# US 8,464,417 B2 · Method for cover glass removal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,417 B2 - Document ID: US8464417B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/038,241 - Filed: 2011-03-01 - Published: 2012-08-09 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-09 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Nicholas G. L. Merz - Inventors: Nicholas G. L. Merz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464417B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 3/041: Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means - B23P 19/04: for assembling or disassembling parts - F16B 11/006: {by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48)} - G06F 2203/04103: Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - Y10T 29/53274: Means to disassemble electrical device - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover and the frame member comprises pulling the cover from the frame member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover from the frame member comprises relative rotational movement between the cover and the frame member of the portable electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover from the frame member comprises relative rotational movement between the cover and the frame about a pivot point proximate to extremities of the cover and the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover from the frame member comprises relative rotational movement between the cover and the frame about a pivot point located adjacent to a proximate adhesive bond between the cover and the frame, so as to substantially limit force applied to the proximate adhesive bond. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover from the frame member comprises relative rotational movement between the cover and the frame 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating the cover from the frame member comprises relative translational movement between the cover and the frame, so as to allow application of sufficient force for breaking a proximate adhesive bond between the cover and the frame. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method as recited in claim 8, wherein, following inducing of the angular removal force, adhesive bonds at one side between the cover and the frame member are broken. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method as recited in claim 9, wherein, following the subsequent inducing of the translational removal force, adhesive bonds at any remaining sides between the cover and the frame member are broken. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 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.