# US 2010/0244464 A1 · Battery cover and latch assembly for a portable electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0244464 A1 - Document ID: US20100244464A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/413,264 - Filed: 2009-03-27 - Published: 2010-09-30 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-27 - Assignees: Research In Motion Limited - Inventors: Vijai Rajagopal; James Carl Infanti; Timothy Herbert Kyowski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100244464A1 ## CPC - E05C 1/10: with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the latch - H04M 1/0262: {for a battery compartment} - Y10T 292/096: Sliding - Y10T 292/0969: Spring projected - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus for securing a cover over an opening defined in a housing of a portable electronic device includes a pair of latches along opposite edges of the cover. Each latch assembly has a cap affixed to the cover and partially housing a latch that is slideable therein. Each latch is biased by a separate spring into a first position, at which a tab on that latch projects from the cap and engages the housing. An actuator on each latch extends outside the respective cap for engagement by a user to slide the latch into a second position in which the associated tab is retracted from engaging the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for securing a cover over an opening defined in a housing of a portable electronic device, wherein the cover has opposing first and second edges between which third and fourth edges extend, said apparatus comprising: a first latch assembly affixed to the cover and having a first latch that is moveable along the first edge into and out of engagement with the housing, and a first biasing member arranged to bias the first latch into engagement with the housing; and a second latch assembly affixed to the cover and having a second latch that is moveable along the second edge into and out of engagement with the housing, and a second biasing member arranged to bias the second latch into engagement with the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first cap secured to the cover and partially enclosing the first latch assembly; and a second cap secured to the cover and partially enclosing the second latch assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first biasing member comprises a first spring biasing the first latch outward from the first cap; and the second biasing member comprises a second spring biasing the second latch outward from the second cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the first and second latches has a tab projecting there from for engaging a respective catch on the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the tab of each of the first and second latches projects toward the third edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the first and second latches comprises a central portion; a tab projecting from the central portion for engaging a catch on the housing; and a user actuator projecting from the central portion toward the first or second edge along which the respective latch is moveable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the first and second latches comprises: a U-shaped central portion having a pair of spaced apart legs with a cross leg extending there between; a guide pin projecting from the cross leg and between the pair of spaced apart legs; and a tab projecting from the cross leg for engaging a respective catch on the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein each of the first and second biasing members comprises a compression spring through which extends the guide pin of the respective one of the first and second latches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein each of the first and second latch assemblies further comprises a stop block abutting the respective compression spring; and a cap secured to the cover and having the stop block affixed thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the first and second latches comprises a user actuator accessible from outside the portable electronic device for moving the latches out of engagement with the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a fixed tab secured to the cover for engaging a receptacle on the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus as recited in claim 11 further comprising a spring biased electrical contact on the housing and engaging the cover that is secured to the housing. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for securing a cover over an opening defined in a housing of a portable electronic device, wherein the cover has first and second opposing edges between which third and fourth edges extend and the housing has first and second catches, said apparatus comprising: a first latch assembly affixed to the cover and having a first latch that is slideable along the first edge into and out of engagement with the first catch, wherein the first latch has a first actuator accessible from an exterior of the housing by a user and configured for moving the first latch, and a first biasing member arranged to bias the first latch into engagement with the first catch; and a second latch assembly affixed to the cover and having a second latch that is slideable along the second edge into and out of engagement with the second catch, wherein the second latch has a second actuator accessible from an exterior of the housing by the user and configured for moving the first latch, and a second biasing member arranged to bias the second latch into engagement with the second catch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of the first and second latches comprises a central portion; a tab projecting from the central portion and toward the third edge for engaging one of the first and second catches on the housing; and one of the first and second actuators projecting from the central portion toward the first or second edge along which the respective latch is moveable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of the first and second latches comprises: a U-shaped central portion having a pair of spaced apart legs with a cross leg extending there between; a guide pin projecting from the cross leg and between the pair of spaced apart legs; and a tab projecting from the cross leg for engaging one of the first and second catches on the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the first and second biasing members each comprise a compression spring through which extends the guide pin of the respective one of the first and second latches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein each of the first and second latch assemblies further comprises a stop block abutting the respective compression spring and a cap secured to the cover and having the stop block affixed thereto. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a first cap secured to the cover and partially enclosing the first latch assembly; and a second cap secured to the cover and partially enclosing the second latch assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the first biasing member comprises a first spring biasing the first latch outward from the first cap; and the second biasing member comprises a second spring biasing the second latch outward from the second cap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a fixed tab secured to the cover and projecting outward from the fourth edge for engaging a receptacle on the housing.