PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10959334-B2
Application Number: US-201916384814-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Multiple parts clamped together

Abstract:
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a first part coupled to a second part by a fastener. The first part may include a through hole and several spring elements that define the first through hole. The second part may include a through hole and several extensions that define the through hole. The electronic device may include a fastener used to secure the first part with the second part. In this manner, the fastener passes through respective through holes of the first part and the second part. Further, the fastener can engage and deform the spring elements such that the spring elements extend into the through hole of the second part. As a result, the spring elements are displaced and the fastener engages not only the spring elements but also the extensions. The parts may include circuit boards or sheet metal, as non-limiting examples.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing that defines an internal volume, the housing further defining a cavity; 
 a first part comprising a first through hole defined by spring elements; 
 a second part comprising a second through hole defined by extensions; and 
 a fastener that includes a fastener head and a shaft that extends from the fastener head, the shaft capable of aligning the fastener head with the first through hole and the second through hole such that when the first part and the second part are fastened together, (i) the fastener head engages the spring elements and the extensions, and (ii) the shaft is positioned within the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the spring elements bend with respect to the first part such that the fastener head is co-planar with respect to the first part. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second part is positioned between the first part and the housing. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first part comprises a circuit board. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display coupled to the housing. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft lacks contact with the first part and the second part. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing that defines an internal volume, the housing further defining a cavity; 
 a first part comprising a first through hole defined by spring elements; 
 a second part comprising a second through hole defined by extensions; and 
 a fastener, comprising:
 a fastener head comprising:
 a tool receiving surface, and 
 an engagement surface opposite the tool receiving surface; and 
 
 a shaft that extends from the fastener head, the shaft capable of aligning the fastener head with the first through hole and the second through hole such that when the first part and the second part are fastened together, (i) the engagement surface engages the spring elements and the extensions, and (ii) the shaft is positioned within the cavity. 
 
 
     
     
       8. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing comprising a first opening and a second opening, the housing further comprising a blind hole at least partially positioned between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a first part comprising a first through hole that defines a spring element; 
 a second part engaged with the first part, the second part comprising a second through hole; and 
 a fastener positioned in the blind hole and passing through the first through hole and the second through hole, the fastener causing the spring element to bend such that the spring element is positioned in the second through hole. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener comprises a fastener head that is engaged with the spring element and the second part, and wherein the fastener head is co-planar with respect to the first part. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the second part is positioned between the first part and the housing. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the second through hole defines an extension, and wherein the fastener head engages the extension. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener head comprises:
 a tool receiving surface; and 
 an engagement surface opposite the tool receiving surface, the engagement surface engaged with the spring element and the extension. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first part comprises a second spring element and a third spring element, 
 the second part comprises a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension, and 
 the fastener engages the second spring element, the third spring element, the first extension, the second extension, and the third extension. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the first part comprises a circuit board, and wherein the second part comprises a metal or a plastic. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device, comprising:
 a fastener comprising a fastener head, the fastener head comprising a fastener diameter; 
 a first part comprising a first through hole that defines a first diameter, the first part comprising spring elements that define a second diameter of the through hole that is different from the first diameter, the second diameter being less than the fastener diameter; 
 a second part comprising a second through hole that defines a third diameter, the second part comprising extensions that define a fourth diameter of the through hole that is different from the third diameter, the fourth diameter being less than the fastener diameter; and 
 a housing comprising a cavity, wherein the fastener passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and is positioned in the cavity. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the fastener head engages the spring elements and the extensions. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the fastener head is co-planar with respect to the first part. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first part comprises a circuit board. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15 , further comprising a display coupled with the housing. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the spring elements bend into the second through hole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/737,286, filed on Sep. 27, 2018, titled “MULTIPLE PARTS CLAMPED TOGETHER,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The following description relates to electronic devices. In particular, the following description relates to clamping two or more parts together using a fastening element in a manner such that the fastening element engages a surface all parts being clamped together. The parts can be positioned in, and secured to, an electronic device by one or more fasteners. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices include components fastened to walls of a housing. When two or more parts are fastened together, the number of fasteners required to fasten the parts increases, particularly when each component requires a minimum number of fasteners. Further, when the components are to be installed on a wall with openings, the number of locations that can receive a fastener is reduced. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an electronic device is described. The electronic device may include a housing that defines an internal volume. The housing may further include a cavity. The electronic device may further include a first part that includes a first through hole defined by spring elements. The electronic device may further include a second part comprising a second through hole defined by extensions. The electronic device may further include a fastener that includes a fastener head and a shaft that extends from the fastener head. The shaft can be capable of aligning the fastener head with the first through hole and the second through hole such that when the first part and the second part are fastened together, (i) the fastener head engages the spring elements and the extensions, and (ii) the shaft is positioned within the cavity. 
