IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,898,049
Granted Patent B2
US 9,898,049 · App. 15/168,194 · Granted Feb 20, 2018

Handheld device enclosure having outer periphery members and a front cover assembly

Inventors: Scott A. Myers (Cupertino, CA); Matthew Theobald (Cupertino, CA); Richard Heley (Cupertino, CA); Adam Stagnaro (Santa Cruz, CA); Richard Hung Minh Dinh (Cupertino, CA); David A. Pakula (Cupertino, CA); Tang Yew Tan (Cupertino, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
G06F1/1656G06F1/1626G06F1/1684H01Q1/2258H01Q1/241H04M1/026H04M1/0249H04M1/0274H05K5/02H05K5/0208H05K5/03Y10T29/49002Y10T29/49169
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,898,049
App. No.
15/168,194
Granted
Feb 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

This is directed to an electronic device enclosure. The enclosure includes an outer periphery member forming an outer surface of a device, and to which an internal platform is connected. Electronic device components can be assembled to one or both surfaces of the internal platform. The enclosure can include front and back cover assemblies assembled to the opposite surfaces of the outer periphery member to retain electronic device components. One or both of the cover assemblies can include a window through which display circuitry can provide content to a user of the device.

Claims (45)

1. An electronic device comprising:

a display;

a housing enclosing the display and comprising:

a front cover assembly positioned over the display;

a first outer periphery member forming a first portion of an exterior sidewall around the display and comprising a first conductive material;

a second outer periphery member forming a second portion of the exterior sidewall around the display and comprising a second conductive material;

an intermediate electrically-insulating element positioned between the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member;

an electrical circuit positioned within the housing; and

a conductive element coupled to the electrical circuit and configured to electrically couple the first outer periphery member to the electrical circuit.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit and the first outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first outer periphery member forms at least a portion of three sides of the exterior sidewall.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate electrically-insulating element is molded between the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electrically-insulating intermediate element is bonded to the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member with an adhesive.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the front cover assembly is directly coupled to the first and second outer periphery members and forms a front surface of the electronic device.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first outer periphery member further comprises a port for a connector.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein

the intermediate electrically-insulating element is a first intermediate electrically-insulating element; and

the housing further comprises a second intermediate electrically-insulating element positioned between the second outer periphery member and a third outer periphery member.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the electrical circuit is a first electrical circuit; and

the electronic device further comprises:

a second electrical circuit positioned within the housing; and

a second conductive element coupled to the second electrical circuit and configured to electrically couple the third outer periphery member to the second electrical circuit.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:

each of the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit; and

each of the first outer periphery member and the third outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna.

11. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:

the first electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit;

the second electrical circuit comprises a heart rate monitor; and

the first outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna.

12. A housing for an electronic device comprising:

a front cover assembly having a transparent sheet for viewing a display;

a first outer periphery member defining a first exterior side surface and comprising a conductive material that is electrically coupled to an electrical circuit;

a second outer periphery member defining a second exterior side surface and comprising the conductive material; and

an intermediate electrically-insulating element positioned between the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member;

wherein the first and second outer periphery members and intermediate electrically-insulating element are positioned along a periphery of the front cover assembly.

13. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit and the first outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna.

14. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the electrical circuit is configured to measure a heart rate.

15. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate electrically-insulating element is molded between the first outer periphery member and the second outer periphery member.

16. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the front cover assembly is coupled to the first and second outer periphery members and forms a front surface of the housing.

17. The housing of claim 12 , wherein

the electrical circuit is a first electrical circuit; and

the housing further comprises a third outer periphery member electrically isolated from the first and second outer periphery members and electrically coupled to a second electrical circuit.

18. The housing of claim 17 , wherein each of the first outer periphery member and the third outer periphery member is configured to operate as an antenna.

19. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the first outer periphery member defines a plurality of apertures configured to pass an acoustic signal from an acoustic component.

20. The housing of claim 12 , wherein the first outer periphery member defines an aperture configured to receive a connector.

Continuity (6)
Continuation 14064785 · Oct 28, 2013
Continuation 12794529 · Jun 4, 2010
Provisional Application 61325625 · Apr 19, 2010
Provisional Application 61325786 · Apr 19, 2010
Provisional Application 61300780 · Feb 2, 2010
Related Publication 20160266613A1 · Sep 15, 2016