US Patent:
20190220065, Jul 18, 2019
Inventors:
- Cupertino CA, US
Kent JOHNSTON - Lake Oswego OR, US
Michael MALONEY - Doylestown PA, US
John C. DIFONZO - Emerald Hills CA, US
Gurshan DEOL - Santa Clara CA, US
Kamal H. HABBOUB - Tampa FL, US
Keith J. HENDREN - San Francisco CA, US
Karan BIR - Cupertino CA, US
Steven J. OSBORNE - San Jose CA, US
Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG - San Carlos CA, US
International Classification:
G06F 1/16
F16B 21/20
H01F 7/02
Abstract:
This application relates to hidden fasteners within an electronic device. An electronic device can include a top portion and a base portion that includes a housing and a cover attached to the housing by at least one fastener that is not visible through an external surface of the cover. Each fastener includes a receiver housing that retrains spherical components and a pin that can be inserted into an opening in the receiver housing. The pin is retained in the receiver housing by a force imparted against a surface of the pin by the spherical components, which are biased towards an inner surface of the receiver housing sloped towards the opening. The pin can be released when an external magnetic field from a magnet placed proximate the bottom surface of the receiver housing retracts the spherical components away from the opening, thereby reducing the force against the surface of the pin.