PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8294675-B2
Application Number: US-24101508-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Touchpad and pick button assembly

Abstract:
A touchpad assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The touchpad assembly may include a touchpad frame operative to be placed within an opening in an electronic device frame. The touchpad assembly may include a support plate for supporting a touchpad, and a bracket for receiving a pick button. The support plate and bracket may be manufactured into a same component to increase the rigidity of the touchpad assembly. The pick button may include a varying height to prevent the pick button from deflecting and to make the pick button travel for providing a selection instruction uniform. The pick button may be coupled to the frame using any suitable approach, including using springs connected the ends of the pick button to the frame. The frame may also include pads to muffle the sound of the pick button when it returns to its initial position after having been pressed.

Claims:
1. A touchpad assembly comprising:
 a switch; 
 an assembly frame operative to be secured to an electronic device housing, 
 the assembly frame comprising: 
 a support plate operative to support a touchpad; 
 and a bracket coupled to a side of the support plate, the bracket defining a recess; 
 a pick button operative to be placed within the recess such that the switch is located between the pick button and the bracket; 
 and at least one spring coupled to a first end of the pick button and to the housing, 
 wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the pick button, 
 and wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the at least one spring. 
 
     
     
       2. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is coupled to a bottom surface of the pick button. 
     
     
       3. A touchpad assembly comprising:
 a switch; 
 an assembly frame comprising: 
 a support plate operative to support a touchpad; 
 and a bracket coupled to a side of the support plate, the bracket defining a recess; a pick button operative to be placed within the recess; 
 and at least one spring coupled to the pick button, wherein: 
 the switch is coupled to a first portion of the bottom surface of the pick button such that the switch is located between the pick button and the bracket; 
 the at least one spring allows the pick button to be deflected for actuating the switch and then returns the pick button to its initial position; 
 and the pick button comprises a rib extending substantially the length of the bottom surface of the pick button and adjacent to the first portion of the bottom surface and the switch; 
 wherein the rib causes the deflection of the pick button for actuating the switch to be the same independent of the location on the pick button of the force causing the deflection. 
 
     
     
       4. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support plate comprises at least one plate tab for coupling the support plate to the housing. 
     
     
       5. The touchpad assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the bracket comprises at least one bracket tab for coupling the bracket to the housing. 
     
     
       6. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support plate and the bracket are manufactured from a single piece of material. 
     
     
       7. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spring comprises a flat spring coupled to the first end of the pick button. 
     
     
       8. The touchpad assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a mechanical fastener coupling the flat spring to the pick button. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing comprising an opening; 
 an assembly frame operative to support a touchpad and a pick button, 
 the assembly frame coupled to the housing such that a substantial portion of the assembly frame is accessible through the opening; 
 the assembly frame comprising: a support plate operative to support a touchpad; 
 and a bracket coupled to a side of the support plate, the bracket defining a recess; 
 a pick button operative to be placed within the recess such that a switch is located between the pick button and the bracket; 
 at least one spring operative to allow a top surface of the pick button to be deflected away from a bottom surface of the housing for actuating the switch and to then return the top surface of the pick button towards the bottom surface of the housing; and 
 at least one pad placed between the bottom surface of the housing and the top surface of the pick button, 
 the at least one pad operative to muffle sounds created when the top surface of the pick button is returned towards the bottom surface of the housing; 
 and the at least one spring coupled to a first end of the pick button and to the housing, 
 wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the pick button, 
 and wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the at least one spring. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one pad comprises a plurality of pads disposed adjacent to the opening in the housing. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein some of the plurality of pads are positioned adjacent to the ends of the pick button. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one pad is manufactured from at least one of Mylar, felt, plastic, hook and fastener material, and a composite material. 
     
     
       13. An assembly frame for use in a touchpad assembly, comprising:
 a support plate operative to support a touchpad, 
 the support plate comprising at least one plate tab operative to be placed in contact with an electronic device housing; 
 a bracket operative to receive a pick button, 
 the bracket comprising:
 at least one bracket tab operative to be placed in contact with the electronic device housing; 
 
 a recessed portion; 
 a first sidewall extending downwardly from the support plate to the recessed portion; 
 and a second sidewall extending upwardly from the recessed portion to the at least one bracket tab, 
 wherein the support plate and bracket are constructed from the same piece of material; 
 a pick button operative to be placed within the recess such that a switch is located between the pick button and the bracket; 
 and at least one spring coupled to a first end of the pick button and to the housing, 
 wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the pick button, 
 and wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the at least one spring. 
 
