Button structures for electronic devices

Abstract

An electronic device may have buttons, a display, and a vibrator unit. Buttons may be included in electronic devices such as glass buttons, metal buttons, buttons that are assembled on printed circuit boards, and buttons that are partly formed from antenna structures. Button coatings may be used to improve the sliding performance of metal-on-metal buttons. A layer of polymer may be interposed between a button plate and a housing structure. A glass button member may have an underside on which a layer of patterned ink is formed. Elastomeric members may be used to reduce button rattle. Portions of a button may be provided with conductive features that form portions of an antenna.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An electronic device comprising:
 a support plate comprising:
 a button member; and 
 an opening defined through the support plate adjacent to the button member; 
   a frame defining an aperture accommodating the button member; and   a retainer comprising:
 a screw boss extending into the opening; and 
 a spring arm extending from the screw boss and against the support plate to retain the support plate against the frame. 
   
     
     
         19 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein the button member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, glass, ceramic, composite, or plastic. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , further comprising a dome switch assembly coupled to the screw boss. 
     
     
         21 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein the support plate defines two slots on opposing sides of the opening. 
     
     
         22 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein the frame is formed from metal. 
     
     
         23 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein:
 the electronic device comprises four sidewalls; and   the frame comprises a metal band that surrounds the four sidewalls.   
     
     
         24 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , further comprising a dome switch assembly positioned between the button member and the support plate. 
     
     
         25 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein:
 the button member is a first button member; and   the electronic device further comprises a second button member positioned opposite the opening from the first button member.   
     
     
         26 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , further comprising a button bracket substantially parallel to the support plate and coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         27 . An electronic device comprising:
 a housing comprising a frame defining a button aperture;   a support plate comprising:
 a button member within the button aperture; and 
 an opening defined through the support plate adjacent to the button member; 
   a retainer coupled to an interior surface of the frame and extending through the opening, the retainer coupling the support plate to the frame.   
     
     
         28 . The electronic device of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a dome switch positioned between button member and the support plate.   
     
     
         29 . The electronic device of  claim 27 , wherein the button member is movable with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         30 . The electronic device of  claim 27 , wherein the button member has a round cross-section. 
     
     
         31 . The electronic device of  claim 27 , wherein the button member is formed from ceramic. 
     
     
         32 . The electronic device of  claim 27 , wherein the support plate comprises an array of button members, the array of button members comprising the button member. 
     
     
         33 . The electronic device of  claim 32 , wherein the array of button members are arranged in a linear pattern. 
     
     
         34 . An electronic device comprising:
 a frame defining a button aperture;   a support plate comprising:
 a button member within the button aperture; and 
 an opening defined through the support plate adjacent to the button member; 
   a retainer comprising a number of spring clips extending through the opening and holding the support plate to the frame.   
     
     
         35 . The electronic device of  claim 34 , wherein the support plate comprises an electrical circuit. 
     
     
         36 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises an antenna. 
     
     
         37 . The electronic device of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the antenna is aligned with the button member; and   the button member is formed from a dielectric material.