PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9232668-B2
Application Number: US-201314058360-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices

Abstract:
Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a base coupled to a circuit board for electrically coupling with the removable module, a cage for biasing the module down against the base, and a guide for retaining the module at a functional insertion position within the device.

Claims:
The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A tray for inserting a removable module into an electronic device comprising:
 a first tray component that retains at least a portion of a module when the module is placed in the first tray component, the first tray component formed of a conductive material and including a portion covered with a non-conductive element that is positioned proximate to an electrical contact of the module when the module is placed in the first tray component; and 
 a second tray component coupled to the first tray component that mates with an opening in a housing of an electronic device when the tray is inserted into the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       2. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component is configured to retain at least one of an integrated circuit card, a chip card, a memory card, a flash memory card, a microprocessor card, a smart card, a subscriber identity module card, a mini-subscriber identity module card, or a micro-subscriber identity module card. 
     
     
       3. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component and the second tray component are formed from different materials. 
     
     
       4. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the second tray component is formed from a same material as a surface of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component includes at least one detent that interacts with at least one biasing mechanism of the electronic device to retain the tray when the tray is inserted into the electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component includes at least one retaining element for retaining the portion of the module when the module is placed in the first tray component. 
     
     
       7. The tray of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one retaining element comprises at least one spring flexure that is compressed by the module when the module is placed in the first tray component. 
     
     
       8. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component includes at least one opening. 
     
     
       9. The tray of  claim 8 , wherein at least one electrical contact of the module is exposed through the opening of the first tray component when the module is placed in the first tray component. 
     
     
       10. The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray component includes at least one protrusion that guides the into the electronic device when the tray is inserted into the electronic device. 
     
     
       11. A method for forming a tray for an ejectable module assembly of an electronic device comprising:
 forming a first tray component that retains at least a portion of an ejectable module when the ejectable module is placed in the first tray component of a conductive material; 
 applying a non-conductive element to at least one portion of the first tray component that is positioned proximate to an electrical contact of the ejectable module when the ejectable module is placed in the first tray component; 
 forming a second tray component that is operable to mate with an opening in a housing of an electronic device; and 
 coupling the first tray component to the second tray component. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said operation of forming the first tray component comprises using a first process and a first material; 
 said operation of forming the second tray component comprises using a second process and a second material; and 
 at least one of the first process is different than the second process and the first material is different than the second material. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling comprises at least one of brazing or welding. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said operation of forming the first tray component comprises forming the first tray component to retain at least one of an integrated circuit card, a chip card, a memory card, a flash memory card, a microprocessor card, a smart card, a subscriber identity module card, a mini-subscriber identity module card, or a micro-subscriber identity module card. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an opening; 
 a tray that is insertable through the opening, the tray comprising:
 a first tray component that retains at least a portion of a module when the module is placed in the first tray component; and 
 a second tray component coupled to the first tray component that mates with the opening when the tray is inserted into the electronic device; 
 
 a biasing mechanism that biases the module onto the first tray component when the tray is at least partially inserted into the electronic device; 
 a cage having a top wall portion wherein the biasing mechanism is coupled to the top wall portion; and 
 a wedge that forces the first tray component towards the top wall portion when the tray is at least partially inserted into the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first tray component is configured to retain an additional module when the additional module is placed in the first tray component, the additional module having different dimensions than the module. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15 , further comprising a guide into which the first tray component is inserted when the tray is at least partially inserted into the electronic device. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the wedge is coupled to the guide. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the guide includes a rail having a shape complementary to the first tray component. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one of a spring, protrusion, or wedge.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/793,980, filed Jun. 4, 2010 and titled “Compact Ejectable Component Assemblies in Electronic Devices,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/325,622, filed Apr. 19, 2010 and titled “Compact Ejectable Component Assemblies in Electronic Devices,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This can relate to systems and methods for providing compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     To enhance the use of electronic devices (e.g., cellular telephones), ejectable component assemblies may be used to couple removable modules (e.g., subscriber identity module (“SIM”) cards) to the device. Some known ejectable component assemblies for personal electronic devices include a tray for receiving a removable module, and a connector coupled to a circuit board within the housing of the device for receiving the tray as it is inserted through an opening in the housing. The connector may retain the tray such that contacts of the module may be electrically coupled to the circuit board. However, variations in the manufacture of such electronic devices and the reduction in size of such modules generally create shorts between contacts of the module and other components of the assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for providing compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices are provided. 
     For example, in some embodiments, there is provided a tray for inserting a removable module into an electronic device. The tray includes a back component configured to retain at least a portion of the module and a front component fixed to the back component and configured to mate with an opening in a housing of the electronic device. A portion of the back component may be configured to touch an electrical contact of the module, and may be covered with a non-conductive coating or element. 
     In other embodiments, there is provided a method for forming a tray for an ejectable module assembly of an electronic device. The method includes forming a back component for retaining at least a portion of an ejectable module, forming a front component for mating with an opening in a housing of the electronic device, and fixing the back component to the front component. The method may also include applying a non conductive element to at least one portion of the back component. 
     In yet other embodiments, there is provided an electronic device that includes a housing having an opening, a circuit board within the housing, a cage, a fixing element coupling the cage to the circuit board, and a tray operable to be inserted through the opening and into a space between the cage and the circuit board. The fixing element may only allow the tray to be inserted into the space when the tray is in a first orientation with respect to the circuit board. The electronic device may also include a guide positioned at least partially within the cage, wherein the fixing element is positioned between the guide and the opening. 
