PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7961476-B2
Application Number: US-71002610-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Stiffening plate for circuit board and switch assembly

Abstract:
This invention is directed to a support plate for reinforcing a portion of a circuit board. The support plate may be coupled to a portion of the circuit board that is subject to forces (e.g., portions of the circuit board having switches) to prevent flexing of the board. The support plate may be coupled to the circuit board. This invention is also directed to a switch constructed from a button, a label plate, and a backer plate. The label plate and the backer plate may include apertures operative to receive a protrusion extending from the button, where the protrusion is welded to the backer plate. Labels may be printed or attached to the bottom surface of the label plate to protect the labels. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be welded to the backer plate. The protrusion may be operative to engage an electrical switch of an electronic device in which the switch is placed.

Claims:
1. A hold switch for using in an electronic device, the hold switch comprising:
 a button, the button comprising a body and at least one protrusion, the protrusion extending from the bottom surface of the body; 
 a label plate, wherein the label plate comprises at least two labels printed on the lower surface of the label plate; and 
 a backer plate comprising at least one aperture, the aperture operative to receive the at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion is operative to pass through the label plate and into the at least one aperture, wherein the button is operable to slide from a first position to a second position across the top surface of the label plate, such that when the button is either in the first position or the second position, a single one of the at least two lables is visible. 
 
     
     
       2. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the label plate comprises at least one aperture operative to receive the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
       3. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion is welded to the at least one backer plate. 
     
     
       4. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the button is operative to rest on the top surface of the label plate when the hold switch is assembled. 
     
     
       5. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the button is constructed from metal. 
     
     
       6. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion is operable to extend past the backer plate and into a casing of the electronic device to engage a switch of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein the label plate comprises a transparent material covering at least a portion of the at least two labels. 
     
     
       8. The hold switch of  claim 1 , wherein each label of the at least two labels comprises a different color. 
     
     
       9. The hold switch of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends into the casing through a slot of the casing, wherein a width of the slot is substantially equal to a diameter of the button.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/100,670, filed Apr. 10, 2008, which claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/967,816, filed Sep. 7, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a stiffening plate for an electronic device circuit board. This invention is also directed to a high cosmetic quality and low profile switch assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some embodiments, a system for strengthening a circuit board may be provided. The system may include a circuit board that has at least one switch operatively coupled to a button. The switch may also include a plate operative to be placed over the circuit board. The plate may include at least one aperture operative to receive the at least one switch, and at least one wing extending perpendicularly from the plate. The wing may include at least one prong operative to ground the circuit board, and may extend along the edge of the circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, a method for strengthening a circuit board of an electronic device may be provided. The method may include providing a circuit board that includes at least one switch operatively coupled to a button. The plate may be aligning with the circuit board, where the plate includes at least one aperture operative to receive the at least one switch and at least one wing extending perpendicularly from the plate. The plate may be coupled to the circuit board, where the at least one wing rests against the edge of the circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, a hold switch for use in an electronic device may be provided. The hold switch may include a button that includes a body and at least one protrusion, where the protrusion extends from the bottom surface of the body. The hold switch may also include a label plate that includes at least two labels printed on the lower surface of the plate. The hold switch may finally include a backer plate that includes at least one aperture operative to receive the at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion may be operative to pass through the label plate and into the at least one aperture. 
    
    
     
