PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7775567-B2
Application Number: US-30290705-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic latching mechanism

Abstract:
A magnetic latch for a display of a laptop computer uses magnetic attraction to maintain the display closed and uses magnetic repelling forces to pop-up the display when opened. The latch includes one or more magnetic elements in the body of the laptop and at least one magnetic element in the display. When the display is closed, the magnet element in the display is positioned adjacent the magnet element in the body having an opposite polarity so that the magnet elements are attracted to one another. To pop-up the display, the user moves the magnetic element in the display so that it meets the magnetic pole in the body having the same polarity. When these meet, the repelling force between them causes the display to open slightly so that a user can then readily open the display.

Claims:
1. A latching apparatus for first and second bodies hingedly connected together, comprising:
 a first component positioned on the first body and comprising
 first permanent magnets arranged adjacent one another in a first line, separated by a first distance from one another, and arranged with alternating first and second polarities, and 
 a first ferromagnetic element positioned at a first end of the first line; and 
 
 a second component positioned on the second body and being movable between an open state and a close state, the second component movable from the close state to the open state with an actuator, the second component comprising
 second permanent magnets arranged adjacent one another in a second line parallel to the first line, separated by a second distance from one another, and arranged with alternating first and second polarities, and 
 a second ferromagnetic element positioned at a second end of the second line, the second end being opposite of the first end, 
 
 wherein to maintain the second body closed against the first body, the first and second components are magnetically attractable to one another when the second component has the close state, 
 wherein to move the second body at least partially open a separation distance from the first body, the first and second components are magnetically repellable from one another when the second magnetic component is moved from the close state to the open state with the actuator, and 
 wherein the magnetic attraction between the first ferromagnetic element and one of the second permanent magnets on one end of the second line and the magnetic attraction between the second ferromagnetic element and one of the first permanent magnets on one end of the first line automatically move the second component from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought within the separation distance from the first body. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second component is moveable along the second line. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first distance along the first line is the same as the second distance along the second line. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the separation distance overcomes the magnetic attraction between the first and second components when the second component has the close state. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first permanent magnets each comprise a first strength, and wherein the second permanent magnets each comprises a second strength greater than the first strength. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first permanent magnets each comprises a first dimension orthogonal to the first line, and wherein second permanent magnets each comprises a second dimension orthogonal to the second line, wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first permanent magnets has the first and second polarities arranged in a first direction orthogonal to the first line, and wherein each of the second permanent magnets has the first and second polarities arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the second line. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second directions are orthogonal to the direction of attraction between the first and second components. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second directions are parallel to the direction of attraction between the first and second components. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in the close state
 the first ferromagnetic element aligns in attracted relation to the one second permanent magnet on the one end of the second line, 
 the second ferromagnetic element aligns in attracted relation to the one first permanent magnet on the one end of the first line, and 
 the remaining first and second permanent magnets align in attracted relation to one another. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein in the open state
 the first ferromagnetic element misaligns from the one second permanent magnet on the one end of the second line, 
 the second ferromagnetic element misaligns from the one first permanent magnet on the one end of the first line, and 
 each of the first and second permanent magnets align in repellable relation to one another. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein
 the movement of the second component relative to the first magnetic component is mechanically unbiased, 
 the second component automatically resets from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought within the separation distance from the first body, and 
 in the automatic resetting, the magnetic attraction between the first and second components automatically realigns the first ferromagnetic element with the one second permanent magnet, the second ferromagnetic element with the one first permanent magnet, and each of the remaining first and second permanent magnets with one another. 
 
     
     
       13. A latching apparatus for first and second bodies hingedly connected together, comprising:
 a first component positioned on the first body, the first component having first permanent magnets arranged in a first polarity configuration and having at least one first ferromagnetic element; and 
 a second component positioned on the second body and being movable between an open state and a close state, the second component movable from the close state to the open state with an actuator, the second component having second permanent magnets arranged in a second polarity configuration and having at least one second ferromagnetic element, 
 wherein in the close state
 the first ferromagnetic element aligns in attracted relation to one of the second permanent magnets, 
 the second ferromagnetic element aligns in attracted relation to one of the first permanent magnets, and 
 the remaining first and second permanent magnets align in attracted relation to one another, and 
 
 wherein in the open state
 the second component is moved from the close state to the open state with the actuator, 
 the first ferromagnetic element misaligns from the one second permanent magnet, 
 the second ferromagnetic element misaligns from the one first permanent magnet, 
 each of the first and second permanent magnets align in repellable relation to one another, and 
 the second body moves at least partially open a separation distance from the first body, and 
 
 wherein the magnetic attraction between the first ferromagnetic element and the one second permanent magnet and the magnetic attraction between the second ferromagnetic element and the one first permanent magnet automatically move the second component from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought within the separation distance from the first body. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the separation distance overcomes the magnetic attraction between the first and second components when the second component has the close state. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein
 the movement of the second component relative to the first magnetic component is mechanically unbiased, 
 the second component automatically resets from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought with the separation distance from the first body, and 
 in the automatic resetting, the magnetic attraction between the first and second components automatically realigns the first ferromagnetic element with the one second permanent magnet, the second ferromagnetic element with the one first permanent magnet, and each of the remaining first and second permanent magnets with one another. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first permanent magnets each comprise a first strength, and wherein the second permanent magnets each comprises a second strength greater than the first strength. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein
 the first permanent magnets are arranged adjacent one another in a first line and separated by a first distance from one another, 
 the first ferromagnetic element is positioned at a first end of the first line, 
 the second permanent magnets are arranged adjacent one another in a second line parallel to the first line and separated by a second distance from one another, and 
 the second ferromagnetic element is positioned at a second end of the second line, the second end being opposite of the first end. 
 