     In still yet other embodiments, there is provided an electronic device that includes a housing having an opening, a guide within the housing, a tray operable to be inserted through the opening and along the guide, and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may include a first end fixed to a first portion of the guide, a second end abutting a second portion of the guide, and a middle portion biased against a portion of the tray. The portion of the tray may include a detent, and the middle portion of the biasing mechanism or the portion of the tray may include an overmold. 
     In still yet other embodiments, there is provided an electronic device that includes a housing having an opening, a circuit board within the housing, a base coupled to the circuit board, an electrical pin extending away from the base, and a module operable to be inserted through the opening and to contact the electrical pin. The electrical pin may be operable to deflect through a gap in the base in response to the module contacting the pin. The circuit board may include a recess, and the electrical pin may be operable to deflect into the recess in response to the module contacting the pin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters may refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device that includes an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative tray of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of a removable module of the ejectable component assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken from line IIIA-IIIA of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the removable module of  FIGS. 1 and 3A , taken from line IIIB-IIIB of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of an adapter including the removable module of  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A, and  3 B, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3D  is a side view of the adapter of  FIG. 3C , taken from line IIID-IIID of  FIG. 3C , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the ejectable component assembly and a portion of the device of  FIG. 1 , without a tray inserted therein, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the ejectable component assembly and device of  FIGS. 1 and 4 , similar to  FIG. 4 , but with a tray inserted therein, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the ejectable component assembly and device of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 , taken from line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 , taken from line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 7 , taken from line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 8 , taken from line IX-IX of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 9 , taken from line X-X of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 10 , taken from line XI-XI of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 11 , taken from line XII-XII of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the ejectable component assembly and device of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 12 , taken from line XIII-XIII of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for manufacturing a tray of an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for manufacturing a tray of an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Systems and methods for providing compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-15 . 
     An ejectable component assembly may include any suitable assembly operative to insert into an electronic device and eject from an electronic device a removable module, such as a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card. The assembly can include a module tray that may hold the module and be insertable into and ejectable from the device. The tray may include a cosmetic outer portion configured to match the exterior of the electronic device through which the tray may be inserted, and a holder inner portion configured to retain the module and load it into the electronic device. In order to closely define the size and shape of the junction between such a cosmetic outer portion and holder inner portion, such that the tray may form a tight fit with an opening through an external housing of the electronic device, these two portions may be provided as two distinct tray portions that may be welded or otherwise adhered together to form the tray. By forming the tray using two distinct elements, the outer cosmetic portion may be formed with materials and processes similar to the exterior of the electronic device to make the device more cosmetically appealing to the user when the tray is loaded into the device, whereas the holder inner portion may be formed with different materials and processes that may be optimal for providing a rigid and functional module holding portion of the tray. 
     In some embodiments, at least the holder inner portion of the tray may be formed by a metal or other conductive material with enough rigidity to hold a module. Therefore, in order to avoid shorting electrical contacts of the module (e.g., a SIM card), one or more non-conductive portions may be provided along the holderinner portion of the tray. In such embodiments, at least some of the conductive portions or all of the tray can be anodized and/or coated with a non-conductive material and/or otherwise provided with non-conductive elements, such that it may be insulated and rendered non-conductive to avoid shorting any electrical contacts of the module that it might touch during use. 
     While the opening in the device may be sized and shaped to allow the tray to be inserted therethrough in any orientation, portions of the ejectable component assembly within the device may only be configured to receive the tray in one or more certain orientations. Therefore, one or more various keying elements of the ejectable component assembly may be provided within the electronic device adjacent the opening through which the tray may be inserted. Each keying element may be provided to limit the manner in which the tray may be inserted through the opening. For example, each keying element may only allow the tray to be inserted into the device when the tray is in a first orientation with respect to the opening or other components of the electronic device. A keying element may also be used to join distinct elements of the assembly to one another, such as a receiving cage and a circuit board of the device. 
     Electrical contacts of the removable module may be inserted into the device in order to functionally align with and electrically couple to electrical contacts extending from a circuit board of the device. In some embodiments, one or more recesses may be provided through the circuit board or other components of the device such that when the removable module physically interacts with the contacts, at least a portion of the contacts may be forced downwardly through the recesses. These recesses may prevent the contacts from being damaged during interaction with the module and/or during removal of the module from the device. 
     The following discussion describes various embodiments of an electronic device that includes at least one ejectable component assembly. 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, remote controls, pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablets, servers, printers, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the electronic device may perform a single function (e.g., an electronic device dedicated to playing music) and in other cases, the electronic device may perform several functions (e.g., an electronic device that plays music, displays video, stores pictures, and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     The electronic devices may generally be any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature electronic device so as to allow a user, for example, to listen to music, play games, record videos, take pictures, and/or conduct communications operations (e.g., telephone calls) wherever he or she travels. Some miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held electronic devices, such as an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can be integrated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, key chains, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, electronic devices that incorporate an ejectable component assembly may not be portable at all. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device  10  that may include an ejectable component assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronic device  10  can include at least one user input component assembly  12  that may allow a user to interface with the device, at least one device output component assembly  14  that may provide the user with device generated information, at least one ejectable component assembly  16  that may allow a user to insert and eject a removable module into and from the device, and a protective housing  18  that may at least partially enclose the one or more input, output, and ejectable component assemblies of device  10 . 
