PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8830664-B2
Application Number: US-201213594743-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Complementary ground and support members

Abstract:
A ground member of a personal electronic device includes a base and a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base. The first deflection arm exposes a cutout portion of the base and is bent along a first bend line. The cutout portion is dimensioned to engage with a complementary dimensioned support member and the first deflection arm is configured to deflect and engage with the support member in response to insertion of the support member in the cutout portion. The ground member further includes a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A personal electronic device, comprising:
 a grounding member, comprising:
 a base, 
 a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base and bent along a first bend line such that a cutout portion of the base is exposed and the first deflection extends from a single side of the cutout portion, and 
 a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line; and 
 
 a support member comprising a protrusion extending from and integrally formed with an interior surface of a housing of the personal electronic device, the support member being disposed through the cutout portion of the base, 
 wherein a distal end of the first deflection arm is embedded within a lateral surface of the protrusion, thereby preventing the grounding member from being disengaged from the support member, and wherein the second defection arm is in direct contact with an electrical component disposed within the housing, thereby creating an electrically conductive pathway between the electrical component and the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second deflection arm is substantially longer than the first deflection arm. 
     
     
       3. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutout portion of the base is substantially rectangular and wherein the first deflection arm extends from one side of the cutout portion. 
     
     
       4. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a lateral surface defining a groove having a size and shape in accordance with the distal end of the first deflection arm, the groove allowing the first deflection arm to snap into place when the grounding spring is installed upon the protrusion. 
     
     
       5. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a substantially rectangular cross section of the support member facilitates alignment of the grounding spring within the cavity and resists rotation of the ground member in relation to the support member. 
     
     
       6. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second deflection arm of the ground member is configured to provide access to a common electrical return path for an electrical component in contact therewith. 
     
     
       7. The personal electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of grounding members, each grounding member comprising a base, a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base exposing a cutout portion of the base and being bent along a first bend line, and a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line; and 
 a plurality of support members formed from the housing configured to engage with respective cutout portions of the plurality of ground members. 
 
     
     
       8. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing, comprising a plurality of walls that define a cavity, and a support feature comprising a protrusion integrally formed with and extending from an interior surface of a select one of the walls; 
 an electrical component disposed within the cavity of the housing; and 
 a grounding spring, comprising:
 a metal substrate defining an opening through which the protrusion extends, 
 a first deflection arm integrally formed with and extending from one side of the opening, the first deflection arm being bent along a first bend line defined by an intersection of the first deflection arm and the one side of the opening, wherein a distal end of the first deflection arm is embedded into a lateral surface of the protrusion; and 
 a second deflection arm extending from one end of the base and bent along a second bend line so that the second deflection arm extends away from the wall, the second deflection arm in direct contact with the electrical component and operative to ground the electrical component to the wall of the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the grounding spring is formed of a harder material than material utilized to form the protrusion. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the protrusion further comprises a groove having a size and shape in accordance with the distal end of the first deflection arm that allows the first deflection arm to be deeply embedded within the protrusion. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the protrusion and a shape of the opening are both substantially rectangular and complementary to one another. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein a deflection angle of the first deflection arm with respect to the metal substrate is an acute angle. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the first deflection arm is substantially shorter than the second deflection arm. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein edges of the metal substrate that define the opening through which the protrusion is disposed cooperate with a shape of the protrusion to prevent the grounding spring from rotating around the protrusion. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the metal substrate is positioned substantially parallel to the wall from which the protrusion extends. 
     
     
       16. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing, comprising a plurality of walls that define a internal volume, and a support feature comprising a protrusion integrally formed with and extending from a surface of a select one of the walls and into the internal volume; 
 an electrical component disposed within the internal volume; and 
 a grounding spring, comprising:
 an electrically conductive base defining an opening through which the protrusion extends, 
 a first deflection arm integrally formed with and extending from one side of the opening, the first deflection arm being bent along a first bend line defined by an intersection of the first deflection arm and the one side of the opening, wherein a distal end of the first deflection arm is disposed within a groove defined by a lateral surface of the protrusion; and 
 a second deflection arm extending from one end of the base and bent along a second bend line so that the second deflection arm extends away from the wall, the second deflection arm in direct contact with the electrical component and operative to ground the electrical component to the wall of the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the grounding spring is formed from a single sheet of metal. 
     
