, the electrostatic discharge, and the electrically-conductive side of the gasket. The gasket can also include an electrically-conductive side that provides a relatively short path to ground for the electrostratic discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Shelby Ball