     Component assemblies  12  and  14  can include any type of component assembly operative to receive and/or transmit digital and/or analog data (e.g., audio data, video data, other types of data, or a combination thereof). Input component assembly  12  may include any suitable input mechanism, such as, for example, sliding switches, buttons, keypads, track balls, joysticks, dials, scroll wheels, touch screen displays, electronics for accepting audio and/or visual information, antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof. Output component assembly  14  may include any suitable output component forms, such as, for example, audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. It should be noted that one or more input component assemblies  12  and one or more output component assemblies  14  may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) interface. It should also be noted that an input component assembly  12  and an output component assembly  14  may sometimes be a single I/O component, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Ejectable component assembly  16  may include any suitable assembly operative to insert and eject a removable module  30  from device  10 . Removable module  30  may include, for example, any suitable type of integrated circuit card (“ICC”), chip card, memory card, flash memory card, microprocessor card, smart card, such as a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card (e.g., a mini-SIM card or a micro-SIM card), or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, removable module  30  may contain electronic circuitry from which electronic device  10  may read data and/or to which device  10  may write data. 
     Ejectable component assembly  16  can include a module tray  20  that may be insertable into (e.g., in the direction of arrow I) and ejectable from (e.g., in the direction of arrow O) housing  18  through housing opening  19 . It is to be noted that although opening  19  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be provided through a wall that may be defining a width of housing  18 , opening  19  for ejectable component assembly  16  may be provided through any wall portion of housing  18 . For example, in some embodiments, opening  19  for ejectable component assembly  16  may be provided through a wall that may be defining a length of housing  18 , which may be longer than the wall defining the width of housing  18  (e.g., the wall of housing  18  along which input component assembly  12  is provided as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     In some embodiments, housing  18  may include an outer periphery member that can provide a variety of attributes to electronic device  10  including for example, structural, functional, cosmetic, or combinations thereof. The outer periphery member may for example form at least a portion of the right, left, top, and bottom sides of device  10 . As such, the outer periphery member may surround components that are placed in device  10  back to front, front to back, or center to back and front (e.g., components inserted within the volume defined by the outer periphery member). The outer periphery member may be formed from one or more elements, which may be similar or different depending on the dimensions or shape of device  10 , as well as functional or structural considerations (e.g., outer periphery member elements serving as an antenna for tuning electromagnetic waves). If several elements are combined to form the outer periphery members, the elements can be connected in any suitable manner to form a single unit having adequate structural, functional, or cosmetic properties. In some cases, the outer periphery member can be formed from several elements that may act as a single integral unit (e.g., a unitary part). For example, the elements can be combined together as a single component using an assembly process (e.g., molding, welding, or an adhesive). 
     In some embodiments, such an outer periphery member of device  10  can define a band that forms an enclosed volume having a front and back open area. The band may define a ring-like structure that wraps around some or all of the components of electronic device  10 . Electronic device  10  can include a variety of components, such as housing elements, electronics, structural members, or combinations of these. In some cases, one or more structural members (e.g., a mid-plate) can be connected to the outer periphery member within the volume enclosed by the outer periphery member to receive and support components, or enhance the structural properties of the outer periphery member. 
     In some embodiments, electronic device  10  can include front and back cover assemblies operative to cap the volume defined by such an outer periphery member. The cover assemblies can be positioned relative to the open areas of the outer periphery member and can include any suitable feature, including for example housing portions, access points, electronics, structural members, aesthetic members, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cover assemblies can include one or more features for securing or retaining electronic device components within the volume enclosed by the outer periphery member. The cover assemblies can include surfaces defining the front and back surfaces of device  10 . Each cover assembly can include a single enclosure member or can include several components such as, for example, a glass plate, a display, an input interface, or combinations of these. 
     Such an outer periphery member and front and back cover assemblies can provide some or all of the exterior surfaces of device  10 , and thus define the outer periphery form or look and feel of electronic device  10 . In particular, the front cover can substantially form the front surface of device  10 , the back cover can substantially form the back surface of device  10 , and the outer periphery member can substantially form the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces of device  10 . It is to be understood, however, that some or all of the cover assemblies can instead or in addition provide part of the top, bottom, left, or right surfaces of device  10 , and that some or all of the outer periphery member can provide part of the front or back surfaces of device  10 . Therefore, in some embodiments, opening  19  for ejectable component assembly  16  may be provided through any such outer periphery member or band or cover assembly of device  10 . 
     Tray  20  of ejectable component assembly  16  may include a body portion  22  extending between a first tray end  21  and a second tray end  23 . Tray  20  may include an outer surface  21   x  at first end  21  to provide a cosmetic surface for device  10  when tray  20  is inserted into device  10 . In some embodiments, outer surface  21   x  of tray  20  may be fashioned to be aesthetically pleasing to a user of device  10 , for example, by matching the color and/or material of surface  21   x  with that of the exterior surface of housing  18  about opening  19  (e.g., any such outer periphery member or band or cover assembly of device  10  through which opening  19  may be provided). First tray end  21 , second tray end  23 , and/or body portion  22  may define the periphery and/or walls of a module holder  24 . Module holder  24  may be operative to receive and hold removable module  30  with respect to tray  20  (e.g., when module  30  is inserted into holder  24  in the direction of arrow H). More particularly, module holder  24  may be operative to receive and hold removable module  30  with respect to an opening  26  that may be provided through a portion of tray  20 . 
