Method for cover glass removal
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorNicholas G. L. Merz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Improved techniques are disclosed for disassembly of portable electronic devices. A portable electronic device can have a portable device housing having a cover piece. The techniques can apply controlled forces to remove the cover piece from the portable device housing. The controlled forces can include rotational and/or translational forces. The techniques allow for removal of the cover piece with little or no damage to the portable electronic device. For example, the cover piece can pertain to a glass cover member (e.g., cover glass) that forms an outer part of a portable device housing.
Claims12
A method for disassembling a cover from a frame member of a portable electronic device, comprising:
- releasably securing a fixture to the cover;
- engaging the frame member with a companion fixture;
- and
- separating the cover from the frame member by moving the fixture relative to the companion fixture.
A method for disassembling a cover from a frame member of a portable electronic device, comprising:
- inducing an angular removal force to the cover to partially break adhesive bonds between the cover and the frame member;
- and
- subsequently inducing a translational removal force to the cover to completely break the adhesive bonds between the cover and the force, thereby removing the cover from the frame member.
A method for disassembling a cover from a frame member of a portable electronic, comprising:
- coupling the portable electronic device to at least one fixture;
- rotating relative to one another the cover and the frame member about a pivot point located remote from a distal adhesive bond between the cover and the frame, so as to allow application of sufficient force for breaking the distal adhesive bond;
- and
- translationally moving relative to one another the cover and the frame member, so as to allow application of sufficient force for breaking a proximate adhesive bond between the cover and the frame member.
A method for disassembling a cover from a frame member of a portable electronic device, comprising:
- coupling the portable electronic device to at least one fixture;
- breaking a distal adhesive bond located between the cover and the frame and located remote from corresponding extremities of cover and frame member;
- and
- subsequently breaking a proximate adhesive bond located between the cover and the frame and located proximate to the corresponding extremities of the cover and the frame member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.