APPARATUS FOR EXPANDING THE INPUT/OUTPUT CAPABILITIES OF A PERSONAL COMPUTER

摘要

An expansion card for a personal computer includes a printed circuit board having a portion that extends through an opening in the computer so that input/output connectors can be mounted on the extended portion. The number of input/output connectors that can be mounted on the extended portion of the printed circuit board is greater than the number of connectors that can be mounted on a conventional expansion card for a personal computer. The expansion card includes an enclosure that surrounds the extended portion of the printed circuit board to provide mechanical support for the connectors mounted thereon and further to provide shielding to substantially prevent the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the extended portion. The enclosure includes a portion that extends through the opening in the personal computer so that the enclosure can be securely attached to the personal computer by a support member which also blocks electromagnetic emissions through the opening. The expansion card is electrically connected to a female expansion slot connector in the personal computer by an offset connector so that the printed circuit board can be positioned in the center of the opening.