     Tray  20  may be formed as a single unitary component from any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, or the like. Moreover, tray  20  may be a single unitary component made by any suitable process, such as casting, molding, forming, forging, machining, extruding, and the like. Alternatively, tray  20  may be formed by joining at least two distinct tray portions. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , tray  20  may include a first tray component  25  and a second tray component  27 . Second tray component  27  may be a cosmetic outer portion including outer surface  21   x  and an inner surface  21   n . Second tray component  27  may be sized and shaped to fit within housing opening  19 . First tray component  25  may be a module holding portion extending between an inner surface  23   n  and an outer surface  23   x . Module holder  24  may be formed through a portion of top surface  28   t  of first tray component  25  to a middle surface  28   m , and opening  26  may be formed through a portion of middle surface  28   m  to bottom surface  28   b  of first tray component  25 . Holder  24  can be sized to substantially match that of a module (e.g., module  30  of  FIG. 1 ), such that the module can be snap-fitted or otherwise releasably retained in holder  24 , and such that a portion of the module may be exposed through opening  26 . For example, opening  26  may allow electrical circuitry of electronic device  10  to access data from one or more electrical contacts of the module through opening  26  when tray  20  is partially or fully inserted into device  10 . 
     One or more protrusions  29   p  may be formed along one or more portions of first tray component  25 , such as along one or both of external side walls  28   s . As described with respect to  FIGS. 4-13 , protrusions  29   p  may be of any suitable shape and size and may interact with correspondingly shaped elements of assembly  16  within device  10  in order to guide tray  20  into its appropriate position within device  10 . As shown, the top of protrusions  29   p  may be in the same plane as top surface  28   t  of first tray component  25 . In some embodiments, first tray component  25  may also include one or more detents  29   d  that may be placed on the top, bottom, or various sides of tray  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each protrusion  29   p  may include at least one detent  29   d  formed into each side wall  28   s  of tray component  25  (e.g., adjacent end  23 ). As described with respect to  FIGS. 4-13 , detents  29   d  may interact with biased mechanisms of assembly  16  within device  10  in order to retain tray  20  in a functional position with device  10 . The depth of each detent  29   d  may be selected based on any suitable criteria, including, for example, such that detent  29   d  may receive a portion of a spring mechanism for securing tray  20  in a functional position. 
     By creating tray  20  with at least two distinct tray components, each component may be made from different materials and by different processes than the other component, such that each component may be formed to have the most optimal properties for its specific functionalities. Second tray component  27  may be formed to be aesthetically pleasing to a user of device  10 , for example, by matching the color and/or material of surface  21   x  with that of housing  18  about opening  19 . Therefore, the materials, processes, and finishes used to form second tray component  27  may be chosen in accordance with those used to form the exterior surface of housing  18  about opening  19  (e.g., any such outer periphery member or band or cover assembly of device  10  through which opening  19  may be provided). While, on the other hand, the materials, processes, and finishes that may be used to form first tray component  25  may be chosen without respect to housing  18  and/or tray component  27 , and tray component  25  may be formed such that the structure of module holder  24  and opening  26  are accurately dimensioned to receive a module. 
     First tray component  25  and second tray component  27  may then be coupled to one another using any suitable process, such as brazing or welding. For example, inner surface  23   n  of first tray component  25  and inner surface  21   n  of second tray component  27  may be coupled to one another. By independently controlling the formation of tray components  25  and  27 , as well as their connection to one another, the shapes created by the union of their various surfaces may be tightly controlled. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a right angle may be formed at the union of side surface  28   s  of first component  25  and inner surface  21   n  of second component  27 , and, as shown in  FIG. 13 , a right angle may be formed at the union of top surface  28   t  of first component  25  and inner surface  21   n  of second component  27 . By matching the shape of such unions of surfaces of tray  20  with the shape of portions of housing  18  about opening  19 , a tighter fit may be formed between tray  20  and housing  18  (e.g., smaller spacings S 1  and/or S 2  of  FIGS. 6 and 13  may be achieved between housing  18  and tray  20 ). Such a tight clearance fit may produce a more aesthetically pleasing result and a more accurate system than may be possible if tray  20  were to be formed as a single unitary component and its surfaces&#39; unions were to be merely machined, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the size of tray  20  may be of a small enough size where plastic or other similar materials may not provide the necessary rigidity, and metal or another conductive material may be used to form at least a portion of tray  20 . In such embodiments, all of tray  20  or at least some of a conductive portion of tray  20  can be anodized, coated, and/or otherwise covered with a non-conductive material or element such that it may be insulated and rendered substantially not conductive. For example, if the removable module includes one or more electrical contacts that may touch tray  20  when the module is retained in module holder  24 , at least that portion of tray  20  may be coated with a non-conductive material or otherwise covered with a non-conductive element so as not to short the electrical contacts of the module. 
     As described below with respect to  FIGS. 4-13 , a module may be positioned within holder  24  of tray  20  such that a surface of the module including one or more electrical contacts may be resting on middle surface  28   m  of tray  20 . Therefore, in order to ensure that tray  20  does not short any electrical contacts of the module, a non-conductive element or coating may be applied to one or more portions of middle surface  28   m  and/or to one or more portions of internal surface  28   i  of tray  20  extending between surface  28   m  and top surface  28   t  (see, e.g., non-conductive portions  95  of  FIGS. 2 ,  8 , and  10 ). Such non-conductive portions  95  may be especially useful when a conductive tray  20  is used to hold a micro-SIM card or any other module that may include contacts that extend very close to if not all the way to one or more edges of the card (see, e.g., contacts  34  of  FIG. 10 , which may not only contact a non-conductive portion  95  applied to middle surface  28   m  of tray  20 , but which may also extend to an edge of module  30  and contact a non-conductive portion  95  applied to an internal surface  28   i  of tray  20 ). 
     One or more non-conductive portions  95  may be applied to conductive tray  20  using any suitable approach, such as by physical vapor deposition (“PVD”) using Parylene or any other suitable material, by spraying a non-conductive paint, by dip coating, by pad printing, by applying non-conductive labels, by adhering non-conductive elements, and the like. In some embodiments, one or more non-conductive portions  95  may be applied to tray  20  after tray components  25  and  27  have been coupled together, such that any fixtures used to join the tray components may not be able to rub off or otherwise degrade the non-conductive elements or coatings. 
