PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8573911-B2
Application Number: US-201213610822-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Floating fasteners

Abstract:
One or more fastenings can be used to fasten components together, such as housing components on a computing device. Each fastening can include a first opening associated with a first component, a second opening associated with a second component, a floating fastener, and a screw. The floating fastener is inserted into the first opening and/or second opening, and includes a threaded opening therein having a primary axis therethrough. The screw is inserted through first and/or second openings and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. The screw and threaded opening combination is defined by contact between the screw and threaded opening about a thread surface that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of 45 degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computing device, comprising:
 an outer housing including a cover and a base, the outer housing being adapted to contain a plurality of internal device components therein; 
 a processor located within the outer housing; and 
 a fastening system including a plurality of fastenings that are collectively adapted to removably fasten the outer housing cover to the outer housing base, wherein each of the plurality of fastenings includes: 
 a first opening associated with the outer housing cover, 
 a threaded second opening associated with the outer housing base, and 
 an oversized screw inserted through the first opening, and into the threaded second opening, 
 wherein the oversized screw and threaded second opening combination is defined by contact between the oversized screw and the threaded second opening about a threaded surface of the threaded second opening that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of  45  degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the oversized screw and the threaded second opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein center axes of the oversized screw and the threaded second opening are offset from each other such that a mating arrangement of the oversized screw and the second threaded opening is adequately secure. 
     
     
       3. The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the float between the major diameters of the oversized screw accommodates the offset between the two center axes. 
     
     
       4. The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the screw thread return angle is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
       5. The computing device of  claim 4 , wherein a thread arrangement of the threaded second opening follows a 30/0 pattern wherein a contact surface is at about a 0 degree angle with respect to a normal to an oversized screw axis and the return angle is about 30 degrees with respect to the normal. 
     
     
       6. The computing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the oversized screw has a major diameter of about 1.85 mm, a minor diameter of about  1 . 20  mm, a pitch of about 0.50 mm.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/540,395, filed Sep. 28, 2011 entitled “FLOATING FASTENERS” by Degner et al, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/545,088, filed Oct. 7, 2011 entitled “FLOATING FASTENERS” by Degner et al, each of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to fastening components, and more particularly to fastening components that allow for looser tolerances in the mass production of consumer products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a wide variety of ways to fasten device components together. One common component fastening approach is to use screws, particularly where the ability to disassemble the device components is desirable. This can often mean that the components to be fastened together need to have holes or other features in order to accommodate the screws, and the use of threaded holes is typical. In many cases, each of the components or items to be fastened together can have holes that are sized and threaded for a particular screw, with that screw then being inserted into aligned corresponding holes on each component. 
     Where the components to be fastened together are part of an overall mass produced device, such threaded holes are often built into an integrated portion of the component material itself. Multiple holes designed and aligned for each other can accommodate multiple screws for a secure fastening of components. For example, where outer housing components of a portable electronic device or other consumer product are to be fastened together in a secure fashion that permits disassembly, a plurality of strategically spaced apart screws installed into aligned screw holes on the outer housing and mating component can be a common technique. 
     Unfortunately, screw holes that are not adequately sized or aligned tend to be useless. As such, the use of multiple screws and screw holes spaced apart on mating components often results in the need for relatively tight tolerances with respect to the size and location of the screw holes, and of the threads therein. Of course, any introduction of relatively tight part tolerances in the context of mass production tends to increase costs, rejection rate and production times. In addition, the use of threaded holes in a device component itself can result in the need to replace the entire device component where such threads become stripped, damaged or otherwise unusable in conjunction with a suitable fastening screw. 
     While many designs and techniques used to fasten components together on electronic devices and other consumer products have generally worked well in the past, there is always a desire to provide further devices and techniques to allow for looser part tolerances that still result in the functional and reliable fastening of components in computing devices and other consumer products. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide parts and components that have looser tolerances with respect to their fastening aspects, and that still result in the functional and reliable fastening of those parts and components. This can be accomplished at least in part through the use of specialized oversized threads, floating fasteners as part of an overall threaded assembly, or both. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a computing device can include an outer housing including a base and a cover, the outer housing being adapted to contain a number of internal device components therein, a processor located within the outer housing, and a fastening system including a number of fastenings that are collectively adapted to removably fasten the outer housing cover to the outer housing base. In various alternative embodiments, other consumer products can include a similar fastening system used to fasten various components together. Such components can be outer housing components or other items on the overall product. 