     
     
       18. A latching apparatus for first and second bodies hingedly connected together, comprising:
 a first component positioned on the first body and comprising
 first permanent magnet polarities alternatingly arranged along a first line, and 
 a first ferromagnetic element positioned at a first end of the first line; and 
 
 a second component positioned on the second body and being movable between an open state and a close state, the second component movable from the close state to the open state with an actuator, the second component comprising
 second permanent magnet polarities alternatingly arranged along a second line, and 
 a second ferromagnetic element positioned at a second end of the second line, the second end being opposite of the first end, 
 
 wherein to maintain the second body closed against the first body, the first permanent magnet polarity on a second end of the first line is magnetically attractable to the second ferromagnetic element at the second end of the second line, the second permanent magnet polarity on a first end of the second line is magnetically attractable to the first ferromagnetic element on the first end of the first line, and each of the remaining first and second permanent magnet polarities are magnetically attractable to one another when the second component has the close state, 
 wherein to move the second body at least partially open a separation distance from the first body, each of the first and second permanent magnet polarities are magnetically repellable from one another when the second magnetic component is moved from the close state to the open state with the actuator, and 
 wherein the magnetic attraction between the first ferromagnetic element and the second permanent magnet polarity on the first end of the second line and the magnetic attraction between the second ferromagnetic element and the first permanent magnet polarity on the second end of the first line automatically move the second component from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought within the separation distance from the first body. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second component is moveable along the second line. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the separation distance overcomes the magnetic attraction between the first and second components when the second component has the close state. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first permanent magnet polarities each comprise a first strength, and wherein the second permanent magnet polarities each comprises a second strength greater than the first strength. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein first permanent magnets having the first permanent magnet polarities each comprises a first dimension orthogonal to the first line, and wherein second permanent magnets having the second permanent magnet polarities each comprises a second dimension orthogonal to the second line, wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein first permanent magnets having the first permanent magnet polarities are arranged in a first direction orthogonal to the first line, and wherein second permanent magnets having the second permanent magnet polarities are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the second line. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second directions are orthogonal to the direction of attraction between the first and second components. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second directions are parallel to the direction of attraction between the first and second components. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein
 the movement of the second component relative to the first magnetic component is mechanically unbiased, 
 the second component automatically resets from the open state to the close state when the second body is brought within the separation distance from the first body, and 
 in the automatic resetting, the magnetic attraction between the first and second components automatically realigns the first ferromagnetic element with the second permanent magnet polarity on the first end of the second line, the second ferromagnetic element with the first permanent magnet polarity on the second end of the first line, and each of the remaining first and second permanent magnet polarities with one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is filed concurrently with U.S. patent application having Express Mail No. EV 697138978 US, application Ser. No. 11/302801 and entitled “Electronic Device Having Magnetic Latching Mechanism,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a latch for a laptop computer and more particularly relates to a magnetic latch for a laptop computer that uses magnetic attraction to keep the display closed and uses magnetic repulsion to pop-up the display for opening. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Laptop or network computers have a body housing internal components and have a display attached to the body. The display is typically hinged to the body so that the display can be opened and closed relative to the body. In the past, mechanical latches have been used on laptop displays to maintain the display closed against the body. The latch mechanisms typically have a hook and catch interlock or similar arrangement that is activated using a button, slider, or the like. To open the display, a user disengages the hook and catch mechanism and then pivots the display on its hinges open from the body. Once the latch is disengaged, the user must pry open the display by hand. 
     It is known in the art to use a magnet with a hook and catch interlock. Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , a laptop computer  10  with a display hingedly connected to a body is illustrated. The laptop  10  has a hook and catch interlock  30  according to the prior art that uses a magnet  38 . A hook  32  is positioned on the display  14 , and a catch  36  is positioned in the body  12 . When the display  14  is closed, the hook  32  is engaged with the catch  36  to maintain the display  14  closed. To open the display  14 , a slideable button  34  on the body  12  is used to disengage the hook  32  from the catch  36 , and a counterbalance clutch  20  causes the display  14  to pop open by a small amount, which allows a user to use the edge of the display  14  to open it. In contrast with the more common hook and catch interlocks, the hook  32  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B  is biased by a spring (not shown) and stows away within a recess  40  of the display  14  when not in use (e.g., when the display  14  is open). When a user closes the display  14  against the body  12 , a magnet  38  deploys the hook  32  from its stowed position so that the hook  32  can engage the catch  36  through an opening  42  in the body  30 . 
     To facilitate opening of the display  14 , it is known in the art to use a counterbalance clutch  20  at the hinge of the display  14  and body  12 . To produce the counterbalance clutch  20 , thrust washers, Omega clips, or bands are typically located at the hinge(s) between the display  14  and body  12 . When the display  14  is closed and locked against the body  12  with the latch mechanism  30 , the display  14  acts against the counterbalance clutch  20  so that the locked display  14  is biased to open. When the latch mechanism  30  is released, the existing bias in the display  14  is released, causing the display  14  to pop-up or open slightly from the body  12 . A typical clutch/display weight threshold is about 400-grams. The pop-up of the display  14  then allows a user to fit a portion of a finger under the edge of the display  14  to help them better pry the display  14  open. Displays  14  with counterbalanced clutches  20  are typically referred to as “pop-up displays.” 
     Unfortunately, several structural issues with prior art hook and catch interlocks and counterbalance clutches pose problems for designers of laptop computers. Although these prior art mechanisms are effective, they are susceptible to breakage. For example, a hook, catch, or spring of a latch mechanism can break simply through use, rendering the display incapable of being locked closed. If a hinge between a display and a body has been slightly damaged, portions of a latch mechanism may be misaligned and not work properly. In addition, portions of the latch mechanism such as the hook may be exposed on the display or the body after opening and can be broken inadvertently. 
