Device foot

• US 8,213,177 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Uttermann, Erik A., Zorkendorfer, Rico, Lauder, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US12/819,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20110310536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.59, 248/188.8
• US Class Current: 361/679.59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor

Abstract

A moveable device foot for an electronic device is described. The device foot can include a rigid weight bearing member and a flexible sealing member that is integrally formed with the weight bearing member. The device foot can be formed using a double-shot injection molding process. The weight bearing member of the foot can be mounted to an interior portion of the electronic device such that it extends through an external casing of the electronic device. The flexible sealing member can be mounted to the external casing to seal the interior of the electronic device. During operation of the electronic device, the device foot can be configured to move relative to the external casing, such as in response to an external force applied to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A moveable foot for an electronic device comprising;

a rigid weight bearing member including an interior hollow portion; and

a flexible sealing member integrally formed with the rigid weight bearing member;

wherein a portion of the flexible sealing member is extruded into the interior hollow portion to anchor the flexible sealing member to the rigid weight bearing member;

wherein the rigid weight bearing member is mounted to an interior of the electronic device such that it extends through an external casing of the electronic device and the flexible sealing member is mounted to the external casing to seal the interior of the electronic device; and

wherein the rigid weight bearing member is configured to move relative to the external casing during operation of the electronic device.

2. The moveable foot of claim 1, wherein the rigid weight bearing member and the flexible sealing member are integrally formed in a double-shot injection molding process.

3. The moveable foot of claim 2, wherein a first material for the rigid weight bearing member and a second material for the flexible sealing member are selected so that the first and the second material do not stick or bond together during the double-shot injection molding process.

4. The moveable foot of claim 1, wherein rigid weight bearing member includes a solid center portion surrounded by two or more shafts leading to the interior hollow portion wherein the flexible sealing member is comprised of a material that is extruded through each of the two or more shafts and into the interior hollow portion such that a solid plug is formed below the center portion.

5. The moveable foot of claim 1, further comprising an energy storing mechanism wherein the energy storing mechanism is configured to store energy when the moveable foot is moved from a first position and release energy to restore the moveable foot to the first position.

6. The movable foot as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises:

a casing; and

a touch-based interface, wherein the moveable foot is mounted within the interior of the casing and extending through an aperture in the casing and is configured to support a portion of the weight of the electronic device and to contribute to a range of movement associated with the touch-based interface.

7. The movable foot as recited in claim 6, wherein the rigid weight bearing member is configured to move relative to the external casing during operation of the electronic device to contribute to the range of movement associated with the touch-based interface.

8. The movable foot of claim 6, wherein the aperture is circular.

23. The movable foot as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises:

a top surface arranged to receive an external force applied at any of a number of different locations on the top surface;

one or more sensors for detecting the external force;

a cylindrical housing arranged to enclose and support a plurality of electrical components;

an input button coupled one portion of the cylinder used to turn the electronic device on or off;

a bottom surface including at least a first and a second movable foot and at least two stationary feet located on the cylinder housing, wherein during operation, the electronic device is configured to rest on the first movable foot and the second moveable foot and the at least two stationary feet, and in response to the external force, the top surface moves downwards concurrent with the first movable foot and the second movable foot each recess into the external casing of the electronic device, wherein the recessing of the first movable foot and the second movable foot provides detectable feedback to a user of the electronic device.

24. The movable foot as recited in claim 23, wherein when the external force is no longer being applied, the first moveable foot and the second movable foot return to an extended position.

9. A method of using a moveable device foot in an electronic device including a casing comprising:

wherein the moveable device foot comprises;

a rigid weight bearing member mounted within an interior of the casing and extending through an aperture in the casing a flexible sealing member coupled to the rigid weight bearing member and mounted to the casing to seal the interior of the casing from external contaminants; and

an energy storing mechanism;

applying a mechanical force via a touch-based interface associated with the electronic device;

transferring the applied mechanical force to the rigid weight bearing member;

in response to the mechanical force applied to the rigid weight bearing member, causing the energy storing mechanism to store a portion of the mechanical force and the rigid weight bearing member to move from an initial position relative to the casing; and

in response to a removal of the applied mechanical force, causing the rigid weight bearing member to return to its initial position using the portion of the mechanical force stored in the energy storing mechanism.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the energy storing mechanism is a spring.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the touch-based interface is a touch pad.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the rigid weight bearing member and the flexible sealing member are integrally formed using a double-shot molding process.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the moveable foot is configured to contribute to a range of movement associated with the touch-based interface to increase feedback associated with the touch-based interface.

20. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the energy storing mechanism is configured to hold the moveable device foot in a position where the moveable device foot extends a maximum distance through the casing when the moveable device foot is supporting at least a portion of the weight of the electronic device.

21. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the applied mechanical force causes the flexible sealing member to take on a stretched configuration.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the maximum distance is less than about a range of 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm.

14. A method of manufacturing a moveable device foot for an electronic device using double-shot injection molding process comprising:

providing a first material and a second material;

forming, from the first material, a rigid weight bearing member of the moveable device foot including an interior hollow portion during a first shot of the injection molding process;

forming, from the second material, a flexible sealing member of the moveable device foot during a second shot of the injection molding process wherein during the second shot a portion of the flexible sealing member is extruded into the hollow portion of the rigid weight bearing member to form a plug that anchors the flexible sealing member to the rigid weight bearing member;

wherein the second material is selected so that it does not form a chemical bond to the first material during the second shot.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first material is a plastic resin.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second material is a thermoplastic elastomer comprising thermoplastic polyurethane and silicon.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the rigid weight bearing member is dome-shaped.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a top of the dome-shape includes a solid center portion surrounded by two or more shafts that are joined in an interior chamber of the dome-shape beneath the solid center portion.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plug is formed by extruding the second material through the two or more shafts to form a solid plug in the interior chamber beneath the solid center portion.