     Each of the plurality of fastenings can be similarly characterized by including at least a first opening associated with a first component, a threaded second opening associated with a second component to be fastened to the first component, and a specialized oversized screw. The screw can be inserted through at least one of the first and second openings, and also into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. The screw and threaded opening combination can be defined by contact between the screw and threaded opening about a thread surface that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of 45 degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening. In some embodiments, the screw thread return angle can be about 30 degrees. 
     In one particular embodiment an outer housing for a computing device is disclosed. The outer housing includes at least: (1) a base adapted to contain a plurality of internal device components therein; (2) a cover adapted to seal the plurality of internal device components within the outer housing; and (3) a number of fastenings that are collectively adapted to removably fasten the cover to the base. Each of the fastenings includes at least: (1) a first opening associated with the cover; (2) a second opening associated with the base, the second opening having a first diameter; and (3) a floating fastener inserted into the second opening, the floating fastener having a threaded opening therein. The floating fastener has an outer diameter less than the first diameter of the second opening allowing it to shift laterally within the second opening. The fastenings also include: (1) a restraining attachment configured to attach to an end of the floating fastener, thereby securing the floating fastener within the second opening; and (2) a screw inserted through the first opening, and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. When the first and second opening are not properly aligned the disclosed floating fastener laterally shifts within the second opening to allow the screw to be properly seated within the threaded opening in the floating fastener. 
     In another disclosed embodiment a fastening system including a number of fastenings that are collectively adapted to removably fasten a first component to a second component is disclosed. Each of the fastenings includes at least the following: (1) a first opening associated with the first component having a first axis therethrough; (2) a second opening associated with the second component having a second axis therethrough; (3) a floating fastener inserted into the second opening, having a threaded opening therein with a third axis therethrough; and (4) a screw inserted through the first opening and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. This configuration allows a third axis of the floating fastener to be displaced from the second axis of the second opening and to align with the first axis of the first opening, thereby allowing the screw to be properly seated within the threaded opening of the floating fastener when the first and second axes are offset from one another. 
     Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates in front perspective view an exemplary personal computing device; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates in cut away side cross-sectional view an exemplary top case portion of the personal computing device of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates in side cross-sectional view an exemplary fastening arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates in close up side cross-sectional view the engaged screw and nut threads of the fastening arrangement of  FIG. 2A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates in top perspective view an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a press-fit base nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates in top perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates in side cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates in side perspective view the press-fit base nut floating fastener for the arrangement of  FIGS. 3A-3C  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates in side perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener of  FIG. 3D  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A through 4C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a threaded base nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates in top perspective view an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a press-fit collar nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates in top perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit collar nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIG. 5A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates in side cross-sectional view the press-fit collar nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5D  illustrates in side perspective view the press-fit collar nut floating fastener for the arrangement of  FIGS. 5A-5C  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5E  illustrates in side perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit collar nut floating fastener of  FIG. 5D  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A through 6C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a threaded collar nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A through 7C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a single body snap nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using an open cleat and single body nut according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 9A through 9B  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using an insert mold and unified snap and insert mold and separate snap, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary applications of apparatuses and methods according to the present invention are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the invention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the present invention. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The invention relates in various embodiments to fasteners for the outer housing components of a computing device, such as any of the iMac® personal computer, MacBook® laptop computer or iPad® tablet computer manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Although the subject computing device can be a portable computing device, including even portable media players and cellular telephones, it will be readily appreciated that the various embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein can also be used with larger personal computing devices, servers and the like. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the fasteners of the present invention can also be used in many other embodiments with other consumer products that are not computing devices. As such, the various inventive fastening screws, bolts, nuts and systems provided herein can be extended to a wide variety of other devices and applications, as will be readily appreciated in view of the entire disclosure herein. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1A , one example of a personal computing device in the form of a laptop computer is shown in front perspective view. Laptop computer  10  can be, for example, a MacBook® laptop computer, although other brands and models of laptop computers are contemplated for use with the present invention. Laptop computer  10  can have an upper or top case portion  20 , as well as a lower or bottom case portion  12  that may include a keyboard  14 , touchpad and other various components. Both upper portion  20  and lower portion  12  may include various internal components therein, such as, for example, processors, storage, busses, cards, power supplies, disk drives, displays, I/O interfaces, modems, and the like. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1B , an exemplary top case portion of the personal computing device of  FIG. 1A  is shown in cut away side cross-sectional view. Top case portion  20  can include an outer housing base  24  and outer housing cover  22  that is fastened to the base by a plurality of bolts or screws  30 . Such screws  30  can pass through respective openings  23  in outer housing cover  22  and threaded openings  25  in housing base  24 . A threaded nut  40  or other component can be fastened onto the far threaded end of bolt or screw  30  after it is inserted, so as to hold screw  30  in place. 
