PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7558054-B1
Application Number: US-96874808-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Display window securing system

Abstract:
A display window assembly is mounted in the opening of a bezel of a housing, and a force is exerted against the assembly by a suitable resilient element urging it outward through the opening. The assembly may be mounted on a support or frame, from which depends one or more tabs extending inwardly of the housing. At least one of the tabs is fastened with a fastener that extends from the exterior of the housing, through a portion other than the bezel and through a surface not generally facing the user when the user is viewing the display. The advancement/withdrawal direction of the fastener is not substantially normal to the display window. However, advancement/withdrawal of the fastener causes movement of the tab, and therefore of the assembly, in an adjustment direction substantially normal to the display window to adjust the position of the display window relative to the bezel.

Claims:
1. A device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a bezel on said housing having a display opening therein; 
 a display window assembly mounted adjacent said display opening and having a display surface visible in said opening; and 
 a resilient element within said housing exerting a force along an adjustment direction urging said display window assembly toward said display opening; wherein: 
 said display window assembly has a depending tab extending in a direction away from said display surface into said housing; 
 said device further comprises a fastener extending into said housing through a fastener opening in a side facing away from said bezel, said fastener having an advancement/withdrawal axis through said tab different from said adjustment direction; and 
 motion of said fastener in a first direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis causes motion of said display window assembly toward said display opening along said adjustment direction, and motion of said fastener in a second direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis opposite said first direction causes motion of said display window assembly away from said display opening along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     2. The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 said fastener is a screw; 
 said tab has a threaded hole therein having a thread axis aligned along said advancement/withdrawal axis; 
 said advancement/withdrawal axis is at an oblique angle relative to said adjustment direction; and 
 movement of said screw along said advancement/withdrawal axis includes a component of motion along said adjustment direction, causing motion of said display window assembly along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 said fastener is a screw; 
 said tab has a through-hole therein elongated along a long axis aligned along said adjustment direction, and having a center along said long axis, a proximal end between said display surface and said center, and a distal end beyond said center from said display surface; 
 said device further comprises a body mass located on an opposite side of said tab from said fastener opening, said mass having a threaded hole therein aligned with said long axis between said center of said elongated through-hole and said distal end of said elongated through-hole, said threaded hole having a thread axis aligned along said advancement/withdrawal axis; 
 said advancement/withdrawal axis is substantially perpendicular to said adjustment direction; and 
 movement of said screw in said threaded hole along said advancement/withdrawal direction exerts a force on said distal end of said elongated through-hole, inducing motion of said display window assembly along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 3  further comprising:
 an elastomeric mass mounted on said screw and positioned within said elongated hole; wherein: 
 advancement of said screw causes compression of said elongated mass in said advancement/withdrawal axis and expansion of said elongated mass along said adjustment direction such that said expanding elongated mass exerts said force on said distal end of said elongated through-hole. 
 
   
   
     5. The device of  claim 4  wherein:
 said screw has a head and a threaded shaft that engages said threaded hole; and 
 said elastomeric mass is mounted on said threaded shaft and compressed between said head and said body mass. 
 
   
   
     6. The device of  claim 4  wherein:
 said screw has a shoulder and a threaded shaft that engages said threaded hole; and 
 said elastomeric mass is mounted on said threaded shaft and compressed between said shoulder and said body mass. 
 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 3  further comprises a cam/cam follower arrangement actuated by advancement of said screw to exert said force. 
   
   
     8. The device of  claim 7  wherein:
 said screw has a shoulder and a threaded shaft that engages said threaded hole; 
 said distal end of said elongated hole has a chamfer on a side facing said fastener opening; and 
 advancement of said screw causes said shoulder to contact said chamfer to exert said force. 
 
   
   
     9. The device of  claim 7  wherein:
 said screw has a shoulder and a threaded shaft that engages said threaded hole; 
 said shoulder has a conical portion adjacent said threaded shaft; and 
 advancement of said screw causes said conical portion of said shoulder to contact said distal end of said elongated hole to exert said force. 
 
   
   
     10. The device of  claim 7  wherein:
 said body mass has a nipple having a cam surface and a flat top portion, said threaded hole being in said flat top portion; 
 said screw has a threaded shaft that engages said threaded hole; and 
 advancement of said screw causes said nipple to project into said elongated hole such that said cam surface contacts said distal edge of said elongated hole to exert said force. 
 
   
   
     11. The device of  claim 10  wherein said cam surface is conical. 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 10  wherein said cam surface is chamfered. 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 said fastener opening is countersunk in said housing; said device further comprising: 
 a removable cover closing off said countersunk fastener opening. 
 