     Likewise, structural issues with prior art counterbalance clutches pose problems for laptop designers. The counterbalance clutches are typically located at the one or more hinges between the display and the body. To produce the pop-up, these clutches are biased or loaded when the display is closed against the body. Thus, the clutches have built in stresses that can cause failure over time. These clutches can also be damaged if the display is inadvertently moved relative to the body in unwanted directions. For example, when the display is closed and the clutches are loaded, any injury to the hinge area by dropping the laptop can damage the clutch and/or hinges. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a latch of a laptop display that overcomes structural issues inherent with the mechanical hook and catch mechanism found in the art. In addition, a need exists for a pop-up display that overcomes structural issues inherent with the counterbalance clutches found in the art. The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A magnetic latch for a display of a laptop computer is disclosed. The latch uses magnetic attraction to maintain the display closed. The latch also uses magnetic repelling forces to pop-up the display when a user wants to open the laptop. In one embodiment, the latch includes at least one first magnetic elements positioned in the body of the laptop and includes at least one second magnetic element positioned in the display. The first magnet element in the body is arranged so that opposite polarities are positioned towards the second magnet element in the display. When the display is closed, the second magnet element in the display is positioned adjacent the first magnet element in the body having the opposite polarity to that the first and second magnet elements are attracted to one another. To pop-up the display, the user moves (e.g., slides, turns, pushes, rotates, flips) the second magnet element in the display so that it meets the first magnet element having the same polarity. When these meet, the repelling force between them causes the display to open an amount that allows the user to then readily open the display. In one embodiment, the first and second magnetic elements can both be permanent magnets. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the first magnetic elements can be electromagnets while the second magnetic element can be a permanent magnet. 
     The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of subject matter of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrates a laptop computer with a display hingedly connected to a body and having a latch mechanism and a pop-up clutch according to the prior art. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate a laptop computer having a display hingedly connected to a body and having a latch and pop-up mechanism according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate various embodiments of the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanism according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an embodiment of a button arrangement for moving a first magnetic component relative to a second magnetic component. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate another embodiment of a latch and pop-up mechanism according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate an embodiment of first and second components having a plurality of magnetic elements with a polarity configuration. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate another embodiment of first and second components having a plurality of magnetic elements with another polarity configuration. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a plurality of polarity configurations for magnetic elements. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanism having an electromagnet and a permanent magnet. 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate an embodiment for resetting magnetic components according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate another embodiment for resetting magnetic components according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate yet another embodiment for resetting magnetic components according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanisms are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. The figures and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts in any manner. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person skilled in the art by reference to particular embodiments, as required by 35 U.S.C. §112. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2B , an electronic device  10  is illustrated in a side view and a front view. In the present example, the electronic device  10  is a laptop computer having a body  12  for internal electronics (not shown) and having a visual display  14  hingedly connected to the body  12  by a hinge  16 . It will be appreciated, however, that the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to other electronic devices, such as portable CD or DVD players, PDAs, calculators, and cell phones, for example, which have first and second body portions hingedly connected together and which can further have a display on the first body hingedly connected to the second body having internal electronics. 
     The electronic device  10  has a latch and pop-up mechanism  50  according to certain teachings of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the disclosed mechanism  50  achieves latching of the display  14  to the body  12  and achieves pop-up of the display  14  from the body  12 . Although shown slightly open in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the display  14  positions adjacent the body  12  when fully closed and positions at about 130-degrees to the body  12  when fully open. 
     The disclosed mechanism  50  includes a first component  60  positioned on the body  12  and a second component  70  positioned on the display  14 . As best shown in the front view of  FIG. 2B , the first component  60  on the body  12  has a first magnetic element  62  positioned adjacent a second magnetic element  64 . The second component  70  on the display  14  includes a movable magnetic element  72  capable of having an open state and a closed state. In the present embodiment, the magnetic element  72  is movable (e.g., slideable in a slot  74  on the display  14 ) to produce the open and closed states. 
     The movable element  72  is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element  62  when the display  14  is closed against the body  12  and the movable element  72  has the closed state (i.e., when slid to the right position in  FIG. 2B ). In this way, the magnetic interaction between the first element  62  and movable element  72  act to magnetically attract the display  14  to the body  12  to maintain the display closed. Conversely, the movable element  72  is magnetically repulsed by the second magnetic element  64  when the movable element  72  has the open state (i.e., when slid to the left position in  FIG. 2B ) while the display  14  is closed. In this way, the magnetic interaction between the second element  64  and movable element  72  act to magnetically repel the display  14  from the body  12  to pop-up the display  14 . A pop-up of about 6-mm between front edges of the display  14  and body  12  has been found to be an appropriate distance to allow a user to gain access to the edge of the display  14  and readily pry the display  14  open from the body  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the first magnetic element  62  is composed of a ferromagnetic material, and the second magnetic element  64  is a permanent magnet. For example, the ferromagnetic material can be steel, and the permanent magnet can be a rare earth permanent magnet. The permanent magnet  64  has a first polarity (e.g., North polarity) relative to the display  14 . In this embodiment, the movable element  72  is a permanent magnet having an opposite polarity (e.g., South polarity) to that of the second magnetic element  64 . In this way, the movable element  72  in the closed state (e.g., right position) is attracted to the ferromagnetic material  62  to maintain the display  14  closed. When the user moves the movable element  72  to the open state (e.g., left position), the movable element  72  is repelled by the permanent magnet  64  on the body  12 , which causes the display  14  to pop-up a distance from the body  12 . 
     In another embodiment, the first magnetic element  62  is a permanent magnet having a first polarity (e.g., North polarity), and the second magnetic element is a permanent magnet having an opposite polarity (e.g., South polarity) to the first polarity. In this embodiment, the movable element  72  is a permanent magnet having the same polarity (e.g., North polarity) as the first polarity of the first element  62 . In this way, the movable element  72  in the closed state (e.g., right position) is attracted to the first permanent magnet  62  to maintain the display  14  closed. Likewise, the movable element  72  in the open state (e.g., left position) is repulsed by the second permanent magnet  64  to make the display pop-up a distance from the body  12 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Top Magnet 
                 Bot Magnet 
                 PM 
                 Repulsion 
                 Repulsion 
                 Repulsion 
               
