Multipurpose fastener for electronic devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsCesar LOZANO, Dominic E. Dolci, Chiew-Siang Goh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This application relates generally to a multipurpose fastener for an electronic device. More specifically, the multipurpose fastener is configured to both mechanically restrain at least one circuit board within a housing of an electronic device and to electrically couple at least one circuit board to the housing. In some embodiments, the fastener is configured to constrain two printed circuit boards such that they are disposed substantially parallel to one another. A conductive sleeve can be utilized to establish a predefined distance between the two circuit boards and to provide a conduit through which power can be transferred.
Claims22
A multipurpose fastener used to assemble an electronic device comprising a housing and at least a first printed circuit board (PCB) comprising electrically conductive traces, and a plurality of electronic components electrically interconnected by way of the electrically conductive traces, the multipurpose fastener comprising:
- a body portion, comprising:
- a mechanical securing feature configured to mechanically secure the first PCB, and
- an electrical connection feature configured to electrically connect to at least one of the electrically conductive traces of the first PCB.
A multipurpose fastener used to assemble an electronic device comprising a housing, a first printed circuit board (PCB) and a second PCB, the multipurpose fastener comprising:
- a sleeve portion, comprising:
- a first region comprising a first conductive pathway,
- a second region comprising a second conductive pathway, and
- a third region electrically isolating the first conductive pathway from the second conductive pathway,
- wherein when the sleeve portion is disposed between the first PCB and the second PCB the sleeve portion provides a fixed distance between the first PCB and the second PCB.
An electronic device, comprising:
- an electronic device housing;
- a first printed circuit board (PCB);
- a second PCB oriented substantially parallel to the first PCB;
- and
- a multipurpose fastener, comprising:
- a body portion having a first end secured to the housing, and
- a sleeve portion configured to establish a pre-defined distance between the first PCB and the second PCB,
- wherein the multipurpose fastener is configured to provide at least two discrete electrically conductive pathways between the first PCB and the second PCB.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.