     In another aspect, an electronic device is described. The electronic device may include a housing that includes a first opening and a second opening. The housing may further include a blind hole at least partially positioned between the first opening and the second opening. The electronic device may further include a first part that includes a first through hole that defines a spring element. The electronic device may further include a second part engaged with the first part. The second part may include a second through hole. The electronic device may further include a fastener positioned in the blind hole and passing through the first through hole and the second through hole. The fastener can cause the spring element to bend such that the spring element is positioned in the second through hole. 
     In another aspect, an electronic device is described. The electronic device may include a fastener that includes a fastener head. The fastener head may include a fastener diameter. The electronic device may further include a first part that includes a first through hole that defines a first diameter. The first part may include spring elements that define a second diameter of the through hole that is different from the first diameter. The second diameter can be less than the fastener diameter. The electronic device may further include a second part that includes a second through hole that defines a third diameter. The second part may include extensions that define a fourth diameter of the through hole that is different from the third diameter. The fourth diameter can be less than the fastener diameter. The electronic device may further include a housing that includes a cavity. In some instances, the fastener passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and is positioned in the cavity. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front isometric view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear isometric view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 , showing openings formed in the housing and an assembly positioned in the housing; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of an assembly, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an internal view of an electronic device, showing an assembly engaged with a housing of the electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of a fastener, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of a part, showing a through hole in the part, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of a part, showing a through hole in the part, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the fastener shown in  FIG. 5 , showing the fastener engaging the part shown in  FIG. 6  and the part shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross sectional view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along line  9 - 9 ; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following disclosure relates to electronic devices using with multiple parts secured together by fasteners. In particular, the following disclosure relates to fastening multiple part together in a manner such that the fasteners engage each part being fastened together. A fastener described herein may include a fastener head and a shaft extending from the fastener head. The parts may engage each other in a stacked configuration. Each part may include a through hole, or opening, with a unique geometry that allows the fastener to contact each of the parts. For example, a first part may include a through hole defined by multiple spring elements, which may include cantilevered spring elements. A second part may include a through hole defined by multiple extensions and multiple through hole sections. The first part is stacked over the second part, and a fastener fastens the first part with the second part. When the fastener is inserted into each through hole to clamp the parts together, the fastener engages the spring elements and applies a force that bends and elastically deforms the spring elements, thereby causing the spring elements (of the first part) to bend into the through respective through hole sections (of second part). As a result of the bending of the spring elements, the fastener engages both the first part and the second part. The engagement described herein between the fastener and both parts includes an engagement between the fastener head and both parts. In some instances, the shaft is not engaged with either of the parts. 
     By forming parts that can stack on each other and also engage the fastener, the resultant assembly provides a reliable arrangement in which both parts remain stationary. Also, with the fastener head providing direct engagement with both parts, electronic devices described herein may require fewer fasteners, which may reduce the weight of the electronic devices. Fewer fastener may result in fewer blind holes, or cavities, formed in a housing of an electronic device. Moreover, when fewer blind holes are required to be formed into the housing, the number of available locations in which the parts may be assembled to the housing increases. Also, fewer fasteners and fewer blind holes result in less manufacturing time to form the electronic device. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front isometric view of an embodiment of an electronic device  100 , in accordance with some described embodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device  100  includes a mobile wireless computing device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computing device. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  includes a desktop computing device. The electronic device  100  include a housing  102  that is formed from a metal, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other rigid material(s). The electronic device  100  may further include a stand  104  rotationally coupled to the housing  102 . The electronic device  100  may further include a display  106  that is carried by the housing  102 . The display  106  is designed to present visual information in the form of still images, motion images (such as video), and/or textual information. The housing  102  may provide an internal volume, or space, for internal components (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), such as circuit boards, processor circuits (including central processing units and graphics processing units), memory circuits, audio modules, microphones, flexible circuits, and batteries, as non-limiting examples. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear isometric view of the electronic device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , showing openings  108  formed in the housing  102  and an assembly  110  positioned in the housing  102 . The openings  108  may define through holes that open to the internal volume defined by the housing  102 . However, the assembly  110  may include one or more parts that cover the openings  108 . The assembly  110  may take the form of various part assembled together. For example, in some embodiments, the assembly  110  includes multiple circuit boards stacked together. In some embodiments, the assembly  110  includes multiple sensing components stacked together. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of an assembly  110 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The assembly  110  may include multiple parts disposed in the housing  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The assembly  110  may include a part  112   a  and a part  112   b.  In some embodiments, the part  112   a  and/or the part  112   b  include a circuit board that carries multiple components. In some embodiments, the part  112   a  and/or the part  112   b  may include a metal layer, including a sheet metal layer, designed to obscure or cover openings (such as the openings  108 , shown in  FIG. 2 ) or carry other components of an electronic device. 
