PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9040855-B2
Application Number: US-201213610724-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: 3-dimensional seal for a button

Abstract:
Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole may fit around and engage the post. In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing including housing walls that define a space within the housing, one of the housing walls having an aperture; 
 a button including a cosmetic portion that protrudes from a flange portion of the button, wherein the cosmetic portion extends through the aperture of the housing, the button including a cavity defined by an internal surface and a post extending from the internal surface; and 
 a seal assembly comprising a first section and a second section, wherein:
 the first section includes a protruding member and a post receiving hole, the protruding member occupying the cavity of the button such that a first surface of the first section is secured to the internal surface of the button, wherein the post extends through the post receiving hole, and 
 the second section includes a second surface secured to the flange portion of the button such that the button constrains the seal assembly within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises a beveled edge at a distal end of the post. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises an undercut operative to help retain the seal assembly. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cosmetic portion forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the button further comprises a chamfered edge along a perimeter of the cavity. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a dimension of the post is larger than a corresponding dimension of the post receiving hole. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member comprises at least one registration hole. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly is constructed from a compliant material. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member comprises a co-molded part operative to provide enhanced stiffness with respect to a remainder of the seal assembly. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the co-molded part is constructed from one of a metal and a plastic. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the co-molded part is a shim that forms a periphery of the protruding member. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member comprises a cutout around a portion of the post receiving hole. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is fixed to the internal surface of the button within the cavity with glue or a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly is secured to a sidewall surface of the housing with glue or a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
       15. A method for assembling a water proof button in an electronic device, the device comprising a housing with housing walls that define a space within the housing, one of the housing walls including an aperture, the method comprising:
 inserting a cosmetic portion of a button into the aperture of the housing such that a flange portion of the button is positioned within the space of the housing, the button comprising a cavity defined by an internal surface and a post extending from the internal surface; 
 applying a first portion of glue to the internal surface of the button and a second portion of glue to a surface of the flange portion; and 
 securing a sealing assembly to the button and the housing, the sealing assembly comprising a first section and a second section, wherein securing the sealing assembly comprises positioning a protruding member of the sealing assembly within the cavity of the button such that:
 a first surface of the first section contacts the first portion of glue securing the first section to the button, wherein the post of the button extends through a post receiving hole of the first section, and 
 a second surface of the second section contacts the second portion of glue securing the second section to the button, wherein the button constrains the sealing assembly within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the protruding member comprises at least one registration hole, and wherein the method further comprises aligning the at least one registration hole with a corresponding feature within the electronic device. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the securing further comprises stretching the post receiving hole of the sealing assembly around the post to form a compression fit between the post receiving hole and the post. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising aligning a switch with the post such that the switch is activated by the post when the button is actuated. 
     
     
       19. A water tight button assembly for use in an electronic device having a housing, the housing including housing walls that define a space within the housing with one of the walls including an aperture, the water tight button assembly comprising:
 a button including a cosmetic portion that protrudes from a flange portion of the button, wherein the cosmetic portion is positioned within the aperture of the housing, the button including a cavity and a post, wherein the cavity is defined by an internal surface and the post extends from the internal surface; and 
 a sealing member comprising a first section and a second section, wherein:
 the first section includes a protruding member and a post receiving hole, the protruding member occupying the cavity of the button such that a first surface of the first section is secured to the internal surface of the button, wherein the post extends through the post receiving hole, and 
 the second section includes a second surface secured to the flange portion of the button such that the button constrains the sealing member within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The button assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the post comprises an undercut operative to help retain the sealing member. 
     
     
       21. The button assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a dimension of the post is larger than a corresponding dimension of the post receiving hole. 
     
     
       22. The button assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing member comprises at least one registration hole. 
     
     
       23. The button assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing member comprises a co-molded part operative to provide enhanced stiffness with respect to a remainder of the sealing member.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure is related to button assemblies for electronic devices, and more particularly to a water tight seal for a button in an electronic device and methods for making the same. 
