US 8,616,748 B1Granted

Portable computing device

AssigneeApple Inc.

InventorsBrett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Jay S Nigen, Matthew S. Theobald, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A portable computing device, comprising:

a bottom case;
and
a top case coupled to the bottom case to form a multi-part housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device, the complete housing enclosing at least a plurality of operational components, the top case comprising an integrated support system integrally formed with the top case, wherein the integrated support system is configured to distribute an externally applied load through the complete housing and provide structural elements for attaching selected operational components to the top case, the integrated support system comprising a continuous keyboard support rib that completely surrounds an opening in a keyboard zone in the top case, the keyboard support rib configured to support a keyboard assembly disposed in the opening, the keyboard assembly comprising:
a plurality of keypads;
a light guide panel configured to receive light from a light source at least some of which passes through a first surface of the light guide panel to directly illuminate selected portions of the plurality of keycaps;
a reflector layer disposed at a second surface of the light guide panel, the second surface opposite the first surface, the reflector layer configured to reflect light incident at the second surface to the first surface thereby enhancing an amount of light used to illuminate the plurality of key caps;
and
a feature plate secured to the top case and configured to support the keyboard assembly.

5 more elements

A portable computing device, comprising:

a top case, the top case comprising an integrated support system integrally formed with the top case, wherein the integrated support system is configured to distribute an externally applied load through the top case and provide structural elements for attaching selected operational components to the top case, the integrated support system comprising:
a continuous keyboard support rib that completely surrounds an opening in a keyboard zone in the top case, the keyboard support rib configured to support a keyboard assembly disposed in the opening, the integrated support system comprising:
a touch pad support surrounding and defining a touch pad opening in the top case, the touch pad support comprising at least two shoulders configured to support a touch pad and transfer a load applied at the touch pad to the touch pad support for distribution through the top case by the integrated support system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/492,701Filed 8 Jun 2012
Published: US 2013/0329450 A112 Dec 2013
Granted: 31 Dec 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G06F 1/1613
Constructional details or arrangements: for portable computers
G06F 1/1616
With several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function: with folding flat displays,…
G06F 2200/1612
Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the monitor: flat panel monitor
Y10T 29/49
Metal working: method of mechanical manufacture