PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8948824-B2
Application Number: US-53634509-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic devices with clips

Abstract:
A portable electronic device may have a clip. The clip may be mounted to a housing using hinge structures. The hinge structures may bias the clip towards a closed position. The clip may be opened to attach the portable electronic device to an object. When in the closed position, the clip may lie flush with the exterior of the device housing. Clip biasing may be provided using a torsion spring, a coil spring, a ribbon spring, a clip with built-in biasing, a tension spring, or a compression spring. A coupling mechanism may be used to attach the clip to the housing. The coupling mechanism may include a ratcheting rotatable mechanism, a fixed attachment structure, a flexible attachment structure, a removable structure, or a structure that includes a spring bias adjustment mechanism. The device may have a button with a touch sensor array.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a housing surface; 
 a clip; and 
 a hinge coupled between the housing and the clip that includes a linkage member with multiple pivot points and allows the clip to pivot between an open position in which at least part of the clip is offset from the housing and a closed position in which the clip lies flush with the housing surface wherein the linkage member includes at least: 
 a first bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing; and 
 a second bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing, the second bar longer than the first bar; wherein 
 the first and second bars angularly pivot the clip with respect to the housing when the clip is pivoted between the closed position and the open position. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein the hinge pivots about a pivot axis, the portable electronic device further comprising a rotatable coupling mechanism coupled between the housing and the hinge that allows the clip to rotate relative to the housing about a rotational axis that is different than the pivot axis. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 2  wherein the rotatable coupling mechanism comprises ratcheting structures. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 3  wherein the ratcheting structures comprise a ring with corrugations and a spring-loaded pin that bears against the corrugations. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 4  wherein the hinge is mounted to the ring. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein the hinge comprises a torsion spring that biases the clip against the housing. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 6  wherein the clip comprises a curved surface, wherein the housing surface with which the clip lies flush is also curved, and wherein the housing has a circular outline. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 2  wherein the portable electronic device comprises a media player and wherein the housing has a circular outline that surrounds the rotational axis. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising
 a switch member that protrudes through an opening in the housing; and 
 a backing plate that has at least one flexible member that bears against the switch member and biases the switch member outwardly through the opening. 
 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising a button that includes a button member and a touch sensor array connected to a surface of the button member. 
     
     
       11. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 storage and processing circuitry mounted in the housing; 
 an input device that includes a touch sensor mounted to a front face of the housing; 
 a clip; and 
 hinge structures that connect the clip to a rear surface of the housing, that include a linkage member with multiple pivot points, and that bias the clip towards a closed position, the linkage member including at least a first bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing and a second bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing, the second bar longer than the first bar; wherein 
 the first and second bars angularly pivot the clip with respect to the housing when the clip is pivoted between the closed position and the open position; and 
 the clip lies flush with the rear surface of the housing in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 11  wherein the hinge structures include a torsion spring. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 12  wherein the torsion spring has an elongated central portion that engages a groove on a post. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 12  wherein the hinge structures further comprises a hinge barrel and end caps that fit into the barrel. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 14  wherein the end caps have grooves that receive ends of the torsion spring and that have guide surfaces that pre-bias the spring. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 11  wherein the hinge structures include a coil spring. 
     
     
       17. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 16  wherein the coil spring includes a first end that presses against the clip and a second end that presses against the housing. 
     
     
       18. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 17  further comprising a bushing that is surrounded by coils in the coil spring. 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 11  wherein the hinge structures form a four-bar linkage in which the housing serves as a first bar, the clip serves as a second bar, a first hinge member serves as a third bar, and a second hinge member serves as a fourth bar, and wherein the hinge structures comprise pins that pivotably couple the first and second hinge members between the housing and the clip. 
     
     
       20. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 11  wherein the hinge structures comprise a screw that adjusts how much the hinge structures bias the clip towards the closed position. 
     
     
       21. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 11  further comprising a flexible member to which the hinge structures are mounted to allow the hinge structures to move relative to the housing when the flexible member flexes. 
     
     
       22. A portable electronic device having:
 a housing; 
 a clip; 
 a hinge with which the clip is attached to the housing that includes a linkage member with multiple pivot points wherein the linkage member includes at least: 
 a first bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing; and 
 a second bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing, the second bar longer than the first bar; and 
 a torsion spring in the hinge that biases the clip towards the closed position; 
 wherein the clip lies flush with a surface of the housing in the closed position; and 
 the first and second bars angularly pivot the clip with respect to the housing when the clip is pivoted between the closed position and the open position. 
 
     
     
       23. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 22  wherein the hinge has a pivot axis about which the hinge and clip pivot and wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a rotatable coupling structure that allows the hinge and clip to rotate about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
       24. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 22  further comprising a glass button member with a touch sensor array.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices with clips that allow the devices to be attached to items such as clothing. 
     Electronic devices such as cellular telephones and media players are increasingly popular. Because of their popularity, there is a desire to provide devices such these in a variety of form factors. For example, small media players are popular because of their light weight and compact size. 
     It is often desirable to use electronic devices such as these when engaging in active pursuits. Some devices are provided with lanyards, as this allows a device to be worn around a user&#39;s neck. Other devices are provided with belt pouches that allow a device to be carried on a user&#39;s belt or otherwise attached to a user&#39;s clothing. 
     While some conventional arrangements such as these may be helpful, they tend to be bulky, cumbersome, and unsightly. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved portable electronic devices such as portable electronic devices with clips for attaching the portable electronic devices to items of clothing. 
     SUMMARY 
     A portable electronic device such as a media player or cellular telephone may be provided with a clip. The clip may be biased towards a closed position. When opened, the clip can grasp an object such as an item of clothing. 
     A spring such as a tension spring, coil spring, ribbon spring, compression spring, or torsion spring may be used in biasing the clip towards the closed position. The clip may, if desired, be formed from a twisted loop-shaped member that imparts a bias to the clip. 
     Hinge structures for the clip may allow the clip to pivot about a pivot axis. The hinge structures may include a hinge pin that is aligned with the pivot axis. If desired, the hinge structures may include a linkage with more than one pivot point. For example, the hinge structures may include a hinge member that is attached to the housing at a first pivot point and that is attached to the clip at a second pivot point. A four-bar linkage may be used to attach the clip to the housing if desired. 
     The portable electronic device may include input-output components such as buttons and displays. If desired, the portable electronic device may include a button with a touch sensor array such as a capacitive touch sensor array. The button may be pressed to operate a dome switch. An actuator may place the button into a lockout mode when the user&#39;s touch is detected on an edge portion of the button. 