     As mentioned, tray  20  may be configured to receive and retain any suitable module for insertion into device  10 , such as an integrated circuit card, chip card, memory card, flash memory card, microprocessor card, smart card, such as a SIM card, and the like. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A, and  3 B, for example, module  30  may include a top surface  31  and a bottom surface  33 . One or more electrical contacts  34  may be exposed along bottom surface  33 . Therefore, when bottom surface  33  of module  30  is placed against middle surface  28   m  of holder  24  of tray  20 , at least a portion of some or all of contacts  34  may be exposed through opening  26  of tray  20  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8 ,  10 , and  13 ). In some embodiments, one or more module retainers or module retaining elements  126  may be coupled to one or more portions of holder  24  for retaining module  30  therein For example, retaining element  126  may be a spring flexure coupled to tray  20  such that the spring flexure may be compressed by removable module  30  upon its insertion into holder  24  for tightly retaining module  30  therein. Alternatively or additionally, module retaining element  126  may be any other suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, a supporting rib of a compliant material, a flange, or the like. In other embodiments, module  30  may snap-fit into holder  24 . 
     As mentioned, in some embodiments, tray  20  may be configured to hold a module  30  that is a micro-SIM card, whose dimensions and/or contact configurations may be determined by a particular specification (e.g., the ISO 7816 specification). For example, module  30  as a micro-SIM card may have a particular length L, width W, and thickness T, such as about 15 millimeters, by 12 millimeters, by 0.76 millimeters, and the dimensions of holder  24  of tray  20  may be dimensioned similarly. However, in alternative embodiments, tray  20  may be configured to hold a module that is a mini-SIM card, whose dimensions and/or contact configurations may be determined by a different specification than the micro-SIM specification. For example, a mini-SIM specification may require a module to have the same contact configurations as a micro-SIM, but different dimensions than a micro-SIM, such as a length of 25 millimeters, a width of 15 millimeters, and a thickness of 0.76 millimeters. Therefore, while the electrical contacts of the two modules may be interchangeable, their different dimensions may prevent the two modules from being handled by the same tray  20 . 
     However, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , a module adapter  30 ′ may be provided that can allow for a module of a first type to be handled by a tray configured to hold a module of a second type. For example, continuing with the example of module  30  being a micro-SIM card and tray  20  being configured to hold a mini-SIM card, adapter  30 ′ may be configured to have the same dimensions as a mini-SIM card, but with an opening configured to hold a micro-SIM card. As shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , adapter  30 ′ may have a length L′, a width W′, and a thickness T′, which may be configured to correspond to the length of 25 millimeters, the width of 15 millimeters, and the thickness of 0.76 millimeters required by a mini-SIM. However, adapter  30 ′ may also include an opening  36  between its top surface  31 ′ and its bottom surface  33 ′ that may be configured to retain therein module  30  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Opening  36  may be positioned in adapter  30 ′ such that contacts  34  of module  30  may be positioned with respect to adapter  30 ′ as would contacts of a module having the dimensions of adapter  30 ′ (e.g., a mini-SIM card). Therefore, module  30  may be retained by adapter  30 ′, and adapter  30 ′ may be retained by tray  20  if tray  20  is configured to retain a mini-SIM card. 
     In some embodiments, one or more module retainers or module retaining elements  136  may be coupled to one or more portions of adapter  30 ′ for retaining module  30  therein. For example, retaining element  136  may be a spring flexure coupled to adapter  30 ′ such that the spring flexure may be compressed by removable module  30  upon its insertion into opening  36  for tightly retaining module  30  therein. Alternatively or additionally, module retaining element  136  may be any other suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, a supporting rib of a compliant material, a flange, or the like. In other embodiments, a module retaining element  136 ′ may be provided as a flange extending under opening  36  for supporting module  30 . In yet other embodiments, module  30  may snap-fit into opening  36  of adapter  30 ′. 
     Adapter  30 ′may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, and the like. Like tray  20 , adapter  30 ′ may be at least partially formed from metal or another conductive material. In such embodiments, at least some of the conductive portion or all of adapter  30 ′ can be anodized and/or coated with a non-conductive material such that it may be insulated and rendered substantially not conductive. For example, if the removable module includes one or more electrical contacts that may touch adapter  30 ′ when the module is retained in adapter  30 ′, at least that portion of adapter  30 ′ may be covered with a non-conductive material so as not to short the electrical contacts of the module (see, e.g., non-conductive portions  95  of tray  20 ). 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of a portion of device  10  including ejectable component assembly  16  before and after tray  20  is inserted in electronic device  10 , respectively, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a top view of assembly  16  of  FIG. 5 , while  FIGS. 7-13  are various cross-sectional views of assembly  16  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As shown, ejectable component assembly  16  may include a cage  40  positioned on top of a circuit board  50  and operative to receive and/or restrain tray  20  at least partially within the space defined between cage  40  and board  50 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , cage  40  can include a top portion  42  that may be positioned above and that may be substantially parallel to circuit board  50 . In some embodiments, cage  40  may include one or more sidewalls  44  extending from top portion  42  that may hold top portion  42  above circuit board  50  (e.g., cage  40  may resemble an upside-down U-shape coupled to circuit board  50 ). Module  30  may be placed in tray  20  and tray  20  may be slid through housing opening  19  in the direction of arrow I into the space defined by top cage portion  42 , sidewall cage portions  44 , and circuit board  50 . 
