# US 9,040,855 B2 · 3-dimensional seal for a button > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,855 B2 - Document ID: US9040855B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/610,724 - Filed: 2012-09-11 - Published: 2014-03-13 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-11 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Christopher M. Werner; Stephen Brian Lynch - Inventors: Christopher M. Werner; Stephen Brian Lynch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040855B2 ## CPC - H01H 13/06: Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings - H01H 13/063: {Casings hermetically closed by a diaphragm through which passes an actuating member (vacuum switches H01H33/66)} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole may fit around and engage the post. In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device, comprising: a housing including housing walls that define a space within the housing, one of the housing walls having an aperture; a button including a cosmetic portion that protrudes from a flange portion of the button, wherein the cosmetic portion extends through the aperture of the housing, the button including a cavity defined by an internal surface and a post extending from the internal surface; and a seal assembly comprising a first section and a second section, wherein: the first section includes a protruding member and a post receiving hole, the protruding member occupying the cavity of the button such that a first surface of the first section is secured to the internal surface of the button, wherein the post extends through the post receiving hole, and the second section includes a second surface secured to the flange portion of the button such that the button constrains the seal assembly within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the post comprises a beveled edge at a distal end of the post. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the post comprises an undercut operative to help retain the seal assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic portion forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the button further comprises a chamfered edge along a perimeter of the cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a dimension of the post is larger than a corresponding dimension of the post receiving hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protruding member comprises at least one registration hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is constructed from a compliant material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protruding member comprises a co-molded part operative to provide enhanced stiffness with respect to a remainder of the seal assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the co-molded part is constructed from one of a metal and a plastic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the co-molded part is a shim that forms a periphery of the protruding member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protruding member comprises a cutout around a portion of the post receiving hole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the protruding member is fixed to the internal surface of the button within the cavity with glue or a pressure sensitive adhesive. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is secured to a sidewall surface of the housing with glue or a pressure sensitive adhesive. ### Claim 15 A method for assembling a water proof button in an electronic device, the device comprising a housing with housing walls that define a space within the housing, one of the housing walls including an aperture, the method comprising: inserting a cosmetic portion of a button into the aperture of the housing such that a flange portion of the button is positioned within the space of the housing, the button comprising a cavity defined by an internal surface and a post extending from the internal surface; applying a first portion of glue to the internal surface of the button and a second portion of glue to a surface of the flange portion; and securing a sealing assembly to the button and the housing, the sealing assembly comprising a first section and a second section, wherein securing the sealing assembly comprises positioning a protruding member of the sealing assembly within the cavity of the button such that: a first surface of the first section contacts the first portion of glue securing the first section to the button, wherein the post of the button extends through a post receiving hole of the first section, and a second surface of the second section contacts the second portion of glue securing the second section to the button, wherein the button constrains the sealing assembly within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the protruding member comprises at least one registration hole, and wherein the method further comprises aligning the at least one registration hole with a corresponding feature within the electronic device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the securing further comprises stretching the post receiving hole of the sealing assembly around the post to form a compression fit between the post receiving hole and the post. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising aligning a switch with the post such that the switch is activated by the post when the button is actuated. ### Claim 19 A water tight button assembly for use in an electronic device having a housing, the housing including housing walls that define a space within the housing with one of the walls including an aperture, the water tight button assembly comprising: a button including a cosmetic portion that protrudes from a flange portion of the button, wherein the cosmetic portion is positioned within the aperture of the housing, the button including a cavity and a post, wherein the cavity is defined by an internal surface and the post extends from the internal surface; and a sealing member comprising a first section and a second section, wherein: the first section includes a protruding member and a post receiving hole, the protruding member occupying the cavity of the button such that a first surface of the first section is secured to the internal surface of the button, wherein the post extends through the post receiving hole, and the second section includes a second surface secured to the flange portion of the button such that the button constrains the sealing member within the space of the housing, wherein the first surface is separated from the second surface by a gap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The button assembly of claim 19, wherein the post comprises an undercut operative to help retain the sealing member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The button assembly of claim 19, wherein a dimension of the post is larger than a corresponding dimension of the post receiving hole. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The button assembly of claim 19, wherein the sealing member comprises at least one registration hole. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The button assembly of claim 19, wherein the sealing member comprises a co-molded part operative to provide enhanced stiffness with respect to a remainder of the sealing member.