     
       18. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first deflection arm extends from the electrically conductive base at an acute angle. 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first deflection arm cooperates with the groove to resist removal of the grounding spring from the protrusion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS 
     The described embodiments relate generally to personal electronic devices, and more particularly, to support members in personal electronic devices that provide mechanical support and access to ground or common. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, personal electronic devices include a plurality of electrical components disposed within a housing. The housing may be formed of metal or a metal alloy, and may provide a ground or common connection for the components disposed therein (e.g., for shielding, antenna, or other components). Furthermore, the housing may include a plurality of tapped or drilled holes allowing for electrical connection to ground through the use of a complementary screw or bolt. Oftentimes, the screw or bolt may provide partial mechanical support including fastening of a component against a wall or surface of the housing. Further mechanical support may be provided with additional fasteners or adhesive. 
     However, as overall sizes of housings are minimized to reduce overall dimensions of personal electronic devices, access to sufficient thickness of housing material to provide an appropriate fastening force through the use of holes and fasteners becomes problematic. Furthermore, overuse or application of adhesives may hinder good electrical contact with ground. For example, as thicknesses of housing material are minimized, it may become impossible to apply any standard threading to a hole which allows engaging with the hole, appropriate fastening force, and good electrical contact to ground. 
     Therefore, what is needed is innovation in device housings which do not directly depend on minimum housing thickness to provide good mechanical support and contact with ground. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS 
     This paper describes various embodiments that relate to personal electronic devices and associated housings. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ground member of a personal electronic device includes a base and a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base. The first deflection arm exposes a cutout portion of the base and is bent along a first bend line. The cutout portion is dimensioned to engage with a complementary dimensioned support member and the first deflection arm is configured to deflect and engage with the support member in response to insertion of the support member in the cutout portion. The ground member further includes a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line. 
     According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, a ground and support connection of a personal electronic device includes a ground member and a support member. The ground member includes a base, a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base exposing a cutout portion of the base and being bent along a first bend line, and a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line. The support member is formed from a housing of the personal electronic device. The cutout portion of the ground member is dimensioned to engage with the support member, and furthermore, the first deflection arm is configured to deflect and engage with the support member in response to insertion of the support member in the cutout portion. 
     According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming and assembling a ground and support connection for a personal electronic device housing includes forming a support member within the personal electronic device housing and inserting a ground member onto the support member. The ground member includes a base and a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base exposing a cutout portion of the base and being bent along a first bend line. The cutout portion is dimensioned to engage the support member and the first deflection arm is configured to deflect and engage with the support member in response to inserting the ground member onto the base. The ground member further includes a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ground member of a personal electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the ground member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a frontal elevation view of the ground member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead view of the ground member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a personal electronic device housing having a plurality of support members formed therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a support member of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a frontal elevation view of a support member of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an overhead view of a support member of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an assembled ground and support connection, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the assembled ground and support connection of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a frontal elevation view of the assembled ground and support connection of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is an overhead view of the assembled ground and support connection of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method of forming and assembling a ground and support connection, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     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. 