     The part  112   a  may be assembled with the part  112   b.  In this regard, the part  112   a  may include a through hole  114   a,  or opening, and the part  112   b  may include a through hole  114   b.  The assembly  110  may include a fastener  116  that passes through the through hole  114   a  and the through hole  114   b.  The fastener  116  may include a fastener head  118   a  and a shaft  118   b,  with the shaft  118   b  capable of passing through the through hole  114   a  and the through hole  114   b.  The fastener head  118   a  may include a tool receiving surface  120  designed to receive a tool (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). As a result, the fastener  116  may couple the part  112   a  and the part  112   b  to a structure, such as the housing  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     Traditionally, a fastener may engage a first part that is relatively closer to the fastener head (such as the part  112   a ), and provide a resultant indirect force to an additional part(s) (such as the part  112   b ). However, the assembly  110  (and assemblies described herein) may include enhancements to the parts such that the fastener  116  engages both the part  112   a  and the part  112   b . Specifically, the fastener head  118   a  is designed to engage both the part  112   a  and the part  112   b . This requires modifications to the through holes of the parts. For example, the through hole  114   a  of the part  112   a  is defined by a spring element  122   a,  a spring element  122   b,  and a spring element  122   c,  each of which may define a cantilevered spring element. These spring elements include flexible elements designed to elastically deform (as indicated by dotted lines) relative to remaining portions of the part  112   a.  However, in some instances, the deformation may be plastic deformation. To form the through hole  114   a  and the aforementioned spring elements, the part  112   a  may undergo a cutting operation, which may include laser cutting, stamping, or die cutting, as non-limiting examples. 
     Further, the through hole  114   b  in the part  112   b  may include features in accordance with the part  112   a.  For example, the through hole  114   b  is defined by a through hole section  124   a,  a through hole section  124   b,  and a through hole section  124   c.  Further, the through hole  114   b  is defined by an extension  126   a,  an extension  126   b,  and an extension  126   c.  The fastener head  118   a  may engage the spring element  122   a,  the spring element  122   b,  and the spring element  122   c  of the part  112   a.  The force provided by the fastener head  118   a  bends the spring element  122   a,  the spring element  122   b,  and the spring element  122   c  into the through hole section  124   a,  the through hole section  124   b,  and the through hole section  124   c,  respectively. Furthermore, based upon the bending of the spring element  122   a,  the spring element  122   b,  and the spring element  122   c,  the fastener head  118   a  can engage the extension  126   a,  the extension  126   b,  and the extension  126   c  of the part  112   b.  In this manner, the fastener  116  (by way of the fastener head  118   a ) directly engages the part  112   a  (by way of the spring element  122   a,  the spring element  122   b,  and the spring element  122   c ) and the part  112   b  (by way of the extension  126   a,  the extension  126   b,  and the extension  126   c ). Also, the fastener head  118   a  may engage both the part  112   a  and the part  112   b,  while the shaft  118   b  is free of engagement with the part  112   a  and the part  112   b.    
       FIG. 4  illustrates an internal view of an electronic device  200 , showing an assembly  210  engaged with a housing  202  of the electronic device  200 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The electronic device  200  may include any features described herein for an electronic device. As shown, the assembly  210  includes a part  212   a  and a part  212   b  (shown as a dotted line) coupled to the part  212   a.  The part  212   a  may include a circuit board. In this regard, the part  212   a  may include a component  230   a  and a component  230   b.  Each of the component  230   a  and the component  230   b  may include a processor circuit, power supply, memory circuit, or another component known in the art to be mounted on a circuit board. 
     The part  212   a  and the part  212   b  are coupled to the housing  202  by a fastener  216   a,  a fastener  216   b,  a fastener  216   c,  and a fastener  216   d.  As shown in the enlarged view, the fastener  216   a  may extend through a through hole  214   a  of the part  212   a  and a through hole  214   b  of the part  212   b.  The part  212   a  and the part  212   b  may include any features described for the part  112   a  and the part  112   b,  respectively, shown in  FIG. 3 . In this regard, the fastener  216   a  may engage with multiple spring elements (not labeled) of the part  212   a  and multiple extensions (not labeled) of the part  212   b.  The part  212   a  and the part  212   b  may include multiple through holes, similar to the through hole  214   a  and the through hole  214   b,  respectively. Accordingly, the fastener  216   b,  the fastener  216   c,  and the fastener  216   d  may pass through these through holes and engage spring elements of the part  212   a  and extensions of the part  212   b,  similar to a manner previously described. 
