The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 16, 1997
Filed:
Oct. 13, 1995
Richard C Jackson, San Jose, CA (US);
Raymond W Riley, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
David Laituri, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Bob Clary, Concord, CA (US);
Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes methods and apparatus for efficiently coupling an additional component to an electronic device. The invention is particularly useful in conjunction with modular electronic devices. An additional component may be mechanically and electrically coupled to a video electronic device. The added component is joined to the electronic device by a series of easy steps which include bringing the front bottom surface of the electronic device into contact with the front top surface of the added component and then rotating the rear surface of the electronic device, such that the front bottom surface of the electronic device is flush with the front top surface of the added component. The electronic device and added component include feet and receptors respectively that allow them to be easily aligned. Finally, the added component and electronic device are securely joined by a latch. Since the device and component are integral, the added device does not require a large amount of space. To avoid routing wires separately to the added component, the added component is internally electrically coupled to the original device through a card and slot mechanism. The device and component are also electromagnetically coupled so that they share common electromagnetic shielding.