PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9105420-B2
Application Number: US-201213608624-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Cylindrical activation of menu buttons

Abstract:
Cylindrical switch assemblies and methods of making the same are provided. Cylindrical switch assemblies can mitigate false presses by using switch assembly designs with vertically or near vertically mounted activation elements positioned around a perimeter of a button. The activation elements (e.g., switches) of the switch assemblies may be fixed to a vertical sidewall of a bracket and positioned such that a portion of the activation elements extend beneath the button. When the button is actuated by a user, the button activates the activation elements. Positioning multiple activation elements around the perimeter of the button ensures that the user can press anywhere on the button and still activate the activation elements.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A switch assembly for an electronic device, the switch assembly comprising:
 a button, the button comprising a peripheral edge defining an outer boundary of the button; 
 a bracket offset from the peripheral edge of the button, the bracket comprising a vertical wall; 
 a flexible printed circuit board fixed to the vertical wall; 
 a switch coupled to the flexible printed circuit board, a portion of the switch extending beneath the button; and 
 an actuator arm fixed to a bottom surface of the button, the actuator arm operative to activate the switch when the button is actuated. 
 
     
     
       2. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal coupled to the button and the bracket, the seal operative to prevent foreign substances from entering an interior space defined by the switch assembly. 
     
     
       3. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer boundary of the button is substantially circular, and wherein the vertical wall of the bracket is curved. 
     
     
       4. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket, flexible printed circuit board, and switch define a cavity beneath the button. 
     
     
       5. The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator arm is fixed to the bottom surface using an adhesive. 
     
     
       6. A switch assembly for an electronic device, the switch assembly comprising:
 a button including a user-interface surface forming an exterior surface of the electronic device, the button comprising a downward facing surface that forms a nonzero angle with respect to a plane defined by the user-interface surface; 
 a bracket positioned around a perimeter of the button, wherein the bracket comprises an upward facing switch surface facing the downward facing surface of the button; 
 a flexible printed circuit board fixed to the switch surface of the bracket; and 
 a dome switch coupled to the flexible printed circuit board, wherein the dome switch is situated so as to be compressed between the downward facing surface of the button and the switch surface when the button is actuated. 
 
     
     
       7. The switch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises a vertical wall and the flexible printed circuit board is fixed to the vertical wall. 
     
     
       8. The switch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises an angled wall and the flexible printed circuit board is fixed to the angled wall. 
     
     
       9. The switch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the downward facing surface and the angled wall are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       10. The switch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible printed circuit board comprises at least one cutout. 
     
     
       11. The switch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a bottom surface of the button comprises a cutout. 
     
     
       12. The switch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket comprises a screw plate. 
     
     
       13. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing including an aperture; and 
 a switch assembly, comprising:
 a bracket mounted to the housing, the bracket defining a cavity and comprising a cylindrical wall extending in a direction perpendicular to a first surface of the housing; 
 at least two dome switches mounted on the cylindrical wall; and 
 a button positioned within the aperture and the cavity, the button comprising:
 a user-interface surface forming an exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 a downward facing surface that forms a nonzero angle with respect to a plane defined by the user-interface surface; 
 
 wherein the downward facing surface of the button is operative to engage at least one of the at least two dome switches when actuated. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the button comprises a flange portion operative to help retain the button within the aperture. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the cavity is operative to receive another component of the electronic device. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 13 , further comprising a seal coupled to the button and an interior surface of the housing, the seal operative to prevent foreign substances from entering the electronic device. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket comprises an angular portion that is not perpendicular to a first surface of the housing, and the at least two switches are mounted to the angular portion. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the angular portion of the bracket and the downward facing surface of the button are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       19. A method for constructing a switch assembly, the method comprising:
 positioning a bracket having a vertical sidewall around an outer periphery of a button; 
 securing a flexible printed circuit board to the vertical sidewall; and 
 coupling a dome switch to the flexible printed circuit board such that a portion of the dome switch extends beneath the button, wherein the dome switch is activated by the button when the button is actuated. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising coupling a seal to the bracket and a bottom surface of the button. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the outer periphery is substantially circular, and wherein the vertical wall is shaped to follow the outer periphery. 
     
