IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,082,828
Granted Patent B2
US 10,082,828 · App. 15/678,997 · Granted Sep 25, 2018

Device with a mid-frame structure and reverse draft

Inventors: Archer Wun (Maple, CA); Anna Buechin (Toronto, CA); James Wu (Newmarket, CA); Ernesto Salas (Toronto, CA)
Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
G06F1/1626F21V23/003F21V33/0056G02F1/133308G06F1/1632G06F1/1698G06F1/203H01H13/83H01Q1/22H04M1/0279H04M1/04H05K7/1417A45C2011/002A45F2200/0516F21W2111/10G06F2200/1633G06F2200/1634
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,082,828
App. No.
15/678,997
Granted
Sep 25, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic reading device includes a mid-frame structure such that the mid-frame structure can include a reverse draft. A reverse draft corresponds to a back of the electronic reading device being a predetermined amount wider than a front of the electronic reading device. Additionally, a co-molded mid-frame stiffener provides a predetermined rigidity of the electronic reading device. The electronic reading device also includes a display integrated with the front of the mid-frame structure, wherein a space between the display and the mid-frame structure includes one or more electronic reading device components. Similarly, a back cover is integrated with the back of the mid-frame structure, wherein a space between the back cover and the mid-frame structure includes additional electronic reading device components.

Claims (26)

1. An electronic reading device, comprising:

a mid-frame structure, the mid-frame structure including

a reverse draft corresponding to a back of the electronic reading device being a predetermined amount wider than a front of the electronic reading device, and

a co-molded mid-frame stiffener providing a predetermined rigidity of the electronic reading device;

a display integrated with the front of the mid-frame structure, wherein a space between the display and the mid-frame structure includes a first group of one or more electronic reading device components; and

a back cover integrated with the back of the mid-frame structure, wherein a space between the back cover and the mid-frame structure includes a second group of one or more electronic reading device components.

2. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the reverse draft is a 7 degree reverse draft corresponding to the back of the electronic reading device being 7 degrees wider than the front of the electronic reading device.

3. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic reading device has a depth of less than 7 millimeters based on a combination of the reverse draft and the co-molded mid-frame stiffener.

4. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the co-molded mid-frame stiffener includes an injection molded magnesium stiffener.

5. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the co-molded mid-frame stiffener includes a portion to house a power/sleep button.

6. The electronic reading device of claim 5 , wherein the power/sleep button is recessed into a top left corner of the back of the mid-frame structure, the power/sleep button being axially aligned with a tri-color status LED integrated into a top right corner of the front of the mid-frame structure.

7. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the first group of one or more electronic reading device components includes a daughter printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic paper display flexible printed circuit, a front light flexible printed circuit, a touch panel flexible printed circuit, and adhesive tape.

8. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the second group of one or more electronic reading device components includes adhesive tapes, a Mylar electro static detection, a battery, and a main printed circuit board (PCB).

9. The electronic reading device of claim 1 , wherein the display is an electronic paper display with a front light and a touch panel.

10. A method for reducing the depth of an electronic reading device, comprising:

combining an injection molded magnesium stiffener and a mid-frame to provide a mid-frame structure, the mid-frame structure including a reverse draft;

integrating a first group of electronic reading device components between a display and a front of the mid-frame structure; and

integrating a second group of electronic reading device components between a back cover and a back of the mid-frame structure.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mid-frame structure is a co-molded mid-frame stiffener.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reverse draft corresponds to a back of the electronic reading device being a predetermined amount wider than a front of the electronic reading device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reverse draft is a 7 degree reverse draft corresponding to the back of the electronic reading device being 7 degrees wider than the front of the electronic reading device.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the display is an electronic paper display with a front light and a touch panel.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first group of one or more electronic reading device components includes a daughter printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic paper display flexible printed circuit, a front light flexible printed circuit, a touch panel flexible printed circuit, and adhesive tape.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second group of one or more electronic reading device components includes adhesive tapes, a Mylar electro static detection, a battery, and a main printed circuit board (PCB).

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the co-molded mid-frame stiffener includes a portion to house a power/sleep button.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the power/sleep button is recessed into a top left corner of the back of the mid-frame structure, the power/sleep button being axially aligned with a tri-color status LED integrated into a top right corner of the front of the mid-frame structure.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 043534 FRAME 0842. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 25, 2017
From: WUN, ARCHER; BUECHIN, ANNA; WU, JAMES; SALAS, ERNESTO
To: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
Reel/Frame 043987/0440 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2017
From: WUN, ARCHER; BUECHIN, ANNA; WU, JAMES; SALAS, ERNESTO
To: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
Reel/Frame 043534/0842 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62375745 · Aug 16, 2016
Related Publication 20180052489A1 · Feb 22, 2018