TWO-SHOT KNUCKLES FOR COUPLING ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED SECTIONS OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

• US 20130050911A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Jarvis, Daniel William
• Granted Patent: US 9,007,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• 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 1/1698 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 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/521 reducing the coupling between adjacent antennas
• 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 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate

Abstract

Two shot knuckles include a first shot component and a second shot component. Both shot components are composed of different dielectric materials, where the first shot is composed of a relatively high strength structural material and the second is composed of a cosmetic material. The first shot component can physically couple two conductive sections together by interfacing with a coupling structure of that section. The first shot component includes second shot retaining regions and a cosmetic region. The second shot component occupies the cosmetic region and anchors itself to the first shot component using the second shot retaining regions. The second shot may be the only part of the two-shot knuckle visible to a user of an electronic device and can exhibit any desired color.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first conductive section having a first coupling structure and a side wall;

a second conductive section having a second coupling structure and a side wall, wherein the side walls of the first and second conductive section are separated by a gap; and

a two-shot knuckle comprising a first shot and a second shot, wherein;

the first shot includes a second shot retaining region and is overmolded within and around the first and second coupling structures such that the first and second conductive bands are physically coupled together; and

the second shot is molded to the second shot retaining region and occupies the gap.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second shots are composed of a dielectric material.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first shot is composed of a glass filled nylon.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second shot is composed of an unfilled nylon.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second shot is cosmetic and exhibits any one of a plurality of colors.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second shot retaining feature comprises a cavity, and wherein the second shot anchors itself to the cavity.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second shot is not chemically bonded to the first shot.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling structure is a bracket that is welded to the first conductive structure.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second coupling structure is a bracket that is welded to the second conductive section or an integrally formed structure of the second conductive section.

10. A method, comprising:

providing a first conductive section having a first coupling structure and a side wall;

providing a second conductive section having a second coupling structure and a side wall, wherein a first gap exists between the side walls of the first and second conductive sections;

molding a first shot into the first gap, the first shot interfacing with the first and second coupling structures to physically couple the first and second conductive bands together, and comprising a second shot retaining region;

machining away a cosmetic region from the first shot and the first and second conductive bands, the cosmetic region comprising a second gap that exists between the side walls of the first and second conductive bands; and

molding a second shot into the cosmetic region.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein molding the first shot comprises using metal inserts to create the second shot retaining region.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first shot is a glass filled nylon and the second shot is unfilled nylon.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein molding the first shot comprises injection molding the first shot.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein molding the second shot comprises injection molding the second shot.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising polishing a portion of the second shot.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second shot anchors itself to the second shot retaining region of the first shot.

17. An outer periphery component of an electronic device, the outer periphery component comprising:

a first conductive section;

a second conductive section; and

a third conductive section;

a first double-shot knuckle;

a second double-shot knuckle; and

a third double-shot knuckle, and wherein;

the first double-shot knuckle couples the first conductive section to the second conductive section;

the second double-shot knuckle couples the second conductive section to the third conductive section;

the third double-shot knuckle couples the third conductive section to the first conductive section; and

wherein each of the first, second, and third double-shot knuckles comprises a first shot that mechanically couples the respective sections and a second shot that provides a cosmetic finish.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first and second shots are composed of a dielectric material.

19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first shot is composed of a glass filled nylon.

20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the second shot is composed of an unfilled nylon.

21. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the second shot is cosmetic and exhibits any one of a plurality of colors.

22. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the second shot is white in color.