     Also, based upon the design geometry, the through holes can be positioned between adjacent openings in the housing  202 . For example, the housing  202  includes an opening  208   a,  an opening  208   b,  and an opening  208   c.  As shown in the enlarged view, the design geometry of the through hole  214   a  and the through hole  214   b  do not overlap the opening  208   a,  the opening  208   b , or the opening  208   c.  In other words, the through hole  214   a  and the through hole  214   b  are positioned between the opening  208   a,  the opening  208   b,  and the opening  208   c.  As a result, the housing  202  obscures the view of the through hole  214   a  and the through hole  214   b  (when viewing the electronic device  200  externally). Also, based upon the through hole  214   b  not overlapping the opening  208   a,  the opening  208   b,  or the opening  208   c,  the fastener  216   a  can be positioned between the opening  208   a,  the opening  208   b,  and the opening  208   c,  and can also be obscured by the housing  202 . By using the design geometry of the through holes shown in  FIG. 4 , the fasteners can be located in relatively tight spaces, such as between adjacent openings in the housing  202 , thereby increasing the available locations of the fasteners can attach to the housing  202 . 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate dimensional information of a fastener and parts that form an assembly described herein. The dimensional information, including relative dimensional information, of the fastener and the parts may be present in other embodiments described herein. Also, the fastener and the parts may include features previously described for fasteners and parts, respectively. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of a fastener  316 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The fastener  316  may include a fastener head  318   a  and a shaft  318   b.  The fastener head  318   a  may include a dimension  332   a  and the shaft  318   b  may include a dimension  332   b  less than dimension  332   a.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of a part  312   a,  showing a through hole  314   a  in the part  312   a,  in accordance with some described embodiments. The through hole  314   a  may include a dimension  334   a,  which may define a diameter of the through hole  314   a.  The through hole  314   a  may further include a dimension  334   b  defined in part by a spring element  322   a,  a spring element  322   b,  and a spring element  322   c.  The dimension  334   b  may generally define an additional diameter that is less than the diameter defined by the dimension  334   a.  Referring to  FIG. 5 , the dimension  332   b  of the shaft  318   b  is less than the dimension  334   b  of the through hole  314   a.  As a result, the shaft  318   b  may pass through the through hole  314   a.  Also, the dimension  332   a  of the fastener head  318   a  is greater than the dimension  334   b.  As a result, the fastener head  318   a  can engage the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c.  Further, the dimension  332   a  of the fastener head  318   a  may be less than the dimension  334   a  of the through hole  314   a  such that the fastener head  318   a  does not engage portions of the part  312   a  other than the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c.    
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of a part  312   b,  showing a through hole  314   b  in the part  312   b,  in accordance with some described embodiments. The through hole  314   b  includes a dimension  336  that is greater than the dimension  332   b  of the shaft  318   b  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). As a result, the shaft  318   b  of the fastener  316  may pass through the through hole  314   b.  Further, the through hole  314   b  is defined in part by a through hole section  324   a,  a through hole section  324   b , and a through hole section  324   c.  The through hole section  324   a,  the through hole section  324   b , and the through hole section  324   c  provide a space for the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c,  respectively. The through hole  314   b  is further defined in part by an extension  326   a,  an extension  326   b,  and an extension  326   c,  which define in part the dimension  336 . Due in part to the aforementioned extensions, the dimension  336  is less than the dimension  332   a  of the fastener head  318   a.  As a result, the extension  326   a,  the extension  326   b , and the extension  326   c  provide an engagement surface for the fastener  316  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), and in particular, an engagement surface for the fastener head  318   a.    