   
   
     14. A device comprising:
 a housing having a display opening therein; 
 a display window assembly mounted in said housing; and 
 a resilient element within said housing exerting a force along an adjustment direction urging said display window assembly toward said display opening; wherein: 
 said device further comprises a fastener extending into said housing through a fastener opening in a side facing away from said display opening, said fastener having an advancement/withdrawal axis different from said adjustment direction; and 
 motion of said fastener in a first direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis causes motion of said display window assembly toward said display opening along said adjustment direction, and motion of said fastener in a second direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis opposite said first direction causes motion of said display window assembly away from said display opening along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     15. The device of  claim 14  wherein:
 said fastener is a screw; 
 said display assembly has a through-hole therein elongated along a long axis aligned along said adjustment direction, and having a center along said long axis, a proximal end between said display surface and said center, and a distal end beyond said center from said display surface; 
 said device further comprises a body mass located on an opposite side of said through-hole from said fastener opening, said mass having a threaded hole therein aligned with said long axis between said center of said elongated through-hole and said distal end of said elongated through-hole, said threaded hole having a thread axis aligned along said advancement/withdrawal axis; and 
 movement of said screw in said threaded hole along said advancement/withdrawal direction exerts a force on said distal end of said elongated through-hole, inducing motion of said display window assembly along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     16. The device of  claim 15  wherein:
 said fastener has an engagement surface; and 
 movement of said fastener relative to said body mass causes said engagement surface to bear against said distal end of said elongated through-hole. 
 
   
   
     17. The device of  claim 15  wherein:
 said body mass has an engagement surface; and 
 movement of said fastener relative to said body mass causes movement of said body mass relative to said housing such that said engagement surface bears against said distal end of said elongated through-hole. 
 
   
   
     18. A device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a component mounted in said housing; 
 a resilient element within said housing exerting a force along an adjustment axis urging said component in a first adjustment direction along said adjustment axis; wherein: 
 said device further comprises a fastener extending into said housing through a fastener opening, said fastener having an advancement/withdrawal axis different from said adjustment axis; and 
 motion of said fastener in a first direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis causes motion of said component in said first adjustment direction along said adjustment axis, and motion of said fastener in a second direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis opposite said first direction along said advancement/withdrawal axis causes motion of said component in a second adjustment direction, opposite said first adjustment direction, along said adjustment axis. 
 
   
   
     19. The device of  claim 18  wherein:
 said component has a through-hole therein elongated along a long axis aligned along said adjustment direction, and having a center along said long axis, a proximal end between said display surface and said center, and a distal end beyond said center from said display surface; 
 said fastener has an engagement surface thereon; and 
 movement of said fastener along said advancement/withdrawal direction causes said engagement surface to exert a force on said distal end of said elongated through-hole, inducing motion of said display window assembly along said adjustment direction. 
 
   
   