               
                   
                 (Y × Z × X mm) 
                 (Y × Z × X mm) 
                 Orientation 
                 @ 6.55 mm 
                 @ 5 mm 
                 @ 3.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 5.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.5 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 558 
                 881 
                 1424 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 675 
                 1018 
                 1610 
               
               
                 2 
                 5.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.5 × 2.0 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 477 
                 749 
                 1228 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 572 
                 871 
                 1394 
               
               
                 3 
                 5.0 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.0 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 489 
                 778 
                 1292 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 577 
                 886 
                 1439 
               
               
                 4 
                 4.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 4.5 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 416 
                 675 
                 1145 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 484 
                 758 
                 1257 
               
               
                 5 
                 4.0 × 4.0 × 48 
                 4.0 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 347 
                 568 
                 988 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 396 
                 631 
                 1072 
               
               
                 6 
                 5.0 × 4.5 × 48 
                 5.0 × 2.0 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 445 
                 705 
                 1174 
               
               
                   
                 w/1-mm 
                   
                 horizontal 
                 528 
                 807 
                 1316 
               
               
                   
                 radii 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For example, in the sixth combination of Table 1, the top magnet is 5.0×4.5×48-mm in dimension, while the bottom magnet is 5.0×2.0×48-mm in dimension. When arranged vertical to one another with the same polarities to produce repulsion (i.e., with only one pole of each magnet positioned relative to the same pole of the other magnet), the top and bottom magnets exhibit repulsion values of 445, 705, and 1174-grams at the distances of 6.55-mm, 5.0-mm, and 3.5-mm, respectively. On the other hand, these same top and bottom magnets arranged horizontally with the same polarities to produce repulsion (i.e., with both poles of each magnet positioned relative to the same poles of the other magnet) exhibit greater repulsion values of 528, 807, and 1316-grams at the distances of 6.55-mm, 5.0-mm, and 3.5-mm, respectively. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Top Magnet 
                 Bot Magnet 
                 PM 
                 Attraction 
                 Attraction 
               
               
                   
                 (Y × Z × X mm) 
                 (Y × Z × X mm) 
                 Orientation 
                 @ 3.2 mm 
                 @ 1.7 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 5.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.5 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1654 
                 3024 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1810 
                 3288 
               
               
                 2 
                 5.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.5 × 2.0 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1424 
                 2637 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1561 
                 2872 
               
               
                 3 
                 5.0 × 4.0 × 48 
                 5.0 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1497 
                 2823 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1624 
                 3043 
               
               
                 4 
                 4.5 × 4.0 × 48 
                 4.5 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1287 
                 2588 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1424 
                 2769 
               
               
                 5 
                 4.0 × 4.0 × 48 
                 4.0 × 2.5 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1150 
                 2324 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1223 
                 2466 
               
               
                 6 
                 5.0 × 4.5 × 48 
                 5.0 × 2.0 × 48 
                 vertical 
                 1209 
                 2368 
               
               
                   
                 w/1-mm 
                   
                 horizontal 
                 1302 
                 2539 
               
               
                   
