CONTOURED INTERLOCK FOR THIN WALL SECTIONS IN CERAMIC

• US 20170212558A1
• Filed: 01/22/2016
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: ELY, Colin M., CLAVELLE, Adam T., CARDINALI, Steven P.
• Application Number:
  US15/004,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20170212558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/006 by gluing gluing of plastics material B29C65/48
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/048 Non-releasable devices F16B37/044, F16B37/045 and F16B37/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/125 the external surface of the insert being threaded
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03

Abstract

This application relates to an insert nut for a housing of a computing device. The insert nut can include a threaded interior surface for receiving a screw, and a ribbed exterior surface for receiving an adhesive between ribs of the ribbed exterior surface. At least one of the ribs can include at least one notch that allows for an adhesive to flow between ribs. When the insert nut is pressed into an adhesive filled cavity, the adhesive can flow over the notch and between the ribs of the insert nut. Thereafter, the adhesive can be cured in order to secure the insert nut to the housing. This arrangement allows for screws to be secured into the insert nut rather than directly into the housing, thereby reducing cracks that can otherwise form in the housing.

Claims

1. A method for attaching a nut to a housing of a computing device, the nut comprising a ribbed exterior with at least one notch and a threaded interior, and the method including steps of:

depositing an adhesive into a cavity of the housing; and

depressing the nut into the cavity of the housing such that the adhesive flows over the at least one notch.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the adhesive to move over the at least one notch and between ribs of the threaded exterior to create a bond between the nut and the housing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

at least partially curing the adhesive after depressing the nut into the cavity of the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is made from a ceramic material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the adhesive includes providing an amount of adhesive sufficient to move between each rib of the ribbed exterior.

6. An insert nut, comprising:

a body having a threaded interior and a ribbed exterior, the ribbed exterior comprising ribs and at least one notch, wherein the at least one notch is configured to act as a fluid pathway between the ribs.

7. The insert nut of claim 6, wherein the ribbed exterior includes multiple notches that are staggered about a periphery the ribbed exterior.

8. The insert nut of claim 6, wherein the ribbed exterior includes multiple notches that at least partially overlap relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.

9. The insert nut of claim 6, wherein the ribs include an end rib extending from the body further than a rib that is adjacent to the end rib.

10. A computing device, comprising:

a housing that includes at least one side wall having a cavity;

an insert nut disposed within the cavity, the insert nut comprising a threaded interior and a ribbed exterior, the ribbed exterior comprising at least one notch in a rib of the ribbed exterior; and

an adhesive disposed between the at least one notch and a wall of the cavity.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the housing is made from a ceramic material.

12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein a perimeter of the insert nut includes a straight portion and a curved portion.

13. The computing device of claim 10, further comprising:

an electrical component; and

a screw fastened to the insert nut through a portion of the electrical component to secure the electrical component to the housing.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the electrical component is a microphone, a speaker, a vibrator, or a receptacle.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a depressed region having a perimeter wall disposed between the insert nut and the depressed region.

16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the adhesive is disposed between at least two ribs of the ribbed exterior.

17. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the ribbed exterior includes a plurality of staggered notches.

18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the adhesive is a cured adhesive.

19. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the wall of the cavity includes a subcavity and a portion of the adhesive is disposed within the subcavity.

20. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the ribbed exterior includes an end rib extending away from the threaded interior further than a rib that is adjacent to the end rib.