     The portable electronic device may have an audio jack into which an audio plug associated with an accessory such as a headset may be plugged. The portable electronic device may have a coupling mechanism with which the clip is coupled to the housing of the portable electronic device. The coupling mechanism may rotate about a rotational axis. The rotational axis may be perpendicular to the pivot axis of the. The rotating coupling mechanism may allow a user to place the portable electronic device in an optimal position during use (e.g., so that a headset cable that is protruding from the audio jack is located in a desired position). A ratchet structure may be incorporated into the rotating coupling mechanism to provide feedback to the user and to help hold the portable electronic device in its intended position. 
     The coupling mechanism that is used in coupling the clip to the housing of the portable electronic device may be formed from a removable mounting structure, a flexible mounting structure, a rotatable mounting structure (e.g., a ratchet-based structure), a fixed structure, or a structure in which spring bias for the clip can be adjusted. 
     The portable electronic device may be provided with a sliding switch. The sliding switch may have a switch member that protrudes through an opening in the device housing. The switch member may be biased towards the opening using flexible arms on a backing plate. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip and a coupling mechanism with which the clip is mounted to the housing of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device that may be provided with a clip in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with a rectangular housing that may be provided with a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of an illustrative electronic device with a rectangular housing with rounded edges that may be provided with a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of an illustrative electronic device with a housing having a curved housing wall with a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an illustrative electronic device with a rectangular housing having a curved end face in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an illustrative electronic device with a circular housing outline that may be provided with a clip accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  show how an illustrative electronic device with a rotatable clip may be placed in a variety of positions relative to an item such as a piece of clothing to which the electronic device is attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device with a ratcheting rotational coupling mechanism with which a clip may be mounted to the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative one-way ratcheting mechanism that may be used in a rotational coupling structure of the type shown in  FIG. 10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrative two-way ratcheting mechanism that may be used in a rotational coupling structure of the type shown in  FIG. 10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that has been attached to an object such as an item of clothing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having a clip with a flat actuation tab in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having a clip with an actuation protrusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having a clip with a flared finger actuation structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that is flush with electronic device housing sidewalls in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that is flush with electronic device housing sidewalls and that has a grooved clip actuation structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that is flush with electronic device housing sidewalls and that has a grooved clip actuation structure with protruding ridges in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that is flush with electronic device housing sidewalls and that has a flared clip end that serves as an actuation structure for the clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional side view of pivot structure that may be used to attach a clip to a housing of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view of double-pivot structure that may be used as a linkage to attach a clip to a housing of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device that may have a double-pivot linkage of the type shown in  FIG. 21  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23A  is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device having a clip that is attached to the electronic device using a four-bar linkage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23B  is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 23A  with the clip in the open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24A  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip that is attached to the electronic device using a flexible mounting member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24B  is a cross-sectional side view of the illustrative electronic device of  FIG. 24A  with the clip in an open position and its flexible mounting member in a bent position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device having a clip that is flush with the housing of the electronic device and that has a flared actuation portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 25  showing how the clip may be biased using a compression spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device showing how a clip may be biased using a tension spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device clip that is formed from a twisted loop of material that can serve as an integral spring and clip structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a rear perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip of the type shown in  FIG. 28  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30A  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 29  with its clip in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30B  is a side view of an illustrative electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 29  with its clip in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device clip with an adjustable compression spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of an illustrative ribbon spring that may be used in biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of an illustrative coil spring formed from a flat strip of metal that may be used in biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an illustrative single-ended torsion spring formed from a piece of bent wire for biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an illustrative double-ended torsion spring for biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a side view of an illustrative torsion spring showing how the spring may bias a clip relative to the housing of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a side view of a torsion spring showing how the spring may be pre-biased to help hold a clip in a closed position against the wall of an electronic device housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a side view of an illustrative portion of an electronic device housing containing a sliding switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective interior view of an electronic device with a sliding switch showing how a switch retention plate may be used to help hold the switch in place during use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device showing how a clip may be mounted to the device at a hinge that contains a torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 41  is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative electronic device of  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a side view of a device of the type shown in  FIG. 41  showing how the tension spring may be used to hold the clip into place against the housing of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 43  is an exploded perspective view showing parts that may be used in an illustrative spring hinge for an electronic device clip based on a double-ended torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 44  is an exploded perspective view showing how hinge caps may be inserted into a hinge barrel in a hinge for an electronic device clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative hinge barrel cap showing how the cap may contain guiding surfaces that help pre-bias a torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional end view of illustrative structures that may be used in the hinge of an electronic device clip with a double-ended torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional end view of illustrative structures that may be used in the hinge of an electronic device clip with a coil spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 48  is an exploded perspective view showing how an electronic device clip hinge may provide the clip in an electronic device with a bias using a coil spring with a central bar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative hinge with a coil spring of the type shown in  FIG. 48  for biasing a clip on an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 50  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device having a removable clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 51  is a top view of a portion of the removable clip and electronic device of  FIG. 50  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative spring-loaded pin of the type that may be used in removably attaching a clip to an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 53  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device having a housing and integral clip that have been formed from a unitary piece of bent metal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 54  is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with a clip and switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 54  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Portable electronic devices are often carried in a user&#39;s pocket or bag. Other arrangements may also be used to help a user carry an electronic device. For example, a holster may be helpful for carrying a cellular telephone. A user might also use a lanyard for carrying a portable media player. 
     Sometimes it is desirable to attach portable electronic devices to a user&#39;s clothing. For example, a clip may be used to attach a media player to a user&#39;s exercise clothes when the user is exercising. A clip may also be helpful when a user is performing an activity that requires both hands or is in a situation in which use of the user&#39;s pocket or bag to stow the device is awkward or impossible. 
     An illustrative electronic device that may be provided with a clip in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  of  FIG. 1  may be, for example, a portable electronic device such as a portable music player or a cellular telephone. Device  10  is typically compact. With one illustrative arrangement, device  10  has the size of a user&#39;s finger (e.g., device  10  has exterior dimensions that are generally less than about 3 inches, less than about 2 inches, or less than about 1 inch). Finger-size devices tend to be light in weight, so it is not unpleasant to clip a device of this type to an item of clothing. If desired, however, device  10  may be larger. The use of finger-size configurations for device  10  is merely illustrative. 
     If desired, device  10  may support wireless functions. For example, device  10  may support wireless functions such as local wireless link functions (e.g., for IEEE 802.11 operations or Bluetooth® operations). Device  10  may also support remote wireless links (e.g., for cellular telephone communications). To conserve battery life and reduce cost, device  10  may also be implemented in a configuration without wireless functions. 