     This arrangement shown in  FIG. 1B  can be repeated numerous times for a plurality of screws  30  and aligned openings  23 ,  25 , such that the housing cover  22  is then firmly attached to the housing base  24  in a removable manner As noted above, the use of numerous screws and aligned openings can result in the need for tight tolerances with respect to the size and location of such items. For example, the location of opening  23  should typically be well aligned with respect to threaded opening  25 , such that the screw  30  can be properly inserted into both. While only one instance is shown for purposes of illustration, it will be readily appreciated that such openings need to be well aligned for each instance of multiple screws  30  and openings  23 ,  25  across top case portion  20 . 
     While the issue of tighter part tolerances may not be much of a problem for relatively inexpensive and commercially available screws, such tight tolerances can raise costs with respect to the mass production of the housing cover  22  and housing base  24 , with their respective sets of openings  23 ,  25 . Because threaded screws and threaded nuts or openings tend to result in tight fits in many standard and commercially available variations, it can become difficult to alleviate the tolerance constraints that typically arise when such screws and threaded openings are used to fasten components together. As such, alternative forms of screws and fastening arrangements that allow for looser part tolerances would be helpful. Such alternative fastening arrangements can include the use of specialized oversized threads, the use of floating fasteners as part of an overall threaded assembly, or both of these features in combination with each other. 
     Turning next to  FIG. 2A , an exemplary fastening arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in side cross-sectional view. Fastening arrangement  100  is adapted to fasten a first component to a second component, such as two outer housing components for a consumer device. Fastening arrangement  100  can represent a single fastening from a plurality of fastenings, with each such fastening including a screw  130  that is inserted through an opening in a first component  122  to be fastened and screwed into nut threads on a corresponding mating component  150 . The opening in first component  122  can be countersunk, as shown, or can be any of a variety of other types of openings that accommodate a corresponding screw head, as will be readily appreciated. Mating component  150  can be the second component itself that is to be fastened to the first component  122 , or this mating component can be a floating fastener that engages with a second component, various examples of which are set forth in greater detail below. 
     Each of screw  130 , its corresponding opening in first component  122  and the threaded opening in mating component  150  can be centered about a primary axis, such as axis  101 . While the center axis for each of these items will ideally overlap, the present invention specifically contemplates for arrangements where the center axis for the opening in first component  122  is offset from the center axis for the threaded opening in mating component  150 . Such offset can be the result of differing part dimensions that are still within looser tolerances than what is standard for such arrangements. Again, it will be readily appreciated that the specialized oversized screw and nut threads set forth in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  can be used separate from or in conjunction with the various floating fasteners set forth herein. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates in close up side cross-sectional view the engaged screw and nut threads of the fastening arrangement of  FIG. 2A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Again, screw  130  and the threaded opening of mating component  150  can both be generally centered about a primary axis, such as axis  101 . While many standard screws tend to require or be self centering within a corresponding nut or threaded opening, the specialized design of screw  130  and the threaded opening of mating component  150  specifically contemplates for the center axes of this screw and opening to be offset from each other such that the mating arrangement of the screw and opening still works adequately. 
