PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7614132-B2
Application Number: US-24834705-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Connector reveal

Abstract:
A case ( 12 ) for a computer monitor ( 10 ) having a tub ( 16 ) with a case aperture ( 38 ) therein adapted for receiving a subpanel ( 26 ). The subpanel ( 26 ) has a plurality of electrical connectors  28  which are user accessible thereby. A beveled flange ( 40 ) on the subpanel ( 26 ) is received within a receiving flange ( 44 ) on the case aperture ( 38 ). A structural grid ( 32 ) within the case ( 12 ) has a flexible portion ( 34 ) which includes an electronics enclosure ( 33 ) having a screw receiving aperture ( 42 ) therein such that a screw ( 30 ) is passed through a subpanel screw aperture ( 48 ) in the subpanel ( 26 ) and secured within the screw receiving aperture ( 42 ), thereby flexing the flexible portion ( 34 ) to hold the subpanel ( 26 ) firmly within the case aperture ( 38 ).

Claims:
1. A method for assembling an electronic product, said method comprising:
 providing a chassis; 
 flexibly mounting an electronic component to said chassis; 
 mounting a housing to said chassis such that said housing surrounds at least a portion of said chassis and said electronic component, said housing defining an opening for accessing said electronic component from the exterior of said electronic product; and 
 pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening following said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis; and wherein 
 said step of pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening causes said electronic components to move toward said opening while remaining mounted to said chassis. 
 
   
   
     2. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening includes coupling said electronic component to said housing. 
   
   
     3. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 2 , wherein said step of coupling said electronic component to said housing includes:
 positioning a subpanel to engage said opening in said housing; and 
 fastening said subpanel to said electronic component. 
 
   
   
     4. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said subpanel and said opening have a beveled edge. 
   
   
     5. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 3 , wherein said step of fastening said subpanel to said electronic component includes passing a threaded fastener through an aperture in said subpanel and engaging an aperture in said electronic component with said threaded fastener. 
   
   
     6. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis includes connecting a spring between said electronic component and said chassis. 
   
   
     7. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 6 , wherein said spring includes a flexible portion of said chassis. 
   
   
     8. A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said step of pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening includes pulling said electronic component in opposition to a force exerted by said spring. 
   
   
     9. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing surrounds a majority of said chassis. 
   
   
     10. A method for assembling an electronic product, said method comprising:
 providing a chassis; 
 flexibly mounting an electronic component to said chassis; 
 mounting a housing to said chassis such that said housing surrounds at least a portion of said chassis and said electronic component, said housing defining an opening for accessing said electronic component from the exterior of said electronic product; and 
 pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening following said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis, said step of pulling including coupling said electronic component to said housing by positioning a subpanel to engage said opening in said housing and fastening said subpanel to said electronic component by passing a threaded fastener through an aperture in said subpanel and engaging an aperture in said electronic component with said threaded fastener; and wherein 
 said step of pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening causes said electronic component to move toward said opening while remaining mounted to said chassis. 
 
   
   
     11. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said subpanel and said opening have a beveled edge. 
   
   
     12. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 10 , wherein said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis includes connecting a spring apparatus between said electronic component and a portion said chassis. 
   
   
     13. A method according to  claim 12 , wherein said step of pulling said electronic component into alignment with said opening includes pulling said electronic component in opposition to a force exerted by said spring apparatus. 
   
   
     14. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 12 , wherein said spring apparatus includes a flexible portion of said chassis. 
   
   
     15. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 10 , wherein a majority of said chassis is surrounded by said housing. 
   
   
     16. A method for assembling an electronic product, said method comprising:
 providing a chassis; 
 flexibly mounting an electronic component to said chassis; 
 mounting a housing to said chassis such that said housing surrounds at least a portion of said chassis and said electronic component, said housing defining an opening for accessing said electronic component from the exterior of said electronic product; 
 drawing said electronic component from a position within said housing into a position of alignment with said opening following said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis; and 
 fixing said electronic component in said position of alignment with said opening; and wherein 
 said step of drawing said electronic component causes said electronic component to move from said position within said housing to a position adjacent said opening. 
 