     Device  10  may have housing  12 . Housing  12  may be formed of any suitable materials including, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. 
     Housing  12  may contain storage and processing circuitry for implementing device functions such as media playback functions and wireless communications functions. 
     Device  10  may have input-output devices such as button  14  and switch  16 . Button  14  may be a stand-alone button or may be a button that is integrated with a display or touch sensor. A separate display or touch sensor may also be provided in device  10 . 
     Device  10  may use any suitable display technology. For example, device  10  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of the displays in device  10  may be formed from one or more plastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may be integrated into a display or may be provided using a separate touch pad device. An advantage of integrating a touch screen into displays in device  10  to make them touch sensitive is that this type of arrangement can save space and reduce visual clutter. If desired, touch functionality may be provided in a button such as button  14 . For example, capacitive touch sensor electrodes may be included in all or part of button  14  so that the position of a user&#39;s finger can be determined. Button  14  may also be provided with an integral touch screen. To prevent inadvertent actuation of button  14  (e.g., when squeezing device  10  to actuate a clip), button  14  may be provided with a touch-triggered button lockout feature. 
     Switch  16  may be a sliding switch that has a switch member  17  that reciprocates along a switch opening  19  in housing  12 . There may, in general, be any suitable numbers of buttons and switches on device  10 . The configuration of  FIG. 1  in which device  10  has a single button  14  and a single switch  16  is merely illustrative. 
     Input-output components such as buttons and switches may be used to control device functions such as power functions, media playback functions, cellular telephone functions, etc. 
     Device  10  may have a mechanism for attaching device  10  to a user&#39;s clothing or other objects. With one suitable arrangement, which is sometimes described herein as an example, device  10  may have one or more clips such as clip  18 . Clip  18  may be placed in an open position or a closed position. Springs or other biasing structures may be used to bias the clip towards its closed position. In a typical scenario, a user presses on part of clip  18  to open the clip. When opened, an opening (sometimes called a throat) is created between clip  18  and housing  12 . Clothing or other objects may be inserted into the opening. A user may then release the clip. When released, the biasing structure for the clip grasps the clothing between the clip and the housing. When the user has finished using the clip, the clothing can be released and the clip can be fully returned to its closed position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , clip  18  may be provided with a hinge or other mechanism in region  28  that allows clip end  24  to move away from housing  12  in direction  26 . 
     Device  10  may also be provided with a clip coupling mechanism such as coupling mechanism  20 . Coupling mechanism  20  may enhance the capabilities of clip  18 . For example, coupling mechanism  20  may provide clip  18  with the ability to rotate about axis  22 . Coupling mechanism  20  may also be used to help clip  18  to flex, to allow clip  18  to be removed and reattached to device  10 , to adjust the biasing strength of the biasing structures for clip  18 , etc. If desired, some or all of coupling mechanism  20  may be implemented using the structures of housing  12 . 
     A schematic diagram showing components that may be used in device  10  is shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , device  10  may include storage and processing circuitry  30 . Storage and processing circuitry  30  may include storage devices such as volatile and nonvolatile memory chips, memory that is incorporated in other integrated circuits (e.g., registers, cache, or other memory in a processor or application-specific integrated circuit), hard disk drives, solid state disk drives, removable storage, etc. Storage and processing circuitry  30  may also include one or more processing circuits such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signals processors, application specific integrated circuits, wireless communications processing circuits (e.g., baseband modules), audio and video processing circuits (e.g., a codec chip), etc. 
     Device  10  may also include input-output devices  32 . Input-output devices  32  may include buttons, switches, or other electrical actuators, touch screens, non-touch displays, keyboards, key pads, audio jacks and other input-output connectors such as universal serial bus ports and other digital data ports, microphones, speakers, indicator lights, etc. 
     Coupling structures  20  may be used to couple clip  18  to housing  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Coupling structures  20  may include rotatable structures, removable structures, flexible structures, fixed structures, adjustable structures such as structures for adjusting clip bias, other suitable structures, or combinations of these coupling structures. 
     Housing  12  may have any suitable shape. For example, housing  12  may have rectangular front and rear faces, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , input-output component  36  has been mounted on the front face (upper surface) of device  10 . Component  36  may be a button, display, or any other suitable input-output device. 
     Device  10  may have an audio jack such as audio jack  34 . Jack  34  may be, for example, a ⅛″ (3.5 mm) audio jack that receives a mating plug on a headset or other audio accessory. In the example of  FIG. 4 , jack  34  has been formed on the same end face (housing end face  12 A) of device  10  as switch  16 . This is, however, merely illustrative. Audio jacks such as jack  34  may be provided on any suitable surface of housing  12  if desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , clip  18  may be mounted on the rear (lower) surface of device  10  (e.g., on the housing surface opposite to the housing surface that contains input-output component  36 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , housing  12  has been provided with a planar end face (end face  12 A) and rounded sidewalls (sidewalls  12 B). 
     In the example of  FIG. 6 , surface  12 C of housing  12  is curved. Clip  18  may have a curved shape that matches the shape of curved surface  12 C and that allows clip  18  to be retracted in to a closed position in which clip  18  lies flush with housing  12 . 
     A top view of device  10  having a housing  12  with a curved end wall is shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , audio jack  34  may be mounted in curved end surface  12 D of housing  12 . Clip  18  may be mounted on the rear surface of device  10  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). Switch  16  of  FIG. 7  may be mounted on one of the side walls of housing  12 . 
     In the illustrative arrangement of  FIG. 8 , audio jack  34  and switch  16  are mounted on opposing sidewalls of housing  12 . Housing  12  may have a circular shape of the type shown in the top view of  FIG. 8  or may have other suitable shapes (e.g., oval shapes, shapes that include dome-shaped portions or spherical portions, triangular shapes, cylindrical shapes, etc.). The arrangement of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8  are merely illustrative. 
     It may be desirable to rotate device  10  after device  10  has been attached to a users&#39; clothing. This is illustrated in the example of  FIGS. 9A and 9B . As shown in  FIG. 9A , device  10  may be attached to a user&#39;s shirt sleeve or other clothing item  44  using a clip (e.g., clip  18  of  FIG. 2 ). Coupling structure  20  ( FIG. 2 ) may be a rotatable structure that couples clip  18  to housing  12  of device  10 . 
     In the position shown in  FIG. 9A , device  10  is oriented relative to its clip so that longitudinal axis  38  of audio jack  34  is oriented vertically along direction  46 . This allows cable  36  of a headset or other accessory to protrude out of jack  34  in direction  46 . 
