Method and apparatus for modular component system for efficient addition of peripheral components

• US 5,667,399 A
• Filed: 10/13/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Clary, Bob, Jackson, Richard C., Riley, Raymond W., Laituri, David
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US08/543,206
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 439/341, 439/345, 439/350, 439/352, 439/358, 439/378, 439/928, 361/728, 361/801-802
• US Class Current: 439/341
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

The present invention includes methods and apparatus for efficiently coupling an additional component to an electronic device. The invention is particularly useful in conjunction with modular electronic devices. An additional component may be mechanically and electrically coupled to a video electronic device. The added component is joined to the electronic device by a series of easy steps which include bringing the front bottom surface of the electronic device into contact with the front top surface of the added component and then rotating the rear surface of the electronic device, such that the front bottom surface of the electronic device is flush with the front top surface of the added component. The electronic device and added component include feet and receptors respectively that allow them to be easily aligned. Finally, the added component and electronic device are securely joined by a latch. Since the device and component are integral, the added device does not require a large amount of space. To avoid routing wires separately to the added component, the added component is internally electrically coupled to the original device through a card and slot mechanism. The device and component are also electromagnetically coupled so that they share common electromagnetic shielding.

Claims

1. A primary component comprising:

a housing, said housing further comprising a substantially planar surface, said planar surface including mounts for receiving a secondary component;

a latch rotatably coupled to a rear part of said primary component, said latch for engaging a flange on said secondary component, said latch further comprising a lever portion for lifting said secondary component away from said primary component, and

a coupler disposed at least in part along said planar surface for providing an electrical interface between said first and said secondary components, said coupler comprising part of a card assembly.

2. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said substantially planar surface comprises a bottom surface of said primary component.

3. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said substantially planar surface comprises a top surface of said primary component.

4. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said coupler comprises a slot defined by spring loaded teeth, said slot for receiving a card and said teeth for providing a conductive path between said secondary component and a chassis comprising said secondary component.

5. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said mounts comprise a plurality of indentations in said planar surface for receiving corresponding extrusions on a surface of said secondary component.

6. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said mounts comprise a plurality of extrusions in said planar surface for fitting into corresponding indentations on a surface of said secondary component.

7. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said primary component comprises a video game player.

8. The primary component of claim 1 wherein said primary component comprises an additional component for a video game player.

9. A primary component that may be added to a secondary component to create an integrated unit, said primary component comprising:

a housing, said housing further including a substantially planar surface, said planar surface including mounts for receiving a secondary component, said secondary component including a chassis;

a latch rotatably coupled to a rear part of said primary component, said latch for engaging a flange on said secondary component, said latch further comprising a lever portion for lifting said secondary component away from said primary component; and

a coupler for electrically coupling said primary component to said chassis of said secondary component to provide a common electromagnetic shield for said primary and secondary components.

10. The primary component of claim 9 wherein said substantially planar surface comprises a bottom surface of said primary component.

11. The primary component of claim 9 wherein said substantially planar surface comprises a top surface of said primary component.

12. The primary component of claim 9 wherein said coupler includes a slot defined by spring loaded teeth, said slot disposed along said substantially planar surface, said slot for receiving a card and said teeth for providing a conductive path between said primary component and a chassis comprising said secondary component.

13. The primary component of claim 9 wherein said mounts comprise a plurality of indentations in said planar surface for receiving corresponding extrusions on a surface of said secondary component.

14. The primary component of claim 9 wherein said mounts comprise a plurality of extrusions in said planar surface for fitting into corresponding indentations on a surface of said secondary component.

15. A method for coupling primary and secondary components, said primary and secondary components each having a surface for mating with a surface of the other component, each said surface having a front and a rear part, said method comprising the steps of:

bringing the front of said surfaces into contact while holding the rear of said primary component surface at an angle with the rear of said secondary component surface;

rotating a latch on said secondary component to couple with a flange on said primary component, said latch including a lever portion for lifting said secondary component away from said primary component when reversing the coupling method in a corresponding decoupling method; and

rotating the rear of said primary component surface to bring it into contact with the rear of said secondary component surface, said rotation also causing said primary and secondary components to be electrically coupled through a coupler, said coupler disposed along at least one of said surfaces at a location sufficiently distant from the front of said surfaces to allow said components to be easily coupled.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of bringing the front of said surfaces into contact further comprises the step of sliding the front of said primary component surface along said secondary component surface until indentations within said front of said primary component surface are received by corresponding indentations within said front of said secondary component surface.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said primary component surface comprises a bottom surface and said secondary component surface comprises a top surface such that said components, when joined, form an integral vertical structure.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising decoupling said primary and secondary units by

rotating said latch, bringing said lever into contact and engaging with said secondary unit and,

upon further rotation of said latch, pushing said secondary unit away from said primary unit, facilitating complete decoupling of said primary and secondary units.