   
   
     17. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of drawing said electronic component from a position within said housing into a position of alignment with said opening includes coupling said electronic component to said housing via a connection other than said chassis. 
   
   
     18. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis includes connecting a biasing member between a portion of said chassis and said electronic component. 
   
   
     19. A method for assembling an electronic product according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of flexibly mounting said electronic component to said chassis includes connecting said electronic component to a flexible portion of said chassis. 
   
   
     20. A method for assembling an electronic product, said method comprising:
 providing a chassis; 
 flexibly mounting an electronic component to said chassis; 
 mounting a housing to said chassis such that said housing surrounds at least a portion of said chassis and said electronic component, said housing defining an opening for accessing said electronic component from the exterior of said electronic product; 
 drawing said electronic component front a position within said housing into a position of alignment with said opening; and 
 fixing said electronic component in said position of alignment with said opening; and wherein 
 said step of drawing said electronic component from a position within said housing into a position of alignment with said opening includes coupling said electronic component to said housing via a connection other than said chassis; 
 said step of coupling said electronic component to said housing includes positioning a subpanel to engage said opening in said housing and fastening said subpanel to said electronic component; and 
 said subpanel occludes a portion of said opening and defines an additional opening through which at least a portion of said electronic component is drawn.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/976,050, filed Oct. 28, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,871 by the same inventor, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/476,406 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,613) filed Dec. 30, 1999 by the same inventor, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to the field of mechanical construction, and more particularly to an improved connector reveal for an electronic component case. The predominant current usage of the present inventive improved connector reveal is in the construction of a computer monitor case, wherein it is desirable to have a means to quickly an inexpensively affix a case subpart to the case. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   In the construction of electronic component devices, such as computers, computer monitors, and the like, it is frequently required to have electrical connectors which are accessible from the outside of the case. It is known in the art to attach such connectors to a body subpanel, sometimes a recessed body panel, such that such body panel can be constructed as a separate subcomponent which is affixed to the case during the final assembly thereof. In the prior art, it has frequently been difficult to align such subpanel to the rest of the case such that the subpanel aligns nicely with the surrounding case. A poorly aligned subpanel has often been the result. 
   In an effort to better cosmetically align such case subpanels in an aperture in the case provided therefore, it has been the practice to try to more precisely manufacture the parts such that they fit together with greater precision. However, such precision manufacturing can be quite expensive and, indeed, there are limits to how precisely and reliably plastic parts can be manufactured. Therefore, while significant expense has been incurred in an effort to solve this problem, a reliable and inexpensive solution has thus far evaded practitioners in the field. 
   While it would be desirable to have an inexpensive and reliable method and/or apparatus for affixing a body subpanel, or the like, within an aperture provided therefore such that such subpanel is nicely aligned and centered within the aperture, no such method and/or apparatus has existed in the prior art. 
   DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for easily and inexpensively affixing a case subpanel within an aperture in the case. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which will result in a subpanel being consistently centered in an aperture provided therefor. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a computer component housing having a reveal which is nicely aligned in relation to a surrounding panel. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a computer component housing which is inexpensive to produce, both in time and material. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a component housing subpart which is easily affixed to the remainder of the component housing. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a component housing subpart which is rugged in construction. 
   Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention is a computer monitor having a case made up of several component parts. One of such parts, a “tub” in this present example, has an aperture therein provided for accepting a subpanel. The subpanel is adapted for containing a plurality of electrical connectors such that the electrical connectors can be accessed from outside the housing by an end user. A structural grid within the housing has a flexible portion with a grid screw aperture therein, the screw aperture is adapted for accepting a self tapping screw which is passed through a subpanel screw aperture in the subpanel and screwed into the grid screw aperture such that the flexible portion of the grid is caused to flex toward the subpanel, thereby holding the subpanel in place by spring tension. The subpanel has a beveled outer lip for preventing the subpanel from being drawn within the tub, and further for providing a self centering effect within the aperture provided in the tub. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that a housing subpanel is quickly and easily affixed to a component housing. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that a housing subpanel is inexpensive to manufacture. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a housing subpanel and associated housing need not be constructed to extremely tight tolerances. 
   Still another advantage of the present invention is that the subpanel reveal is well aligned within an aperture provided therefor. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the subpanel reveal is well secured within the aperture provided therefor. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of modes of carrying out the invention, and the industrial applicability thereof, as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawing. The objects and advantages listed are not an exhaustive list of all possible advantages of the invention. Moreover, it will be possible to practice the invention even where one or more of the intended objects and/or advantages might be absent or not required in the application 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of a computer monitor constructed according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the computer monitor of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional top plan view of a portion of the computer monitor of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4A  is an exploded top plan view of a portion of the computer monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4B  is an exploded bottom view of the portion of the computer monitor of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a downward cross sectional view of a subpanel, according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5B  is an upward cross sectional view of the subpanel of  FIG. 5A ; and 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the subpanel of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  within the case of the computer monitor of  FIGS. 1 through 4B . 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION 
   The embodiments and variations of the invention described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and components of the invention may be omitted or modified, or may have substituted therefore known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as may be developed in the future or such as may be found to be acceptable substitutes in the future. The invention may also be modified for a variety of applications while remaining within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is great, and since it is intended that the present invention be adaptable to many such variations. 
   A known mode for carrying out the invention is a computer monitor constructed according to the present inventive method. The inventive computer monitor is depicted in a perspective view in  FIG. 1  and in a side elevational view in  FIG. 2 , and is designated therein by the general reference character  10 . The computer monitor  10  has a case  12  constructed from component parts including a base  14 , a tub  16 , a case front  18 , a case cover  20 , a screen  22  and a bezel  24  generally surrounding the screen  22 . Together, tub  16 , case front  18 , case cover  20 , and bezel  24  provide a housing for computer monitor  10 . In this example, the screen  22  is the front portion of a cathode ray display tube (concealed within the case  12  in the view of  FIG. 1 , although it is within the scope of the invention that essentially any type of display screen could be used for the purpose. The cathode ray tube (except the screen  22  portion thereof) and other electronic components of the monitor  10  are not unique to the present invention, and will be omitted from the drawing in order to more succinctly present the present invention. In the view of  FIG. 1  can be seen a case subpanel  26  affixed to the tub  16 . The subpanel  26  is adapted for accepting a plurality (two in this present example) of electrical connectors  28  which, in this present example, are universal serial bus (“USB”) connectors. In particular, subpanel  26  includes a pair of subpanel apertures  27  ( FIG. 5A ) through which electrical connectors  28  are accessible to an end user on the outside of the case  12 . Also in the view of  FIG. 1  can be seen screws  30 , whereby the subpanel is affixed to the case  12 , as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. 
     FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the monitor  10 , taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . In the view of  FIG. 3  can be seen a structural grid  32 , which serves as a chassis for monitor  10 , within the tub  16 . The structural grid  32  has a flexible portion  34  whereto the subpanel  26  is affixed. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , flexible portion  34  includes an electronics enclosure  33  that is part of an electronic component having at least one user accessible subcomponent (e.g., electrical connectors  28 ). The electronics enclosure  33  is flexibly coupled (connection obscured from view in  FIG. 3  by electronics enclosure  33 ) to structural grid  32 . In the view of  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the subpanel  26  is shaped such that the electrical connectors  28  ( FIG. 1 ) are recessed in relation to an outer surface  36  of the tub  16 . As will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter, the flexible portion  34  acts as a spring apparatus to hold the subpanel  26  securely in place. 