     The orientation of device  10  of  FIG. 9A  may not be comfortable for the user. The user may therefore rotate device  10  about rotational axis  40  (an axis pointing out of the page in the orientation of  FIG. 9A ). The user may, for example, rotate device  10  relative to its clip in counterclockwise direction  42 . 
     Following rotation, device  10  of  FIG. 9A  may appear as shown in  FIG. 9B . As shown in  FIG. 9B , device  10  may be oriented so that longitudinal axis  38  of audio jack  34  points in direction  48 , rather than vertical direction  46 . In this configuration, jack  34  is oriented so that longitudinal axis  38  is angled with respect to vertical axis  50 . Clip coupling mechanism  20  may include a ratchet or other mechanism that helps to maintain device  10  in its rotated orientation following rotation. The user may therefore rotate device  10  whenever desired (e.g., to move cable  36  into a position that is most comfortable to the user). 
     An illustrative configuration for a device with a rotatable coupling mechanism is shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , device  10  may have storage and processing circuitry  30  that is mounted in housing  12 . Storage and processing circuitry  30  may be electrically coupled to input-output devices such as audio jack  34 . Audio jack  34  may protrude out of a sidewall of housing  12 . Although the sidewalls of housing  12  are shown as being vertical in the cross-sectional view of the illustrative device in  FIG. 10 , this is merely an example. Jack  34  may protrude through an upper or lower face of housing  12  or the housing sidewalls may be curved (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5  by curved sidewalls  12 B). 
     Device  10  of  FIG. 10  may have upper and lower faces of any suitable shape. For example, the outline of device  10  may be circular as shown in the top view of device  10  in  FIG. 8 . 
     Rotatable ring member  54  may be mounted in housing  12 . Clip  18  may be connected to ring member  54  by a structure such as hinge  52 . When it is desired to rotate clip  18  relative to housing  12 , clip  18  and rotatable ring member  54  may be rotated about rotational axis  40 . Rotational axis  40  may be located in roughly the center of the upper and lower surfaces of housing  12  (as an example). 
     Housing  12  may have an annular groove such as groove  56 . Rotatable ring member  54  may have a corresponding annular groove such as groove  58 . When ring member  54  is placed within housing  12 , grooves  56  and  58  may be aligned with each other to form annular groove  62 . Annular spring  60  may have a star-shaped appearance (when viewed from the top). During assembly, spring  60  can be radially compressed before being released in grove  62 . When released in groove  62 , spring  60  expands and is captured by the walls of groove  62 . The outer sidewalls of groove  62  resist further expansion of spring  60 . When captured in groove  62 , the meandering shape of spring  60  helps to hold rotatable ring member  54  in its desired position in housing  12  while allowing rotatable ring member  54  to freely rotate about rotational axis  40 . 
     Device  10  may have a spring-loaded pin such as pin  64 . Pin  64  may have a pin member  66  that reciprocates within pin barrel structure  74  along its longitudinal axis. Structure  74  may be provided by a pin barrel member, by portions of housing  12 , or other suitable structures. A spring such as spring  72  may be provided in pin barrel structure  74  to bias pin member  66  upwards in direction  76 . When biased upwards in direction  76  by spring  72 , end  68  of pin member  66  bears against lower surface  70  of rotatable ring member  54 . Surface  70  may be provided with corrugations that create detents in the rotational motion of rotatable ring member  54 . These detents may give rise to audible clicks and tactile feedback when rotating member  54  and clip  18  relative to housing  12 . 
     Corrugated ring surface  70  may be configured to allow bidirectional rotation or unidirectional rotation. In the example of  FIG. 11A , surface  70  has an asymmetric pattern that allows pin end  68  to ride over the surface peaks when ring member  54  is rotated in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise) but that prevents motion in the opposite direction (e.g., clockwise). In the example of  FIG. 11B , surface  70  has a symmetric pattern of undulations that allows pin end  68  to ride over the peaks in surface  70  when ring member  52  is rotated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an illustrative device  10  in which clip  18  has been used to grasp an item of clothing  44 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , clip  18  may be provided with one or more grip enhancement features such as protrusion  78 . Housing  12  of device  10  may also be provided with one or more grip enhancement features such as protrusion  80 . When clip  18  is being used to grasp clothing  44 , protrusions  78  and  80  may help to prevent clothing  44  from slipping out of clip  18 . 
     Clip  18  may pivot about hinge  52 . Clip  18  may be opened by pressing on clip actuation structure  82 . Any suitable configuration may be used for clip actuation structures in device  10 . For example, clip actuation structure  82  may be smooth, may have depressions, may have protrusions, may have grooves, may have a rough surface, etc. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of an illustrative device configuration in which clip  18  has a flat and smooth clip actuation structure  82 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an illustrative device configuration in which clip  18  has a clip actuation structure  82  with a protrusion. The use of a protrusion such as the protrusion of  FIG. 14  may help a user actuate clip  18  with a finger without losing purchase on the clip actuation structure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the end of clip  18  may be flared to provide a diving-board-shape to clip actuation structure  82 . This type of arrangement may make it easier for a user to identify which end of clip  18  is the appropriate end to press when opening clip  18 . 
     The examples of  FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15  involve the use of clips  18  that are mounted on a hinge  52  so that clip  18  is raised above the surface of housing  12  and is not flush. If desired, these clips and other clips may be mounted flush in housing  12 . This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 16 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the exterior surface of clip  18  may lie flush with one of the outer surfaces of housing  12 , so that hinge  52  is recessed within housing  12 . A cavity such as cavity  90  may be formed under clip actuation structure  82  of clip  18 . When a user presses on clip actuation structure  82 , end  92  of clip  18  will move inwardly in direction  88 . As end  92  moves into cavity  90 , end  84  of clip  18  will open outwardly in direction  86 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , clip  18  may be provided with a clip actuation structure with grooves. The grooves of clip actuation structure  82  of  FIG. 17  lie flush with the surface of housing  12 . If desired, the grooves of clip actuation structure  82  may protrude above the surface of housing  12 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 19  shows an illustrative arrangement for device  10  in which end  92  is bent outwards relative to main body  94  of clip  18 . The bent shape of end  92  allows clip actuation structure  82  protrude above surface  12 E of housing  12 . Main body  94  of clip  18  may lie flush with housing surface  12 E. 
