Patrick E Nixon

US Patent:

61117609, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Dec 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/223675

Inventors:

Patrick Edward Nixon - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Ericsson, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H04B 138
H04M 100
H05K 502

US Classification:

361814

Abstract:

Multiple layers of electronic components are secured within a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, by gripping the component layers between two different portions of the device's enclosure, thereby preventing substantial vertical movement of the component layers within the combined housing. A first housing section, typically the front portion of the device's shell housing, includes both a first set of holding surfaces and a second set of holding surfaces which are preferably, but not necessarily, lying in two different planes. Preferably, these holding surfaces are portions of fingers that extend downwardly away from the first housing section. When the two housing sections are joined, the first set of holding surfaces directly contacts the lower component layer and presses the same against the second housing section. Likewise, the second set of holding surfaces directly contacts the second component layer and presses the same against the second housing section. In this manner, the first and second component layers are vertically trapped between the first and second housing sections.

US Patent:

58135200, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Jul 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/895970

Inventors:

Bart Reier - Raleigh NC
Patrick Nixon - Raleigh NC
Robert Doran - Cary NC

Assignee:

Ericsson, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H01H 1370

US Classification:

200343

Abstract:

An actuator button is mounted in a housing by a cantilevered beam fixedly attached to the intermediate portion of a torsion beam. The ends of the torsion beam are nonrotatably fixed with respect to the housing. The actuator button is maintained at a normal, spaced-apart position with respect to a switch positioned within the housing. Movement of the actuator toward the switch induces bending stress in the cantilevered beam and torsional stress in torsion beam. The actuator button arrangement permits direct, vertical insertion of the actuator button into the housing, does not require any secondary assembly operations, and has a unitary construction.

US Patent:

58837868, Mar 16, 1999

Filed:

Dec 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/777625

Inventors:

Patrick E. Nixon - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Ericsson, Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H04B 103
H05K 114

US Classification:

361737

Abstract:

A SIM card containment assembly eliminates the locking mechanism of the conventional arrangement and simplifies construction to thereby minimize parts and allow for easy access to the SIM card. The structure includes a SIM connector electrically coupled to the device PCB and engageable with the SIM card, and a SIM card door releasably engageable with the apparatus housing. The SIM card door, in a closed position, engages the SIM card and maintains the SIM card in engagement with the SIM connector. The SIM connector or the device housing itself preferably includes alignment structure that contains the SIM card laterally and ensures that the SIM card is properly aligned in the SIM connector.

US Patent:

59911654, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Dec 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/772766

Inventors:

James H. Jones - Apex NC
James D. MacDonald - Apex NC
Bart Peter Reier - Raleigh NC
Eric Richard Burgan - Raleigh NC
Patrick Edward Nixon - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

Ericsson Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H05K 900

US Classification:

361816

Abstract:

A shield for an electronic device having a pair of cooperating printed circuit boards includes an integrated connector for connecting the printed circuit boards. The shield is provided with a frame attachable between the circuit boards and structure attached to the frame for supporting a connector that electrically connects the circuit boards. In one embodiment, the contacts of the connector are embedded in a sub-frame attached to the frame. In another embodiment, a connector holder is formed with the frame for supporting a connector that connects the printed circuit boards. By virtue of the unitary structure, problems associated with tolerance stack-up can be eliminated, and usable printed circuit board area can be maximized.