     Cage  40  may have any suitable length C extending between a front cage end  41  and a back cage end  43 , which may or may not extend over the entirety of tray  20  when tray  20  is fully inserted into device  10 . Cage  40  may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, ceramic materials, epoxies, composite materials, and the like. Cage  40  may be coupled to any suitable component of assembly  16  and/or device  10 , such as circuit board  50 , using any suitable approach, including, for example, soldering, surface mount technology, welding, adhesives, and the like. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and  10 , cage  40  may be coupled to circuit board  50  or any other suitable component of device  10  by one or more side cage coupling elements  45  (e.g., solder, adhesives, mechanical tabs, etc.), which may extend from one or more sidewalls  44  of cage  40 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, cage  40  may be coupled or mounted to circuit board  50  or any other suitable component of device  10  by one or more front cage fixing or coupling coupling elements  47  (e.g., solder, adhesives, mechanical tabs, etc.). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  11 , cage  40  may include one or more front cage coupling elements  47  that may extend from top wall  42  and/or one or more sidewalls  44  at or near front cage end  41 . Each front cage coupling element  47  may span at least a portion of front opening  91  defined by board  50 , top wall  42 , and sidewalls  44  at or near front cage end  41  through which tray  20  passes. In some embodiments, cage  40  may include one or more middle walls  49   a , which may be positioned between side walls  44  at front end  41  of cage  40 , and which may extend from top wall  42  at least partially to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10 . Middle wall  49   a  may span across at least a portion of front opening  91 . Cage  40  may be coupled to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10  by one or more front cage coupling elements  47   a  (e.g., solder, adhesives, mechanical tabs, etc.), which may extend from middle wall  49   a  and/or directly from top wall  42  to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10 . Additionally or alternatively, cage  40  may include a corner wall  49   b , which may be positioned to extend from one of side walls  44  at or near front end  41  of cage  40 , and which may extend from top wall  42  at least partially to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10 . Corner wall  49   b  may span across at least a portion of front opening  91 . Cage  40  may be coupled to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10  by one or more front cage coupling elements  47   b  (e.g., solder, adhesives, mechanical tabs, etc.), which may extend from corner wall  49   b  to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10 . By coupling cage  40  to circuit board  50  or any other suitable portion of device  10  at or near front end  41  of cage  40 , the potential for cage  40  to move in the direction of arrow I and/or  0  may be reduced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, each one of front cage coupling element  47   a,  front cage coupling element  47   b , middle wall  49   a , and corner wall  49   b  may be positioned within front opening  91 . In some embodiments, one or more of front cage coupling element  47   a , front cage coupling element  47   b , middle wall  49   a , and corner wall  49   b  may be positioned within opening  91  so as to be a keying element for guiding tray  20  through opening  91  only if tray  20  is in a proper orientation with respect to device  10 . For example, tray  20  may only pass through opening  91  if protrusion  29   p  is properly positioned or oriented with respect to the keying element. This may ensure that tray  20  is properly being inserted with bottom surface  28   b  facing downwardly towards circuit board  50 . In other embodiments, as shown at least in  FIGS. 4 and 12 , a keying element may alternatively or additionally be provided by a keying plate  99 , which may be coupled to an interior surface of housing  18  about opening  19 . Keying plate  99  may be coupled to housing  18  in any suitable manner, such as by welding or otherwise adhering plate  99  to housing  18  or by machining plate  99  from housing  18 . Keying plate  99  may be colored or otherwise treated to match housing  18  or to be discrete such that it is not visible through opening  19  by a user of device  10 . 
     Circuit board  50  may be any type of circuit board, such as a printed circuit board (“PCB”), logic board, printed wiring board, etched wiring board, or any other suitable board that may be used to mechanically support and electronically connect various electrical components (e.g., component assemblies  12 ,  14 , and  16 ). Circuit board  50  can be constructed using one or more layers of a non-conductive substrate and signal conducting pathways. The signal conducting pathways may exist in one or more layers or in each layer of the non-conductive substrate. The signal conducting layers, sometimes referred to as traces, members, or leads, may be a metal conductive material (e.g., copper or gold) or an optical conductive material (e.g., fiber optics). When one or more portions of component assemblies  12 ,  14 , and  16  are electrically coupled to board  50  via coupling circuitries, board  50  may communicate with the one or more component assemblies of device  10  using the signal conducting layers. 
     To further guide and retain tray  20  within device  10 , assembly  16  may include a guide component  60 . Guide  60  may be coupled to any suitable element within assembly  16  and/or device  10 , such as circuit board  50 . Guide  60  may be of any suitable shape and may be placed in any suitable location within device  10  to guide and/or retain at least a portion of tray  20  and/or module  30 . In some embodiments, guide  60  may extend along circuit board  50  at least partially within cage  40 . Guide  60  may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, ceramics, epoxies, composite materials, or the like. 
     In order to guide tray  20  within device  10 , guide  60  may include rail portions  62  that can have a shape that substantially complements portions of tray  20  (e.g., protrusions  29   p ). For example, when tray  20  is inserted into device  10  in the direction of arrow I, protrusions  29   p  may mate with and slide along rail portions  62  of guide  60 . Protrusions  29   p  and guide rails  62  may be any suitable complementary shapes that may promote the sliding of tray  20  along rails  62 . Guide  60  may also include a wedge ramp  63  operative to assist in retaining module  30  in tray  20 . Ramp  63  may be of any suitable shape and may be placed in any suitable position within guide  60 . In some embodiments, ramp  63  may be positioned such that the tip of tray  20  (e.g., tray end  23 ) is maintained away from circuit board  50 . This may allow ramp  63  to bias tray  20  up to secure module  30  between module holder  24  and the bottom of cage  40 , and to prevent tray  20  from slipping underneath module  30  during removal (e.g., when the walls  28   i  of module holder  24  are less than the thickness T of module  30 ). 
