Handheld device enclosure having outer periphery members and a front cover assembly

• US 10,303,219 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Myers, Scott A., Theobald, Matthew, Heley, Richard, Stagnaro, Adam, Dinh, Richard Hung Minh, Pakula, David A., Tan, Tang Yew
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Zachary
• Application Number:
  US15/892,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20180164853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0274 for an electrical connector module
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

This is directed to an electronic device enclosure. The enclosure includes an outer periphery member forming an outer surface of a device, and to which an internal platform is connected. Electronic device components can be assembled to one or both surfaces of the internal platform. The enclosure can include front and back cover assemblies assembled to the opposite surfaces of the outer periphery member to retain electronic device components. One or both of the cover assembles can include a window through which display circuitry can provide content to a user of the device.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a display; and

a housing comprising;

a front cover assembly comprising a transparent cover positioned over the display and defining a front surface of the electronic device;

a first outer periphery member comprising;

a first electrically-conducting material that defines;

an upper portion of a first sidewall;

an upper portion of a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; and

a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

a second outer periphery member comprising a second electrically-conducting material; and

an intermediate outer periphery member comprising an electrically-insulating material positioned within a gap defined between the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member and electrically insulating the first outer periphery member from the second outer periphery member,

the first outer periphery member, the second outer periphery member, and the intermediate outer periphery member cooperating to define a portion of an external side surface of the electronic device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises an electrical circuit positioned within the housing; and

the first outer periphery member is electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein:

the electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit; and

the first outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna for the wireless communication circuit.

4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein:

the electrical circuit comprises a heart rate monitor; and

the first outer periphery member is configured to operate as an electrode for the heart rate monitor.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the first outer periphery member defines a peripheral front surface;

the front cover assembly defines a primary front surface; and

the primary front surface of the front cover assembly protrudes above the peripheral front surface of the first outer periphery member.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the transparent cover comprises a glass sheet.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the external side surface of the electronic device defined by the first outer periphery member, the second outer periphery member, and the intermediate outer periphery member is a smooth and continuous surface.

8. A housing for an electronic device, comprising:

a front cover assembly comprising a glass sheet and defining a front surface of the electronic device;

a first member comprising a first metal material and defining;

an upper portion of a first sidewall;

an upper portion of a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; and

a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

a second member comprising a second metal material and defining a portion of the first sidewall; and

an intermediate member comprising an electrically-insulating material that is positioned in a gap defined between the first member and the second member, the intermediate member defining a portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device.

9. The housing of claim 8, wherein the intermediate member electrically insulates the first member from the second member.

10. The housing of claim 8, wherein:

the second member defines a lower portion of the first sidewall; and

the housing further comprises a third member defining a lower portion of the second sidewall and joined to the first member by another intermediate member comprising an electrically-insulating material.

11. The housing of claim 8, further comprising a rear cover assembly defining a rear surface of the electronic device.

12. The housing of claim 11, wherein the rear cover assembly comprises a transparent window.

13. An electronic device comprising:

a display; and

a housing enclosing the display and comprising;

a front cover assembly defining a front exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to provide visual access to the display;

a first conductive member defining;

at least a first portion of a first sidewall that extends along an upper portion of the display;

at least a first portion of a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; and

a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

a second conductive member defining at least a second portion of the first sidewall; and

an intermediate electrically-insulating member positioned within a gap defined between the first conductive member and the second conductive member and defining a portion of the first sidewall.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises an electrical circuit coupled to the first conductive member by a conductive element.

15. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:

a third conductive member defining at least a second portion of the second sidewall; and

another intermediate electrically-insulating member positioned within another gap defined between the first conductive member and the third conductive member.

16. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising a rear cover assembly defining a rear exterior surface of the electronic device.

17. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising an internal platform coupled to an internal feature of the first conductive member.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

the first conductive member defines a front peripheral surface; and

the internal platform is offset from the front peripheral surface of the first conductive member.

19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the internal platform is positioned approximately at a midpoint of a height of the first conductive member.