     During assembly, the shaft  318   b  passes through the through hole  314   a  and the through hole  314   b,  and the fastener head  318   a  engages the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b , and the spring element  322   c.  When the fastener head  318   a  provides sufficient force to the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c,  the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c  bend and are subsequently positioned in the through hole section  324   a,  the through hole section  324   b,  and the through hole section  324   c , respectively. As a result, the fastener head  318   a  engages the extension  326   a,  the extension  326   b , and the extension  326   c.  Thus, the fastener  316  can engage the part  312   a  by way of the aforementioned spring elements, and also engage the part  312   b  by way of aforementioned extensions. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the fastener  316  shown in  FIG. 5 , showing the fastener  316  engaging the part  312   a  shown in  FIG. 6  and the part  312   b  shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown, the part  312   a  and the part  312   b  are positioned on an enclosure  302  of an electronic device  300 , with the part  312   a  being positioned over the part  312   b.  The electronic device  300  may include any features described herein for an electronic device. The shaft  318   b  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) passes through the thorough hole  314   a  and the through hole  314   b.  The spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c  align with the through hole section  324   a,  the through hole section  324   b,  and the through hole section  324   c,  respectively. As a result, a bending (or deformation) of the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c  may cause the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b,  and the spring element  322   c  to at least partially enter the through hole section  324   a,  the through hole section  324   b,  and the through hole section  324   c,  respectively. Also, as shown, the spring element  322   a,  the spring element  322   b , and the spring element  322   c  are laterally displaced with respect to the extension  326   a,  the extension  326   b,  and the extension  326   c  such that the spring elements do not contact the extensions. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cross sectional view of the electronic device  300  shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along line  9 - 9 . As shown, the fastener  316  passes through the through hole  314   a  (labeled in  FIG. 8 ) of the part  312   a  and the through hole  314   b  (labeled in  FIG. 8 ) of the part  312   b.  The shaft  318   b  is positioned in a blind hole  340 , or cavity, of the enclosure  302 . The fastener head  318   a  engages the spring element  322   c.  In particular, an engagement surface  320   b  (opposite a tool receiving surface  320   a ) of the fastener head  318   a  engages the spring element  322   c.  Further, the spring element  322   c  bends in response to the engagement with, and a subsequent force provided by, the fastener head  318   a,  thereby allowing the fastener head  318   a  (an in particular, the engagement surface  320   b ) to also engage the extension  326   a  of the part  312   b.  As a result, the fastener  316  is in direct engagement with both the part  312   a  and the part  312   b.  This engagement may enhance the ability of the fastener  316  to maintain the part  312   a  and the part  312   b  in a stationary position. In particular, the fastener head  318   a  (as opposed to the shaft  318   b ) is in direct engaged with the part  312   a  and the part  312   b,  by way of the engagement surface  320   b.  This may provide an advantage over scenarios in which a shaft engages only a first part only and provides an indirect engagement to a second part via the first part. Further, when the fastener  316  engages the part  312   a,  the part  312   b,  and the enclosure  302 , the part  312   a  and the part  312   b  can be electrically grounded to the enclosure  302 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an exemplary engagement between the spring element  322   c  and the fastener head  318   a.  It should be noted that the fastener head  318   a  is also engaged with the spring element  322   a  and the spring element  322   b  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) in a similar manner. Also,  FIG. 9  shows an exemplary engagement between the extension  326   a  and the fastener head  318   a.  It should be noted that the fastener head  318   a  is also engaged with the extension  326   b  and the extension  326   b  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) in a similar manner. Further, it should be noted that both the spring element  322   a  and the spring element  322   b  can bend in a manner similar to that of the spring element  322   c . Also, as shown, the fastener  316  (and in particular, the fastener head  318   a ) is flush, or co-planar, with respect to the part  312   a.  Alternatively, however, the fastener head  318   a  can be proud of, or extend above, the part  312   a,  or sub-flush with respect to the part  312   a.    
       FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device  400 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The components shown for the electronic device  400  in the block diagram may be incorporated into the electronic device  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The electronic device  400  can include a processor  402  that represents a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of electronic device  400 . The electronic device  400  can also include inputs  408 . Some of the inputs  408  allow a user of the electronic device  400  to interact with the electronic device  400 . For example, the inputs  408  can take the form of a variety of user input devices, such as a button, a keypad, a dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. 
     The display  410  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  402  to present visual information to the user. The electronic device  400  may further include a controller  413  that can be used to interface with and control different equipment through an equipment control bus  414 . A data bus  416  can facilitate data transfer between at least the processor  402 , a controller  413 , and a storage device  440 . The electronic device  400  can also include a network/bus interface  411  that couples to a data link  412 . In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  411  can include a wireless transceiver. 
     The storage device  440  may include a single disk or multiple disks (e.g., hard drives), as well as a storage management module that manages one or more partitions within the storage device  440 . In some embodiments, the storage device  440  can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or the like. The electronic device  400  can also include a Random Access Memory  420 , or RAM, and a Read-Only Memory  422 , or ROM. The Random Access Memory  420  can provide volatile data storage, and stores instructions related to the operation of the electronic device  400 . The Read-Only Memory  422  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190415
Publication Date: 20210323
Grant Date: 20210323
Priority Date: 20180927
Inventors: RUNDLE, NICHOLAS A.
PORTER, MACKENZIE D.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K2201/10189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/184", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1628", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/184", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69946799