     Assembly  16  may also include a base module  64 , which may be mechanically supported and electronically coupled to various other components in device  10 , such as circuit board  50 . Base module  64  can be, for example, any integrated circuit (“IC”), such as a microchip, silicon chip, or computer chip. In some embodiments, base  64  may provide an interface for module  30  to electrically communicate with other components in device  10  (e.g., board  50 ). In some embodiments, base  64  and guide  60  may be integrated into a single unitary component (e.g., a single plastic block). In some embodiments, cage  40  may be at least partially coupled to guide  60  and/or base  64  as opposed to or in addition to circuit board  50 . 
     Cage  40 , guide  60 , and base  64  may collectively define a shelf or receiving assembly for receiving, guiding, and holding tray  20  and/or module  30  within device  10 . In some embodiments, cage  40 , guide  60 , and base  64  may be integrated into a single unitary component (e.g., a single block of plastic or any other suitable material or combination of materials). While cage  40  of the receiving assembly may help to limit the movement of tray  20  in the “Z” direction above board  50  and/or base  64 , and while base  64  of the receiving assembly may help to limit the movement of tray  20  in the “Z” direction below cage  40 , guide  60  of the receiving assembly may help to limit the movement of tray  20  in the “X” and/or “Y” directions between cage  40  and board  50  and/or base  64 . 
     Base  64  may include one or more electrical pins  66  that may electrically couple with one or more conductive portions of module  30  (e.g., module contacts  34 ). For example, as shown in at least  FIGS. 4 ,  8 - 10 , and  13 , one or more electrical pins  66  may each be coupled at one end to base  64  and may be configured to extend up away from the periphery of base  64  and into tray opening  26  for electrically coupling with a respective contact  34  of module  30 . Module contacts  34  can include any suitable integrated circuit (“IC”), such as a microchip, silicon chip, or computer chip that may include semiconductor and/or passive components in the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material (e.g., on bottom surface  33  of module  30 ). The electrical contact between module contacts  34  and electrical pins  66  may allow device  10  to read data from and/or write data into module  30 . The data read from and/or written into module  30  may take any electrical form, and the communication between module  30  and device  10  may be synchronous or asynchronous. 
     Electrical pins  66  may have any suitable shape. For example, each electrical pin  66  may be biased to deflect upward away from base  64  and through opening  26  in tray  20 . Electrical pins  66  may include springs or wedges operative to contact module  30 . For example, electrical pins  66  may be coupled to any suitable location or portion of base  64  to form a cantilever spring. Each electrical pin  66  may be formed from any suitable conductive material (e.g., a metallic conductor, semiconductor, or superconductor) to communicate with electrical contacts  34  of module  30 . In some embodiments, as shown in at least  FIGS. 9 and 13 , a first end  65  of each electrical pin  66  may be coupled to base  64 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, first pin end  65  and base  64  may be electrically coupled to circuit board  50  (e.g., via a wire  51 ), such that electrical data may be communicated between module  30  and board  50  through pin  64 . Circuit board  50  may then communicate this data to various other components of device  10  (e.g., component assemblies  12  and/or  14 ). 
     Although each pin  66  may at least initially extend away from first end  65  and base  64  up towards tray  20 , a second free end of each pin may eventually deflect downwards back towards base  64 . For example, as shown in at least  FIGS. 7 and 13 , a second end  67  of each electrical pin  66  may be free and may be biased to deflect downwards towards base  64 . In some embodiments, base  64  may include one or more gaps or at least recesses  68  for allowing second end  67  of each pin  66  to pass therethrough or at least deflect therein. Moreover, in some embodiments, circuit board  50  may also include one or more gaps or at least recesses  58  for allowing second end  67  of each pin  66  to deflect therein after having passed through a base gap  68 . The additional deflection afforded to pins  66  by base gaps  68  and circuit board recesses  68  may prevent pins  66  from being permanently deformed as a result of a strong downward force exerted by tray  20  and/or module  30  on pins  66  toward board  50 . When tray  20  is being removed from device  10 , second pin ends  67  may deflect upwards away from board  50 , but, due to the additional downward deflection afforded to pins  66  by base gaps  68  and circuit board recesses  58 , pins  66  may be biased such that second pin ends  67  may not deflect upwards so much so that they can be snagged by tray  20  upon its removal. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in at least  FIGS. 10 and 13 , cage  40  may include one or more biasing elements  46  extending downwardly from or through top wall portion  42  for contacting and forcing or biasing module  30  towards holder  24  of tray  20 . The force applied by each biasing element  46  may also bias module  30  towards electrical pins  66  of base  64 , thus enhancing their electrical contact. Each biasing element  46  may include any suitable type of spring, protrusion, wedge, or other suitable component to force or bias module  30  towards base  64 . For example, biasing element  46  may include a tension spring, extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire spring, coil spring, flat spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hairspring, balance spring, leaf spring, or any combination thereof. Each biasing element  46  may be coupled to cage  40  using any suitable approach or may instead or in addition be constructed as part of cage  40  (e.g., as a protrusion or cutout). Moreover, cage  40  may include one or more stiffening ribs  48  that may extend along or through at least a portion of top wall  42  for providing additional rigidity to cage  40 . 