     
       22. A switch assembly for a device, the switch assembly comprising:
 a button, the button comprising a first vertical sidewall having a side contact portion; 
 a housing positioned at least partially around the button, the housing comprising a second vertical sidewall; and 
 at least one dome switch coupled to the second vertical sidewall and facing the side contact portion; 
 wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one dome switch by contacting the dome switch with the side contact portion. 
 
     
     
       23. The switch assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one dome switch by applying a force to the button. 
     
     
       24. The switch assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the side contact portion and the second vertical sidewall are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       25. The switch assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one switch by applying a force to a side of the button. 
     
     
       26. The switch assembly of  claim 22  wherein the button is positioned at least partially within a cavity of the housing. 
     
     
       27. The switch assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the button comprises a button head. 
     
     
       28. The switch assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one switch by applying a force to one side of the button head. 
     
     
       29. A device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a button positioned at least partially within the housing, the button comprising:
 a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter, the first cylindrical portion defining a button head; 
 a second cylindrical portion having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second cylindrical portion configured to be disposed within the housing and having:
 a retaining surface that extends substantially perpendicularly outward from a side of the first cylindrical portion, wherein the retaining surface is configured to contact an inner surface of the housing so as to retain the button at least partially within the housing; and 
 a first vertical sidewall having a side contact portion; and 
 
 
 at least one dome switch coupled to a surface of the housing facing the side contact portion; 
 wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one dome switch by contacting the dome switch with the side contact portion. 
 
     
     
       30. The device of  claim 29 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one switch utilizing the side contact portion by applying a force to a side of the button head. 
     
     
       31. The device of  claim 29 , wherein the button is positioned at least partially within a cavity of the housing. 
     
     
       32. The device of  claim 31 , wherein the surface of the housing comprises a second vertical sidewall of the cavity. 
     
     
       33. The device of  claim 29 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one switch utilizing the side contact portion by applying a force to a side of the button. 
     
     
       34. The device of  claim 29 , wherein the surface of the housing comprises a second vertical sidewall. 
     
     
       35. The device of  claim 34 , wherein the side contact portion and the second vertical sidewall are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       36. The device of  claim 29 , wherein the button is manipulatable to activate the at least one switch by applying a force to the button. 
     
     
       37. A method for constructing a switch assembly, comprising:
 positioning a button at least partially within a housing, the button comprising a first vertical sidewall having a side contact portion, and the housing comprising a second vertical sidewall that is substantially parallel to the first vertical sidewall; and 
 coupling at least one dome switch to the second vertical sidewall such that the at least one dome switch faces the side contact portion, wherein the button is manipulatable to contact the at least one dome switch with the side contact portion. 
 
     
     
       38. A method of operating a button, comprising:
 manipulating a button that is positioned at least partially within a housing and comprises a first vertical sidewall having a side contact portion, the housing comprising a second vertical sidewall that is substantially parallel to the first vertical sidewall; 
 contacting at least one dome switch coupled to the second vertical sidewall of the housing with the side contact portion in response to the manipulation; and 
 activating the at least one dome switch in response to the contacting. 
 
     
     
       39. The switch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the downward facing surface of the button is an outer surface of a frusto-conical portion of the button. 
     
     
       40. The switch assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the upward facing switch portion is an interior surface of a frusto-conical portion of the bracket. 
     
     
       41. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the downward facing surface of the button is an outer surface of a frusto-conical portion of the button. 
     
