Handheld device enclosure

• US 9,357,665 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Myers, Scott A., Theobald, Matthew, Heley, Richard, Stagnaro, Adam, Dinh, Richard Hung Minh, Pakula, David A., Tan, Tang Yew
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, ZACHARY
• Application Number:
  US14/064,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20140054058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• 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 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• 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 1/0274 for an electrical connector module
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

This is directed to an electronic device enclosure. The enclosure includes an outer periphery member forming an outer surface of a device, and to which an internal platform is connected. Electronic device components can be assembled to one or both surfaces of the internal platform. The enclosure can include front and back cover assemblies assembled to the opposite surfaces of the outer periphery member to retain electronic device components. One or both of the cover assemblies can include a window through which display circuitry can provide content to a user of the device.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

an electrical circuit; and

a housing comprising;

a conductive structural member defining at least a portion of an outer periphery of the electronic device, the conductive structural member comprising a group of electrically isolated and rigidly coupled segments, at least one segment comprising a component of the electrical circuit;

a group of support features extending from the structural member, at least one support feature of the group of support features electrically coupling the at least one segment to the electrical circuit; and

an internal platform positioned within an opening defined by the conductive structural member and coupled to each of the support features.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit and the at least one segment comprises an antenna.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a heart rate monitor.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the internal platform comprises:

a base plate; and

wherein

a first support feature of the group of support features is coupled to the base plate; and

a second support feature of the group of support features is coupled to the base plate.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the group of segments is rigidly coupled with a group of electrically insulating connecting elements.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the internal platform is positioned substantially at a midpoint of a height of the structural member.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, the housing further comprising a front cover assembly;

and

a back cover assembly;

wherein the front and back cover assemblies are positioned to interface with the conductive structural member substantially along the defined outer periphery at opposite ends of the structural member.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, the conductive structural member further comprising:

a port for a connector;

an opening for receiving a tray including a removable module; and

an opening for receiving a button.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, the conductive structural member comprising a first and second segment respectively comprising a component of a first and second electrical circuit.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first and second electrical circuit each comprises a wireless communication circuit;

and

wherein the first and second segment each comprises an antenna.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit and the second electrical circuit comprises a heart rate monitor;

and

wherein the first segment comprises an antenna.

12. A housing for an electronic device comprising:

a conductive structural member defining at least a portion of an outer periphery of the electronic device, the conductive structural member comprising;

a group of electrically isolated and rigidly coupled segments, at least one segment comprising a component of an electrical circuit;

a group of support features extending from the structural member, at least one support feature of the group of support features electrically coupling the at least one segment to the electrical circuit; and

an internal platform positioned within an opening defined by the conductive structural member and coupled to each of the support features.

13. The housing of claim 12, wherein the conductive structural member defines an aperture sized to receive a tray including a removable module.

14. The housing of claim 12, wherein the conductive structural member defines an aperture sized to receive a connector.

15. The housing of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit and the at least one segment comprises an antenna.

16. The housing of claim 12, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a heart rate monitor.

17. The housing of claim 12, wherein the internal platform comprises:

a base plate; and

wherein

a first one of the group of support features is coupled to the base plate; and

a second one of the group of support features is coupled to the base plate.

18. The housing of claim 12, wherein the group of segments is rigidly coupled with a group of electrically insulating connecting elements.

19. The housing of claim 12, wherein the internal platform is positioned substantially at a midpoint of a height of the structural member.

20. The housing of claim 12, the housing further comprising a front cover assembly;

and

a back cover assembly;

wherein the front and back cover assemblies are positioned to interface with the conductive structural member substantially along the defined outer periphery at opposite ends of the structural member.