US 7,689,257 B2 · Support structure for portable electronic device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are structures for supporting a clamshell- or slider-type portable electronic device such as a notebook computer; personal digital assistant; or wireless telephone. The clamshell- and slider-type portable electronic devices typically have at least two assemblies—a first housing assembly, and a second housing assembly containing at least a keyboard. In a clamshell-type electronic device, the first housing assembly and second housing assembly are connected by a hinge and pivot between at least an open position and a closed position. In a slider-type electronic device, the first housing assembly and second housing assembly are connected by a slide connection and slide between at least an open position and a closed position. In portable electronic devices made in accordance with the invention, the keyboard is comprised of a first set of keys and a second set of keys. The keys comprising the first and second sets have touch surfaces configured to receive keystrokes. The touch surfaces of the first set of keys extend above the touch surfaces of the second set of keys. When a portable electronic device having either the clamshell- or slider-type configuration is in a closed position, the combination of the varying heights of the touch surfaces of the keys and cooperating structures in the first and second housings hinders relative movement between the first and second housing assemblies when an external force (for example, due to an accidental drop) is applied to the portable electronic device. The hindering of relative movement helps to protect the portable electronic device from damage.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing assembly;
a second housing assembly comprising at least a keyboard, the keyboard comprising at least a first set of keys and at least one second key, the keys comprising the first set and the at least one second key each having touch surfaces configured to receive keystrokes, the touch surfaces of the first set of keys extending above the touch surface of the at least one second key;
a connection mechanism connecting the first housing assembly with the second housing assembly, the connection mechanism configured to permit relative movement between the first and second housing assemblies from at least an open position to a closed position;
and
wherein when the portable electronic device is in at least the closed position, the touch surfaces of the first set of keys and the at least one second key in combination with the first and second housing assemblies are configured to hinder movement of at least one of the first or second housing assemblies when an external force is applied to the portable electronic device.

2 more elements

A portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing assembly comprising at least a display and a display surround, the display and display surround each having surfaces, the surface of the display displaced inward from the surface of the display surround forming a display recess;
a second housing assembly comprising at least a keyboard, the keyboard comprising a first set of keys and a second set of keys, the keys comprising the first and second set of keys each having touch surfaces configured to receive keystrokes, the touch surfaces of the first set of keys extending above the touch surfaces of the second set of keys;
a hinge connecting the first housing assembly and the second housing assembly, the hinge configured to permit relative movement between the first and second housing assemblies from at least an open position to a closed position;
and
wherein when the portable electronic device is in at least the closed position the first and second sets of keys in combination with the first and second housing assemblies are configured to hinder movement of at least one of the first and second housing assemblies when an external force is applied to the portable electronic device.

2 more elements

A portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing assembly;
a second housing assembly comprising at least a keyboard, the keyboard comprising a first set of keys and a second set of keys, the keys comprising the first and second set of keys each having touch surfaces configured to receive keystrokes, the touch surfaces of the first set of keys extending above the touch surfaces of the second set of keys;
a slide connecting the first housing assembly and the second housing assembly, the slide configured to permit sliding relative movement between the first housing assembly and the second housing assembly from at least an open position to a closed position;
and
wherein when the portable electronic device is in at least the closed position the first and second sets of keys in combination with the first and second housing assemblies are configured to hinder movement of at least one of the first and second housing assemblies when an external force is applied to the portable electronic device.

2 more elements

A portable electronic device comprising:

a first housing assembly comprising at least a display and a display surround;
a second housing assembly comprising at least a keyboard, the keyboard comprising a first set of keys and a second set of keys, the first and second sets of keys having touch surfaces adapted to receive keystrokes;
a hinge connecting the first housing assembly and the second housing assembly, the hinge configured to permit relative motion between the first and second housing assemblies from at least an open position to a closed position;
and
wherein when the portable electronic device is in at least the closed position the touch surfaces of the first set of keys directly face the display and the touch surfaces of the second set of keys directly face the display surround, the touch surfaces of the first set of keys directly facing the display displaced a first distance from the display and the touch surfaces of the second set of keys directly facing the display surround displaced a second distance from the display surround, the first distance less than the second distance, and wherein the first and second sets of keys and the first and second housings are configured to hinder movement of at least one of the first and second housings when an external force is applied to the portable electronic device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Support structure for portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Support structure for portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40