       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, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a circuit board and a stiffening plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the board and plate of  FIG. 1  when they are assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of the switch of  FIG. 3  when the switch is assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a switch assembly assembled in an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a top view of the switch of  FIG. 4  and an outer surface of the electronic device of  FIG. 6  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7B  shows the switch and electronic device of  FIG. 7A  in an assembled position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a circuit board and a stiffening plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Circuit board  100  may include several components  102  (e.g., processors, resistors, or memory) for performing operations of the electronic device in which circuit board  100  is placed. Circuit board  100  may include switches  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108  operative to be coupled to buttons for providing inputs to circuit board  100 . In some embodiments, buttons may be placed directly over switches  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108  such that, as the user presses a button, the force exerted on the button is transferred to the respective switch and changes the state of the switch (e.g., changes the shape of the dome in a dome switch). If the force exceeds a maximum threshold, excess force may be transferred to board  100 , causing board  100  to flex, which may cause board failure or other reliability issues. 
     To prevent board  100  from flexing in response to user inputs on buttons, board  100  may be constructed with a significant thickness. While such a solution may prevent board  100  from flexing, it may cause an inefficient use of space within the electronic device. This may be particularly problematic if the electronic device is small and space is at a premium. Another solution may be to reinforce only portions of board  100  where high amounts of flexing are expected. For example, board  100  may be reinforced in the areas surrounding switches  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 . 
     Board  100  may be reinforced using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, board  100  may be manufactured with varying thicknesses to add resistance to bending in portions of board  100  susceptible to bending forces. In some embodiments, an additional component may be added to board  100  to reinforce portions of board  100 . For example, plate  120  may be coupled to board  100 . Plate  120  may be constructed from any material having sufficient stiffness to reinforcing board  100 . For example, plate  120  may be constructed from one of a metal (e.g., stainless steel), a plastic, a composite material, or any other suitable material. Plate  120  may be constructed with any suitable thickness, including for example a thickness that is less than the height of the tallest component  102  of board  100 , or less than the tallest of switches  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 . By limiting the thickness of plate  120  to the height of the tallest component  102 , the overall height needed to place board  100  in the electronic device may remain the same, whether plate  120  is coupled to board  100  or not. 
     In some embodiments, plate  120  may include wings  132  and  133  to provide additional stiffness to plate  120 . Wings  132  and  133  may extend perpendicularly from the edge of plate  120  to provide additional strength against bending along the long axis of board  100 . In some embodiments, at least one of wings  132  and  133  may include prongs  134  operative to contact the surface of the electronic device enclosure when board  100  and plate  120  are assembled in the electronic device. If prongs  134  (and plate  120 ) are constructed from an electrically conductive material, prongs  134  may be operative to provide a grounding path for board  100 . 
     Plate  120  may include several apertures  124 ,  125 ,  126 ,  127  and  128  for receiving switches  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 , respectively. In some embodiments, plate  120  may also include other apertures  129  for receiving other components of board  100 . Plate  120  may have any suitable shape. For example, plate  120  may be shaped to fit around components of board  100  such that plate  120  rests on unused areas of board  100 . As another example, plate  120  may be shaped such that plate  120  is only added to the portion of board  100  to which high stresses are applied (e.g., the portions adjacent the switches). Plate  120  may include apertures  130  and  131  operative to be aligned with apertures  110  and  111  of board  100  to ensure that plate  120  is properly placed on board  120  and does not interfere with components  102 . In some embodiments, one of apertures  130  and  131  and apertures  110  and  111  may be a pin operative to fit in an aperture. Wings  132  and  133  may rest against the edge of board  120  to further aid with the placement of plate  120  on board  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the board and plate of  FIG. 1  when they are assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Plate  120  may be coupled to board  100  using any suitable approach. For example, plate  120  may be coupled to board  100  using soldering (e.g., if plate  120  is metallic), surface mount technology (SMT), an adhesive, tape, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), a mechanical coupling (e.g., a snap), or any other suitable approach. In some embodiments, the approach for coupling plate  120  to board  100  may further stiffen board  120  (e.g., by selecting an adhesive that is strong in bending or in shear). In some embodiments, plate  120  may include a plating or may be formed from a material enhancing the coupling to board  100  (e.g., a phosphorous bronze with nickel plating to enhance the soldering of plate  120  to board  100 ). 