     
     
       14. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the assembly frame is manufactured by stamping a single piece of material. 
     
     
       15. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the piece of material comprises a piece of metal. 
     
     
       16. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the pick button comprises a recessed portion, and wherein a first portion of the at least one spring is coupled to the pick button within the recessed portion. 
     
     
       17. The touchpad assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the depth of the recessed portion is equal to the thickness of the first portion of the at least one spring. 
     
     
       18. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one other spring coupled to a second end of the pick button and to the housing. 
     
     
       19. The touchpad assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the assembly frame is not coupled to the at least one other spring. 
     
     
       20. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spring allows the pick button to be deflected for actuating the switch and then returns the pick button to its initial position. 
     
     
       21. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the at least one spring is coupled to a bottom surface of the pick button, wherein a second portion of the at least one spring is coupled to the housing, and wherein a third portion of the at least one spring extends away from underneath the pick button and couples the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
       22. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises at least one aperture that provides clearance for the at least one spring. 
     
     
       23. The touchpad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad is provided on a top surface of the support plate, and wherein the top surface provides resistance for a user&#39;s finger as the finger moves across the touchpad. 
     
     
       24. The touchpad assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the support plate and bracket are constructed from the same piece of material. 
     
     
       25. The touchpad assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the rib is positioned between the first portion of the bottom surface and a distal end of the pick button that is near the support plate. 
     
     
       26. The touchpad assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the pick button further comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a distal end adjacent the support plate when the pick button is placed within the recess, and a proximal end opposite the distal end; and 
 the length of the bottom surface extends between the first end and the second end. 
 
     
     
       27. The touchpad assembly of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the assembly frame is operative to be secured to an electronic device housing; and 
 the at least one spring is coupled to the first end of the pick button and to the housing. 
 
     
     
       28. The touchpad assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising at least one other spring coupled to the second end of the pick button and to the housing. 
     
     
       29. The touchpad assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the rib is positioned between the first portion of the bottom surface and the distal end of the pick button. 
     
     
       30. The touchpad assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the pick button further comprises an angled face extending between the proximal end of the pick button and the first portion of the bottom surface. 
     
     
       31. The touchpad assembly of  claim 26 , wherein:
 a first amount of deflection of the pick button is necessary to actuate the switch when the pick button is deflected at the first end of the pick button; 
 a second amount of deflection of the pick button is necessary to actuate the switch when the pick button is deflected between the first end of the pick button and the second end of the pick button; and 
 the rib is configured to allow the first amount of deflection to equal the second amount of deflection. 
 
     
     
       32. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is operative to provide an audible clicking sound when the top surface of the pick button is deflected away from the bottom surface of the housing for actuating the switch. 
     
     
       33. The electronic device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one pad is operative to prevent any audible clicking sound from being provided when the top surface of the pick button is returned towards the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
       34. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one pad is operative to prevent the top surface of the pick button from striking the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
       35. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one spring is coupled to a first end of the pick button and a first portion of the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
       36. The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one pad is coupled to a second portion of the bottom surface of the housing, wherein the second portion is positioned between the first portion and the opening. 
     
     
       37. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the recessed portion is operative to receive the pick button. 
     
     
       38. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the touchpad is provided along a planar top surface of the support plate; and 
 the top surface provides resistance for a user&#39;s finger as the finger moves across the touchpad. 
 
     
     
       39. The assembly frame of  claim 38 , wherein at least a portion of the recessed portion is parallel to the planar top surface. 
     
     
       40. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the touchpad is provided along a planar top surface of the support plate; 
 the planar top surface exists in a first plane; 
 at least a portion of the recessed portion is planar and exists in a second plane; 
 the first plane is parallel to the second plane; and 
 a depth of the bracket is defined by the distance between the first plane and the second plane. 
 
     
     
       41. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the first sidewall connects the recessed portion to the support plate. 
     