     FIG. 4A  is a partially exploded view of the monitor  10 , similar to the view of  FIG. 3 , showing a relevant part thereof. In the view of  FIG. 4A , the subpanel  26  is shown detached from the flexible portion  34  of the structural grid  32 , and the screws  30  whereby the subpanel  26  is to be attached to the flexible portion  34  can be seen. Flexible portion  34  includes a flexible piece  35  ( FIGS. 4B and 5B ) of grid  32  (obstructed from view in  FIG. 4A  by the electronics enclosure  33 ), which is generally straight when the subpanel  26  is not attached thereto ( FIG. 4B ) and is flexed into a somewhat curved shape ( FIG. 5B ) when the screws  30  are drawn tight to affix the subpanel  26  to the flexible portion  34 , thereby pulling enclosure  33  in a direction indicated by the directional arrow in  FIG. 5B . In the view of  FIG. 4A  can be seen a case aperture  38  in the tub  16 , wherein the subpanel  26  is to be received. A beveled flange  40  around the outer edge of the subpanel  26  is shaped generally like the case aperture  38 , but is slightly larger in its outside dimensions than the inside dimensions of the case aperture  38 . This prevents the subpanel  26  from being drawn entirely within the tub  16  when the screw  30  is tightened to the flexible portion  34  of the structural grid  32 . 
   In the view of  FIG. 3  can be seen two screw receiving apertures  42  adapted for receiving the screws  30  of  FIG. 4A . In this example of the invention, the screws  30  are self tapping screws and the screw receiving apertures  42  are merely holes drilled in the electronics enclosure  33  of flexible portion  34  such that the screws  30  will hold tightly in the screw receiving apertures  42 . In the view of  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that, in this example of the invention, the case aperture  38  in the tub  16  has an optional beveled receiving flange for mating with the beveled flange of the subpanel  26 , such that the subpanel  26  will tend to be centered within the case aperture  38  when the subpanel  26  is drawn snugly within the case aperture  38  by tightening the screws  30  into the screw receiving apertures  42  of the electronics enclosure  33  of the flexible portion  34 . 
     FIG. 5A  is a cross sectional view of the subpanel  26  of this presently described embodiment of the invention. In the view of  FIG. 5A  can be seen subpanel screw apertures  48  wherethrough the screws  30  are passed to secure the subpanel  26  to the screw receiving apertures  42  ( FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, subpanel  26  also includes a plurality of subpanel apertures  27  that are shaped to receive the electrical connectors  28  and serve as access apertures for accessing electrical connectors  28 . 
     FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a portion of the tub  16 , looking directly at the subpanel  26  attached thereto. As can be seen in the view of  FIG. 6 , the subpanel  26  is generally centered within the case aperture  38  when the screws  30  are tightened to secure the subpanel  26  within the case aperture  38 . 
   Various modifications may be made to the invention without altering its value or scope. For example, since only one flanged surface is necessary to center the subpanel  26  within the case aperture  38 , the inventive case  12  could be reconfigured to eliminate either the receiving flange  44  or the beveled flange  40  of the subpanel  26 . Another likely modification would be to provide some alternative structure to provide spring tension to pull the subpanel  26  firmly into the case aperture  38 . 
   All of the above are only some of the examples of available embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous other modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is not intended as limiting and the appended claims are to be interpreted as encompassing the entire scope of the invention. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   The inventive subpanel  26 , and related structures as described by way of example herein, are intended to be widely used in the construction of housings and cases for electronic equipment, including computer monitors, computers, computer printers, and the like. While the example of the invention, as described herein, is presented as a computer monitor case, this application is not considered to be a restriction on the scope of the application of the invention. 
   Since the improved case  12  of the present invention may be readily produced and integrated with existing designs for computer monitors and other electronic devices, and since the advantages as described herein are provided, it is expected that it will be readily accepted in the industry. For these and other reasons, it is expected that the utility and industrial applicability of the invention will be both significant in scope and long-lasting in duration.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20051012
Publication Date: 20091110
Grant Date: 20091110
Priority Date: 19991230
Inventors: HEIRICH DOUGLAS L.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/748", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49963", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G3/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/748", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49904", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49904", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49963", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G3/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 33311017