ASSEMBLY OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20090067141A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Manoux, Philippe, Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Dabov, Teodor
• Granted Patent: US 8,472,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/00 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus casings, cabinets, drawers H05K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0016 having a spring contact
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0026 integrally formed from metal sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0037 Housings with compartments containing a PCB, e.g. partitioning walls

Abstract

This invention is directed to several mechanical features of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a spring for simultaneously grounding several components. The electronic device may include several interlocking fences for protecting electronic device components from RF radiation. The electronic device may include an antenna assembly that includes distinct components for functional and aesthetic purposes. The electronic device may include a window for permitting RF transmissions. The electronic device may include a metal frame for stiffening the electronic device. The electronic device may include a bezel used for aesthetic purposes and to support numerous electronic device components. The electronic device may include a flexible housing operative to elastically deform to assemble the electronic device. The electronic device may include an unsupported button.

Claims

1. A spring for grounding a bezel, a housing, and an antenna board of an electronic device, the spring comprising:

a base comprising a plurality of apertures, each aperture operative to receive a post extending from the top surface of a wall of the bezel;

an inner tab extending from the base, wherein the inner tab follows the inner surface of the bezel wall, the inner tab operative to contact the antenna board mounted in the bezel; and

an outer tab extending from the base, wherein the outer tab follows the outer surface of the bezel wall, the outer tab operative to contact the housing when the bezel is engaged with the housing.

2. The spring of claim 1, wherein the outer tab is held in a press-fit relation between the bezel and the housing.

3. A circuit board for use in an electronic device, the circuit board comprising:

a first board;

a second board;

a first flex tab electrically coupling the first board and the second board; and

a second flex tab coupling the first board and the second board wherein the first board is folded over the second board by bending the flex tabs.

4. The circuit board of claim 3, wherein the second flex tab is positioned at a distance from the first flex tab.

5. The circuit board of claim 3, wherein the first flex tab is wider than the second flex tab.

6. The circuit board of claim 3, wherein one of the first flex tab and the second flex tab span substantially the length of the first board and the second board.

7. The circuit board of claim 3, wherein the first board and the second board are rigid.

8. An electronic device for an electronic device operative to perform wireless communications operations, the electronic device comprising:

a housing, the housing comprising an aperture;

an antenna chassis operative to receive an antenna for performing wireless communications operations, the antenna chassis placed in the housing adjacent to the aperture; and

an antenna cap operative to close the aperture, the antenna cap inserted in the aperture from the outside of the housing by deforming the antenna cap.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the aperture is formed using beam cutting.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein each cut forming the aperture is perpendicular to the outer surface of the housing at the location of the cut.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the antenna chassis is manufactured from one of low density plastic and foam.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the antenna is molded into the antenna chassis.

13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the antenna cap includes a plurality of tabs operative to engage a portion of the inner surface of the housing when the antenna cap is inserted in the aperture.

14. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the cap is manufactured using a forced ejection molding process.

15. An electronic device of claim 8, further comprising:

a housing;

an antenna chassis operative to receive an antenna for performing wireless communications operations, the antenna chassis placed in the housing;

a screen; and

a bezel, the bezel operative to be coupled with the housing and operative to receive the screen, the bezel comprising a window through which radiation emanating from the antenna may pass.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the aperture is aligned with the antenna chassis.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein a portion of the screen that over the aperture is opaque.

18. An electronic device, comprising:

a bezel comprising four sides defining an aperture;

a screen, wherein the screen is operative to be inserted into the aperture; and

a plate inserted behind the screen to support, the screen, the plate operative to be coupled to the bezel to improve the torsion stiffness of the electronic device.

19. A method for assembling an electronic device comprising a housing and a bezel, the method comprising:

aligning the bezel with the housing;

pressing the bezel into the housing such that an inner wall of the bezel causes the housing to deform elastically;

aligning a latch of a ramp coupled to the housing with a slot of the inner wall of the bezel;

engaging the latch with the slot; and

returning the housing to its initial shape.

20. A button for use in an electronic device comprising a bezel and a screen, the button comprising:

a center button operative to be received by an aperture in a bezel;

at least one flange extending from the surface of the button, wherein the at least one flange is operative to be received by a slot in the bezel and wherein the screen is operative to cover the flange such that the flange is trapped between the bezel and the screen.

21. The button of claim 20, wherein the button is coupled to a dome switch that is directly coupled to a circuit board.

22. An electronic device, comprising:

a bezel comprising a post; and

a housing comprising a ramp and a snap, the housing operative to elastically deform as the post passes over the ramp and engages the snap.

23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the ramp is welded to the inner surface of the housing.