                 radii 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For example, in the sixth combination of Table 2, the top and bottom magnets arranged vertical to one another with opposing polarities to produce attraction exhibit attraction values of 1209 and 2368-grams at the distances of 3.2-mm and 1.7-mm, respectively. On the other hand, these same top and bottom magnets arranged horizontally with opposing polarities have greater attraction values of 1302 and 2539-grams at the distances of 6.55-mm and 3.5-mm, respectively. Given the data available in Tables 1 and 2, it is preferred that the embodiment of the magnetic latch and pop-up mechanism  50  having permanent magnets for each of the magnetic elements  62 ,  64 , and  74  use a horizontal arrangement of the poles of the magnet. 
     From a mechanical standpoint, it may be desirable to select the sizes of magnets that produce the most repulsive and attractive forces. However, from a design standpoint, there may be limitations on the size of the permanent magnets that can be used due to space limitations in the device  10  and magnetic flux limitations from the magnets, along with other considerations discussed later. In addition, design of the disclosed magnetic latch and pop-up mechanism for a laptop computer preferably considers a number of practical mechanical issues, such as the ability to keep the display closed even if the laptop is dropped. 
     In the embodiment of the disclosed mechanism in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the first component  60  having dual magnetic elements  62  and  64  is positioned on the body  12 , while the second component  70  having the movable magnetic element  72  is positioned on the display  14 . However, as shown in  FIG. 3A , it will appreciated that a reverse arrangement with the movable element  72  on the body  12  and the dual elements  62  and  64  on the display  14  can also be used to achieve both latching and pop-up. Not only is a reverse arrangement applicable to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2B , but reverse arrangements are applicable to other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In the embodiment of the disclosed mechanism in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the movable magnetic element  72  slides relative to the edge of the display  14  (i.e., slides in direction S left to right). However, the movement of the movable element  72  can be achieved by a number of techniques, such as sliding, pushing, rotating, flipping, etc. In an embodiment of the disclosed mechanism shown in  FIG. 3B , for example, the movable element  72  slides in and out relative to the edge of the display  14  (i.e., pushes in direction P) like a button activated by the user. 
     In another embodiment of the disclosed mechanism shown in  FIG. 3C , a movable element  80  of the disclosed latch mechanism is rotatably positioned on the body  12  and has a first magnetic element  82  positioned adjacent a second magnetic element  84 . The first element  82  is attracted to element  86  on the display  14  and is repulsed by element  88  on the display  14 . Likewise, the second element  84  is attracted to element  88  and is repulsed by element  86 . Thus, by rotating the arrangement of the elements  82 / 84  relative to elements  86 / 88 , the user can latch the display  14  closed or pop-up the display  14  from the body  12 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the disclosed mechanism shown in  FIG. 3D , a movable element  90  of the mechanism is positioned on the body  12  and has a first magnetic element  92  positioned adjacent a second magnetic element  94 . The movable element  90  flips in direction F on the body  12 . A corresponding element  96  on the display is magnetically attracted to the first element  92  and is magnetically repulsed by the second element  94 . Thus, by flipping the arrangement of the first and second elements  92 / 94 , the user can latch the display  14  closed or pop-up the display  14  from the body  12 . 
     As each of the embodiments of the disclosed mechanism shown in  FIGS. 2A through 3D  illustrate, it is preferred that the latch and pop-up mechanism be used near the leading edge of the display  14  and body  12  of the device  10 , which is typically opposite the edge where the hinges  16  between the display  14  and body  12  are located. This location is preferred because applying force at the leading edge best overcomes friction and weight of the display  14  for pop-up. However, it will be appreciated that the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanism can be positioned in other locations on the device  10  depending on the type of electronic device employed. 
     In the embodiment of the disclosed mechanism shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B  and other embodiments disclosed herein, the mechanism  50  achieves both latching and pop-up between the display  14  and body  12 . In other embodiments, however, the disclosed mechanisms can be used to achieve either latching or pop-up functions exclusive of the other. For example, in one embodiment for latching only, a first magnetic component  60  shown in  FIG. 3D  can have only one magnetic element (e.g., element  62 ) and no second element. Thus, the movable element  72  in the closed state is attracted to the sole element  62 , and the movable element  72  in the open state is moved away from the sole element  62 . In another embodiment for pop-up only, a first magnetic component  60  shown in  FIG. 3E  can have only one magnetic element (e.g., element  64 ) and no second element. Thus, a movable element  72  on the display  14  in the closed state can mechanically latch to a catch  66  on the body  12 . The movable element  72  in the open state is moved adjacent the sole element  64  and is repulsed thereby to pop-open the display  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an embodiment of a button arrangement for moving a second magnetic component  70  relative to a first magnetic component  60  is illustrated. The button arrangement includes a button  52  slideably positioned in a slot  51  defined in the housing of the display  14 . The button  52  has a portion  54  connected to the second magnetic component  70 , which is a permanent magnet  72  in the present embodiment. A user slides the button  52  in the slot  51  to move the magnet  72  relative to the second magnetic component  60 , which in the present embodiment also includes two permanent magnets  62  and  64 . 
     As best shown in the side view of  FIG. 4B , the magnets of the first magnetic component  60  are positioned in a holder  56  attached to the housing of the body  12 . The surfaces of these magnets may be exposed on the surface of the body  12 . The movable magnet of the second magnetic component  70  is positioned in another holder  58  attached to the housing of the display  14 . In one embodiment, the holders  56  and  58  maintain a distance between the magnetic components  60  and  70  of about 0.7-mm when the display  14  is closed against the body  12 . In addition, the holders  56  and  58  position the magnetic components  60  and  70  about 4.3-mm from the leading edges of the display  14  and body  12 . 