     
       42. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the second sidewall connects the recessed portion to the at least one bracket tab. 
     
     
       43. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket comprises an aperture operative to provide clearance for the at least one spring. 
     
     
       44. The assembly frame of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of any support provided to the at least one bracket tab by the electronic device housing is transferred to the support plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/010,138, filed Jan. 4, 2008, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,726, filed Jan. 11, 2008, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This invention is directed to a touchpad assembly for use in an electronic device. 
     Some electronic devices, and in particular laptop and desktop computers, may include several types of input mechanisms. One of the input mechanisms may include a touchpad (e.g., for controlling a pointer displayed on a screen) and one or more buttons (e.g., a pick button to provide selection instructions). The touchpad and pick button may be coupled to the electronic device using several different approaches. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a first opening through which a user may access the touchpad, and a second opening through which the pick button may extend. 
     In many electronic devices, the pick button provided is relatively small, and may be supported from within the electronic device using one or more springs (e.g., helical springs) compressed underneath the pick button. In addition, the small size of the button allows a user to actuate the button by depressing the button with the same amount of force independent of where the button is pressed—in other words, the small size of the button prevents it from deflecting away from a switch located underneath the button. While such existing touchpad assemblies may be sufficient for smaller touchpads and pick buttons, they lack the mechanical features necessary to provide proper support and a pleasant user experience when the touchpad, pick button, or both become larger (e.g., for example in a multi-touchpad) or are placed in smaller electronic devices (e.g., very thin laptop computers, such as the MacBook Air™, available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Touchpad assemblies for use in an electronic device are provided. The touchpad assemblies may be operative to support large touchpads (e.g., a multi-touchpad) and associated large pick buttons (e.g., a pick button extending the length of the multi-touchpad). 
     In some embodiments, a touchpad assembly may be provided. The touchpad assembly may include a pick button and an assembly frame operative to be secured to an electronic device housing. The assembly frame may include a support plate operative to support a touchpad and a bracket coupled to a side of the support plate such that the bracket defines a recess. The pick button may be placed within the recess such that a switch is located between the pick button and the bracket. At least one spring may be coupled to an end of the pick button and to the housing to retain the pick button within the housing. In some embodiments, the pick button may include a rib or other element varying the cross-section of the button, for example to prevent the pick button from deflecting when it is pressed, or to make the distance traveled to actuate the switch uniform. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing with an opening, and an assembly frame operative to support a touchpad and a pick button. The assembly frame may be coupled to the housing such that a substantial portion of the assembly frame is accessible through the opening. A pick button may be placed in the assembly frame. At least one pad may be placed on the housing adjacent to the pick button such that the pad may muffle sounds created when the pick button is depressed (e.g., to actuate a switch). 
     In some embodiments, an assembly frame of a touchpad assembly may be provided. The assembly frame may include a support plate operative to support a touchpad, where the support plate includes at least one plate tab operative to be placed in contact with an electronic device housing. The assembly frame may also include a bracket operative to receive a pick button. The bracket may include at least one bracket tab operative to be placed in contact with the electronic device housing. To ensure that the support plate is sufficiently rigid, the support plate and bracket may be constructed from the same piece of material (e.g., stamped from a single piece of metal). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded bottom, right, front perspective view of an illustrative touchpad assembly coupled to a keyboard frame in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom, right, front perspective view of an illustrative assembled keyboard frame and touchpad assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top, right, front perspective view of the assembled keyboard frame and touchpad assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top, left, front perspective view of an illustrative touchpad assembly frame for use in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the touchpad assembly frame of  FIG. 4  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative touchpad assembly for use with an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an illustrative frame having acoustic pads in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This invention is related to features of a pick button associated with a touchpad of any electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer). 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative touchpad assembly coupled to a keyboard frame in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Frame  102  may define a structure on which different electronic device components may be mounted. For example, frame  102  may be a wall portion of an electronic device housing, and may include a keyboard frame for retaining keys used to provide inputs to the electronic device, and for providing access to a touchpad for controlling the display of content by the electronic device. Touchpad assembly  100  may include or be operative to support a touchpad and at least one pick button such that the touchpad and at least one pick button are accessible to a user through opening  104  of frame  102 . 