     20. The device of  claim 18  wherein:
 said component has a through-hole therein elongated along a long axis aligned along said adjustment direction, and having a center along said long axis, a proximal end between said display surface and said center, and a distal end beyond said center from said display surface; 
 said device further comprises a body mass having an engagement surface thereon and fastener-receiving hole therein; and 
 movement of said fastener in said fastener-receiving hole along said advancement/withdrawal direction causes movement of said body mass causing said engagement surface to exert a force on said distal end of said elongated through-hole, inducing motion of said display window assembly along said adjustment direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an arrangement for securing a display window assembly in a housing. 
   There are many devices in which it may be desirable to provide a display window assembly in a housing. For example, a display screen may be provided in an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a handheld electronic device such a media player or a mobile telephone. The display screen may be touch-sensitive for user inputs, and therefore may include multiple component layers. Each layer, as well as the bonding between layers, may contribute its own thickness tolerance, and therefore they may be some tolerance in the total thickness of the display assembly. 
   For various reasons, it may also be desirable for the window assembly to be mounted at a predetermined position—e.g., flush, recessed a predetermined amount, etc.—relative to the surface of the housing. For aesthetic purposes, it may be desirable that there not be any visible fasteners on the bezel of the housing—i.e., on the portion of the housing surrounding the window and presented to the user. It also may be desirable that the fastener nevertheless be able to adjust the position of the window assembly relative to the bezel (e.g., to adjust for the aforementioned tolerances). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a display window assembly is mounted in the opening of a bezel of a housing, and a force is exerted against the assembly by a suitable resilient element—e.g., one or more springs or a compressible elastomeric material such as a closed-cell foam—urging it outward through the opening in a direction substantially normal to the display window. The assembly itself includes one or more layers—such as, for example, a display element (e.g., a liquid crystal display), a touch-sensitive layer, and a protective window layer—laminated together by, e.g., suitable adhesives or thermal bonding. The lowermost layer may be mounted on a support or frame, from which depends one or more tabs extending inwardly of the housing. 
   Each of the tabs may be fastened to the housing. One or more of the tabs may be fastened internally of the housing. For example, one or more tabs may have a hook that engages a suitable mating structure within the housing. However, at least one of the tabs is fastened with a fastener that extends from the exterior of the housing, through a portion other than the bezel and through a surface not generally facing the user when the user is viewing the display in normal use of the device. The advancement/withdrawal direction of the fastener is not substantially normal to the display window (i.e., is not within 15° of normal relative to the display window). However, in order to adjust the position of the display window relative to the bezel, in a direction substantially normal to the display window (i.e., a direction that is within 15° of normal relative to the display window), the fastener causes movement of the tab, and therefore of the assembly, in the adjustment direction (i.e., the direction substantially normal to the display window. 
   In one embodiment, the opening in the tab may be threaded and the fastener may be a screw (or any other type of fastener whose degree of advancement and withdrawal may be controlled), and the advancement/withdrawal direction of the screw may be oblique to the adjustment direction. The force exerted by advancement or withdrawal of the screw thus includes a component in the adjustment direction, so that the position of the display window in the adjustment direction can be adjusted by advancing or withdrawing the screw. Although the force exerted by advancement or withdrawal of the screw also includes a component orthogonal to the adjustment direction, motion of the display window assembly is substantially prevented by the fastening of the other tabs to the housing. 
   In other embodiments, interaction of the fastener, such as a screw or a related component (as discussed below), with the opening in the tab transforms motion of the fastener in a direction other than the adjustment direction into motion of the display window assembly in the adjustment direction. For example, rather than the opening in the tab being threaded, the threaded screw-hole may be in a body mass behind the tab, and the opening in the tab may be elongated. The elongation of the opening prevents the screw from interacting with the proximal edge of the elongated opening that would exert a force in the outward direction toward the opening in the bezel, but allows the screw to interact with the distal edge of the opening to exert a force in the inward direction away from the opening in the bezel (with “proximal” and “distal” being defined relative to the display surface of the display window assembly). 
   In one such embodiment, the screw has a threaded shaft and a shoulder above the threaded shaft. An elastomeric mass is mounted on the threaded shaft. As the screw is tightened against the elastomeric mass, the elastomeric mass is compressed between the body mass and the shoulder, expanding in a direction radially outwardly of the shaft and contacting the distal edge of the opening in the tab, pushing the tab, and thus the display window assembly, in the adjustment direction away from the bezel, and against the force exerted by the aforementioned resilient element. As the screw is withdrawn, the display window assembly moves in the direction toward the bezel. The screw can be adjusted until the desired position of the display window assembly relative to the bezel is achieved. 