     As further shown in the side view of  FIG. 4B , a number of components of the electronic device  10  may be located near the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanism  50 . In the example laptop, for example, an edge of a LCD panel  15  in the display  14  and portion of a mouse touch pad  13  in the body  12  may be positioned near the disclosed mechanism  50 . Other components  11 , such as internal electronics of the laptop device  10 , may also be positioned near the disclosed mechanism  50 . Therefore, it will be appreciated that having magnetic components  60  and  70  on the laptop  10  can pose potential problems to these adjacent electronic components  11 ,  13 , and  15 . 
     In one potential problem, magnetic flux from the magnetic components  60  and  70  may interfere with the electronic components  11 ,  13 , and  15  of the laptop  10 . It is calculated that embodiments of the disclosed mechanism  50  may produce 0.2 Tesla of magnetic flux when the display  14  is closed and that the magnetic flux may affect an area of about 2-3-cm within of the laptop  10 . To overcome potential interference, magnetic flux from the magnetic components  60  and  70  can be localized to prevent affecting the electronic components  11 ,  13 , and  15 . In one example, the magnetic components  60  and  70  can be physically separated as far as possible from the electronic components  11 ,  13 , and  15  to prevent interference. In other examples, techniques known in the art for shunting and shielding the magnetic components  60  and  70  can be employed. 
     In addition to magnetic effects, design of the disclosed mechanism  50  preferably considers the amount of movement required to move the magnetic components  60  and  70  between attraction to repulsion. Furthermore, design of the disclosed mechanism  50  preferably considers the amount of repulsive force to sufficiently pop-up the display  14 . Given these design considerations, it is preferred to divide the magnetic components  60  and  70  into a plurality of discrete magnetic elements. In a preferred embodiment, latch travel to produce the open and closed states is preferably about 25-mm or less. In this preferred embodiment, a plurality of discrete neodymium magnets are arranged in a line and given alternating polarity, as will be discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , another embodiment of a latch and pop-up mechanism  150  according to certain teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated. A first magnetic component  160  in the body  12  has a plurality of permanent magnets  162  and  164  and has a ferromagnetic element  166 . Similarly, a second magnetic component  170  in the display  14  has a plurality of permanent magnets  172  and  174  and has a ferromagnetic element  176 . For both components  160  and  170 , the magnets and ferromagnetic elements are arranged in a line, and the poles of the magnets are arranged horizontally along the line of the arrangement of magnets. 
     As before, a button  152  slideably positioned in a slot  151  defined in the housing of the display  14 . The button  152  has a portion  154  connected to the second magnetic component  170 . A user slides the button  152  in the slot  151  to move the magnetic component  170  relative to the second magnetic component  160 . Each of the permanent magnets  162 ,  164 ,  172 ,  174  is preferably a neodymium N-48 magnet, and each component  160  and  170  preferably defines approximately 25-mm of active magnetic length. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the movable component  170  in a closed state (e.g., slid to the right) positions magnet  172  in magnetic attraction to ferromagnetic element  166 , magnet  174  in magnetic attraction to magnet  162 , and ferromagnetic element  176  in magnetic attraction to magnet  164 . In this closed state, the display  14  is held substantially closed against the body  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the movable component  170  in an open state (e.g., slid to the left) positions magnet  172  in magnetic repulsion to magnet  162 , magnet  174  in magnetic repulsion to magnet  164 , and ferromagnetic elements  176  and  166  away from magnets. In this open state, the display  14  is substantially popped-up a distance D P  from the body  12 . 
     It is preferred that the pop-up distance D P  is about 4.8-mm, which combined with a pre-existing G of about 1.5-mm shown in  FIG. 5C  would give a total pop-up distance of about 6.3-mm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the sliding distance of the first component  170  is as small as possible. Having the 25-mm of active magnetic length, the sliding distance required by the second magnetic component  170  of the present embodiment is about 25-mm. These values can vary depending on the size of magnets used, their orientation to one another, their distances from one another, and the device  10  in which they are used, etc. As noted above, there are a number of tradeoffs and design choices to be made, which would be winging the abilities of one ordinarily skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 5C , the leading edges of the display  14  and body  12  define the pre-existing gap G, which can be about 1.5-mm. The second component  170  in the display  14  has an upper shroud  158  so that the surface of this component  170  is not exposed when the display  14  is opened. Similarly, the first component  160  in the body  12  has a lower shroud  156  so that the surface of this component  160  is not exposed when the display  14  is opened. In one embodiment, the upper shroud  158  is approximately 0.5-mm thick metal, such as aluminum, and the lower shroud  156  is approximately 0.8-mm thick plastic. This produces a nominal distance between the magnetic components  160  and  170  of about 1.3-mm when the display  14  is closed. The preferred pop-up travel between the components  160  and  170  in the open state is preferably at least 3.5-mm so that an entire pop-up distance of about 4.8-mm can be achieved. 
     There are various numbers and orientations of magnets and ferromagnetic elements that can be used for the magnetic components of the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanisms. Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6B , an embodiment of first and second components  200  and  210  are illustrated isolated from the housings of the display and body. As discussed previously, the first component  200  is positioned in the body (not shown), and the second component is positioned in the display (not shown).  FIG. 6A  represents the arrangement of the components  200  and  210  when the display is closed against the body and the components  200  and  210  are magnetically attracted to one another. Conversely,  FIG. 6B  represents the arrangement of the components  200  and  210  when the display is popped-up from the body and the components  200  and  210  are magnetically repulsed by one another. 
     The first component  200  has a plurality of first magnetic elements  202 ,  204  with a first polarity configuration, and the second component  210  has a plurality of second magnetic elements  212 ,  214  with a second polarity configuration. The first magnetic elements  202 ,  204  include six permanent magnets  202  and a ferromagnetic element  204  (e.g., composed of steel) arranged in a line. These permanent magnets  202  are arranged with their poles having a horizontal and alternating polarity configuration. Conversely, the second magnetic elements  212 ,  214  include a ferromagnetic element  214  (e.g., composed of steel) and six permanent magnets  212  arranged in a line. These permanent magnets  212  are also arranged with their poles having a horizontal and alternating polarity configuration. 
