ASSEMBLY OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20120281346A1
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lynch, Stephen Brian, Moolsintong, Pinida Jan, Lim, Leng
• Granted Patent: US 9,093,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/10 Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/50 having a single operating member
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 15/10 Operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/034 Bezel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0207 Adjustable mounting of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49995 Shaping one-piece blank by removing material

Abstract

Several mechanical features of an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, the device may include a bezel coupled to a housing. One or more snaps of the bezel may be operative to engage a cantilever spring of the housing. In some embodiments, the device may include a window that is formed by coupling an outer layer to an inner layer that is larger than the outer layer. In some embodiments, the device may include a chassis for supporting the window. In some embodiments, the device may include a grounding clip for simultaneously grounding the bezel, the housing and a circuit board. In some embodiments, the device may include a switch that includes a button molded into a base using a double shot process. In some embodiments, the device may include a switch supporting bracket that includes a slot operative to receive a pin of the bezel.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A chassis for supporting a window in an electronic device comprising a housing, the chassis comprising:

a plate operative to be placed against a back surface of the window, wherein the window rests against a top surface of the plate;

at least two posts extending from a bottom surface of the plate; and

at least one compliant member placed between the at least two posts and the housing, wherein the at least one compliant member is operative to deform in response to a force applied to the window.

12. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the plate and at least two posts are operative to remain rigid in response to the force applied to the window to distribute the force to the at least one compliant member.

31. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the plate is coupled to the window.

32. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the plate is formed from a clear material.

33. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the plate comprises:

at least one aperture, wherein a display generated by the electronic device passes through the at least one aperture.

34. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the plate is operative to support an optical component of the electronic device.

35. The chassis of claim 11, wherein the at least two posts are less stiff than the plate.

36. The chassis of claim 11, wherein:

a first portion of the at least two posts is less stiff than a second portion of the at least two posts; and

the first portion is operative to elastically absorb impacts on the window without affecting the structural integrity of the at least two posts.

13-30. -30. (canceled)

37. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a window comprising a front surface and a back surface;

a chassis comprising;

a plate, wherein the back surface of the window rests against a top surface of the plate; and

at least two posts extending from a bottom surface of the plate, wherein the at least two posts are coupled to an inner surface of the housing.

38. The electronic device of claim 37, further comprising:

at least one compliant member placed between the at least two posts and the inner surface of the housing.

39. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the at least one compliant member is operative to deform in response to a force applied to the window.

40. The electronic device of claim 37, further comprising:

an optical component operative to generate displays, wherein the plate is operative to support the optical component.

41. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the plate comprises:

at least one aperture, wherein a display generated by the electronic device passes through the at least one aperture.

42. The electronic device of claim 37, further comprising:

a component positioned between the bottom surface of the plate and the inner surface of the housing.

43. The electronic device of claim 42, wherein the component is a battery.

44. The electronic device of claim 42, wherein the component is a circuit board.

45. A compliant chassis for securing a window against a housing of an electronic device, the chassis comprising:

a plate operative to press the window against an inner surface of the housing when an external force is not applied to the window; and

at least two posts extending from the plate and coupled to an inner surface of the housing, wherein the at least two posts are operative to yield without breaking when an external force is applied to the window.

46. The chassis of claim 45, wherein the plate remains rigid when the external force is applied to the window.

47. The chassis of claim 45, further comprising:

a compliant member placed between each of the at least two posts and the inner surface of the housing, wherein each of the compliant members is operative to allow the at least two posts to yield without breaking when the external force is applied to the window.

48. The chassis of claim 45, wherein the at least two posts are operative to buckle before the plate bends.