US 12,709,916 B2Granted

Magnetic locking mechanism for a computing device enclosure

AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC

InventorMichael Cameron Gordon

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The presently disclosed magnetic locking mechanism(s) for a computing device enclosure is directed at providing a fast, but tamper resistant solution for assembly and disassembly of a computing device having top and base enclosures that come together to form an overall enclosure for the computing device. Top and base enclosures that incorporate one or more of the presently disclosed magnetic locking mechanisms are capable of being quickly and easily attached and detached without damaging the computing device, so long as a correct magnetic key(s) are used. This aids both repairability and upgradability of the computing device during its life cycle, as well as recyclability at the end of its life cycle. Without the correct magnetic key(s), it is difficult to separate the enclosures without damaging one or both of the enclosures.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computing device comprising:

a base enclosure including a round exterior perimeter and an interior recess, the base enclosure including:
two base linear locking features arranged about the exterior perimeter of the base enclosure;
and
a base rotational magnetic locking feature also arranged about the exterior perimeter of the base enclosure;
and
a top enclosure including a round interior perimeter fit over the base enclosure, the round exterior perimeter of the base enclosure encircling the round interior perimeter of the top enclosure, the top enclosure including:
two top linear locking features arranged about the interior perimeter of the top enclosure, the top linear locking features to selectively engage with the base linear locking features to prevent the top enclosure from lifting linearly away from the base enclosure at a locked rotational orientation of the top enclosure with reference to the base enclosure;
and
a top rotational magnetic locking feature to selectively engage with the base rotational magnetic locking feature to selectively prevent the top enclosure from rotating with reference to the base enclosure, the top linear locking features being free to selectively disengage from the base linear locking features by rotating with reference to the base enclosure as the top rotational magnetic locking feature is selectively disengaged.

6 more elements

A computing device comprising:

a base enclosure including a round exterior perimeter and an interior recess, the base enclosure including:
two base linear locking features arranged about the exterior perimeter of the base enclosure;
and
a base rotational magnetic locking feature also arranged about the exterior perimeter of the base enclosure;
and
a top enclosure including a round interior perimeter fit over the base enclosure, the round exterior perimeter of the base enclosure encircling the round interior perimeter of the top enclosure, the top enclosure including:
two top linear locking features arranged about the interior perimeter of the top enclosure, the top linear locking features to selectively engage with the base linear locking features to prevent the top enclosure from lifting linearly away from the base enclosure at a locked rotational orientation of the top enclosure with reference to the base enclosure;
a top rotational magnetic locking feature to selectively engage with the base rotational magnetic locking feature to selectively prevent the top enclosure from rotating with reference to the base enclosure;
a bottom key to selectively interface with the base enclosure, the bottom key to provide a handle to prevent rotation of the base enclosure coincident with rotation of the top enclosure;
and
a top key to selectively interface with the top enclosure, the top key to disengage the top rotational magnetic locking feature from the base rotational magnetic locking feature responsive at least to its placement at a predefined position over the top enclosure, thereby permitting the top enclosure to rotate to an unlocked rotational orientation with reference to the base enclosure.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.