   In another such embodiment, the screw has a threaded shaft and a shoulder above the threaded shaft, and the distal edge of the opening in the tab is chamfered so that, as measured along the adjustment direction, the opening is larger on the side facing the direction from which the screw is inserted than it is on the side facing away from that direction. As the screw is advanced, the shoulder moves along the chamfered edge, acting as a cam follower to force the tab, and thus the display window assembly, in the adjustment direction away from the bezel, and against the force exerted by the aforementioned resilient element. As the screw is withdrawn, the display window assembly moves in the direction toward the bezel. The screw can be adjusted until the desired position of the display window assembly relative to the bezel is achieved. Alternatively, the chamfer can be on the shoulder of the screw. 
   In yet another such embodiment, the aforementioned body mass into which the screw is threaded may be movable along the advancement/withdrawal direction of the screw, and may have a chamfered projection or nipple that advances into the tab opening as the screw is tightened, with a similar cam action as described above adjusting the position of the display window assembly as the screw is tightened or loosened. 
   Although the screw or other fastener may be inserted from a side of the housing not normally visible to a user when the user is viewing the display in normal use of the device, it may nevertheless be desirable to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance even from those other sides. Therefore, the fastener may have an aesthetically pleasing head, such as one that matches the finish of the housing in the area of the fastener. Alternatively, because the fastener may not be flush depending on the adjustment required, the fastener can instead be countersunk into the housing, and removable decorative cap or panel can be provided that matches the housing. 
   Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device including a housing, a bezel on the housing having a display opening therein, and a display window assembly mounted adjacent the display opening and having a display surface visible in that opening. A resilient element within the housing exerts a force along an adjustment direction urging the display window assembly toward the display opening. The display window assembly has a depending tab extending in a direction away from the display surface into the housing. The device further includes a fastener extending into the housing through a fastener opening in a side facing away from the bezel. The fastener has an advancement/withdrawal direction through the tab different from the adjustment direction. Motion of the fastener along the advancement/withdrawal direction causes motion of the display window assembly toward or away from the display opening along the adjustment direction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages, will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display window assembly with which the present invention may be used; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, of an exemplary device incorporating the display window assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 1 , of another embodiment of a display window assembly with which the present invention may be used; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 2 , of an exemplary device incorporating the display window assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4  showing another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4  showing another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4  showing another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 5  showing another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   One embodiment of a display window assembly  10  with which the present invention may be used is shown in  FIG. 1 . Display window assembly  10  includes a window layer  11 , a touch-sensitive layer  12 , and a display layer  13 . Layers  11  and  12 , and layers  12  and  13 , may be bonded to one another by respective transparent bonding layers  14 ,  15 . Window layer  11  preferably is made of glass, although it may be made from a plastic material, and particularly from a high-molecular-weight plastic material that has many of the desirable characteristics of glass, such as scratch resistance. Other scratch-resistant clear materials, such as sapphire or quartz crystal, also may be used. 
   Touch-sensitive layer  12  and display layer  13  may incorporate any suitable touch-sensitive and display technologies, respectively. For example, display layer  13  may be a liquid crystal display. Similarly, bonding layers  14 ,  15  maybe any suitable transparent adhesive or may, particularly in the case of bonding layer  14 , be the result of thermal bonding. 
   A frame or support  16  may be affixed to display window assembly  10  beneath display layer  13 . Frame or support  16  may be affixed to the underside of display layer  13 , as by a suitable adhesive (not shown), or may be formed (not shown) around the edges of display window assembly  10  or around the edges of one or more of its layers  11 ,  12 ,  13 . Frame or support  16  may be made from any suitable metallic or polymeric material, but preferably is metallic (e.g., stainless steel). One or more tabs  160 ,  161  preferably extend in a direction away from window layer  11 . In the embodiment shown, tab  160  is at an oblique angle to the viewing surface or major plane of display window assembly  10 , while tab  161  is closer to perpendicular. However, as discussed below, other tab orientations may be possible. Tab  160  has a threaded hole  162  therein, while in this embodiment tab  161  has a hook  163  at its distal end. Display window assembly  10  may be incorporated in a device  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . As can be seen, device  20  includes a bezel  21  having a window opening  210  into which display window assembly  10  is mounted, as well as rear or lower housing  22  to which bezel  21  is attached by any suitable attachment method (not shown). Housing  22  houses functional component or components  23 , as well as body mass or masses  24 . Resilient element or elements  26  urge display window assembly  10  outward of bezel  21 , along a direction substantially orthogonal to the major plane of display window assembly  10  (i.e. within 15° of the orthogonal direction). Resilient element  26  could be a plastic or metallic spring, or alternatively could be a resilient mass such as a mass of closed-cell foam. In this embodiment, tab  161  extends at an angle symmetrical to that of tab  160  and both ends of display window assembly  10  are secured by fasteners or screws  262 . 
