# US 9,056,430 B2 · Casing wall for an apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,056,430 B2 - Document ID: US9056430B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/531,751 - Filed: 2008-03-18 - Published: 2010-05-27 - Granted: 2015-06-16 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-19 - Assignees: Vertu Limited - Applicants: Hutch Hutchison; Caroline Millar - Inventors: Hutch Hutchison; Caroline Millar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9056430B2 ## CPC - B29C 70/74: Moulding material on a relatively small portion of the preformed part, e.g. outsert moulding {(B29C70/845 takes precedence)} - H05K 5/0243: {for decorative purposes} - B29K 2709/02: Ceramics - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A casing wall for an apparatus, the casing wall comprising including a chassis and casing wall elements integrated into the chassis, the casing wall elements each including a surface exposed to a user, the chassis defining a continuum between the integrated casing wall elements to provide structural rigidity to the casing wall. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A casing wall for an apparatus, the casing wall comprising a chassis and casing wall elements at least partially embedded into the chassis to integrate them into the chassis, the casing wall elements each including a surface exposed to a user, wherein the casing wall elements include an integration region to facilitate integration into the chassis, and the integration region having a high porosity relative to the remainder of the casing wall elements, the chassis defining a continuum between the integrated casing wall elements at least partly enveloping the casing wall elements and comprising a resilient material, wherein the chassis retains the integrated casing wall elements flexibly in predetermined positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element interconnects the casing wall elements to locate the casing wall elements at predetermined spaced positions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element extends through apertures in the casing wall elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the casing wall elements comprise discrete wall elements integrated into the chassis or wherein the casing wall elements are formed integrally from a sheet of material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A portable electronic device including a casing wall according to claim 1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the integration region includes a plurality of formations for providing an interlock between the casing wall elements and the chassis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the chassis is moulded around the casing wall elements to integrate the casing wall elements into the chassis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the casing wall elements are integrated into the chassis at spaced positions lying on a plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the interconnection between the integrated casing wall elements is operable to retain the casing wall elements at predetermined positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the interconnection between the casing wall elements is provided at least partly by the chassis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the casing wall includes an adherent to facilitate integration of the casing wall elements into the chassis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the exposed surfaces of the casing wall elements are substantially coplanar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a resinous material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A casing wall according to claim 1, wherein the casing wall elements are interconnected at least partly by a connecting element, the connecting element being separate from the casing wall elements. ### Claim 15 A method comprising at least partially embedding casing wall elements into a chassis to integrate the casing wall elements into the chassis such that a surface of each integrated wall element is exposed to a user to form a casing wall for an apparatus, wherein the casing wall elements include an integration region to facilitate integration into the chassis, and the integration region having a high porosity relative to the remainder of the casing wall elements, the chassis defining a continuum between the integrated casing wall elements at least partly enveloping the casing wall elements and comprising a resilient material, wherein the chassis retains the integrated casing wall elements flexibly in predetermined positions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises interconnecting the casing wall elements prior to integrating the casing wall elements into the chassis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises moulding the chassis around the casing wall elements to integrate the casing wall elements into the chassis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises creating formations in the casing wall elements to facilitate integration of the casing wall elements into the chassis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is a portable communication device.