     
       42. The electronic device of  claim 13 , the switch assembly comprising at least four dome switches mounted on the cylindrical wall, wherein the at least four dome switches are equally spaced apart around the cylindrical wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure is directed to switch assemblies, and more particularly is directed to switch assemblies with vertically mounted and near vertically mounted activation elements. 
     Users can provide inputs to electronic devices (e.g., portable media players and cellular telephones) using many different approaches. Some known input components are conventional switch assemblies, which may include a stack up having a switch (e.g., a dome switch). Depending on design, a switch assembly stack up may contain several components. A conventional stack up of a switch assembly can include a dome switch having two leads that are soldered to a circuit board, and the circuit board is attached to a bracket. When the switch is pressed, an inner conductive surface of the switch contacts a contact pad on the circuit board to complete a circuit. In many cases, a cosmetic button is placed over the switch. In response to the user pressing the cosmetic button, the switch is in turn depressed and contacts the contact pad thereby generating an input. 
     In conventional switch assemblies, the circuit board and switch are typically positioned directly beneath the button. In some cases, a user may press on an edge of the cosmetic button (e.g., away from a center line of the button) in an attempt to actuate the switch. When force is applied to the edge of the button, the button may tilt and may contact another component of the electronic device before achieving activation of the switch. For example, the button may bottom out on the circuit board before activating the switch. In these cases, the user may experience a “false press” where the user believes input has been provided to the electronic device, but in fact the switch has not been activated. False presses may cause confusion and frustration. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved switch assemblies that mitigate false presses. 
     SUMMARY 
     Cylindrical switch assemblies and methods of making the same are provided. Cylindrical switch assemblies can mitigate false presses by using switch assembly designs with vertically or near vertically mounted activation elements positioned around a perimeter of a button. The switch assemblies may include a button and a bracket with a vertical sidewall. The bracket may surround the perimeter of the button. The activation elements (e.g., switches) of the switch assemblies may be fixed to the vertical sidewall and positioned such that a portion of the activation elements extend beneath the button. When the button is actuated by a user, the button activates the activation elements. Positioning multiple activation elements around the perimeter of the button ensures that the user can press anywhere on the button and still activate the activation elements. 
     In some embodiments, actuator arms may be attached to a bottom surface of the button. The actuator arms may be positioned to contact the activation elements when the button is actuated. In other embodiments, the button may include an angled sidewall that contacts the activation elements when the button is actuated. In embodiments that include a button with an angled sidewall, the sidewall of the bracket may also be angled to match the button. Angled sidewalls may provide more reliable activation of the activation elements. 
     In addition to mitigating false presses, embodiments of this invention may also utilize the interior space of an electronic device more efficiently. By mounting the activation elements on a sidewall of a bracket, space directly beneath the button may be made available for additional components (e.g., sensors) of the electronic device. 
     In one embodiment, a switch assembly for an electronic device may include a button, a bracket, a flexible printed circuit board, a dome switch, and an actuator arm. The button may include a peripheral edge defining an outer boundary of the button. The bracket can be offset from the peripheral edge of the button and the bracket may include a vertical wall. The flexible printed circuit board can be fixed to the vertical wall. The dome switch can be coupled to the flexible printed circuit board such that a portion of the dome switch extends beneath the button. The actuator arm can be fixed to a bottom surface of the button. The actuator arm may activate the dome switch when the button is actuated. 
     In another embodiment, a switch assembly for an electronic device may include a button, a bracket, a flexible printed circuit board, and a dome switch. The button may form an exterior surface of the electronic device and include a sidewall having an angled portion. The bracket can be positioned around a perimeter of the button. The flexible printed circuit board can be fixed to the bracket. The dome switch can be coupled to the flexible printed circuit board. The dome switch may be activated by the angled portion of the button when the button is actuated. 
     In yet another embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing, a button, a bracket, a flexible printed circuit board, and a dome switch. The housing may form an exterior surface of the electronic device and include an aperture. The button may be positioned within the aperture. The bracket can be coupled to an inner surface of the housing and may be offset from an outer periphery of the button. The bracket may include a vertical wall. The flexible printed circuit board can be mounted to the vertical wall. The dome switch can be coupled to the flexible printed circuit board such that the dome switch is activated by the button when the button is actuated. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method for constructing a switch assembly may include positioning a bracket having a vertical sidewall around an outer periphery of a button. The method may also include securing a flexible printed circuit board to the vertical sidewall. The method may further include coupling a dome switch to the flexible printed circuit board such that a portion of the dome switch extends beneath the button. The dome switch may be activated by the button when the button is actuated. 
    
