Low profile fastening method with torque-limiting disengaging head

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10024352-B2
Application number	US-201615268233-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2016
Priority date	Sep 25, 2015
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

A fastener is disclosed. The fastener can be used to couple together two or more parts in an electronic device. The fastener may include a head coupled with a platform having a shaft extending from the platform. The head is coupled with the platform in a manner that allows the head to decouple from the platform. For example, the head is secured with the platform by an adhesive that provides an adhesive bonding force. In this regard, a rotational force applied to the head that is greater than the adhesive bonding force causes the head to decouple from the platform. The shaft may include several blades and several protrusions. The blades may be used to engage one of the parts. The protrusions may also engage the same part as the blades, and interlock with the part to provide a retaining force that prevents the fastener from decoupling from the parts.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener comprising:
a platform having a shaft extending from the platform, the shaft capable of securing to at least one of a first part and a second part; and
a head bonded with the platform by a material that includes a bonding force, wherein a rotational force to the head greater than the bonding force causes the head to decouple from the platform.

2. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises an adhesive having an adhesive bonding force.

3. The fastener of claim 2 , wherein the shaft comprises a threaded region configured for threaded engagement with at least one of the first part and the second part.

4. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a recess capable of receiving a tool, wherein the rotational force to the head comprises a rotational force by the tool.

5. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein:
a first surface defined by the head, the first surface engaged with the material and comprising a first surface roughness,
a second surface defined by the platform, the second surface engaged with the material and comprising a second surface roughness different from the first surface roughness, and
the rotational force causes the material to decouple from the second surface such that the material remains engaged with the first surface.

6. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein:
the head includes a first dimension along an axis defined by the shaft,
the platform includes a second dimension along the axis defined by the shaft, and
the second dimension different from the first dimension.

7. The fastener of claim 6 , the second dimension is less than the first dimension.

8. A method for forming a fastener the method comprising:
forming a platform having a shaft extending from the platform, the shaft capable of securing to at least one of a first part and a second part; and
securing the platform with a head by a material that includes a bonding force, wherein a rotational force to the head greater than the bonding force causes the head to decouple from the platform.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein securing the platform with the head by the material comprises providing an adhesive, the adhesive defining the bonding force.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the shaft comprises a threaded region configured for threaded engagement with at least one of the first part and the second part.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
forming a first surface defined by the head, the first surface engaged with the material and comprising a first surface roughness,
forming a second surface defined by the platform, the second surface engaged with the material and comprising a second surface roughness different from the first surface roughness, wherein the rotational force causes the material to decouple from the second surface such that the material remains engaged with the first surface.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the shaft comprises a threaded region configured for threaded engagement with at least one of the first part and the second part.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising a non-threaded portion, wherein the non-threaded portion is positioned between the platform and the threaded region.

14. A fastener, comprising:
a head comprising a first portion and a second portion;
a bonding material that couples the first portion with the second portion; and
a shaft extending from the second portion, wherein a rotational force to the head that causes the shaft to couple a first part with a second part further causes the first portion to break away from the second portion such that the second portion is engaged with the first part.

15. The fastener of claim 14 , wherein the shaft comprises:
a threaded portion; and
a non-threaded portion, wherein the non-threaded portion is positioned between the second portion and the threaded portion.

16. The fastener of claim 14 , wherein the bonding material comprises an adhesive, and wherein the rotational force causes the adhesive to break away from the second portion such that the adhesive remains on the first portion.

17. The fastener of claim 14 , wherein:
the first portion includes a first dimension along an axis defined by the shaft,
the second portion includes a second dimension along the axis defined by the shaft, and
the second dimension is less than the first dimension.

18. The fastener of claim 14 , wherein the head comprises a recess capable of receiving a tool that provides the rotational force.

19. The fastener of claim 14 , further comprising:
a platform extending from the shaft;
a first surface defined by the head, the first surface engaged with the bonding material and comprising a first surface roughness,
a second surface defined by the platform, the second surface engaged with the bonding material and comprising a second surface roughness different from the first surface roughness, and
the rotational force causes the bonding material to decouple from the second surface such that the material remains engaged with the first surface.

20. The fastener of claim 14 , wherein the bonding material is positioned between the first portion and the second portion, and bonding material extends to an outer edge of the first portion and the second portion.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Huo Edward S
• Auclair Martin J
• Myers Scott A
• Wittenberg Michael B
• Shukla Ashutosh Y
• Cater Tyler B

Classifications

• B29K2077/00

  Use of {PA, i.e.} polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material · CPC title

• B29C65/48

  using adhesives {, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding} · CPC title

• B29L2031/3437

  Cellular phones · CPC title

• F16B31/021 Primary

  by means of a frangible part (F16B31/025, F16B31/028 take precedence; break members in torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/1415) · CPC title

• B29C65/562

  using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined (using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601) · CPC title