     As shown, a significant amount of float  160  exists between the threads of screw  130  and the corresponding threads of mating component  150  when the screw is inserted and fully engaged into the threaded opening. Such a float  160  generally represents the difference between the major diameters of the screw  130  and the threaded opening in mating component  150 . Although only one half of the screw and opening arrangement is shown in  FIG. 2B , it will be readily appreciated that the screw and hole arrangement is centered and symmetrical for purposes of illustration and discussion. As such, the same amount of float  160  exists on the opposite side of the screw (not shown). This float  160  on both sides of the screw essentially provides a considerable amount of “play” or “slop” in the engagement of the screw and opening, while still resulting in a fully functional screw engagement even where the screw and opening axes are significantly offset. Such a significant amount of float  160  then results in an increase in the location tolerances for the opening in first component  122  and the threaded opening in mating component  150 . 
     As will be readily appreciated, the threaded arrangements for screw  130  and the corresponding nut or threaded opening in mating part  150  are non-standard threads. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the threads of the screw  130  and the threaded opening in part  150  engage each other at a contact surface  102  that can be at or about a tangent that is substantially perpendicular to primary axis  101 . This is substantially different that a typical V-thread formed by rolling techniques. The subject customized thread can also have a non-contacting portion that recedes at a particular return angle. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , this screw thread return angle can be about 30 degrees, although this angle could be larger or smaller, as may be desired. In various embodiments, this screw thread return angle can be about 45 degrees, and in some embodiments this angle can be smaller. 
     As shown, the overall thread arrangement can resemble a buttress type thread, which is suitable for accepting increased loads in a single axial direction with respect to the screw and threaded opening arrangement. Unlike a typical 45/7 buttress type thread, however, the particular thread arrangement here follows a 30/0 pattern where the contact surface is at about a 0 degree angle with respect to the normal to the screw axis and the return angle is about 30 degrees with respect to the normal. In addition, the substantial amount of float  160  between the screw and threaded opening is not a feature of a buttress type thread. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the specialized threads set forth herein is not readily formed by standard thread rolling formation techniques. As such, these threads can be cut by customized thread cutting tools set for the particular dimensions and angles disclosed. 
     As noted above, the amount of float  160  can be sufficiently large, so as to allow for greater tolerances in the locations of the respective openings in first component  122  and second or mating component  150 . Of course, a greater float  160  then results in a correspondingly decreased overlap  103  between the contacting portion of the screw thread and nut thread. In various embodiments, the float  160  can be greater than one third of the thread depth  104 , which is generally the major diameter minus the minor diameter of the thread. In other words, the thread depth  104  can be less than about triple the float  160  between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening. In some embodiments, the float can be up to about 40% of the thread depth. While further increases in the float can allow for greater tolerances in screw hole locations, such further increases then result in less overlap and ultimately thread failures or the inability to engage threads adequately. A thread truncation of about ⅛ the thread pitch can be used as shown, or larger or smaller truncations may alternatively be used as may be desired. 
     In a particular embodiment, which is provided for purposes of illustration only, the threaded arrangement can include a screw having a major diameter of about 1.85 mm, a minor diameter of about 1.20 mm, a pitch of about 0.50 mm, a contact angle of about 0 degrees, and a return angle of about 30 degrees. The corresponding float can then be about 0.25 mm, resulting in a major diameter for the threaded opening of about 2.10 mm Of course, a wide variety of other dimensions may also be used, as may be appropriate for a given application. 
     In addition to the relatively oversized threads having a substantial amount of float, another feature that can aid in permitting relatively looser tolerances in components to be screwed together can involve a floating fastener. In general, such a floating fastener can be inserted into one or both openings of the components that are being screwed together, and can effectively serve as the mating component  150  in the foregoing example. In addition to being fitted within one or both openings of components to be fastened, such a floating fastener can also have a threaded internal opening that is adapted to receive a corresponding screw. In this manner, any damage to the floating fastener threads can result in the relatively cheaper and easier replacement of the floating fastener rather than an entire component that has the threads integrated therein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A  an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a press-fit base nut according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in top perspective view. Arrangement  300  can include a housing base  324  having an opening  325  therethrough that is used for purposes of screw fastening. A particular floating fastener  350  having a threaded internal opening can be fitted through the opening  325  in the housing base  324  and secured in place by way of a base nut  340  or other suitable restraining attachment. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates in top perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIG. 3A . Again, arrangement  300  depicts a floating fastener  350  that is inset within an opening  325  in a housing base  324 . Once the floating fastener  350  is inserted into the opening  325 , a base nut  340  can be press fit about the bottom end of the floating fastener. To aid in creating a firm press fit between fastener  350  and nut  340 , a gasket  342  and/or adhesive can be used. In addition, the base nut  340  can include at least one flat or otherwise engaging edge that abuts a flat or engaging edge at location  344 , such that rotation of the base nut is restricted. Such an opposing engaging edge can be part of the housing base  324 . 