    
     
       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 switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top cross-sectional view of an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary electronic device including an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the button of  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary electronic device including an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a top view of an illustrative flexible printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a top view of the flexible printed circuit board of  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an illustrative method for assembling a switch assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Switch assemblies with vertically mounted and near vertically mounted activation elements, and methods for making the same are described below with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
       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., a controller for a media device). Electronic device  100  may include housing  110 , button  120 , brackets  131  and  132 , flexible printed circuit boards (PCB)  141  and  142 , and dome switches  151  and  152 . When a user presses button  120 , dome switches  151  and  152  may be activated to provide an input to electronic device  100 . The user can press button  120  to change an attribute of electronic device  100  (e.g., what is shown on a display of the device) or a functional state of device  100  (e.g., whether the device should power up or turn off). Although only two dome switches are shown, it is understood that electronic device  100  may include more than two dome switches. Additionally, although two brackets  131  and  132  are referenced, it is understood that brackets  131  and  132  can be formed by a single cylindrical bracket in some embodiments. 
     Housing  110  may form an exterior surface of electronic device  100 . Housing  110  may include aperture  111  for accommodating button  120  of device  100 . Housing  110  may be made from any suitable material. For example, housing  110  may be made from glass, plastic, metal, or any combination of these. In one embodiment, housing  110  is made of glass. 
     Button  120  may be positioned within aperture  111  of housing  110  and may form an external surface of electronic device  100 . Button  120  may include cosmetic portion  121 . Cosmetic portion  121  may extend through aperture  111  such that cosmetic portion  121  is accessible to a user of the device. The user may apply a force to cosmetic portion  111  in order to actuate button  110 . Button  120  may also include flange portion  122 . Flange portion  122  may extend from a sidewall of button  120 . Flange portion  122  can engage portions of housing  110  and keep button  120  from passing through aperture  111  of housing  110 . In this manner, flange portion  122  can secure button  120  to housing  110 . 
     Button  120  may further include a sidewall with angled portion  123 . Angled portion  123  may provide a surface for contacting dome switches  151  and  152  when button  120  is actuated. Angled portion  123  may form any suitable angle α with horizontal plane  101 . For example in some embodiments, angle α may be 45 degrees. In other embodiments angle α may be greater than or less than 45 degrees. Providing button  120  with angled portion  123  may allow button  120  to activate dome switches  151  and  152  more reliably without damaging switches  151  and  152 . Button  120  may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, glass, and/or metal. 
     Brackets  131  and  132  may serve as a mounting surface for flexible PCBs  141  and  142 . Brackets  131  and  132  may each include a vertical wall that flexible PCBs  141  and  142  can be fixed to. Brackets  131  and  132  can support the flexible PCBs when button  120  presses on dome switches  151  and  152 . In this manner, brackets  131  and  132  may ensure that flexible PCBs  141  and  142  and dome switches  151  and  152  do not move or recede when force is applied to them. Brackets  131  and  132  may be attached to an inner surface of housing  110  using any suitable method. For example, brackets  131  and  132  may be attached using adhesives  161  and  162 , respectively. 
     Flexible PCBs  141  and  142  may include traces for relaying switch events to another component of electronic device  100 . For example, when switch events occur within dome switches  151  and  152 , flexible PCBs  141  and  142  may relay the switch events to a processing unit (not shown) of electronic device  100 . Flexible PCBs  141  and  142  may be shaped to fit around some or all of brackets  131  and  132 . Dome switches  151  and  152  may be coupled to flexible PCBs  141  and  142  using any suitable approach, for example, via solder. 