     Hinge structures such as hinge  52  may have any suitable degree of freedom. An illustrative single-pivot configuration for hinge  52  is shown in  FIG. 20 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , hinge  52  may have a pin structure such as pin structure  96  formed from one or more pins. The pin structure may serve as a pivot point that allows clip  18  to pivot relative to device housing  12  (e.g., so that clip  18  can rotate about the pin in direction  98 . 
     If desired, hinge  52  may be provided with more degrees of freedom. An illustrative double-pivot configuration for hinge  52  is shown in  FIG. 21 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , a double-pivot design may use two pin structures such as pin structure  96 A and pin structure  96 B. A bar member such as member  100  may be used to connect clip  18  to housing  12 . Because clip  18  can pivot relative to member  100  about pin structure  96 A and because member  100  can pivot relative to housing  12  about pin structure  96 B, a wide variety of motions of clip  18  may be permitted. For example, clip  18  may translate in direction  102  and in direction  104 . This type of translational motion may be used, for example, to release and engage the tip of clip from a clip retention structure in housing  12 . 
     An illustrative configuration for device  10  in which clip  18  is provided with a double-pivot hinge  52  to allow clip  18  to translate as described in connection with  FIG. 21  is shown in  FIG. 22 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , clip  18  may be provided with a curved tip  110  that serves as a clip engagement structure. When clip  18  is in its closed position, clip engagement structure  110  may be received within mating recess  112  of housing  12 . Recess  112  may be formed from housing portions such as protrusion  108  and tip  114  or other suitable device structures. 
     Hinge  52  has pins  96 A and  96 B. Pins  96 A and  96 B are connected by hinge member  100 . This allows clip  18  to be translated substantially parallel to the surface of device  10 . For example, when it is desired to release clip from stowed position  116 , clip  18  may be moved in direction  120 . Once tip  110  disengages from recess  112 , clip  18  can be moved in direction  122  to reach open position  118 . After clip  18  has been used, clip  18  can be returned to stowed position  116  by moving clip  18  in direction  120  until tip  110  is engaged by recess  112 . Clip  18  can then be released. Springs or other suitable biasing mechanisms may be used to provide biases to close clip  18  and to help hold clip  18  in place in stowed position  116 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23A , hinge structure  52  may be implemented using a four-bar linkage. With this type of arrangement, bar  100 A is used to connect hinge pin  96 A with hinge pin  96 B and bar  100 B is used to connect hinge pin  96 C with hinge pin  96 D. Housing  12 , clip  18 , member  100 A, and member  100 B serve as four “bars” in the four-bar linkage of  FIG. 23A . As shown in  FIG. 23B , this type of linkage may allow a satisfactorily wide throat to be produced when clip  18  is opened while preventing clip  18  from over-opening. 
     If desired, clip  18  may be coupled to device  10  using a flexible mounting arrangement. As shown in  FIG. 24A , for example, clip  18  and hinge  52  may be mounted on a flexible member such as flexible member  126 . Flexible member  126  may be formed from a portion of housing  12  or a separate structure that is attached to housing  12 . Member  126  may be formed from a thin sheet of metal or other suitable flexible material that allows member  126  to flex up and down (directions  129 ). A cavity such as cavity  128  may be formed in housing  12  to allow member  126  to flex towards the interior of device  10 . When a user presses on clip  18 , member  126  may flex inwards as shown in  FIG. 24B . This may allow clip  18  to open more widely than would otherwise be possible. 
     A perspective view of an illustrative device  10  with a clip that lies flush with the device housing is shown in  FIG. 25 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , when a user presses inwardly on clip actuation structure  82  in direction  130 , clip  18  pivots about an internal hinge in housing  12  so that end  84  of clip  18  move outwardly in direction  86 . When a user releases clip  18 , a clip biasing structure may bias end  84  inwardly in direction  132  (e.g., to grasp an item of clothing). 
     The clip biasing structure for clip  18  may be based on magnets, flexing clip structures, springs, or any other suitable biasing arrangement. 
     An example of a clip biasing structure based on a compression spring is shown in  FIG. 26 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , spring  134  may be mounted in the interior of device  10  in cavity  90 . When a user presses on clip actuation structure  82 , end  92  of clip  18  will be forced inwardly in direction  130 , thereby compressing spring  134 . When clip  18  is released, compression spring  134  will expand in direction  136 , pressing against end  92 . This will cause clip  18  to pivot about hinge  52  so that end  84  of clip  18  is biased in direction  132 , thereby closing clip  18 . 
     Another illustrative biasing arrangement for clip  18  is shown in  FIG. 27 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , tension spring  138  may be connected between housing structure  140  and clip structure  142 . When clip  18  is opened in direction  86 , structure  142  will rotate about hinge pin structure  96 , so that spring holding structure  142  on clip  18  will move away from spring holding structure  140  in housing  12 . This stretches and tensions spring  138 , thereby pulling post  142  back into device  10  and biasing clip  18  towards its closed position. 
     If desired, biasing functions can be incorporated into clip  18  by forming clip  18  from a flexible structure that serves as a type of integral biasing structure. An illustrative arrangement of this type is shown in the example of  FIGS. 28 ,  29 ,  30 A, and  30 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 28 , clip  18  may be formed from a member such as open loop member  142 . Open loop member  142  may be formed from a ring of metal or other suitable material with a gap  144  that separates end  146  from end  148 . In its unassembled state, loop member  142  may be twisted as shown in  FIG. 28 , so as to provide a built-in bias when assembled in device  10 . When twisted, end  148  will lie on line  154 , but end  146  will lie at a distance D above line  154 . Cylindrical bores  150  and  152  may serve as pin holes into which hinge pins  156  and  158  may be inserted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 29 , housing  12  of device  10  may have a hinge support structure  160  that receives pins  156  and  158 . When clip  18  is attached to device  10 , pins  156  and pins  158  pass through pin holes  150  and  152  ( FIG. 28 ) and are received by corresponding holes in hinge support structure  160 . This forces end  146  of loop member  142  downward and into alignment with end  148 , thereby biasing loop  142  so that end  84  presses inwardly against housing  12 . 
     When a user presses on clip actuation structure  82 , end  164  of loop member  142  is forced into housing cavity  162 . This causes end  84  of clip  18  to move in direction  86 , thereby opening clip  18 . 
     A side view of clip  18  of  FIG. 29  in its closed position is shown in  FIG. 30A . In this configuration, end  84  is biased inwardly in direction  132  as loop member  142  attempts to regain its original shape. This original shape is shown in  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 28  also shows the location of loop member edges  166  and  168 . As shown in  FIG. 30B , when a user opens clip  18 , edge  166  of loop member  142  rises above edge  168  of loop member  144 . This generates a restoring bias for end  84  of clip  18  in direction  132 . 
