Component removal systems for portable computers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016192550-A1
Application number	US-201615064530-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 8, 2016
Priority date	Nov 2, 2012
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The described embodiments relate generally to components used in a portable computing device and more particularly to mounting a component with a component extractor that allows a component to be removably affixed to a portable computing device. The component extractor can include a compressible securing portion configured to secure the component to the portable computing device and an extracting portion arranged to apply an extracting force to the compressible securing portion to detach the component from the portable computing device. The compressible material can be made of a highly extensible material. In one embodiment, a low friction material can be provided along an edge of the component such that the component extractor slides along the edge during an extraction procedure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A component extractor for removing a component from a cavity within a housing, the component having a first surface and a second surface that meet at an edge, the component extractor comprising:
a securing portion that secures the first surface of the component to an internal surface within the housing; an extracting portion coupled to the securing portion, the extracting portion extending out of the cavity and configured to receive a force; and an edge plate positioned adjacent the second surface, wherein during an extraction operation, the force received by the extracting portion causes the component extractor to slide across an acute edge of the edge plate and transfer the force to the securing portion, thereby reducing a thickness of the securing portion and causing detachment of the component from the internal within the housing.

2 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the acute edge is comprised of a polymer material.

3 . The component extractor of claim 2 , wherein the polymer material has a lower coefficient of friction than a surface of the edge of the component.

4 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the force is a pulling force applied in a direction away from the internal surface.

5 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the cavity within the housing is defined by the internal surface and a sidewall surface.

6 . The component extractor of claim 5 , wherein the sidewall surface within the housing corresponds to surface of a second component within the housing.

7 . The component extractor of claim 6 , wherein the second component corresponds to an electrical component.

8 . The component extractor of claim 5 , wherein the sidewall surface within the housing corresponds to surface of the housing.

9 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the component corresponds to a battery.

10 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the extracting portion comprises of a different material than the securing portion.

11 . The component extractor of claim 6 , wherein the securing portion comprises a more compressible material than the extracting portion.

12 . The component extractor of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion and the extracting portion each comprise a compressible material, wherein the extracting portion comprises a sheath that covers the compressible material.

13 . A component extractor for removing a component from a cavity within a housing, the component extractor comprising:
a securing portion that secures the component to an internal surface within the housing; and an extracting portion coupled to the securing portion, the extracting portion extending out of the cavity and configured to receive an force, the securing portion and the extracting portion each comprising a compressible material, the extracting portion comprising a sheath that covers the compressible material, wherein during an extraction operation, the force received by the extracting portion is transferred to the securing portion thereby reducing a thickness of the securing portion and causing detachment of the component from an interior surface within the housing.

14 . The component extractor of claim 13 , wherein the component has a first surface and a second surface that meet at an edge.

15 . The component extractor of claim 14 , wherein during the extraction operation, the component extractor slides across the edge of the component.

16 . The component extractor of claim 15 , wherein the edge of the component is covered with a polymer material.

17 . The component extractor of claim 16 , wherein the polymer material is a coating that coats at least the edge of the component.

18 . The component extractor of claim 16 , wherein the polymer material is adhered to at least the edge of the component.

19 . A method of extracting a component from a cavity of a housing using a component extractor, the component extractor including a securing portion that secures the component to an internal surface within the housing and an extracting portion coupled to the securing portion, the method comprising:
applying a force to the extracting portion extending out of the cavity, the securing portion and the extracting portion each comprising a compressible material, the extracting portion comprising a sheath that covers the compressible material, wherein the force applied to the extracting portion is transferred to the securing portion so as to reduce a thickness of the securing portion and cause detachment of the component from an interior surface within the housing.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the component has a first surface and a second surface that meet at an edge, wherein the component extractor slides across the edge of the component during the extracting.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Casebolt Matthew P
• Leggett William F
• Rockford David M

Classifications

• Y10T29/49945

  by driven force fit · CPC title

• B25B27/00

  Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for (machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00) · CPC title

• Y10T29/53909

  Means comprising hand manipulatable tool · CPC title

• Y10T29/49822

  by applying force · CPC title

• G06F1/1658 Primary

  related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module · CPC title