Electro-magnetic interference shield with locking latch

Abstract

An electromagnetic shield is formed from an etched metal sheet so that walls can be bent along etched lines to form an at least partially enclosed structure. A first wall has a first tab, such as a “male” portion, and a second wall has a second tab, such as a “female” portion. The first and second tabs interlock to hold the structure together.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a metal sheet etched to form a plurality of wall sections, the plurality of wall sections bendable to form a structure having an at least partially enclosed area, at least a first wall section having a first tab formed from the metal sheet, at least a second wall section having a second tab formed from the metal sheet, wherein the first and second tabs interlock to hold the structure in place.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet has a substantially uniform thickness.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the metal sheet has a thickness of approximately 0.0005 inches to 0.062 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab has a hole in it.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second tab has an extension that fits within the hole of the first tab.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet further comprises: 
 at least a third wall having a third tab formed from the metal sheet, at least a fourth wall having a fourth tab formed from the metal sheet, wherein the third and fourth tabs interlock to hold the structure together.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first tab and the third tab are part of a common wall.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is etched on only one surface.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sheet is etched on a top and bottom surface.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wall sections of the structure are substantially perpendicular to one another.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 one or more electronic and/or optical interfaces in the metal sheet, and one ore more electronic and/or opto-electronic components within the structure coupled to the electronic and/or optical interfaces.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a metal sheet at least partially etched to allow a plurality of walls of the metal sheet to bend in separate planes to form an enclosed box, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls has a first tab, and at least one of the plurality of walls has a second tab, wherein the first and second tabs interlock.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the metal sheet has a substantially uniform thickness.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first tab has a hole in it.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second tab has an extension that fits within the hole of the first tab.  
     
     
         16 . A method of forming an electromagnetic shield from a sheet of metal having etched lines separating the sheet of metal into at least three wall sections, at least one of the three wall sections having a first tab, and at least one of the three wall sections having a second tab, the method comprising: 
 bending the sheet of metal along the etched lines until the at least three wall sections form an at least partially enclosed structure; and    interlocking the first tab with the second tab to hold the at least partially enclosed structure together.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 attaching a second sheet of metal to the at least partially enclosed structure to form a fully enclosed structure.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 interlocking a third tab with a fourth tab to hold the at least partially enclosed structure together.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 attaching a second sheet of metal to the at least partially enclosed structure to form a fully enclosed structure.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least partially enclosed structure is fully enclosed.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 placing one or more electronic and/or opto-electronic components in the at least partially enclosed structure.