     As provided herein, various embodiments directed to combination ground and support members comprising at least a ground member and a support member integrally formed of a device housing are described in detail. The ground member may include a deflectable arm configured to engage and partially embed in the support member. The engaging and partial embedding ensures a stable electrical connection therebetween while also resisting disengaging from the support member. The ground member may further include a second deflectable arm arranged as a spring to bias electrical components of a personal electronic device and connect a portion thereof to ground or common. The support member may include a substantially rectangular cross section affording easy installation and X-Y alignment of the ground member. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a ground member  100  of a personal electronic device is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the ground member  100  includes a base  101 , a first deflectable arm  102 , and a second deflectable arm  104 . The first deflectable arm  102  is formed from and exposes a cutout  103  of the base  101 , and may be additionally trimmed or milled such that spacing between the arm  102  and cutout  103  leaves a gap for entry of a support member as described herein. The ground member  101  may be formed of metal or a metal alloy, such as for example, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, hardened aluminum allows, or any other suitable material. The cutout  103  may be dimensioned to receive a complementary dimensioned support member described below. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the ground member  100  is provided. As shown, the first deflectable arm  102  at rest rises a maximum distance d 1  from an upper surface  201  of the base  101 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3  a frontal elevation view of the ground member  100  is provided. As shown, the first deflectable arm  102  is at rest arranged at a deflection angle ⊖ measured from the upper surface  201  of the base  101 . The angle ⊖ may increase during deflection of the arm  102 , for example, if engaging a support member as described herein. Furthermore, spring force provided by the material forming member  101  resisting deflection may promote firm electrical contact with a support member. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , an overhead view of the ground member  100  is provided. As shown, the first deflectable arm  102  is formed from cutout  103  and bent along a first bend line  402 . The bend line  402  intersects an origin of the deflection angle ⊖. Therefore, a lateral initial deflection distance d 2  may decrease as the deflection angle ⊖ decreases, and the lateral deflection distance d 2  may increase as the deflection angle ⊖ increases. As such, insertion and engagement of a support member may deflect the arm  102  along bend line  402  such that the lateral deflection distance d 2  increases to substantially the lateral dimension of the support member. 
     As further shown, the second deflectable arm  104  is bent along a second bend line  401 . The bending of the second deflectable arm  104  allows for a spring-like actuation of the arm  104 , thereby allowing support and ground connection of an electronic component in contact therewith. 
     Hereinafter, support members of housings of personal electronic devices are described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a personal electronic device housing  500  having a plurality of support members  503  formed therein, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the housing  500  includes a side wall  501  and base wall  502 . The housing  500  further includes one or more support members  503  arranged on the base wall  502 . The side wall  501 , base wall  502 , and support members  503  may be formed through the milling or processing of a single block of material such as, for example, a block of aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, titanium, or other suitable material. The single block of material may be milled in any suitable tool or machining process, including automated manufacturing processes. As such, each support member  503  may comprise un-milled or partially milled material integrally attached to the base wall  502 . The housing  500  may include a plurality of additional milled features not illustrated for clarity of discussion, and therefore, embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the particular dimensions, shape, or form of  FIG. 5 , but rather should be interpreted to include all equivalent structures allowing for inclusion of one or more support members  503 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , a side elevation view of support member  503  is provided. As shown, the support member  503  is a substantially solid member integrally arranged on the base wall  502 . Therefore, there may be a good electrical connection between surfaces of the support member  503  and the base wall  502 . As such, if the base wall  502  or entire housing  500  is used as a common return path for electrical components housed therein, contact with surfaces of the support member  503  may allow access to said return path. As further shown, the support member  503  includes a longitudinal dimension d 3 . The longitudinal dimension d 3  may be sized to relate to a longitudinal dimension of the cutout  103  such that engagement therewith provides stable X-Y alignment. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , a frontal elevation view of support member  503  is illustrated. As shown, the support member  503  includes a lateral dimension d 4 . The lateral dimension d 4  may be sized to deflect the first deflection arm  102  sufficiently to allow for good electrical contact between the support member  503  and the arm  102 . Furthermore, the lateral dimension d 4  may be sized to deflect the first deflection arm  102  sufficiently to allow a portion thereof, or at least a point or edge thereof, to embed within an outer surface of the support member  503 . In this manner, stable fastening of the member  100  may be achieved. 
       FIG. 8  is an overhead view of support member  503 , and depicts the substantially rectangular cross section of the same. 