     In some embodiments, the circuit board may be placed in an electronic device that has a small form factor. The electronic device may also include a low profile two position switch assembly that is contained within the electronic device for providing instructions to the circuit board.  FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a switch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  300  may include button  302 , label plate  310  and backer plate  320 , such that switch  300  may be translated along the axis of plates  310  and  320  to provide different inputs to the electronic device. Button  302  may be any suitable button operative to be acted on by the user. In some embodiments, switch  300  may be constructed such that only the top portion of body  304  of button  302  extends beyond the outer surface of the electronic device case. Button  302  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example metal, plastic, a composite material, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, button  302  may be cylindrical to decrease manufacturing costs. 
     Button  302  may include body  304  and protrusions  306  operative to extend from the lower surface of button  302 . Protrusions  306  may extend into the electronic device case and engage an electrical switch of the electronic device (e.g., a hold switch). In some embodiments, button  302  may include several protrusions  306  (e.g., two protrusions) such that as button  302  is displaced, at least one of each protrusion  306  is operative to contact and move the electrical switch of the electronic device. 
     Label plate  310  may be constructed from any suitable transparent or translucent material. For example, plate  310  may be constructed from glass or plastic. Plate  310  may include labels  312  and  314 , which may have different colors. The size of each of labels  312  and  314 , and the size of button  302  may be selected such that when button  302  is moved, only one of labels  312  and  314  is visible to the user. For example, the delimitation between labels  312  and  314  may be the middle of plate  310  (e.g., where button  302  is inserted in plate  310 ). Labels  312  and  314  may be coupled to plate  310  using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, labels  312  and  314  may be printed or attached using an adhesive or tape to the upper surface of plate  310 . Plate  310  may then include an additional layer (e.g., hard-coating) to protect the indicator icons. In some embodiments, labels  312  and  314  may instead be printed or attached using an adhesive or tape to the lower surface of plate  310 . In such embodiments, plate  310  may serve as a protective surface for layers  312  and  314 . Plate  310  may include aperture  316  operative to receive a portion of button  302  (e.g., protrusions  306 ). 
     Backer plate  320  may be any suitable plate for coupling layer plate  310  to button  302  to form switch  300 . In some embodiments, backer plate  320  may be coupled to plate  310 . For example, plate  320  may be coupled to plate  310  using at least one of an adhesive, tape, a mechanical fastener, a mechanical feature (e.g., a snap), or any other approach. Plate  320  may include apertures  322  operative to receive protrusions  306  of button  302 . Protrusions  306  may extend past the bottom surface of plate  320  such that protrusions  306  may engage an electronic switch of the electronic device. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of the switch of  FIG. 3  when the switch is assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Protrusions  306  may be coupled to backer plate  320  using any suitable approach. For example, protrusions  306  may be coupled to plate  320  using at least one of an adhesive, tape, a press fit, a mechanical fastener, a mechanical feature (e.g., a snap), or any other approach. In some embodiments, protrusions  306  may be welded to plate  320  in apertures  322  (e.g., if button  302  and plate  320  are metallic). In some embodiments, body  304  may be operative to rest on the surface of plate  310  when button  302  extends into plate  320 . The diameter of body  304  may be selected such that body  304  hides the delimitation of labels  312  and  314  when switch  300  is assembled (e.g., for cosmetic purposes). Body  304  may be coupled to plate  310  using any suitable approach, including for example using an adhesive, tape, a mechanical coupling, or a press fit. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a switch assembly assembled in an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  600  may include switch  610 , which may include protrusions  615  operative to engage electrical switch  630 . Electrical switch  630  may be coupled to circuit board  620  to provide user inputs to the electronic device circuitry. 
     When placed in electronic device  600 , the edges of switch  600  (e.g., the periphery of label plate  310 ,  FIG. 3 ) may be hidden from the user&#39;s view by the outer surface of electronic device  600 . For example, as illustrated by  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the outer surface  660  of electronic device  600  may include a slot  670  that has a width (“d”) equal to the diameter (also “d”) of button  302  ( FIGS. 3 and 7A  and  7 B). By hiding the edge  350  of label plate  302  and the delimitation  340  between labels  312  and  314  ( FIGS. 3 and 7A  and  7 B), the portions of switch  600  (e.g., switch  300 ) visible to the user may be aesthetically pleasing. In other words, since the width of slot  670  and button  302  can be equal, when switch  300  is assembled with electronic device  600  (see  FIG. 7B ), edge  350  of switch  300  as well as delimitation  340  between labels  312  and  314  can be hidden from view behind outer surface  660  of electronic device  600 .

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20100222
Publication Date: 20110614
Grant Date: 20110614
Priority Date: 20070907
Inventors: LYNCH STEPHEN BRIAN
MATHEW DINESH
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K1/0271", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10053", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2203/063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2001/5888", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0215", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/0061", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0271", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2203/063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/0061", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10053", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/2009", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/2009", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0215", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/5805", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49126", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2001/5888", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H1/5805", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40431607