     By mounting dome switches  151  and  152  around a perimeter of button  120 , the resulting switch assembly can mitigate false presses. Regardless of where the user presses on cosmetic portion  121  of button  120 , at least one of the dome switches of electronic device  100  will be activated. Thus, the user will not experience any confusion or frustration associated with false presses. Additionally, removing flexible PCBs  141  and  142  and dome switches  151  and  152  from beneath button  120  allows the space beneath button  120  to be used for another purpose. As a result, the interior space of electronic device  100  may be configured more efficiently. For example, the space beneath button  120  may accommodate another component of electronic device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a top cross-sectional view of illustrative switch assembly  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For clarity, the button that would normally be a part of switch assembly  200  has been removed. Switch assembly  200  may be substantially similar to the switch assembly included in electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, similarly numbered elements of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may share any features described with respect to them. 
     Switch assembly  200  may include a button (not shown), brackets  231  and  232 , flexible PCBs  241  and  242 , and dome switches  251 - 254 . The button associated with switch assembly  200  may be circular. As a result, brackets  231  and  232  may be curved to correspond to the shape of the button. Although, brackets  231  and  232  are shown to be curved, it is understood that they may have any shape necessary to match a corresponding shape of the button. Additionally, in some embodiments, instead of being two separate elements, brackets  231  and  232  may instead be formed by a single element. Flexible PCBs  241  and  242  may be fixed to an inner surface of brackets  231  and  232 . The flexible PCBs may conform to the shape of the brackets. Dome switches  251 - 254  may be secured to flexible PCBs  241  and  242  at various locations using any suitable method. For example, dome switches  251 - 254  may be soldered to flexible PCBs  241  and  242 . Although four dome switches are shown in  FIG. 2 , it is understood that any suitable number of dome switches can be used. In some embodiments, brackets  231  and  232  may include screw plates  265 - 268 . Screw plates  265 - 268  may secure brackets  231  and  232  to a housing or other component of an electronic device. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show views of another exemplary electronic device including an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 3A  shows a cross-sectional view of electronic device  300  and  FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the button of  FIG. 3A . Electronic device  300  may include housing  310 , button  320 , brackets  331  and  332 , flexible PCBs  341  and  342 , dome switches  351  and  352 , and actuator arms  371  and  372 . Electronic device  300  may be substantially similar to electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, electronic device  300  may share any features described with respect to electronic device  100 , and vice versa. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , button  320  may fit within an opening of housing  310 . Brackets  331  and  332  may be positioned adjacent to the opening and may be fixed to housing  310  using adhesives  361  and  362 . Flexible PCBs  341  and  342  may be attached to brackets  331  and  332 . Dome switches  351  and  352  may be secured to flexible PCBs  341  and  342 . 
     In some embodiments, actuator arms  371  and  372  may be attached to button  320 . Actuator arms  371  and  372  may align with dome switches  351  and  352 , and may activate the dome switches when button  320  is actuated. Actuator arms  371  and  372  may be attached to button  320  using a glue or an adhesive (e.g., adhesives  391  and  392 ). In some embodiments, actuator arms  371  and  372  may instead be molded as part of button  320 . Using actuator arms  371  and  372  may maximize the space available in cavity  301 . For example, actuator arms  371  and  372  may be shaped to follow an outer contour of cavity  301  so that they occupy as little of cavity  301  as possible. 
     In some embodiments, electronic device  300  may include seal  381 . Seal  381  may be coupled to button  320  and housing  310 . Seal  381  may provide a water tight seal that prevents foreign liquids or other debris from entering electronic device  300 . Seal  381  may be made from any suitable compliant material. For example, seal  381  may be formed from silicone. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary electronic device including an illustrative switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  400  may include housing  410 , button  420 , brackets  431  and  432 , flexible PCBs  441  and  442 , and dome switches  451  and  452 . Electronic device  400  may be substantially similar to electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, electronic device  400  may share any features described with respect to electronic device  100 , and vice versa. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , button  320  may fit within opening  411  of housing  410 . Flange portion  422  of button  420  may engage housing  410  and help retain button  420  within opening  411 . Brackets  431  and  432  may be positioned adjacent to opening  411  and may be fixed to housing  410  using adhesives  461  and  462 . 