     One common way for users to provide inputs to electronic devices (e.g., portable media players and cellular telephones) is through the use of a button. A switch (e.g., a dome switch or other push-button style switch) is typically mounted behind the button, and the button activates the switch when a user actuates the button. When activated, the switch completes a circuit and can provide electrical signals to other components of the electronic device. 
     In some applications it is advantageous for a button assembly to have a water tight seal for preventing liquids from entering an electronic device and contacting internal components of the device. For example, if a user mistakenly pours liquid on the electronic device, the liquid can sometimes come into contact with internal circuit elements of the device. Water or any other foreign liquid coming into contact with one or more of the circuit elements may short a circuit of the device or otherwise damage a component of the device. 
     Conventional water tight seals for buttons include the use of o-rings or compressible membranes/gaskets. The water tight members are often secured to the buttons using adhesives (e.g., a pressure sensitive adhesive). These implementations result in unsatisfactory button feel and response. Moreover, the use of a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to secure water tight members to buttons is not reliable when the PSA is applied to curved surfaces. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved button assemblies. 
     SUMMARY 
     Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The cosmetic portion may be exposed to a user for actuation and may form an exterior surface of an electronic device. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and can activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole can fit around and engage the post. The sealing member can engage an outer periphery of the button and may be secured to the button by glue and/or PSA. In addition, the post receiving hole can form an interference fit with the post. 
     In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly. In some embodiments, the protruding member may be constructed from the same compliant material as the remainder of the sealing member. In other embodiments, the protruding member may include a rigid material. For example, in some embodiments, the protruding member can include a co-molded part that provides enhanced stiffness with respect to the remainder of the sealing member. Regardless of the composition of the protruding member, the protruding member may include registration holes that help locate the sealing member relative to another component of the electronic device. 
     According to an embodiment, an electronic device can include a housing, a button, and a seal assembly. The housing can include a sidewall having a first surface and an aperture. The button can include a cosmetic portion, a cavity, and a post. The cosmetic portion extends through the aperture. The seal assembly is secured to the button and the first surface. The seal assembly includes a protruding member and a post receiving hole. The protruding member occupies the cavity and is fixed to a portion of an interior surface of the button. The post extends through and is secured to the post receiving hole. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for assembling a water proof button in an electronic device. The device can include a housing that includes a sidewall having a first surface and an aperture. The method may include inserting a button into the aperture. The button can include a cavity and a post. The method also may include applying glue to the first surface. The method may further include securing a sealing assembly to the button and the first surface. The sealing assembly can include a protruding member, adhesive, and a post receiving hole. The protruding member is secured to the cavity by the adhesive, the post is secured to the sealing assembly via the post receiving hole, and the sealing assembly is fixed to the first surface via the glue. 
     According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a water tight button assembly for use in an electronic device. The electronic device can have a housing that includes a sidewall and an aperture. The button assembly can include a button and a seal assembly. The button can include a cosmetic portion, a cavity and a post. The cosmetic portion extends through the aperture. The seal assembly can be secured to the button and an inner surface of the sidewall. The seal assembly can include a protruding member and a post receiving hole. The protruding member occupies the cavity and is fixed to a portion of an interior surface of the button. The post extends through and is secured to the post receiving hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of an illustrative electronic device including a button assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a rear perspective view of an illustrative sealing member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a front perspective view of the sealing member of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view from the interior of an illustrative electronic device including a button in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view from the interior of the electronic device of  FIG. 3A  including a seal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 3B  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a rear perspective view of an illustrative button in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side perspective view of the button of  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a front perspective view of an illustrative sealing assembly including a co-molded part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a rear perspective view of the sealing assembly of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5C  shows a perspective view of the co-molded part of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  shows a front perspective view of another illustrative sealing member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  shows a rear perspective view of the sealing member of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a front perspective view of yet another illustrative sealing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7B  shows a rear perspective view of the sealing assembly of  FIG. 7A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  shows an illustrative method for assembling a water proof button in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are described below with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of electronic device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  100  may be a portable media device (e.g., an iPod™ or iPhone™ available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) or a personal media device accessory (e.g., an audio controller for a media device). Electronic device  100  may include button  110 , sealing member  120 , and housing  130 . A user can press button  110  to change an attribute of the electronic device (e.g., the volume level of the device) or a functional state of the device (e.g., whether the device should power up or turn off). 
