Fastener with a constrained retention ring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12004638-B2
Application number	US-202117478710-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2021
Priority date	Apr 17, 2019
Publication date	Jun 11, 2024
Grant date	Jun 11, 2024

Abstract

A holder for a wirelessly locatable tag may include a snap assembly coupling a first element of the holder to a second element of the holder thereby securing the wirelessly locatable tag within a recess of the holder, the snap assembly including a male assembly having a protrusion component, a female assembly defining an opening that is configured to receive the protrusion component, a groove defined in one of either the male assembly or the female assembly, a compression ring positioned in the groove and configured to retain the male assembly to the female assembly, and a compliant member positioned in the groove and providing a biasing force on the compression ring.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wirelessly locatable tag system comprising:
a wirelessly locatable tag comprising:
a housing member defining a region of an exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag configured to act as a speaker diaphragm; and
an audio system comprising a coil positioned within a magnetic field and coupled to an interior surface of the housing member opposite exterior surface, the coil configured to interact with the magnetic field to impart a force on the housing member, thereby moving the region of the exterior surface to produce an audible output; and
a holder defining a recess at least partially enclosing the wirelessly locatable tag and comprising:
a first element defining a first portion of the recess; and
a second element defining a second portion of the recess and configured to at least partially surround the wirelessly locatable tag, the second element defining a holder opening aligned with the region of the exterior surface configured to act as the speaker diaphragm; and
a snap assembly coupling the first element to the second element thereby securing the wirelessly locatable tag within the recess, the snap assembly comprising:
a male assembly having a protrusion component;
a female assembly defining an opening that is configured to receive the protrusion component; and
a groove defined in one of either the male assembly or the female assembly; and
a compression ring positioned in the groove and configured to retain the male assembly to the female assembly.

2. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 1 , wherein:
the groove is defined in the female assembly of the snap assembly; and
the compression ring is configured to engage a ramped surface along the protrusion component of the male assembly.

3. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 2 , wherein:
the snap assembly further comprises a compliant member positioned in the groove and providing a biasing force on the compression ring;
the compliant member is positioned along an inner wall of the groove; and
the compliant member is configured to produce an inward biasing force on the compression ring toward the ramped surface of the protrusion component.

4. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 3 , wherein the inward biasing force maintains an alignment of a central axis of the compression ring with a central axis of the snap assembly.

5. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 2 , wherein:
the compliant member is positioned along a side wall of the groove; and
the biasing force is a lateral biasing force that is substantially parallel to a central axis of the snap assembly.

6. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 2 , wherein:
the female assembly defines a first exterior surface of the snap assembly;
the protrusion component extends through the female assembly and defines a second exterior surface of the snap assembly; and
the second exterior surface is flush with the first exterior surface.

7. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 1 , wherein:
the groove is defined in the protrusion component of the male assembly; and
the compression ring is configured to engage a ramped surface of the female assembly.

8. The wirelessly locatable tag system of claim 1 , wherein:
the holder opening is a first holder opening; and
the first element defines a second holder opening opposite the first holder opening.

9. An accessory for a wirelessly locatable tag, the accessory comprising:
an attachment feature that is configured to attach the accessory to an article;
a first element and a second element that together define a recess configured to receive a wirelessly locatable tag therein, at least one of the first element or the second element defining an opening that aligns with a portion of a housing of the wirelessly locatable tag that is movable, by a conductive coil, to produce an audio output, and
a snap assembly coupling the first element to the second element to close the recess, the snap assembly comprising:
a male assembly having a protrusion component;
a female assembly defining:
an opening that is configured to receive the protrusion component; and
a groove positioned around the opening and defined by a bottom surface, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall;

a compression ring positioned in the groove and configured to retain the male assembly to the female assembly, wherein the compression ring is an open-section wire loop formed into a partially helical shape such that a first end of the compression ring is biased against the first side wall of the groove and a second end of the compression ring is biased against the second side wall of the groove.

10. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein:
the open-section wire loop defines a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end; and
the open-section wire loop defines a central axis;
the open-section wire loop has a wire diameter; and
the first end is offset from the second end by a distance that ranges from 15% to 30% of the wire diameter along a direction that is parallel to the central axis.

11. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein:
the female assembly further comprises a compliant member that is positioned in the groove; and
the compliant member provides a biasing force on the compression ring.

12. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein:
the first element defines a first inner recess and a first outer recess;
the male assembly defines a first inner flange positioned at least partially in the first inner recess and a first outer flange positioned at least partially in the first outer recess;
the second element defines a second inner recess and a second outer recess; and
the female assembly defines a second inner flange positioned at least partially in the second inner recess and a second outer flange positioned at least partially in the second outer recess.

13. The accessory of claim 12 , wherein:
a first inner surface of the first element is configured to contact a second inner surface of the second element when the male assembly is engaged with the female assembly.

14. The accessory of claim 12 , wherein:
the first inner flange of the male assembly includes an engagement feature that extends into a lower surface of the first inner recess.

15. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein:
the protrusion component is formed from a stamped sheet metal component; and
the male assembly further comprises an end cap that is insert molded over an end of the stamped sheet metal component.

16. A wirelessly locatable tag system, comprising:
a wirelessly locatable tag comprising:
a housing member defining a region of an exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag configured to act as a speaker diaphragm; and
an audio system comprising a coil positioned within a magnetic field and coupled to an interior surface of the housing member opposite exterior surface, the coil configured to impart a force on the housing member, thereby moving the region of the exterior surface to produce an audible output; and

a holder comprising a recess configured to retain the wirelessly locatable tag therein and comprising:
an attachment component that is configured to attach the holder to an article;
a pocket portion that is configured to hold the wirelessly locatable tag, the pocket portion defining:
a pocket opening configured to receive the wirelessly locatable tag; and
a hole aligned with the region of the exterior surface configured to act as the speaker diaphragm; and

a snap assembly configured to close the opening, the snap assembly comprisin

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Perkins Ryan C
• De Jong Erik G
• Hunter Tirshathah A

Classifications

• A45F5/1508

  Holders or carriers for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or digital music players · CPC title

• A45F5/155

  Holders or carriers for thin, flat, rectangular articles, e.g. ID badges or cards · CPC title

• H01M50/184

  characterised by their shape or structure · CPC title

• H01M50/109

  of button or coin shape · CPC title

• H01R4/28

  Clamped connections, spring connections (made by means of terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits H01R12/00) · CPC title