     Next,  FIG. 3C  illustrates in side cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener arrangement of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, arrangement  301  includes all of the items depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , as well as an outer housing cover  322  that is fastened to the housing base  324  by way of a screw  330  that is inserted through an aligned opening in the housing cover  322  and into the threaded opening of floating fastener  350 . It is worth noting that the head and neck of screw  350  can be sufficiently thin or narrowed, such that a considerable amount of float or “play” can exist between the screw head and the opening in housing cover  322 , such as at location  331 . Again, this permits greater location tolerances for the openings in housing base  324  and cover  322 . 
     Continuing on,  FIG. 3D  illustrates in side perspective view while  FIG. 3E  illustrates in side perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit base nut floating fastener for the arrangement of  FIGS. 3A-3C . As noted above, the depicted floating fastener  350  and base nut  340  combination can be sized to effectively allow an increased amount of float in the various measurements with respect to the aligned openings in the housing base and cover. In order to be secured within at least one of the openings (in this case the opening in the housing base), floating fastener  350  can have an upper flange while the base nut  340  is press fit to the lower end to effectively form a lower flange. Again, a suitable gasket  342  and/or adhesive can be used to effect a proper press fit between floating fastener  350  and base nut  340 . As noted above, floating fastener  350  includes an internal thread  355  that is adapted to accept and mate with a fastening screw. A flat or otherwise engaging edge  344  can be adapted to contact a suitable component to prevent rotation of the fastener  350  and nut  340  combination once it is installed. 
       FIGS. 4A through 4C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a threaded base nut according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, arrangements  400  and  401  can be substantially similar to arrangements  300  and  301  respectively, with one notable exception. As such, a housing base  424  can have an opening therethrough that is used for purposes of screw fastening, and a floating fastener  450  having a threaded internal opening can be fitted through the opening and secured in place by way of a base nut  440  or other suitable component. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, such a base nut  440  can have a flat or otherwise engaging edge  444  that contacts a suitable component to prevent rotation of the fastener  450  and nut  440  combination. 
     Unlike the foregoing embodiment, however, base nut  440  is threaded onto the bottom portion of floating fastener  450 . Such a threaded engagement is different that a press-fit engagement, as will be readily appreciated. As shown in the full arrangement  401  in  FIG. 4C , the screw  430 —floating fastener  450 —base nut  440  combination effectively fastens housing base  424  to housing cover  422 . A similar amount of float or slop between the screw head and opening in the housing cover  422  can exist at or about location  431 , for example, such that looser part tolerances can be used. Also, in some embodiments the floating fastener  450  can have a split head or a slot  452  in the head, such that the floating fastener can be unscrewed and removed. 
     Moving now to  FIG. 5A  an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a press-fit collar nut according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in top perspective view. As shown, arrangements  500  and  501  can be similar to the foregoing arrangements  300 ,  400  and  301 ,  401  respectively. Again, a housing base  524  can have an opening therethrough that is used for purposes of screw fastening, and a floating fastener  550  having a threaded internal opening can be fitted through the opening and secured in place. 
     Unlike the base nut of the foregoing embodiments, a press-fit collar nut  570  is used to secure the upper portion of floating fastener  550 . As such, the floating fastener  550  has a bottom flange that secures the bottom of the fastener in place with respect to the opening in housing base  524 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates this arrangement particularly well in top perspective cross-sectional view. As shown in the full arrangement  501  in  FIG. 5C , the screw  530 —floating fastener  550 —collar nut  570  combination effectively fastens housing base  524  to housing cover  522 . Again, a similar amount of float or slop between the screw head and opening in the housing cover can exist such that looser part tolerances can be used. Also, a flat or otherwise engaging edge  554  can be used to restrict rotation of installed fastener  550 . 