     Button  110  may include cosmetic portion  111 , post  112 , and flange portions  113 . Cosmetic portion  111  may extend through an opening  131  of an outer housing  130  of electronic device  100  such that cosmetic portion  111  may be accessible to a user of the device. The user may apply a force to cosmetic portion  111  in order to actuate button  110 . Post  112  may extend from a bottom surface of button  110 , and may be aligned with a switch (not shown) located in cavity  150  of electronic device  100 . When button  110  is actuated, post  112  may contact and activate the switch. Although shown centered, it is understood that post  112  may be offset and not centered in the middle of button  110 . Flange portions  113  may extend from sidewalls of button  110 . Flange portions  113  can engage portions of housing  130  and keep button  110  from passing through opening  131  of housing  130 . In this manner, flange portions  113  can secure button  110  to housing  130 . 
     Button  110  can be made from any suitable material such as metal or plastic, and can have any suitable shape. For example, the shape of cosmetic portion  111  may be selected based on aesthetic considerations. Additionally, while post  112  is depicted as having a rectangular shape, it is understood that post  112  can have any suitable shape (e.g., cylindrical). Button  110  can be formed using any suitable process. For example, processes can include, but are not limited to, machining button  110  using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool, laser cutting button  110 , and injection molding button  110 . Once button  110  has been formed, the surface of button  110  may be finished in any suitable way. For example, the surface of button  110  can be polished or roughed up. In some embodiments, a coating may be applied to button  110 . 
     Sealing member  120  may include post receiving hole  121 . Post receiving hole  121  may fit around post  112  and help ensure that sealing member  120  remains fixed to button  110 . Post receiving hole  121  may have a shape that is substantially the same as a cross section of post  112 . The dimensions of post receiving hole  121  may be slightly smaller than the dimensions of the cross section of post  112  such that post receiving hole  121  forms an interference fit with post  112 . Sealing member  120  may be constructed from any suitable compliant material. For example, sealing member  120  may be constructed from silicone. 
     In addition to engaging post  112 , sealing member  120  may be constructed to engage an outer periphery of button  110 . For example, sealing member  120  may engage a bottom surface of button  111  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Glue and/or adhesive may secure sealing member  120  to button  110  (e.g., via glue  140  and  141 ). In some embodiments, sealing member  120  may also engage sidewalls of flange portions  113 . In these embodiments, additional glue and/or adhesive may be used along the sidewalls. Although glue  140  and  141  are shown as being confined to a localized area between button  110  and sealing member  120 , it is understood that glue  140  and  141  may be spread over the entirety of the interface between button  110  and sealing member  120 . 
     Sealing member  120  may have any suitable shape. For example, sealing member  120  may be shaped to follow internal contours of electronic device  100  formed by its components (e.g., contours formed by button  110  and housing  130 ). To complete a water tight seal, sealing member  120  may be secured to an inner surface of housing  130  using glue and/or adhesive (e.g., via glue  142  and  143 ). Although glue  142  and  144  are shown as being confined to a localized area between sealing member  120  and housing  130 , it is understood that glue  142  and  143  may be spread over the entirety of the interface between sealing member  120  and housing  130 . 
     In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may include a bracket (not shown) located within cavity  150 . The bracket may hold a switch component (not shown) of electronic device  100  in place and prevent the switch component from moving when a user presses on button  110 . The bracket can be secured to housing  130  in any suitable manner. For example, the bracket may be fixed to housing  130  using one or more screws. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of an illustrative sealing member. In particular,  FIG. 2A  shows a rear perspective view of sealing member  220  and  FIG. 2B  shows a front perspective view of sealing member  220 . Sealing member  220  may be included as part of a water tight button assembly in accordance with some embodiments of this invention. Sealing member  220  may be substantially similar to sealing member  120  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, sealing member  220  may share any features described with respect to sealing member  120 , and vice versa. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , sealing member  220  may include post receiving hole  220 . Post receiving hole  220  may be shaped to fit around a post of a button of an electronic device (e.g., post  112  of  FIG. 1 ). Post receiving hole  221  may have dimensions that are slightly smaller than the post such that sealing member  220  forms a compression seal around the post. Although post receiving hole  221  is shown to have a substantially square shape, it is understood that post receiving hole  221  may have any suitable shape needed to accommodate a cross section of the post. 
