Subscriber identity module (SIM) ejector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9787342-B2
Application number	US-201414552295-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 24, 2014
Priority date	Sep 5, 2014
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

Several embodiments for ejecting a SIM tray from an electronic device are disclosed. In some embodiments, a lever positioned behind the tray can be actuated to eject the tray. In some embodiments, a pivot mechanism can be actuated to eject the tray. In other embodiments, a gear mechanism can be actuated to eject the tray. In other embodiments, a spring element can be actuated to eject the tray. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a key feature that allows the tray to eject only when a tool is used having a mating key feature with the key feature of the electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ejector apparatus suitable for use in an electronic device for ejecting a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) tray from the electronic device, the SIM tray comprising a body portion configured to carry a SIM card and a front portion having a flange portion that extends laterally beyond the body portion, the flange portion co-planar with respect to a sidewall of the electronic device in an inserted state, the ejector apparatus comprising:
a fulcrum located in the electronic device; and
an arm mechanism located in the electronic device and rotatably coupled with the fulcrum, wherein the arm mechanism rotates about the fulcrum in response to a force in a first direction provided through an opening in the sidewall, the opening external with respect to the flange portion, the force causing the arm mechanism to engage the flange portion and drive the flange portion from the sidewall in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby causing the SIM tray to change from the inserted state to an ejected state defined by the flange portion being external with respect to the sidewall.

2. The ejector apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm mechanism comprises:
a first arm; and
a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm at the fulcrum, wherein the first arm rotates about the fulcrum in response to the force causing the second arm to rotate about the fulcrum to engage the flange portion and eject the flange portion from the sidewall.

3. The ejector apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the force is applied by a tool received through an aperture in the flange portion.

4. The ejector apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm at the fulcrum, and wherein the second arm is pivotably coupled to the first arm at the fulcrum at an angle less than 180 degrees, the angle measured from a surface of the first arm that faces a surface of the second arm.

5. The ejector apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the angle is an obtuse angle.

6. An ejector apparatus suitable for use in an electronic device for ejecting a tray from the electronic device, the tray configured to carry a subscriber identify module (“SIM”) card and having a flange portion, the ejector apparatus comprising:
a first pivot mechanism proximate to a first end of the flange portion;
a second pivot mechanism proximate to a second end of the flange portion, the second end opposite the first end; and
an axle secured to the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism, wherein a rotation of the first pivot mechanism causes the axle to rotate, thereby causing the second pivot mechanism to rotate such that the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism engage the first end and the second end, respectively, of the flange portion.

7. The ejector apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising an aperture that allows a tool to extend through the aperture to apply a force to the first pivot mechanism.

8. The ejector apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the aperture is positioned in a sidewall of the electronic device.

9. The ejector apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the flange portion is ejected, the flange portion is external with respect to the sidewall.

10. The ejector apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises a first arm and a second arm.

11. The ejector apparatus of claim 10 , wherein when the first arm is configured to receive a force that causes the second arm to engage the flange portion.

12. An electronic device, comprising: an enclosure having a sidewall that includes an opening;
a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) tray comprising:
a body portion configured to carry a SIM card, and
a front portion having a flange portion extending laterally beyond the front portion, the front portion co-planar with respect to the sidewall in an inserted state;
an ejector apparatus for ejecting the SIM tray, the ejector apparatus comprising: an arm mechanism located within the enclosure, wherein the arm mechanism rotates about a fulcrum in response to a force in a first direction provided through the opening, the opening external with respect to the flange portion, the force causing the arm mechanism to engage the flange portion and drive the flange portion from the sidewall in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby causing the SIM tray to change from the inserted state to an ejected state defined by the flange portion being external with respect to the sidewall.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the arm mechanism comprises a first arm and a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the opening is positioned such that a tool is inserted into the opening to provide a force to the first arm.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein
the second arm, in response to the force to the first arm, engages the front portion to eject the SIM tray.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a spring member in contact with the SIM tray when the SIM tray positioned in the electronic device and the front portion is co-planar with respect to the sidewall; and
a contact, wherein when the front portion is ejected, the SIM tray disengages from the spring member causing the spring member to engage the contact to define a closed switch configuration in the electronic device that generates an electrical signal to notify the electronic device the front portion is ejected.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the SIM tray is a tray suitable for carrying a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

18. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the front portion is free of apertures.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Kole Jared M
• Malek Shayan
• Hill Matthew D
• Wittenberg Michael Benjamin
• Stephens Gregory N

Classifications

• H04M1/026

  Details of the structure or mounting of specific components · CPC title

• H04B1/3816 Primary

  Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices · CPC title