US 8,526,161 B2 · Button structures for electronic devices

Abstract

An electronic device may have buttons, a display, and a vibrator unit. Buttons may be included in electronic devices such as glass buttons, metal buttons, buttons that are assembled on printed circuit boards, and buttons that are partly formed from antenna structures. Button coatings may be used to improve the sliding performance of metal-on-metal buttons. A layer of polymer may be interposed between a button plate and a housing structure. A glass button member may have an underside on which a layer of patterned ink is formed. Elastomeric members may be used to reduce button rattle. Portions of a button may be provided with conductive features that form portions of an antenna.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An electronic device comprising:

a button plate comprising:
at least one button member;
and
at least one opening formed in the button plate located adjacent to the at least one button member;
a housing structure having at least one opening through which the button member protrudes for actuation by a user;
and at least one spring located adjacent to the at least one button member that attaches the button plate to the housing structure such that the at least one spring protrudes through the at least one opening of the button plate;
wherein the at least one spring comprises leaves that retain the button plate against the housing structure and the at least one spring comprises a threaded bore that forms a first screw boss.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

12/794,651Filed 4 Jun 2010 · us provisional application

Priority

19 Apr 2010

Published

US 2011/0255260 A120 Oct 2011

Granted

3 Sep 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H01H 13/14
Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon: operating parts, e.g. push-button
H01H 9/02
Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00: bases, casings, or covers
H01H 13/04
Details: cases; Covers
H01H 13/70
Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch:…

Button structures for electronic devices

Life of this patent

Button structures for electronic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17