     Sealing member  220  may also include button engagement portion  222 . Button engagement portion  222  may include a top surface that couples to a bottom surface of a button (e.g., a bottom surface of button  110 ). The top surface may have the same shape and size as the bottom surface of the button. To facilitate coupling between sealing member  220  and the button, a glue or adhesive may be applied to the top surface. 
     Sealing member  220  may further include electronic device engagement portions  223  and  224 . Device engagement portion  223  can be referred to as a first section and device engagement portion  224  can be referred to as a second section of the sealing member  220 . Device engagement portions  223  and  224  may be fixed to interior surfaces of an electronic device. For example, referring briefly to  FIG. 3B , device engagement portions  223  and  224  may be shaped to follow interior contours of a device housing (e.g., housing  330 ). Device engagement portion  223  can have first surface  225  and device engagement portion  224  can have second surface  226 , where gap  227  separates first surface  225  and second surface  226 . In order to fix sealing member  220  to the interior surfaces, a glue or adhesive may be applied to device engagement portions  223  and  224 . In some embodiments, the glue or adhesive may instead be applied to the interior surfaces prior to installing sealing member  220 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , various views of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are shown. In particular,  FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view from the interior of electronic device  300  with button  310  installed.  FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view from the interior of electronic device  300  with button  310  and seal assembly  320  installed.  FIG. 3C  shows a cross-sectional view of electronic device  300  with button  310  and seal assembly  320  installed. Electronic device  300  may be similar to electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, similarly numbered elements of electronic device  300  may share any features described with respect to electronic device  100 , and vice versa. 
     Electronic device  300  may include button  310  positioned within aperture  331  of housing  330 . Button  310  may include cosmetic portion  311 , post  312 , flange portions  313 , and cavity  314 . Cosmetic portion  311  may form an exterior surface of electronic device  300  and can be accessible to a user of device  300 . The user can press on cosmetic portion  311  to actuate button  310 . Post  312  may extend from a bottom surface of button  310 , and may be aligned with a switch (not shown) of electronic device  300 . When button  310  is actuated, post  312  may contact and activate the switch. Flange portions  313  may extend from sidewalls of button  310 . Flange portions  313  can engage portions of housing  330  and keep button  310  from passing through aperture  331  of housing  330 . Cavity  314  may receive a portion of a sealing member in order to provide better registration of the sealing member to button  310  during assembly. 
     Electronic device  310  may also include seal assembly  320 . Seal assembly  320  may be fixed to button  310  and housing  330  such that it forms a water tight seal with both button  310  and housing  330 . In this regard, seal assembly  320  can prevent any foreign liquids or materials from entering electronic device  300  and damaging internal components of device  300 . Seal assembly  320  may be formed from any material with suitable waterproof properties and flexibility to allow button  310  to be actuated without substantially interfering with the feel and/or response of button  310 . For example, seal assembly  320  may be formed from silicone. 
     Seal assembly  320  may include post receiving hole  321 , button engagement portion  322 , device engagement portions  323  and  324 . Post receiving hole  321  may fit around post  312  and help ensure that seal assembly  320  remains fixed to button  310 . The dimensions of post receiving hole  321  may be slightly smaller than the dimensions of post  312  such that post receiving hole  321  forms an interference fit with post  312 . Button engagement portion  322  may be coupled to a bottom surface of button  310 . To facilitate coupling between button engagement portion  322  and button  310 , a glue or adhesive may be applied between engagement portion  322  and button  310 . Device engagement portions  323  and  324  may be fixed to interior surfaces of housing  330 . In order to fix seal assembly  320  to the interior surfaces, a glue or adhesive may be applied to device engagement portions  323  and  324 . In some embodiments, the glue or adhesive may instead be applied to the interior surfaces of housing  330  prior to installing seal assembly  320 . 
