Cover member for an input mechanism of an electronic device

• US 10,222,756 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2018
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ely, Colin M., Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Spencer, Maegan K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US16/010,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20180299834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 261 Days
• Field of Search: 368308, 368319-321
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/041 Construction of crowns for rotating movement; connection with the winding stem; winding stems
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/046 Operation by rotation and axial movement with extra function of axial shift of operating element, e.g. crown combined with push button winding up by push button G04B3/001
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/002 Position, e.g. inclination dependent switches
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces

Abstract

A watch crown assembly has a body configured to receive rotary input. The body defines a recess and a retention feature. The watch crown assembly further comprises a ceramic member positioned at least partially in the recess and a mounting arm attached to the ceramic member. The mounting arm is engaged with the retention feature of the body, thereby retaining the ceramic member to the body.

Claims

1. A smartwatch, comprising:

a housing; and

a crown positioned along a sidewall of the housing, the crown comprising;

a body external to the housing and defining;

a first portion of an exterior surface of the crown; and

an attachment surface at least partially defining a recess in the body;

a sapphire cap positioned at least partially within the recess and defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the crown; and

an adhesive fixedly attaching the sapphire cap to the attachment surface.

2. The smartwatch of claim 1, further comprising:

a display positioned within the housing; and

a processor configured to;

present a user interface on the display;

perform a first user-interface action in response to a detection of a first type of manipulation of the crown; and

perform a second user-interface action different from the first user-interface action in response a detection of a second type of manipulation of the crown.

3. The smartwatch of claim 2, wherein:

the first type of manipulation corresponds to a rotation of the crown; and

the second type of manipulation corresponds to a translation of the crown.

4. The smartwatch of claim 1, wherein:

the body defines a retention feature; and

the crown further comprises a mounting structure engaged with the retention feature.

5. The smartwatch of claim 4, wherein:

the retention feature is an opening in the body; and

the mounting structure extends at least partially into the opening.

6. The smartwatch of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sapphire cap defining the second portion of the exterior surface of the crown has a convex shape.

7. The smartwatch of claim 1, further comprising a touch screen display coupled to the housing and configured to receive touch-based inputs.

8. A wearable electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a touch-screen display positioned at least partially within the housing;

a crown attached to the housing and configured to control an operation of the wearable electronic device in response to a detection of a manipulation of the crown, the crown comprising;

a body at least partially defining a peripheral surface of the crown;

a cap at least partially defining an end surface of the crown and comprising a retention feature engaged with the body; and

an adhesive bonding the cap to the body.

9. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the retention feature comprises a clip that mechanically engages the body.

10. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a band attached to the housing and configured to attach the wearable electronic device to a user.

11. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein:

the wearable electronic device further comprises a rotation sensor; and

the manipulation of the crown produces a rotation of the crown that is detected by the rotation sensor.

12. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the crown further comprises a shaft extending at least partially into an internal volume of the housing.

13. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein:

the body is formed of a metal material; and

the cap is formed of sapphire.

14. The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein:

the body is formed of a metal material; and

the cap is formed of polymer.

15. A wearable electronic device, comprising:

a housing; and

a crown positioned along a side of the housing and comprising;

a body defining;

an end surface; and

a recess in the end surface; and

a cap formed of a different material than the body and positioned at least partially within the recess, wherein the cap is bonded to the body via an adhesive.

16. The wearable electronic device of claim 15, wherein:

the body is formed of a metal material; and

the cap is formed of sapphire.

17. The wearable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the crown further comprises a retention arm that is attached to the sapphire and mechanically engaged with the body.

18. The wearable electronic device of claim 15, wherein:

the body is formed of metal;

the cap is formed of polymer; and

the cap further comprises a retention feature mechanically engaged with the body.

19. The wearable electronic device of claim 18, wherein:

the body defines an undercut feature; and

the retention feature comprises a clip that is mechanically engaged with the undercut feature.

20. The wearable electronic device of claim 15, wherein a surface of the cap is substantially flush with the end surface of the body.