     The polarity configuration of the first component  200  is arranged to be attracted to the polarity configuration of the second component  210  when the two components  200  and  210  are substantially aligned (e.g., distance D 2  is substantially zero), as shown in  FIG. 6A . For example, North and South poles of first magnets  202  are arranged to be attracted to a reverse arrangement of South and North poles of second magnets  212 , and each ferromagnetic element  204 / 214  of a component is arranged to be attracted to one of the magnets  212 / 202  of the other component. Moreover, the polarity configurations of the components  200  and  210  are arranged to be repulsed by one another when the two components  200  and  210  are moved relative to one another, as shown in  FIG. 6B . For example, North and South poles of first magnets  202  are arranged to be repulsed by a reverse arrangement of South and North poles of second magnets  212 , and each ferromagnetic element  204 / 214  is not arranged to align with a magnet. 
     In one embodiment, the first magnetic elements  202 ,  204  each have dimensions (X, Y 2 , Z) of about 4, 2, and 5-mm, and the second magnetic elements  212 ,  214  each have dimensions (X, Y 1 , Z) of 4, 4, and 5-mm. In addition, the first magnetic component  200  has a distance D 1  of about 1.7-mm from the second magnetic component  210  when the display and body are closed. To achieve pop-up, the components  200 ,  210  are moved relative to one another by a distance D 2  in  FIG. 6B , which aligns opposing magnets by one interval. Once moved, the components  200 ,  210  repulse one another and separate a distance D 1  in  FIG. 6B  of approximately 6.55-mm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7B , another embodiment of first and second components  200  and  210  are illustrated isolated from the housings of the display and body. As with the previous embodiment, each component  200 / 210  has six permanent magnets  202 / 212  and a ferromagnetic element  204 / 214  arranged in a line. In contrast to the previous embodiment, however, the permanent magnets  202 / 212  of the two components  200  and  210  are arranged with their poles having a vertical and alternating polarity configuration. When aligned for attraction, for example, North poles of first magnets  202  are arranged to be attracted to South poles of second magnets  212  and vice versa. In addition, each ferromagnetic element  204 / 214  of a component is arranged to be attracted to one of the magnets  212 / 202  of the other component. When aligned for repulsion, for example, North poles of first magnets  202  are arranged to be repulsed by North poles of second magnets  212  and vice versa. In addition, each ferromagnetic element  204 / 214  is not arranged to align with a magnet. The distances D 1  and D 2  and dimensions X, Y, and Z associated with the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  can be substantially the same as the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     The different polarity configurations disclosed above with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C ,  6 A- 6 B, and  7 A- 7 B show that a number of polarity configurations can be used for both attraction and repulsion between the magnetic components of the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanism. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a plurality of polarity configurations are illustrated for use with magnetic elements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In a first polarity configuration  301 , a first (upper) permanent magnet has vertically arranged poles, and a second (lower) permanent magnet also has vertically arranged poles. As shown, the vertically arranged poles of the magnets can be arranged for attraction (A) and repulsion (R). In second polarity configuration  302 , both upper and lower permanent magnets have horizontally arranged poles, and the horizontally arranged poles can be arranged for attraction (A) and repulsion (R). 
     In a third polarity configuration  303 , two upper permanent magnets have a shunt composed of ferromagnetic material, and each upper magnet has vertically arranged poles that are oppositely oriented from the other. These two upper permanent magnets are repulsed by two lower permanent magnets also having a shunt and vertically arranged poles. As shown, the upper and lower magnets with shunts can be arranged for attraction (A) and repulsion (R). 
     In a number of other polarity configurations  304 ,  305 ,  306  either the upper or the lower element is a ferromagnetic material (e.g., steel), and the other element has one or more permanent magnets with any number of pole arrangements. These polarity configurations  304 ,  305 , and  306  can be arranged for attraction (A). 
     It will be appreciated that these polarity configurations are not exhaustive and that additional configurations may be possible. For example, additional polarity configuration can be used that have switched arrangement of magnetic elements or switched orientations of magnetic poles from this illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , yet another embodiment of a latch and pop-up mechanism  400  according to certain teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated in a side view. The mechanism  400  includes an electromagnet  410  positioned on the body  12  and includes a permanent magnet  420  positioned on the display  14 . The electromagnet  410  has a ferromagnetic core  412  wrapped by a coil  414 , which is connected to a power source or battery  416 . In one embodiment, the power source or battery  416  is the same used to power the electronic device  10 . Alternatively, the power source or battery  416  can be an independent supply of power to the electromagnet  410 . 
     The electromagnet  410  operates in an energized condition to produce an open state and in an unenergized condition to produce a closed state. In the unenergized condition, internal electronics (not all shown), which includes a switch  418  for connecting the coil  414  to the battery  416 , cause the electromagnet  410  to be disconnected from the battery  416 . Thus, the permanent magnet  420  on the display  14  is magnetically attracted to the ferromagnetic material of the core  412  and can maintain the display  14  closed against the body  12 . 
     To produce the energized condition, the user pushes an external button  401  to activate the internal electronics (such as switch  418 ) and to connect the coil  414  to the battery  416 . Current is supplied to the coil  414  to energize the core  412 . When energized, the electromagnet  410  produces a polarity opposite to that of the permanent magnet  420  in the display  14  and causes the magnet  420  to be magnetically repulsed by the energized electromagnet  410 . The repulsion thereby causes the display  14  to pop-up a distance to allow the user to open the display  14 . 