     As described above, guide  60  may be operative to engage and retain tray  20 . For example, guide  60  can include one or more rail features  62  that may be constructed to complement tray protrusions  29   p  of tray  20 . Rails  62  and protrusions  29   p  may include complementing features to assist in guiding tray  20  into assembly  16  (e.g., towards its functional position with module  30  above pins  66  of base  64 ) and to retain the periphery of tray  20  (e.g., side walls  28   s ). 
     As also mentioned, tray  20  may include at least one detent  29   d . Each detent  29   d  may be operative to receive a portion of a biasing mechanism for holding tray  20  within assembly  16  at its functional position. In some embodiments, as shown in at least  FIGS. 4-9 , a biasing mechanism  84  may be fixed at a first end  85  and may include a middle portion  86  biased towards tray  20 . For example, each detent  29   d  may be operative to receive a middle portion  86  of a biasing mechanism  84 , such that when tray  20  is fully inserted in device  10  at its functional position, middle portion  86  may engage at least one detent  29   d . In some embodiments, first end  85  of a biasing mechanism  84  may be fixed to guide  60  (e.g., at a position on a rail  62 ) or another portion of device  10 . A second end  87  of biasing mechanism  84  may abut or otherwise contact guide  60  or another portion of device  10 , so as to apply pressure against second end  87  such that it may not be totally free to move in any direction Alternatively, a second end  87  of biasing mechanism  84  may be fixed to guide  60  or another portion of device  10 , so as to apply pressure against second end  87  such that it may not be totally free to move in any direction. This may make biasing mechanism  84  more robust for biasing middle portion  86  against tray  20  and for further ensuring that tray  20  remains substantially immobile within device  10  at its functional position. 
     Each end of biasing mechanism  84  may be coupled to, fixed on, abut, or otherwise contact any other suitable component within device  10  besides guide  60  in other embodiments, such as cage  40 , for example. Biasing mechanism  84  may be of any suitable spring type, such as a tension spring, extension spring, compression spring, torsional spring, wire spring, coil spring, flat spring, cantilever spring, helical spring, hairspring, balance spring, leaf spring, or any combination thereof, as to effectively assist in retaining tray  20 . Biasing mechanism  84  may be formed of any suitable material, such as stainless steel and the like. If middle portion  86  of biasing mechanism  84  and at least detent  29   d  of tray  20  are both metal, for example, one or both of middle portion  86  and detent  29   d  may be provided with an over mold  89  (e.g., of plastic) or any other suitable coating or element in order to prevent galling. 
     It is to be understood that, although ejectable component assembly  16  has been described as including a tray  20  for loading a removable module  30  into device  10 , tray  20  may be unnecessary and any removable module or module/adapter combination to be inserted into device  10  may be shaped with some or all of the features of tray  20 . For example, a removable module can be provided that may be substantially the same as removable module  30 , but that also can include a first end shaped similarly to end  21   x  of tray  20 , a second end shaped similarly to end  23   x  of tray  20 , and projections/detents shaped similarly to projections  29   p /detents  29   d  of tray  20 , such that the module may be inserted into and removed from device  10  in the same way that tray  20  may be inserted into and removed from device  10 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an illustrative process  1400  for manufacturing a tray of an ejectable component assembly. At step  1402  of process  1400 , a back component of a tray for retaining at least a portion of an ejectable module may be formed. At step  1404 , a front component for mating with an opening in a housing of an electronic device may be formed. Then, at step  1406 , the back component may be fixed to the front component. By creating a tray with at least two distinct tray components, each component may be made from different materials and by different processes than the other component, such that each component may be formed to have the most optimal properties for its specific functionalities. For example, the front component may be formed to be aesthetically pleasing to a user of the electronic device, for example, by matching the color and/or material of the component with that of the device housing. Therefore, the materials, processes, and finishes used to form the front component may be chosen in accordance with those used to form the device housing. On the other hand, the materials, processes, and finishes that may be used to form the back component may be chosen without respect to the device housing and/or the front component, and instead the back component may be formed such that the structure of the back component is strong enough and accurately dimensioned to receive the ejectable module. The back component and the front component may be fixed to one another using any suitable process, such as brazing or welding. 
     It is understood that the steps shown in process  1400  of  FIG. 14  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart of another illustrative process  1500  for manufacturing a tray of an ejectable component assembly. At step  1502  of process  1500 , a back component of a tray for retaining at least a portion of an ejectable module may be formed. At step  1504 , a non-conductive element may be provided to at least one portion of the back component that is configured to touch an electrical contact of the module. For example, one or more non-conductive portions may be applied to the back component using any suitable approach, such as by physical vapor deposition (“PVD”) using Parylene or any other suitable material, by spraying a non-conductive paint, by dip coating, by pad printing, by applying non-conductive labels, by adhering other suitable non-conductive elements, and the like. In some embodiments, such non-conductive elements may be applied to the back component of the tray after the back component has been fixed to a front component. Such non-conductive portions may be especially useful when the back component is conductive and configured to retain a micro-SIM card or any other module that may include contacts that extend very close to if not all the way to one or more edges of the card. 
     It is understood that the steps shown in process  1500  of  FIG. 15  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     While there have been described systems and methods for providing compact ejectable assemblies in electronic devices, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up” and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom” and “side,” “length” and “width” and “thickness,” and the like 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. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof, rather than a hexahedron, as illustrated by  FIGS. 1-15 . 
     Therefore, 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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20131021
Publication Date: 20160105
Grant Date: 20160105
Priority Date: 20100419
Inventors: SLOEY JASON
YU MICHELLE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49117", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K7/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0282", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0286", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0091", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3816", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49117", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/0831", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K7/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49117", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K7/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/14", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 44788054