     In some embodiments, brackets  431  and  432  may include an angled sidewall. Flexible PCBs  441  and  442  may be attached to the angled sidewall of brackets  431  and  432 . Dome switches  451  and  452  may be secured to flexible PCBs  441  and  442 . The angled sidewalls may have any suitable angle, including substantially the same angle as angled portion  423  of button  420 . Embodiments that include brackets with angled sidewalls may achieve easier and more reliable actuation of dome switches  451  and  452 . 
     In some embodiments, button  420  may include cutout  424  in a bottom surface. Cutout  424  may provide additional space to accommodate another component of electronic device  400 . Although cutout  424  is shown as being substantially rectangular, it is understood that cutout  424  can have any suitable shape. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , various views of an illustrative flexible printed circuit board are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In particular,  FIG. 5A  shows a top view of flexible PCB  541  lying flat and  FIG. 5B  shows a top view of flexible PCB  541  in an assembled state such that it takes a semi-circular shape. Dome switch  551  may be coupled to flexible PCB  541 . Flexible PCB  541  may be substantially similar to flexible PCB  441  or  442  of  FIG. 4 . As a result, flexible PCB  541  may share any features described with respect to flexible PCB  441 , and vice versa. 
     Referring briefly back to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a flexible PCB (e.g., flexible PCB  441 ) may need to follow a curved, angled surface (e.g., the angled sidewall of bracket  431 ). Thus, in order to help flexible PCB  541  achieve a desired final shape, flexible PCB  541  may include shaped cutouts. For example, referring back to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , flexible PCB  541  may include cutouts  542 - 544 . Cutouts  542 - 544  may help flexible PCB  541  achieve a curved, angled shape without folding or buckling. 
     The number, size, and shape of cutouts  542 - 544  may be chosen based on the size and shape of a switch assembly it will be incorporated in. For example, the length of outer edge  545  may be chosen based on a first diameter of a bracket (e.g., a first diameter of the angled sidewall of bracket  431 ). The width of cutouts  542 - 544  (e.g., x 1 , x 2 , and x 3 , respectively) may then be chosen based on a second diameter of the bracket. Once assembled into its final shape, flexible PCB  541  will have an outer diameter equal to the length of edge  545  and an inner diameter equal to the length of edge  545  less the sum of the width of cutouts  542 - 544  (i.e., the result will be an inner diameter shown as edge  546 ). Although only three cutouts are discussed, it is understood that any suitable number of cutouts may be used within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  shows an illustrative method for constructing a switch assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Method  600  may begin at step  602 . At step  602 , a bracket having a vertical sidewall may be positioned around an outer periphery of a button. For illustrative purposes, the bracket and button may be similar to bracket  331  and button  320  of  FIG. 3 . At step  604 , a flexible PCB (e.g., similar to flexible PCB  341 ) may be secured to the vertical sidewall of the bracket. 
     At step  606 , a dome switch (e.g., similar to dome switch  351 ) may be coupled to the flexible PCB. The dome switch may be positioned such that a portion of the switch extends beneath the button. When the button is actuated, the dome switch may be activated by the button. The resulting configuration may look similar to the switch assembly of  FIG. 3 . Although the method for constructing a switch assembly 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: 20120910
Publication Date: 20150811
Grant Date: 20150811
Priority Date: 20120910
Inventors: SHAH DHAVAL N.
KOLE JARED MITCHELL
WITTENBERG MICHAEL B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H2215/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/23", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/807", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2225/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/23", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2225/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/807", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/23", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2215/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/807", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2225/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49237653