   Because of the orientation of threaded hole  162 —which in this embodiment is determined by the orientation of tab  160 ,  161 , although tab  160 ,  161  could have a different orientation and threaded hole  162  could be formed at an oblique angle relative to tab  160 ,  161 —advancement or withdrawal of fastener or screw  262  exerts a component of force orthogonal or normal to the major plane—i.e., the viewing face—of display window assembly  10 , as well as a component of force parallel to the major plane of display window assembly  10 . Display window assembly  10  is prevented from moving in the direction of the parallel components because the parallel component exerted by tab  160  is cancelled by the parallel component exerted by tab  161 . However, display window assembly  10  may move in response to the normal component, and in combination with the opposing force exerted by resilient element  26 , allows adjustment of the height of display window assembly  10 . Thus, movement of each fastener or screw  262  in a direction other than the adjustment direction is converted into movement in the adjustment direction. This allows control of whether window layer  11  is flush with bezel  21 , recessed in opening  210 , or protruding from opening  210 . In any event, the amount by which window layer  11  could be expected to be recessed or protruding, if not flush, is small. 
   Although in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , tab  161  extends at an angle symmetrical to that of tab  160  and both ends of display window assembly  10  are secured by fasteners or screws  262 , tab  161  could be oriented as shown in  FIG. 1  and provided with hook  163  as shown there. In such an embodiment, similar that shown in  FIG. 4 , below, a boss  45  of housing  22  includes an aperture  451  with which hook  163  mates, securing the end of display window assembly  10  at the right side of  FIG. 2 . The end of display window assembly  10  at the left side of  FIG. 2  would secured by a fastener such as screw  262 , which mates with threaded hole  162 , as previously discussed. The parallel force component of screw  262  in such an embodiment would be resisted by the interaction of hook  163  with aperture  251 . 
   In the remaining embodiments described below in  FIGS. 3-8 , movement of the fastener in a direction with substantially no component in the adjustment direction is converted into movement of the display window assembly in the adjustment direction. 
   Another embodiment of a display window assembly  30  with which the present invention may be used is shown in  FIG. 3 . Display window assembly  30  may include the same window layer  11 , touch-sensitive layer  12 , and display layer  13 , as well as bonding layers  14  and  15 , as in display window assembly  10 . 
   A frame or support  36  may be affixed to display window assembly  30  beneath display layer  13 . Frame or support  36  may be similar to frame or support  16 , and may be affixed to the underside of display layer  13 , as by a suitable adhesive (not shown), or may be formed around the edges of display window assembly  30  or around the edges of one or more of its layers  11 ,  12 ,  13 . Frame or support  36  may be made from any suitable metallic or polymeric material, but preferably is metallic (e.g., stainless steel). One or more tabs  360 ,  361  preferably extend in a direction away from window layer  11 . In these embodiments, however, tabs  360 ,  361  may be substantially perpendicular or normal (i.e., within 15° of normal) to the viewing surface or major plane of display window assembly  30 . However, other tab orientations may be possible. Tab  360  has an elongated hole  362  therein, while in some embodiments tab  361  has a hook  363  at its distal end. 
   Display window assembly  30  may be incorporated in a device  40  shown in  FIG. 4 . Like device  20 , device  40  includes a bezel  21  having a window opening  210  into which display window assembly  10  is mounted, as well as rear or lower housing  22  to which bezel  21  is attached by any suitable attachment method (not shown). Housing  22  houses functional component or components  23 , as well as body mass or masses  24 . In these embodiments, the end of display window assembly  30  at the left side of  FIG. 4  is secured by a fastener such as screw  462 , which passes through elongated hole  362  and mates with threaded hole  240  in mass  24 . However, the end of display window assembly  30  at the right side of  FIG. 4  is secured by interaction of hook  363  with aperture  451  of a boss  45  of housing  22 . Resilient element or elements  26  urge display window assembly  30  outward of bezel  21 , along a direction substantially orthogonal to the major plane of display window assembly  30 . Resilient element  26  could be a plastic or metallic spring, or alternatively could be a resilient mass such as a mass of closed-cell foam. 
   Threaded hole  240  is aligned so that screw or fastener  462  passes through elongated hole  362  offset from the center—i.e., closer to the distal end of elongated hole  362 , for reasons explained below. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , screw or fastener  562  has a shoulder  51  adjacent its head  50 , followed by threaded shaft  52 . An elastomeric mass  53  is mounted on threaded shaft  52  adjacent shoulder  51 . Note that if head  50  is countersunk as discussed below, it may be possible to eliminate shoulder  51 . The length of shoulder  51  is such that elastomeric mass  53  sits inside elongated hole  362 , while the widths of elastomeric mass  53  and elongated hole  362  are such that elastomeric mass  53  in its uncompressed condition does not interfere with the edges of elongated hole  362 . 
