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:
Mar. 30, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 24, 1995
Ronald J Moller, Boulder Creek, CA (US);
Jonathan P Ive, San Francisco, CA (US);
Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
An extendible stylus includes a body and an extension telescopically engaged with the body. The stylus may be extended to an open position and collapsed to a closed position, where opposite ends of the stylus are farther apart in the open position. A first, internal detent mechanism of the stylus retains the stylus in the open position. A stop mechanism preferably holds the stylus in the closed position. A receptacle, such as a hole in a case of a portable computer, is engageable with the stylus such that a second, external detent mechanism is provided between the case and the stylus to retain the stylus in engagement with the case. The case is provided with a member which engages a groove positioned on one end of the stylus to form the second detent mechanism. When the stylus is being engaged with the case, a force to overcome the first detent mechanism is greater than a force to overcome the second detent mechanism so that the stylus can be engaged with the case before the stylus is moved to the closed position. When the stylus is being disengaged from the case, the force to overcome the first detent mechanism is less than the force to overcome the second detent mechanism, so that the stylus can be extended to its open position before it is removed from the case.