     Touchpad assembly  100  may include assembly frame  110  operative to provide support for a touchpad. Assembly frame  110  may include several portions, including support plate  112  and bracket  120 . Support plate  112  may be operative to provide support for a touchpad, such that support plate  112  may provide resistance for a user&#39;s finger as it moves across the touchpad. Support plate  112  may substantially match the size and shape of at least a portion of opening  104 . In some embodiments, support plate  112  may be sized such that at least a portion of support plate  112  extends beyond the periphery of opening  104  on one or more sides of opening  104 . For example, if opening  104  substantially defines a rectangle, support plate  112  may extend beyond the periphery of the sides of the rectangle other than the side adjacent to the pick button of touchpad assembly  100  (e.g., the side of opening  104  that is adjacent to the edge of frame  102 ). 
     In some embodiments, support plate  112  may include one or more tabs  114 , for example, to allow wiring to connect a touchpad on the top surface of support plate  112  and electronic device components adjacent to the bottom surface of support plate  112 . Instead or in addition, tabs  114  may be used to couple support plate  112  to frame  102 , for example using a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), tape, an adhesive, an interlocking mechanism or component, or any other suitable approach. 
     Bracket  120  may define a trough or groove operative to receive a pick button  130 . For example, bracket  120  may include recessed portion  122  defined by sidewalls  124  and  126 . Bracket  120  may be coupled to support plate  112  using any suitable approach. For example, bracket  120  and support plate  112  may be manufactured as two distinct components and assembled together (e.g., using an adhesive, tape, a mechanical fastener, welding, soldering, or heat treatment). As another example, bracket  120  and support plate  112  may be manufactured as a single component (e.g., a single stamped component). Bracket  120  may be connected to support plate  112  by sidewall  124 , and coupled to frame  102  using sidewall  126 . For example, sidewall  126  may include one or more tabs  128  extending from the end of sidewall  126 , for example, at substantially the same height as support plate  112 . Tabs  128  may be sized such that tabs  128  extend beyond the periphery of opening  104  when assembly frame  110  is coupled to frame  102 . For example, tabs  128  may be operative to extend over the side of the rectangle that is adjacent to the pick button of touchpad assembly  100  (e.g., the side of opening  104  that is adjacent to the edge of frame  102 ). Tabs  128  may be used to couple bracket  120  to frame  102  using any suitable approach, including for example using a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), tape, an adhesive, an interlocking mechanism or component, or any other suitable approach. 
     Support plate  112  and bracket  120  may be constructed from any suitable material. In particular, the material used for one or both of support plate  112  and bracket  120  may be selected from material having sufficient strength to resist pressure caused by a user&#39;s finger on the touchpad. The material used may also be selected based on weight, aesthetic, and ease of manufacturing considerations. For example, the material used for support plate  112  may include at least one of a metal, composite material, or plastic (e.g., a stamped aluminum or steel component). 
     Touchpad assembly  100  may include pick button  130  for providing inputs (e.g., selection instructions) to the electronic device. Pick button  130  may form an elongated structure having a substantially rectangular cross-section. Pick button  130  may be inserted in opening  104  such that the pick button is aligned with bracket  120 . A switch  132  may be positioned between the lower surface of pick button  130  and bracket  120  such that when pick button  130  is pressed, pick button  130  may be brought in close proximity with bracket  120  such that switch  132  is compressed between the pick button and the bracket and thereby actuated. In some embodiments, switch  132  may be coupled to pick button  130  and connected to other electronic device components (e.g., other components located in proximity of frame  102 ) using trace  134 . 
