Assembly of a handheld electronic device

• US 8,472,203 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Dabov, Teodor, Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Manoux, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Timothy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ng, Sherman
• Application Number:
  US12/204,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20090067141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,755 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.2, 455/575.5, 455/97, 455/575.7, 174/535, 343/702, 361/753, 361/799, 361/814, 361/816, 361/818
• US Class Current: 361/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/00 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus casings, cabinets, drawers H05K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0016 having a spring contact
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0026 integrally formed from metal sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0037 Housings with compartments containing a PCB, e.g. partitioning walls

Abstract

This invention is directed to several mechanical features of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a spring for simultaneously grounding several components. The electronic device may include several interlocking fences for protecting electronic device components from RF radiation. The electronic device may include an antenna assembly that includes distinct components for functional and aesthetic purposes. The electronic device may include a window for permitting RF transmissions. The electronic device may include a metal frame for stiffening the electronic device. The electronic device may include a bezel used for aesthetic purposes and to support numerous electronic device components. The electronic device may include a flexible housing operative to elastically deform to assemble the electronic device. The electronic device may include an unsupported button.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly arranged within an electronic device operative to perform wireless communications operations, the antenna assembly comprising:

an antenna for performing wireless communications operations; and

a radio-transparent antenna chassis operative to receive the antenna, the radio-transparent antenna chassis coupled to an inside surface of a radio-opaque housing of the electronic device, the radio-opaque housing having an aperture carved from a curved surface of the radio opaque housing; and

a radio-transparent antenna cap operative to close the aperture, the antenna cap inserted into the aperture from the outside of the radio-opaque housing by deforming the antenna cap, wherein the inserted antenna cap provides a smooth exterior surface across the aperture of the housing that fits tightly within the aperture to provide a flush outer surface for the electronic device, and wherein the inserted radio-transparent antenna cap is directly adjacent to the radio transparent antenna chassis.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a metallic grounding spring in direct contact with both the antenna and the radio-transparent housing,

wherein the metallic grounding spring comprises a tab configured to fit into a slot of the antenna such that the metallic grounding spring is retained in position.

3. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein each cut forming the aperture is perpendicular to the outer surface of the housing at the location of the cut.

4. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the radio-transparent antenna chassis is manufactured from one of low density plastic and foam.

5. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein the radio-transparent antenna chassis is manufactured from foam and the antenna is woven into the antenna chassis.

6. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the radio-transparent antenna cap includes a plurality of tabs operative to engage a portion of the inner surface of the housing when the radio-transparent antenna cap is inserted in the aperture.

7. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the radio transparent antenna cap is manufactured using a forced ejection molding process.

8. The antenna assembly electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:

a screen; and

a bezel, the bezel operative to be coupled with the housing and operative to receive the screen, the bezel comprising a window through which at least some radiation emanating from the antenna passes.

9. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein the aperture is aligned with the antenna chassis.

10. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein a portion of the screen that is over the aperture is opaque.