       FIG. 31  shows an illustrative configuration for clip  18  in which the magnitude of the clip closing bias may be adjusted by a user (e.g., during manufacturing, by service personnel, or by an end user). 
     As shown in  FIG. 31 , housing  12  may have a threaded bore such as bore  170  that receives a corresponding threaded screw such as screw  172 . Screw  172  may have a slot such as slot  174  or other tool engagement structure that receives a screwdriver blade or other tool structure. When a user rotates the screwdriver about rotational axis  176 , screw  172  will advance into bore  170  in direction  188 . Spring  178  may be compressed between end  180  of screw  172  and linking structure  182 . This presses linking structure  182  against portion  184  of hinge member  186  and causes clip  18  to rotate about pin  96  in hinge  52  so that end  84  of clip  18  is biased inwardly in direction  132 . If screw  172  is rotated so that screw  172  advances significantly into bore  170  in direction  188 , spring  178  will be compressed more forcefully and clip  18  will be biased towards its closed position more forcefully. If screw  172  is rotated so that screw  172  is retracted out of bore  170  in direction  190 , spring  178  will be compressed less forcefully and the inward biasing force on clip  18  will be reduced accordingly. 
     In the example of  FIG. 31 , spring  178  is a coil spring that is used in a compression spring configuration. This is merely illustrative. Any suitable biasing spring may be used to provide closing bias for clip  18  if desired. As shown in  FIG. 32 , for example, spring  178  may be implemented using a ribbon spring configuration.  FIG. 33  shows an example in which spring  178  is a coil-type spring formed from a flat strip of metal. Springs such as springs  178  of  FIGS. 32 and 33  may be tightened and loosened by twisting them about hinge pivot axis  192 . 
     If desired, spring  178  may be formed using a torsion spring configuration. An illustrative single-ended torsion spring is shown in  FIG. 34 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , torsion spring  178  may have a main elongated portion  194  that is generally aligned with hinge rotational axis  192 . Spring  178  may have ends  196  and  198  that are bent at angles with respect to axis  192 . When tensioned, spring  178  may produce a biasing force so that end  196  presses in direction  200  and end  198  presses in direction  202 . This biasing force may be used to close clip  18 . 
     A double-ended torsion spring is shown in  FIG. 35 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 35 , spring  178  has elongated portions  194 A and  194 B that are generally aligned with hinge rotational axis  192 . Ends  198  may be bent at an angle with respect to axis  192  (e.g., at a right angle). Portions  204  may also be formed at an angle with respect to portions  194 A and  194 B and may be used to couple central portion  196  to portions  194 A and  194 B. Springs having the configuration of spring  178  of  FIG. 35  are sometimes referred to as double-ended torsion springs, because both of their ends  198  are biased in the same direction. In the example of  FIG. 35 , spring  178  may produce a biasing force so that central portion  196  presses in direction  200  while ends  198  each press in direction  202 . As with single-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 34 , the biasing force produced by double-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 35  may be used to close clip  18 . 
     The cross-sectional view of  FIG. 36  shows how the ends of a torsion spring such as ends  196  and  198  of single-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 34  may bias clip  18  relative to device housing  12 . When clip  18  is moved from its closed position to its open position, spring  178  is twisted (torsioned). This twisting motion stores energy in spring  178  and gives rise to a condition in which spring  178  desires to twist in an opposing direction to release its stored energy. As shown in  FIG. 36 , when torsion spring  178  is released, spring  178  causes arm  196  to twist about hinge rotational axis  192  in direction  200  against housing  12  while causing end  198  to twist about hinge rotational axis  192  in direction  198  against spring  18 . This biases spring  18  in direction  132  towards its closed position against housing  12 . 
     If desired, a torsion spring such as single-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 34  or double-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 35  may be pre-biased. As shown in  FIG. 37 , for example, spring  178  may initially be manufactured so that in its resting state (when storing no energy) arm  196  is oriented along axis  206 . During pre-biasing operations (e.g., as part of the process of assembling device  10 ), spring  178  may be twisted so that arm  196  is moved into alignment with axis  208 . In this configuration, spring  178  will bias arm  196  in direction  200 . This biasing force exists even without opening clip  18  and may therefore be used to maintain clip  18  in its desired closed position against housing  12  when not in use. 
       FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a portion of housing  12  of device  10  showing how switch member  17  of switch  16  may protrude through housing opening  19 . In operation, switch  16  may slide in directions  210  along longitudinal axis  212 . Member  17  may be placed at one end of opening  19  to open switch  16  and may be placed at the other end of opening  19  to close switch  16  (as an example). 
     An interior perspective view of switch  16  of  FIG. 38  is shown in  FIG. 39 . As shown in  FIG. 39 , member  17  may be connected to switch mechanism  220  using coupling structure  222 . Switching mechanism  220  may, if desired, be mounted to a rigid printed circuit board (e.g., a fiberglass-filled epoxy board) or a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., a flex circuit formed from a flexible polymer sheet such as a sheet of polyimide with conductive traces). The arrangement of  FIG. 39  may be helpful in reducing device height (e.g., by avoiding the inclusion of potentially bulky components directly above switch member  17 ). Nevertheless, because arm  222  and switch mechanism  220  are laterally offset from opening  19 , switch member  17  may be susceptible to slight inward movement in direction  224  when actuated by a user. 
     It may therefore be desirable to provide a support structure such as backing plate  214  to help switch member  17  to resist displacement in direction  224 . When mounted to the interior of housing  12 , flexible support members  216  of plate  214  may press against surface  218  of switch member  17 , thereby biasing switch member  17  outwardly through opening  19  in direction  226 . As switch member  17  moves back and forth in directions  210 , flexible support members  216  may flex to accommodate different switch positions while continuously biasing switch member  17  in direction  226 . 
       FIG. 40  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device  10  in which hinge  52  has been provided with a barrel shaped enclosure with an associated spring. A user may press on clip actuation structure  82  of clip  18  to open clip in direction  86 . The spring in the barrel-shaped enclosure of hinge  52  may bias clip  18  in direction  132 . The spring may be, for example, a single-ended torsion spring such as torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 34  or a double-ended torsion spring such as spring  178  of  FIG. 35 . Torsion springs tend to be compact and therefore allow low-profile hinge structures to be formed. Low-profile designs may help improve the appearance of device  10  and may allow device  10  to be reduced in size. If desired, torsion springs may be used in devices  10  with clips  18  that are flush with housing surfaces. 