     In some embodiments, seal assembly  320  may include protruding member  325 . Cavity  314  may receive protruding member  325  and protruding member  325  may be shaped to occupy cavity  314 . In this manner, cavity  314  and protruding member  325  provide for better registration of seal assembly  320  to button  310  during assembly. Protruding member  325  may be fixed to cavity  314  using adhesive  360 . In some embodiments, protruding member  325  may be molded from the same material as the remainder of seal assembly  320 . In other embodiments, protruding member  325  may include a co-molded part. In embodiments that include a co-molded part, the co-molded part can provide enhanced stiffness with respect to the remainder of seal assembly  320 . Regardless of the composition of protruding member  325 , protruding member  325  may include registration holes  326 . Registration holes  326  may align with another component of electronic device  300  and may locate seal assembly  320  relative to the other component. In some embodiments, a first surface of sealing assembly  320  (similar to first surface  225  sealing member  220 ) is secured to internal surface  366  of button  310  and a second surface of sealing assembly  320  (similar to second surface  226  of sealing member  220 ) is secured to flange portion  313 . In this way, button  310  can constrain the seal assembly  320  within the space of the housing  330 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , perspective views of an illustrative button are shown in accordance with some embodiments of this invention. In particular,  FIG. 4A  shows a rear perspective view of button  410  and  FIG. 4B  shows a side perspective view of button  410 . Button  410  may be similar to buttons  110  and  310  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , respectively. As a result, similarly numbered elements of button  410  may share any features described with respect to buttons  110  and  310 , and vice versa. 
     Button  410  may include cosmetic portion  411 , post  412 , and cavity  414 . Cosmetic portion  411  provides an outer surface for a user to press on. Cavity  414  may receive a protruding member of a seal assembly (e.g., protruding member  325  of  FIG. 3 ) and align the seal assembly relative to button  410 . Cavity  414  may include chamfer  417  along its periphery. Chamfer  417  may act as a lead-in for the protruding member of the seal assembly during assembly. Post  412  may include undercut  415  and tapered edge  416 . Tapered edge  416  may guide and gently stretch a resilient portion of a seal assembly (e.g., post receiving hole  321  of  FIG. 3 ) around post  412 . Once the portion of the seal assembly is positioned around post  412 , undercut  415  may help secure the seal assembly to button  410 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , various views of an illustrative sealing assembly are shown in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. In particular,  FIG. 5A  shows a front perspective view of sealing assembly  520 ,  FIG. 5B  shows a rear perspective view of sealing assembly  520 , and  FIG. 5C  shows a perspective view of co-molded protruding member  525 . Sealing member  520  may be similar to seal assembly  320  shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result, similarly numbered elements of sealing assembly  520  may share any features described with respect to seal assembly  320 , and vice versa. 
     Sealing assembly  520  may include post receiving hole  521 , button engagement portion  522 , device engagement portions  523  and  524 , and protruding member  525 . Protruding member  525  may be a co-molded part that provides enhanced stiffness with respect to the remainder of sealing assembly  520 . For example, protruding member  525  may be molded from plastic or metal while the remainder of sealing assembly  520  may be molded from silicone. Protruding member  525  may extend from a front surface of sealing assembly  520  and may be shaped to occupy a cavity of a button (e.g., cavity  414  of  FIG. 4 ). Adhesive  560  may be applied to a front surface of protruding member  525  to secure it the cavity of the button. Protruding member  525  may include registration holes  526  that align with another component of an electronic device and locate sealing assembly  520  relative to the other component. Protruding member  525  may also include cutout  527  to accommodate post receiving hole  521  and a post of a button (e.g., post  412  of  FIG. 4 ). Cutout  527  may be shaped to fit around a portion of the post. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , various views of another illustrative sealing member are shown in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. In particular,  FIG. 6A  shows a front perspective view of sealing member  620  and  FIG. 6B  shows a rear perspective view of sealing member  620 . Sealing member  620  may be similar to seal assembly  320  shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result, similarly numbered elements of sealing assembly  620  may share any features described with respect to seal assembly  320 , and vice versa. 