     Pick button  130  maybe coupled to frame  102  using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, pick button  130  may be coupled such that pick button  130  may be deflected to provide an input and return to a rest position in which switch  132  is not closed. For example, pick button  130  may be coupled to frame  102  using one or more pick button springs  140  coupled to ends  136  and  137  of pick button  130 . Each of ends  136  and  137  may include a recessed platform for receiving a spring  140  such that the overall profile of pick button  130  and spring  140  may remain substantially the same (e.g., the depth of each recessed platform at ends  136  and  137  may be substantially equal to the thickness of spring  140 ). By providing springs that extend away from underneath pick button  130 , the overall thickness of pick button  130  and bracket  120  (e.g., the distance between the top of pick button  130  and the bottom of bracket  120 ) may be minimized. 
     Springs  140  may include any suitable type of spring, including for example a tension spring, extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire spring, coil spring, flat spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hairspring, balance spring, leaf spring, or any other suitable type of spring. The springs may have any suitable spring constant or value defining the elasticity of the spring, including, for example, a value selected based on the distance required to actuate switch  132 , the desired tactile feedback, and size considerations. Springs  140  may be coupled to pick button  130  and frame  102  using any suitable approach, including, for example, an adhesive, tape, mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), an engagement mechanism (e.g., a snap), or any other suitable approach. 
     Pick button  130  may be coupled to touchpad assembly  100  such that tactile and audio feedback are provided when a user actuates the pick button. For example, pick button  130  may provide an audible “click” sound when a user presses pick button  130 . To prevent audio feedback as the pick button returns to its initial position (e.g., so as not to confuse a user whether switch  132  was closed once or twice), frame  102  may include one or more pads  150  for muffling the sound of the pick button returning to the initial, un-clicked position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , of the bottom of an illustrative assembled frame and touchpad assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the top of the illustrative assembled frame and touchpad assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Touchpad assembly  200  may include assembly frame  210  coupled to frame  202 . Pick button  230  and touchpad support plate  212  may be accessible from the outside of frame  202  through opening  204 . Pick button  230  may be supported by bracket  220  of touchpad assembly frame  210 , and retained at least partially within opening  204  by springs  240 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an illustrative assembly frame for use in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, and  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly frame of  FIG. 4  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Assembly frame  400  may include support plate  412  and bracket  420 , such that a touchpad may be placed on support plate  412  and a pick button may be positioned within bracket  420 . Support plate  412  may form a substantially flat surface constructed from a suitable rigid material such that when a user presses the touchpad, support plate  412  may resist the user&#39;s contact and prevent the touchpad from flexing or deflecting during use. 
     Support plate  412  may have any suitable size. In some embodiments, support plate  412  may be larger than a touchpad placed on support plate  412 . To couple support plate  412  to an electronic device frame, support plate  412  may include one or more tabs  414  operative to be placed adjacent to the electronic device frame (e.g., tabs  414  may extend beyond the periphery of an opening within the frame). Tabs  414  may extend from any suitable side of support plate  412 , including for example from the three sides of support plate  412  that are not in contact with bracket  420  (e.g., the sides that extend beyond the periphery of the opening in the frame). 
     To ensure that sufficient support is provided to the remaining side of support plate  412 , bracket  420 , which may be coupled to the frame via tabs  428 , may be coupled to support plate  412  such that the support provided to bracket  420  may be transferred to support plate  412 . Bracket  420  and support plate  412  may be coupled using any suitable approach, including for example using welding, soldering, a mechanical fastener, an adhesive, tape, or any other suitable coupling mechanism that provides sufficient stiffness between bracket  420  and support plate  412  (e.g., to transfer the load). In some embodiments, bracket  420  and support plate  412  may be constructed from a single piece of material (e.g., stamped from a single sheet of metal). By combining bracket  420  and support plate  412 , the two components of assembly frame  400  may support each other within an electronic device frame, and allow assembly frame  400  to be smaller, thus allowing more flexibility in the design of the electronic device. 
     Bracket  420  may be constructed using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, bracket  420  may include recessed portion  422 , which may include a substantially flat surface. Recessed portion  422  may be placed in contact with a switch coupled to a pick button placed within bracket  420  to provide resistance for the switch to close when the pick button is pressed into bracket  420 . Bracket  420  may include sidewalls  424  and  426  connecting recessed portion  422  to support plate  412  and tabs  428 . Sidewalls  424  and  426  may have any suitable dimensions, and may be angled relative recessed portion  422  at any suitable angle (e.g.,  90  degrees). Recessed portion  422  may include one or more apertures  421  providing clearance for springs used to couple the pick button to the electronic device. For example, recessed portion  422  may include two apertures  421  at opposite ends of recessed portion  422  to provide clearance for springs used to connect the ends of the pick button to an electronic device frame. 