     Hereinafter, engaging of a ground member  100  and support member  503  are described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 9-12 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an assembled ground and support connection  900 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the first deflection arm  102  is deflected along bend line  402  and engaged with an exterior surface of the support member  503 . Furthermore, base  101  is in contact with base wall  502  of the housing  500 . Moreover, deflection arm  104  is configured to deflect along axis Z′ and bend line  401  without disturbing the X′-Y′ alignment of the member  100  and housing  500 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the assembled ground and support connection  900 . As shown, base  101  is in contact with base wall  502  of the housing  500 . Furthermore, deflection arm  104  is configured to deflect along axis Z′ without disturbing the X′ positioning of the member  100  and housing  500 . 
       FIG. 11  is a frontal elevation view of the assembled ground and support  900 . As shown, the first deflection arm  102  is deflected along bend line  402  and engaged with an exterior surface of the support member  503  at line  901 . Line  901  may include both an edge of the deflection arm  102  and a portion of the exterior surface of the support member  503 . Furthermore, the deflection distance d 5  of the deflection arm  102  is approximately the difference between the initial rest dimension d 2  of the deflection arm  102  and the lateral dimension d 4  of the support member  503 . As such, Y′ positioning of the member  100  and housing  500  is maintained. 
     Although illustrated as having a substantially smooth outer surface, it should be understood that the support member  503  may be milled to include a groove or other engagement indentation at or near the line  901  to promote greater retention of the member  100 . For example, the groove or indentation may allow the deflection arm  102  to snap into place. All such modifications are considered to be within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 12  is an overhead view of the assembled ground and support connection  900 . As shown, X′-Y′ alignment of the member  100  and housing  500  is maintained upon assembly. 
     It is noted that as deflection arm  104  is configured to deflect along a Z′ axis, electrical components may be populated against the deflection arm  104  and thereby garner an electrical connection to ground and support through biasing or spring forces provided by arm  104 . Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the entire member  100  is formed of a relatively harder material than the housing, and therefore the support member  503 , and as such engagement and deflection of the arm  102  may cause a “biting” or gripping action which resists removal of the member  100  upon assembly of the connection  900 . According to one embodiment, the member  100  is formed of stainless steel while the housing  500  is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy to facilitate these features. Other materials may also be used without departing from the scope of embodiments as described herein. 
     Hereinafter, assembly of the connection  900  is described in detail with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method of forming and assembling a ground and support connection, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method  1300  includes preparing a device housing with at least one support member at block  1301 . The at least one support member may be substantially similar to support member  503 , and may be termed a boss or other structural equivalent. The device housing may be similar to housing  500 , or may differ according to any desired implementation. 
     The method  1300  further includes preparing a ground member at block  1302 . The ground member may be substantially similar to ground member  100 , and may include at least one deflection arm configured to engage with the support member. 
     The method  1300  further includes inserting the ground member over the support member at block  1303 . Inserting may include aligning a cutout (e.g., cutout  103 ) over the support member (e.g.,  503 ) and forcefully pushing the ground member against the support member until a stable connection is made. For example, a base of the ground member may be pushed to be in contact with a base wall of the prepared housing, and the at least one deflection arm of the ground member may engage and grip the support member. 
     The method  1300  further include populating the device housing at block  1304  and device testing at block  1305 . For example, populating the housing may include aligning and inserting at least one electrical component to be in contact with a second deflection arm of the ground member. The second deflection arm may provide a biasing or spring force to ensure electrical contact through the ground member and to the support member, which may provide a common return path for electrical components populating the device housing. 
     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 or assembly 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 specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described 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: 20120824
Publication Date: 20140909
Grant Date: 20140909
Priority Date: 20120824
Inventors: KOLE JARED MITCHELL
WOODHULL CHARLES B.
WITTENBERG MICHAEL BENJAMIN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R4/4848", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R4/4821", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R4/4848", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R4/4821", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2442", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49117", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0039", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2442", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0039", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50147805