   As screw or fastener  562  is tightened or advanced, elastomeric mass  53  is deformed between shoulder  51  (or head  50  if there is no shoulder  51 ) and body mass  24 . The expansion of elastomeric mass  53  radially outwardly of shaft  52 —i.e., in the adjustment direction of display window assembly  30 —causes it to contact distal edge  54  of elongated hole  362  at which point further tightening results in further deformation, pushing on distal edge  54  to move display window assembly  30  downward in the adjustment direction. Because of the aforementioned offset, there is no upward force on the proximal edge of elongated hole  362 . Loosening or withdrawal of screw or fastener  562  allows elastomeric mass  53  to relax, reversing the motion of display window assembly  30  under the influence of resilient element  26 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , screw or fastener  662  has a shoulder  61  adjacent its head  60 , followed by threaded shaft  62 . Unlike the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, even if head  60  is countersunk as discussed below, some shoulder  61  is still required. The length of shoulder  61  is such that it contacts distal edge  64  of elongated hole  362 , which in this embodiment is chamfered to form a cam surface  65 . As screw or fastener  662  is tightened or advanced, shoulder  61  rides onto cam surface  65 , acting as a cam follower that pushes on distal edge  64  to move display window assembly  30  downward in the adjustment direction. Loosening or withdrawal of screw or fastener  662  reverses the motion of display window assembly  30  under the influence of resilient element  26 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , screw or fastener  762  has a shoulder  71  adjacent its head  70 , followed by threaded shaft  72 . Shoulder  71  has a conical surface  73  adjacent shaft  72 . In this embodiment also, even if head  70  is countersunk as discussed below, some shoulder  71 —sufficient to support conical surface  73 —is still required. The length of shoulder  71  is such that distal edge  74  of elongated hole  362  contacts conical surface  73 , which acts as a cam surface. As screw or fastener  762  is tightened or advanced, shoulder  71  rides onto distal edge  74 , which acts as a cam follower to push display window assembly  30  downward in the adjustment direction. Loosening or withdrawal of screw or fastener  762  reverses the motion of display window assembly  30  under the influence of resilient element  26 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , screw or fastener  862  need not have a shoulder or even a head, and in the drawing is shown as a set screw, although it also may have a head. In this embodiment, body mass  24  is free to move substantially parallel (i.e., within 15° of parallel) to the display surface of display layer  11  (note that this may be true in any of the foregoing embodiments as well), and has a frustoconical nipple  80  with threaded hole  240  in the top of nipple  80 . 
   As screw or fastener  862  is tightened or advanced, body mass  24  moves closer to tab  860 . Nipple  80  begins to protrude into elongated hole  362  and the side  83  of nipple  80  contacts distal edge  84  of elongated hole  362 . The side  83  of nipple  80  acts as a cam surface, while distal edge  84  acts as a cam follower, to push display window assembly  30  downward in the adjustment direction. It will be noted that because nipple  80  does not rotate, it need not be frustoconical, and that instead of a conical side surface  83 , the side of nipple  80  facing distal edge  84  may be chamfered (not shown). Loosening or withdrawal of screw or fastener  862  reverses the motion of display window assembly  30  under the influence of resilient element  26 . 
   As stated above, screw or fastener  862  is shown in  FIG. 8  as a set screw. Although set screw  862  is set in a side of device  40  that does not normally face the user, it may be desirable for aesthetic reasons to present a smooth overall surface. Therefore, removable cap or cover panel  81  may be provided to cover the hole  82  in which set screw  862  is countersunk. 
   The same aesthetic considerations may apply to the other embodiments shown above. Therefore, where a screw or fastener has a head, the head may be made with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example it may be given a curvature and surface finish to match that of lower housing  22 . However, the screw must still have a screwdriver slot or slots, and adjustment of the display window assembly may result in even the most aesthetically pleasing screw head being above or below the surface of housing  22 , rather than flush with that surface. Therefore, any of the embodiments shown may have a removable cap or cover plate as in  FIG. 8 . 
   Although in the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-8  only one tab  360 / 860  of each display window assembly according to the invention is used to adjust the display window assembly, while any other tab  361 / 861  simply holds down another portion of the display window assembly, it is possible for two or more tabs to be used for adjusting the display window assembly, as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
   Similarly, although tabs  160 / 360 / 860  have been shown with a particular orientation relative to the display window assembly, with each fastener or screw  162 / 362 / 862  extending substantially perpendicularly through the tab  160 / 360 / 860 , other orientations of tab  160 / 360 / 860  may be provided as long as the orientation of fastener or screw  162 / 362 / 862  is maintained. Thus, the fastener or screw need not be substantially perpendicular (i.e., within 15° of perpendicular) to the tab, meaning that, in the case of a tab with a threaded hole, the threaded hole will not be perpendicular to the major plane of the tab. 
   Thus it is seen that an adjustable display window, where the adjustment in an adjustment direction is initiated by movement of an adjustment element in a different direction, enabling an aesthetic surface to be presented to a user, has been provided. It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080103
Publication Date: 20090707
Grant Date: 20090707
Priority Date: 20080103
Inventors: PREST CHRISTOPHER D.
YEATES KYLE
YU MICHELLE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40811046