     In some embodiments, the depth of recessed portion  422  may vary. As shown in  FIG. 5 , support plate  412  may constitute a substantially planar surface coupled to bracket  420 . Recessed portion  422  may include planar portion  423   a , which may be substantially parallel to support plate  412  and may be connected to support plate  412  by sidewall  424 , and angled portion  423   b , which may be a prolongation of planar portion  423   a  that is substantially planar and slightly angled away from planar portion  423   a . The end of angled portion  423   b  may be coupled to sidewall  426 , which may in turn be coupled to tab  428  for connecting assembly frame  400  to an electronic device frame. The dimensions and orientations of planar portion  423   a , angled portion  423   b , and sidewalls  424  and  426  may be selected based on any suitable criteria, including for example dimensions of the pick button placed in bracket  420 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative touchpad assembly for use with an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Touchpad assembly  600  may include assembly frame  610  and pick button  630 . Touchpad assembly  600  may be coupled to frame  602  of the electronic device, for example using tab  628  of assembly frame  610 . Assembly frame  610  may include support plate  612  and bracket  620 , and may be coupled to frame  602  such that portions of support plate  612  and bracket  620  may be accessible through an opening of frame  602 . Pick button  630  may be positioned within bracket  620  such that switch  632  may be placed between bottom surface  634  of pick button  630  and planar portion  623   a  of recessed portion  622  of bracket  620 . In addition, bottom surface  634  and planar portion  623   a  may be substantially parallel to ensure that proper contact is maintained with switch  632 . The thickness of pick button  630  and depth of recessed portion  622  (e.g., determined by the length of sidewalls  624  and  626 ) may be selected such that switch  632  may be substantially in contact with both bottom surface  634  and planar portion  623   a  without being actuated when pick button  630  is at rest. 
     Pick button  630  may have any suitable profile. In particular, the profile of pick button  630  may be selected such that a user must deflect pick button  630  by the same amount wherever the user places his finger (e.g., on a portion of pick button  630  near tab  628  or near support plate  612 ). For example, pick button  630  may include a variable cross-section based on the distance of each portion of pick button  630  to switch  632 . In particular, pick button  630  may include angled face  633  connecting proximal end  635  of pick button  630  to the portion of pick button  630  adjacent to switch  632  (e.g., bottom surface  634 ). Instead of using a symmetrical or similar angled portion between the portion of pick button  630  adjacent to switch  632  and distal end  636 , pick button  630  may include rib  637  having a larger width than other portions of pick button  630  to reduce the travel necessary to close switch  632  when a user presses pick button  630  near distal end  636 . In some embodiments, rib  637  may also be operative to prevent pick button  630  from deflecting or bending when a user presses an area near distal end  636  or near a tip portion of button  630  (e.g., proximate a spring of the assembly), which would increase the travel required by button  630  to actuate switch  632  or prevent button  630  from actuating switch  632  altogether. 
     In some embodiments, the touchpad assembly may include one or more components for modifying or controlling tactile feedback, audio feedback, or both provided in response to a user pressing the pick button and closing the switch (e.g., inverting a dome switch positioned underneath the pick button).  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an illustrative frame having acoustic pads for controlling audio feedback in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Frame  702  may include opening  704  for receiving a touchpad assembly. To reduce the sound of a pick button striking frame  702  when it is pressed, frame  702  may include pads  750 ,  752 , and  754  operative to muffle the sound of the pick button. Pads  750 ,  752 , and  754  may be positioned at any suitable position on frame  702 , including for example in the center of opening  704  (e.g., pad  752 ), and near the tips of the pick button (e.g., pads  750  and  754 ). Pads  750 ,  752 , and  754  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example Mylar, felt, plastic, hook and fastener material, a composite material, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the material used may be selected in particular for audio muffling properties (e.g., to muffle the sound of a button “clicking” as it returns to an un-clicked initial state). 
     The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080929
Publication Date: 20121023
Grant Date: 20121023
Priority Date: 20080104
Inventors: MATHEW DINESH
LIGTENBERG CHRIS
DEGNER BRETT WILLIAM
WILSON, JR. THOMAS W.
BROCK JOHN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40844202