Press nut designs to minimize stack thickness
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsStefan C. Mag, Miguel C. Christophy, Daniel W. Jarvis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The described embodiments relate to embedding a threaded insert into a thin-walled housing. A recess can be formed with a machining tool that forms a recess in a thickened portion of the thin-walled housing. In some embodiments, the recess can be formed along one of the walls of the thin-walled housing in a location having highly a constrained amount of space available. Once the recess is formed a threaded insert can be pressed into the recess. An interference fit can be utilized to lodge the press-nut securely within the recess. Alternatively, a retaining member can be positioned across a front portion of the recess to trap the threaded insert between the retaining member and a rear surface of the recess.
Claims10
An electronic device, comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a wall that includes a first groove and a second groove, the first groove intersecting with the second groove to form an X-shaped recess, the first groove and the second groove each comprising a concave surface that defines the X-shaped recess;
- a threaded insert positioned within the X-shaped recess and having a surface that is flush with the wall;
- and
- a threaded fastener in threaded engagement with the threaded insert and securing an internal component against the wall.
An attachment feature for an electronic device, the attachment feature comprising:
- a sidewall comprising a protrusion that includes an X-shaped recess;
- and
- a threaded insert having a size and shape in accordance with the X-shaped recess, the threaded insert comprising a front face, wherein the threaded inserts fills the X-shaped recess such that the front face is flush with respect to a surface of the sidewall, and wherein threading of the threaded insert is oriented along an axis that is substantially normal to a front surface of the protrusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.