     Sealing member  620  may include post receiving hole  621 , button engagement portion  622 , device engagement portions  623  and  624 , and protruding member  625 . In this embodiment, protruding member  625  may be molded from the same material (e.g., silicone) as the remainder of sealing member  620 . Constructing sealing member  620  from a single material may provide a significant cost savings. Protruding member  625  may extend from a front surface of sealing assembly  620  and may be shaped to occupy a cavity of a button (e.g., cavity  414  of  FIG. 4 ). Adhesive  660  may be applied to a front surface of protruding member  625  to secure it the cavity of the button. Protruding member  625  may include registration holes  626  that align with another component of an electronic device and locate sealing assembly  620  relative to the other component. Registration holes  626  may be formed in protruding member  625  as part of the molding process. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , various views of yet another illustrative sealing assembly are shown in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. In particular,  FIG. 7A  shows a front perspective view of sealing assembly  720  and  FIG. 7B  shows a rear perspective view of sealing assembly  720 . Sealing member  720  may be similar to seal assembly  320  shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result, similarly numbered elements of sealing assembly  720  may share any features described with respect to seal assembly  320 , and vice versa. 
     Sealing assembly  720  may include post receiving hole  721 , button engagement portion  722 , device engagement portions  723  and  724 , and protruding member  725 . In some embodiments, protruding member  725  may include shim  728  located around its outer periphery. In these embodiments, protruding member  725  may be formed from the same material as the remainder of sealing assembly  720  (e.g., silicone) while shim  728  may be formed from a more rigid material such as metal or plastic. In some embodiments, shim  728  may be co-molded with the remainder of sealing assembly  720 . In other embodiments, shim  728  may be attached to protruding member  725  using a glue or an adhesive. 
       FIG. 8  shows an illustrative method for assembling a water proof button in an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Method  800  may begin at step  802 . At step  802 , a button (e.g., button  310  of  FIG. 3 ) may be inserted into an aperture of a housing for an electronic device (e.g., aperture  331  of  FIG. 3 ). The button may have features that help secure it within the aperture (e.g., flange portions  313  of  FIG. 3 ). At step  804 , glue may be applied to a first surface of a sidewall of the housing. The glue may be applied to the first surface at a location where a sealing assembly is expected to interface with the sidewall. For example, glue may be applied to a location where device engagement portion  323  or  324  is expected to interface with housing  330 . In some embodiments, glue may instead be applied to the sealing assembly directly (e.g., glue may be applied to device engagement portion  323  and/or  324 ). 
     At step  806 , a sealing assembly (e.g., seal assembly  320  of  FIG. 3 ) may be secured to the button and the first surface. The sealing assembly may be secured to the button via glue and/or adhesive. For example, a protruding portion (e.g., protruding member  325  of  FIG. 3 ) may be secured within a cavity of the button (e.g., cavity  314  of  FIG. 3 ) using a pressure sensitive adhesive (e.g., via adhesive  360  of  FIG. 360 ). Additionally, the sealing assembly may be secured to the button via an interference fit. For example, a post receiving hole of the sealing assembly (e.g., post receiving hole  321  of  FIG. 3 ) may be positioned around a post of the button (e.g., post  312  of  FIG. 3 ). The sealing assembly may be secured to the first surface via the glue applied in step  804 . Method  800  may then conclude at step  806 . Although the method for constructing a water proof button in an electronic device is presented using sequentially numbered steps, it is understood that the order of the steps may be altered without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term “electronic device” can include, but is not limited to, music players, video players, still image players, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, programmable remote controls, pagers, laptop computers, printers, or combinations thereof. 
     The previously described embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. It is understood that one or more features of an embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment to provide systems and/or methods without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be understood that various directional and orientational terms are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120911
Publication Date: 20150526
Grant Date: 20150526
Priority Date: 20120911
Inventors: WERNER CHRISTOPHER M.
LYNCH STEPHEN BRIAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H13/063", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/063", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/063", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50232117