Systems and methods for cover assembly retention of a portable electronic device

A method for forming an electronic device, the method comprising:

• forming a housing, wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular cross section;
• coupling inner electronic components within the housing;
• and
• coupling a back cover assembly to a bottom surface of the housing to contain the inner electronic components within the housing, wherein the back cover assembly comprises at least one detent feature operable to retain the back cover assembly to the housing.

A back cover assembly of an electronic device comprising:

• an outer surface;
• an inner surface, wherein the outer and inner surface are substantially parallel to one another;
• two length-wise edges;
• two width-wise edges, wherein each width-wise edge is shorter in length than each length-wise edge;
• at least one screw plate, wherein:
• the at least one screw plate is coupled to the inner surface in a location adjacent a single one of the two width-wise edges;
• and
• the at least one screw plate comprises a hole extending through it operable to receive a screw to couple the back cover assembly to a housing of the electronic device;
• and
• at least one hook coupled to the inner surface in a location adjacent a length-wise edge, wherein the at least one hook comprises:
• a support extending substantially perpendicular from and coupled to the inner surface;
• a back abutment, wherein the back abutment extends substantially perpendicular from and is coupled to the inner surface, and wherein the back abutment and the support together form an L-shape;
• and
• an overhang coupled to the support and the back abutment, wherein the overhang is substantially parallel to and displaced from the inner surface.

A removable back cover assembly for an electronic device, the back cover assembly closing off at least one of a front and rear face of the electronic device, the removable back cover assembly comprising:

• a plate;
• and
• a plurality of retention features, wherein the plurality of retention features operate to secure the removable back cover assembly in a particular position relative to the electronic device and wherein the plurality of retention features comprises:
• a first set of retention features comprising at least one sliding entrapment element, wherein the sliding entrapment element is operable to capture a corresponding feature of the electronic device and wherein the first set is disposed on both length-wise peripheral edges of the removable back cover assembly;
• and
• a second set of retention features comprising at least one threaded locking element, and wherein the second set is disposed at a single width-wise peripheral edge of the removable back cover assembly.