     Continuing on,  FIG. 5D  illustrates in side perspective view while  FIG. 5E  illustrates in side perspective cross-sectional view the press-fit collar nut floating fastener for the arrangement of  FIGS. 5A-5C . Similar to the foregoing embodiments, the depicted floating fastener  550  and collar nut  570  combination can be sized to effectively allow an increased amount of float in the various measurements with respect to the aligned openings in the housing base and cover. In order to be secured within at least one of the openings (i.e., the opening in the housing base), floating fastener  550  can have an lower flange while the collar nut  570  is press fit to the upper end of the fastener to effectively form an upper flange. A suitable gasket  572  and/or adhesive can be used to affect a proper press fit between floating fastener  550  and collar nut  570 . Similar to the foregoing embodiments, floating fastener  550  includes an internal thread  555  that is adapted to accept and mate with a fastening screw. In addition, a flat or otherwise engaging edge  554  can be adapted to contact a suitable component to prevent rotation of the fastener  550  once it is installed. 
       FIGS. 6A through 6C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a threaded collar nut according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, arrangements  600  and  601  can be substantially similar to arrangements  500  and  501  respectively, with the notable exception again being a threaded mating rather than a press-fit between the floating fastener  650  and collar nut  670 . In all other respects, the arrangement is substantially similar. As such, the screw  630 —floating fastener  650 —collar nut  670  combination effectively fastens housing base  624  to housing cover  622 , and a significant amount of float or slop between the screw head and opening in the housing cover can exist such that looser part tolerances can be used. Similarly, a flat or otherwise engaging edge  654  can be used to restrict rotation of the installed fastener  650 . 
       FIGS. 7A through 7C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using a single body snap nut according to one embodiment of the present invention. Arrangements  700  and  701  are similar to the foregoing embodiments in that a screw  730  and floating fastener  750  combination is used to fasten housing cover  722  to housing base  724 . Unlike the foregoing embodiments, there is no nut used with floating fastener  750 . Rather, fastener  750  comprises a single integrated component having both top and bottom flanges to secure itself in place within the opening in housing base  724 . This can be accomplished through the use of a snap nut  758  or flange at the top of the floating fastener  750 . As shown, the snap nut portion  758  is adapted to be pinched such that it can be inserted through the opening, with the snap nut or flange then expanding and snapping into place after it passes through to the other side of the opening. An internal threaded portion is adapted to accept screw  730 , as in the other embodiments. 
       FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using an open cleat and single body nut according to one embodiment of the present invention. Arrangements  800  and  801  are similar to the foregoing embodiments in that a screw  830  and floating fastener  850  combination is used to fasten housing cover  822  to housing base  824 . Similar to the previous embodiment, there is no nut used with floating fastener  850 , which comprises a single integrated component having both top and bottom flanges to secure itself in place within the opening in housing base  824 . Unlike the previous embodiment, however, the single body floating fastener  850  does not have a collapsing or pinchable component to allow it to pass through the opening. Rather, the respective opening in housing base  824  has a side opening  829  that allows the floating fastener to slide into position sideways through the side opening. An internal threaded portion is adapted to accept screw  830 , as in the other embodiments. Also, a flat or otherwise engaging portion along one of the flanges can restrict rotation of the floating fastener  850 . 
       FIGS. 9A through 9B  illustrate in top perspective, top perspective cross sectional and side cross-sectional views an exemplary floating fastener arrangement using an insert mold and unified snap and insert mold and separate snap, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Certain changes and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120911
Publication Date: 20131105
Grant Date: 20131105
Priority Date: 20110928
Inventors: DEGNER BRETT W.
FARAHANI HOUTAN R.
HOPKINSON RON A.
LEGGETT WILLIAM F.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "F16B5/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B33/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B5/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B33/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B33/002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/048", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B33/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/048", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B37/043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B39/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B19/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16B19/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47911468