     An exploded perspective view of the illustrative device of  FIG. 40  is shown in  FIG. 41 . As shown in  FIG. 41 , housing  12  may have a post such as post  228 . Post  228  may have a cylindrical bore such as bore  232  for receiving hinge pin structures for hinge  52 . The hinge pin structures may be used to pivotably attach clip  18  to housing  12 . 
     Post  228  may have a groove such as groove  230  that serves to engage torsion spring  178 . For example, groove  230  of post  232  may engage central portion  196  of double-ended torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 35 . Ends  198  of torsion spring  178  of  FIG. 35  may be engaged by grooves inside end cap structures in hinge barrel  52  of clip  18 . When held in this way, spring  178  may bias clip  18  into a closed position against housing  12 . 
     A cross-sectional view of device  10  of  FIGS. 40 and 41  is shown in  FIG. 42 . As shown in  FIG. 42 , portion  196  of spring  178  of  FIG. 35  may be received in groove  230  of post  228  and may press upwards in direction  200 . Ends  198  of spring  178  may press against portions of hinge structure  52  that are connected to clip  18 . This biases clip  18  in direction  132  relative to housing  12 . 
     An exploded perspective view of illustrative components associated with hinge structure  52  of  FIGS. 40 ,  41 , and  42  is shown in  FIG. 43 . As shown in  FIG. 43 , hinge structure  52  may include a hinge barrel structure  234  in which spring  178  may be mounted. When assembled, spring portion  196  may fit in groove  230  of post  228 . Spring edges  198  may be captured by grooves in barrel end caps  236 . End caps  236  may be connected to barrel structure  234 . 
     A perspective view of an illustrative barrel end cap and an associated end of barrel structure  234  is shown in  FIG. 44 . As shown in  FIG. 44 , barrel structure  234  may have an opening such as rectangular opening  238  to receive protruding end cap portion  244  on end cap  236 . Portion  244  may be press fit into opening  238  during assembly. As end cap  236  is mounted to barrel  234 , spring  178  is guided along guide surface  240  and into buried spring capture groove  242 . While being guided in this way, end  198  of spring  178  is twisted about hinge rotational axis  192  ( FIG. 35 ) with respect to spring portion  196 , thereby pre-torsioning spring  178 . 
     This pre-biasing process is illustrated in the cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 45 . As shown in  FIG. 45 , spring end  198  is initially in position  198 A. As spring end  198  is forced in direction  246  (i.e., as end cap  236  is attached to barrel  234 ), spring end  198  is guided along surface  240  to position  198 B. During this guiding process, spring end  198  is twisted with respect to spring portion  196 , because spring portion  196  is captured by post groove  230  ( FIG. 43 ). Further assembly operations guide spring end  198  to position  198 C,  198 D, and  198 E. In position  198 D, spring end  198  starts to be guided by groove  242 . In position  198 E, assembly is complete and the twisted (pre-biased) spring  178  is held in place within hinge structures  52 . 
     A cross-sectional end view of device  10  that shows how end caps  236  may be mounted to hinge barrel structure  234  is shown in  FIG. 46 . As shown in  FIG. 46 , hinge structure  234  may be attached to clip  18 . Post  228  may be connected to device housing  12 . Pin  248  may pass through pin hole  232  ( FIG. 43 ) and into corresponding openings in barrel  234 . In operation, clip  18  pivots about pin axis  192 , which serves as the rotational axis for hinge  52 . Spring portion  196  is captured by groove  230  in post  228 , thereby indirectly pushing against housing  12 . Spring ends  198  are captured in end caps  236  and thereby push against clip  18 . 
     An illustrative arrangement in which clip biasing spring  178  is implemented using a coil spring configuration is shown in  FIG. 47 . As shown in  FIG. 47 , housing  12  may have hinge mounting structures  250 . Mounting structures  250  may be attached to housing  12  using screws  252  or other suitable fastening mechanisms. Clip  18  has hinge members  260  and  258 . Pin  262  passes through holes in members  260  and  258  and is received in holes in mounting structures  250 . During operation, clip  18  may pivot around pin  262  (e.g., about pivot axis  192 ). Spring  178  may have a coiled center section that is wrapped around pin  262 . Bushing  264 , which may be formed from plastic or other suitable materials, may prevent spring  178  from becoming too tightly wrapped around pin  262  and may help to reduce friction in hinge  52 . An optional cosmetic cover  266  may be used to hide the coils of spring  178  from view. End  254  of spring  178  may be attached to mounting structure  250  and end  256  of spring  178  may be attached to clip member  258 . During assembly, spring  178  may be pre-biased. When released, ends  256  and  254  push in opposite directions, thereby biasing clip  18  towards its closed position against housing  12 . 
     If desired, spring  178  may be implemented using a coil spring with a straight central portion such as portion  196  of the double-ended torsion spring of  FIG. 35 . This type of arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 48 and 49 .  FIG. 48  is an exploded perspective view of device  10  showing how hinge  52  may be provided with a double-ended coil spring having a central portion  196  that is received by groove  270  of clip post structure  268 .  FIG. 48  also shows how spring  178  may have coils interposed between central portion  196  and respective ends  198 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 49 , clip  18  may have hinge members  274  and housing  12  may have hinge members  272 . Pins  276  may be used to join members  272  and  274  and thereby join clip  18  and housing  12  for pivoting motion about pivot axis  192 . Posts  278  may be attached to housing  12  and post  268  may be attached to clip  18 . Spring support member  280  may pass through the centers of the coils of spring  178 . Ends  198  of spring  178  may engage posts  278  and housing  12 . Portion  196  of spring  178  may engage post  268  and clip  18 . By pre-biasing spring  178 , clip  18  may be biased towards its closed position. 
     If desired, clip  18  may be mounted to a removable coupling structure (i.e., coupling structure  20  of  FIG. 2 ). This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 50 . As shown in  FIG. 50 , device  10  may have a removable structure such as removable structure  282 . Structure  282  may have a protruding portion such as portion  286  that mates with a corresponding recessed portion in housing  12  such as recessed portion  284 . If desired, other mating structures may be used to removably engage structure  282  and housing  12 . 