     In the embodiments of the disclosed latch mechanisms of  FIGS. 2A through 5C  discussed previously, a user may be required to move a movable element from an open state to a closed state when closing the display to magnetically latch the display against a body of the electronic device. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed latch and pop-up mechanisms, a movable component automatically resets from an open state to a closed state so that the user need not make that resetting movement. Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10B ,  11 A- 11 B, and  12 A- 12 B, a number of resetting techniques are disclosed for use with the disclosed latch mechanisms of the present disclosure. Although these resetting techniques are discussed in relation to components that resemble those of  FIGS. 2A-2B , it will be appreciated that the resetting techniques disclosed below can be equally applied to other embodiments of latch and pop-up mechanisms disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate first and second magnetic components  60  and  70  actuated by a button  50 . In  FIG. 10A , the second (movable) magnetic component  70  is in a closed state, the magnet  72  is attracted to the opposite polarity of the magnet  62  by a attractive force A 1 , and the display  14  is maintained closed against the body  12 . When a user slides the button  50  in slot  15  in direction S, the magnet  72  is also moved, and the magnetic attraction A 1  is broken. In  FIG. 10B , the magnet  72  has been moved to the open state and is repulsed by the same polarity of magnet  64  by repulsive force R. Due to the repulsion, the display  14  has popped-up a distance Dp from the body  12 . To achieve the pop-up distance, the magnetic repulsion R between magnets  72  and  64  must typically overcome friction forces between the display  14  and the body  12 , the weight of the display  14 , etc. 
     After pop-up, the magnet  72  may remain in the open state, and the user can open the display  14  from the body  12 . During closing, the user pushes the display  14  against the body  12 , and the magnets  72  and  64  are brought into proximity to one another. The repulsive and attractive forces between all the magnets  62 ,  64 , and  72  will cause the movable magnet  72  to move to the closed state as the display  14  is closed against the body  12 . Consequently, embodiments of the movable element  70  can reset from the open to closed state. 
     Even after pop-up shown in  FIG. 10B , however, the magnet  72  may still be attracted to the opposite polarity of magnet  62  by force A 2 . As is known, the magnetic forces between magnets depends on the distance between them. Therefore, the magnet  72  may reset to the closed state depending on the distance Dp and other variables (e.g., magnetic strengths of magnets  62 ,  64 , and  72 ). When resetting, the magnet  72  may return freely in the opposite direction of S to the closed state because of the forces A 2  and R will tend to move the magnet  72  and the user will have typically released the button  50  after pop-up of the display  14 . Thus, if the attractive force A 2  at distance Dp is not strong enough to overcome the friction between the display  14  and body  12 , the magnets  72  and  62  may not cause the display  14  to close right after pop-up. Consequently, the display  14  can remain popped-up from the body  12 , and the user can open the display  14 . When closing, the user pushes the display  14  closed against the body  12 . Because the magnet  72  is already in the closed state, it will be attracted to the magnet  62  to keep the display  14  closed against the body  12 . 
     If the attractive force A 2  at distance D p  in  FIG. 10B  is strong enough to overcome the friction between the display  14  and body  12 , the magnets  72  and  62  may cause the display  14  to close right after pop-up. In other words, the user may slide the movable element  70  from closed state to open state, the display  14  may pop-up from the body  12 , the user will typically release their hold on button  50 , the movable element  70  may automatically return to the closed state, and the display  14  may immediately close before the user has a chance to pry the display  14  open from the body  12 . For arrangements where the display  14  may tend to close right after pop-up, it is preferred to prevent return on the magnet  72  to the closed position. 
     In  FIGS. 11A-11B , a biasing force F from a spring or the like biases the movable element  70  toward the open state. In  FIG. 11A , the spring is. shown extended. When the display  14  is closed and the movable element  70  is in the closed state as shown in  FIG. 11A , the attractive force A between movable magnet  72  and magnet  62  will overcome the spring force from a spring  500  and will maintain the display  14  closed. After the user slides the movable element in direction S, the display  14  will pop-up distance Dp from the body  12 , as shown in  FIG. 11B . The spring  500  can prevent the movable element  70  from returning back to the closed state by overcoming the attractive force A 2  between magnets  72  and  62  that may tend to move the movable element  72  back to the closed state. When closing, the spring  500  may be automatically overcome by the tendency of the movable element  70  to return to the closed state as the user pushes the display closed against the body  12 . 
     In  FIGS. 12A-12B , a catch  510  is used to prevent the return of the movable element  70  to the closed state, allowing the user the opportunity to open the display  14 . As shown in  FIG. 12A , the user slides the button  50  in direction S, and overcomes the force of the catch  510  to move the movable element  70  from the closed state to the open state. The catch  510  includes a biased mechanical component that physically holds the button  52  (and thereby the movable element  70  as well) in the open state after pop-up, as shown in  FIG. 12B . In other words, the catch  510  preferably tends to keep the movable element  70  in the open state by overcoming the attractive and repulsive forces R and A 2  tending to move the element to the closed state. 
     In one embodiment, the mechanical catch  510  may need to be disengaged by the user for the movable element  70  to return to the closed state for closing the display  14 . Alternatively, the mechanical catch  510  may be automatically disengaged by the tendency of the movable element  70  to return to the closed state as the user pushes the display  14  ever closer against the body  12 . For example, the magnetic forces between the magnet  72  and  64  increase as the distance between the magnets decreases (usually exponentially). At some point when the display  14  is close to the body  12  (preferably at a distance less than the pop-up distance Dp), the magnetic forces R and A 2  will cause the button  52  to overcome the force of the catch  510 , and the movable element  70  will automatically reset in the closed state. 
     The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20051213
Publication Date: 20100817
Grant Date: 20100817
Priority Date: 20051213
Inventors: LIGTENBERG CHRIS
DEGNER BRETT
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "E05C19/16", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T292/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S292/37", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T292/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/32", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T292/0999", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0221", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T24/32", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "E05C19/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1679", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S292/37", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T292/0999", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1679", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 38172585