     Clip  18 , which may be formed from a flexible strip of metal, may be mounted to removable structure  282  (e.g., using a screw such as screw  290 ). When it is desired to attach mounting structure  282  and clip  18  to housing  12  of device  10 , structure  282  and clip  18  may be inserted into housing  12  by moving structure  282  in direction  288  along longitudinal device axis  292 . When inserted into opening  284 , structure  282  may be held in place by friction or by using an attachment mechanism such as a spring-loaded pin mechanism with mating detents. To remove clip  18  from device  10  when clip  18  is not needed, structure  282  may be moved in direction  294  along axis  292 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , structure  282  may be held in place in opening  284  using spring-loaded pins  298 . Portion  286  of structure  282  may have recessed detents  296  that receive the protruding ends of spring-loaded pins  298  when structure  282  is inserted into opening  284 . During the insertion process, pins  298  may be forced flush with the exposed inner surfaces of opening  284 . Once structure  282  has been inserted completely, however, pins  298  will protrude into recesses  296  on structure  282 , thereby holding structure  282  in place against housing  12 . 
     A cross-sectional diagram of an illustrative spring-loaded pin of the type that may be used for pins  298  of  FIG. 51  is shown in  FIG. 52 . As shown in  FIG. 52 , pin  298  may have a tip  302  that mates with a corresponding detent such as one of detents  296  of  FIG. 51 . Pin member  304  may reciprocate along longitudinal axis  312  within barrel member  310 . Spring  314  may press against barrel surface  308  and against pin surface  306 , thereby forcing pin  298  upwards in direction  300 . 
     If desired, electronic device  10  may have a housing and clip that are formed from a shared structure. As shown in  FIG. 53 , for example, electronic device  10  may have a housing  12  and a clip  18  that are formed from a common piece of bent sheet metal such as metal sheet  316 . If desired, other materials may be used in forming a common structure for clip  18  and housing portions  12 . For example, a single piece of plastic may be used in forming both clip  18  and portions of housing  12 . 
     With the illustrative configuration of  FIG. 53 , member  316  is formed from a bent piece of metal. The main body of housing  12  is formed from two overlapping planer rectangular sections with rounded end faces. Clip  18  is formed by a narrow extension to the main housing portion. If desired, clip  18  may be formed from a larger piece of metal (e.g., a strip of metal that is equal in width to the strip of metal that is used in forming housing  12 . 
     When forming device  10  using the bent metal housing arrangement of  FIG. 53 , side panels  318  (also sometimes referred to as end caps) may be used to fill the otherwise open portions of housing  12 . End caps  318  may be formed from plastic, epoxy, or any other suitable material. 
     An exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of portable electronic device  10  is shown in  FIG. 54 . As shown in  FIG. 54 , device  10  may have a housing  12  with a circular outline and rounded edges. Clip  18  may be formed from a curved piece of metal that lies flush with the rear surface of housing  12  when in its closed position. Biasing may be provided for clip  18  using single-ended torsion spring  178  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 34 ). Spring  178  may be held in place on clip  18  using spring cap  332 . Spring cap  332  may be formed from plastic or metal and may be connected to clip  18  using screws  334  or other suitable fastening mechanisms. Rubber pads  328  and  330  may help to improve friction between clip  18  and objects that are being grasped by clip  18  (e.g., cloths). Pads  328  and  330  may be attached to clip  18  using adhesive (as an example). 
     Hinge pins  320  may be used to form hinge  52  ( FIG. 40 ). Pins  320  may be mounted in hinge pin holes  324  on hinge plate  326 . Hinge plate  326  may be attached to housing  12  using welds or other suitable attachment mechanisms. Cover plate  362  may be mounted adjacent to hinge plate  326 . Opening  19  in the rear face of housing  12  may be used to accommodate switch member  17  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 38 and 39 ). Opening  336  may accommodate audio jack  34 . Metal ring  340  may be welded to housing  12  to form a sleeve for the audio jack. 
     Battery  338  may be used in powering device  10 . Printed circuit board  340  may receive power from battery  338 . Printed circuit board  340  may be used to mount electrical components such as integrated circuits (storage and processing circuitry  30  of  FIG. 3 ). 
     Button  14  may be formed from structures such as glass button member  360 , sensor flex circuit  358  (e.g., an array of one or more capacitive touch sensor electrodes that provide button  12  with touch sensor functionality) and plate  356 . An elastomeric gasket may be interposed between the edges of glass button member  360  and housing  12  to prevent damage to member  360 . Dome switch  354  may be mounted on the underside of sensor flex circuit  358  and may be actuated by depressing button  14 . Flex circuit  358  may be attached to member  360  with adhesive. Flexible metal bracket  356  may be attached to flex circuit  358  with adhesive. The perimeter of flexible metal bracket  356  may be captured by an annular groove in housing  12  that allows for a limited range of vertical travel for button  12 . 
     Button  364  may include a button member such as button member  352 . Spring  350  may bias button member  352  outward. Screws  348  may be used in attaching button member  352  to device  10 . 
     Button  14  may have an automatic lockout feature that prevents inadvertent actuation of button  14  when a user is actuating clip  18 , but does not wish to use button  14 . The button lockout feature may be automatically activated when a user&#39;s finger is detected in region  366  of button member  360  using touch sensor flex  358 . When sensor flex  358  detects that a user is squeezing device  10  between the user&#39;s fingers by pressing on clip actuation structure  82  of clip  18  and corresponding region  366  on the top surface of button member  360 , actuator  342  may prevent vertical travel of button  14 . Actuator  342  may be attached to plate  326  using screw  346 . Threaded boss  344  on plate  326  may receive screw  346 . 
     A cross-sectional side view of device  10  of  FIG. 54  is shown in  FIG. 55 . 
     Although device  10  has been illustrated as having a clip such as clip  18 , the use of clip  18  is optional. Moreover, other device features such as the use of switch  16  and button  14  are optional. The particular illustrative combinations of device features that are shown in the drawings are also merely provided as examples. If desired, other combinations of these features may be used. 
     For example, clip  18  may, in general, be provided with any suitable biasing arrangement (e.g., a torsion spring, a coil spring, a ribbon spring, an integral clip-biasing structure such as a twisted metal loop, etc.). Any of these clip configurations may be used with any of the illustrative housings described herein (e.g., a rectangular housing, a circular housing, housings with surfaces that lie flush with clips, combinations of these clip configurations, etc.). Moreover, any suitable coupling mechanism may be used in attaching clip  18  to housing  12  (e.g., a removable clip mounting structure, a flexible clip mounting structure, a fixed clip mounting structure, a rotatable clip mounting structure such as a ratcheting clip mounting structure, a clip mounting structure with a spring force adjustment, combinations of these mounting structures, etc.). 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20090805
Publication Date: 20150203
Grant Date: 20150203
Priority Date: 20090805
Inventors: FILSON J. BENJAMIN
MOOLSINTONG P. JAN
LYNCH S. BRIAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0226", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H03K17/9622", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/023", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0204", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 43535212